Trimming down a bit more. This week I was going to try and have The Complete Crimson ready for y’all, but that suckers 600+ pages so it’s going to take me a little while yet.
Ballad of Halo Jones – Book 02
Writer: Alan Moore
Artist: Ian Gibson
Colors: Barbara Nosenzo
Letters: Steve Potter
Cover: Ian Gibson
Publisher: 2000 AD
I told you last week that Volume 1 was good, but Volumes 2 is better. We have twists and turns and a mystery set up. As well as a surprisingly impactful moment set around a character designed not to have impact. I have to give another shout out to Barbara Nosenzo the colorist, because there was one particularly action packed surprise that her colors moved from great to superb. 10/10 I hope it can keep the upward trend going.
Quantum Age: From the World of Black Hammer #1
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Wilfredo Torres
Colors: Dave Stewart
Letters: Nate Piekos
Cover: Wilfredo Torres
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
It feels a lot like the Legion of Superheroes with a dark, subversive twist. I love stuff like that, and the terrific art is the icing on the cake. I’m looking forward to the next issue 10/10
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 25th Anniversary #1
Writers: jessica Quinones, Mat Groom, Michael Busuttil,Sina Grace,Magdalene Visaggio, Trey Moore
Artists: JoeQuinones,Lucas Werneck,Sina Grace, Dajung Lee, French Carlomagno
Colors: Eleonora Bruni, Marcelo Costa
Letters: Ed Dukeshire
Cover: Steve Morris
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
The tricky part about this one is that the art and stories are great, but for a 25th anniversary there was nothing that made it feel really special. If you are already enjoying the high quality Boom! Power Ranger books pick it up because you should love it, otherwise your not missing anything big 10/10
Invader Zim Hardcover Book 2
Created by: Jhonen Vasquez
Writers: KC Green, Dennis Hopeless, Kyle Starks, Eric Trueheart
Artist: Aaron Alexovich
Inks: David Crosland
Colors: J.R Goldberg
Cover: Warren wucinich
Publisher: Oni Press
As a big fan of Invader Zim I was at first a bit surprised how spot on the comic was. As I read I could actually hear the character’s voices in my head. When I got to the credits it became clear. Most of the writers are alums from the cartoon (with the creator of course). The art is fantastic as well it really keeps up the tone of spooky, gross, and weird the cartoon did so well. Whether you watched the original or not give it a look 10/10
Rivers of London: Cry Fox Vol.5 Â
Writers: Andrew Cartmel & Ben Aaronovitch
Artist: Lee Sullivan
Colors: Luis Guerrero
Letters: Rob Steen
Cover: Lee Sullivan
Publisher: Titan Comics
This is a graphic novel series spun off a book series that stand well on it’s own. It’s about a team of detectives in London that work supernatural cases. It’s a lot of fun, but it has around 6 main characters and I had trouble getting a bead on their personalities. But it was kind of like catching a random police procedural on TV you don’t know these people, but you don’t really have to for the plot to flow 10/10.
Sideways #6
Writer: Dan Didio
Artist: Carmine Di Giandomenico
Colors: Dan Brown
Letters: Travis Lanham
Cover: Kenneth Rocafort
Publisher: DC Comics
I heard that Sideways was at some level supposed to be DC’s Spiderman and I definitely getting that vibe, the down on his luck adopted kid who gets powers, and the full body suit with pointy eyes. There are many differences, but he just doesn’t feel like he’s come into his own yet, but maybe once he truly taps into his power to teleport across the multiverse that might change. One final note is that there was a lot more narration than I usually like. I think this story has potential and it Definitely has me interested 8/10.
The New World #1
Writer: Ales Kot
Artist: Tradd Moore
Colors: Heather Moore
Letters: Clayton Cowles
Cover: Ales Kot
Publisher: Image Comics
The gorgeous art of this lovely 66 page issue reminds me of Frank Miller and Lynn Varney’s Ronin and I mean that as a huge compliment. That said the art is uniquely it’s own. The story is set in the future when a nuclear attack leads to the United States breaking into four pieces with New California being the backdrop. In New California law enforcement has turned into entertainment, kind of a cross between “The Running Man” (the book) and American Idol. The two protagonist are both trying to subvert this system but from very different positions. A solid and beautiful beginning 10/10.
James L. Sarandis is a husband of one, father of two, and writer in three fields (comics, books, and film). Want to see my current labor of love? Check out EYE HAND VOICE at www.eyehandvoice.the-comic.org.
