Anelise Farris Comic Reviews

ThroughoutAll the Places in Between the art is consistently moving. The simple, thin linework and quiet emotion hook the reader until the very end. My only critique is that some of the sections are more difficult to decipher than others. They require a generous amount of work from the reader, and there a few that still have me puzzled. That said, it's a book well worth reading more than once, and, despite the sad content, it's an oddly comforting read.

Archie Meets Riverdale #1 is a fun read from start to finish, and it's clear that the creative team has a deep love for these charactersin all their iterations. I appreciate how they carefully contrasted the two worlds in both the script and the art, while still managing to make it feel like a cohesive book.

I highly recommend that you pick up a copy of this oversized introductory issue at your local comicbook shop this week; it's well worth the cover price.

If you're tired of the same old sci-fi invasion stories, give Break Out #1a chance!

On a positive note, the art by George Kambadais is fantastic. It's youthful but detailed, and the bold colors and unique patterns bring life to the story. Also, per usual, Jim Campbell's letters are easily readable. It's a shame that the narrative isn't more thoughtfully arranged. I'll probably check out Issue #2 with the hope that writer Shobo can explain what exactly is going on a bit more clearly, but, for now, it's difficult to recommend.

Due to the overall narrative and the art, I wanted to like Cherry Blackbird #1more than I did. I'm intrigued enough to at least give the second issue a read, but I'll need to meet some more fully realized characters in order to convince me to continue on this demon-hunting mission.

Ramn's trippy, expressive art is just as delightful as the text, and despite the horrors that abound, it's a world that I want to return to frequently. Because people (characters?) like J make me feel less alone.

Doctor Who: Empire of the Wolf #1sets the stage for what is sure to be another exciting journey across time and space, so Whovians, definitely add it to your pull list!

Eleutheromaniaoffers everything I look for in a comic that's marketed as "abstract"-it's just abstract enough to allow the reader to pour themselves into it, resulting in a very emotional and rewarding experience. The comic is available digitally at Gumroad and for free on Anasabdulhak.com. Prefer a physical copy? Head over to CWSbookstore.com. Either way, this book needs to be on your shelf.

Not only does Everything is Going Wrong: Comics on Punk & Mental Illness relate comics, punk music, and mental illness together on a literal level based on those involved, but it also does a tremendous job of using the comic medium to visually express that which is hard to communicate otherwise. Emotions and mental illness are, for the most part, invisible, so rendering them in a tangible way is such an important step for spreading awareness and building empathy (e.g. after reading "Rhythm" by Amit Chauhan and Eli Powell, you might have a little more compassion for someone with depression who spends a few days in bed).

Ultimately, Good Night, Hemcomes across like a personal project for Jason, and it will feel personal to readers like myself who have their own special connection to this era of literature. So, if you are looking for an interesting gift for your 20th-century American literature professor, then Good Night, Hem is a sure bet. For anyone outside of this very narrow audience, skip it.

While it would be remiss to say that Haha #2 is an uplifting read, it is a comforting read as it reminds readers that there is something wrong with all of us.

And the narrative is totally ridiculous, but it works! Part of that is the humor. As my mind was trying to process how the alien popped out of the guitar, one of the characters casually asks, "Do you guys think it's weird how that guitar got zonked and turned into a giant lizard?" And they're basically like, "Sure … but CONTENT." In any other book, the logistics would have taken me out of the story. But not here. Plus the villain, Super Influencer Toby Hondo, is the perfect addition to this story of friendship, popularity, and the quest for ultimate radness.

Although Just Roll With It will have special significance for those who identify as mentally ill, it's simply a good story that can be appreciated by anyone.

Proctor Valley Road #1is a strong first issue. It introduces a cast of likeable characters, a realistic setting, and an intriguing mystery. It's well-paced, and Jim Campbell's lettering really helps to move the story along swiftly. Naomi Franquiz's art is youthful, which works for our young characters, and Tamra Bonvillain's bold coloring brings everything to life. This first issue leaves me eager for more Proctor Valley Road: I want to know more about this strange road, obviously, but I also want to know if these girls get to see Janis Joplin (*fingers crossed but also envious*).

She Said Destroy #1 will be available in your local comicbook shops May 29, 2019.

Upon finishing Sleeping While Standing, one is reminded that lifeall livesis full of a series of events, not all of them pleasant, but all of them very human (except for the occasional zombie or demon in Soma's case), and, as Taki Soma's life proves: it gets better.

Both fans of classic Archie and more modern adaptations like The CW's Riverdale will find a lot to love in The Best Archie Comic Ever! #1.

Despite this being another entry amongst a slew of comics about gods and mortals, The Many Deaths of Laila Starr #1with its compelling storyline, singular focus on Death/Laila, and Hindu roots make it worth your time.

Overall, The Nightmare Brigade thoughtfully explores the importance of facing our fears despite the power that nightmares can hold over us, and the end of this first volume makes me eager to continue on with Professor Angus and his mysterious cohort.

With such a fully realized story, it's difficult to read The Silver Coin #1 as a one shot, but, in many ways, that format makes the most sense for this kind of story: a tale of a reversal of fortune that just consumes and consumes until there is nothing left; after all, "A curse needs to feed."

Finally, there are so, so many good cameos in Virtually Yoursthat literally had me smiling/squealing with delight. I'm not going to give anything away here, because you definitely need to experience the joy that comes from the surprise like I did.