David Gillette Comic Reviews

In a lot of ways, Ballistic is a buddy story at its heart but very much in an Odd Couple way as Butch and Bang Bang can't even pull off their first, big heist together because Bang Bang is still tore up from doing drugs all night. It's that completely random, absurdist look at the future with complete irreverence for traditional comic storytelling that puts Ballistic right up there with Fred Van Lente's Archer & Armstrong for being the funniest, most addictive story of recent comic book memory. It's my pick of the week.

You just need to get up off your duff or click a mouse and get a copy of Ballistic #2. Period.

Houses of the Holy, episode 5 also bucks traditional industry norms by coming out on Friday, August 30th rather than on new comic Wednesday. You can download Houses of the Holy, episode 5 to your iOS device or read it at deviantART's Motion Book section.

Currently available on all Apple mobile devices and through your computer browser at deviantART for free, there is absolutely no reason to not read this fantastic title from Madefire. It's hard to argue with the sentiment that Madefire might be the best thing happening in comics. Mono is a must read and out today.

The Heroes Club #2 is available for free on iOS with the Madefire app and available on deviantART right here as well. Happy reading!

Without giving away too much, The Will and Gwendolyn engage in an action filled scene to recover the slave girl with the reward being her freedom and some help in closing in on Marko and Alaina. For the love of all that is sacred, go buy issue 9 of Saga or I will not be able to contain my not as spoilerish review. It's my pick of the week.

I won't spoil the twist after this, but it's fantastic and quite a cliffhanger. Forget any of the nonsense over the overblown controversy over this issue of Saga and just pick it up. Vaughan and Staples really put together a spectacular chapter that makes Saga possibly the best comic being published.

Overall, you would do yourself well to take fifteen minutes to escape from your mundane existence and lose yourself in the pure, unadulterated fantasy Bechko and Hardman deliver with Station to Station. This one takes my pick of the week for its pure fun.

If you're not reading Harbinger right now, you're missing out. In a medium dominated by superheroes, Harbinger does capes smarter and better than anything on the stands right now.

Typically, we rate on a scale of 1-5 stars. Harbinger #13 is off the scale. In honor of the 8-bit cover variant, I give this a 1up too. If you haven't already been reading Harbinger, go get it today. Seriously.

Be smart and go give these two your money.The Private Eye is a story that deserves a long run.

Overall, The Private Eye #3 really delivers and deserves to reach a wider audience. Go drop some change in the hat and pass it around.

Overall, Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps #14 shows an interesting twist for Valiant Comics' future universe as each title becomes further entwined. This issue leaves the reader with a lot of questions, but in a solid way that makes the next issue another must read.

Frankly, Chin Music looks exciting and fun. Put this one at the top of your pull list if you haven't made a trip to your local comic shop yet. It's a powder keg of a comic waiting to explode.

Overall, the duo of Brubaker and Phillips have a winning combination that makes Fatale a series to remain invested in.

Overall, Liberator makes for a solid debut from Miner and the creative team behind the art. This will run as a mini-series, which makes this a must read for anyone who ever wondered what really happens in the dog fighting, fur trading, or animal experimentation world. Run down to your local comic shop to check it out.

Like any good story full of action and suspense, Liberator #2 brings the goods with interesting plot developments for Damon and his crusade to rescue animals from a life of barbarism. Miner draws off of powerful images and realities facing animals in the fur farms, labs, and dog fighting kennels to continue bringing awareness to the plight of these suffering creatures.

Overall, Liberator #3 makes for another great story that looks more closely at the realities and dynamics that exist when people commit themselves to a higher cause, even if it requires wearing a ski mask.

It's a rare talent that can develop a good story from the ground up and then go out and draw it like one of the masters. Sharp and McCormack make a great storytelling duo with him dazzling readers with each panel flowing into the next. Here's to episode 6 of Captain Stone is Missing… and the revelations that await.

Overall, Carey and Kendall are telling a thrilling and chilling story full of original ideas and craft. Of course, the use of tradition plays heavy here, but in the best of ways. Add another story to your list of good reads as the pair ready another episode of Houses of the Holy.

Overall, Mono offers exciting storytelling in a most satisfying and cinematic fashion with the motion book tool used by Madefire. This is sophisticated comic book storytelling here and well worth the read.

Overall, Adams and Broxton deliver another solid story that compels readers to come back for another riveting installment of The Engine. Check out Madefire's Motion Book section here at deviantART or download the latest episode on your iPad or iPhone with the Madefire app.

Overall, this has been a surprise of a story in a pleasant way. Futuristic sci-fi generally suffers from clich and predictability. In the case of The Irons, Blackman and Erskine are smart and fresh in their approach.

Writers have written about the public's fascination with extreme violence and punishment for decades, but Gibbons' concept and the Morrison/Braithwaite duo's great storytelling make this story something more tangible. They might be on to something when they say "prepare to receive Treatment".

Overall, Morrison and Chan have a firm grip on Treatment Tokyo. The storytelling and artwork are compelling and dynamic with plenty of on the edge of your seat action to make this another winner in Madefire's stable of great titles.

To get in on the white-knuckle thrill ride that's Moth City click here for comiXology's series page.

Objectivity or insight on a movement that threatens their very existence isn't something you can count on. Occupy Comics #1 engages and invites discourse. Give it a shot.

Overall, reading Occupy Comics #2 provides many insights and unique takes on what makes up a movement as diverse and vast as the Occupy movement. You would be hard pressed to find these insights from big media who would desperately love to bury this movement at each and every opportunity they can. Smart, well-reasoned, and free of being preachy, Occupy Comics #2 continues to fulfill its mission of engaging readers.

Occupy Comics continues to bring varied opinions, voices, and perspectives together in its anthology effectively and without compromise. The latest edition is out today at your local comic shop.

Bechko and Hardman do a fantastic job creating this new story within the vast universe of Star Wars with an effective plot, good pacing, and smart reveals. Overall Star Wars Legacy #1 is a great read for those longing for a new trip down memory lane in a galaxy far, far away.

The final issue of The Secret Service is now a requirement for anyone who loves a good spy story told by two master storytellers in Millar and Gibbons. Enough said.

As an added bonus, his pulpy back-up story Primordial offers more mystery and intrigue, which makes this first issue of After Houdini an incentive laden read. Illustrated by Isaac Goodhart, it also looks to be headed in interesting direction that makes picking up After Houdini #2 a worthy consideration. It's currently available for purchase.

Check in tomorrow as Comic Booked looks at Liam Sharp's Captain Stone is Missing…

Overall, this episode of Treatment Mexico City was a compelling read that did all of the things a good story should do - engage, elicit thought, and keep a reader on the edge of their seat. Not bad for a free comic book app.

Red Handed ultimately should be lauded for its daring approach even if it's a bit uneven. The book engages and takes risks in its storytelling, and that should be celebrated. That's enough for me.

Overall, it's an interesting read that will satisfy you if you're looking for a story with a certain poetry to it. Twelve Reasons to Die is available today at your local comic shop.

Ultimately, I think Ales Kot offers something for more than the mentally tough; he offers a story requiring patience too. At the end of the day, I'd spend another six bucks to see what he can do with Change and its head trip of a story.