Jim Allegro Comic Reviews

For fans of Black Hammer, the crossover is recognition of the following that has been steadily growing around Lemire's creation. And, the five-issue arc is a perfect opportunity for Justice League fans to introduce themselves to the indie comic.

The artwork provides the pivot against which grim and phantasmagorical elements mix and turn. Danis (2000 AD) strong line-work provides a firm base against which to make sense of the surreal storytelling. The artists decision to shift among grotesque, dreamy, and crime noir notes builds on the comic's unapologetic nature. And, Brad Simpson (Fair Lady) uses hot colors such as orange during daylight and deep reds and purples at night to transform the desert into a foreboding and fickle character in its own right.

I came for car chases, excessive gore, and delirium. I stayed for the quiet stories about family and the loud questions they provoke about what it means to live and be in the world today. Check out Coffin Bound #2 if you want to be entertained and challenged. Oh, and more EarthEater please. Hes creepy AF.

Dead Eyes #1 also has some humorous moments that work well with the serious subject matter. Overall, I liked this comic and I recommend that you check it out.

Dont let the SyFy series cancellation get you down. Remender and Craig are still here and better than ever. Deadly Class #39 proves them to be a lasting and entertaining force in creator-owned comics.

The result is an artistic accomplishment that leaves us anything but uncertain.

Family Tree #1 is a gripping family tale of horror, mystery, and action. Check it out on November 13.

So, too, will the artistic teams notable work. The methods of Andrea Sorrentino (Old Man Logan) and Dave Stewart (Hellboy) work as well in alternate worlds and times as in the modern setting of earlier arcs. Blurry line-work, serrated paneling, and bold reds are just as disconcerting in the Victorian Age of Gideon Falls #13. Steve Wands (Batman) expertly matches fonts to fears of dislocation that frame these places. The letters are rickety, as if they are hastily put together and about to fall apart. Except, that is, when Burke comes into conflict with the Laughing Man. There, bold and firm lettering anticipates conflict to come.

The comicbook was initially released last year as part of the Marvel Digital Original series. You can read it online or check out the print re-issue this week.

Crook, the artist, previously worked with Bunn on Harrow County and understands the task of building a suspenseful story. He shades the interiors of the Black family mansion in bleak hues to reinforce the idea of a family fading into irrelevance. His shadowing and loose line-work heighten the uncertainty as we follow the mage's encounter with Roman Black. The result is a fruitful collaboration between artist and writer that should continue through the miniseries.

Also, be sure to check out the 2020 film adaptation of the first arc starring Charlize Theron.

Timed for release in the thick of the presidential primary season, On the Stump #1 is a political thriller with potential. Be sure to check it out.

I also thought the artwork was enjoyable. Dan Moras (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) facial expressions add to the characters. Examples include the taut faces of grim nationalists or the astonished looks of Bridgettes unsuspecting grandson. He creates a sense of excitement in the action sequences, which involve a famous monster of medieval legend. Tamra Bonvillains (Rat Queens) selects a palette of pinks and blues to compliment the entertaining touch that Gillen puts on serious subjects of history, myth, and politics.

Rob Guillory and Afu Chan join the fray with a seamless artistic partnership that suits the light, relaxed tone of the crossover. But Chan also makes sure we remember that this comicbook is set within the bleak universe of Outer Darkness. And, as if on cue, Image Comics just announced Chu, a summer spinoff of Chew from Layman and Dan Boultwood timed with the trade release of the Outer Darkness/Chew miniseries. So, maybe there was something a bit cynical about this crossover. Welcome to the bubble, I guess. But, on the upside, at least there's plenty in the Layman universe to keep us busy this year.

Fans of violence for its own sake, and fans of animation hoping to feed their inner adolescent, will be pleased.

I recommend Reaver #1. It is a solid buy if you like grim fantasy with a touch of intrigue and humor.

Red Sonja #15 does what a comic should. It provides us with an entertaining story about what it means to be human in a world of violence and bad choices. Queen Sonjas story is not especially provocative or subversive. And I doubt this issue of the comic will catch the eye of hungry speculators on eBay. But maybe thats what we need after several months without comicbooks. Im just happy theyre back.

Ret:Con is not perfect, but it is worth keeping your eye on. Take a break from predictable corporate comics and their over-hyped events, and check out this and other offerings from 133art Publishing here.

Artist Alex Cormak (Sink) skillfully brings to life the storys desperation and uncertainty. Strong line-work and visceral expressions remind us what happens to men who are confined too long without hope. The use of sharp black-white contrasts gives the camp a dark and sinister feel. The surrounding tundra, on the other hand, is vast and empty. Light purples and pinks set against this wasteland make us feel the chilling temperatures that the escapees will have to endure in order to survive their getaway.

I wouldnt put Sleeping Beauties #1 on my pull list; however, I might recommend it to a Stephen King fan. I didnt find it to be an especially scary or compelling inaugural issue. Nevertheless, the premise is interesting and the artwork is thoughtful. Theres a dearth of really good horror comics out there right now. So, I might keep an eye on this comic book. It has the potential to get better.

On the whole, I think Starship Down #1 is a strong comicbook with clear writing and the potential to entertain. It is particularly suited to fans of high-concept science fiction. I dont think its pull list-worthy, at least not for me. Though, I would definitely watch for the trade paperback when Dark Horse releases it.

Stranger Things Six #1 is good fun for those already invested in the Stranger Things franchise. For the rest, it is an agreeable, though not particularly original, riff on the nostalgia horror genre.

The back story to this coming-of-age comic will keep readers busy with epic battles, factions of magicians, and sinister cabals. The Marked are an ancient order with a history of battling occult forces that threaten humanity. Their last great struggle was during World War II, when they teamed up with the Mages and other mystical groups to defeat the Lords of Chaos. Upon their defeat, occult Nazi artifacts were allowed to fall into the hands of governments that have an eye on Saskia. In The Marked #1, Saskia's fate is also the fate of humanity.

Trees: Three Fates #1 is versatile enough to compel longtime fans of the series while providing new readers with a jumping on point. And, it is a perfect way to get a taste of whats to come from the television adaption presently in production.

The artwork feels a bit like a tribute to Mike Mignolas Hellboy. The deliberate, exaggerated line-work leads to caricatured figures that stand off against the rugged terrain of the storys setting. Bradford uses color and perspective well. Shading and shadows deepen the mystery behind the undead lawman and otherworldly angel. The panel-work adds a sharp dimension to the battle scenes. Wylde is a comic with enough potential to check out. It is a book for fans of religious themes and cosmic battles. All issues are available on Comixology.