The long await return of The Weatherman! At least for me. One of the perks of reviewing comics is that on occasion you get to read comic early, such was the case with this series, but the catch is that you’re then locked in waiting longer than normal for the next issue. I was very excited to read more of this series after the first issue, and now that excitement has only grown.
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What I’m going to eventually say in this opening is going to sound like a slam against Image and really, I can’t help if anyone takes it that way. It has been a long ass time since I was excited about a new Image title. While I enjoy the fact that Image is the number three publisher and feel that they produce a wide variety of comics that disrupt the superhero conglomerate, at the end of the day their crutch is sci-fi fantasy stories, and lately, it’s been pretty dull when a new title is released. Don’t get me wrong; it’s not that they’re bad titles, but much like superhero inc. and superhero llc., there are so many titles that it all starts to feel a bit average and overpraised. Okay, that last part is a bit of a slam, but saying all comic books are great is like saying every movie, tv show, and video game is great. Be consistent is all I’m saying, anyway.
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There are points in some creator’s careers in which they hit a point of almost superstardom in the industry. They can do no wrong with their fan base, and their fan base buys a lot of comics. You can likely think of countless creators like this, some of them are still at that level while others have fallen from grace. I have stopped this practice after years of over-inflating comics that didn’t deserve it because the writer or artist was, “really good.” It’s a dangerous practice, and it’s one that I, unfortunately, see that happening to Jeff Lemire more and more. That’s not to say that he doesn’t make good comics. He actually has a couple out at the moment that are better than good, but that doesn’t mean everything he releases is gold.
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Did you ever think about what you would do if you suddenly ruled an entire world? Like, if you were given immense power, what would be the first thing you’d do? Would you use that power to make the world a better place or would you use it to make your own life better? These are the thoughts I was left with after finishing Maestros #2. And I think it’s safe to say that I would be the worst person to be put into a position of that kind of power. I imagine that I would fuck everything up very quickly.
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I'm pretty sure I've said this before, but I generally don't do fantasy books. They're just not my thing. I think it's because they all tend to be too heavy. To me at least, everything seems weighed down and overly descriptive, and it's mainly the language in a fantasy book/comic that I can't get into. Maestros #1 is a fantasy book. But it's also so much more. Steve Skroce has created a multi-layered book that even this self-proclaimed fantasy hater can enjoy. Ugh. That sentence was terrible and I hated writing it. But it is true. I don't like fantasy but I did enjoy the shit out of Maestros.
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Dark Horse is thrilled to reveal the next installment in the Gaiman Library with A Study in Emerald! From multiple award-winning writer Neil Gaiman comes this graphic novel adaptation featuring art by Eisner award-winning artist Rafael Albuquerque (Ei8ht, American Vampire)!
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This is the second edition of Hard Boiled. It's written by Frank Miller, drawn by Geof Darrow, and colored by Dave Stewart. It originally came out in 1990, but I didn’t read it back then. Most probably because I was only five years old at the time. This is the first time I've ever read it actually, although I was aware that it was a thing that existed in the world before. Just never got around to reading it. I guess.
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There's nothing in comics that's quite as special as a short story in the Hellboy universe. Various creative teams have brought their unique voice to the character over the years, but Mike Mignola remains the arbiter. This way, stories are consistent in tone, and respect continuity. In Hellboy: Into the Silent Sea, Mignola joins co-writer and artist Gary Gianni for a fifty-page, standalone graphic novel that can proudly stand next to other "Mignola-verse" classics. It's that good.
Read MoreLife is full of defining moments, events that completely reshape your perspective on reality. I've had my fair share, but sometimes they come without warning. You see, there's my life before I read The Shaolin Cowboy: Who'll Stop the Reign #1, and then there's after. Because a man can only do so much to resist cataclysmic disruption of his entire being, and a title like this was always meant to be the definitive tipping point. Read ahead for my thoughts before Billy's Happy Meal photo hits 9 likes.
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I had to catch up on the past two issues in order to review Black Hammer #8 and let me tell you; it was worth it. Not only were the last two issues incredible, but it made me more excited for this issue. Each issue tends to follow one character’s backstory, and this time it’s Gail, who has become one of my favorite characters of this series due to her predicament. There is something extremely interesting about this old woman trapped in a young girl’s body.
Read MoreJeff Lemire's grand homage to Golden Age heroes continues with the start of a new arc -- this time exploring the mysterious origins of Black Hammer, the hammer-wielding hero of the streets who sacrificed all he had to save Spiral City. In the spirit of previous issues, two stories of past and present are told concurrently. But how does this week's backstory stack up? Read ahead to find out!
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I’m putting the bottom line at the top this week, this issue is a solid end to a great series. Last month we saw this creative team branch out in both structure and art style for the Colonel’s origin story, this issue dials back the weird and cranks up the eerie for the story of Madame Dragonfly. In a throwback to the Eerie and Creepy comics of old the team has managed to make another unique addition to the first arch. While the plot may not be a strong as some of the previous issues, there are a lot of things to like about Black Hammer #6.
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Abe gets his Mrs. Dalloway on and throws a dinner party! Gail makes a bold accessory choice! And someone gets a whole new look! But all joking aside, this is another great issue. I don’t know why you’re even reading this. Have you missed reviews 1-3? You can’t still be on the fence, can you? Why haven’t you bought this comic? Are you waiting for the trade? Cause that’s cool. I can respect that.
Read MoreFight Club: You've probably seen the movie, you've possibly read the book, you can definitely quote that line about what not to talk about. Here is the sequel to that story. The original was obviously well received and is a cult classic, so making a part 2 in a comic book format is odd. However, if you've read or watched anything from Chuck Palahniuk, you know that's the kind of thing you should come to expect from him and his work: odd, violent, funny, philosophical, odd. Whatever happened to everyone's favorite nobody with the split personality and his kooky love life? Find out here.
Read MoreThis is it! The big finale to Dark Horse Comics’ House of Penance. The series concludes with issue six and I’ve been lucky enough to get my hands on a copy for review. Here we go…
When we last left these characters, the world around them was about to go to shit, so naturally that’s where we pick up from. Everything is crumbling around them, the cause being something that’s completely natural and not so much supernatural (or was it…?) When the story reaches its conclusion, we’re given scenes of Sarah Winchester’s death (not really a spoiler, y’all know she dies 
if you’ve looked into the story) and that is pretty all there is to say about it. Although I have to say, I did have to google what the scenes at the end of the book were about, haha. I’m not that up on my American history, mainly because we don’t get taught it over here (England) in our schools… I learnt all my American history from Brian Wood’s Rebels. Anyway…
This is another great issue from this particular creative team. Tomasi’s gone a bit lighter with the dialogue in this issue. Instead, he lets Ian Bertram’s art do all the talking. There’s page after page of amazing visuals. There’s really no need for words there, the art walks you through it and it’s beautiful. I might have to hunt down all of Bertram’s work because this series has made me a big fan of his. Also, I think there might even be a six-page splash/gatefold in this book? I’m not entirely sure because I was reading a digital copy but if there is (it looks like it as far as I can see), it’s a fucking epic, sprawling scene worthy of tearing out and putting on your wall. It’s really something to see and I hope I’m right because I wanna see it all laid out as one huge piece. As for the coloring, Dave Stewart kills it again, lovely work from him. This book is super art heavy and I hope these guys do another book together in the near future, they’re a great combination.
All in all, I think this was my favourite issue of the series. The art really sells it for me. I think the whole series was done in the right amount of issues and I feel satisfied with the overall story. You should definitely check it out. When you’re in your local comic shop, have a flip through and look at the art in this book, even if you haven’t been reading it, then maybe consider getting the trade when it comes out. I can’t not give this one top marks, haha.
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House of Penance #6 Writer: Peter J. Tomasi Artist: Ian Bertram Colorist: Dave Stewart Publisher: Dark Horse Comics Price: $3.99 Format: Mini-series; Print/Digital
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We’re marching towards the finale of Dark Horse Comics’ House of Penance, the horror series about Sarah Winchester and The Winchester Mystery House by Peter J. Tomasi, Ian Bertram, and Dave Stewart. This here is a review of issue five, the penultimate chapter of the series. Now, before reading this series, my only exposure to Peter J. Tomasi’s writing had been through the DC Comics series he’d written (namely his Batman and Robin run with Patrick Gleason), so it was really nice to see what he could do on a creator-owned series like House of Penance. In this issue, Tomasi opens his characters up a bit more, offering us further insight into the story behind the construction of Winchester House and the misdeeds of Warren Peck. His writing is consistently good throughout, his pacing is on-point and he ends the issue with a nice lead into the finale. Can’t fault it.
On to the art: Ian Bertram and Dave Stewart are a force of nature on this title. The combination of what the pair can do together is something else. I think Ian Bertram’s art style is a great fit for the title. Personally I love his artwork. I know some people don’t but I’m the one writing the review which makes my opinion more valid, haha. Basically, it’s hard to imagine this book drawn by anyone else other than him. There are some great panels in there, a couple of nice splashes and the composition on every page makes the story flow really well.
On top of that (literally), you’ve got Dave Stewart’s colors complimenting Bertram’s line work beautifully. Stewart really makes the art pop with his bright, vivid color work. The book is absolutely sodden with a rich, blood-red running throughout it and it really sucks you into the story.
With House of Penance, It’s been refreshing to see a miniseries that maintains a steady level of quality throughout, a lot of series these days are trailing off towards the middle and finishing with a whimper when it should be a bang... From this issue, I’m going to say that we’re going to get a helluva bang (or should that be helluva 'blam blam blam'?) from Tomasi, Bertram and Stewart.
Verdict: A great issue all-round and it comes wrapped in a lovely cover worthy of the book's cover price alone. If you like your horror comics and you’ve already read the previous issues, keep up the good work and get yourself a copy. Matter of fact, get two copies. One to read and one to frame because this book is a masterclass in how you do horror comics and the fact the story is woven with elements of truth makes it all the creepier. If you aren’t reading this book, you’re missing out.
Although… if you haven’t been reading from the beginning of the series, you can check with your local comic shop for back issues (I’m going to guess you won’t find them, but it’s worth a shot!) or download them digitally via ComiXology. Failing that, get yourself the trade when it comes out. It really is a treat.
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House of Penance #5 Writer: Peter J. Tomasi Artist: Ian Bertram Colorist: Dave Stewart Publisher: Dark Horse Comics Price: $3.99 Format: Mini-Series; Print/Digital
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