COMICS! REVIEWS! COMICS!

Before we start the reviews, lemme just remind you folks that my webcomic, SDF has a new page up, featuring the terrifying Dr. Strangler.  Check it at:  http://www.torcpress.com/sdf2-13.html .  Enough about my stuff, let's get some reviews going.

Ragemoor #4- Dark Horse- Jan Strnad and Richard Corben-  This peculiar series wraps up, as the last mysteries of Living Castle Ragemoor are revealed, and there is some gross, gross stuff that happens.  Corben is a brilliant artist, and the story continues to be full of bizarre and interesting ideas.  Still, kinda glad this is wrapping up.  I need to clear some space in my haul.

Snarked #9-  Kaboom!- Roger Langridge-  Our heroes finally find Snark Island, and the King.  But as usual, strange and unexpected things continue to happen, and even more bizarre characters are introduced.  Probably the strongest issue of this series to date, everything clicks in this issue, from the dialogue to the plot to the brilliant characterizations.  This is Pure Cartooning at its Best.

The Shadow #3- Dynamite- Garth Ennis, Aaron Campbell-  It's WWII, and a couple of Japanese dudes are chasing a mysterious Death Ray, and the Shadow's chasing those guys.  After three issues, I've decided the only the thing I like about this series is when the Shadow shows up and shoots a buncha people in the face.  Otherwise, the Political Intrigue bores me, and the characters range from lame to boring to insipid to nasty.  The only interesting character is Lamont Cranston himself, and he's a raging jerkwad.  So, yeah, I'm done with this one.

Dial H for Hero #2-3- DC-  China Mieville, Mateus Santolouco-  This is such an odd, odd series.  It's like someone took a bunch of Grant Morrison's old notebooks and combined them with a pitch for a Ben 10 series set in Hell.  The less I understand about this series, the more I like it.  Having said that, I'd like to see some more of some of the bizarre heroes that make cameos in issue two.  This isn't a must read comic, but it's too intriguing for me not to read it.  The second this comic becomes even remotely boring I'm out.  Also, Iron Snail.  Iron Snail.

iZombie #27- DC/Vertigo-  Chris Roberson, Michael Allred-  This series is just about over, which, on the one hand is good, cause it'll clear up space for me.  On the other hand, it's bad, because this is a lovely little series.  As the Apocalypse sets in, Allred gets to cut loose as an artist, and it's quite a treat.  I really have no idea how this series is gonna turn out.  I like that.

BPRD:  Hell on Earth:  Exorcism #1- Mike Mignola, Cameron Stewart, Dave Stewart-  I was a little disappointed with the last BPRD mini-mini-series, "The Pickens County Horror", so I was a little worried about this one.  So, I was pleasantly surprised that this one got off to a strong start.  It's all about Exorcisms, Demons, and grizzly old dudes.  Which is all stuff I like.  Throw in a plucky young heroine, and you've got a pretty good start.  Curious to see how this one will wrap up next issue.

BPRD: Hell on Earth:  The Devil's Engine #2- Mike Mignola, John Arcudi, Tyler Crook, Dave Stewart-  I didn't like the first issue of this mini-series.  I don't like either of the lead characters (that BPRD guy is a whiny bitch, and that redhead chick is annoying), and nothing really happened except an earthquake.  Still, being a BPRD addict, I picked up Issue 2 anyway.  This issue we get our heroes being chased by monsters.  So I'm happy. 

Adventure Time! #5- Kaboom!-  Ryan North, Mike Holmes/Paul Pope/Georgia & Chris Roberson, Lucy Knisley-  Okay, before we start, look at the credit line above.  PAUL POPE HAS A BACK UP STORY IN THIS ISSUE!  HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?  As great as the utterly surreal Paul Pope back up story is, the highlight is the lead story, which features Finn and Jake engaging in a "Walk in a Straight Line" contest in order to acquire a Cupcake.  Believe me, it may not sound like it, but it's a Hoot.  This is a great comic and a great series.  I'd say it's underrated, but considering how quickly this book sells out, I don't think you can even remotely call this book underrated.  So, what was I talking about?  Oh yeah.  Great comic.

Action Comics #11-  DC-  Grant Morrison, Rags Morales-  Hmmm.  I'm honestly not entirely sure what happens in this book.  I gotta admit, this series has been really Hit or Miss.  The issues that Hit are KILLER.  The issues that Miss...kinda suck.  This issue kinda missed for me.  Maybe if I reread it.  I dunno.  I think Morrison needs to go do creator owned books for a little while.  Take a break from superheroes, y'know?

Glory #27-  Image/Extreme-  Joe Keatinge, Ross Campbell-  Twists, turns, Crazy Demons, Death, and Beautiful, beautiful artwork.  Like many of the comics on this list, I have no idea where this book is going, and I like it.

Supreme #65-  Image/Extreme-  Erik Larsen, Cory Hamscher-  Kind of an odd issue.  Bad Ass Supreme goes on a rampage and damn near kills Erik Larsen's own SuperPatriot.  Meanwhile, the remaining de-powered Supremes are mostly just confused and/or scared.  Kind of a so-so issue, but the last page reveal was hilarious.  Curious to see where this one is going.

Fatima: The Blood Spinners #1-  Dark Horse-  Gilbert Hernandez-  Beto does a crazy zombie/cop/drug story.  So, yeah, I'm in.  Give me more Gilbert Grindhouse Goodness.

Animal Man #11-  DC- Jeff Lemire, Alberto Ponticelli-  Buddy Baker gets a new, more powerful body, just in time to save his son from his old, dead, rotten zombie body.  I really just love this comic.  It's weird and dark and strange and ugly and beautiful and hopeful and imaginative all at the same time.  There's been a few issues that have stumbled (that crummy movie issue...), but overall, this is one of DC's best series right now.

Wonder Woman #10-  DC-  Brian Azzarello, Kano (really?  His name is Kano?  really?), Tony Akins-  Speaking of DC's Best, ladies and gentlemen, I give you the brilliance that is Wonder Woman.  This issue, Wonder Woman fights Hell.  Read this comic.  Just do it.

Batman Inc.  #2- DC- Grant Morrison, Chris Burnham-  This issue is the story of Talia al Ghul and her rise to power.  I suppose it's important in the grander scheme of things, but still... kinda skippable.  Damn, this is the most unkind I've ever been to Grant Morrison.  I feel kinda bad about it.

Saga #4- Image-  Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples-  Wow.  Our heroes continue to try to survive.  Meanwhile, we get to hang out with The Will as he goes to an outer space whorehouse.  Graphic sex, horrible violence, and some of the most bizarre visuals I've ever seen, ever (which is saying something, considering some of the crap I've drawn in my time).  This book is an ABSOLUTE MUST HAVE.  If you're not reading Saga, you're missing out.

Prophet #26-  Image/Extreme-  Brandon Graham/back up by Emma Rios-  This list is full of brilliant, brilliant comics.  Glory, Animal Man, Wonder Woman, and Saga are all just utterly brilliant, awesome comics.  Prophet is better than all of them.  Brandon Graham finally provides both Story AND Art for this issue, and it's just 20 pages of Phantasmagoric Wonderment that just dropped my jaw from one end to another.  Plus, there's a neat little back up story featuring a Giant Spider.  This comic is what I want out of comics.

One Piece v. 63- Shonen Jump- Eichiro Oda-  And y'know what's even better than Prophet?  One Piece.  The latest volume features the Straw Hats continuing their adventure on Fishman Island.  Of course, the Straw Hats accidentally wreck well-intentioned havoc while at the same time a massive uprising occurs as the New Fishman Pirates attempt a coup.  In the midst of this chaos, we get some flashbacks that give us a bunch of history on lots of stuff, including Fishman Island, Jimbei, and Fisher Tiger.  What I love about Oda is how he can combine Kinetic Action and Bizarre Humor, while still creating characters that you legitimately care about.  That Oda actually manages to slip in a surprisingly salient treatise on racism in the midst of all the silliness and chaos is a testament to Oda's talent.  Again, I am flabbergasted at how underrated and underappreciated this series is in America.  Best comic being published anywhere right now.  Period.