REVIEW: Archie vs Predator #1 of 4

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Script: Alex de Campi
Pencils: Fernando Ruiz
Inks: Rich Koslowski
Colors: Jason Millet
Review: Art Bee

I recently made the comment that nothing good is coming out of Dark Horse comics. Archie vs. Predator seems to steer that comment into slightly wrong territory. It was by chance I even laid eyes on this comic while at my LCBS, Comics Cubed. I was in a rush to get my other errands done and get back in time to pick up my child from school. The awesome cover of this issue drawn by Eric Powell just stopped me. The Predator was drawn well, holding the decapitated head of Jughead and standing over a burger.

You have to understand my stance on the Riverdale gang. When I was a child my interest in comics began with Fantastic Four and Star Wars. Unfortunately, my ass of a father took that as me wanting to read Archie like he had for years and dumped bunches on me. For a while my comic interest died in Riverdale. Until I was older and buying my own comics, the thought of purchasing an Archie comic just about made me puke, but the thought of Predator tearing through the Riverdale gang just lit me up inside.

I have to hand it to Alex de Campi; she has done a great job on the story thus far. A stage for maximum carnage has been set without trampling on preexisting work. At the start of the book the whole Riverdale gang is trying to decide how to spend their Spring Break, such a horrible dilemma for these troubled eternal teenagers. Cheryl and her brother Jason brag about yachting in the Caribbean, and about that moment Jughead tears a bag of chips open and wins a trip to a tropical beach paradise for all. What a setting for some prey to go and get hunted, right? Nope. I will not spoil that twist for you, but let me just say that this is not going to be a jungle or urban hunting ground.

This book was enjoyable and a couple of panels made me laugh, but the real enjoyment came from the bright, colorful artwork. Ruiz, Koslowski, and Millet intertwine their talents well. The thermal imaging artistry was done fairly well, and it was nice to see that the Predator could not pick whether he thought Betty or Veronica was prettier.

The following will be said without spoiling the comic: I think it was dumb on pages 19 and 20 that the Predator has made two kills and strung up over the group, and even though blood is dripping on them none of the gang looks up or mentions it at all. That is just unbelievable even in the world of make-believe. The dripping blood should have been left out completely.

My firm philosophy of comic books is the writer is the backbone of the comic. Artwork can be perfect and spectacular, but without a good story and direction, no one will be interested. De Campi is doing a great job lately. Last week No Mercy #1 (Image) really enthralled me with the story setup. Before these two issues came out Alex de Campi was unknown to me, but this is one writer to watch. She has a very attractive website at www.alexdecampi.com.

Archie vs. Predator will be a mini-series I am going to have to follow. My hope is that the great hunter thins the herd in Riverdale. The only ones I hope survive are Jughead, Reggie, and Betty. That’s right! I am a Betty man. Veronica is just too full of herself. I just hope Predator is not vulnerable to dramatics and teenage whining.

REVIEW: Nailbiter #11

Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Mike Henderson
Colors: Adam Guzowski
Review: Cody "Madman" Miller

This book came out of nowhere. One fateful day it just randomly appeared in my folder at the local comic shop. Art Bee reviewed this book awhile ago and he liked it. The guy on the cover was chewing the fingernails off a severed hand, and the fact it was the first issue of a new story arc were the three selling points that kept me from putting this one back on the shelf.

As it turns out it was a good decision. I really dug Williamson’s writing. He does a great job of going almost too far, but then not. There were a few times I was stared at a page wondering what the hell I was doing reading this comic, that’s for sure. Serial killer books are usually not my forte. There’s no doubt that if you don’t prefer your comics saturated with profanity and gratuitous gore you will want to pass on this title because that is exactly what we have here.

Mike Henderson’s art was freaking fantastic and his page layouts are my favorite. Every page has a unique layout, from the two page spread of 2x2 panels depicting the WTF Killer hacking up some poor old bastard into tiny parts with a cleaver and Nailbiter professing his love for murdering and eating people, to the three panel page of The Butcher of Buckaroo dragging Barker into the darkness.

You see. The deal here is a shit-ton of serial killers come from the same small town in Oregon, and “The Fuzz” is here to find out why and lay down some law. That’s pretty much it except for the bat shit crazy stuff that happens cover to cover. The phrases “uncomfortable joyous nightmare” and “I just threw up in my mouth but it’s fine” best describe my Nailbiter experience.

Like I said before this isn’t my usual type of funnybook, but these fellas have all the bases covered and are forcing Nailbiter into a permanent spot on my pull list. I need to know more. I’m going to have to pick up the first trades and catch up because having just read this single issue I’m admittedly lost as to what the hell is actually going down and who the hell any of these people are.

REVIEW: Shadow Show

Shadow Show #1-5
By: William R. Davis Jr.

There are moments in comics that make them transcend any other medium. In the past there have been great adaptations of literary works and Shadow Show is a five issue mini-series that pays homage to the science fiction heavyweight, Ray Bradbury. It includes works from Harlan Ellison and Neil Gaiman, amongst others, and each issue is filled with dense introductions and epilogues. All five issues make you wish that this title from IDW had a spot on your monthly pull list, but perchance to dream.

Issue one was by far the weakest, but after that there were no more qualms, and no reservations whatsoever. As an avid Ray Bradbury fan, these books did a great writer justice. It was great to see such iconic prose in fresh context. All five issues will be collected soon, and it is worth your money to buy them in hardcover.
Backwards in Seville by Audrey Niffenegger and Eddie Campbell is so original and captivating that it would make Bryan Talbot blush. It is a great example of sequential art at its best, and one of the most unique stories I have read seen since Alice in Sunderland. It is nice to see IDW put out some quality content here. While the book may not be flying off of the shelves, it is a testament to a slight change of thought at the publishing level. Hopefully this is a small step towards a shift in quality that has come to define publishers like Image, a company that makes all other books on the market seem inferior by scale.

Don’t worry if you’re on the other end, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic #1 is available for sale at your LCS today. Although the bronies may win this round, IDW has put some skin in the game with Shadow Show. My interest is piqued, and I will open my wallet to future IDW titles. It may be a moot cause, but you have to respect their ambition.

REVIEW: Rocket Raccoon #9

Writer: Skottie Young
Artist: Jake Parker
Review: Will Dubbeld

I know, I know.
You loyal few may think it's a bandwagon move to review this book, considering Rocket Raccoon has become super popular and more and more omnipresent in the Marvel U.
Apparently there was some movie or another contributing to this pro-raccoon movement.

Well y'all can eat it. This raccoon book is awesome.

When Rocket reappeared in Dan Abnett and Andy Lannings rebirth of the cosmic Marvel Universe, I was hooked. Teaming him up with a retinue of fellow B-and-C-listers was icing on the cake. I absolutely adore Mort characters, and the entire GotG lineup was right up my alley. Mantis, Bug, Deathcry, Star-Lord (of all damn characters . . .), all of 'em a-ok in my book.

The book caught, took off and ran, and here we are. Several comic series and a movie later, Rocket Raccoon gets his own solo book and it's great. Skottie Young is giving us a comic that would be right at home in the Sunday funny pages. A light sci-fi romp that turns Groot and Rocket Raccoon almost into ciphers for Calvin and Hobbes, though I'm at a loss for which one is a mischievous boy and which is a mischievous tiger.

Rocket #9 gives us the tale of Rocket and Groots future, showing a Groot that has been turned into a rampaging kaiju due to Tony Stark and his meddling. It seems he gleaned the secrets of the tree-fellas regeneration in order to prolong human life and as a result turned Groot into a rampaging Godzilla monster.

Oh, the folly of science!

In the wake of Groots reenactment of the Rampage video game, elderly Tony Stark and elderly Steve Rogers decide only one raccoon can stop the marauding monster from Planet X . . .
Stark heads off to deep space and to Marvel's Mos Eisley, Knowhere.
For the uninitiated, Knowhere is the decapitated head of a Celestial turned space station/city and de facto base of operations for the Guardians of the Galaxy.

The real treat here is Jake Parker's depiction of an aged, grizzled Rocket Raccoon. Bearded, scarred, and grumpier than normal, Rocket looks amazing here. Full of piss and vinegar, the exchange between him and Stark is great.

After initially rebuffing ol' Shellhead, Rocket hops in his x-wing fighter and heads to Earth to battle his old friend, Groot.

Alright, it's not really an x-wing. BUT! this book does have a lot of Star Warsian moments and humor within. I don't mean like Jar-Jar "humor", I mean the quippy dialogue and some hijinx from the old Droids cartoon.
You guys remember that show? Dude from The Police wrote the theme song . . .

So ol' Rocket heads to Earth, all ready to throw down with his pal Groot.
His spaceship turns into a Gundam, you guys. Amazing.

So spoilers, but this book ends on a great note. Dangerously close to giving me some feels . . .

The creative team on this book is nailing it. The writing is fun, unencumbered with Marvels mega events and crossovers, self contained arcs, and this particular issue was one and done.
Beginning, middle, and end. 1 part and over.

It still can be done, writers.

The art is outstanding, reminiscent of aforementioned Sunday comics, with amazing colors. Sharp inking and lettering put the icing on this raccoon cake.

My only apprehension about the book is Rocket Raccoons fate post-Secret Wars. With Marvel shaking things up, hopefully books like this will not get swept under the editorial rug, causing the huddled mass of fans to look up and shout, "save us!"
And Deadpool will whisper, "chimichangas."

REVIEW: Black of Heart #4 and Open Tree #2

Black of Heart #4
Writer: Chris Charlton
Artist: David Hollenbach
Review: Art Bee

On March 28th at the Gem City Comic Con in Dayton, Ohio, the attendees will be witness to the unveiling of four new issues from Assailant Comics. One of these issues is Black of Heart #4, which is the next to last issue of the award winning series. This series recently won First Prize for the 2014 Space Award and offers a great main character, well developed plot, and unique, powerful artwork.

In the last issue Detective Drake Harper was suffering from hallucinations after going to a dentist, who is revealed to possibly be the killer. These hallucinations hinder him as he prepares to take on Lucky Luciano along with the rest of the department. The investigation has shown that Lucky has been importing narcotics in large quantities, and they are going in force to stop it.

REVIEW: Silk #1

Writer: Robbie Thompson
Artist: Stacey Lee
Color Artist: Ian Herring
Review: Cody "Madman" Miller

So like every other Spider-Man fanboy I was pretty happy when Marvel announced this book. The powers-that-be at Marvel did a really good job getting me all hot and bothered for the “bastard sister” (no relation) of one Peter Benjamin Parker. Whoa, take it down a notch there Mr. or Mrs. QuickToJudge, Miles Warren has nothing to do with this one. I sure as hell hope not anyway because I don’t think I could survive another trek through the rolling hills of Ben Rileys, test tubes, smokestacks, and holographic foil covers.

Cindy Moon (a.k.a. Silk) happened to be bitten by the same spider that bit Peter Parker on that fateful day way back in August 1962 circa 2015. Sure. Why not? In my opinion it’s a great idea. Just when you think they had milked the Spider of all his sweet, sweet juices, Marvel blindsides you with a one-two donkey punch haymaker combo to the humble beginnings.

Silk voluntarily hid herself from Morlun and his family, the Inheritors, in a secret bunker for like 10 years or something like that, so they wouldn’t be drawn to Earth 616. It seems that these Inheritor whack-jobs are traveling through the multiverse sucking the life forces out of every version of Spider-Man. She leaves the bunker and births this mundane mega event Spiderverse.

I was not happy with Spiderverse as a whole.

I quickly got bored and stopped caring in general. If you didn’t read it, I would stress by any means just catch the highlights on the interwebs and call it good.

I think Thompson’s first issue was pretty darn good. He delivers a small scrap with Dragonclaw, who isn’t all that but you have to start somewhere. Most of the book deals with Silk’s struggle to find her place and purpose during the dawn of her “new” life in the world outside her secluded bunker. Thompson’s skillful use of Silk’s inner monologue really helped to drive the story and pull some heart strings all at once.

I can’t say anything bad about the art either. It didn’t make me weep uncontrollable tears of joy, but I wasn’t weeping in sadness either. I’d recommend giving this book a second thought if you get the chance.

I mean, after all it still has that new hero smell.

REVIEW: Ei8ht #1 and Darth Vader #1

Comic: Ei8ht #1
Story: Rafael Albuquerque and Mike Johnson
Art and Colors: Rafael Albuquerque
Review: Art Bee

My pull list is barren of Dark Horse Comics, mainly because the comics they produce are natural satellites of planet suck. This past week there must have been some strange eclipse of the sun or some kind of disaster that knocked one of the newest satellites into space. Ei8ht was found at my LCBS on a shelf. Even though the cover is not very attractive, I opened it and flipped through it.

Two things made me purchase this book. The first is the artwork. It was very unique looking using a lot of blue. The second was the inside of the front cover, which contained the following code: