One thing that I enjoyed about the first two issues was the fairly even and slow pace of the stories.  The authors of The Calling:  Cthulhu Chronicles, Michael Alan Nelson and Johanna Stokes, dispensed with that here.  In this issue, I was treated to a page of dialogue that explained what happened between issues–including a deep conversation that explains a suddenly-appearing major character and a cross-country flight.   Following that, the two sets of characters that we knew were somehow linked, meet improbably.

Frankly, I got lost and had to review issue #2 to check my comprehension.  Not a good thing.

Fortunately, the artist, Christopher Possenti, has been consistent, and the art has not varied between the issues.

Bottom Line:  $1.99/$3.99 (and only because I liked the first two issues)

The post The Calling: Cthulhu Chronicles #3 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

Groo has been around for almost 30 years.  Groo is a dumb and hilarious barbarian, very unlike another one whose name starts with C.  Groo has rhymes, and there are also jokes about Cheese Dip.

Star Wars Legacy focuses on the legacy of the Skywalkers.  Many years have passed in that galaxy far, far away, but things are still dangerous with a new, growing Empire and deadly re-emerging Sith.  This title just ended with its fiftieth issue, but Dark Horse promises a new, ongoing title will start in October.

The post Dark Horse #1 for $1 Continues with Groo and Star Wars Legacy appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

After the six issues of Darkness Calls and the eight issues of Wild Hunt, the three issues of The Storm seems rather small.  Upon reading the stories, the name reminds me of the phrase “The calm before the storm.”  After all, it appears the storm is coming, and Hellboy will undoubtedly be in the center of it.

With this issue, Mike Mignola (Hellboy‘s creator and the writer here) and Duncan Fregado (the artist) finish their third arc together.  The fourth arc, the actual storm, will finish this longer story started in Darkness Calls and continued in the Wild Hunt.  It will, I understand, bring Hellboy back to the BPRD.  This fourth arc is called The Fury.  We do not have an actual publishing date for this miniseries yet.  There you can see where the name of this mini-series comes from:  The Storm and the Fury.

How can I comment on The Storm?  It seems incomplete in its shortness;  I want to read The Fury, and I hope it comes out soon.

In the meantime, to satisfy our craving, BPRD: Hell on Earth: New World has four more issues to come out this year.  #2 is due out next Thursday, September 9.

Bottom Line:  $2.99/2.99 (How many comic books are still $2.99???)

The post Hellboy: The Storm #3 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

Cold Space is the brain child of Samuel L. Jackson and Eric Calderon.  The art is by Jeremy Rock.

Besides having a unsurprising ending, I find I must pan the art.  There is a lot of action in this, the final issue, but it all looks very stiff  and inorganic.  It is distracting when you cannot believe what you see on the page as actually happening.

Yes, the action all comes to a head, but I will not talk about what happens, just in case you want to try to be surprised.

Bottom Line:  $.99/$3.99

The post Cold Space #4 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

Incorruptible #9 is by the usual suspects:  Mark Waid writes and Horacio Domingues draws.  Nothing wrong with that at all.

Whereas the last couple of issues had focused more on the new Jailbait, this one story juxtaposes the past with the present to contrast the old Jailbait with Max’s new partner.  What we learn is not pretty.  Max also continues to redeem himself as he strives to be a better man.

I have said it before, and I’ll say it again:  Buy this book.

Bottom Line:  $3.99/$3.99

The post Incorruptible #9 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

That may sound bad to you; after all, Dracula is the name on the cover.  Upon reading though, you will find that is a really good thing.

The reason for that is quite simple; the story has a nice leisurely pace that uncurls slowly as you read.  No, I wasn’t surprised at the end, but I did enjoy the characterization that was used to move the story along.  This first issue of Dracula:  The Company of Monsters is more of a Vertigo-like comic than a slasher flick.

I do not know who to credit fully for this:  Kurt Busiek (Astro City, Marvels) is the creator and is credited for the story; Daryl Gregory (Pandemonium, The Devil’s Alphabet) is credited with the words.  Sure, Mr. Busiek had this nice plan, but Mr. Gregory–in his first comic book work–seems to have done a nice job of following the blueprints. So who gets the accolades?

Also, the artist, Scott Godlewski (Codebreakers) does a good job here.  I especially enjoyed his flashback scenes. Maybe we will get more of those.

As always, it is hard to judge a first issue, except I will say I am interested and I will check out the next book.  I hesitatingly give this full price (BOOM! and there $3.99 cover price!).

Bottom Line:  $3.99/$3.99

The post Dracula: The Company of Monsters #1 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

This gives me hope for the next issue out next month.  This issue of this bloody mini-series wasn’t too bad, just not as good as the previous two.

Quick run down about Pale Horse #3:

Andrew Cosby:  Story (also known for founding BOOM! and co-creating Eureka (Sci-Fi))

Michael Alan Nelson:  Writer (frequent BOOM! Comics writer)

Christian Dibari:  Artist

Cole:  The Black Cowboy Hero of Pale Horse

The Boy:  Cole’s half-Sioux son

Shaw:  The required bad guy

Cost:  $3.99

Opinion:  Wait for fourth and final issue to judge series as a whole.  Especially as I am still not sure what the whole storyline is… Was I supposed to figure it out this issue?

Bottom Line:  $2.99/$3.99

The post Pale Horse #3 (of 4) appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

The creators/writers of The Bulletproof Coffin keep up the good work in this issue.  David Hyne and Shaky Kane (who is also the artist of the busty babe, and the inside as well) deliver another story that “just isn’t quite right.”

We get to see Steve become the Coffin Fly (what kind of superhero is that?) to battle dinosaurs and zombie ‘Nam vets.  He also gets to flirt with previously mentioned busty babe.

No creepy twins or strange wife this time though.  I am sure they will be back though, along with the suits with sunglasses.

With characters like that, how can you go wrong?
Also, did I mention the blond on the cover?  She is inside, too.

Bottom Line $3.99/$3.99

The post The Bulletproof Coffin #3 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

Last month, Dark Horse Comics posted its last MySpace comic.  Not much fanfare, just a letter at the end of the comics that were posted.  The reason?  Other digital medium.  In the letter, they mention Dark Horse’s own web page, but I would not be surprised if the iPhone and iPad had something to do with that as well.  Dark Horse has added a few new iPhone aps, and three Frank Miller aps for the iPad.

The post Dark Horse Closes MySpace Page appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

Worth it?  Yes, but do not expect to be satisfied with one issue.

The reason for this need for more is that Morning Glories writer/creator Nick Spensor calls this comic book Lost meets Runaways (from the interview with Comic Book Resources).  The whole point of the first issue seems to be just for asking questions–and not giving answers.  Many characters are introduced, and Mr. Spensor puts effort into building their background.

Mr. Spensor is also the writer of Existence 2.0 and Existence 3.0. The artist is Joe Eisma,  who also helped with the art on Existence 3.0.  I like the art.  The lines are sharp and the colors (by Alex Sollazo) are clear.

To reiterate, the point of this issue is to get you hooked:  $3.99 for 44 pages of pure story is a good deal.  I guess I might check out the next issue as well:  I doubt I will get any answers to my questions though, probably just more questions.

Bottom Line $3.99/$3.99

The post Morning Glories #1 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

Sure, it is like the dealer giving you a discount on your first hit, but when the stuff is as good as this…

Sin City: The Hard Goodbye was first serialized in the now defunct anthology Dark Horse Presents.  There are 22 B&W pages of goodness written and drawn by Frank Miller for only $1.

Also starting as a serial in Dark Horse Presents was Aliens vs Predator.  It was first published in 1989.  It has since spawned more comic books, novels, video games, action figures, and, of course, movies.

Bottom Line:  $1/$1

The post Dark Horse Comics–$1! appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

Of course, you won’t find an answer in this issue of The Calling:  Cthulhu Chronicles, but that is what part of what makes this book enjoyable.

Michael Alan Nelson and Johanna Stokes, as co-writers of The Calling:  Cthulhu Chronicles, seem to have this comic book on the slower path.  That is good.  Very good.  I do not need everything all at once.  My interest is building.  I still want to know what happened with Paradise, too, not just the shadowy figure in the photograph.

The good plotting helps me deal with the fact that I find the art to be only adequate.  At times, I do not notice the art, but at other times I find it distracts from the story.

Bottom Line $2.99/$3.99

The post The Calling: Cthulhu Chronicles #2 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

Did you get all that?  Good.  Did you buy it yet?

Scott Allie, who is the editor on all the Mignola books, says that this new title, Hell on Earth, indicates a change in the direction of BPRD.  I’ll be honest, I do not see it.

Yes, there have been some changes in the title, but none that are too out of the ordinary.  What I see in this issue is the same quality story-telling that Mike Mignola and John Arcudi  have been engaged in with BPRD since 2002.  Guy Davis continues to supply the art as well–I love his Abe Sapien.

Sure there have been plot changes, but nothing out of the ordinary with this book.  They have been delivering a great story that has been building over the years and makes sense from issue to issue, mini to mini.  Maybe those guys behind the scenes could tell us what is coming in the future to help warrant the name change, but I repeat:  I do not see the need to change the name of the book from BPRD to BPRD:  Hell on Earth.

However, it is not my baby. They could call it the “Hellboy Spin-off Book” and I would keep buying it if it was this same great comic book all around.

Also, let me add this important note:  Still only $3.50.

Bottom Line $3.50/$3.50

The post BPRD: Hell on Earth: New World #1 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

Verdict:  A short mini-series focusing on Buzzards quest for his own death has been a good idea.

Buzzard is, of course, written and drawn by its creator:  Eric Powell.  In addition, to the 18 pages of Buzzard, there is also a Billy the Kid’s Old Timey Oddities back-up story.  It is six pages long; written by Mr. Powell and drawn by Kyle Holtz.

Billy the Kid’s Old Time Oddities is returning next month, in a new miniseries:  Billy the Kid’s Old Timey Oddities and the Ghastly Fiend of London.  (The last page in this back-up story gives the idea that the Fiend is Jack the Ripper.)

Hopefully, after this Billy the Kid mini, Mr. Powell will get back to his best creation, The Goon.  After Goon Year ended last spring, there has only been one issue of The Goon (out last November).  This Buzzard mini has definitely helped tide Goon fans over.

This mini is a good, enjoyable read, but it is not The Goon.

Buy it and then be patient.

Bottom Line:  $3.99/$3.99

The post Buzzard #3 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

Thanks word of mouth.  Thanks mainly because I have yet another comic book to buy and read.

Sweets is the brainchild of Kody Chamberlain (30 Days of Night: Bloodsucker Tales).  Mr. Chamberlain is writing and drawing this five issue miniseries.

Sweets is a noir story that takes places in New Olreans.  The main character is New Orelans detective, Curt Delatte.  In true noir style, he has his own baggage that he is carrying around while trying to track down a killer who leaves pralines at his murder sites.  In addition, Mr. Chamberlain has thrown in a colorful cast of characters, police, politicians, and prostitutes (the great 3 P’s of noir stories).

Mr. Chamberlain’s art fits his story.  The air seems muggy in the pictures, the oranges scream summer heat.  Each character is uniquely drawn.

If you have trouble finding the first issue as I did, remember this  title when I review the fifth issue:  I will probably be suggesting that you look for the collected trade.  If you can find Sweets #1, at 2.99, it is a sweet deal.  (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)

Bottom Line:  $2.99/$2.99

The post Sweets #1 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

Hellcity:  The Whole Damn Thing is the creation of Macon Blair (writer) and Joe Flood (artist).  This is a collected version (328 black and white pages) of what was originally intended as a three part story.  Volume one was published in 2006 Gigantic Graphic Novels and contained 104 pages.

Too often, we see a only part of an independent comic book creator’s creation.  First issues are published, sometimes second issues too, and then nothing.  Did you see Hellcity Volume One on the shelf four years ago?  Did you buy it?  Even if you didn’t, you know the story.  You see an interesting comic book and buy an issue and then wait and wait and wait as it is never continued.

Here we luck out:  Image has published the complete story of Bill Tankerslee, former heavy in our world, now a bacon cooker in Hell.  This original take on Hell, where the demons and devils live and work side by side with the humans, causing them misery as the humans try and live a life that is a pale shadow of our world,  has a fair balance of humor and grit.  It is a hard-boiled detective novel that takes place in hell as Bill is asked to follow the big boss of Hellcity, Lou himself.  Politics, rebellion, love and paradise all fit into this story.

I am not sure what Mr. Blair and Mr. Flood have been doing since 2006, probably working other jobs.  Here, however, their hard work has paid off in this long volume.  The cover price might be a little steep, but it is almost 330 pages of illustrated goodness. Skip getting milk at lunch these next couple of weeks to save some change, so you can get this book, which comes out August 11, 2010.

Bottom Line $24.99/$24.99

The post Hellcity: The Whole Damn Thing appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

Pug is 104 page B&W comic book about the life of a failed boxer in the 1950s who turns to shady dealings outside of the ring to survive.

Pug was written by Derek McCulloch, and drawn by Greg Espinoza.  It is published by Image.  It was released on July 14.

The reason I didn’t review this book sooner is that I do not enjoy boxing.  I have never seen Million Dollar Baby.  Rocky is not a great American hero for me.

Actually, because of that, I probably would not have read the book.  However, the art pulled me back to the book finally.  Mr. Espinoza’s sharp black lines make for good eye candy.  The art is almost cartoonish, but still real enough to pack the punch that the violence in the story needs (excuse the pun).  In matching this, the boxers are the most realistic  looking characters.

The story format is taken from the ring:  There are fifteen chapters, like a fifteen round match broken up with a quick rest in the corner of the ring.  There is no bell to hear, unfortunately.

Also, like a boxing match, the story is brutal and violent with all sides receiving some punishment,  physical and emotional.

Bottom Line:  $9.99/$14.99

The post Pug appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

Actually, I am not even certain about a certain something in particular that I caught in Hellboy: The Storm #2, and I really want to talk about it with someone!  However, I won’t do it here.

Here are my instructions:  read this issue (by the same team as the last 15 or so Hellboys:  Mike Mingola does words, and Duncan Fregaedo does pictures) and see if you catch the quick reference on the TV that Hellboy mentions. Then e-mail me.  Let’s talk about Hellboy’s future!

My horoscope says it is time for a convergence…

I am excited by the possibilities.

Bottom Line $2.99/$2.99

The post Hellboy: The Storm #2 (of 3) appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

Baltimore was originally conceived by Mike Mignola (Hellboy) and fleshed out with the help of writer Christopher Golden (too numerous books and comic books to mention here).

The Plague Ships is Baltimore’s first comic appearance, although Mr. Golden and Mr. Mignola penned the book Baltimore or The Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire.  It is a novel although it featured some art by Mr. Mignola, a la The Lost Army (also written by Mr. Golden).

The art on Baltimore: The Plague Ships is done by Ben Stenbeck who also drew the art on Mignola’s Witchfinder.

Actually, the art is not the only similarity between this title and Witchfinder:  Both feature a noble chasing a magical evil.

You may know that I have drunk the Mignola Kool-Aid, so I will follow this book next month.  (At least the Germans here are not Nazis!  Whew!)

Bottom Line $3.50/$3.50

The post Baltimore: The Plague Ships #1 (of 5) appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

This is my favorite issue of Irredeemable lately.

These vignettes showcase Mark Waid’s ability to do real characterization.  He has created some real, identifiable characters  in Irredeemable, even if it at first glance they seem to follow a standard super-hero blueprint.

In addition, these vignettes move the story forward nicely–as much as last issues huge battle did.

Of course, I should mention that Peter Krause has done another stand up job on the art on this issue.

Also, two of the three covers showcase important moments in the story, maybe the two most important moments.  I do not know what the third cover is… (why does BOOM! do so many variant covers still?)

Bottom Line $3.99/$3.99

The post Irredeemable #16 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

The first, Nancy In Hell, has the interesting premise that hell is the only afterlife and you can create what you find there.  It also has some titillation art.  This is a four issue mini-series.  It is written by El Torres and drawn by Juan Jose Ryp and Fran Gamboa.

The second is Murderland.  I am not sure what this one about, truth to tell.  This is part one is in a story arc.  The plan appears to have this be a an ongoing series. It is written by Stephen Scott and drawn by David Hahn and Guillem Mari.  

The post Image Comics: Two First Issues appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

Six months after the first clip of the Space Battle we have been graced with a new, longer clip from the live action Space Battleship Yamato movie.  The movie is due out December 1st, 2010, but only in Japan.  (Space Battleship Yamato is the original name for Starblazers.)

If you haven’t seen the original clip, here it is.

The post Second Live Action Space Battleship Yamato Movie Clip appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

Incorruptible #8 is here.  Buy this book.

As usual, Incorruptible #8 was written by its creator, Mark Waid, and drawn by Horacio Domingues.  As usual, they do a good job.

Something that tickled my funny bone was the expansion of snarky humor to the new Jailbait.  This humor, partly self-deprecating, expands her character.  As I have mentioned before when discussing this comic book, the few central characters, as opposed to the many in Irredeemable, makes this a better book because Mr. Waid can focus on them.  We also learn more about Max Damage’s powers.

One of my complaints in the last issue, the white supremacist villains, was dealt with well.  I am not sure where the story is going next, which is fine.

Bottom Line $3.99/$3.99

The post Incorruptible #8 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

That is among the highest praise I can give, I believe.

I like even everything better in the second issue of Abe Sapien:  The Abyssal Plain.  I like Peter Snejbjerg’s art better (his interpretation of a character in a surprising cameo is spot on).  Mike Mignola and John Arcudi’s story was well thought out, and their ending was totally not what I thought it would be.

Did I mention that that was high praise?

My biggest complaint:  What is the title about?  OK, I got this from thefreedictionary.com: “Abyssal. 3. Of or relating to the region of the ocean bottom between the bathyal and hadal zones, from depths of approximately 3,000 to 6,000 meters (10,000 to 20,000 feet).”  Ah, got it.  Nothing to do with the abyss; aka, hell.

Here is my review for the first issue.

Was my curiosity from the first issue satisfied?  Definitely.  This is a great short story to tide us over until the next BPRD storyline starts next month.

Bottom Line:  $3.50/$3.50

The post Abe Sapien: The Abyssal Plain #2 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

However, it turns out this comic book predates that movie by two years:  It was originally published as a hardcover graphic novel in Europe, and now BOOM! has broken it up into three issues, the last issue of which is now out.

Seven Psychopaths was written by Fabien Vehlmann, a French comic book writer.  Sean Phillips is the artist.

I have to admit, I liked the third issue the best.  The beginning of the second book left me a little confused when it was describing the trouble in plane as they were being transported to Germany.  The art was a little hard to follow and I did not have the characters straight in my head.  My fault?  Maybe–there were, after all, seven psychos in the plane.

The third issue with its plot twists did a good job of finishing the story, however.   The total book itself did not ‘wow’ me:  It started slow in the first issue, but by the end I was entranced by the unfolding plot.  I do recommend this book.

I wish I could recommend this book in its original format.  We see too few European titles here in the US.  I remember being entranced as I wandered some bookstores in Europe while staring at all the gorgeous comic books they had for sell.  I found few super-heroes on those shelves.  This book indicates to me that some of that quality is still there.

Bottom Line $2.99/$3.99 (for the entire series)

The post 7 Psychos #3 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

The inside kept screaming ’80s indie comic, and that might be why I like it.

The Bulletproof Coffin is written by David Hyne and Shaky Kane.  Mr. Kane also does the art and the cover.  Both of these two gentlemen got their start in the comic book business in the ’80s, even doing some of those independents that these comics remind me of.

So what does this retro-independent comic book have?

Strange but good art?  Check. (Mr. Kane’s art reminds me a little of Moebius’s art, as well as someone else that I just cannot  put my finger on:  It is sparse and unique.  I like it).

Everyman main character with an odd job and personal problems?  Check.  (You can see him on the second cover.)

Shadowy men in dark suits and sunglasses?  Check.  (What more can be said here?)

Warped versions of common comic book tropes?  Check. (Part of every issue is devoted to a twisted comic book supposedly printed in the ’60′s.)

Strange supporting characters?  Check.  (What is up with the wife and the twins?  The twins are on the first cover.  One has a T-shirt that says “sake” in Japanese on it;  that is probably what pushed me to read this comic:  Sake=yum!)

In this issue, you find out what the bulletproof coffin really is in 26 pages of story.  It has the new higher cover price of $3.99, but what can you do?

Bottom Line $3.99/$3.99

The post Bullet Proof Coffin #2 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

The story was created by Ross Richie, one of the founders of BOOM!; written by Carey Malloy; and drawn by Scott Godleweski.

The art is good, although I found my self distracted by head shots that had no background.  I do not think I am supposed to be distracted by these; I think I am supposed to focus on the character instead.  Must be something wrong with me.

The story turns out to be an onion, with many different layers.  Unfortunately, I found myself overwhelmed at the end when so many of the layers were exposed.   Layers are what is expected of spy stories though, so I should not be surprised.  I think maybe a few more layers shown in earlier issues might have been better, instead of heaping on so many at the end.

I did like the three main supporting characters.  I realize that a lot of the characterization comes from their particular talents, but those talents are very distinct and pretty new to me, so I can accept them.  Also, this is a four issue miniseries with lots of characters, so I take it for granted deep characterization is difficult.

Codebreakers is definitely different from most of the other comic books out there with its analysts’ tale, and that is a plus.

Bottom Line $2.99/$3.99

The post Codebreakers #4 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

However, I am along for the ride.  (Get it?  Western title?  Horses?  Ride?)

Pale Horse #2 has the same credits as the first one (click here for WPR’s info on Pale Horse #1).

I do not think this is going to be a short miniseries.  At least I hope not.  This issue moves away from the brutal revenge opening of the first issue and starts to delve into the history of Cole.  I can see this story playing out for a few good issues.  If they were to rush the story, I am afraid it would not be very good.  Right now, they seem to have a good pace going, even if I am a little confused about how the hired gun tracked Cole so quickly–something I am will to overlook.

Yes, a hired gun.  There is also a posse.  A whorehouse.  And some Sioux Indians.  This is a western comic, after all.

Bottom Line $3.99/$3.99

The post Pale Horse #2 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

Good news everyone!
New game!
Yes, you figured that Harry Potter Years 5-7 would be coming out sooner or later (anyone know the release date for that?), but this will be out next year.  Watch the video:

Be sure to join our WPR Lego Video Game Appreciation Club (LOL!).

The post Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

Something you may not have noticed is that for they have also been steadily publishing Cthulhu comics.  The Calling: Cthulhu Chronicles is the latest title.

The Calling features two writers: Michael Alan Nelson, a frequent BOOM! writer who wrote The Fall of Cthulhu and Johanna Stokes.  The art is by Christopher Possenti.  There are different covers:  My vote is for the Sean Phillips’ version.

The biggest problem I had with the book was the art.  It was only serviceable.  However, I have to ask:  Do you read Cthulhu books for the art?  Or the story?

The story did not leave me with that constant creeping dead many experience the first time they read H.P. Lovecraft’s stories.  The twist at the end did get me though.  Also, as I was reading, I did find my wondering, what has happened in Paradise?  You will too, but the question will change in your mind as you read.

After reading the first issue, I will give The Calling this praise:  I want to read the second issue.

Bottom Line:  $2.99/$3.99

The post The Calling: Cthulhu Chronicles appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

I would guess that there are a quite a few comic book readers who would like this book:  snarky humor and violence.  Tons and tons of violence.  I am an old fart who does not need that much blood in my comic book, but I recognize that some people out there might get a real kick out of this comic book.

Officer Downe is written by Joe Casey and drawn by Chris Burnham (who also did the covers).  This is also the team that created Nixon’s Pals.

The plot is by the numbers:  Officer Downe never stays down.  He likes to get out there after the perps (that is where the humor comes in).  He gets the perps with any means necessary (that is where the art comes in).

I will give Mr. Burnham props for his art.  It reminds me a little of Geoff Darrow’s work, perhaps not as detailed though.  He does give 48 consistent pages of art that matches the story: violent and bloody.

As, I said, I do not want to pan Officer Downe;  I want to recommend it for some of those people out there that might find it interesting–you know who you are.

Old Fart Bottom Line:  $1.00/$4.99

Young Hellion Bottom Line:  $4.99/$4.99

The post Officer Downe appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

First, their is Jane Weidlin, the lead guitarist for the Go-Go’s and sometime actor.  Her co-creator, co-writer and penciler and inker for half of the first issue is Bill Morrison.  Mr. Morrison is a co-founder of Bongo Comics (and its current creative director) and the creator of Roswell, a Bongo comic that ran from 1996-1999.

There is no doubt, as you read the comic book, that Lady Robotika is Jane Wiedlin.  The main character has her name and background.  If you are a Jane Wiedlin fan, that should sell the book for you.

If not, you may want to skip this book.  There are a host of bad guys, including a dominatrix named E’Death, some random aliens with probes, and some lizard-like aliens from Herron IV–all unrelated as far as I could tell.  The story starts in media res, but the narrative never returns to that thread (and its whips) in this issue.  There is the last page cliff-hanger, which is given away on the cover.  There is also some humor that was not really to my taste–I think it might have been funnier if I was a big Jane Wiedlin fan.

It is a shame that the Go-Go’s farewell tour was canceled this summer due to Ms. Wiedlin damaging her knees.  They could have sold this comic at the tables with the T-shirts to the fans.  I think the average comic book reader is not going to know what this is.

Bottom Line:  $1.00/$3.50

The post Jane Weidlin’s Lady Robotika #1 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

I know today that you can go into any comic book store and find non-superhero comics.  It is pretty easy.  However, when I read my first Ted McKeever comic back in the late 80′s, comic book stores were just taking off and 7-11′s everywhere still sold comic books.  Ted McKeever’s unique style married to a cape-less story blew my mind.

Now, just over twenty years later, even with all the different comic books you can buy that do not have superheroes, I am still excited by a Ted McKeever book.

What that book is exactly is not an easy topic.  Last time I mentioned the guy in the space suit–now I know he may be on Coney Island or on the moon.  I also mentioned Santa Claus was in the story–she is a tatoo artist.  There is still the police story in the background–now they are calling in the swat though.

And no, I do not know what the metaphor is…

Who cares.  This is the second issue, three more to go.

Bottom Line:  $3.50/$3.50

The post Meta #4 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

BUY THIS BOOK:  The Walking Dead #75.  You won’t regret it!

40 pages.  A color story.  And… and… and…

AND… PICTURES OF THE CAST OF AMC’s TV SHOW.

Yes, you will have a geek-gasm!

You get the 75th issue of The Walking Dead (yay!).  You get a special short color story drawn by Mr. Ryan Ottley.  In addition, you get to think about how accurate the casting is of eight of the characters, along with four zombies.

Oh yeah, the twelfth trade paperback came out as well.  It collects issues 67-72.

Your comic book dealer is waiting for you!

Bottom Line:  $4.99/$4.99

The post The Walking Dead #75 (& Volume 12) appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

Grab this issue for the blending of the history of the AK-47 and some low points from the story of Eastern Africa from the past 35 years.

As the writer, Joshua Dysart has created some of his best stories with Unknown Soldier.  He took a character  that was used in old WWII stories (he first appeared in a Sergeant Rock comic) and modernized him into a tragic and violent character in Uganda’s recent troubles.  This stand alone story doesn’t really feature the character of the Unknown Soldier, but instead focuses on the most ubiquitous weapon of war for the past 60 years, the AK-47, placing it in the troubles of Ethiopia, Sudan and Uganda.

Anyone who has ever traveled out their comfort zone into the developing world has seen these guns.  I saw bank guards holding them in every bank I went to in Africa.  Border guards held them.  Police had them.  The military had them;  I once rode in the back of a small Subaru truck with two soldiers who kept their fingers on the triggers of their AK-47s as they watched over a prisoner accused of being a rebel–the same type of rebels that you can find in Dysart’s Unknown Soldier.

If you pick up this issue and it interests you, you can easily find the earlier stories in trade paperback.  The first two are out already, and the third will be out in November.

Finally, I should mention that this issue is a fill-in by the veteran artist Rick Veitch.

Bottom Line:  $2.99/$2.99

The post Unknown Soldier #21: A Brief History Lesson of the AK47 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

The story is plotted by BOOM! co-founder, Andrew Cosby (also the co-creator of Eureka on Sci-Fi–now Sy-Fy).  Pale Horse is written by Michael Alan Nelson (who has written various books for BOOM!) and drawn by Christian Dibari (a new comer as far as I can tell).

The story is a western Lone Wolf and Cub. I like westerns and I like Lone Wolf and Cub, so how could this book go wrong?

Cole was a man who had put his weapons of war away until his wife is raped and murdered for the sole reason that she was a Native American.  Now, Cole has a son without a mother and an unerring aim with is gun.  Also, he doubts that justice exists in his world.  I realize that sounds derivative, but I enjoyed it.

How many western comics are out there right now, anyway?  Well, maybe only this and Jonah Hex, and this one is not finished.  BOOM! Studios, can we see Pale Horse #2?  After all, $3.99 is a lot to spend a comic that I am certain I will see a second issue of.

Bottom Line $3.99/$3.99

The post Pale Horse #1 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

I believe that is the reason that BOOM! decided it could publish Cold Space created by Samuel L. Jackson and Eric Calderon.  Doesn’t that guy on the cover look like Samuel L. Jackson?

Yes, the guy on the cover looks like the man, but the guy on the inside, as drawn by Jeremy Rock, not so much.

I am not sure how much of the writing is actually done by Mr. Jackson himself, but he is credited as such along with his co-creator, Mr. Calderon.  The title is a misnomer as all of the action since half-way through the first issue has not taken place in space at all.  It is still the sci-fi story that the title suggests, but the plot is all Yojimbo influenced taking place on some unnamed moon.

I enjoy the twists and turns that come with such stories, so I am enjoying this comic book, although it is far from perfect.  The art is serviceable.  The story is not completely predictable in its twists and turns.  As the character in the comic does not look like Mr. Jackson, I do not completely feel I just have a self-promoting handbook that the cover lead me to believe it was.  However, I think it was the thought that Mr. Jackson would play this character in the movie that allowed me to be interested in the character who is a little undefined.

Bottom Line$2.99/$3.99

The post Cold Space #3 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

However, once I got Hellboy: The Storm #1 in my hands, I was a very, very happy camper.

Fortunately for my Alzheimer-ridden brain, a fair amount of this story is told in flash backs:  A lot has happened to Hellboy since he quit BPRD.  I’ll be honest, I do not know where this series is going;  the story path is not as obvious as Darkness Calls or The Wild Hunt.  With the flashbacks, there is not a lot of set up happening for the next two issues.  I am OK with that though as Mike Mignola has a definite plan for his red hero, and you know I am unquestionably along for the ride.

I will admit, I am still not 100% sold on Duncan Fegredo as artist.  I like him as an artist, and I he gets all the monsters right.  However, there is just something about the way he draws Hellboy’s face that bothers me.  The jawline is a little off and the head seems a little smaller, I think.  Am I quibbling?

Nevertheless, I am an unabashed Hellboy fan, and this issue has made me a very happy comic book reader.

And it is still only $2.99!

Bottom Line:  $2.99/$2.99

The post Hellboy: The Storm #1 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

I am wondering if I should just have kept reading it in trade paperback format so that I could keep the larger picture in my head in one sitting.  Going month to month has been hard on me.  I still do it though, because this is a good comic.

I wonder what Mark Waid has in store for us next.  The fighting has gotten serious without an end in sight while more issues are arising.  These issues seem to be more standard comic book fare:  What is Kaidon’s real goal?  What happens when to titans actually go toe-to-toe.  These do not bother me; after all, this is a comic book.  Mr. Waid is the man who made me love the Flash–Wally, not Barry.  One area of interest that has piqued my interest seems to be a standard comic book trope that Mr. Waid is exploring subtly and expertly and in depth in a way that I have never seen before:  What happens when a super-team cannot trust each other but has to? Yes, it has been done before, but not like this.

My only problem is remembering everything from month to month… Yes, I will still be waiting for issue 16 in August when it comes out.

Bottom Line:  $3.99/$3.99

The post Irredeemable #15 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

If you want a handful of  bargain comics full of pin-up-able pictures as their birthday gift to you, head over to Zenoscope’s website for a deal.

The post Zenescope Turns Five Years Old appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

Instead, this Vertigo Crime novel’s title, Area 10,  refers to an area of the brain often the target for trepanning.  On a sliding scale of unreality, this crime story is not as totally unreal as John Constantine going to hell in Dark Entries nor as completely mundane as Filthy Rich by Brian Azzarelo.  It is somewhere in the middle, as is, unfortunately, the quality of the story; not too bad, not great.

The author is Christos N. Gage who has been working in comics for a few years now, writing for both of the big two on various series. This appears to be his first foray into a non-cape story.  The black and white art is by Chris Samnee, who has also been around for a few years drawing for most of the major comic book companies (his first Dark Horse work will be out this fall, a story about Serenity’s preacher, Book).

I will not lie:  I do like having a longer story that I can read in one sitting.  For the most part, I have enjoyed all of the Vertigo Crime books.  This one is no different; “For the most part,” as I said.

The lack of a main character that I could sympathize with is, for me, the story’s biggest problem.  Detective Adam Kamen is in an interesting enough predicament (trepanning, anyone?), but I could not care about his life and its prior troubles at all.  Perhaps that is part of the difficulty in creating a tough guy character who hides his feelings–there is nothing for the reader to identify with.  (I will not give away the trepanning plot, just in case you have an hour you would like to kill with this book.)

Of course, my biggest issue with Area 10 in general is buying a “for the most part” story with 184 smaller black and white pages at $19.99.

Bottom Line:  $12.50/$19.99

The post Area 10 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

Something really caught me off guard about the cover to the first issue when I picked it up though:  More gangsters and a space ship.

It got weirder right away.  Reading, I immediately noticed that there were vampires.  Vampires, aliens and a prohibition-era crime story?  Reading any kind of fiction requires some sort of suspension of disbelief.  For Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein you need to believe that Dr. Frankenstein can create life.  For Daredevil, you have to believe, at minimum, in superpowers and the ability to jump between buildings in Manhattan.  For Twilight–well, let’s be honest, I have no clue there.  The initial problem with Turf is that, as a reader, you are trying to force that internal, and usually automatic, system to swallow three genres at once–a big pill to swallow.

I think have swallowed it.  Part of what makes it so easy to swallow is the narration style of the author, Jonathan Ross. The first issue was dense with dialogue between many characters, but that dialogue laid out the story in an easy to read way that may the pill the go down easy.

Who is Jonathan Ross?  This is his first comic book.  It turns out that he is a very public face in England.  Mark Millar, in his afterward in issue one describes him as  “Letterman, Stern, Siskel and Ebert all rolled up in a Saville Row suit.”  I still really have no clue…  It may have been his fame that got him in the door for his first comic book, but I believe I am along for the rest of the ride.

Good art and an interesting (if dense) story, still a great deal at $2.99 for 25 pages.

Bottom Line:  $2.99/$2.99

The post Turf #2 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

But then I actually read Pandemonium by Jamie Delano and Jock.  Should have read it sooner.

The book came out in February, and I initially passed it buy due to the cost, coupled with the fact that I could not imagine for the life of me why John Constantine would end up in Iraq.  I imagined that it would require some really weird twist of story-telling.  It turns out that it is a twist that Mr. Delano pulls off with ease.

It was with Hellblazer that Mr. Delano first made his name in America.  He was the inital writer of DC/Vertigo’s longest running series.  It was his writing, along with Neil Gaiman’s Sandman, that pulled me away from the super-hero comics of my youth.  I should have known that any story that brought him back to Hellblazer would have been worth reading. 

Of course, the artwork works well with the story.  Jock (the pen name (ink-name?)  of Mark Simpson), another Brit like Mr. Delano, is known for his strong lines.  Here, working alone, he has created great art to go with the great story.  His aging Constantine, cigarette in his mouth, is a perfect match for Mr. Delano’s writing.  Is it Jock’s art that delayed the publication of this book from 2008, the 20th anniversary of Hellblazer?  If so, it was well worth the wait. 

I thought I would delay this review until the comic came out in trade paperback next February–unfortunately, I could not wait.  I really enjoyed it, and kicked myself for waiting to read it.  If the 10% off at your local comic book story that you are a loyal customer at is not good enough of a discount for you, track it down on Amazon. 

Bottom Line:  $22.49/$24.99 (use your 10% at your local comic book store on this expensive book!)

The post Hellblazer: Pandemonium appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

However, seven issues in, I find myself liking Incorruptible more than Irredeemable for another area where they are opposites:  Irredeemable tells a sprawling story with many characters, while Incorruptible focuses on one man’s redemption with a smaller cast of characters.

It seems, with a tighter cast, author/creator Mark Waid creates tighter scripts.  This issue proves it for me.  Even though the current villains are white supremacists (groan?), I can see how they fit into the larger picture of Max’s story.  Somehow, Max will end up back in Sky City, at the start of his story.  Of course, that story is about redemption, and while Max is going straight for that goal, I see a fall coming soon.  This issue showed a little of what his redemption is going to cost him emotionally.  Usually, redemption comes with atonement, and I do not believe Max will make everything right with just changing his actions.

Recently, it seems that Incorruptible has been meandering, but Incorruptible has my attention.

(Horacio Domingues did the art in this issue, and I am not sure what I think about it.  Let me know what you think, will you?)

Bottom Line $3.99/$3.99

The post Incorruptible #7 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

Opening up this book, I was stunned at the visuals.  That is reason enough, I think to buy this book.

Velocity #1 is written by Ron Marz and illustrated by Kenneth Rocafort.  It is Mr. Rocafort’s excellent art, along with colorist Sunny Gho of IFS, that got me into the book.  I never read Cyberforce and was worried that that would impair my enjoyment of the book.   The art took care of that worry. In fact, I jumped ahead the first time I opened the comic, skipping reading, just to look at the pictures.  I will be the first to tell you that I am usually a story guy–the art is usually not quite as important to me.

I would say to anyone who, like me, has no connection to Cyberforce:  Pick this book up when you see it on the shelf and look at the art. That alone will probably convince you to buy the book.  Mr. Rocafort, why are you not on Facebook?  I want to follow your work more closely.  (No, not follow you personally.  I am no stalker.  Ask my parole officer.)

Bottom Line:  $2.99/$3.99

The post Velocity #1 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

You might have thought that after the last issue this one would also show some crazy battle as the war escalates.  I know I did.  I was wrong (again!), pleasantly surprised though.  This is a plot-driven issue of Invincible, and my favorite of recent issues.

Issue 73, which is the third part of the Viltrumite War, has the usual gang of wonderful creators, lead by Robert Kirkman (writer) and Ryan Ottley (penciller).  Also, Cliff Rathburne, a frequent Kirkman partner not only on this title but also The Walking Dead, inks while FCO Plascencia continues the wonderful colors.

Those three responsible for the visuals continue to do a strong job on making this a visually striking comic.  I cannot say much more about the quality of the art.  It is good, and as been consistently so for a while.

In regards to the story, as I mentioned, I was surprised by how plot-driven this story was–not battle- driven.  For some reason, this story seems to revolve around pairs:  Nolan and his youngest son, Oliver; Tech Jacket and Allen the Alien; the leaders of the two opposing forces; even the two communication officers at the end…  Yes, Invincible is in this story too, he is just not a major player, and you can guess why after last issue.

It is a quiet issue, but things happen.  I will not lie:  I like this comic and have found my interest drawn back to it since The Viltrumite War began.

Bottom Line $2.99/$2.99

The post Invincible #73 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

Sea Bear & Grizzly Shark is a comic book from the twisted minds of Ryan Ottley and Jason Howard.

Oh, come on!  Admit it!  You were hooked at the title and the cover!  Just go buy it already!

It is as weird and violent as it sounds, and well worth the money for the 48 or so pages.  No, I have no clue what the stories were; I have to admit that I was just looking at the pictures.  Great pictures.  Maybe I will read the balloons later.  After I look at the pictures again.

Did I mention Ryan Ottley and Jason Howard are the co-creators here?  Mr. Ottley is responsible for Grizzly Shark while Mr. Howard did the honors on Sea Bear: each has his own story.

Why are you still reading this?  Call your comic book store and have one held for you!

Bottom Line:  $4.99/$4.99

The post Sea Bear & Grizzly Shark – Review appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

As much as I love the huge over-arching story that has been threading through Hellboy and BPRD, I like the smaller, unrelated one-shots and mini-series as well.

Mike Mignola and John Arcudi are sharing writing honors again.  This duo have been responsible for most of the BRPD comics lately, with Mr. Mignola helping Mr. Arcudi with the plots; after which, Mr. Arcudi does the scripting.  Need a better recommendation than that?  If so, you are not reading the same comic as I.

The artist is Peter Snejberg.  This is not his first foray into Mr. Mignola’s twisted world;  he did a one shot in the War On Frog series.  I fell in love with Mr. Snejberg’s art on The Books of Magic (yeah, that wonderful little comic book about a young, powerful wizard growing up in Britain that predates Mr. Potter by a few years).  It has been a while since he has done any regular work for DC (Starman) and Vertigo, so I am  happy he is again putting his mark on the BPRD world.

What do we see in this latest visit to the Hellboy/BPRD world?  Well, it involves Nazis (again?), Russians (again?), something magical (again?), and a submarine (well now, that is new!).  Yes, it is the first of two issues, so I cannot really say much without giving anything away about its short plot.

I will say this:  I felt curiosity more than any dread.  What is down there, and why? There seems to be an answer in the first issue, but I doubt that is all there is to this story.

There is no doubt I am a confirmed BPRD fan (prejudiced?), so take this recommendation with a grain of salt.  Alternatively, you can wait for my review on the second issue to see if the second issue comes through on the promise of the first.

Bottom Line $3.50/$3.50

The post New Comics Wednesday: Abe Sapien: The Abyssal Plain #1 (of 2) appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

Yes, it is a blatant tie-in for the upcoming movie (July 9th, if you haven’t already penned it in on your calendar), but as Dark Horse has been doing Predator comics (and Predator vs. Alien comics and Predator vs. Batman comics and…) they must have learned a few tricks on how to make a good movie tie-in.

The best trick, at least as far as I’m concerned, is getting David Lapham (Stray Bullets, Sparta) to write the back story for the Adrien Brody character.   Okay, admittedly, there are no predators in this story (as the character doesn’t meet the predators until the movie), but what do I care?  This is David Lapham.  Here, Mr. Lapham is at his best, writing about a morally ambiguous character with guns.

I won’t say anything about the other story, except this:  I didn’t know Lawrence Fishburne was in the movie until I saw this cover.  The story is good (and a little strange–I won’t tell you about it as it sets up something important in the movie), but you cannot tell it is Mr. Fishburne’s character from the art.

The next, and last, issue is due out next week.

Bottom Line:  $2.99/$2.99

The post New Comics Wednesday: Predators #3 appeared first on WatchPlayRead.

If you have iTunes, why did you click MORE?  Go get it!

Free comics!

Yay!

The post Got iComics? appeared first on WatchPlayRead.