ROGUE ANGEL: Teller of Tall Tales #1 (of 5)

I wasn’t planning on buying ROGUE ANGEL: Teller of Tall Tales #1, but I had read some positive previews of it, so thought I’d give it a try. Apparently Rogue Angel is a popular fiction novel series, and this be its’ first venture into comic books. It soon became apparent to me while reading that there is plenty of back-story to the main character, so I felt like I came in halfway through the story!?!

The art style is really unique, somewhere above caricature and below typical comic book art, but I like it all the same. Storywise, this seems like a cross between Tomb Raider and Witchblade, yet mixes in elements of real people of history.

It’s interesting enough, I’m likely to buy issue #2…

7 out of 10.

NARCOPOLIS #2 (of 4)

Jamie Delano is one of my favourite comic book writers (his HELL ETERNAL one-shot graphic novel from a few years back was awesome), and I was greatly impressed by issue 1 of his new mini-series Narcopolis. So, I was eager for issue 2, and it was even better!

It’s hard to explain NARCOPOLIS, as the comic book is as much about the”experience”, than just the straight-up storyline. I love the dialog, as the futuristic Narcopolis-speak really make the reader think about the meaning of each sentence, some of which is open to interpretation.

It’s not for everyone. It’s more for a comic reader with an open mind and looking for something outside the traditional heroes and capes comic books.

I can’t wait for issue #3…

8.5 out of 10.

LOCKE & KEY #1 comic book

Today I bought and read the 1st issue of LOCKE & KEY, written by Joe Hill (son of horror novelist Stephen King), published by IDW. Despite an above average page count (and without ads!), this is a very quick read, yet established quite a lot in teasing the reader towards the future.

The story would constantly jump around in time-line, which I found annoying, but I’m sure it will make better sense with a second reading. I’ll probably get issue #2…

7 out of 10.

Jenna Jameson’s SHADOW HUNTER #1

Today I bought the 1st issue of Jenna Jameson’s SHADOW HUNTER comic book, published by Virgin Comics. I was surprisingly impressed by the preview #0 issue that came out a couple months back, so I thought I would give the series a try.

The storyline has a Witchblade-esque vibe about it, not surprising, given that it’s co-written by former Witchblade writer Christina Z. The art by Mukesh Singh is superb, and though I am not usually one for art, it is indeed impressive and the most positive aspect of the comic book.

I’ll probably be back for issue 2…

7.5 out of 10.

XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS “Dark Xena”

Tonight I read Xena volume 2 “Dark Xena” tpb, containing issues 1 to 4 of the second series and Annual #1 by Dynamite Entertainment.

The “Dark Xena” story actually takes place before the events seen in volume 1, but that really isn’t of concern, as the tale almost acts as a What If?, and is actually Gabrielle-centric adventure, anyway. It’s good fun and the art is excellent, sacrificing perfect likeness for improved characterization instead.

The trade paperback concludes with the “Strange Visitor” story from the Annual, in which Xena battles a Predator-clone. I can’t help think that this story was written or drawn by someone incorrectly believing Xena is still being published by Dark Horse (who still hold the license of the Predator franchise).

Overall, entertaining without being outstanding. I’m glad Dynamite Entertainment are keeping the franchise alive and look forward to more Xena in the future!

Score: 7 out of 10.

BATMAN “FALSE FACES” hardcover

Tonight I read BATMAN “FALSE FACES” hardcover, all stories written by Brian K. Vaughan.

Vaughan modestly suggests in the Introduction that he was surprised that DC would collect these stories, especially as they are among his earliest writing work with DC. I guess a Batman movie must be out soon, huh? The truth is, the stories are excellent, and the title False Faces is not a story title, but in fact relates to the theme of “hidden identities” that all these stories share.

The hardcover begins with an excellent 3-part Batman versus Scarface epic, then an equally entertaining adventure against the Mad Hatter, until concluding with a 2-part Wonder Woman story (BKV’s earliest work at DC). Though not flawless, the writing is consistently good, and the storytelling intelligent, with some “pop culture” references that Vaughan likes to sneak into his work.

Overall, better than I was expecting and recommended!

Score: 8 out of 10.

UZUMAKI volume 3 (of 3) GN

Today I purchased the final UZUMAKI graphic novel, Junji Ito’s stunning horror Spiral series, re-printed by Viz Media. Though I’m not usually one for horror, I really love scary manga, and this and Ito’s Tomie series is among the best things I’ve ever read. The art is stunning, bordering on manic, I appreciate the high level of detail in the environment, and the faces of people are always drawn interestingly.

Score: 8 out of 10.

Justice League of America: The Lightning Saga

Tonight I read JLA volume 2 “The Lightning Saga” hardcover, written by Brad Meltzer (with also contains two issues of Justice Society of America written by Geoff Johns).

Probably not as good as volume one, though the book certainly has it’s highlights.

The main story was good, but the single story chapters finishing the hardcover were better, especially the issue #0, which REALLY should have been put as the first thing in Volume 1 instead.

Score: 7 out of 10.

Justice League of America: The Tornado’s Path

Tonight I read JLA volume 1 “The Tornado’s Path” hardcover, written by Brad Meltzer, who back in 2004 wrote one of the greatest comic stories of all time = Identity Crisis. This hardcover presents the first seven issues of the new series, as a new JLA is formed, in a post-Infinite Crisis/52 (the year without Batman/Superman/Wonder Woman) DC Universe. The writing is excellent, well planned and executed. The hardcover has some great extra material at the back, with notes about specific pages and panels in the book.

Score: 8 out of 10.

DOMIN-8 ME!

This week from The Book Depository website I received in the mail the erotic manga DOMIN-8 ME!

This is without a doubt one of the most sexually explicit manga I have read, and it was excellent! Published under Fantagraphic MANGEROTICA label, it is a story about

“When Tomonori Tsuda accidentally shoots an up-skirt photo of classmate Hikaru Ohno, he discovers that (a) she has the Britney Spears approach to panties and (b) she’s more of a freak than anyone knew — there’s… THINGS up in there! Soon he’s her latest plaything; then Hikaru’s sister Kei, Hikaru’s rival Ryoko, and her (very lucky) boyfriend Koichi are drawn into the vortex of lust and perversion.”

Surprisingly, there is a real emotional attachment to the characters, especially Tomonori, who gets pushed and pulled from one situation to the next. The art and dialog are both excellent, it’s rare to find a manga of this nature so perfect.

Score: 9 out of 10.