Tag Archives: ale garza

Review: Flash #45

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Flash45Zoom’s plan to destroy the image of the Flash before killing him continues. A large portion of Central City is trapped beneath a dome of the Flash’s own energy and it is up to him to find a way to get everyone out alive.

The story again builds on Zoom’s plan to kill the Flash by destroying his reputation. By having the Flash be the power source for the dome, he hopes that he can turn the city against him. It works too. Captain Frye of the police force instantly sees him as an enemy. But, it does not make much sense. The entire story is full of leaps of logic that take away from the narrative. The captain blames the Flash for the dome, even though, he witnessed the Flash trigger a trap that was plainly set for him by the villains. Even after saving people, the Captain still believes he cannot be trusted for no sound reason. The twist ending also leads to a leap of logic which makes the entire story before it pointless. The final reveal could have happened the exact same way without the dome ever being a part of Zoom’s master plan. On the more positive side, Wally West’s growth as a heroic figure continues to be the most interesting part of this comic. As all of the adults around him continue to lose their cool, he is the only one able to stay calm and find a solution to their predicament.

The artwork is strong throughout. The dome creates a background of scarlet and lightning which adds a layer of tension and movement to almost every panel. Facial expressions are well portrayed and match very well the large scope of feelings being presented by the characters. The panel layouts are also visually striking and add a sense of chaos to the rapid movements of the Flash and Zoom.

Overall, The Flash #45 is a letdown that does not build on the story of the last few issues. The ending panel makes the entire Zoom arc so far irrelevant and over complicated. What could have been a fun action survival story turns into a waste of time as the narrative shift makes the entire affair seem pointless.

Story: Van Jensen Art: Brett Booth, Vicente Cifuentes, Ale Garza
Story: 6 Art: 7.5 Overall: 6.75 Recommendation: Pass

Anthony Bourdain’s Get Jiro: Blood and Sushi out in October from Vertigo

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Vertigo, the imprint of DC Entertainment, announced it will release a prequel to 2012’s Get Jiro! from renowned chef and  New York Times bestselling author Anthony Bourdain along with co-writer Joel Rose, interior artist Alé Garza, and cover artist Dave Johnson. Reminiscent of a Yakuza action movie, Get Jiro: Blood and Sushi is set in Tokyo and tells the story of how Jiro’s two worlds collided as he worked for his father’s mob, yet pursued his love of cooking at night to become a chef.

In a release, Bourdain said:

Where did my ultra-violent sushi chef hero from the previous book come from? What if you were brought up in a family where murder is acceptable practice and making the best sushi on the planet is a shameful secret? I wanted to take the story back to its beginnings–in Japan (albeit a slightly-in-the-future, dystopic Japan), and indulge my own enthusiasms for both the place and the many classic genre films that have been made there. This is fun for me.

Co-writer Joel Rose added:

Tony and I wanted to revisit Jiro and go back to his origins. We took as our inspiration classic yakuza movies, Ichi the Killer, Battle Without Honor or Humanity, and a slew more. We were also looking for an artist with the chops to do the manga we saw as the book’s style, and thus, Alé Garza. We are thrilled to be back and can’t wait for fans to pick up the book.

Artist Alé Garza said:

When I was approached to work on the Get Jiro! prequel I was giddy with excitement! The idea of getting to create something with Anthony Bourdain was just so overwhelming. I also knew that I’d have to push myself harder creatively. Get Jiro: Blood and Sushi, has been just that, a creative push forward for myself as an artist. I’m doing my best to create an emotionally compelling world that fits suit with the previously released book. It’s really unlike any thing I’ve ever taken on.

Get Jiro: Blood and Sushi will hit shelves and be available for digital download on October 20, 2015. The original graphic novel will be 160 pages and available for $22.99.

Get Jiro.finalcover

Preview: Blood Queen #5

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Blood Queen #5

Troy Brownfield (w)
Fritz Casas (a)
Jay Anacleto, Ivan Nunes (c)
Fans & retailers, order the cover of your choice!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Mature
FANS, ASK YOUR RETAILER FOR THE:
Alé Garza B&W Art retailer incentive cover
Jay Anacleto B&W Art retailer incentive cover

Desperate to prevent a war, the lands call together a Council of Kings (and we know that didn’t go well last time). Meanwhile, Jon Hunter and Sir Ferenc investigate a murder in the castle, the trail of which leads to a new conspiracy. As the conflicts escalate, Elizabeth leads Helena and Sara on a mission to uncover the secret of the burning fields. This leads her to a startling revelation and the specter of a new threat rising. And when she’s confronted with a harsh reality, how far will Elizabeth go in the name of blood and magic? Dynamite’s latest fantasy epic is building to a fever pitch in “Reign in Blood”!

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Preview: The Blood Queen #4

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THE BLOOD QUEEN #4

Troy Brownfield (w)
Fritz Casas (a)
Jay Anacleto, Alé Garza (c)
Fans & retailers, order the cover of your choice!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Mature
FANS, ASK YOUR RETAILER FOR THE:
Alé Garza B&W Art retailer incentive cover
Jay Anacleto B&W Art retailer incentive cover

“Reign in Blood” continues as Elizabeth and Helena get a closer look at the power behind the throne. And as the king rides out to prevent a war, the battle may already be on its way to him! Plots and ambitions put everyone in danger, forcing Jon Hunter to reveal the lengths that he’ll go to for the crown. But what’s more frightening? A good person that goes too far, or someone that has no limits? The tension builds as Dynamite’s newest dark fantasy epic continues!

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Preview: Blood Queen #3

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BLOOD QUEEN #3

Troy Brownfield (w)
Fritz Casas (a)
Jay Anacleto, Alé Garza (c)
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Teen+
FANS, ASK YOUR RETAILER FOR THE:
Jay Anacleto B&W retailer incentive cover
Alé Garza B&W retailer incentive cover

Rumors of war circulate in the kingdom. As the lands slide toward conflict, we learn more about the dangerous plans of the Elder. Who was the Knight of Purity, and what does his wrath have to do with Elizabeth’s mission? And in a castle full of secrets, does innocent Helena hold the key to the most useful one of all?

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Preview: Blood Queen #2

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BLOOD QUEEN #2

Troy Brownfield (w)
Fritz Casas (a)
Jay Anacleto, Alé Garza (c)
Fans & retailers, order the cover of your choice!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Teen+
FANS, ASK YOUR RETAILER FOR THE:
Alé Garza B&W retailer incentive cover
Jay Anacleto B&W retailer incentive cover

Dynamite’s new dark fantasy epic continues! Elizabeth’s new life at court grows more complicated as the king’s niece and the Elder arrive. How does this affect her mission, and what secrets do another investigation in the kingdom hold? And, as passions ignite between Elizabeth and Sir Ferenc, prepare yourself for a shocking final panel! It’s all from writer Troy Brownfield and artist Fritz Casas, and we’re just getting started.

BloodQueen-02-Cov-Anacleto

Preview: The Blood Queen #1

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THE BLOOD QUEEN #1

Troy Brownfield (w)
Fritz Casas (a)
Jay Anacleto, Alé Garza (c)
Fans & retailers, order the cover of your choice!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Teen+
FANS, ASK YOUR RETAILER FOR THE:
Alé Garza B&W Art retailer incentive cover
Jay Anacleto B&W Art retailer incentive cover

A new dark fantasy epic begins here! In a fairy tale land of knights and magic, a royal child’s life hangs in the balance. Summoned to save the princess, a young woman of untold power begins a journey that will uncover secrets, reveal forbidden desires and stoke the fires of war! The reign in blood is about to be born! Inspired by the nightmares of your youth and the notorious Countess Elizabeth Bathory, THE BLOOD QUEEN comes from writer Troy Brownfield!

BloodQueen-01-Cov-Anacleto

Blood Queen, Dark Fantasy from Dynamite in June

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Dynamite Entertainment has announced the June release of Blood Queen #1, the first issue of an ongoing dark fantasy comic book series by the creative team of writer Troy Brownfield and artist Fritz Casas. To commemorate the launch, Dynamite has commissioned artists Jay Anacleto, Ale Garza, and Sergio Fernandez Davila to provide the series’ captivating cover artwork.

Set against the fairytale backdrop of knights and magic, Blood Queen begins with the heartbreaking plight of a royal child, teetering between life and death.  Summoned to save the princess, a young woman of untold power begins a journey that will uncover secrets, reveal forbidden desires, and stoke the fires of war.  Inspired by the notorious true story of the Countess Elizabeth Bathory, Blood Queen imagines the Renaissance era as a colorful nightmare of mayhem, lust, and sorcery.

BloodQueen-01-Cov-Garza

Preview: Dejah Thoris and the Green Men of Mars #8 (of 12)

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DEJAH THORIS AND THE GREEN MEN OF MARS #8 (of 12)

Mark Rahner (w)
Lui Antonio (a)
Jay Anacleto (c)
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Mature
FANS, ASK YOUR RETAILER FOR THE:
Carlos Rafael original art “risqué” retailer incentive cover
Mel Rubi original art “risqué” retailer incentive cover
Alé Garza original art “risqué” retailer incentive cover

Race hatred stoked by terrorists threatens to drive Heliumites and Tharks back to war. Everything the trauma-exhausted Dejah Thoris does only seems to worsen it.  And her last-ditch plan brings her face-to-face with the disfigured Thark who triggers her worst fears!

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Preview: Dejah Thoris and the Green Men of Mars #7 (of 12)

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DEJAH THORIS AND THE GREEN MEN OF MARS #7 (of 12)

Mark Rahner (w)
Lui Antonio (a)
Jay Anacleto (c)
FANS, ASK YOUR RETAILER FOR THE:
Milton Estevam original art “risqué” retailer incentive cover
Mel Rubi original art “risqué” retailer incentive cover
Alé Garza original art “risqué” retailer incentive cover
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Mature

Things are closing in on an exhausted and traumatized Dejah Thoris as she tries to keep the fragile Helium-Thark peace from blowing up. Every move she makes seems to bring disaster closer. And a former suitor may expose her abduction by Tharks, whose leader now backs violent rebels who will never bow to Tars Tarkas.

DejahGreenMen07-Cov-Anacleto

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