Tag Archives: eric m. esquivel

Review: ¡Fantasmagoría! #1

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HBO has had a history of delivering excellent shows with amazing talent that pushes boundaries. The network often told stories that most mainstream outlets rarely touched or even cared to. They wanted to introduce a new standard of prestige television and it did exactly that. One of its most memorable features was the Hudlin Brothers’ Cosmic Slop as it touched on subject matter affecting persons of color. Since then, not much content has came out that resembled anything near to the impact that feature had. In SBI Press’ newest book ¡Fantasmagoría!, we get an echo of yesteryear with a Latinx twist in what horror fans can relish.

In “El Corazon Negro,” one veteran Lucha Libre has an epic brawl with Death himself, but not everything goes as planned. In “The Flying Coffin,” one man makes a deal with devil only to be outsmarted by Hell’s Angel himself. In “Put A Little Chile In It,” one woman consults a witch for a love potion only to leave the object of her desire, literally in flames. By issue’s end, each story has the reader on the edge of their seat and leaves them little creeped out.

Overall, it’s an excellent first issue in what is landmark series that gives the world a series of horror vignettes that will both entertain and scare. The stories by Eric M. Esquivel and James A. Fino reminds me of how episodes from Tales From The Crypt used to make me feel. The art by the creative team more than compliments each story. Altogether, it’s an astonishing debut that will both thrill and frighten in the same breath.

Story: Eric M. Esquivel and James A. Fino
Art: Julieta Colas, Victor Moura, Fernando Pinto, Trevor Richardson, Beli De La Torre, Kote Carvajal, Henry Barajas
Story: 10 Art: 9.6 Overall: 9.8 Recommendation: Buy

Review: Border Town #2

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After barely surviving a supernatural showdown at Jack in the Box, the kids regroup over nachos to debate what to do when your town is overrun by monsters of myth. Frank’s freaked and wants to go to the cops! Julietta can’t because her family’s undocumented. Aimi wants to know the secrets of the underworld! And Quinteh might just be hungry. Meanwhile, El Chupacabra crosses the border between worlds, bringing with him an unspeakably terrifying force to Devil’s Fork.

The first issue of Border Town was very entertaining introducing us to a world we don’t see too often, Lantinx inspired monsters. Writer Eric M. Esquivel is blending together so many different myths and histories into a series that feels fresh just from that focus alone. At its core, Border Town is Scooby-Doo with a very different cast. But, Esquivel delivers so much more by giving us a world so many of us know so little about. Border Town is based on his Chicano experience and for some of us, an introduction to that world.

The second issue has the kids coming together attempting to figure out what’s going on and what, if anything, they can do about it. Laying out scenarios, it’s interesting how Esquivel uses each character’s background to provide logical dead ends and limit the direction. The reader can’t really argue with the logic presented and thus the story is driven in a way that makes sense. And, by doing things this way, each character feels like a piece of a puzzle creating the greater whole. He also touches upon the reality of the world they live in using it to enhance the story and add depth to it all.

And the whole is a lot of fun. This is a monster story at its heart and that includes the craziness we’d expect from those stories. There’s a lot as to what it all feels like but in the end it’s fun and that’s what matters.

That’s helped through the art of Ramon Villalobos, who’s joined by Tamra Bonvillain on color, to deliver creatures we’ve never seen before. I couldn’t tell you who 99% of them are but the designs are detailed and with one particular spread we’re challenged to linger on the page looking at them all. The art enhances the culture it’s all based off of with small details that stand out. These could have easily been generic monsters in a way but the choice of a piece of clothing, or skin tone, all make it feel like something new and fresh.

And that’s the key to the series, it feels fresh. Again, this is a monster comic with kids trying to fight them. We’ve seen that before many times. But, it’s the history and perspective of this all that feels new and stands out. This is a prime example of why giving new voices a chance is important they bring new perspectives we might have never seen. And that alone can deliver something new and fun.

Story: Eric M Esquivel Art: Ramon Villalobos Color: Tamra Bonvillain
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Preview: Border Town #2

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Border Town #2

(W) Eric M Esquivel (A/CA) Ramon Villalobos
In Shops: Oct 03, 2018
SRP: $3.99

After barely surviving a supernatural showdown at Jack in the Box, the kids regroup over nachos to debate what to do when your town is overrun by monsters of myth. Frank’s freaked and wants to go to the cops! Julietta can’t because her family’s undocumented. Aimi wants to know the secrets of the underworld! And Quinteh might just be hungry. Meanwhile, El Chupacabra crosses the border between worlds, bringing with him an unspeakably terrifying force to Devil’s Fork.

Border Town #1 is Going Back to Press and Getting a Second Printing

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DC Entertainment has announced that the recently released Border Town #1 from DC Vertigo is headed into a second printing. The first issue debuted to incredible fan response and critical acclaim.

Border Town from writer Eric M. Esquivel and artists Ramon Villalobos and Tamra Bonvillain is an ongoing series based in the fictional town of Devil’s Fork, Arizona, as a crack in the border between our world and Mictlan unleashes monsters from Mexican folklore. As the residents of the small border town are plagued by shared nightmares, otherworldly radio transmission, and mysterious goat mutilations, racial tensions will become supernaturally charged.  It’s now up to the new kid in town, Frank (Francisco) Dominguez, and a motley crew of high school misfits to discover what’s really going on.

Border Town is the first of a new line of creator-owned series from the recently rebranded DC Vertigo imprint, led by Executive Editor Mark Doyle and dedicated to creating modern, socially relevant, high-concept stories appealing to readers of all genres.

The second printing of Border Town  #1 will arrive in local comic shops October 10, with Border Town #2 available on October 3.

Review and Unboxing: Border Town #1

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It’s Wednesday which means it’s new comic book day with new releases hitting shelves, both physical and digital, all across the world.

We previously reviewed Border Town #1 after San Diego Comic Con but DC Comics sent us this mysterious package. We open it up and once again give our thoughts about this new Vertigo series!

When a crack in the border between worlds releases an army of monsters from Mexican folklore into the small town of Devil’s Fork, Arizona, the residents blame the ensuing weirdness—the shared nightmares, the otherworldly radio transmissions, the mysterious goat mutilations—on “God-dang illegals.” With racial tensions supernaturally charged, it’s up to new kid in town Frank Dominguez and a motley crew of high school misfits to discover what’s REALLY going on.

Border Town #1 is by Eric M. Esquivel, Ramon Villalobos, Tamra Bonvillain, Deron Bennett, Andy Khouri, and Maggie Howell.

Get your copy in comic shops today. To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Amazon or TFAW

 

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

Preview: Border Town #1

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Border Town #1

(W) Eric M Esquivel (A/CA) Ramon Villalobos
In Shops: Sep 05, 2018
SRP: $3.99

Don’t miss the start of this all-new ongoing Vertigo series by writer Eric M. Esquivel (Gregory Graves, Ricanstruction) and artist Ramon Villalobos (Nighthawk, America).

When a crack in the border between worlds releases an army of monsters from Mexican folklore, the residents of Devil’s Fork, AZ, blame the ensuing weirdness-the shared nightmares, the otherworldly radio transmissions, the mysterious goat mutilations-on “God-dang illegals.” With racial tensions supernaturally charged, it’s up to new kid in town Frank Dominguez and a motley crew of high school misfits to discover what’s really going on in this town torn between worlds.

Coming the Fall from Vertigo, Border Town. Catch this Early Preview

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Coming this Fall is a new era of DC Vertigo—with new series, new voices, and a bold new direction. Hitting shelves September 5 is the all-new Border Town from Eric M. Esquivel, Ramon Villalobos, Tamra Bonvillain (colors) and Deron Bennett (letters).

When a crack in the border between worlds releases an army of monsters from Mexican folklore, the residents of Devil’s Fork, AZ, blame the ensuing weirdness—the shared nightmares, the otherworldly radio transmissions, the mysterious goat mutilations—on “God-dang illegals.” With racial tensions supernaturally charged, it’s up to new kid in town Frank Dominguez and a motley crew of high school misfits to discover what’s really going on in this town torn between worlds.

Esquivel explains the series:

Border Town is informed by the weird relationship I have with my ethnicity (I’m a biracial Mexican/Irish guy), the scary stories my cousins traumatized me with when I was a niño, the weird culture of the town I moved to right before my sophomore year of high school– basically all of the stuff I never thought anyone in the world would care about, except for me. Our book takes place in Arizona. And Arizona’s most striking quality is that all of its most gorgeous sights occur right next to its ugliest. Picturesque sunsets fall over Joe Arpaio’s gleefully inhumane outdoor prisons. Flowers bloom on some of the most poisonous plants known to man. It’s anything but subtle.

Advance Review: Border Town #1

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For those attending San Diego Comic-Con 2018, they got a chance to get an early copy of Border Town #1, one of the new series that’s part of DC Comics‘ Vertigo relaunch.

When a crack in the border between worlds releases an army of monsters from Mexican folklore into the small town of Devil’s Fork, Arizona, the residents blame the ensuing weirdness—the shared nightmares, the otherworldly radio transmissions, the mysterious goat mutilations—on “God-dang illegals.” With racial tensions supernaturally charged, it’s up to new kid in town Frank Dominguez and a motley crew of high school misfits to discover what’s REALLY going on.

Out September 5th, the series is by Eric M. Esquivel, Ramon Villalobos, Tamra Bonvillain, Deron Bennett, Andy Khouri, and Maggie Howell.

You can pre-order the comic now from your local comic shop now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

TFAW

 

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

Vertigo is Relaunching With 7 New Titles

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DC Entertainment‘s Vertigo imprint is celebrating their 25th anniversary and this fall the line of comics will relaunch with seven original series that look to take on hot button topics. The creators attached feature long time comic creators as well as new voices such as Zoe Quinn, Nine Inch Nails art director Rob Sheridan, and sex education podcaster Tina Horn. The comics have no problem taking on touchy subject matter like white supremacy, virtual reality deities, and sex work. DC describes the line as “modern, socially relevant, and high-concept.”

These seven new series are on top of the new line of Sandman titles previously announced. In the announcement Vertigo executive editor Mark Doyle said:

It’s time to rebuild DC Vertigo. We’re returning to our roots by spotlighting the most exciting new voices in comics, as well as bringing new voices to comics. From the corners of television, games, music, activism, podcasting, comics and more, all of our creators are passionate and have something to say. These sophisticated stories have amazing new characters and vast worlds to explore. That’s what it has always been about for me — new stories, new voices, new possibilities. We’re creating a new generation of DC Vertigo classics for readers of all genres.

Vertigo launched in 1993 to publish more adult and graphic content that couldn’t be printed under the Comics Code Authority. It allowed more freedom than the DC line would allow. The line saw such titles as Sandman, American Vampire, Astro City, Daytripper, 100 Bullets, DMZ, Human Target, iZombie, Northlanders, Y: The Last Man, Sweet Tooth, and so much more by some of the best in the buesiness.

The series are:

Border Town by Eric M. Esquivel and Ramon Villalobos

When a crack in the border between worlds releases an army of monsters from Mexican folklore into the small town of Devil’s Fork, Arizona, the residents blame the ensuing weirdness—the shared nightmares, the otherworldly radio transmissions, the mysterious goat mutilations—on “God-dang illegals.” With racial tensions supernaturally charged, it’s up to new kid in town Frank Dominguez and a motley crew of high school misfits to discover what’s REALLY going on. (September 2018)

Hex Wives by Ben Blacker and Mirka Andolfo

“The women are too powerful. They must be tamed.” A malevolent conspiracy of men brainwashes a coven of witches to be subservient, suburban housewives. But it’s only a matter of time before the women remember their power… (October 2018)

American Carnage by Bryan Hill and Leandro Fernandez

In this thrilling crime saga, disgraced FBI agent Richard Wright, who is biracial but can pass for white, goes undercover in a white supremacist group believed to be responsible for the death of a fellow agent. (November 2018)

Goddess Mode by Zoë Quinn and Robbi Rodriguez

In a near future where all of humanity’s needs are administered by a godlike A.I., it’s one young woman’s horrible job to do tech support on it. But when Cassandra finds herself violently drawn into a hidden and deadly digital world beneath our own, she discovers a group of super-powered women and horrific monsters locked in a secret war for the cheat codes to reality. (December 2018)

High Level by Rob Sheridan and Barnaby Bagenda

Hundreds of years after the world ended and human society was rebuilt from scratch, a self-interested smuggler with a price on her head is forced to traverse a new continent of danger and mystery to deliver a child messiah to High Level, a mythical city at the top of the world from which no one has ever returned. (2019)

Safe Sex by Tina Horn and Mike Dowling

A dystopian sci-fi thriller about a ragtag team of sex workers fighting for the freedom to love in a world where sexual pleasure is monitored, regulated and policed by the government. (2019)

Second Coming by Mark Russell and Richard Pace

God sends Jesus to Earth in hopes that he will learn the family trade from Sun-Man, an all-powerful superhero, who is like the varsity quarterback son God never had. But, upon his return to Earth, Christ is appalled to discover what has become of his Gospel and vows to set the record right. (2019)

Starburn Industries Launches SBI Press on Free Comic Book Day and Announces New Staff

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Starburns Industries, the production studio that brought you Rick and Morty, Anomalisa, and Harmonquest, is expanding beyond film and television development with Starburns Industries Press (SBI Press), a publisher of books, comics and specialty cassette tapes.

SBI Press’ talent includes Dan Harmon (Community, Rick and Morty), Dino Stamatopoulos (Moral Orel, Community, Mr. Show), and the vast network of comedians, writers, and podcasters affiliated with Starburns Audio.

The new imprint has signed a distribution agreement with Diamond Comic Distributors the world’s largest distributor of English-language comic books, graphic novels, and pop culture products, and its book trade division, Diamond Book Distributors.

The new division is founded and headed by Starburns production executive Simon Oré, who will serve as President of SBI Press. Joining Oré to build the division are new hires Brendan Wright, formerly of Dark Horse Comics and New Arab Media, who comes on board as SBI Press VP and Executive Editor, and Trevor Richardson, formerly of Diamond Comics Distributors, who fills the role of SBI Press VP of Acquisitions. The staff is rounded out by Editorial & Production Assistants Ross Clark and Paige Dowling, and PR and Marketing Manager Cassandra Church, with Starburns Producer Casey Rup (VICELAND’s Party Legends, Ricking Morty) serving as producer and consulting editor.

SBI Press becomes the first publisher to debut through the comics industry’s annual Free Comic Book Day event with the showcase Starburns Presents on the first Saturday of May. The anthology title will preview the SBI Press’s 2018 slate, headlined by a short story from comedian and writer Patton Oswalt, artist Troy Nixey, and colorist Michelle Madsen.

Coinciding with Free Comic Book Day, the May edition of Diamond’s Previews catalog will include the company’s first launches: Dan Harmon’s biting take on supervillainy, Gregory Graves, cowritten with Eric M. Esquivel, and illustrated by Brent Schoonover, Ted Naifeh, and Rebecca Nalty; Dino Stamatopolous and Leah Triscione’s graphic novel Trent, “a lighthearted tragedy with music”; and the company’s first series, Hellicious, a family comedy set in Hell, written by Alan C. Medina and Mina Elwell and illustrated by Kit Wallis and Jio Butler.

From there, the first wave of titles in 2018 continues with Comics Comics, teaming fan-favorite stand-up comedians with leading comic industry talent in an anthology series, Oddwell: The Frog of War, a fantasy-adventure comic series from writers David A. Clarke and Walter A. Bryant III and artist Acacia T. Rodarte; and The Crawling King, an illustrated dark fantasy novel by award-winning filmmaker and animator Einar Baldvin.

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