DARK SHADOWS: YEAR ONE #1

Marc Andreyko (w)
Guiu Vilanova (a)
Patrick Berkenkotter (c)
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
FANS, ASK YOUR RETAILER FOR THE:
Patrick Berkenkotter “virgin art” retailer incentive cover
Patrick Berkenkotter black & white art?retailer incentive cover

The origin of Dark Shadows, finally revealed! How did Barnabas Collins become a bloodthirsty vampire? What tragedies befell the Collins family through the generations? All it took was one night of weakness, and Barnabas cursed his family — and himself — forever! The twisted tale of one of pop culture’s most iconic and enduring vampires begins here!

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: THE HIT LIST AGENDA TPB

Vince Hernandez; Scott Lobdell; Marc Andreyko – Story / Oliver Nome; Micah Gunnell; Pop Mhan – Art / Emilio Lopez; David Curiel; John Starr – Colors

The Hit List Agenda returns with its sites set on you!

Aspen’s sold-out summer crossover event is finally packaged together in one masterpiece collection for Executive Assistant fans! Join Lotus, Orchid and Violet in their own respective journeys as the “Hit List Agenda” storyline binds them all together to eventually face the global threat of corporate mastermind Duncan Villone and his massive network of power and corruption. Featuring the talents of over a dozen of the industry’s top artists and creators, this pulse-pounding storyline sets the stage for the acclaimed second volume of Executive Assistant: Iris! Don’t miss out!

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: THE HIT LIST AGENDA TPB is in stores October 10^th, 2012!

VAMPIRELLA MEETS DARK SHADOWS’ BARNABAS COLLINS IN DARK SHADOWS/VAMPIRELLA #1 FROM DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT!

IN COMIC STORES EVERYWHERE THIS COMING AUGUST! 

May 16th, 2011, Runnemede, NJ – This coming August, Vampirella and Barnabas Collins meet for the first time EVER in Dark Shadows/Vampirella #1!  Written by the acclaimed Marc (Manhunter) Andreyko and drawn by Patrick Berkenkotter, with a cover by Fabiano Neves, this will be a cross-over to remember!  Be sure to pick up Dark Shadows/Vampirella #1 this coming August!

In Dark Shadows/Vampirella #1, when the disappearance of a family friend brings Barnabas Collins to New York, he is ill-prepared for the seedy underworld of clubs that awaits him! And Vampirella’s quest to find the “Big Apple Butcher” sends her on a collision course with the vampire of Collinsport! Will Vampirella and Barnabas uncover the shocking identity of this madman before they kill each another?

“Barnabas Collins and Vampirella are two classic characters in vampire lore, so getting the chance to pen their first meeting is a blast,” says writer Marc Andreyko.  “I remember watching Dark Shadows reruns and sneaking peeks at the Vampirella magazines when I was just a wee lad, so getting to do this book seems like fate! And I’m not going easy on Barnabas or Vampi in this series, either! They are going to be put through a gauntlet of terror before this book is through!”

Jim Pierson, spokesman for Dark Shadows rights owner Dan Curtis Productions, adds, “It’s fun to further expand the reach of Dark Shadows and hopefully expose the classic characters to new fans who might just be discovering Barnabas with the new Johnny Depp movie.”

“Cross-overs get a bad rap when they’re not done right, or they feel forced,” adds Dynamite editor Joe Rybandt. “But this one felt like a natural the moment we had the idea. The setting, the characters, the bad guys…the whole thing has come together so naturally, and Marc and Patrick are the perfect pair to make it happen.”

Become our fan on Facebook at facebook.com/DynamiteComics!

Join the conversation on Dynamite Entertainment’s twitter page at http://twitter.com/DynamiteComics!

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT was founded in 2004 and is home to several best-selling comic-book titles and properties, including The Shadow, The Boys, Green Hornet, Vampirella, Warlord of Mars, Bionic Man, Game of Thrones, and more!

In addition to its critically-acclaimed titles and best-selling comics, Dynamite works with some of the most high-profile creators in comics and entertainment, including Alex Ross, John Cassaday, Garth Ennis, Michael Avon Oeming, Mel Rubi, Marc Guggenheim, Stephen Sadowski, Mike Carey, Jim Krueger, Greg Pak, Brett Matthews, Jae Lee, Matt Wagner, and a host of up and coming new talent!

Dynamite recently won the Diamond Gem Award for Best Publisher, under 4% of market share, for 2011!

DYNAMITE is consistently ranked in the upper tiers of comic-book publishers, and several of its titles–including Alex Ross and Jim Krueger’s PROJECT SUPERPOWERS–have debuted in the Top Ten lists produced by Diamond Comics Distributors. Several Dynamite titles have also hit The New York Times Best-Sellers List: The Boys, Vampirella Archives, and Robert Jordan’s New Spring and Wheel of Time graphic novels. In 2005, Diamond awarded the company a GEM Award for Best New Publisher and another GEM in 2006 for Comics Publisher of the Year (under 5%). The company has also been nominated for several industry awards, including the prestigious Eisner Award.

For our readers in the US, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!  For those living abroad, HAPPY THURSDAY!  That is all….

Around the Blogs:

CBCNews – Graphic novel wins Quebec children’s book prize – Congrats!

The Beat – More Occupy Comics reports: Sarah Glidden in Miami – Nice to see what’s going on in Miami.

Bleeding Cool – Marc Andreyko, on Manhunter and Being Out – An interesting read.

Bleeding Cool – Police Drop All Charges Against Phoenix Jones – I know what someone is thankful for.

CBR – Millar Draws A Line On Digital Distribution – Can’t everyone get along?

Around the Tubes Reviews:

IGN – Batman: The Black Mirror

IGN – Fantastic Four #600

Complex – Review: “Fantastic Four” Celebrates Its 600th Issue In Grand Fashion

Inspired by the Occupy protests taking place not just in the U.S. but worldwide, a group of comic book creators have banded together to create Occupy Comics.  The project is the latest use of Kickstarter but with a twist.  The project will see it’s proceeds going directly to purchase items to support the Occupy movement.

All of the writers, artists, business executives, and the publisher are being paid to produce this book… and they ALL are donating 100% of their revenue (not profits, but ALL monies they receive) to the occupiers. They want to support the movement through the winter by providing warm clothes, heaters and bathrooms if possible, and other amenities. For a more detailed breakdown on how the money will flow from pledges to production of the book to the protesters, visit www.occupycomics.com and check out the blueprint.

The list of creators participating is impressive.  There’s some hot talent, great vets and numerous comic book creators heavily involved in the Occupy movement.  Here’s the beginning list of participants:

Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead)
Marc Andreyko (Manhunter)
Susie Cagle (Notes on Conflict, arrested at Occupy Oakland)
Kevin Colden (I Rule the Night, Grimm’s Fairy Tales)
Molly Crabapple (Dr. Sketchy’s)
Tyler Crook (Petrograd, B.P.R.D.)
J.M. DeMatteis (Justice League, Spider-Man, Imaginalis)
Joshua Dysart (Swamp Thing, The Unknown Soldier)
Zoetica Ebb (Biorequiem.com)
Joshua Hale Fialkov (I Vampire, Tumor)
Brea Grant (We Will Bury You, Suicide Girls)
Zane Grant (We Will Bury You, Suicide Girls)
Joe Keatinge (Hell Yeah, Glory, Brutal)
Ales Kot (upcoming projects w/ Image Comics & DC Ent)
George Krstic (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Megas XLR)
Joseph Michael Linsner (Dawn)
Patrick Meaney (Grant Morrison: Talking With Gods)
Mark L. Miller (Luna, Nanny & Hank)
Caleb Monroe (Batman: Fearless, Hunter’s Fortune)
B. Clay Moore (Hawaiian Dick, Superman Confidential)
Jerem Morrow (Drive-In Horrorshow, Kingdom Suicide)
Amancay Nahuelpan-Bustamante (Hijos de P)
Steve Niles (30 Days of Night, Batman: Gotham County Line)
Laurie Penny (Penny Red)
Matt Pizzolo (Godkiller)
Steve Rolston (Ghost Projekt, Queen & Country)
Riley Rossmo (Proof, Cowboy Ninja Viking)
Douglas Rushkoff (Testament, media theorist)
Tim Seeley (Hack/Slash, Witchblade)
Simon Spurrier (2000 AD, X-Men: Curse of the Mutants)
Ben Templesmith (30 Days of Night, Fell)
Ronald Wimberly (MF GRIMM: Sentences)

As I said, an impressive list.

The project seems to get the heart of the Occupy movement by using crowdsourcing to fund it but also it’s use of social media in a way speaks to the movement.  The Occupy movement is leaderless without structure, and Occupy Comics instead of having a “mouth piece” Twitter account, links to a search for their name to show the numerous others speaking about the project.

The project won’t see release until 2012, but the donations will occur this Fall.  The gifts are great and for me I’m at least doing the $10 for a digital copy of every comic they release.

Head to Kickstarter now to kick in some cash.

Official press Release

All-new adventures in the comics based on HBO’s hit show start in spring 2012

San Diego, CA (October 26, 2011) — Since the first issue launched in July of 2010, the TRUE BLOOD comic books have become one of IDW Publishing’s most popular titles.  Fans of the hit HBO show were excited to have new, unique stories featuring their favorite characters.  In an effort to give Truebies what they crave – more Sookie, Bill and Eric – continuously through the year, IDW and HBO will launch the first-ever ongoing TRUE BLOOD comic series in spring 2012, featuring new series installments each month.

“The comics are a great way to continue telling True Blood stories off screen,” said show creator, Alan Ball. “With this new ongoing series, Truebies will be able to find a new comic in stores every month. We’ll also have even more room to create in-depth drama and further explore the world of Bon Temps.”

Added IDW chief operations officer, Greg Goldstein, “IDW could not be happier than to move to this next step with our HBO partners. Since we originally launched TRUE BLOOD comics in 2010, fans have been asking for an ongoing series, and we’re happy to be able to work with HBO and offer it.”

Following on the success of the New York Times best-selling first comic collection, TRUE BLOOD: ALL TOGETHER NOW, IDW and HBO launched the second edition TRUE BLOOD: TAINTED LOVE. In this twisted tale, co-written by True Blood actor Michael McMillian and comic mainstay Marc Andreyko, Jessica is exposed to contaminated bottles of Tru Blood, causing the lovely vampire to go berserk. It’s up to Sookie, Bill, Eric and the rest of the Bon Temps gang to figure out who (or what) is behind the bad Blood. Plus, Reverend Newlin is back and as always in the world of True Blood, things are not as they seem. Both TRUE BLOOD: ALL TOGETHER NOW and TRUE BLOOD: TAINTED LOVE are currently available in comic and book stores, and through the Apple iTunes and iBooks stores.

IDW’s third TRUE BLOOD comic series, TRUE BLOOD: THE FRENCH QUARTER is a monthly comic series currently available in stores and will be available as a collection in March 2012. THE FRENCH QUARTER finds Sookie and Eric in New Orleans tracking a killer, whom Eric and Godric thought they killed in Paris more than 200 years ago, while Bill is in town investigating a local Hep-D outbreak that may be connected to the killer’s latest victims. Meanwhile, back in Bon Temps, Trubies will wonder why Pam is hanging out at Merlotte’s and what it is she wants with Lafayette.

TRUE BLOOD: ALL TOGETHER NOW ($24.99, 160 pages, hard cover, full color) is now available in stores. Diamond order code DEC10 0370; ISBN 978-1-60010-868-6.

TRUE BLOOD: TAINTED LOVE ($24.99, 160 pages, hard cover, full color) is now available in stores. Diamond order code JUL11 0370; ISBN 978-1-61377-019-1.

TRUE BLOOD: TAINTED LOVE ($11.99) is available in Apple’s iBook Store here: http://bit.ly/smqTIA

The entire TRUE BLOOD COMICS COLLECTION is available for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch through the Apple App Store [http://itunes.com/apps/idwpublishing/truebloodcomicscollection]

TRUE BLOOD comics are available for the Sony PSP through the Sony Digital Comics store here: http://bit.ly/fKNzWV

Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books.

About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE, Paramount’s Star Trek; HBO’s True Blood; the BBC’s DOCTOR WHO; Toho’s Godzilla; and comics and trade collections based on novels by worldwide bestselling author, James Patterson. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio.

IDW’s original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.

About HBO Licensing & Retail
HBO Licensing & Retail officially licenses the HBO® brand for the development and merchandising of innovative product lines inspired by the network’s award-winning programming.  With products created around classic series like the The Sopranos® and Sex and the City® to current hits like True Blood®.  True Blood products include the luxury handbag line Hammitt for True Blood, tarte for True Blood makeup collection, the Tru Blood Beverage in the original glass and new plastic bottle, a high-end headphone line V-MODA for True Blood as well as fashion apparel, jewelry, glassware, digital and CD soundtracks.  Merchandise can be purchased in retail stores nationwide, at http://store.hbo.com, and at the groundbreaking HBO retail hub, the HBO Shop®, located at 42nd and 6th Avenue in New York City.  HBO Licensing & Retail products are also sold internationally across Europe, Asia and Australia.

© 2011 Home Box Office, Inc. All Rights Reserved. HBO and related service marks are the property of Home Box Office, Inc.

Apple, the Apple logo, and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Content purchased from the iTunes Store is for personal lawful use only. Don’t steal music.

Official Press Release

Hardcover Comic Collection of “True Blood: Tainted Love” Available Nationwide and Digitally
Co-Written by True Blood Star Michael McMillian

San Diego, CA (October 6, 2011)—IDW Publishing, in conjunction with HBO, is pleased to announce the launch of the second hardcover True Blood comic collection, TRUE BLOOD: TAINTED LOVE, available in comic and book stores throughout North America on Tuesday, October 11, 2011. This compilation of all six issues from the second series of the mega-hit comics offers an all-new story co-written by True Blood star Michael McMillian and comics fan-favorite Marc Andreyko.  The collection features bonus content, including a cover gallery.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the continued success of the comics and are excited that the release of the comic collection will make the series even more accessible to fans,” stated show creator Alan Ball. “Truebies now have two great stories to enjoy, both of which offer new adventures for the Bon Temps crew.”

Following on the success of the New York Times best-selling first comic collection, TRUE BLOOD: ALL TOGETHER NOW, this second edition channels the same erotically-charged romance, wry humor, intriguing mystery and suspense the show has become known for into a brand new story that treats readers to new insights of their favorite characters. In TRUE BLOOD: TAINTED LOVE, Jessica is exposed to contaminated bottles of Tru Blood, causing the lovely vampire to go berserk. It’s up to Sookie, Bill, Eric and the rest of the Bon Temps gang to figure out who (or what) is behind the bad Blood. Plus, Reverend Newlin is back and as always in the world of True Blood, things are not as they seem.

“Not only is Steve Newlin back, but TRUE BLOOD: TAINTED LOVE sees the first comic appearance of many fan-favorite characters from the show,” said McMillian, who plays Fellowship of the Sun leader Reverend Steve Newlin on the show.  “Marc and I worked hard to make our story arc feel like a mini-season of True Blood. Hopefully it will help viewers with their withdrawal while they wait for the next season.”

Developed with show creator Alan Ball, actor McMillian and Andreyko crafted this twisted tale. Joining McMillian and Andreyko is artist Joe Corroney, who brings this latest head-turning series to life. Superstar artist J. Scott Campbell provides the cover.

In addition to the print editions, the comic collection and individual comics are available digitally through Apple’s App Store in the new True Blood Comics app, which features every TRUE BLOOD comic in one place, including the first two issues of the new French Quarter series. The digital version of the compilation is also available in Apple’s iBook Store, and many TRUE BLOOD comics are available in the Sony Digital Comics store.

TRUE BLOOD: TAINTED LOVE ($24.99, 160 pages, hard cover, full color) is now available in stores. Diamond order code JUL11 0370; ISBN 978-1-61377-019-1.

TRUE BLOOD: TAINTED LOVE ($11.99) is available in Apple’s iBook Store.

TRUE BLOOD: ALL TOGETHER NOW ($24.99, 160 pages, hard cover, full color) is now available in stores. Diamond order code DEC10 0370; ISBN 978-1-60010-868-6.

The entire TRUE BLOOD COMICS COLLECTION is available for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch through the Apple App Store [http://itunes.com/apps/idwpublishing/truebloodcomicscollection]

TRUE BLOOD comics are available for the Sony PSP through the Sony Digital Comics store here: http://bit.ly/fKNzWV

Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books.

About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE, Paramount’s Star Trek; HBO’s True Blood; the BBC’s DOCTOR WHO; Toho’s Godzilla; and comics and trade collections based on novels by worldwide bestselling author, James Patterson. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio.

IDW’s original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.

About HBO Licensing & Retail
HBO Licensing & Retail officially licenses the HBO® brand for the development and merchandising of innovative product lines inspired by the network’s award-winning programming.  With products created around classic series like the The Sopranos® and Sex and the City® to current hits like True Blood®.  True Blood products include the luxury handbag line Hammitt for True Blood, tarte for True Blood makeup collection, the Tru Blood Beverage in the original glass and new plastic bottle, a high-end headphone line V-MODA for True Blood as well as fashion apparel, jewelry, glassware, digital and CD soundtracks.  Merchandise can be purchased in retail stores nationwide, at http://store.hbo.com, and at the groundbreaking HBO retail hub, the HBO Shop®, located at 42nd and 6th Avenue in New York City.  HBO Licensing & Retail products are also sold internationally across Europe, Asia and Australia.

© 2011 Home Box Office, Inc. All Rights Reserved. HBO and related service marks are the property of Home Box Office, Inc.

Apple, the Apple logo, and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Content purchased from the iTunes Store is for personal lawful use only. Don’t steal music.

Aspen Comics‘ summer event The Hitlist Agenda has been really interesting.  At first glance, you see a lot of curvy women kicking ass.  It’s a lot of barbie dolls, in crazy gear, shooting guns.  But dig a little deeper, and there’s an interesting inter-weaving plot involving corporate take overs and double crosses and a war involving Pakistan and India.  It all got a bit confusing and I’m still not quite sure what’s going on.

Executive Assistant: Violet #3 sees Violet fighting against the chip Duncan Villone implanted in her and trying not to kill her employer.

The clutches of “The Hit List Agenda” begin to squeeze the life out of Executive Assistant Violet as she discovers the horrific means by which a power-hungry mogul will go to control her. However, Violet begins to show she possesses her own strength—in numbers—and the fight to survive will be a bloody one! The end is here as Violet decides the only way to survive is to kill her way out!

Unlike all of the other EA titles, this one is mostly fighting and shooting and running, all action, it’s a bit emptier, but it’s just one chapter in a larger story.  But there’s some nice moments.  Violet’s personal life is dragged into it all, which nicely circles back to the first issue that helped humanize her as a character.  It’s cool to see and there’s something fun about a tough woman kicking ass.  My only issue with the action is it wasn’t as over the top as I’d like.  It’s a comic, why not go crazy and do things you couldn’t do in a movie?

There’s still a few issues left in The Hitlist Agenda and I’m still slightly confused as to what Villone’s overall plan is.  But, there’s one thing that’s a given, lots of women kicking ass.

Story – Marc Andreyko, Art- Pop Mahn, Colors – John Starr

Story: 7.5 Art: 8 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Buy

Aspen Comics provided Graphic Policy with an advance copy of this issue for FREE for review.

Official Press Release

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: VIOLET #3

Marc Andreyko – Story / Pop Mahn – Art / John Starr – Colors

“The Hit List Agenda” heats up for Executive Assistant: Violet!

The clutches of “The Hit List Agenda” begin to squeeze the life out of Executive Assistant Violet as she discovers the horrific means by which a power-hungry mogul will go to control her. However, Violet begins to show she possesses her own strength—in numbers—and the fight to survive will be a bloody one! The end is here as Violet decides the only way to survive is to kill her way out!

Aspen’s first ever Summer-spanning event, “The Hit List Agenda” continues right here in the pages of EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: VIOLET!

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: VIOLET #3 is in stores September 28^th, 2011!

It’s our second batch of reviews for Aspen Comics.  This time we’re covering two books Executive Assistant: Violet #2 and Soulfire #3.  Mindfield #6 is also being released this week, but you can find our review for it last week.

Executive Assistant: Violet #2

Marc Andreyko – Story, Pop Mahn – Art, John Starr – Colors

I’m digging the Hit List Agenda event.  The overall storyline has a lot of political and business intrigue involved, though I’m not quite sure what that bigger picture is.  But, to focus on this issue, it’s solid as I’d expect.  I finished feeling the same way I felt about the other comics involved in this story line.  What’s different about Executive Assistant: Violet #2 is that it delves into the personal life of the main character Violet more.  Half the comic involves that, even with the action.  And that simple difference, makes this one stand out a little bit more than the other three similar comics I read.  I walked away caring a bit more about the main character, and because of that cared more about her actions, and what happened to her.  That’s not to say there still isn’t a bad-ass chick kicking ass in this.

What’s a bit down is the art.  It’s still good, but I felt in the latter half of the book during the big fight scene there were some positions that seemed odd and lack of transition in motion that made me pause.  For instance Violet jumps through a window, which looks great, but in the next panel she’s standing there.  The two are a bit abrupt due to that.

As much as the story improves on the Executive Assistant comics, the art is just a tad less impressive.  But, just like those series, I absolutely want to read more and see what happens next.

Story: 8.25 Art: 7 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Soulfire (Vol 3) #3

J.T. Krul – Writer, Jason Fabok – Art, John Starr – Colors

I’m going to right out say, I feel like a jerk for what I’m about to say.  The difficulty in reviewing a comic book series that’s already started is you’re often left without knowing what has come before.  Some comics you can pick up no problem.  Others, not so much.  This comic falls into the latter.  I honestly was so very confused by the comic.  From what I can tell there’s the real world and a fantasy world both have magic.  The fantasy world has two factions.  In the real world there’s these strange monsters who seem to be attacking people, but no one seems to really be reacting to this fact and go about their lives.  Here’s the description of the comic:

The magic has returned! But, this time…the light has grown dark.

The Chaos has taken over! Across the globe, the number of victims to this dark and sinister magic begins to grow quickly. But Malikai, confident with his own increasing power, encounters the Chaos with surprising results. However, the biggest challenge to Malikai’s existence will prove to be someone not looking to take his power—but his life. While in the magical kingdom of Anantia, Grace attempts to hold together the people after the vicious attack by Onyx and the murder of their esteemed leader. Yet, Grace will soon learn that the power of Onyx and the Shadow Magic are far more evil than even she could have ever anticipated!

New adversaries, exotic locations, and a fresh cast of exciting characters, including some from the Soulfire Universe’s long forgotten past, reign supreme in this epic third SOULFIRE volume!

Maybe that’ll interest you more.  I just felt lost, but I have to judge the comic before me right?

The art though is easier to judge and I like that a lot.  There’s obviously “light magic” characters, “dark magic” characters and then the real world and all three have a distinctive feel to them.  A lot of that is due to the use of colors.

The hope for any new comic I read is that I’ll be able to dive in, get at least a general sense of what was going on, and it’d make me want to check out previous issues.  While I got the most general sense, it failed to get me to want to go back.  Not my cup of tea, but it might be yours.

Story: 6.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7 Recommendation: Pass

Aspen Comics provided Graphic Policy with an advance copy of these issues for FREE for review.