Category Archives: Reviews

Review: Heartthrob #1

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HEARTTHROB-#1-Marketing-PDF-1Who doesn’t like a good heist movie?  The world’s audiences have more than embraced this sub genre in more ways than one, as can be seen all over popular culture these days. As the hilarious Prius commercial where a bunch of bank robbers evade police at every turn. Then there is the upcoming Star Wars: Rogue One movie, which finds the Rebellion looking to steal the plans for the Death Star.  On television, the Brits have been entertained by shows like the Saint and Hustle, while stateside we were definitely entertained by the hi-jinks in Leverage. Then there are the traditional movies like the Italian Job and Ocean’s Eleven, which provides twists and turns, while being very tongue in cheek.

A good heist story needs a few elements to make it entertaining to its audience. One of those elements is a protagonist which its audience can root for despite their criminal intent. The second is the actual heist needs to be something of value or what has not been done before, both of these are reasons for going on a heist, and usually in these stories, it is always to not do what they do any longer, to finally retire like Sean Connery’s character in Entrapment when we first meet him. The third thing is who makes up the group, what specialties/ skills each character brings to the job. Lastly,  is how do they get away with it, much like Fast Five, this is usually the part where all the smarts and skill sets are most in play.

Heartthrob is a variation of all those examples and some elements of the heist story, while being original. As the preview describes it:” A new series about bank heists and thieving hearts from writer Christopher Sebela (Welcome Back), artist Robert Wilson IV (Bitch Planet), and colorist Nick Filardi (Powers). Callie Boudreau hasn’t been herself lately. After a lifetime sidelined by illness, she’s rescued by a miracle cure in the form of heart transplant surgery, but the life she returns to doesn’t fit her anymore. Besides the morally questionable job, the crappy boyfriend and the crippling hospital bills, Callie finds herself developing new tastes, unfamiliar urges and a mouth like a sailor. As she balances what she has to do with what she wants to do, a mystery man shows up to teach her that instead of waiting for her new life, she should go out and steal it.  “The internal monologue of Callie drives this story, as she finds out that a heart transplant is simply more than what she expected.  By issue’s end, Callie has evolved to an even more a badass version of herself.

Overall, an interesting story which I did not think I would necessary relate to, as the inner rumblings of ho hum office work reverberate throughout the story much like Office Space. The story by Christopher Sebela is truly a gift, that the reader will be unwrapping over and over again, to see what they have missed the first few times they read it. The art by Robert Wilson IV, is very much reminiscent of Archer, but having an identity all its own. Very entertaining altogether, an absorbing story which feels like the beautiful bastard of Heart Condition and Fight Club.

Story: Christopher Sebela Art: Robert Wilson IV
Story: 9 Art: 10 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy

Oni Press provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Another Castle #2

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ACASTLE-#2-MARKETING_ONI-PRESS_PREVIEW-1The subtitle to this issue of Another Castle could easily be “Misty is right about everything and also feelings.”

In #2, Pete the Dashing is on his way to Grimoire, but has to fight through Badlug’s monsters to get there. Unfortunately for his handsome (according to Gorga, at least) self, he’s kind of terrible at using Leveler and will probably end up dead if he isn’t careful. For both his and Misty’s sake, Misty can’t have that, so she tries to use her “royal privilege” to buy his safety from the monster boss Mrs. Vasilisc. It sort of works… Sort of. Never make deals with people in bars, kids.

However, Vasilisc’s refusal to slay the final beast on the trail leads to Misty and Golga making a deal with an old witch named Zurrd of the Sisters Strang, who can see into the past and agrees to help Misty steal a jumping stone from The Dark Treasury.

At this point, it occurs to me that most of the characters we’ve met in this book so far have been women. We have the men in Misty’s father, Pete, Badlug and the adorable Fogmoth, but nearly all the action in these past two issues has been carried out by women, both good and bad. This has been becoming a trend in fantasy comics as of late and I’m totally here for it.

However, it also doesn’t shy away from emotion. We see both Misty and her father cry in the middle of the issue and it isn’t shamed at all. It’s framed as a moment of resolve for the both of them rather than a moment of weakness. Paulina Ganucheau’s art in this moment is especially important, with the way she draws Misty’s determination through her tears and the king’s face being slightly red as he tries to prepare himself before addressing his people.

Of course, the issue has to leave off on one hell of a cliffhanger as Misty falls into danger trying to retrieve the jumping stone that she suddenly hears her father’s voice from and Zurrd appears to be cornered. The writing in those last few pages is particularly nailbiting, and if you’re anything like me, you’re going to be cursing writer Andrew Wheeler as you get to the last panel, wondering when the next issue is coming out.

Another Castle #2 continues strong after the first issue, showing just how capable and multifaceted Misty is as well as what is at stake for her and those closest to her. Wheeler expands past the basic concept of the book, showing us a little bit of what’s behind the curtain in Misty’s life and Ganucheau balances this well with her colorful and expressive art. Now, when is #3 coming out?

Story: Andrew Wheeler Art: Paulina Ganucheau
Story: 8.0 Art: 9.5 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Read

Oni Press provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

TV Review: Broad City S3E09 Getting There

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Broad City airs at 10 PM EST on Comedy Central.

In the penultimate episode of Broad City Season 3, the show has gone full fledged serialized, and there’s even a little “to be continued” tag instead of the usual jokes and outtakes as the credits roll. But before Abbi and Ilana go into the great unknown aka Israel with Jared (played by Seth Green) as their tour guide, they get one last intense, fun, wacky, and a little morbid New York misadventure beginning with free (meaning stinky) yoga and ending with them taking their New York street skills to the JFK Airport as no one will get in their path of a free trip to Israel.

After last episode, which zeroed in on Abbi and Ilana’s relationships with Trey and Lincoln respectively, writers Jacobson and Glazer wisely decide to focus on their friendship even though Jaime (Arturo Castro) gets a few scene stealing moments like helping Ilana pack super quickly while wearing no pants and getting ready for a nice masturbation session on the couch a la Abbi dancing naked to “The Edge of Glory” when she realizes Bevers (John Gemberling) has left the apartment. And director Todd Biermann relies on a lot of Broad City standard visuals, like quick cuts between Ilana and Abbi contrasting their behavior, a fast tracking shot as they sprint through the JFK Airport, and a percussion heavy soundtrack. The episode’s story and look might come off as “typical Broad City“, but he also switches things up a little with a longer take of Abbi and Ilana playing a game of “fuck, marry, eat” when there’s a subway stoppage for 30 minutes and burns rubber as a 15 year old son of a taxi driver finally takes Abbi and Ilana to the airport immediately running a stop sign.

As mentioned earlier, the “going somewhere” plot has been use a multitude of times in Broad City, but Jacobson and Glazer keep things clever and occasionally dark, like a great conversation about eating a super cute baby and what parts would be the best on it followed by a lingering shot of the baby’s mother staring into the distance. This probably isn’t the weirdest thing she’s heard today. The recurring reference to Abbi’s butt (Ilana greets her as “Ass” when they try to take the subway to the airport.) also pays off in the form of a plot beat as Ilana’s prayer to it leads to the train restarting. And her hustling ability pays off in a slightly disgusting, yet mega hilarious joke that is also a callback to the “Pussy Weed” episode as Ilana smuggles weed in her vagina (Or “nature’s pocket”.) by wearing period blood stained jeans and gets past security pretty easily. Glazer and Jacobson poke fun at the societal taboos that unfortunately exist around menstruation, and the joke goes beyond simple satire by adding the nervous tension of smuggling drugs past the ever watchful TSA. All the events in the airport are super fun to watch, especially once Abbi and Ilana use their bags to creatively navigate the terminals.

And the final payoff of the episode after Glazer and Jacobson wisely build suspense by not revealing too much about their final destination, and their destination is a ten day trip to Israel as part of a real life program called Birthright meant for Jewish youth 18 to 26 to learn more about Judaism by visiting what Jared calls the “holiest of lands”. (Birthright has come under a lot of heat for being anti-Palestinian, against the two state solution, focusing on Zionism at the expense of other forms of Judaism, or just being plain unhelpful.) The last few minutes show how Abbi and Ilana feel like outsiders among the other Birthright participants, especially their creepy leader Jared, who mentions their “reproductive potential” as soon as they enter the cabin. Glazer and Jacobson go for broad parody of Birthright in this sequence while also creating a sad, emotional moment of Ilana and Abbi separating.

“Getting There” is zippy progression from the familiar Broad City plot beats of Abbi and Ilana running around New York with the added obstacles of teenage taxi drivers and airport issues to the unfamiliar as they go on the Birthright trip. We’ll find out if it’s the fun trip they thought it would be in next week’s season finale.

Also, special thanks to Graphic Policy’s Elana for giving me some additional information about Birthright.

Rating: 7.7

Review: Vampblade #3

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Vampblade_issue3_coverAAs the chaotic new world around comic shop employee turned other-dimensional vampire slayer, Vampblade, starts to come into focus, things continue to be both crazy-weird and stupid-lethal for our blade-brandishing bad girl! And when you’re a 90s comic book character come to life, meeting your “creator” can be a bit meta too…

Vampblade, the perfect balance of cleavage, violence, and humor. Writer Jason Martin continues the story as some of the backstory of Vampblade’s chain blades are revealed. The issue also reveals the backstory of the space vampire worm… things. It’s a strange origin, but nothing in this comic is normal.

The artwork by Winston Young is solid, and slightly cartoon-ish at times. Yet risqué at times, but the covers should tell the readers that. Which is odd but, workable mix as the plot drives this issue.  Even the meta moments are well drawn, blending in with the rest of the issue well.

Story: Jason Martin Art: Winston Young
Story: 8.5 Art: 9 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy

Action Lab Entertainment provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Vikings vs. Unicorns #1

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You’ve heard of alternate histories? Well Vikings vs. Unicorns is an alternate mythology, recasting everyone’s favorite one-horned mythical icon of cuteness as a feral nightmare, endowed with immense powers and bent on destroying humanity. They are pitted against one of history’s traditional villains, the Vikings, who are recast as humanity’s grimly determined saviors. A whole lot of rainbow-colored blood is spattered across its opening pages and the fun just keeps raging on from there!

With a radically  different take on the unicorn myth, this story shouldn’t be missed. The story by Jim Tramontana is unique, action-filled, and strange to say the least, making this premiere issue awesome. While the story is filled with a small bit of language, it makes the combat scene much more entertaining. Since this is a Kickstarter driven comic, it only seems to have digital copies for now. They can be found at Comixology, as far I know.

The art by KC Anderson is consistent, throughout. There is even a border on each page filled with runic lettering, that is historically accurate. An odd yet solid mix of light and dark, brings this odd world together.

Story: Jim Tramontana Art: KC Anderson
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

Egghead Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

TV Review: DC’s Legends of Tomorrow S1E11 The Magnificent Eight

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Legends of Tomorrow PosterIn DC’s Legends of Tomorrow when the team needs a place to hide out, Rip sets a course for the Old West. Upon arrival, they start a fight with a gang of outlaws that puts a small town in jeopardy. Luckily, Rip’s old friend Jonah Hex steps in to save them.

Since it was announced that Jonah Hex would be making his debut in Legends of Tomorrow I’ve been looking forward to this episode for so many reasons. I remember watching the character in his big screen film and being disappointed, and have enjoyed his comic appearances.

So with expectations low, and hopes high, I came away from the episode entertained, but slightly underwhelmed by it all. Hex was interestingly enough subdued in his involvement and the character itself. This was an interesting version of the character, quiet and full of anger, but his lines were few and he actually wasn’t center stage.

And due to that, there was something I really enjoyed about that choice. I have had a fear the series would turn into guest appearances of the episode, and this one shows how to do that really well.

There’s some fighting and western tropes are thrown in, but it’s some interesting moments that are cool. The episode provides some cool insight into Rip and Kendra as each has to deal with some things and  some more of their characters are revealed.

There’s some twists and turns at the end of the episode which is all fun. I was expecting a somewhat over the top episode and the end product was far from it. A fun hour that shows how to do a mix of things in one episode.

Overall Rating: 7.4

Review: No Mercy #9

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nomercy09_cvrThis is the most powerful issue of a comic you will read this month. It actually can stand alone if you haven’t read the series, because it’s that good and complete.

No Mercy features the only trans male character in a mainstream comic currently. The ONLY one. Issue 9 is a flashback that tells a pivotal part of that character’s past.

No Mercy is the story of a group of Princeton bound teens going on one of those “build schools in Central America to make yourself and your resume feel better” trips. And then their bus goes over a cliff. Literally. The series shows what happens next to each of the teens.

#9 is a flashback issue focused on the aforementioned trans male character, Sebastian. Sebastian, who we’ve known as Charlene up till this point, is twins with the abusive Chad. He introduces himself as Sebastian for the first time in issue #8. He is intentionally misgendered as Charlene by his family and others and subjected to abusive “conversion therapy” in this issue.

No Mercy I'm Not a GirlI’m not surprised that a series which has dedicated itself to portraying a brutally honest, diverse and realistic range of teens is the comic that finally has a transgender male character. But it is entirely fucked up that there are no other trans male characters in a mainstream comics title.

The story that Alex de Campi and Carla Speed McNeil are telling is dark and complex and the cast they have built are believable and fascinating. It would have been easy for Sebastian’s only characteristic to be that he’s “the trans one”. Instead, these characters represent a range of people who may come across as “types” but not stereotypes. No one is as standard as they may seem at first. Sebastian is bilingual, resourceful and he’s probably going to grow up to be Batman– except with evil parents as opposed to martyred parents.

This issue offers insight into a great injustice happening not only to transgender kids but all sorts of young people who society labels as “deviant”. It takes place in what’s called a “Teen Residential Treatment Center” – sometimes called a “teen boot camp”. I knew kids who were disappeared to them when I was younger and it is never ok. These centers are literally deadly. The comic shows how and why.

Groups like the ACLU regularly take on cases against these torture centers, like this one in Utah— the same state where Sebastian was confined at one point. Just as importantly, the comic also reveals why parents use them.

No Mercy digs behind the facades of both the characters we like and the characters we hate. It holds nothing back. You can’t guess what’s next and it will always be shocking yet plausible. That brutal integrity Is why I’m always on the edge of my seat when I’m reading it.

We’ve described No Mercy as a great choice for people who are turned off by the standard comics genres (like superheroes or sci-fi). I love those genres but this is a comic you can give to your friends who won’t read comics. I’d tell them this series more resembles prestige television then anything in comics but even television is rarely this diverse and honest.

This issue is a must buy, even if you aren’t reading the series (but seriously, go read the series).

I’m sure the series as a whole and this issue in particular could be triggering for some people. This month’s cover shows Sebastian’s body being forced into female clothing and misgendered, scars from self-harming visible. But I suspect the cover is actually a good trigger warning for what’s inside.

I want to salute the amazing work of art team Carla Speed McNeil and colorist Jenn Manley Lee whose use of black is devastating in this issue. The art throughout series is some of the most accessible around to non comics readers. It’s clear and communicative and believable.

Graphic Policy Radio interviewed Alex de Campi about her work when the book first came out. You can listen to her on our podcast here or get it on iTunes.

 

Thank you to CK Stewart https:/twitter.com/ckcucco for sharing his insight and editing my review.

Review: Trista + Holt #14

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Trista & Holt #14 by Andrez Bergen (Iffy Commix) is the penultimate issue in this sleek, gritty ‘70’s neo-noir, dark as a night club basement and glittery as a disco ball. As always, this issue features eye-candy artwork, muscle cars and narrative twists and turns aplenty. Things have come a long way since the first spark of romance between Trista Rivalen, tough and beautiful niece of badass mob matron Marcella Cornwall, and Issy Holt, handsome scion of the rival Holt crime family.

They met at the funeral of Lou Holden, driver for Issy’s dad, “Anguish” Holt. Since then, Trista and Issy have braved every God-awful strange, twisted event a beautiful young couple can endure and they’re still in love—however in #14 things take a particularly drastic turn for the worst.

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While indulging in another long afternoon of mindless TV viewing with his clever and perceptive cat, Andred, Issy (portrayed here by a young Marlon Brando) sees a breaking news story about the fate of his brilliant, hardtack mother, Alaina. When he goes to inform his father (portrayed here by none other than President Gerald Ford), Issy learns that Trista could be headed for a fate worse than death and it may be entirely too late to save her.

Not only might Issy be too late to save the woman he really loves, the woman to whom he’s married is volatile, dangerous and wields tremendous power over both him and Trista. Bergen is unflinching in his weaving of narrative and imagery that takes us somewhere we don’t want to be, and as this epic series winds down, we can only hope for the best.

“Hope” is the operative word here. True noir doesn’t usually end happily and this is true noir to the bone, so buckle your seatbelts, mates, this promises to be a bumpy night of the soul. The final and most serious threat facing our heroine Trista comes from somewhere I never expected and from someone I’d already thought whacked — in the sense of the gangster vernacular — so trust no one and beware everyone, including close relatives and friends with benefits.

Story: Andrez Bergen Art: Andrez Bergen
Story: 10 Artwork: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

Iffy Commix provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review.

Review: Pretty Deadly #9

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PrettyDeadly_09-1Pretty Deadly #9 picks up where the previous issue left off with the same question on everyone’s tongue. “Good luck? Bad luck?”

Cyrus is dead, with dear Melvin and Theo not far behind, for that is the way of war. Alice faces off with Johnny Coyote and Ginny’s battle with the Reaper of War doesn’t seem to be going in her favor. In fact, it seems as if none of our reapers except War might make it out of this alive.

Emma Ríos and Jordie Bellaire stand out in this issue once again as the atmosphere takes a more grey tone as the action begins to die down on the battlefield. The red of War is still overwhelming and Bellaire does an amazing job in immersing the world in his color, but also finding subtle ways to tone it down from the last issue, mixing it in with grey and white as the revelation of the nature of the Reaper of War comes to light. The most striking part of this issue though is how Ríos uses the eastern tiger swallowtail butterflies that make up Big Alice to frame panels, and how even a mass of butterflies feels so incredibly detailed. That, and the way Bones Bunny and Butterfly act as shadow puppets in the beginning of the issue as Bunny retells the story of The Lucky Farner.

This issue in pace seems to move a lot faster than the issues before it. I’m not certain if it’s because of the story beats Kelly Sue Deconnick hits in this issue or because there’s a lot less battlefield movement this time, but it seems that #9 is zipping along to the inevitable conclusions of #10. It doesn’t mean that there still isn’t weight behind the actions though, especially when Cyrus’s soul confronts Fear right in the face, or as Alice and Ginny face their own mortality. It just seems like the story isn’t content to rest there too long. As it shouldn’t, since there’s still one issue left to finish the story.

Have our heroes hit a string of bad luck? Or has everything that happened here been a blessing in disguise? It’s hard to say now, but the penultimate issue of Pretty Deadly’s second arc doesn’t rest long to answer the question, but rather chooses to let the action play out. Whether fortune or folly, it’s all set up to go down here.

Story: Kelly Sue Deconnick Art: Emma Ríos and Jordie Bellaire
Story: 7.5 Art: 9.0 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Read

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Alabaster: The Good, the Bad, and the Bird #5

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Trapped in the twisted grip of the Asquith sisters, Dancy and Maisie have resigned themselves to certain fate—but even as the end approaches, Dancy uncovers a horrifying secret that could shake her entire world to its core!

Alabaster: The Good, the Bad, and the Bird #5 is the final issue of this strange, and at times just plain weird mini-series. For some frustrating reason, this final issue reveals why Dancy was resurrected. Oddly enough that leaves her more bitter than she already was, as the bird finds a way to save her. Downside in saving her, by turning the enemy of my enemy is my friend idea into a double crossing reality.

Like the previous issues, the art is superb even if the world seems to grow some in this issue. The story of the reason of why Dancy was resurrected is extremely well done, showcasing the strange past of the supernatural world.  While the final few pages are much more tragic in tone as Dancy’s lover dies, showcasing the true power Dancy has buried within her.

Story: Caitlin R. Kiernan Art: Daniel Warren Johnson
Story: 8 Art: 9 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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