Tag Archives: action lab: danger zone

SDCC 2019: Action Lab: Danger Zone’s Killswitch Premieres!

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Scheduled to officially come out in October 2019, fans will be able to get an early look at Killswitch when they pick up a copy of the SDCC exclusive of the debut issue at the Action Lab: Danger Zone booth! This new creator-owned series from writers Jeffrey and Susan Bridges, and artist Walter Geovani features a dystopian cyberpunk tale fitting for fans of Blade Runner and Fury Road. This exclusive cover features art by Diana Van Damme.

In a future where clairvoyant Augurs are used for their powers but feared, held captive, and persecuted, a disaffected military major is shocked into action by the grim realities of the Augurs’ treatment. She puts her life and career on the line to help them attempt a daring escape from captivity.

So, if you’re interested in the socially relevant action-packed sci-fi story of Marcella’s acceptance of the truth and desire to be a force for good in a dystopian world… pick up a copy at Action Lab: Danger Zone booth #1737, and watch for the series in stores this fall! You can even get it signed by Jeffrey and Susan Bridges at the convention on July 18 from 1 pm to 2 pm and on July 20 from 5 pm to 6 pm.

Preview: Vampblade Season 4 #2

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VAMPBLADE SEASON 4 #2

Writer(s): Jason Martin
Artist Name(s): Winston Young
Cover A – Brao Regular Cover (unlimited)
Cover B – Brao Risqué variant (limited to 2000)
Cover C – Marco Maccagni Artist variant (limited to 1000)
Cover D – Marco Maccagni Artist risqué (limited to 1500)
Cover E – Jason Martin Classic variant (limited to 1000)
Cover F – Jason Martin Classic risqué (limited to 1500)
24 pgs./ M / FC
$4.99

So much has changed in the fourth season that we can’t tell you what happens for fear of spoilers. But we can tell you Katie’s got an all new Vampblade costume, and that it’s the perfect time to join in on the fun of this meta exploration of 90’s bad girls and comics!

Features 3 regular and risqué variants.

VAMPBLADE SEASON 4 #2

Review: Banjax #2

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Banjax #2

Banjax is a wholly original and delightfully twisted deconstruction of the superhero genre. That continues in Banjax #2.

Cancer-ridden former superhero Laird Mason launches a violent and misguided Death Wish-like campaign to purge the city of supervillains before he dies. His straight-laced protégé, Abel Raines, is tasked with bringing him in. The problem? Raines isn’t remotely up to the task. It’s a story presented exclusively from the maniacally twisted point of view of a man who hasn’t slept in over seven days.

Much like the first issue, there’s a lot to unpack in Banjax #2. Rylend Grant gives us a more thorough introduction to Laird Mason’s protege Abel Raines. He’s a man who has capitalized on his career as a hero with some pretty impressive financial gain. We get to see Gaines’ story through his own eyes. He’s building up for a big launch in the upcoming days that will, we’re reminded constantly, make him even richer. The one, unexpected snag? Laird Mason has returned and is waging a one-man war on crime. The public needs his former protege to stop him.

Once again, Grant doesn’t try to make you believe that Gaines is an altruistic hero. He never quite gets to villain status, either. This is a character who lives in the ethical grey areas. He’s a fallible man. He seems to struggle with his choices. The weight of responsibility and his past catch up to him.

As Laird Mason, the eponymous Banjax, is shown tearing his way through the criminal underworld on video screens, Gaines gives us a bit more context to what we’re seeing; it’s just enough to make you question who you should be rooting for after two issues – which is exactly the position I want to be in with a comic that thrives when you’re left questioning who you agree with.

Fabio Alves and Edson Ferreira are once again impressive on art duties. There’s a dark and gritty colour scheme that blends remarkably well with the tone of the story – but the art is never once too dark or muddled to see what’s happening on the page. Raines gradual descent into his sleep deprived state is shown with deft subtly between the background colours and his increasingly more strained facial expressions. The comic seems focused on the downward spiral of two men who are now but shadows of their former selves.

On the whole I was impressed with the first issue, and the second issue has built on the promise of the first. Grant, Alves and Ferreira have created a deeply intriguing series, one that’s well worth adding to your pull list if you’re interested in a unique take on a hero’s end of days, and the train wreck he’s causing as he goes out in a blaze of glory

Writer: Rylend Grant Art: Fabio Alves
Colors: Edson Ferreira Letters: HdE
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.7 Overall: 8.6 Recommendation: Buy

Action Lab: Danger Zone provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Voracious: Appetite For Destruction #3

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Voracious: Appetite For Destruction #3

In Voracious: Appetite For Destruction #3, Nate Willner makes a lot of mistakes in his life. Things like hunting and cooking dinosaurs from another dimension. But one of the biggest blunders he’s ever made is taking his best friend, Starlee, for granted. This issue, she confronts him about that. Plus, Captain Jim makes a plan for taking down Owen.

Review spoiler: I’m going to recommend you read the entire series. There’s two trades and the three floppies of this miniseries. If you want to go in blind, just know that this series is one of my absolute favorites. If you read further there will be spoilers for the first two volumes.

We are all the hero of our own story, right? No matter who you are, your story centers on you. And that’s okay, as long as you realize that the world doesn’t revolve around you. But what if you’ve forgotten that other people also have their own stories to live? Their own lives to live and their own needs to be met? In fiction, it’s often all too easy for us to forget that. We get engrossed in reading the story of the lead character. In this case Nate Wilner. The other characters have their own dreams, desires and motivations (or at least they should). Markisan Naso plays with this wonderfully in this issue that slows things down a touch in the action department, but hits home in the character and plot development area.

Voracious: Appetite For Destruction #3 allows readers to take a bit of a breather from the hunt for a giant dinosaur bird monster that Owen has become that was the focus of the first two issues, and allows the readers and story to breath before the next confrontation. Naso demonstrates a grasp of pacing and plot development that some have either inexplicably forgotten or never knew about. It’s this kind of mid series breather that allows the writer to double down on the action over the remaining chapters, as hints he’s dropped as seed up to ten issues ago are beginning to flourish into full blown oak trees of awesome.

Jason Muhr‘s art, combined with Andrei Tabacaru‘s colouring once again rises to meet the quality of the writing. There’s a deft subtlety to the way these two create their respective artwork, with each issue still managing to surprise me; whether it’s the body language in the opening scene that feels so natural, or the surprisingly human emotion on the face of Gus Horncrusher… it’s a comic that despite the deliberately slower pace, still remain visually exciting and interesting.

Slowing the pace of a story in the middle can be risky, but the creators have been able to retain the tension in the series with an intense focus on character development as the series begins to wrap. There’s a reason I love this series so much, but it essentially boils down to the raw talent of Naso, Muhr and Tabacaru.

I had been waiting more than six months to read this issue, after getting my hands on the first two via Kickstarter. After such a long wait, I am very happy to say that it didn’t disappoint.

Story: Markisan Naso Art: Jason Muhr Colourist: Andrei Tabucaru
Story: 9.4 Art 9.4 Overall: 9.4 Recommendation: Buy

Action Lab provided a FREE copy for review, but I had already received my copy from Kickstarter.

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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Aero #1

Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Aero #1 (Marvel) – The character gets her own series with an English translation of her origin and an all-new tale. Great to see this creation become more accessible.

Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III #3 (DC Comics/IDW Publishing) – The series has been off the wall fun mashing up so much between DC and TMNT. Just sit back and enjoy the fun.

Charlie’s Angels vs. Bionic Woman #1 (Dynamite Entertainment) – How has it taken this long for this to happen?

DCeased #3 (DC Comics) – DC doing a zombie story? We had low expectations honestly since the concept has been done so many times before but this series has pleasantly surprised us so far.

Lois Lane #1 (DC Comics) – Lois gets her own series! In an age where journalists are “the enemy,” we’re expecting a lot from this series.

Ignited #2 (Humanoids/H1) – The first issue is fantastic. It’s a world where students seem to be getting powers set in the aftermath of a school shooting. An interesting concept that we want to learn more about.

No One Left to Fight #1 (Dark Horse Comics) – An anime/manga inspired series from Aubrey Sitterson and Fico Ossio about what happens when the hero grows older and there’s just no one left to fight.

Postal: Deliverance #1 (Image Comics/Top Cow Productions) – The new story arc finds Mark struggling with being the Mayor of Eden. A very underrated series about a town filled with criminals that’s worth checking out, especially with this new arc/starting point.

Sea of Stars #1 (Image Comics) – Jason Aaron and Dennis Hallum’s new series about space truckers. The fact Aaron is on board and he can do the amazing long game writing has us excited about this creator-owned series.

Space Bandits #1 (Image Comics/Millarworld) – The new series by Mark Millar with art by Matteo Scalera. It sounds like the heist/betrayal/revenge story but with Millar’s backing by Netflix, this one is a series to watch.

Spencer and Locke 2 #4 (Action Lab: Danger Zone) – The second volume wraps up with a bang. If you haven’t been reading this twisted tale, you’ve been missing out. It’s all revealed here and has us hoping for more.

Star Wars: Target Vader #1 (Marvel) – Bounty hunters go after Vader and the concept sounds too awesome to not read.

Test #1 (Vault Comics) – From Christopher Sebela and Jen Hickman, this series is a weird story about the need for liberation and technology.

Thumbs #2 (Image Comics) – The story about technology, revolution, and the government is right up our way and we’re enjoying the hell out of it.

The Walking Dead #193 (Image Comics/Skybound Entertainment) – Sounds like this’ll be a big issue! What the hell is going on? We’ll find out Wednesday.

Action Lab: Danger one’s Releases on September 2019

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AMALGAMA: SPACE ZOMBIE #2

Writer(s): Jason Martin
Artist Name(s): Winston Young
Cover A – Winston Young Regular Cover (unlimited)
Cover B – Winston Young Risqué Variant (limited to 2500)
Cover C – Mastajwood Variant (limited to 1500)
Cover D – Mastajwood Risqué Variant (limited to 2000)
Cover E – Bill McKay Variant (limited to 1500)
Cover F – Bill McKay Risqué Variant (limited to 2000)

Amalgama is a force of nature adrift in the cosmos… like a drop dead sexy apex predator in space. She’s a genetically engineered undead killing machine gone wild! The universe doesn’t stand a chance!!

Features 3 regular and risqué variants, from fan favorite series artists!!

24 pgs./ M / FC $4.99

DIAMOND ITEM CODES
AMALGAMA SPACE ZOMBIE #2 CVR A YOUNG (MR) – JUL191400
AMALGAMA SPACE ZOMBIE #2 CVR B YOUNG RISQUE (MR) – JUL191401
AMALGAMA SPACE ZOMBIE #2 CVR C MASTAJWOOD (MR) – JUL191402
AMALGAMA SPACE ZOMBIE #2 CVR D MASTAJWOOD RISQUE (MR) – JUL191403
AMALGAMA SPACE ZOMBIE #2 CVR E MCKAY (MR) – JUL191404
AMALGAMA SPACE ZOMBIE #2 CVR F MCKAY RISQUE (MR) – JUL191405

BANJAX #4

Writer(s): Rylend Grant
Artist Name(s): Fábio Alves (Artist), Edson Ferreira (Colorist), HdE (Letterer)
Cover Artist(s): Fábio Alves (Artist), Edson Ferreira (Colorist)
***Same artists for both the regular and variant covers.

CHAPTER 4: ONE BOLD MOVE. The first story arc of Hollywood screenwriter/Aberrant-scribe Rylend Grant’s delightfully twisted deconstruction of the superhero genre comes to a rousing crescendo. Despite losing everything he holds dear in the wake of Mason’s assault on the Gyrotech HQ, Raines still refuses to step up to his former mentor… so, a well-meaning Amanda does something truly demonic to force his hand.

32 pgs./ M / FC $3.99
DIAMOND ITEM CODES
BANJAX #4 CVR A ALVES (MR) – JUL191406
BANJAX #4 CVR B ALVES (MR) – JUL191407

CHAINSAW REINDEER ONE-SHOT

Writer(s): Brandon Rhiness
Artist Name(s): Carlos Trigo (pencils, inks) Przemyslaw Dedelis (colors) Nicholas O’Gorman (letters)
Cover Artist(s): Carlos Trigo

Chainsaw Reindeer is the story of one of Santa’s reindeer who…snaps. Sick of Santa’s abuse, the Reindeer grabs a chainsaw and the slaughter begins.

Unsatisfied with simply laying waste the North Pole, the Reindeer brings his un-meticulous massacring to the four corners of the Earth, killing every human (and animal) in his path.

Can anyone stop the Chainsaw Reindeer?

No.

24 pgs./ M / FC $3.99
DIAMOND ITEM CODE
CHAINSAW REINDEER ONE SHOT – JUL191408

GOING TO THE CHAPEL #1

Writer(s): David Pepose
Artist Name(s): Gavin Guidry (Pencils), Liz Kramer (Colors)
Cover Artist(s): Lisa Sterle (Cover A), Maan House (Cover B), Gavin Guidry (Cover C)

From the writer/creator of the critically acclaimed SPENCER & LOCKE comes Die Hard at a wedding. It was the wedding from Hell — and that was before the bank robbers showed up. What do a conflicted bride, her dysfunctional family, a gang of Elvis-themed crooks, and one relentless sheriff have in common? They’re all about to discover love is the ultimate hostage situation.

24 pgs./ T+ / FC $3.99
DIAMOND ITEM CODES
GOING TO THE CHAPEL #1 (OF 4) CVR A LISA STERLE – JUL191409
GOING TO THE CHAPEL #1 (OF 4) CVR B HOUSE – JUL191410
GOING TO THE CHAPEL #1 (OF 4) CVR C GUIDRY – JUL191411

VAMPBLADE SEASON 4 #6 (Legacy #43)

Writer(s): Jason Martin
Artist Name(s): Winston Young
Cover A – Winston Young Regular Cover (unlimited)
Cover B – Winston Young Risqué Variant (limited to 2000)
Cover C – Mastajwood Variant (limited to 1000)
Cover D – Mastajwood Risqué Variant (limited to 1500)
Cover E – Marco Maccagni Amalgama Cat Fight Variant (limited to 2000)
Cover F – Marco Maccagni Amalgama Cat Fight Risqué Variant (limited to 2500)

With the battle against the parasitic Glarkian menace escalating, Vampblade’s friends pitch in to help her fight. As Satya armors up, Henry and Grizmo must merge once more to form the hulking gremlin-beast, Grizzry!

Features 3 regular and risqué variants, including the special Amalgama Cat Fight variants!!

24 pgs./ M / FC $4.99
DIAMOND ITEM CODES
VAMPBLADE SEASON 4 #6 CVR A YOUNG (MR) – JUL191412
VAMPBLADE SEASON 4 #6 CVR B YOUNG RISQUE (MR) – JUL191413
VAMPBLADE SEASON 4 #6 CVR C MASTAJWOOD (MR) – JUL191414
VAMPBLADE SEASON 4 #6 CVR D MASTAJWOOD RISQUE (MR) – JUL191415
VAMPBLADE SEASON 4 #6 CVR E AMALGAMA CAT FIGHT VAR (MR) – JUL191416
VAMPBLADE SEASON 4 #6 CVR F AMALGAMA CAT FIGHT RISQUE (MR) – JUL191417

VORACIOUS: APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION #5

Writer: Markisan Naso
Artist Name: Jason Muhr
Cover A – Jason Muhr
Cover B – Bernie Gonzalez

The final chapter of VORACIOUS. Nate and his friends must pick up the pieces after experiencing a devastating loss. Can they move forward with their lives after everything they’ve been through?

Featuring a “Lost in Love, Lost in Time” variant cover by Bernie Gonzalez (Midnight Mystery). Limited to 250 copies!

24 pgs./ T+ / FC $3.99
DIAMOND ITEM CODES
VORACIOUS APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION #5 (OF 5) CVR A MUHR – JUL191418
VORACIOUS APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION #5 (OF 5) CVR B GONZALEZ – JUL191419

ZOMBIE TRAMP #64

Writer(s): Vince Hernandez
Artist Name(s): Marco Maccagni
Cover A – Marco Maccagni Regular Cover
Cover B – Risqué Cover (limited to 2500)
Cover C – Mastajwood Variant (limited to 1000)
Cover D – Mastajwood Risqué Variant (limited to 1500)
Cover E – David Harrigan Variant (limited to 2000)
Cover F – David Harrigan Risqué Variant (limited to 2500)

As she battles forces from all sides looking to claim, kidnap or kill her, Angel Lynch discovers that the key to her salvation is buried deep in her own past and psyche—as the events that led to her ending up in Russia reveal the path to salvation! The “Sex Clubs and Rock and Roll” story arc ends here!

Features 3 regular and risqué variants, from fan favorite series artists!!

24 pgs./ M / FC $4.99
DIAMOND ITEM CODES
ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #64 CVR A MACCAGNI (MR) – JUL191420
ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #64 CVR B MACCAGNI RISQUE (MR) – JUL191421
ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #64 CVR C MASTAJWOOD VAR (MR) – JUL191422
ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #64 CVR D MASTAJWOOD RISQUE LTD ED (MR) – JUL191423
ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #64 CVR E HARRIGAN LTD ED (MR) – JUL191424
ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #64 CVR F HARRIGAN RISQUE LTD ED (MR) – JUL191425

Preview: Spencer & Locke #4

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SPENCER & LOCKE 2 #4

Writer(s): David Pepose
Artist Name(s): Jorge Santiago, Jr. (Pencils), Jasen Smith (Colors)
Cover Artist(s): Jorge Santiago, Jr. (Cover A), Maan House (Cover B), Joe Mulvey (Cover C)
24 pgs./ T+ / FC
$3.99

Clawing back from defeat, Spencer and Locke make their final stand against the merciless Roach Riley. Can these unlikely partners overcome their inner demons long enough to stop this reign of terror? Or will Roach have the last laugh after all? Find out in this thrilling conclusion!

SPENCER & LOCKE 2 #4

Preview: Voracious: Appetite for Destruction #3

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VORACIOUS: APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION #3

Writer: Markisan Naso
Artist Name: Jason Muhr
Cover A – Jason Muhr
Cover B – Gregery Miller
24 pgs./ T+ / FC
$3.99

Nate Willner makes a lot of mistakes in his life, like hunting and cooking dinosaurs from another dimension. But one of the biggest blunders he’s ever made is taking his best friend, Starlee, for granted. This issue, she confronts him about that. Plus, Captain Jim makes a plan for taking down Owen.

Featuring a “Saurian Science” variant cover by Gregery Miller (The Tales of Reverie) Limited to 250 copies!

VORACIOUS: APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION #3

Preview: Banjax #2

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BANJAX #2

Writer(s): Rylend Grant
Artist Name(s): Fábio Alves (Artist), Edson Ferreira (Colorist), HdE (Letterer)
Cover Artist(s): Fábio Alves (Artist), Edson Ferreira (Colorist)
***Same artists for both the regular and variant covers.
32 pgs./ M / FC
$3.99

CHAPTER 2: WHERE’S OUR HERO? When cancer-ridden former superhero Laird Mason launches a violent and misguided Death Wish-like campaign to purge the city of supervillains before he dies, his straight-laced protégé, Abel Raines, is tasked with bringing him in. The problem? Raines isn’t remotely up to the task. A story presented exclusively from the maniacally twisted point of view of a man who hasn’t slept in over seven days.

BANJAX #2

Preview: Zombie Tramp #61

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ZOMBIE TRAMP #61

Writer(s): Vince Hernandez
Artist Name(s): Marco Maccagni
Cover A – Marco Maccagni Regular Cover (unlimited)
Cover B – Marco Maccagni Risqué (limited to 2500)
Cover C – Jason Federhenn Artist variant (limited to 2000)
Cover D – Jason Federhenn Artist risqué variant (limited to 2500)
Cover E – David Harrigan variant (limited to 2000)
Cover F – David Harrigan risqué variant (limited to 2500)
24 pgs./ M / FC
$4.99

Angel wakes up to find herself being held captive, and this time not by Russians or human traffickers. This time she finds herself being sold to the highest bidder at a necrophilia club in Norway! Will she be able to escape?!

Features 3 regular and risqué variants, from fan favorite series artists!!

ZOMBIE TRAMP #61
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