When a story ends, we rarely ask ourselves why the protagonist started their journey in the first place. Yes, we get caught up in the action, or the series of interactions, which pushes the story forward. Do we ever ask, why did they agree to it? One of those characters is Peter Quill, the de facto leader of the Guardians Of The Galaxy.

I am particularly referring to the movie origin that fans have come to know. The character was taken by space pirates right when his mother is on her death bed. Anytime after his abduction he could have rebelled against Yondu, found ways to escape. But he persevered and adapted and became Star Lord.

In the final volume of Djinn, we find out the circumstances that lead Kim Nelson from India to Africa and back again, back to the cursed child princess of Eschinapur, to fulfill a vow made by the elusive Djinn, Jade. Kim truly comes into her own, assuming her power as a temptress in the name of justice and vengeance… vengeance always cruel, but always sweet…

The volume is full of villainy with double crosses, hidden treasure, death and destiny. Overall, it’s an engaging final volume that more than lives up to the expectations from everything building to this pint. The creative team has put together a grand finale. The story by Jean Dufaux is action packed, emotional, and ultimately, satisfying. The art by Ana Miralles is graceful and luminous. Altogether, it’s a story no reader will ever forget and will want to re-read from the beginning.

Story: Jean Dufaux Art: Ana Miralles
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

Colonialism is a way for nations, and primarily rulers, ftor make their mark in the world whether or not the residual effects have a horrible impact. Take King Philip of Spain who colonized the Philippines. The influence of the Spanish can still be felt today from the language, which is interspersed with Cattellian Spanish throughout, to the some of the formal wear. In the Spaniards minds, they were bringing civilization to those islands. To many of the natives they brought cruelty and strange customs.

Of course, the Philippine Islands were not the last lands to feel the influence of Spain. They also would take over many nations throughout South America. I always wondered at what point do the colonizers and the natives come into conflict? The twelfth volume of Djinn explores this topic as we find two sides looking to take control with Jade in the middle of it all.

We find Jade and Lord Nelson, struggling to understand what they are, and whether their love is purely lust and nothing more. Menawhile the Djinn’s rival, Arbacane, attempts to thwart Jade’s plans to install Tamila as the next bride of the Maharajah, not knowing Tamila’s bother also has a plan of his own. As the local rebels become more discontent with English presence, an immense fight breaks out, one which will not only change opinions and minds about who gets to live in the land. By book’s end, Jade  leaves for Africa, hoping what she taught Tamila endures in her spirit.

Overall, it’s an exciting in between adventure that more than entertains. The entry also provokes thought about history and free will. The story by Jean Dufaux is enigmatic and action packed. The art by Ana Miralles is gorgeous. Altogether, it’s a story that is probably one of the best told from this epic sprawling series.

Story: Jean Dufaux Art: Ana Miralles
Story: 9.6 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.6 Recommendation: Buy

One of the best shows to be on television in the last ten years, was the remarkable Tyrant. The show was on FX and lasted only three seasons and produced by the same people who made 24 and Homeland. The show revolved around the son of a dictator who comes back from America. He must deal with his past and his identity as part of the royal family the rulers of an imaginary nation in the UAE that have been considered tyrants. What the creators sought to do with the show was to see the world through the eyes of people we would only know of in the news. They successfully made us both hate and empathize with them with equal passion. We saw that even with what they have, they were just human.

The show featured many interesting plots which questioned familial bonds, the role of government, what makes a monarchy, and what happens to a love unrequited. One of the more intriguing storylines was that of Nusraat Al Fayeed as she was married to the sitting dictator’s son. She was one of the more complex characters within the show as her family stood against the monarchy. Tension between polar opposites usually makes for a good story but when its high stakes like this show was, it makes more even greater drama. In the 11^th volume of Djinn, one such dilemma is thrust upon Jade, one that she doesn’t shy away from.

We find Jade as she is instructing Tamila, on the ways to love a man, a man she is reluctant to fall for, seeing that her family is wary of English settlers in India. Meanwhile, Tamila’s father, Raja Singh continues his assault on the British forces which have settled in country, making the tension between the English and the Indian peoples even more voracious. Eventually Jade becomes more intimate with what is really going in India, and how Tamila is at the center of all the chaos. By book’s end, one of Jade’s enemies begins a scheme which looks to overtake Jade and her powers as a Djinn.

Overall, an excellent comic which combines scintillating escapades with political intrigue. The story by Jean Dufaux is sexy, smart and a pot boiler. The art by Ana Miralles is both lifelike and elegant. Altogether, this book shows Dufaux and Miralles at the top of their game as the character of Jade is elevated in this book.

Story: Jean Dufaux Art: Ana Miralles
Story: 10 Art: 9.6 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy

Films that I watched that capture my attention from start to finish usually become a part of my film collection. The movies I have collected range in genre, years, and run time. I have collected each movie based on my ability to re-watch them and not so much on how critically acclaimed it was when it came out. Some movies resonated with me because it reflected a piece of who I am, like a Bronx Tale.

Then there are movies which for some interesting reasons we are just drawn to. This is what happened when I watched Kama Sutra, A Love Story.  The movie was more than love story, it was a political thriller, all set in India, made by an Indian filmmaker and a completely Indian cast.  My main thought then was why there aren’t more stories like this? In the 10^th volume of Djinn, we find our protagonist on their way to India to teach a prospective bride on the ways of lovemaking before her nuptials.

We find Jade in the court of a mighty Sultan, as she consults with his wife about their daughter, as the influence of the English rulers weigh heavily on his kingdom. We also meet Tamila, his daughter, who is being courted by the Maharajah, and the daughter of the rebels seeking refuge. As Tamila begins her education, she learns more than she ever expected as Jade enlightens her on how to hold a man’s attention. Also, the Nelsons learn that the Rani, the Maharajah’s mother is hiding a family cure from everyone including her son. By book’s end, an uneasy alliance is settled on by the Maharajah and the English.

Overall, it’s an excellent installment that revives the series in a new setting, India. The story by Jean Dufaux is complex, smart and thrilling. The art by Ana Miralles is gorgeous. Altogether, another volume which proves that Dufaux and Miralles are master storytellers.

Story: Jean Dufaux Art: Ana Miralles
Story: 10 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.7 Recommendation: Buy

I remember the first time I saw Ghostbusters, it was on television. Me and my cousins watched it for the first time on our grandparent’s subscription to HBO where the first scene I saw was the guys catching the ghost in the New York Public Library. This said to me, right then, that this was not going to be some mystery movie like Scooby Doo. These ghosts were very much real. Instantly the movie became our favorite film at that time. We became enamored with the characters and the world. It took place in the very same city we grew up in.

One of the pivotal scenes in the movie is when Sigourney Weaver’s character gets possessed by a powerful demon that would bring apocalypse to New York. The idea that your body is no longer yours and another conscience has entered your body has always been a riveting concept. In the eighth book of Djinn, we find Jade still possessed and a major upheaval may be on its way.

We catch up with Kim, as she starts her quest for the Black Pearl that Jade left, all those years ago, hoping it would gives her clues to who Jade really was. As she starts roaming the jungle, she feels her connection to the place through Jade’s memories, where King Kaui Mobo, is about to meet Anaktu who still possesses Jade’s body. We also catch up with Charles Augery, as he finds his way back to the British camp, where he tries convincing the authorities of what is going on with Jade and the uprising come their way. Eventually Anaktu unleashes carnage on Mobo’s people and eventually killing the King himself. At the very same time, Ebony’s brother frees them both, but Charles meets his fate by a stray bullet meant for Ebony. By book’s end, Kim finally finds out the what happened to Jade and the Black Pearl, as it is all connected to her being a Djinn.

Djinn Vol. 8 Fever is an enthralling chapter that gives readers more about Kim and shows us just how powerful Anaktu was. The story by Jean Dufaux is enigmatic, smart, and exciting. The art by Ana Miralles is elegant and vivid. Altogether, it’s an entertaining installment in this highly underrated series.

Story: Jean Dufaux Art: Ana Miralles
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy