Tag Archives: hassan otsmane-elhaou

The Displaced #1 sets up an intriguing mystery

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The Displaced #1

The city of Oshawa, Ontario has vanished without a trace. Even worse, nobody remembers it or the 170,000 missing residents that disappeared along with it. As the survivors also fall into the forgotten, they must seek each other out, if they hope to have any chance of surviving in a world where no one believes they exist. The Displaced #1 is a hell of a start with an ominous vibe that builds through the issue and leaves you guessing.

The Displaced #1 is a comic that doesn’t really do much that’s new story wise. But, writer Ed Brisson executes the concept so well, you’ll be sucked in. The concept of people, a city, something vanishing is something that’s been done before. People forgetting about it too has been done before. But, Brisson sets things up in a way with The Displaced #1 that you’re sucked in and want to find out more.

Part of the charm for The Displaced #1 is that it’s a build through the issue. The event that “destroys” Oshawa happens rather quickly, but it comes off more as disaster than some sci-fi mystery. It’s the teasing that happens after, the slow build, that really makes the comic stand out. Brisson has nailed the center of the crossover of sci-fi, horror, and mystery.

It helps too that Brisson peppers the debut issue with characters that many can relate too. Even with the little we know of many of the characters, there’s still something readers can connect with. A tired parent, a son dealing with an ailing parent, assholes from high school, it’s all universal experiences.

The art by Luca Casalanguida is solid. With color by Dee Cunniffe and lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, the comic has a rather mundane, every day, sort of vibe about it. Even the event that impacts the city never feels over the top or distracting. It happens off page, with the focus on the characters and their reaction. Casalanguida and the team also capture a rather dazed aspect about it all. There’s not reactions that are over the top and distract. Like the characters themselves, what they experience is something the readers can relate to easier. There’s a weird calm shock about the visuals that just works.

The Displaced #1 has a great concept about it. It sucks you in and makes you want to find out what’s next for the story. So far, it’s an intriguing mystery that’s set up in a way that leaves a world of possibilities as to what really happened to the town and its people but it’s the characters left that make the comic a must read.

Story: Ed Brisson Art: Luca Casalanguida
Color: Dee Cunniffe Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Story: 9.0 Art: 8.5 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

BOOM! Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

It’s the final showdown! Get a first look at Slow Burn #5

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BOOM! Studios has revealed a first look at Slow Burn #5, the FINAL issue of the brand new series from acclaimed noir crime writer Ollie Masters, rising star artist Pierluigi Minotti, colorist Alessandro Santoro, and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, a tale about dirty deeds in a town on fire, available February 28, 2024.

Roxane and Patti are faced with one final, all-or-nothing showdown with Kary and his men. With all of the chips on the table, will the two of them be able to make it out alive? Or will the fires claim two more victims… The simmering crime drama draws to a burning conclusion in an ending that readers are not going to want to miss.

Slow Burn #5 features a main cover by Matt Taylor with variants by acclaimed artists Jay Martin, and Tonči Zonjić.

Slow Burn #5

Kid Cudi’s Moon Man #1 sells out and gets a new printing

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The highly anticipated Kid Cudi sci-fi launch has gone intergalactic and sold out instantly at the distributor level, yesterday on the morning of its release. Fans eager to pick up the extremely collectable, in-demand Moon Man #1—by Grammy Award winning artist Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi, Eisner Award-nominated co-writer and Massive-Verse architect Kyle Higgins, breakout artist Marco Locati, coloring mastermind Igor Monti, Eisner Award-winning lettering dynamo Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, and editor extraordinaire Michael Busuttil—should make a run on their local comic shop post haste before the copies disappear from shelves. Image Comics will fast-track a reprint in order to keep up with escalating demand.

Moon Man follows Ramon Townsend, a man ready for a quiet life after gaining unexpected celebrity status for steering his ship and crew safely home from a near-disastrous moon mission. Whatever went wrong on that failed moon mission, whatever happened in the missing minutes the cameras didn’t capture, all Ramon really wants is to settle down back home in Cleveland. But those missing minutes hold an Earth-shattering secret—and, with all eyes turned to him, Ramon will soon find himself becoming something the world has never seen before. 

Moon Man #1, second printing (Lunar Code 1123IM909) will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, February 28. 

Moon Man #1, second printing

Preview: Sins of the Salton Sea

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Sins of the Salton Sea

Writer: Ed Brisson
Artist: C.P. Smith
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Cover: Tim Bradstreet

Wyatt, a professional thief living off the grid, is recruited by his brother for one last job. Their target: an armored car traveling down a desolate stretch of California highway. But when it turns out that their target is carrying not gold bars but human cargo, Wyatt is plunged into a conflict between warring factions of a doomsday cult. The cult claims that it is their solemn duty to save the world by means of human sacrifice. Will Wyatt protect the boy who has come into his charge? Or will he be swayed by the cult’s increasingly convincing claims that the end of the world is fast approaching?

Sins of the Salton Sea

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #1 gets a third printing

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Readers can’t get enough of the shocking cozy horror that fills the pages of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees. Both the first and second issues received a second printing, and now the debut issue is heading back for a third printing after selling out yet again at the distributor level.

The critically-acclaimed series has taken the industry by storm due to its gripping murder mystery story, compelling character work and beautiful yet terrifying art. Written, illustrated and colored by Patrick Horvath and lettered by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, pre-orders for the third printing of issue #1 are due on January 22, and it will go on sale February 28.

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #1 3rd printing

Vanished Without a Trace in Your First Look at The Displaced #1

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BOOM! Studios has revealed a first look at The Displaced #1, the premiere issue of the brand new original series by critically acclaimed writer Ed Brisson, rising star artist Luca Casalanguida, colorist Dee Cunniffe, and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. Discover a new psychological and philosophical mystery in The Displaced, coming February 14, 2024.

The city of Oshawa, Ontario and its 170,000 residents have vanished without a trace.

No one remembers it even existed.

As the survivors of the incident start to become forgotten as well, they must seek each other out if they hope to have any chance of surviving in a world where no one believes they ever existed at all.

The Displaced #1 features main cover art by series artist Luca Casalanguida and colorist Dee Cunniffe and variant covers by highly acclaimed artists Declan Shalvey and Andrea Sorrentino.

The Displaced #1

The Deviant #3 Shows How Men Make Monsters

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The Deviant #3

Despite the police catching the supposed Deviant Killer in 1972, a similar set of murders committed by a masked killer dressed as Santa has resurfaced in the present day. But how was the man found guilty of the crime caught, and what led to the police officer charging him for it? The Deviant #3 flashes back to the supposed investigation of Randall in the wake of the two boys murdered by the cop who got attacked by the Deviant Killer. 

After holding the cards close to his chest for the previous two issues, James Tynion IV lets the reader peek behind the curtain and see what led alleged murderer Randall to get arrested and end up in prison. Tynion does not excuse Randall’s other reprehensible actions but showcases the gray shades of humanity within our alleged monsters. Although the issue does not advance the story’s plot significantly, it provides greater context to the crimes that Michael has been investigating for his comic book series within the narrative. 

Similar to the past two issues, Tynion dives deeper into the fears and anxieties directed at queerness. By placing the point of view on homophobic policeman Paul for the issue, he not only critiques the harmful stereotypes associated with queerness but illuminates the difficulty for the LGBTQ+ community in late 20th century America. Outside of the usage of “faggy,” the police describing Randall as “funny” and how Paul questions him furthers the commentary on the idea of queerness aligning with deviancy and how alleged boogeymen are created. Randall cannot exist as a gay man who committed horrific actions but can only exist as a monster defined by his queerness to the police and how people remember the crime.

In addition, I still greatly enjoy the Christmas setting for not only contrasting the horror tone of the story but providing a sense of melancholy and isolation relatable to the queer experience. Even in a season of cheer and joy, it can be hard to enjoy it due to the internal baggage we carry. This decision also grounds the narrative by placing it in a more realistic setting to highlight the horrific nature of the murders. The flashback showcases how an unthinkable crime can significantly impact the residents in a close community.

Joshua Hixson’s artwork and colors remain a strong point for the series. He effortlessly balances the mundanity of a city like Milwaukee while contrasting it with visceral imagery. It feels perfectly expressive while not sacrificing the characters’ humanity or the story’s seriousness. His more muted color scheme also pairs with the tone well and never feels like Christmas overshadows the story. He makes sure Christmas is a backdrop element but not standing in the limelight with excessive reds and greens. Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou’s lettering fits the naturalism of the story and never feels out of place with the narrative. 

The Deviant continues as another strong original series by Tynion that is not afraid to look at and critique these serious topics through a queer horror lens. Even if January has arrived, each new issue feels like a new Christmas present, and I get more excited towards its release each month. There is no horror comic book series like it on the market right now.

Story: James Tynion IV Art and Color: Joshua Hixson
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Story: 9.5 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Read

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

The Deviant #2 continues the holiday chills

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The Deviant #2

“The Deviant Killer was apprehended half a century ago. So who’s behind the grisly slaying of a young man in a Chicago department store…and why does Michael see so much of himself in the man locked behind bars for the original murders? The Deviant #2 continues a chilling holiday tale that’ll keep you guessing as to what’s going on.

Written by James Tynion IV, The Deviant #2 is an amazing second issue. The issue builds on the debut issue, and itself, so well, creating a chapter full of tension.

The Deviant #2, and the debut, make the case that this series is the heir to Silence of the Lambs. It’s themes feel like they build out of that masterful story asking more questions and continuing to make audience uncomfortable with its details. It’s a hell of a series that is making the case for it to be a “holiday classic.”

The issue does an amazing job of delivering an emotional punch as Michael struggles with how to approach the comic he may or may not want to write. Like Silence of the Lambs, it’s not a story about a potential killer but Michael’s connection to those events and the killer. We also get to see how the world has changed and hasn’t over the decades as Michael lives life with his boyfriend. And that’s where the story gets interesting.

Tynion adds some sadness to it all with that detail. It isn’t the clear unspoken homophobia and distrust Michael is subjected to when getting details from a victim. Where Tynion makes things interesting is the serial killer that is Randall. Michael’s connection with Randall shows a sadness about Randall and the life you can tell he wished he had. It’s a moment that makes what is a deplorable individual somewhat sympathetic. We can feel sorry for him, even so slightly.

The art by Joshua Hixson continues to be fantastic. Joined by letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, the comic oozes tension, sadness, and chills. The colors, the presentation, the look on a face, body language, it all comes together to create a horror comic that isn’t just about the gore and body count but is twisting psychological mindfuck. There’s a coldness and calculation that comes through the art that not only plays off the wintery holiday but the characters themselves.

The Deviant #2 is a hell of a second issue. It is up there with horror tales making readers guess as to where it’s going to go and if there’s not something more sinister and deeper going on. It’s an instant classic right now that every horror fan won’t want to miss.

Story: James Tynion IV Art: Joshua Hixson Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

The Sickness #3 has us still not sure as to what’s going on but really wanting to find out

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1945: Daniel Buss, an anxious teenager living in small-town America, has been experiencing strange symptoms: mood swings, increased sensitivity, and terrifying hallucinations, threatening to ruin his summer vacation before freshman year. Worse, a stalking presence watches Daniel’s every move.

1955: George Brooks—war vet and tireless doctor—nears retirement from his decorated past. When a local housewife murders her entire family, her son—the sole survivor—is put into his care; George grows obsessed with uncovering what could drive an ordinary person to such brutality.

Story: Jenny Cha, Lonnie Nadler
Art: Jenna Cha
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

Get your copy 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
Uncivilized Books

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Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #2 gets a second printing

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The second chapter of the cozy horror series Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees is being rushed back to the printer after selling out at the distributor level.

Written, illustrated and colored by Patrick Horvath, lettered by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou and published by IDW Publishing, the second printing of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #2 goes on sale February 7, 2024. This comes after the debut issue also sold out and received a second printing.

Fans and retailers have until December 18, 2023 to pre-order the second printing of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #2. Contact your local comic shop for more information.

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #2 2nd printing
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