Tag Archives: killer influences

Mini Reviews: Killer Influences #1, Beast of Boriken #1, The Shaolin Cowboy: Staying A.I. Alive #1

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Beast of Boriken #1

Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling reviews of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full one for.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

Killer Influences #1 (IDW Publishing) – Joey Esposito and Valerie Burzo serve up a satirical look at the true crime genre in Killer Influences #1. This isn’t a “catch a killer” story, but more of a psychological narrative with podcaster/journalist Kylie joining forces with local serial killer Melvin to boost both their profiles. No one is likable, but the book is great commentary on the exploitation of mass murderers on pop culture as well as the banality of middle America. The cast of Killer Influences have really money and family issues which grounds the story when it gets more macabre. And speaking of macabre, Burzo has a great visual storytelling rhythm going from sleepy smoke stacks to a dead body that will haunt my dreams tonight. Overall: 8 Verdict: Buy

Beast of Boriken #1 (Dark Horse) – In Beast of Boriken #1, Julio Anta, Daniel Irizarri, and Patricio Delpeche tell a ripped-from-the-headlines horror story about the resilience of Puerto Ricans against hurricanes and Western developers. This first issue fleshes out the Flores family and their Paul brother-esque adversary Simon Hunt. And, of course, there’s the titular Beast who gets Delpeche’s darkest colors and Irizarri’s most dynamic line work. Beast of Boriken #1 welcomes you into this sad, yet cathartic world full of activism, a fighting spirit, and a serious badass monster. Justin Jordan and Tony Akins’ black and white backup “Seven Gates” is a different kind of atmospheric horror rooted in urban legends and a crush gone haywire. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

The Shaolin Cowboy: Staying A.I. Alive #1 (Dark Horse) – Geof Darrow’s laconic Shaolin Cowboy is back for a new miniseries set in a heightened version of our current right wing hellscape. The satire is broad, but there’s something cathartic about a king fu master kicking the literal shit out of some racists or taking a beat before refusing a MAGA hat and wearing a good Ol’ Stetson. Staying AI Alive has the pitch black humor and detailed art that Darrow is known for, and that’s the appeal with the initial plot being a little thin. I love the talking animals though. Overall: 7.6 Verdict: Read

Killer Influences #1 has some depth taking jabs at influencers, branding, and true crime podcasts

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Killer Influences follows Melvin, a serial killer who is aspiring to be one of the most infamous to ever do it, a true American nightmare. His problem? He’s so efficient and methodical that he doesn’t have a brand. No one has connected his crimes—except for Kylie, an aspiring true crime influencer who is flailing at a small-town newspaper. When she comes across Melvin’s crimes and reaches out to him…she figures out how she’s going to become a star. She will give Melvin the identity he needs to be the iconic serial killer he wants to be, while she follows his exploits on her channel and becomes famous. Kylie and Melvin make a pact that will make their dreams come true and destroy their lives in the process.

Story: Joey Esposito
Art: Valeria Burzo
Color: Inaki Azpiazu
Letterer: Alex Ray

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.

Zeus Comics
Kindle

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Preview: Killer Influences #1

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Killer Influences #1

(W) Joey Esposito (A) Valeria Burzo

Killer Influences follows Melvin, a serial killer who is aspiring to be one of the most infamous to ever do it, a true American nightmare. His problem? He’s so efficient and methodical that he doesn’t have a brand. No one has connected his crimes—except for Kylie, an aspiring true crime influencer who is flailing at a small-town newspaper. When she comes across Melvin’s crimes and reaches out to him… she figures out how she’s going to become a star. She will give Melvin the identity he needs to be the iconic serial killer he wants to be, while she follows his exploits on her channel and becomes famous. Kylie and Melvin make a pact that will make their dreams come true and destroy their lives in the process.

Eisner Award nominee Joey Esposito (The Pedestrian, Batman: Urban Legends) and rising-star artist Valeria Burzo (Castle Full of Blackbirds, EC Comics) deliver a scathing and thrilling true crime serial killer saga with Killer Influences!

Killer Influences #1

IDW launches IDW Crime, a New Line of Shocks, Thrills, True Crime, and Cult Stories

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IDW Crime

Following the success of the horror imprint IDW Dark, IDW Publishing has announced IDW Crime, a line of gripping crime comic books that explore what it takes to turn a saint into a sinner and revels in the twisted, everyday acts of humans that we just can’t look away from. 

This May, the shocks begin with Seven Wives from writer Zoe Tunnell and rising star artists V Gagnon and Tesslyn Bergin-Dicoi. Forty-nine witnesses, seven wives, one dead husband… Who’s the murderer? As two detectives investigate a death at a Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints compound in remote Arizona, the dark mystery will unravel the horrors of brainwashing and deliver a compelling whodunit that will leave readers guessing until the very end.

In July, Eisner Award-nominated writer Joey Esposito and artist Valeria Burzo present the thrilling true crime serial killer saga Killer Influences #1. Melvin’s a serial killer who craves infamy. His problem? He’s so efficient and methodical that he doesn’t have a brand and no one has connected his crimes — except for Kylie, an aspiring true crime influencer who reaches out to him, hoping his story can help her become a star. The unlikely duo will make a pact to accomplish their dreams… and destroy their lives in the process.

Arriving this September is Fixation #1, a chilling cat-and-mouse thrill ride from writer Amy Chase and artist Savanna Mayer which blends true crime tension and thrills with razor-sharp commentary on fandom and toxic addictions. When superfan Taylor Van Owens and her best friend win a contest to stay at the iconic house from their favorite hit vampire book-turned-movie franchise, the two expect a weekend getaway that will live up to every fangirls’ dream, especially with fans descending on the town and the cast reuniting to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the movie. But a young woman was found dead inside the house, and the killer’s taste for blood isn’t finished. The killer is ready to paint the town red to make sure they’ll go down in the franchise’s history. Everyone has a motive, and the most dangerous person in the room isn’t always who it seems…

Fixation #1

The launch titles from the IDW Crime imprint are all three issue limited series, each one 40+ pages for only $4.99 USD.