Tag Archives: Lobster Johnson: A Scent of lotus

Pick(s) of the Week: Daredevil #30 and Many More

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daredevil 30 coverIt’s a pretty light week for comics. With a narrowed down list to choose from, there were a few standouts, but few series that are consistently as solid as Mark Waid‘s Daredevil. I’ve been an on and off reader of ole horn head for quite some time, but Waid has infused writing that makes the character fun and riveting at the same time. The series has a pulp sensibility about it, harkening back to the old school characters of the 30s and 40s.

That’s helped and enhanced by the artwork of Chris Samnee who has won praise for his style. This is a pairing of writer and artists that could go down as a classic team-up.

Daredevil has consistently won praise since it launched years ago and hasn’t faltered at all in it’s quality and fun. This is easily one of Marvel‘s best comics on the market.

Find out the team’s other picks below!

Andrew:

Top Pick: Lobster Johnson: A Scent of Lotus #2 (Dark Horse) – This concludes a fantastic two book miniseries, fans of the pulp mythos will not be disappointed. Most importantly, LJ handles business.

Bloodshot #0 (Valiant) – Quantum and Woody is a prime example of the quality comics coming out of Valiant. Although I have some backtracking to do, what better way to start than an issue #0 origin story.

Dinosaurs Attack! #2 (IDW) – Titan’s Chronos Commandos has gotten me on a prehistoric kick. I’m willing to give this series a shot.

Brett:

Top Pick: Daredevil #30 (Marvel) – You can read above why this series is on my list. Quality from front to back.

Adventure Time #19 (BOOM! Studios/kaBOOM) – A great all ages comic that leaves me smiling by the time I’m done reading it.

Bloodshot #0 (Valiant) – Matt Kindt writing Bloodshot? Yes please!

Revival #13 (Image) – Forget that other zombie comic everyone is talking about. This mix of zombies and gothic noir keeps me coming back each month in hopes of learning more of its mysteries.

Superior Spider-Man #16 (Marvel) – One of the most controversial comics out there is also one of the best. Dan Slott has taken a story that shouldn’t work and churned out an amazing story that gets better with each issue.

Thief of Thieves #16 (Image) – The story of Redmond and his attempt to get out of the game has been amazing. This isn’t about theft as much as a family crime drama. So good.

TPB of the Week: Chew Vol. 7 Bad Apples (Image) – With each issue of Chew the laughs come fast and furious with a world that’s over the top weird (in a good way). This is a cult comic that will blow up when it eventually gets to television, which is the rumor. If you’ve never read it, start with volume one, it’s worth it.

Sean:

Top Pick: Batman ’66 #2 (DC Comics) – This probably sounds like a really dumb choice for my “top pick,” but did anyone actually read issue one? It was fantastic, funny, beautifully illustrated. Maybe people are staying away because DC is putting terrible covers on this book…

Daredevil #30 (Marvel) – Daredevil and Silver Surfer, say what?!

Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin #5 (Dark Horse) – Despite the “Ninth Assassin” sort of being not present, and with some shoddy writing in the first issue, this series has been a ton of fun, and I can’t wait to see Vader get into some more assassination action.

Batman Beyond Universe #1 (DC Comics) – Batman Beyond, whether it’s comics or the TV show, is an incredible, hyper-modern Gothic take on the Dark Knight. The first arc of Batman Beyond Unlimited was probably one of the best Batman comics I’ve read (*gasp* “Blasphemy!”), so I’m excited to see where this new series goes.

Wonder Woman #23 (DC Comics) – It’s been too long since I held Wonder Woman in my hands (pun intended?).

TPB of the Week: Willow: Wonderland (Dark Horse) – Fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer who missed this when it was out as floppies will want to pick up this TPB which collects the five-issue mini-series featuring Willow. If this had been an episode in the show, it would be among my top five.

Review: Lobster Johnson: A Scent of Lotus #1

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20130721-144533.jpg Since his August 1999 debut appearance in Hellboy: Box Full of Evil #1, pulp vigilante Lobster Johnson has grown a cult following (which I am now a card-carrying member of). In this first book of a two-part mini series, Lobster Johnson: A Scent of Lotus, Chinatown is rocked by a murder that even the area’s most vicious organization, the Tong, won’t take credit for. Johnson is on the heels of a deadly assassin, Crimson Lotus, introduced in B.P.R.D. The Dead, as is a persistent Detective and his chummy partner.

Although Lobster Johnson is the brain child of Mike Mignola, he handed over the bulk of the latest installment (as with prior series) to the equally capable John Arcudi. This isn’t a starting point for new readers though, so don’t expect any who’s and why’s, it is clearly a continuation of predecessor plotlines. After that quick realization, I poured through previous issues in search of a ‘backstory.’ Dedicated fans would find this laughable because, although written but not released, Mignola has made it clear the murkiness of Lobster Johnson‘s origins is what adds to his character (and I wholeheartedly agree).

Arcudi continues the tradition with a tight script and compelling storyline, all without having to show The Lobster blasting mobsters in every panel. Likewise, what begins with wintry snowfall and ends in brilliant flames, Sebastian Fiumara‘s illustrations are the perfect blend of sporadic violence and gangland mystery. Colorist Dave Stewart completes a near flawless pairing of story and art with the piercing orange goggles, a mesmerizing focal point in nearly every panel they appear.

The brevity of this series is a direct representation of Mignola’s desire to maintain the cult status without selling out to the masses. A monthly run would shatter the intrigue and inevitably churn out Lobster Johnson key chains and smart phone covers (which I would still buy, admittedly). Whether he takes back the reigns or leaves the story with Arcudi, the future of our crustaceous pulp hero is in good ha…er, claws.

Story: Mike Mignola, John Arcudi Art: Sebastian Fiumara
Story: 8.5 Art: 9 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Dark Horse Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Pick(s) of the Week: Batman/Superman #2 and Many More!

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BatSupeComboCover095956--525x800Welcome to the new pick of the week, where we survey the Graphic Policy team to see what they’re looking forward to this week or what they know will be a solid read. This week, the team has one book among them that they agreed upon, Batman/Superman #2 by DC Comics.

Consistently mentioned by each contributor is Greg Pak’s writing combined with Jae Lee‘s art. The combination is clearly a draw for each of us. Plus, we’re all intrigued to find out what happens next!

Check out below for each team member’s picks and find out what you should be on the lookout for this Wednesday.

Andrew:

Batman/Superman #2 (DC) – Although I wasn’t thrilled with the first book, after hearing the announcement of a Batman/Superman movie at SDCC, I think it’d be smart to give this series a chance.

Lobster Johnson: A Scent of Lotus #1 (Dark Horse) – Seriously looking forward to Mike Mignola’s Hellboy spinoff and cult favorite, Lobster Johnson, in this two part mini series. I give this first book a stellar review in a forthcoming post.

Mass Effect Foundation #1 (Dark Horse) – Most video game to comic book series fail to impress, but they’ve secured Mac Walters, the writer of the second and third Mass Effect games, and I don’t want to pass this up.

Batman The Dark Knight #22 (DC) – I’ve been on a pulp kick lately that’s made me neglect the Caped Crusader. Once I catch up on the Mad Hatter’s finale, I’ll jump into Hurwitz’s latest story arc.

Ghostbusters #6 (IDW Publishing) – Just because I didn’t give I glowing review to the previous issue, doesn’t mean I don’t want to know what happens. I’m willing to stick with it and see what happens as the paranormal investigators reintegrate back into society.

Brett:

Top Pick: The Massive #14 (Dark Horse) – Brian Wood’s amazing series following the crew of the Kapital and their search for their sister ship in a world devastated by environmental disaster. The current story arc is tense with the threat of further destruction in the shape of nuclear war.

Mind MGMT #13 (Dark Horse) – Matt Kindt’s crazy tale of special agents with amazing powers. The small details in every comic makes the series stand out, not to mention the amazing story telling and Kindt’s art.

Red Team #4 (Dynamite Entertainment) – Garth Ennis’ tale of a team of rogue cops is as gritty and heartbreaking as they come.

Thumbprint #2 (IDW Publishing) – Joe Hill’s horror story (I think) involves a female Iraq War vet. It’s a bit, I Know What You Did Last Summer, but I’m hooked.

Wild Blue Yonder #2 (IDW Publishing) – The first issue caught me off guard and blew me away. An amazing fun story of a world dominated by those who live in the sky. Fun characters and exciting sequences with fantastic art makes this one stand out for me.

Scott:

Top Pick: Lazarus #2 (Image) – The first issue of Lazarus set up such an engaging world and interesting characters, and I’m interested to find out when the first arc will really begin to pick up steam. Plus, it’s Greg Rucka and Michael Lark, so there’s really no reason you shouldn’t be reading this book.

Batman/Superman #2 (DC) – Come on. Jae Lee drawing Batman. That’s all.

Lobster Johnson: A Scent of Lotus #1 (Dark Horse) – I’ve never read a Lobster Johnson book before, but I’m a sucker for pulp adventure heroes, and Sebastián Fiumara’s art looks absolutely exquisite: grim and detailed when necessary, bold and cartoony a page later. And Dave Stewart is a master colorist.

Mark Waid’s The Green Hornet #4 (Dynamite Entertainment) – I’m so excited for this issue because Mark Waid, in only three issues, has crafted an emotionally complex story, and I just can’t wait to see what happens next.

Rocketeer/Spirit: Pulp Friction #1 (IDW Publishing) – I love the Rocketeer, and I loved Waid’s last Rocketeer mini (Cargo of Doom); it was perfectly ridiculous. I’m really curious to see how this pulp inspired team up works out.

Sean:

Top Pick: Batman/Superman #2 (DC)—because we need to figure out what the heck that first issue was about! Plus, Greg Pak and Jae Lee make a great team on this strange, singular book with wonderful art and somewhat ominous plotting. The first issue blew me away, and left me wanting exactly this next issue. $3.99.

Gamma One-Shot (Dark Horse)—Ulises Farinas debuts what looks like a sci-fi, Adventure-Timey weird-fest; check this out if you’ve got the extra $2.99.

Larfleeze #2 (DC)—Giffen’s and Kolins’ Douglas-Adams-esque breakout book about the funny-as-Hell Orange Lantern continues with a battle against Laord of the Hunt. $2.99.

Lobster Johnson: A Scent of Lotus #1 (Dark Horse)—Mignola brings back Lobster Johnson to track down the Crimson Lotus, starting off a new mini-series. $3.50.

Superior Spider-Man Team Up #1 (Marvel)—and while Superior Spider-Man #14 (also out this week) is a must have in my opinion, if you’re on a budget you’ll want to check out the beginning of this new team up book which starts with Spidey and the Avengers figuring things out. $3.99.

TPB of the Week: Camelot 3000 (DC)—collecting the 1982-1985 maxi-series of the same name, this TPB presents not only a major piece of DC Comics history, since Camelot 3000 was one of the first direct market series and DC’s first maxi-series (think Brightest Day), but it is also a crazy-cool reimagining of the King Arthur stories, in typical 1980s fashion, mixing the tale with nuclear issues, challenging gender roles, and…aliens! $19.99 (but I ordered it from Amazon for $16.51).