Tag Archives: The Halloween Legion The Great Goblin Invasion

Pick(s) of the Week: Boxers & Saints and so Much More

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BoxersSaintsIt’s a new week of comics and this Wednesday sees an interesting batch of releases. While going over the long list of comics and graphic novels coming out, one stood out amongst the rest, Gene Luen Yang‘s Boxers & Saints, a two-volume graphic novel that depicts the Chinese Boxer Rebellion.

Published by First Second, the set tells the story from two perspectives, one of the revolutionaries and from a Chinese girl saved by Christian missionaries. Either read together or separate, the graphic novels are a true work of art, layered in their content with beautiful imagery.

Many creators hope to publish one great graphic novel, Yang decides to one-up everyone by releasing two in one week.

Check out below for the rest of the team’s picks!

Andrew:

Top Pick: Kings Watch #1 (Dynamite) – Since their last reunion in the 1986 animated series Defenders of the Earth, Dynamite’s Justice League of 1930s pulp heroes looks like the perfect alliance to battle a global threat.

Star Wars #9 (Dark Horse) – As long as Brian Wood continues to maintain the look and feel of the original Star Wars trilogy, I’ll keep reading this series. The second Jar Jar Binks shows up, I’m out.

Batman #23.2 Riddler (DC) – These Batman sub issues are an interesting take on the universe’s villainous characters, but I’m ready to get back to #24.

Mars Attacks Judge Dredd (IDW) – After reading the unflinchingly serious Judge Dredd Year One, this book looks like a nice departure into the absurd.

TPB/Graphic Novel of the Week: The Halloween Legion: The Great Goblin Invasion (Dark Horse) – Sean and I posted rave early reviews of this HC, but in case you missed them, this story provides a fantastically fun start to the fall season.

Brett:

Top Pick: Might Avengers #1 (Marvel) – I’m a bit hesitant to put this one as the top pick, but Marvel has put together a “minority” super hero team to defend Earth as the rest of the heroes are off in space dealing with bad guys. There’s something about this that makes me feel dirty, but at the same time, the line-up of characters is too good to not read.

A1 #4 (Titan Comics) – Titan has been knocking it out of the park with each issue. This anthology is all quality in both storytelling and the art. Just an amazing package. I wish we could get each of these stories as their own individual series they’re that good.

Ballistic #2 (Titan Comics) – My second pick is also from Titan. This series evokes the crazy out-there British comics of the 80s. The issue is fantastic.

Chronos Commandos: Dawn Patrol #3 (Titan Comics) – Titan has an impressive three comics on my list. Dinosaurs +time travel + Nazis = fun. The comic is beautiful and fun and just screams B-movie entertainment.

Sons of Anarchy #1 (BOOM! Studios) – The popular and widely acclaimed television series comes to comics.

TPB/Graphic Novel of the Week:  Cyborg 009 (BOOM! Studios/Archaia) – You can read my review here. To say I liked it is an understatement. The graphic novel is fun and exciting all bundled up in a beautiful package both inside and out.

Review: Star Wars: Legacy Vol. 2 #6, The Halloween Legion: The Great Goblin Invasion

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It’s a pretty light week for Dark Horse, at least as far as my pull-list is concerned, but there’re still some great things to be reading. Note: The Halloween Legion: The Great Goblin Invasion does not go to market until September 11, 2013 (this is an early review). Also, if you’re a fan of Bechko and Hardman, you’ve got to check out the one-shot from Dark Horse, Station to Station.

Star Wars: Legacy, Volume 2 #6

22238The current volume of Star Wars: Legacy is one of the few monthlies that I wish would come out each month as a graphic novel four times the size of a single issue. Corinna Bechko and Gabriel Hardman have done an absolutely fantastic job crafting a Star Wars tale that captures the essence of what SW has become for an entire generation. That is, the way I and many others see it, Star Wars is a massive political game in which Jedi and Sith somehow find themselves caught. All of the great Star Wars tale of late have been focused heavily on politics and the better ones showcase a galaxy that suffers from the constant demands of the eponymous word “War.”

Legacy V.2 #6 takes us into the second story arc for this volume, giving us personal looks at characters ranging from Ania Solo to Sauk the Mon Calamari to AG, an assassin droid. Legacy generally features some of the coolest characters, including the line-up above but also the enigmatic and fan-favorite K’Krukh. This issue throws the new Empire into political disarray, with Darth Wredd killing off Sith who’ve infiltrated high government positions.

I believe it was in the issue #5 letter column that someone confessed to thinking Assam Jao is one of the most interesting Star Wars character in a long time. I couldn’t see it then, but with issue #6 I’m definitely in the Jao fandom (Jao-dom?). In addition, one of the greatest things about this volume of Legacy is getting to see things you never thought you would as a Star Wars fan: a Snivvian Sith Lord, Jedi in Imperial Guard armor, K’Krukh working for an Empress of the Empire…all sorts of topsy-turvy for original trilogy fans.

The greatest downside to issue #6 is the change in artist, with Brian Albert Thies replacing Hardman’s fantastic work. This is sad news for me, since Hardman is one of the best young sci-fi artists, and paired with Corinna Bechko writing, they are one of the best sci-fi teams in comics today (if you haven’t read a Planet of the Apes comic from BOOM! Studios, you’re really missing out on something). But Thies does not disappoint greatly in taking on this heavy mantle, and provides an artistic style that seems frantic and busied, but with faces that are coolly communicative—an interesting blend.

If you aren’t a hardcore Star Wars fan, or at least a Legacy fan, maybe Star Wars: Legacy Vol. 2 #6 isn’t for you; it’s certainly one of the Star Wars comics that needs a true fan to appreciate it. So if that’s you, I recommend you buy #6 and continue this incredible journey that Corinna Bechko and Gabriel Hardman are weaving. Otherwise, at least read it!

Story: Corinna Bechko and Gabriel Hardman  Art: Brian Albert Thies
Story: 8.5  Art: 6.5 Overall: 7.5  Recommendation: Read

The Halloween Legion: The Great Goblin Invasion

HalloweenLegionI’m a child of the 1990s, and I can really say that because I consciously experience most of the ‘90s and remember with powerful and wistful nostalgia so many of the cultural artifacts of that time. When it comes to children’s horror, I remember with great fondness the film Hocus Pocus (filmed just 10 miles from where I am now, and fast approaching its 20th anniversary). Anything that can capture the wit, fun, and feel of media like that automatically stands out to, which is why I was ecstatic about reading The Halloween Legion: The Great Goblin Invasion.

With one of the coolest Halloween-time line-ups imaginable, Halloween Legion is an incredible peace of art and literature. Maybe not all comics could (or should) be called literature, but Halloween Legion definitely qualifies as great children’s literature (that may offend some, since many comics journalists are forced to constantly argue to the public that comics aren’t only for children).

Halloween Legion, in short, shows us what happens when psychic-vampire goblin-aliens invade the town of Woodland and stand against the world’s magical defenders, The Halloween Legion of Skeleton, Witch, Ghost, Devil, and Autumn (the black cat). Martin Powell does a great job weeving a light-hearted and fun story, developing the characters to a depth that was surprising for such a short graphic novel. Ideas and concepts therein are fascinating, from a completely strange enemy to a cat that seems all-powerful, and a witch who gets her power from being old and shuns her younger self (that’s like the opposite of all witch narratives, right?).

I called The Halloween Legion a work for kids primarily because Powell’s writing is simplistic. Sure, there’s plenty of solid ideas and great character development, but the reading is easy going, sometimes a bit repetitive (I dislike lots of st-st-stuttering f-f-f-rom a-all the ch-ch-characters). It doesn’t damage the story, but it’s not particularly likeable. What really makes The Halloween Legion incredible is Diane Leto’s art, which itself is very hard to describe without being vague and unhelpful, so check out the book yourself knowing that I am highly critical of art and wouldn’t recommend anything unlikeable!

So why aren’t you buying The Halloween Legion: The Great Goblin Invasion? You’d be daft not to, even if you have to stay away from more mainstream titles for a week or two, you’ll be pleased you got this incredible Halloween adventure. Can we have more, Dark Horse?!

Story: Martin Powell  Art: Diane Leto
Story: 7.5  Art: 8.5  Overall: 8  Recommendation: Buy

Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review

Early Review: The Halloween Legion: The Great Goblin Invasion

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20130816-145430.jpgAs the name suggests, The Halloween Legion: The Great Goblin Invasion is about a band of guardians from a place of eternal October that attempt to protect the town of Woodland from interstellar goblins. The Skeleton, the Witch, the Devil, the Ghost, and Autumn (not just A black cat, THE black cat) use their powers for good against little green men hell-bent on abducting the townsfolk. Two years after the original Legion release, this sequel lives up to all expectations. Wonderfully reminiscent of 1984’s Gremlins, writer Martin Powell crafts a fun and whimsical tale of supernatural science fiction.

Powell’s ‘aw shucks’ country dialogue is witty and well-placed amidst a relatively minimal script. When not battling ghouls, we get a glimpse at the Devil’s (a.k.a. Molly’s) transition to a new high school. We also see the relationship between the guardians grow, especially when two of their lives are at stake. The Skeleton is my personal favorite, his deathly visage reminds me of Spain’s Dia de Los Muertos. The one aspect of the plot that isn’t my favorite is the extraterrestrial goblins. I’m all about breaking down paranormal boundaries, but it’s tough to buy off on goblins coming from space.

I’m not sure what the breakdown is in artistic duties, but both Thomas Boatwright and Diana Leto made October X-Men in small town America larger than life. They’re pencils are as light and fun as the writing, which makes the transition between panels seamless (it’s a quick read). Leto also illustrates Powell’s autobiographical bonus comic which shows where his devilish love of Halloween came from.

Hopefully it’s not too early for a Fall graphic novel review. Part of me feels like this is the shelf of a department store lined with Christmas decorations in the summer. Early or not, when The Halloween Legion is released on September 11th, I urge fans of All Hallows Eve of all ages to get it.

Story: Martin Powell Art: Thomas Boatwright, Diana Leto
Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

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