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EC’s Cruel Kingdom #2 reveals truths about the dark side of human nature

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Cruel Kingdom #2

The second installment of Oni Press/EC Comics’ anthology Cruel Kingdom uses various dark fantasy/magical settings to tell stories about human failings and foibles. None of its stories have the utterly dynamic, genre-mashup world-building in miniature tone as Al Ewing and Kano’s story in the first issue, but the three stories in Cruel Kingdom #2 are visually interesting with several memorably horrifying panels. Best of all, the stories increase in quality as the anthology progresses.

Cruel Kingdom #2 leads off with a suitably grotesque fantasy horror tale called “Immunity” from Chris Condon, PJ Holden, and Michelle Madsen. The plot is a simple, be careful what you wish for monkey’s paw type of situation as a warrior named Parzival acquires a sword that gives him immunity in battle, but there’s a catch. However, the impetuous knight beheads the man who is about to tell him the side effects of the blade and goes onto fight and win many wars. Holden and Madsen’s visuals are the standout part of this story as Parzival’s body deteriorates from page to page fighting endless wars and taking damage that would even make Wolverine shudder until he looks like a figure from a classic EC comic. There’s also a playful sense of humor interlaced with the blood, guts, and addiction like a deadpan overhead shot of Parzival in bed with his wife … and his sword. “Immunity” could be read as a parable for warmongering, addiction, or even not reading the side effects/small print. (I’ll definitely be reading every word of the Apple Terms and Condition when I get a new iPhone.) It’s a moralistic short story, but the heavy metal artwork makes it go down smooth.

In “Hammer of Witches”, Steve Niles, Andrea Mutti, and Michael Atiyeh put a stylish spin on the story of burning witches and how discrimination can happen from both in- and out-groups. Mutti’s background doing psychological fantasy comics like Parasomnia and historical fiction books like Rebels comes in handy in the story as he nails the period specific clothing and set dressing a la the films of Robert Eggers. Atiyeh’s colors almost tremble as the men of the village get closer and start to burn the protagonist, but he also uses big bursts of flat color for important moments in the story. Niles’ plot is straightforward, but is full of truths about how terrible human nature can be. The main character just wants to be left alone to do her own thing, but she threatens the established order of multiple groups so she must be silenced. Although it’s set in the distant past, “Hammer of Witches” has a timeless relatability to anyone who hasn’t quite fit in and the final page is worthy of a fist pump.

Cruel Kingdom #2 concludes with a proper intrigue-filled banger of a story from Cameron Chittock, David Lapham, and Nick Filardi called “Seat of Power”. There are a lot of twists, turns, and commentary on the nature of power in this short story about two sons vying to succeed their father on the throne. I’m very impressed by the economy of the storytelling from Chittock and Lapham who use the foreboding image of a closed door and a conversation between two brothers playing strategy game to establish their characters and the atmosphere of the story. How the sausage gets made is always a compelling narrative path, and “Seat of Power” delivers a strong payoff and even a bit of a political statement about how heads of states are at the mercy of the folks that put them in power or hold the purse strings. Featuring strong images, characters with distinct personalities, and a relevant message, “Seat of Power” is easily the best of the three stories in Cruel Kingdom and the comic is worth picking up for it alone as well as the David Lapham interior art.

Cruel Kingdom #2 uses the settings of war-torn kingdoms, superstitious villages, and a medieval kingdom ran like a macabre Civilization campaign to reveal truths about the dark side of human nature. As both a fantasy and horror fan, I’m looking forward to future installments and their miniature macabre worlds.

Story: Chris Condon, Steve Niles, Cameron Chittock
Art: PJ Holden, Andrea Mutti, David Lapham
Colors: Michelle Madsen, Michael Atiyeh, Nick Filardi
Letters: Richard Starkings, Tyler Smith
Story: 8.1 Art: 8.7 Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy

Oni Press provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Mixed-Up reminds us that it’s good to share our struggles with our friends

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Stella knows fifth grade will be the best year ever. Her closest friends, Emiko and Latasha, are in her class and they all got the teacher they wanted. Then their favorite television show, Witchlins, announces a new guidebook and an online game!

But when the classwork starts piling up, Stella struggles to stay on top. Why does it take her so long to read? And how can she keep up with friends in the Witchlins game if she can’t get through the text-heavy guidebook? And when she can’t deal with the text-heavy Witchlins guidebook, she can’t keep up with her friends in the game. It takes loving teachers and her family to recognize that Stella has a learning difference, and after a dyslexia diagnosis she gets the support and tools she needs to succeed.

Story: Kami Garcia
Art: Brittney Williams
Letterer: Tyler Smith

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.

Bookshop
Amazon
Kindle

First Second provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
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Conan: Battle of the Black Stone #1 brings together Robert E. Howard’s creations for a time bending adventure

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Conan: Battle of the Black Stone #1

A mysterious eye symbol etched in black stone creates nightmares and chaos across time. An unspeakable evil looms over the Hyborian Age and every age connected to it… and it will take more than a lone barbarian to stop its relentless march upon time, space, and sanity. Conan: Battle of the Black Stone #1 brings together Robert E. Howard‘s creations in the first event from its new publisher Titan Comics.

The relaunch of Conan the Barbarian at Titan Comics has been amazing. In his own series, as well as Savage Sword of Conan, the storytelling and art have been top notch. Generally guided by writer Jim Zub, it’s been a renaissance of sorts for the classic character. Slowly, Titan has teased the return of Howard’s other creations to comics and with Conan: Battle of the Black Stone #1 we see the grander worlds coming together.

I’m not a Howard expert, and that’s where Conan: Battle of the Black Stone #1 stumbles somewhat. The mystery, the setup, it’s all fantastic. More than enough to come back for more. But, beyond Conan the Barbarian and Solomon Kane, my knowledge of the characters is non-existent. And that’s the divide of the overall enjoyment of the comic. For those “in the know,” they’ll likely be far more excited about the prospects of what is to come. For those new to the world, the mystery is interesting but the anticipation due to who is included might not be there. It’s both an event that can be enjoyed by new readers but also one that’ll truly be enjoyed by aficionados of Howard’s work.

The art by Jonas Scharf is fantastic. With color by Joao Canola and lettering by Richard Starkings and Tyler Smith, the comic keeps up the solid work that has lead up to this point. What’s impressive is how the style works so well for each of the time periods and really adds to the horror-like aspect of the debut issue.

Conan: Battle of the Black Stone #1 is an interesting start. It builds a mystery across time and works for both new readers and long time fans. As the first event for the new launch of Robert E. Howard’s creations, it opens up a lot of possibilities of what’s to come.

Story: Jim Zub Art: Jonas Scharf
Color: Joao Canola Letterer: Richard Starkings, Tyler Smith
Story: 7.75 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.95 Recommendation: Read

Titan Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

EC Comics’ Epitaphs From the Abyss #1 kicks off some classic horror

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Epitaphs From the Abyss #1

From the publisher that drove Tales from the Crypt, Vault of Horror, Haunt of Fear, and many more into the depraved hearts of an unsuspecting world, the immortal EC Comics returns! Epitaphs From the Abyss #1 kicks off the first ALL-NEW series in nearly 70 years! But, in this age of gore-porn and brutal, scary, horror, does the classic still deliver chills and thrills? It’s a whole new era of terror!

Featuring four tales to keep you up at night, Epitaphs From the Abyss #1 is a fun return to classic horror. It’s twists and turns that’ll get you to think more than make you afraid of unknown noises, but it’s a hell of a lot of fun.

Kicking off with “Killer Spec” from J. Holtham, Jorge Fornes, and Dan Jackson, Epitaphs From the Abyss #1 is predictable at times, but still has more than enough to surprise readers. It’s pretty easy to see where the debut story goes but it’s the ending and twists and turns that entertain in an unexpected way. I have no fond memories of EC Comics and remember HBO’s Tales From the Crypt at times scaring the shit out of me as a kid, but I appreciated the “lessons” one would learn at the end. While The Twilight Zone delivered parables with a sci-fi twist, EC to me was the horror cousin of that. Here we get to see where jealousy takes a wannabe writer and makes readers wonder how meta this tale is…

“Senator, Senator” is perfect for this election year. Chris Condon, Peter Krause, and Michelle Madsen explore why an elected official flip-flops on a key issue. Again, like the opening story, it’s not hard to guess where the story is going but it’s the details that stand out. It delivers a nice jab at the current political climate.

“Family Values” by Stephanie Phillips, Phil Hester, Travis Hymel, and Marissa Louise feels like something we’d see in a modern day horror film. Hell, we might have. But, the ending is damn near perfect in multiple ways. A father must choose which family member to kill, or himself, while they’re taken hostage by unknown individuals. Why and for what purpose? You’ll need to read and find out!

Finally, “US vs. US” is another fantastic jab, pun intended, at the current state of the United States. Two individuals must take on a group of freaks and things aren’t what they appear. Brian Azzarello, Vlad Legostaev, and Brittany Peery deliver a story that is very unexpected in the direction it goes and what’s revealed.

Epitaphs From the Abyss #1 might feel tame compared to today’s horror, it’s much more comedic and less about scares, but it mines the classic concept of EC Comics perfectly delivering four tales that’ll entertain and get you to think. Each is varied in story, art, and tone, and each delivers unexpected moments that’ll keep readers guessing. It’s rare when there’s no weak stories in an anthology, and Epitaphs From the Abyss #1 has none. It’s a fantastic start to the classic brand that’ll hopefully breathe new life into this type of horror.

Story: J. Holtham, Chris Condon, Stephanie Phillips, Brian Azzarello
Art: Jorge Fornes, Peter Krause, Phil Hester, Vlad Legostaev
Ink: Travis Hymel Color: Dan Jackson, Michelle Madsen, Marissa Louise, Brittany Peer
Letterer: Richard Starkings, Tyler Smith
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Oni Press provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Free Agents #1 feels like a bit of a throwback for good and bad

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Free Agents #1

Salvo. Pike. Katari. Shakti. Ridge. Maraud. Chalice. They’ve fought every day of their existence and won a terrible victory. Now they’re stranded on Earth, free agents for the first time. But when relics from their long war appear, threatening their chance at better lives, their greatest battle begins. They’ve fought for a million planets. Can they fight to save their own souls? Free Agents #1 is an interesting concept of a comic but its execution falls short of its pitch.

Free Agents #1 packs a lot into the first issue. Not only does it introduce, with a good amount of detail, a large cast, but it also gives their tragic history and kicks things off with some action. Written by Kurt Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, Free Agents #1 has potential. Its concept of soldiers finding refuge on Earth and trying to move on from their traumatic experience is a story well worth telling. But, this debut issue doesn’t dive into their struggle enough to get that across. The struggle feels almost non-existent.

The comic kicks off with the team battling a remnant from the war they thought they left behind. It teases their being a part of the Image superhero universe, with a name drop of Cyber Force, and has them going back to their “civilian” lives they’re trying to forge. From there it’s debriefs and letting readers know what happened to get to this point in a debut issue that feels a little choppy. I remember reading Image superhero comics in the 90s during the launch, and Free Agents feels a lot like that, the concept is better than the execution with a story that feels like it’s missing details or something to get the point across. Here, reader aren’t given a sense of these individuals really struggling with their past. They treat the battle we witness like it’s part of their war with debriefs instead of really focusing on wanting to get away from it all. They all question “why” far too much instead of some anger about wanting their previous life to go away. We’re told they were all forced to fight but their actions never really indicate they don’t want to fight. They say it but never really act on it.

And the art doesn’t help a ton. Stephen Mooney is talented and I read the comic in a non-ideal digital form but there’s some sequences where things are completely clear as to what’s going on and there’s a rough aspect to it all. With color by Triona Tree Farrell and lettering by Richard Starkings and Tyler Smith, the comic’s visuals, like the story, feels a little rough at times. There’s odd movement in some of the action sequences and the mix of civilian and soldier doesn’t always come across well. The disguises feel like they’re encroached by their soldier uniforms at times or there’s aspects to something they do (like the healing scene) that’s not always clear. The comic attempts to “show” at times instead of “tell” and the show doesn’t make the tell clear. Like the story itself, there’s a lot of potential.

Free Agents #1 is an interesting concept and there’s a lot to it. Hopefully, like some of those 90s Image superhero comics, the story will clear up with more issues and right its path. But, as far as being a debut issue, it doesn’t live up to the quality you’d expect with the high caliber talent on it. It’s a better idea than execution as the execution doesn’t get the idea across enough. Instead of being soldiers trying to escape to a new life, it comes off as refugee soldiers being dragged back into the war they thought was over. They’re two concepts that are close, but different. This may be one where the first arc is read as a whole instead of individual issues.

Story: Kurt Busiek, Fabian Nicieza Art: Stephen Mooney
Color: Triona Tree Farrell Letterer: Richard Starkings, Tyler Smith
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.25 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Scott Snyder returns to horror with Dan Panosian and Canary

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Blending modern horror, historical fact, and western lore, Dark Horse Comics, Scott Snyder, and Dan Panosian bring Canary to print in stunning oversized issues, featuring 56 pages! Written by Snyder, illustrated by Panosian, and lettered by Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Tyler Smith, Canary #1 will also feature variant covers by Panosian, Emma Rios (1:10 incentive variant), and Jill Thompson (1:25 incentive variant).

During the final days of the Gold Rush, one mining company in Colorado pulled up radioactive uranium–and then the mine collapsed in on itself. Legends sprang up about the mine being cursed or even haunted. Now, the Frontier is closed, the gold and silver mines have dried up, the country is becoming “civilized,” and yet, in one stretch of the Rocky Mountains, a terrifying, new kind of violence is suddenly emerging: random killings as people go mad and murder neighbors or classmates without real cause. When a schoolboy kills his teacher with a hatchet, a famous federal marshal named Azrael William Holt is called in to investigate the killings. What he and a brilliant young geologist uncover is stranger and more horrifying than anything they could have ever imagined.

Dig deeper into Canary #1 (of 3) November 1, 2023. It is now available to pre-order for $4.99 at your local comic shop.

Canary TPB (152 pages, $19.99) will also be available for pre-order starting September 12, 2023 at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and your local comic shop and bookstore. Canary TPB will be available in bookstores June 11, 2024 and in comic shops June 12, 2024.

Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor #1 is guilt the comic book

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Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor #1

Lex Luthor is dying, and he wants the Man of Steel to help him find the cure for whatever is causing his rapid decline. While the world would rather see Lex die, Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor #1 highlight’s Superman’s greatest strength, his compassion.

Written by Mark Waid, Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor #1 is an interesting debut with a nice setup and taking us through the first steps to trying to find someone who’s sick a treatment. There’s something methodical about it all. But, that aspect is driven by humanity and compassion as Waid also flashes back to the childhood of Clark and Lex and their experiences together. What we find is a guilt from Clark that has stayed with him all of these years.

It’s an interesting comic that is a tour of Clark/Superman and Lex’s relationship through the years. It hints at what drives some of how Superman treats the villain, a feeling of guilt. Juxtaposed to the world’s reaction of Lex’s condition, it’s an overall interesting concept and start to things and is far more than it’s tour for a cure that it feels like at times. Add in a reoccurring messianic concept, the comic delivers a lot to chew on.

The art by Bryan Hitch is good. Overall Hitch’s art for me is hit and miss but here there’s some really nice spreads and panels and there’s a subtle emotional aspect to it all that captures what Waid is going for. Hitch is joined by Kevin Nowlan on ink and David Baron on color. Richard Starkings and Tyler Smith handle the lettering. The visuals are interesting overall, with a muted, almost dialed back aspect to it that matches the borderline dirge of a story. Grand visuals would belie the basic concept of the comic.

Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor #1 is an intriguing start to a comic. It’s more about Clark and Lex’s relationship over the years than finding a cure. It’s a comic about how our past can impact us decades later and shapes who we are and what we do. Mixed with a nice look overall, it’s an interesting take on a relationship we’ve seen explored many times before.

Story: Mark Waid Art: Bryan Hitch
Ink: Kevin Nowlan Color: David Baron Letterer: Richard Starkings, Tyler Smith
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.15 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

Battle Chasers #10 isn’t worth the wait

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Battle Chasers #10

“Martial Law” tells the bloody tale of retired swordsman Garrison and the fugitive Red Monika as they face off against Maestro’s gang of supernatural killers-the Martial Paladins! Battle Chasers #10 is a the long awaited return of the series and the end result is an issue that feels like the wait isn’t quite worth it.

The return of Battle Chasers was announced in 2015 as part of a Kickstarter for a video game. In 2019, it was announced that series creator and artist Joe Madureira would no longer be drawing it with Ludo Lullabi stepping in, then general silence. So, it’s a general pleasant surprise that Battle Chasers #10 has actually been released after such a delay. Unfortunately, with too much time passed, the last issue was published in September 2001, the return feels more like a story readers may struggle to remember.

The comic attempts to catch readers up with a page dedicated to recapping where the story is at, but, while helpful, it doesn’t really replace reading the story itself. Instead, the comic is a movie that has already started and you attempt to dive into even though it’s already been playing for a 60% of it. It’s also not helped the writing is generally stilted with a sparse amount of dialogue and cuts in the scenes that jump around a bit too much at times. The result isn’t an entertaining read and rather frustrating as the underling coolness of it all is still there.

Ludo Lullabi‘s art doesn’t quite have the style of Madureira, but the look of the comic delivers a style that stands on its own. If Lullabi did this comic without the history, it’d get tons of buzz but as is, it’s compared to what was and what was initially promised. While good, it doesn’t quite match up to that. But still, there’s a flair to it that has me wanting to check out more of Lullabi’s work.

Battle Chasers #10 is frustrating. It isn’t the welcome return one would hope and instead feels like a series and project whose time has passed. Like many “classic” series revived, it doesn’t stand up so well and the nostalgia isn’t quite enough to really hook you. Overall, a bummer.

Story: Joe Madureira Art: Ludo Lullabi Letterer: Richard Starkings, Tyler Smith
Story: 7.0 Art: 8.5 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Pass

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures and Avatar: The Last Airbender are Dark Horse’s Free Comic Book Day Silver release

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Dark Horse Comics released more details about their Free Comic Book Day Silver offering: Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures/Avatar: The Last Airbender, arriving May 6, 2023 at participating comic shops. 

Get set for adventure with a new tale from the farthest reaches of a galaxy far, far away; and a new story from the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender!

In Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures, the galaxy-wide conflict between the Jedi Order and the dangerous marauders known as the  Nihil intensifies, and a shuttle full of younglings gets caught in the crossfire. This lost tale set during the fall of Starlight is written by New York Times bestselling author Daniel José Older and is illustrated by Harvey Tolibao, who also provided the cover art for this issue. Colors are by Michelle Madsen and letters provided by Comicraft’s Tyler Smith and Jimmy Betancourt. 

In Avatar: The Last Airbender, Aang and his friends come across a village decimated by the Fire Nation. One survivor—a young child named Luumi—refuses to open up to anyone except fellow Earth Kingdom native, Toph. This comic is written by Amy Chu, with art by Kelly and Nichole Matthews, and is lettered by Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt.

Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures/Avatar: The Last Airbender

Join the fight against climage change in Climate Keepers

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Climate Keepers: Agents of Project Zero

In partnership with Portland General Electric, Dark Horse Comics presents Climate Keepers: Agents of Project Zero, a new collaborative comic project designed to educate the community about fighting greenhouse gasses and protecting the environment. The comic is written by Nadia Shaik, illustrated and colored by Caitlin Like, and lettered by Comicraft’s Tyler Smith.

Meet the Climate Keepers, a crew of young climate heroes who learn about environmental threats to their community and fight pollution together. This educational comic book is designed to help young people better understand the effects of climate change and explore ways to make a positive impact.  

Developed by Portland General Electric, an energy company based in Portland, Oregon, in partnership with local publisher Dark Horse Comics, this educational resource aims to empower the next generation of climate scientists, innovators and clean energy leaders. This comic is intended for all readers ages 8 and up.

Climate Keepers is free to read online now in English or Spanish at the PGE Climate Keepers website, as well as all available digital comic platforms, including Dark Horse Digital, Comixology, Google Books, and more. Free downloadable Teacher’s Guides for various grade levels is also available online, filled with a wide range of standards-based lessons and engaging student activities. 

Digital comics platforms: 

Dark Horse Digital: English, Spanish
Google Play: English, Spanish 
Comixology/Amazon: English, Spanish
Barnes & Noble Nook: English, Spanish
Apple Books: English, Spanish

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