Rachel Pollack Has Passed

Rachel Pollack did a superb run on, "Doom Patrol," among other comics, was one of the first openly Transgender creators in comics, wrote some very neat fiction and non-books, knew a ton about Tarot cards, and was all-around a neat person. Sadly, she passed at the age of 77 after having been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in July 2022. She moved to hospice care this past March and now has left this realm but leaves behind a fantastic body of work and fond memories I've seen loved ones sharing. 

She is survived by her wife, Judith Zoe Mateen who wrote when discussing Pollack's passing, "I know that Rachel will continue to be a Light in this world and in the next. She will continue to inspire so many of our beloved Tarot community, the Science Fiction and Fantasy community, the Comics community, and the Transgender community for whom she shared so much respect and care." She will be missed.

"Dawn of DC," Kicks off This January 2023

DC has announced a big new slate of titles that will start releasing in January 2023. It is called, "Dawn of DC." I'm pleased that it isn't really an event and the Universe is staying the same so we can avoid having to use the words, "Reboot," or, "Reset," for now. A lot of the comics don't even involve Batman, which is amazing considering how much of DC's output has been Batman-centric lately.

There will be new, "Doom Patrol," "Cyborg," "Green Arrow," "Shazam!" a Green Lantern comic focused on John Stewart, and yes, some titles relating to Batman and his foes such as, "Penguin," and, "Batman: The Brave and the Bold." Still, there will be a chunk of variety and the creative teams that have been revealed are solid. Not every comic sounds interesting, but I'm intrigued by a number of them--"Steelworks," focuses on Steel and his family so that sounds cool, to give one example. It all starts with the new year and continues through 2023, so here's hoping it is good fun.

Should I Try-Out This DC Universe Thing?

Okay then, I previously wrote about my confusion regarding exactly what this DC Universe app/service was. Now that it has been released and out for awhile I think I finally have a grasp on it. The thing essentially is a way to pay a monthly fee in order to gain access to a curated selection of all-you-can-read DC books (which side-steps Comixology and saves DC paying it, Apple, or Amazon--who owns Comixology--any fees) along with an assortment of DC films, television shows, and original content. It is a combination streaming-service, comic-app, and so forth. Am I right, I think I'm right? Anyways, I am thinking maybe I should try it out, as I am curious about if it is in fact a good service for watching/reading content, plus I've heard the exclusive-to-DC-Universe show, "Doom Patrol," is remarkably good. I mean, when I heard it had Matt Bomer and Brendan Fraser I was basically already all-in.

There is a free 7-day trial period, and those, "Doom Patrol," episodes are being released every Friday so I could watch at least two and get a feel for the show as well as exploring the app/service. I am a little annoyed there isn't an easy way to launch it on my PlayStation 4 and instead to get it on the television I'll need to use a work-around method like having it stream on the computer and be displayed on my T.V. via the Chromecast or such, but with my PC and our old iPad reading some comics shouldn't be hard. Yeah, I think I maybe will go ahead and try-out this DC Universe thing when I have some free time, even if I hate most aspects of it I still get a solid dose of Bomer and Fraser, after all, I love those actors.

Delayed Comics are the Annoying (Continuing) Trend of the Year--2017 in Review

So, So, Annoying

A great cover to a comic that should've already come out and now isn't due till 2018.

"Doom Patrol," "The Black Monday Murders," "Southern Bastards," anything relating to the, "Afterlife With Archie," brand. All these comics I've greatly enjoyed and they all have had abhorrent delays. When it gets to the point when I can't recall what happened in the previous issue of a comic because it has been months, or even more than a year, I know there's a big problem. I was really loving, "Doom Patrol," but I've quit reading it in single issues because at this point I might as well just pick it up in trade whenever the horrifically-delayed issues are collected. "Southern Bastards," has long been a favorite comic of mine but comes out maybe quarterly, and when was the last time we saw any of that zombie-Archie comic?

If a book is solicited to come out monthly or every two months and doesn't that can kill the momentum. I adore, "The Black Monday Murders," with the great writing of Jonathan Hickman and Tomm Coker's amazing artwork but its sporadic release schedule really makes it hard to recall who's who in its big cast of characters all following their own plots and subplots. I'm happy to get to read the book at all, but I'll be darned if these delays don't temper my enthusiasm a bit at times.

This came out 8/31/16, nothing since. #11 will maybe be out December 26th...of 2018.

Look, I know that things can come-up and make it hard for a book to come out on time. Whether it is a big comic company or a smaller independent book shit can happen. It just is annoying when a book I really dig is delayed beyond all rhyme or reason to the point I just give-up waiting for it. This by no means was a problem exclusive to 2017, but perhaps as I grow older my patience just wears increasingly thin for this kind of thing.

Rant-Reviews--Discussing Comics in Numerical Order Again, Now with a Zero Issue!

Counting Again

Remember that time I reviewed a first issue, second issue, third issue, and fourth issue of some different comics? Yeah, that was fun. Let's do it again, but this time just to keep things fresh we'll throw in a zero issue!

Start The Numbers!

Vampirella #0

I haven't ever read too much Vampirella-related comics in the past, but have enjoyed what I've tried. When I heard a writer with some stellar comics under his belt, Paul Cornell, was doing a new take on the character that wasn't a reboot, but a bit of a fresh start, I was intrigued. I then saw that the debut #0 issue was just a 25-cents, literally a quarter (and sales tax depending on your state), and I knew I wanted to give it a try! This clearly is more of a prologue as we are told its the future, but only get a few hints of that. Then, some people revive Vampirella in an underground tomb because she needs to save the world from itself, or something, and that's about it. It's a fast read and the book ends as she escapes her former resting place to go into the new world. If I had paid $2.99 or $3.99 for this I maybe would have felt a little short-changed, but for just a quarter this is a great intro to the comic, and the way it acknowledges how Vampirella's twisty history may have truths as well as lies is clever too. This makes me interested in trying the next issue for sure, but it better reveal more or I'll be a bit perturbed!
3.5 out of 5 stars.

Crypt of Screams #1

I've of course enjoyed reading a number of works by Mike Wolfer and have interviewed him on various occasions for the blog. He's a great guy and as this first issue of, "Crypt of Screams," shows, a stellar creator as well. Drawing inspiration from the old horror comics of the past, he writes and illustrates the stories in this one-man anthology (with assists by other creators on tones and lettering). Thanks to getting funded via a Kickstarter, Wolfer was able to take this series to American Mythology Productions, a newer publisher who has put out other titles by Wolfer and will be putting out new works by him in the future too! Within this first issue with have three tales, with two clearly being full-on horror the last being a bit more of a sci-fi comic but still quite intense. 

The comics are in black-and-white but this is not at all to their detriment, as Wolfer masterfully plays with bright-and-dark, as his first story, Speed Demon," casts creepy shadows between bursts of light and fire in its tale of a horse-race in the Wild West that features a supernatural twist. The middle story, "The Pond," is a lot quieter and mellow, and seems to be heading in a pleasant and sweet direction before some really depressing and horrific reveals at the end of the yarn--with Wolfer again, "Staging," everything fantastically with the black, white, and gray tones. "Burn Out," features a human fighting some gigantic monsters that have demolished his home city in the far-flung future of 1998 as envisioned by the 1970's (the comic jokingly acknowledges that 1998 has come-and-gone, of course). It's quite action-packed and good fun. I loved this first issue and find that Wolfer as always is killing it (pun intended) with his spooky tales. I know this book is more of an occasional release as opposed to being on a set schedule like some of his other titles, but if upcoming issues are as good as this one a little waiting won't hurt me!

5 out of 5 stars.

Dollface #2

I discussed the first issue in some reviews not too long ago, and liked it enough I came back for the 2nd! This issue unfortunately drags a bit more, spending most of its time filling us in on the history of Dollface. It still has plenty of cool fighting, T&A, fun artwork, and other stuff people expect from Dan Mendoza (the creator of, "Zombie Tramp," a character who is in this book too). It just was a bit duller than the first issue in my opinion, and the ending was sudden not in a cliff-hanger way but a, "Oh, the issue is done now?" kind of style. So, this wasn't as good as the first issue, as I stated, but still was a decent read. If you love Mendoza and his works you'll adore this comic, but if you're not a die-hard fan of his stuff your mileage may vary.
3 out of 5 stars.

Motor Crush #3

The plot in this book could suck and I'd still enjoy it because the art-team of Babs Tarr and Cameron Stewart make comics so pretty and luscious in their design and colors the art practically melts off the page with its delicious glow. However, with Brendan Fletcher also being on the team (he writes, and they contributed to the story too) the story ain't bad at all either. Set in the near future and featuring a protagonist named Domino Swift who I at first found dull but have been more and more intrigued by with each issue, this book is a fantastic blend of motorbike racing, mafia intrigue, and an ongoing mystery about just what makes Swift so special (because clearly something is going on with her).

While Swift has turned out to actually be quite interesting, arguably the most fascinating character is the world everyone lives in. It's a futuristic place full of neat technology, strange drugs, and is drenched in bright and beautiful colors thanks to the stellar art team. It's a bit like if the design sensibilities of a high-octane action-manga had a baby with a 1980's racing movie and the main character were a queer woman of color who is as good at kicking ass and taking names as she is at driving absurdly fast. If that description doesn't found like a great comic I am unsure what would sound fun to you, so give it a try!
4 out of 5 stars.

Doom Patrol #4
Gerard Way is someone who doesn't get mad at comparisons of him to Grant Morrison, he actually welcomes them. From his earlier, "Umbrella Academy," stuff I adored to now being the curator of DC's Young Animal line of comics and writing what is arguably the flagship book, "Doom Patrol," the man clearly has the storytelling sensibilities of Morrison and flexes his raconteur muscles expertly. The Doom Patrol is of course a property that has been around for a long time, but ever since Morrison wrote it in the days of the 1980's almost any attempt to follow-up on his work has failed to varying degrees. So, if you can't beat Morrison's style, why not join it? Seriously, if Morrison did what many people think is the best-ever, "Doom Patrol," then get the man often compared to Morrison to do his own take that is both fresh but builds on the old stuff! DC did that, and Hell if it hasn't been working from its wild first issue to the delayed-but-finally out, #4.

With Nick Derrington supplying amazing artwork as a perfect compliment to Way's writing, this is one stellar comic. Whether he's drawing a quiet moment of good ol' Niles Caulder sitting around, or drawing otherworldly villains trying to harvest the constructs of, "Danny," to make cheap meat (I told you this was weird), everything just flows perfectly, and art this is good easily excuses the delays the fourth issue faced. Derrington's drawing and Way's writing creates a comic that is for sure confusing, weird, and otherwise strange, but then again what else would you expect from the person who arguably comes closest to being Grant Morrison in masterful writing ability without actually, you know, being Grant Morrison? This isn't to say Way lacks original ideas, because he is overflowing with them, it's just that when the most popular version of the Doom Patrol was written by Morrison and you take over and write it in that style that comparisons will be invited--and it is a great thing these comparisons are glowing! Clearly I love this book, and I only hope future issues don't face too many delays.
5 out of 5 stars.

Counting Concluded
Well, I counted to four again, but this time I reviewed five books thanks to a handy zero issue. As my reviews illustrate, there are some good reads out there and a wide array of genres to read for sure. I hope you enjoyed my latest counting exercise and will join me in doing another one sometime!

Rant-Reviews: Yet Even More 1st Issues to Review!

What, Again?
I've been reviewing a lot of first-issues of comics lately. How about I review some more?

Debuts
Seven to Eternity #1
Rick Remender is an author I can run really hot-and-cold on, with some of his stuff being great and other titles simply turning out...well, the less said about, "AXIS," the better. One thing in this comic's favor however is it re-teams Remender with his occasional collaborator and amazing artist Jerome Opeña. Apparently this first issue of, "Seven To Eternity," has sold-out all over and is a huge hit. I'll be honest and tell you I understood almost nothing that was going on in this book, but it was interesting (and amazing-looking) enough that I think I'll want to pick-up issue #2. This book takes place in another world where an evil, "King of Whispers,"has taken over the world by turning people against each other (those who dislike him call him, "The Mud King,") and gaining control of almost everything.

Much to the credit of Remender and especially Opeña, everything really feels alien and otherworldly, with this strange Universe actually giving off a vibe of unfamiliarity and strangeness that sci-fi books sometimes sadly lack. I imagine as this comic proceeds more will make sense (I hope) and that the art will remain fantastic (as long as Opeña is on it, of that I'm sure). I liked the story but didn't love it, and adored the artwork without a doubt. Interesting stuff.
3 out of 5 stars.

Ancient Dreams #1
A comic written by JP Roth, whom I met at my first Project Comic-Con back in 2013, this book looks pretty but I have zero idea what is going on, much like with the just-reviewed, "Seven to Eternity," but this differs from that book in that while with one book I was intrigued enough to want to at least learn a little more, this title was just confusing and dull. I mean, at least it looked pretty good? The whole things just seems so unreasonably dense, really. It has pages of text that as far as I can tell are as indecipherable as the story but are presented as some kind of compliment to the proceedings. It is just a bunch of boring nonsense, really (the comic and the text).
1 out of 5 stars.

Doom Patrol #1
Part of the new DC comics imprint, "Young Animal," which is spearheaded by Gerard Way--a comic-writer I adore thanks to, "Umbrella Academy," and who also apparently has a popular band--this first book to debut from the imprint is also written by Way with art by Nick Derington. While there have been many runs on this comic, almost 99% of people think of Grant Morrison and when he wrote the comic when they hear the words, "Doom Patrol," and yes, I made-up that 99% statistic but imagine it is true. Therefore, people often associate, "Weird," with, "Doom Patrol," and Gerard Way kindly brings the weird in full-force, much to the delight of myself and other reviewers.

Whether you know the Doom Patrol well or are completely new to the series, it is strange and unfamiliar (but in a good way) for all who dip their toes in. Derington supplies some artwork that gives the immense strangeness a delightful appearance, with the art and writing, "Flowing," together perfectly. An delightfully off-the-wall book I look forward to reading more of without a doubt.
5 out of 5 stars.

The Forevers #1
From the publisher Black Mask, this book centers on a number of celebrities who sold their souls (or something) to achieve fame, but when one of them dies they realize the death of others gives them all the remaining energy, I think. You see, the description about the comic says all this but the book itself is so decompressed that only half of that summary even occurs in this issue (somebody dies). When a story moves so slowly that it hasn't even yet fulfilled the prologue-pitch that can be extremely annoying, but thankfully, "The Forevers," does a great job with its dark tone, and scene-setting that lays everything about the characters out before the 2nd issue hopefully moves things along a tad more. This wasn't an amazing first issue, but it was good, and is making me curious what comes next.
3 out of 5 stars.

Widow: Progeny #1
Mike Wolfer returns to a, "Widow," story he started long ago but now is ready to conclude, and I'm pleased to read it! With art by Karl Moline this book involves chunks of the plot from the first volume of the original, "Widow," series but comes-off in a way where much of it can be followed and understood with minimal-to-no prior knowledge of Wolfer's work with his, "Widow," series. The horror-vibe is strong in this comic, with an eerily omniscient 3rd-person narrator giving everything a bit of a spooky-chill as a Coast Guard crew crashes on a seemingly-abandoned island only to discover a number of horrendous spider-monsters pose a clear threat (and other seemingly-normal people pose just as strong a danger). It's scary, it's pleasantly gross, and I quite enjoyed reading it!

Some cool back-matter is included that features Wolfer's artwork for a story that takes place before this issue and some snazzy production-art is thrown-in too. I was very pleased by this story and am eager to witness just how bad things get for the Coast Guard-members--it'll probably be pretty hideous!
4 out of 5 stars.

Hadrian's Wall #1
A murder-mystery set in space, with the, "Hook," being that the person investigating the mystery was chosen because they probably won't do a good job--a clever twist. Basically, someone is dead, and that someone once shot our main character and took-off with our protagonist's wife. Now, our hero is tasked with investigating the death and quite clearly some bad-business is afoot. Writer Kyle Higgins has made some good stories before and this one shows a lot of promise even if the start is a tad dull besides that delightful twist of our detective having every reason in the world to not care about any foul-play. Time will tell if this story goes places as promising as the setup or just kind of peters along. I hope it does more of the former than the latter.
3.5 out of 5 stars.

Always Something New, Eh?
Clearly there are always new books coming out, and some are better than others. There is something exciting about a new series however, so it is always fun to check them out because even if some disappoint, usually just as many impress.