True Believers: Star Wars - Hutt Run #1 (re:view)

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... a comic for your dollar! It's an elaborate ruse (not really - just wanted to say that) as Han Solo and Chewbacca smuggled Grakkus the Hutt past the Imperial Fleet to his new I'm-so-fancy prison. Let's dive in!

The story's straightforward, Han and Chewie are both tasked with getting Grakkus from point A to point B - boom, mike drop. Of course, it's NEVER that easy! If I imagined a snippet adventure between Han and Chewie, it'd probably resemble this. It's quite a short one but with bang bang, I shot you down action which I live for having previously read a Boba Fett comic before and living for it. 

It's not the traditional shooty shooty adventure I'm accustomed to seeing again and again in the films but it does have it's moments in both action and sweet tender luvin' moments, which provide a beautiful layer of storytelling. It does provide a very intimate setting as it's fitted into confined spaces on the Millenium Falcon so that in itself gives an idea of the scale of the comic and does allow for more well-crafted humour to come through.

The art is absolutely fantabulosa with high realism as if it's leaping from the reels of the film. The panels consist mainly of 3 to 4 on each page which offers a higher cinematic experience to the comic.

There's a sort of chemistry that plays off Han and Grakkus like a loving rapport and the admiration Grakkus has for Han which is great as deserves a lot of appreciation! Grakkus is frightening with his huge domineering figure and lightning-quick movements creates a whirlwind of trouble and not the good kind of trouble for Han. It's quite cool to see him make the moves! Of course, Han has a few magic tricks up his sleeves to get the upper hand.

There was one light that got me in the comic when Han says the following: "Never stopped being me." Oh boy, tears to my snatched eyes!

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Bring on the epic space adventures!

True Believers: Star Wars - Hutt Run #1 (originally printed as Star Wars (2015) #35)

Jason Aaron - writer

Salvador Larroca - artist

Edgar Delgado - colourist

VC's Clayton Cowles - letterer

Mike Mayhew - cover

Heather Antos - assistant editor 

Jordan D. White - editor

Dollar Comics: Amethyst #1 (re:view)

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... a comic for your dollar! This time I'm bringing you gem-realness as the Amethyst is sending your wig into Gemworld. Let's dive in!

There is soooooo much going on this comic book and it's kind of like an explosion of plots but I guess that it'll just tie in neatly with each other. Bang! I like that already from the first page we are thrown into a world of colours, monsters and magic. It reminds me of the type of adventures that Doctor Strange would have which I'm absolutely live for so on the offset loving it already. 

And there's Prince Topaz's illusionary turmoils and rendezvous with Fire Jade, strife amongst the council of Gemworld, Amethyst's possible archnemsis moving in next door on Earth world and Fire Jade's planned takeover of Gemworld... woof! A lot to digest but it deliciously taken in with colours and design of a world that is very rich enveloped and gathered in gorgeous mystical art and then there's Earth world.

The art style's light and it reminds me of the style of Archie's comics. The colours aren't as pronounced but I guess if you live in a Gemworld, the shade of light will be ummm... lighter?

For the most part, it follows like a traditional style of panelling but then there's moments I would say is transformative panelling in using panels to fabulously transition the setting or when Amethyst changes from Amy Winston (the person they are on Earth). It effectively tells the story in a few panels especially if you're fitting so much into one issue!

The standout character for me would be Amethyst with her no-nonsense attitude towards their mother throwing some shade at Gemworld or their unwillingness to give up when overcoming new challenges. A character that seeks to inspire - get it, girl!

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Diamonds are a girl's best friend.

Dollar Comics: Amethyst #1 (originally printed as Amethyst #1)

Dan Mishkin & Gar Cohn - writers

Ric Estrada & Ernie Colón - artists

John Costanza - letterer

Carl Gafford - colourist

Karen Berger - editor

Dollar Comics: Batman #386 (re:view)

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... a comic for your dollar! This time I'm bringing some Black Mask as he is literally birthed into the world to bring you some origin realness. Let's dive in!

The story is pretty much a character study of the character. From the offset, he is dropped as a child but their eyes are blackened like you can't read it and you know what they say... the eyes are the window to the soul. Thematically that's what plays throughout the whole comic: the idea of the face and losing yourself to it. This strongly strings the comic to be a really strong standing issue and introduction of Black Mask. 

The issue is like a metamorphosis of the character of Black Mask as a young child they are raised to a figurative mask and he adjourns throughout his childhood. Interestingly enough, he is at a similar age to Bruce Wayne I guess but instead of learning from his fear, he succumbs to it which drives him further down the rabbit hole or should I say a bandit hole. 

His character does have charisma and a certain charm to him which wins over the woman that he employs immediately and ummm... murders his parents so that their "face" is not tarnished. It's really disturbing at how far he can turn at a switch of a button which is further elevated by his controlling manner which ultimately would become his downfall in turning his business upside down. This is further empathised by him "losing face" which will actually lead him to even despise his own name, eventual breakdown and rise of the Black Mask crime syndicate. 

The art styling is quite dark, I guess if it's Batman of course it would be! There are moments of such horror especially the reveal of Black Mask's decaying face of his father or the formulation used to dissolve the face of his victims.

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Quite the strong offering! It reads more like a character study than a comic I'm used to reading as it explores the surface of the psyche of a disturbed character.

Dollar Comics: Batman #386 (reprint of Batman volume 1 #386)
Doug Moench - writer
Tom Mandrake - artist
John Costanza - letterer
Adrienne Roy - colourist
Len Wein - editor

True Believers: The Criminally Insane - Green Goblin #1 (re:view)

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... a comic for your dollar! I'm bringing you an introduction of the Green Goblin with Spidey and co. Let's dive in!

We're going to Hollywood baby! Hollywood film aficionado wants to make stars out of Spidey and co. He is like my spirit animal! I never felt more connected to anyone else in the Marvel universe! He simply lives for the drama of his art to find the next big thing. His visions are so blinded though which might be due to the fact he's surrounded himself with yes men. His main staple is to cast a big star and have hundreds of dancing girls which sounds like my type of musical - werk!

GG plays off with his scheming ways and methodical thinking which nicely sets up that ending of mystery (but we know all know who he is!). His flying mechanical broomstick which doubles up helpful on many occasions as you don't want to be riding a one-trick pony. Who imagine he would become such a tour-de-force in the universe! Poor Spidey - he asks for no trouble yet the first new supervillain on the block goes directly for him. 

You know Peter Parker is such a play-ah with Liz and Betty on-the-go. I guess he did pave the way for other such characters like Nova who forms part of the side of teenage underdog but starts to win at life (kinda). It's nice that you see him stand up to the bullies and in a way when Spidey stands up to the Enforcers that form Green Goblin's posse in the issue. 

Hulk is brought in to boost the ratings literally and figuratively in that the cave that they fight in "coincidentally" is the hideout for the Hulk... Guaranteed thump-fest galore with no room to disappoint! Spidey can't catch a break!

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It's a fun issue with a lot of action sets with a guest star from the Hulk and the introduction to the nefarious Green Goblin - what's not to love?

True Believers: The Criminally Insane - Green Goblin #1 (reprint of Amazing Spider-Man volume 1 #14)
Stan Lee - writer
Steve Ditko - illustrator 
Art Simek - letterer

True Believers: Iron Man 2020 - Pepper Potts #1 (re:view)

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... a comic for your dollar! This time I'm bringing you some Christmas magic - I mean - frosty magic as Iron Man takes on umm... Jack Frost. Let's dive in!

The story is a ringer when one of Tony Stark's scientist goes rogue to steal some trade secrets. It's quite funny as Tony considers him to be his most trusted scientist so I'd be worried how much of a gallery of supervillains he's harbouring. Jack Frost adopts the name after even saying it's on the cheesy side but what can you say though... Iceman called, he wants his wig back. He does throw some icy puns but he should go all ice pun queen up in this place and go full cheese to score those extra brownie puns (and then be locked up in Marvel vault to never be seen again).

The issue does introduce Pepper Potts as a woman with a lot of crust as she brings buckets of shade to Happy Hogan who is just coming in for his first day. He definitely can hold his own though and gives it back as good as he can get. His actions and thoughts make him for an admirable character.

Tony does show his vulnerable side here without his suit, he does run into when he needs some juice to stimulate his heart back into action. He becomes papier-mâché in the arms of Happy which is quite different side to see than the steel casted iron suit he synonymously adjourns. The most hysterical part is seeing him plugged directly into the wall socket to charge himself like a human power bank. Just need to invent wireless charging and bob's your uncle. He's quite buff in his early days and I wouldn't mind having a slice of that cheesecake. 

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Tony and I are on a first-name basis.

True Believers: Iron Man 2020 - Pepper Potts #1
Stan Lee - story 
Script - Robert Bernstein
Don Heck - art
Sam Rosen - lettering

True Believers: The Criminally Insane - Klaw #1 (re:view)

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... a comic for your dollar! Black Panther heightened senses something this way comes as he tracks it down to the US of A. Let's dive in!

It's pretty interesting to see Black Panther venture to the US for the first time and skips over public relations in the pursuit of just exploring the commercial side. It's showing more of the business person than the politician. I guess it's important to keep your guard up especially with the number of resources that Wakanda has. If it was me, I'll be like "politics? What's that, hun?"

I like a good swish and flick with the likes of Daredevil and Spidey but the Black Panther has their unique styling with his crouched approach and clawed, striking movements. I never really liked his costume compared to the rest of the Avengers due to the blandness but seeing it now I have a real appreciation for it as it just makes sense. It's dark sheen Black Panther's costume camouflages them in the dark. There's a backstory too which quickly provides depth to the story including the villain who is quickly disposed of mysteriously though (never trust the cover!). And there's ummm... Windeagle... I don't know what else to add there. 

I was half expecting an epic team-up with the cover but quite frankly Black Panther wanted to go it alone and I don't blame him after receiving quite shady words from the Captain Shady. Black Panther has to take down the Thunderbolts gang who have inherited the Klaw's umm... claw which is cleverly worked a device that sonically creates a physical being of the imagination which I can imagine can be very, very fun to play with. 

The ending itself is a goosebumps moment as Cap knowing it's not gonna end well steps in and says they will fight as Avengers... my god!

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It's a beautiful new beginning for Black Panther - get it!

True Believers:  The Criminally Insane - Klaw #1 (originally printed as Black Panther volume 1 #14)
Ed Hannigan - writer
Jerry Bingham - penciler
Gene Day - inker
Rick Parker - letterer
Nielson Yomtov - colourist
Roger Stern - editor
Jim Shooter - editor-in-chief

True Believers: Conan: Serpent War #0 - The Valley of the Worm (re:view)

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... a comic for your dollar! This time I'm bringing you some uuum.... worm realness as a might warrior attempts to take it down. Let us dive in!

The story is somewhat of a beautiful metaphor for a person named James Allison, who is dying, where he is transported into a dream to the land of Niord where he is engulfed in a battle between tribes. It's sad as there is a real sadness in that when an attempt to slay the worm fails, his life in the real world diminishes too which is a beautiful mirror to look at it. 

The art itself is sending my wig with the fine detailing of the abs and pecs... I mean the ferocity and savagery of the lit-er-ral slayage. I like that the women do get their hands dirty too. The art styling of what resembles Big Foot (I always knew BF existed!) calls upon the big worm who is in fact really terrifying and got my boots quaking. The detailing of the creature is astonishing!

It's kind of ironic that a whole tribe is slain in the most gruesome way bar one who is spared which equates to world peace after an agreement has been carried out between the two tribes. More to the fact that the that Gorm (the person spared) is, in fact, a woman after James astonishingly calls them an "old woman". She wasn't even sporting a bra. I never knew the #freethenipple campaign started this early and living for it!

But anyway, euphemism count:

• Tom-toms throbbed
• Gorm's great hole in the earth
• From the shaft, there rose something -- inhuman
• Hands that held the wierdling pipe

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Asgard gets a mention! (Albeit probably not the one I'm thinking of but still!). James and I are on a first-name basis

True Believers: Conan: Serpent War #0 - The Valley of the Worm (originally printed as Supernatural Thrillers #3)

Roy Thomas & Gerry Conway - scripters

Gil Kane - artist

Ernie Chua - inker

Adapted from a story by Robert E. Howard

Marvel - publisher

True Believers: X-Men - Kitty Pryde & Emma Frost #1 (re:view)

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... a comic for your dollar! This time I'm bringing you some White Queen realness as the X-Men encounter the Hellfire Club in person for the very first time. Let's dive in!

I read this during my teen years so I'm very well acquainted with this issue and it also marks the first appearance of Kitty Pryde and Emma Frost! The story is a strong one as there are many different facets that come together from the projected visions Jean Grey experiences to a mysterious group that observes them that is the Hellfire Club. I love that it all ties in centrally (which will eventually lead into the Dark Phoenix saga) as I feel like what it leads to a very big sha-bang!

The themes of doing what's right against the morals as seen in Colossus is quite strong in the issue and it's a theme that crops up multiple times in the X-Men series. I love how nobility, integrity and honesty in the lines being blurred with the characters especially in characters of Colossus (ironically it's also why the relationship ended between him and Kitty due to her being underage). The theme carries over with Professor X returns as he leads with the baby basics while Cyclops argues that they've grown from their experiences on the field.

The Hellfire Club clothing line always so fierce with their period style quality to them which exude premier class to them. This is shown when Emma Frost steps on to the scene to ultimately finish the job of capturing the X-Men that her lackies failed in doing. It feels like a wonderful metaphor of sending the pawns in first but the queen being the powerful piece comes in to finish the job (like Chess which is so prevalent in the X-Men world. The society is cut-throat when she orders the execution of said lackies which really shows off her character as being one not to be messed with. 

The issue introduces the sweetheart Kitty who is just about understanding the world around her with her sparky and inquisitive nature but throws up some caution to the wind. Being so young, she does pick things up so quickly in that she steps up to go gung-ho in saving the X-Men from their chapter. It beautifully sets up a character you know is going to be full of spunk.

The issue cements the greatest love story of all time (well, except ummm... Romeo and Juliet and umm... Catherine and Heathcliff) with the development of Scott and Jean's love story. 

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Don't mess with Colossus as he's about to be taken.

True Believers: X-Men - Kitty Pryde & Emma Frost #1 (originally printed as Uncanny X-Men volume 1 #129)

Chris C;aremont and John Byrne - writers

Terry Austin - inker

Tom Orzechowski - letterer

Bob Sharen - colourist

Roger Stern - editor 

Jim Shooter - editor-in-chief

True Believers: X-Men - Betsy Braddock #1 (re:view)

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... a comic for your dollar! This time I'm bringing you SLAY realness as nefarious villain throw some shady illusions at Betsy to take on her brother Captain Britain. Let's dive in! 

I actually own the first two volumes of Captain Britain so this is somewhat of familiar grounds to me. The story itself starts straight off the bat into action along London's Regent Street as the Cap takes down some no-dogooders with assistance lady cop friend. I love how offbeat it seems to have this futuristic car scaling up the buildings of Regent Street but I'm living for it. 

Love that the settings are so closer to home as it moves to the South Bank where we find Brian's date interrupted by his sister and then ummm... things escalate real quick. I love how things just jump from one calm walk down the South Bank and bam! A plane crash!

The art style is beautifully drawn with the backdrops minimal at best but brings the subject more in focus such as the entrance of Dr Synne or even the walk on the snowy grounds of the South Bank. The monster illusions brought up by Dr Synne is beautifully drawn giving a frightening depth to them especially when Brian envisions what resemble hells and it's dwellers. 

Can't miss this out as Brian has a Jen Walters/She-Hulk moment:

The contrast between when Brian is hit with the illusions and slowly succumbing to it is shown in his body language and the coloured background design which is a beautiful detail to have added in.

The character of Dr Synne is really fun to watch as he randomly pops up and wrecks havoc on the Braddocks. Love his seemingly illusionary powers as he shoots these trance laser from his eyes as well as taunts Brian at every show interval. 

Love how Brian seems to have adopted the powers of a millisecond thought as Betsy hurtles towards him with an axe (she really her brothers a good run for their money with it): 

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Brian and I are on a first-name basis.

True Believers: X-Men - Betsy Braddock #1 (originally printed as Captain Britain volume 1 #8 - 10)
Chris Claremont - writer
Herb Trimpe and Fred Kida - artists
Irving Watanabe - letterer
George Roussos - colourist
Larry Lieber - editor