Emypre: Fantastic Four #0 (re:view)

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... the Fantastic Four! The Fantastic Four are stranded in space and luck be the lady that they enter a barter system to try and themselves off the planet. Let's dive in!

It's kind of so much going on in the comic especially which is part of the pre-stage for the Empyre main course issue. The Kree-Skrull war is being told through an arena with a less known sibling of the Grandmaster, the Profiteer (gosh, interesting name *sarcasm*). Evil must run in the family!

The Fantastic Four are new the contenders as the Thing and Human Torch also takes on to the arena to fight the battle. The "Ready? Fight" in my mind was always said in a Bishi Bashi way. A history lesson in Fantastic Four 101 in the issue tells that that the FF actually got the Kree and the Skrulls to work together in the past against them. Lo and behold that's the same scenario that Ben and Johnny are plumped into which ultimately leads them to adopt the cuuuute Kree and Skrull children. My heart just skipped a beat.

On the Suzie side, she goes to check on her children who have actually sold on their mode of transport so they can get some chips to gamble at the local casino. It's just so weird seeing them as I remember them as wee children and oh my have they grown! Baby Valeria is no baby anymore as their livelihood away until Susan has something to say about that. I actually love - spoiler alert - that Susan actually helps them cheat their way to a gazillion winnings. Such a mum but not a mum with responsibility but being irresponsible too (I guess they need that ka-ching though).

Love the underlying compassionate message too where there should be no bystander and to take a stand for what you believe in... no, fighting for what is right. The FF essentially save the children from being slaves.

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It's a soft landing for the main course (it does feel like a FF regular issue rather than a big scale wide event though) but I'm here to see where their next adventure takes them.

Emypre: Fantastic Four #0
Dan Slott - writer
R.B. Silva and Sean Izaakse - artists

Marte Gracia and Marcio Menyz - colour artists

VC's Joe Caramagna - letterer

Genesis #0 Halloween Comic Fest (re:view)

Welcome to a world of adventure with... Genesis! I've not heard of American Anthology Productions before but very excited to dive into the world of Edgar Rice Burroughs. Let's head straight in!

First up we have an excerpt from The Land That Time Forgot - amazing title, come get it! This is really hard to follow actually and I would probably say not a great excerpt to have chosen to lead too. There's been no standout character that captured me and there seem to be No-Prize moments when a bite in the shoulder becomes a bite on another shoulder (two snaps for attention to detail). I found that it's difficult trying to discern the expressions of the people when they're in the distance. I would have given it a chance but that snippet just doesn't do it for me. Maybe cut one title (four stories in total) from the comic would have given it more breathing space to flesh it out.

Next up, we have an excerpt from Pellucidar: At Earth's Core #1. Have no idea what Pellicidar is but I know that it does open with beautiful prose of sorts with theology, science and what have you. The artwork is amazing and it's pretty simple to follow. We find a couple who follow this Pterodactyl-looking thing and they're venturing into the core of Earth to get to Pellucidar. Lot of slay, slay, slay of creatures that resemble part of Mole Man's posse. Not much to go by but I'm living for it.

The one after is a snippet is from the Moon Maid. First thing I notice is that the art does share striking likeness as the previous snippet with the continuous fun carrying on. The creatures do resemble a purple half-human, half-goat being with no intelligence than to bludgeon and eat the flesh of their prey. Talk about being thrown into the deep end. A couple is, of course, teleported in to save the Moon Maid from such monstrous creatures but the backstory I find does not serve the Moon Maid well to the fact she persuaded someone who is close to her father to their death... The action is fun to watch though as they bounce to and throw from not a land where gravity isn't quite 100%.

Thank god - there's some humour up in this place! We seem the couple from the previous story which already puts a friendly face. There's much more fun as they take out killer parrots and the living dead. It's a bit over-the-top but I'm ba-da-ba-ba-ba I'm lovin' it. The thing here is the amount of humour in this segment for example when the main character is congratulated for getting a good shot, she replies that she was going for the one behind that one.

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I would probably have to give the first a miss and try out the other three for size.

Goosebumps: Monsters at Midnight #1: Halloween Comic Fest Edition (re:view)

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... Goosebumps! I don't think I've touched Goosebumps for over 15 years but it still holds a very dear place in my heart. I remember reading the books in sequence (had to skip a few as the local library didn't have all of them) and finding great enjoyment in being REALLY scared. So let's dive in!

The story follows two children Mia and Ginny as they embark on a journey to find a book Ginny's been dying to find out the ending of at a bookshop that they return to at night. Nothing is always as it seems though (usually the case with Goosebumps).

The first thing I noticed it the colour palate, it seems much lighter in tone to how I remembered it as a child but it works. This is helped further by the cartoonish detail of the style of art which going through each panel real natural.

Being the first issue, there's no real threat that establishes itself during the comic but is made up by the sheer fun quality to it, such as when the two kids sneak away from their grandmother to get to the bookshop they saw earlier (something I was always told never to do as a child but I guess this might become a parable to never leaving the grown-ups!). Another fun bit is when they're passing through the backward books section with some fun deciphering what Ginny is saying.

The characterisation of Mia and Ginny is quite strong with Mia being more of a worrywart and the one that looks out for her younger sis and Ginny is the curious one who seems much braver, which could be put down to her naivety. This makes for a good read with their interactions with each other and their surroundings.

The ending introduces - spoiler alert - Slappy! Thinking about it now, he didn't scare me much as a child but he did do the most horrendous things like slapping a child (I could be mistaking him for Chucky though - not that I watched Chucky during my childhood!)

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This is clearly aimed more for the younger audiences but there are moments that were actually really fun to be had. I want to see where they go next and what Slappy is like now as he was from the many years ago when they first stepped on the scene.

Goosebumps: Monsters at Midnight #1: Halloween Comic Fest Edition
Writer - Jeremy Lambert
Art - Chris Fenoglio
Colours - Brittany Peer
Letters - Christa Miesner
Assistant Editor - Chase Marotz
Editor - Sarah Gaydos
Publisher - Greg Goldstein

Dark Red #1 Halloween Comicfest edition

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... Halloween ComicFest! This time I'm giving you some creepy realness as Chip has to contend to life. Let's dive in!

The writing is kept simple which I luurve so I can get to grips with the story itself. Internalised thoughts are kept to a minimum but I guess it's because of the way Chip lives a secluded life that he's able to speak his internalised thoughts without the repercussions of not having anyone around. This helps develop the characters as well as Evie who seemingly has magic powers to overproduced blood which in turn helps Chip with their sustenance. 

Not much story but a lot of setting up for later issues I'm guessing so it does make the issue feel short despite being a full-length comic book issue. There are an action sequence which comes out of the blue due to the attraction from other vampires in wanting the same drink Chip is having. There is some character development which helps I guess to jump to greater heights in the next issues since we kinda know who they are.

The black and white style does lend itself to seeing things more clear but I expected some gore but the gore is subdued which helps me to actually follow it a bit more. It tends to feel like if more gore involved would taken the focus off the characters (but that's just me).

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Set me up for that second ish, babes!

Dark Red #1 Halloween Comicfest edition (reprint of Dark Red #1)

Tim Seeley - writer

Corin Howell - artist

Marshall Dillon - cover

Mike Marts - editor

Empyre #0 (re:view)

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... Empyre with an r! The Avengers answer a call for help on the moon and are met with an old friend and enemy. Let's dive in!

The issue despite set on the moon didn't exactly send my wig into orbit. It's overall a slow zinger of an issue but I guess everything needs to be set up despite having the "Incoming" issue to do just that. It does set up the Skrulls and Kree teaming up to exact revenge on the Cotati. It's not too strong enough of a setup to heavily invest in the Cotati whereas the Skrulls and the Kree is just second nature to me since I've read many of stories growing up.  

It's interesting to see the #0 issue is told from the perspective of Iron Man since this will be in the back Hulkling's playing field crossover event. It's clear that he does suffer from a sort of trauma brought on by memories that were implanted into him of the Skrull-Kree war but then in the middle of the issue it's a cleansing of souls when he is "baptised" by the rain of Thor. I wonder how much of this will play into the main event or even tie in. If it is a one-off thing then I would say it would have been of better use to use the panels to build up the Cotati a bit more for the main course. 

There's only a handful of characters but some immediately just head into the background like Black Panther and Captain America (I actually forgot the Cap was in the issue too). Then the reintroduction of the Swordsman is sort of a nice welcome I guess seeing it all tie in together the whole issue of the incoming war. I honestly can't see how the Avengers is able to take down 2 armies when they barely could take down a mutated Skrull in Kree armoury in this very issue combined with the might of Cotati who are deemed as pacifists. We shall see!

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Not of the strongest crossover event starter but I'll pick up the next issue to see where it takes off.

Empyre #0

Al Ewing - writer

Pepe Larraz - artist

Marte - colour aritst

VC's Joe Caramagna - letterer

Marvel - publisher

True Believer: Empyre - Hulkling #1 (re:view)

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... a comic for your dollar! This time I'm bringing you some Romeo and Romeo family feud as the Kree and Skrull fight over Hulkling to bring some rule realness. Let's dive in!

It jumps right into the history of the Hulkling's heritage which I'm no stranger to when it comes to Marvel history 101. It's pretty interesting to see that the Kree are, shall we say, a bit more forceful in bringing Hulkling in by stunning him so that they could do so. Umm... talk about treating the next heir with such dignity. The Skrulls, on the other hand, seems more humane in their approach in that they ask that they come with them. There's a sense of urgency as both sides close in on Hulkling and ring the alarm - the Avengers are called in to assist. This creates a perfect pace for the balance of history, action, and storytelling as they a strung together neatly. 

The standout characters for me would be the Super Skull and Hulkling. It's nice to see a different side to the Super Skrull who always seemed hellbent on bringing the Fantastic Four down so it's nice to see a touching moment between Hulkling and Super Skrull. Hulkling. Wiccan's another great character with his witty, quick jibes which brings great humour to the issue. 

The art styling is clean-cut with standout moments as the New Avengers enter the fray and a beautifully drawn double-page spread of a battle sequence taking place with a tragic moment centred smack down in the middle. There are distinct speech bubbles that I love such as ones used for flashbacks, Skrulls and Vision's speeches which create a memorable finish to the issue.

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There's so much left hanging with the ultimate cliffhanger and what will become of the Hulkling.

True Believer: Empyre - Hulkling #1 (originally printed as Young Avengers #11)
Allan Heinberg - writer
Jim Cheung - penciler
Livesay, Jay Leisten, Dave Meikis, Matt Ryan and Jaime Mendoza - inkers
Justin Ponsor - colourist
VC's Cory Petit - letterer
Marvel  - publisher

True Believers: Empyre - Quoi #1 (re:view)

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... a comic for your dollar! This time I'm bringing you a family affair realness as Mantis returns to the planet of their former love and their son as Thanos works up a storm in the background. Let's dive in!

This is part 3 of Celestial Quest but I could kind of get the gist of what's going on... Scarlet Witch is so "over" Vision, Vision gets jiggy jiggy with Mantis and Thanos gets their freak on. It's a mellow storyline that blends Star Wars action with high galactic storytelling rooting into Mantis's past as they try and mend her relationship with her child. It's a nice departure from the clap-bang action and brings it back to a subtleness in the quiet pace of the family drama.

Vision "envisions" (hey? Uh... I'll see myself out) life in space as he tantalises on the relationship formed with Mantis and a fresh outlook in life. He talks sex ed with Scarlet Witch (the words s-e-x was said - shock, horror!) and gives no chill when describing the details to his former bar. I just don't understand in this world where android display such human emotion as Vision does (jealousy above all) that they're still so discriminated in the current stage of the world but hey ho.

Mantis is the main staple and to be honest, I've never known about her much in the Marvel Universe (which comes to show how rich the universe is I guess!) that she has such wondrous powers in that she can call upon the stars to strike down spaceships with ma-hoo-sive concussive energy blasts. Who'd that funk it?! It's nice to see the character fledged out as she catches up with her former bae the Swordsman and reconciles with her son. A gentle reminder of the very human (or alien) nature of storytelling which is beautifully done. It's kind of funny as there was an Avengers issue where both the Vision's and Mantis's origin are done in the same issue. Get that full circle!

Thanos is another character imbued with incredible powers to grant other powers. Their story fits in that I'm sure is going to collide in Mantis's path in proportionate ways especially when Death comes knocking on their door.

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It's a refreshing departure with the constant crash, clang, bang of actions as it takes it back to family drama realness.

True Believers: Empyre - Quoi #1 (originally printed as Avengers Celestial Quest #3)
Stainless Steve Englehart - author
Jorge Santamaría - pencil artist
Scott Hanna - colourist
Sharpefont's Paul Tutrone - letterer

Dollar Comics: Batman: Shadow of the Bat #1 (re:view)

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... a comic for your dollar! This time I'm bringing you some creepy Arkham goodness gracious me as we explore a disturbing look into Arkham Asylum. Let's dive in!

The issue explores the character of Jeremiah Arkham as they follow in the footsteps of his uncle in taking over the Asylum. It seems more of a character study than a comic book issue with moments of when I can see that Arkham becomes one with one of a "lunatic" as they try to rob someplace. Arkham pulls a psychological play on him which ultimately causes the person to pull the trigger on them. Oh, what's the saying? Takes one to know one - disturbing stuff! It does set up the rest of the issue.

Arkham's are umm... unconventional to say the least with practices that are completely inhumane. It does send complete shivers to see how disturbing their actions and how remorseless it seems in the actions in that they see no consequence of their action from forced medication or forcing someone awake just as they hit the dream state. It's nice to see some familiar faces with more of a cameo appearance from the Joker and the Scarecrow being subjected to Arkham's torments. 

And then bam! There's no Batman comic without some Robin action (excuse the pun) which is beautifully drawn but fills a kind of out of place without context which is then topped up with an appearance from Nightwing. It's quite the zinger nonetheless. I'm sure this will fit in the grand scheme of things.

The questions I had in mind was when is Batman turning up and when is Batman turning up? It's quite interesting to see Batman so powerless and a prisoner of Arkham as Arkham tries to break Batman down. It's most certainly different to the gloss comics I've come accustomed to but I welcome this to the fold with open arms. 

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It'll be interesting to see how Batman overcomes such an adversary as they are subjected to such cruel practices of Arkham.

Dollar Comics: Batman: Shadow of the Bat #1 (originally printed as Batman: Shadow of the Bat #1)

Alan Grant - writer

Norm Breyfogle - artist

Todd Klein - letterer

Adrienne Roy - colourist

Brian Stelfreeze - cover

True Believers: Fantastic Four - Klaw #1 (re:view)

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... a comic for your dollar! Klaw makes his Marvel debut as they take on the might of the Black Panther and Fantastic Four. Let's dive in!

Black Panther gets that side hustle when he relays his story to the Fantastic Four and of course, the Thing has no chill with butting in and saying they've heard it a gazillion times in countless stories like the Jungle Book or whatnot. I mean hun, take a down a notch will ya! BP is trying to tell their story of injustice, loss and death of their father and people. 

It's kind of weird that Susan still seems like a secondary character in this issue like when they start running towards the trouble, Suzie exclaims for Reed to slow down (which is a bit weird considering that Susan has had SHIELD training during these times too according to the recent Invisible Woman run). 

Klaw is working some high fashion as he returns from BP's story sporting a new uh... claw that converts sound into physical kinetic energy which makes for high fun. Just the power to create instant runways or a dance troupe is good in my books. It's quite the nifty power to have the ability to use your imagination to create physical sound. All that for some ka-ching in getting that vibranium realness.

What I don't understand is that Black Panther could have replicated the device from Klaw after obtaining it and created defences for Wakanda. I guess it could be that Black Panther did want to replicate a device that killed their father and a lot of their people in protecting their land and people. 

The technology has most certainly come far when Susan is impressed by Black Panther's massive music system that is sporting a tape recorder. It's also nice to see the culture there too with all the fashion and dance displays (they actually get credit but a confusing one at that as "ballet" is in the title of the troupe). 

The ending got me... the Fantastic Four could be the reason why the Black Panther exists in the Marvel universe after they persuaded BP to continue on the mantle of the Black Panther after questioning whether they should continue after - spoiler alert - defeating Klaw. 

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It's nice to see a new setting for the Fantastic Four and Black Panther's story is quite the compelling one.

True Believers: Fantastic Four - Klaw #1 (originally printed as Fantastic Four volume 1 #53)

Stan Lee - scripter

Jack Kirby - art

Joe Sinnot - inker

Artie Simek - letterer

The Ballet Forbush Terpsichorean Troupe - native dance