REVIEW: The Walking Dead #157

Writer: Robert Kirkman
Penciler, cover: Charlie Adlard
Inker: Stefano Gaudiano
Gray tones: Cliff Rathburn
Review: Madman

I used to read the hell out of this series. I say 'used to' because I simply lost interest awhile back. Awhile being about a year-ish ago, maybe longer, but to put it plainly it just got boring. The story lines seemed repetitive, drawn out, pointless and, lets face it, the series' art between the covers hasn't changed much from way back when to the present day, and it probably won’t. I personally watch the television program TWD religiously. I eat that stuff up. Even though the show was wicked awesome, I just couldn’t force myself to care about a George Clinton clone with a pet tiger in the middle of the zombie apocalypse. Nothing against George, either. Funk music is my guilty pleasure and I love tigers as much as the next guy, it’s just the book lost it's sense of “realism” which is what drew me to it in the first place. So, yeah, I just quit cold turkey but then noticed this issue. It’s the start of a new six issue arc called “The Whisperer War”, and I decided to jump back on the wagon again.

REVIEW: Postal #13

Creator:  Matt Hawkins
Writer:  Bryan Hill
Artist:  Isaac Goodhart
Colorist:  K. Michael Russell
Letterer:  Troy Peteri
Review:  Art Bee

In the 2015 Hammy Awards Postal was my pick for Best New Comic, and it was one of three (Manifest Destiny and Darth Vader were the other two) considered for comic of the year this year. When this comic hit the scene, it completely blindsided me. I was oblivious to what it offered but was pleasantly surprised. Postal is the complete package.

The setting and plot of Postal is stated best in Hill’s own word at the beginning of this issue:

”The town of Eden, Wyoming, was founded in secret as an off-the-grid haven for criminals. Either to establish a new identity or escape from the outside world.” 

This town’s mayor is Laura Shiffron, the widow of the founder,Isaac. The central character of the series is Mark Shiffron, Laura’s son, who has Asperger’s Syndrome. Mark serves a particular niche in this isolated society as Post Master and a problem solver. Eden’s success stands on a knife edge with internal control on one side and staying hidden from the outside world on the other. Currently Laura’s biggest concern is the latter.

2016 Hammy Awards

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! Behold, this year's Hammy Awards! Where the writing staff gives a wink and a nod to the finest in comicdom and throws some serious shade at the undesirables.
Important opinions herein!

REVIEW: Beauty #8 - 9

Story: Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley
Art:  Brett Weldele
Lettering & Design: Fonografiks
Review:  Art Bee

Last year Image started publishing Beauty and I was all up on that band wagon. This series has been a great addition to my folder each month with the exception of the last two issues. The current arc is a quite disappointing, and I want to share my disappointment with you.

The first six issues of Beauty were all about the virus known as Beauty. Many things were going on in the story arc, but the foundation was to introduce readers to the virus and its effects. The virus infects the person and changes their body to make them more attractive:  fat melts away, features look more appealing, hair thickens and shines, muscles tone up, wrinkles smooth out, etc. A nasty result of the virus though is a slight chance of exploding.

After issue #6 the creators go back to various events that happen during or before the first story arc to help readers see how the virus changes and shapes other people’s lives.