REVIEW: Eric Henson’s Eden #1

Story & Pencils: Eric Henson
Inks: Michael Babinski
Colors: Stephen Downer
Letters: Robert Dean
Review: Art Bee

Why do I love science fiction so much? The answer is most assuredly anything can happen at any time and anywhere in this or another universe. The only limitation is in the mind of the creator.
This comic’s cover was definitely this issue’s attraction; main reason being the slender four eyed alien on the cover. It sealed the deal wonderfully.

 Alterna Comics has been quickly moving up my list of favorite publishers mostly for two reasons:  newsprint pages and price point (most issues are ony $1.50). Not too long ago I reviewed Doppelgänger #1, and between it and this issue, the publisher seems to be producing some top shelf stories. A bigger investment will provide more information.

Eden #1 is an action-packed story set in 2714 after an alien race, called the Nomads, has conquered Earth and sent the surviving humans to an alien refugee world, Eden.
The main character is Brigadier General Neriah Willis. She is almost a cliché badass, but that is one of the few clichés I don’t mind. Who doesn’t like the hero to be a badass with a putz sidekick, a man called Christian in this case.

REVIEW: Unnatural #1

Writer, artist & colorist: Mirka Andolfo
Colors assistant: Gianluca Papi
Lettering & production: Fabio Amejia
Review: Will Dubbeld

Leaps and bounds above manga, in my opinion, are Eurocomics.
Though wildly popular, manga tends to adhere to a handful of stylized artistic choices for the most part and simply lacks the diversity I’ve come to expect out of comics.
European comics, in contrast, run the gamut. 
From Moebius to Manara and all points in between, there’s a layered artistic aesthetic I don’t find in their Japanese counterparts, leading me to choose Schtroumpfs over Dragon Ball any day.

Unfortunately, manga is much more prevalent in the casual market. Domestic companies have done far better a job at translating, importing, and marketing manga in an affordable manner so kudos to them. Euro books are much more scarce and oftentimes collected in pricier collections.

I nearly passed over Unnatural at first glance but, upon learning it was a domestic translation of an Italian comic, quickly ordered a copy.
I was not disappointed.

REVIEW: Rob Guillory’s Farmhand #1

Created, written, and drawn by Rob Guillory
Colors by Taylor Wells
Letters by Kody Chamberlain
Review by Art Bee

When you first enter into a bakery, the smell that hits you makes you aware of the comfort within the door, dazzling you with an airy spell-like seduction. Our local bakery is one of my very favorite places to go and sit for a donut and a cup of joe, since the bakery is connected to a café. The blend of the smells makes me feel like the world is right.
Farmhand #1 gave me a similar feeling, and I think I am going to live here for a spell.

This comic started enchanting me through the beautiful images I saw as I thumbed through the issue at my LCS. More on that soon...
When I bought this comic book, my first thought was, “another zombie book”.
Guess what…
I was dead wrong (pun intended).

The story starts with Ezekiel (Zeke) Jenkins and his sister, Andrea (Andy), investigating an attack in the chicken coup when they find their father buried in the ground. This obviously freaks the kids out as they are under the impression he is on a business trip. While trying to dig him up something strange happens to Zeke when he touches his father. 

REVIEW: Shanghai Red #1

Art/Colors/Cover: Joshua Hixson
Script/Design: Christopher Sebela
Letters: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Review: Art Bee

At some point in each our lives, aren’t we all enthralled with pirates?
Through most of my teenage years, I was. That was quite a while before Pirates of the Caribbean hit the silver screen but from the sound of many that triggered or retriggered their interest. Since that movie series hit theatres, pirates seem too much of a grand stand for me.

A week ago when I picked up my comics from my LCS, staring at me was a cover that was attractive and intriguing. Without any more knowledge aside from the cover, my guess was it was a pirate story, and I decided to give it a try.

For many centuries the seas have been the lifeline of commerce. It was the job of people called, “boarding masters”, to supply ample bodies for shipping crews. Along the west coast of the U.S. it became common to incapacitate a man and forge his name on a contract to serve on a ship. Once contracted to serve it was illegal to abandon the job until the end of the contract. Most of these voyages were connected to Shanghai, China, which gives the name to the practice (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghaiing). 

REVIEW: Batman #50

Writer: Tom King
Artist: Mikel Janin
Colorist: June Chung
Review: Madman

Well, here we go. The long awaited super-sized issue jam-packed full of Bat-Goodness, and the world shattering wedding of the Batman and Catwoman has finally arrived!
I’ve read through the issue a couple of times now and, for the life of me, can’t make up my mind if I like it or not. Maybe the build up and energy DC put into this climactic issue raised my expectations and made me want it a little too much…

After reading the Prelude to the Wedding books, which I really enjoyed, as well as The Best Man story arc in Batman issues 48 and 49 I expected this issue to blow my mind... Well, it was more like a soggy Snap Pop. Batman #49 was so, so good. I’d go as far as to say it is my favorite issue of Batman I have read in a long time…and Batman didn’t even have that big of a part to play in the issue. Most of the heavy lifting went to The Joker and Catwoman.

THE SHOTGUN BLAST!

(Apologies, McGirk)
Review: Will Dubbeld

So, Marvel relaunches for the umpteenth time, and I buy in for the umpteenth time.
I can’t help it.
I’ve been a dedicated Marvel Zombie since the ‘80s and have largely enjoyed their fare. I’m not viewing the company through rose-colored spectacles, mind you. There’s been PLENTY of foibles and writing gaffes I’ve hated, causing me to skip most of the ‘90s, because I thought the books were trash.
It’s okay. Marvel Zombies are allowed to dislike things.
An objective reader and fan of the Last Great American Art Form can dislike things and not spew vitriol across the Internet, however...
With a few exceptions, of course.

All in all, I’ll take Marvel’s relaunches any day of the week over a hard continuity reboot. I can pick up an issue of Spider-Man and read with confidence; comfortable in the knowledge that the Peter Parker therein is the same Peter Parker from Amazing Fantasy #15.
He’s not from Earth-12, or Post-Crisis-Pre-Flashpoint Peter Parker. He’s the same down-on-his-luck, wheatcake eatin’ Puny Parker, and I’ll take character shakeups over Crisis anytime.

Anyway here’s Wonderwall...

REVIEW: Hawkman #1

Writer: Robert Venditti
Penciller: Bryan Hitch
Inkers: Andrew Currie & Bryan Hitch
Colorist: Alex Sinclair
Review: Madman

Today is a good day. I was so, so happy to hear DC was releasing a new Hawkman book.
I don’t follow DC very much except for the Batman book. Although I will read any Hawkman comic thrown at me; I just love the character. When I was a youngster my best buddy from down the alley, Dustin, had all the Justice League toys complete with the Hall of Justice. Of course, since they were his toys, he always chose Batman and Superman, and I always got Martian Manhunter and Hawkman. That was perfectly fine with me. Looking back that’s probably where I fell in love with the character even before I’d read any Hawkman comics.

I was even more excited to read this book when I saw the amazing variant cover by Stjepan Sejic. I don’t get too excited about most variant covers like some of my buddies, but I promptly snatched this bad boy up in all its majestic glory.
Speaking of artwork, Bryan Hitch’s illustrations between the covers is on point and really does make my soul hurt thinking about how long I have to wait before the second issue drops.
Damn you, flux capacitor! Why have you forsaken me?!!!