SUICIDERS

Publisher: DC/Vertigo

Writer/Artist: Lee Bermejo

Colors: Matt Hollingsworth

Suiciders is the perfect book to show that you can’t always make a decision based on the first issue of a series. Even though we all do. There have been plenty of titles I have never read beyond the first issue, originally Suiciders was to be one of them.

In post-apocalyptic city of New Angeles, Los Angeles after the US cut it loose, a man called The Saint is the top fighter in a blood sport known as SUICIDERS.

This past week my comic book store pulled issue two for me because I had purchased issue one, even though I didn’t have it on my pull list. They are good like that. If they hadn’t, I would have passed.

I’m glad they did. I didn’t really care for the first issue, but I really like issue two. It revealed more of the story, give us deeper characterization, moved things along at a better place and added a new element or two. Over all issue two is far better than issue one.

I need to give Lee Bermejo great credit for writing and drawing Suiciders. His art is the best part of this title. I love it. Many post-apocalyptic books don’t work because the art is too clean and smooth. Here, Lee gives us a down, dirty, gritty and hard style that actually looks like LA after ‘The Big One.’ This world looks like one on edge.

Matt Hollingsworth colors are the perfect compliment.

If you haven’t picked up Suiciders 1 or 2, I say do it. You’ll enjoy it. 

FINALS THOUGHT: I am glad I did pick up this second issue. It is far better than the first issue and has me now wanting the next issue and to learn what the story really is. The fact that the second issue was better than the first, gives me great hope that each issue will improve.

RATNG: 6.5

RED ONE ISSUE 1

Publisher: Image

Writer: Xavier Dorison

Artist: Terry Dodson

The Red One is and odd book for me to review. I have to give it a good review because there is nothing bad about the title, despite a couple of flaws. However, I also have to honestly state that I didn’t like the book.

The story takes place in the late 1970’s. The KGB sends a female agent to the US to kill a serial killer being hailed as a Super-Hero, and for herself to become America’s Super-Hero. An extremely interesting premise, and one I like.

The writing on the book is solid, with very good characterization, sharp dialog, strong plot and well-paced. A lot happens in this first issues, but nothing feel rushed.

The art is top notch and definitely lives up to the standard Image has set for great Artists and art.

So, why didn’t I like it? It may be because the main character in an incredible hot female KGB agent, who also seems to be incredible naïve and unprepared for an assignment in the USA. Especially for a Cold War era agent.

Truthfully, other than a few ‘typical’ spots, I can’t quiet put my finger on why I didn’t like it. Perhaps a second re-read is in order in the near future. Perhaps before issue two hits the stands.

FINAL THOUGHT: Like I said, odd review. This is a good title, even though I didn’t like it. That happens sometimes, for some reason it didn’t work for me.

That said, I would recommended this title. 

RATING: 6.5

Blood Queen vs. Dracula #1

Publisher: Dynamite

Writer: Troy Brownfield

Illustrations: Kewber Baal

This is a really good first issue that put everything into motion that we need to know for this series. It also answers a few questions I had from the previous Blood Queen run.

Dracula is fresh off defeating an Ottoman horde when he learns of rumors of a Queen Elizabeth who is said to bathe in the blood of Maidens. Intrigued, he investigates, wanting to know who this Elizabeth is.

He first comes across Leona, a practitioner of blood magic. His drinks of her blood and is shocked to discover such power in her.

We end this first issue with Dracula confronting the Blood Queen while she is bathing in blood. Rumors confirmed.

When I first heard about this title I thought, considering the first Blood Queen, that this should be a natural fit. So far, it looks to be good in that direction.

Everything in this issue work, the art, the script, the pacing, the characterization – all are on bloody point.

Unless I really missed something in the first Blood Queen, this title answers some questions.

When does Blood Queen takes place? 1500’s

Where does Blood Queen take place? Middle Europe.

Both makes sense. Here’s the biggie.

Who exactly is Elizabeth the Blood Queen? Dracula himself says she should be a “Countess at best.” 

Countess . . . Elizabeth? Elizabeth Bathoroy?

I need to re-read Blood Queen and see if I missed something.

The most interesting part of this for me was seeing Dracula portrayed in the Vlad Tepes historical role of fighting the Ottoman Empire. Setting up another question: Is this Dracula a good or bad guy?

FINAL THOUGHT: Really good first issue. Do not miss this one.

RATING: 7

D4VE

PUBLISHER: IDW
Writer: Ryan Ferrier
Art: Valentin Ramon

The Lube Tunnel, yeah!

D4VE answers all the questions you’ve ever asked about robots:
Can they get drunk? YES
Can they hold down jobs? YES
How do they have children? ORDER them of course.
Can robots have a mid-life crisis? YES

D4VE takes place in the far-flung robotic future after D4VE and his brethren have ‘cleared’ the entire galaxy. First they wiped out humanity, then wiped out everyone else.

We meet D4VE while he is daydreaming at his job, instead of working. We follow him in this first issue as he spirals into a mid-life crisis, longing for the days when he was a defense-bot. Now he is married, with an ORDERED son and a charge-sucking office job, and he can’t even remember the oil.

D4VE is a beautifully drawn and written title that is a great take on humanity and getting old . . . aka mid-life crisis. It is a metaphor for, and a parody of, what it means to be human. It showcases how stagnation can set into an individual and a society as a whole, when there is nothing to achieve and there is little desire to do anything.

D4VE may get his wish, unbeknownst to him a group of Bug like aliens have landed.

Now, the most important question, do you want to hang out with D4VE? YES. It will be good for your soul.

FINAL THOUGHTS: There is no doubt, D4VE is required reading.

RATING: 8

MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN #1

Publisher: King/Dynamite
Writer: Roger Langridge
Art/Colors: Jeremy Greece

This is the second title of the King/Dynamite books I have reviewed, the first being Flash Gordon. If either of this first issues are indicative of what all the mini-series will be like, then I have low hopes.

I hate to say this, but there was little to nothing that I liked about this debut issue. I didn’t care for the art style and the writing left a lot to be desired.

Whereas I though Flash came off like a cocky teen, Mandrake comes off as just an idiot. Plain and simple. There is nothing about this character and reminds me of Mandrake.

This feature review is short, but I have nothing more to say.

I would skip Mandrake.

RATING: 4

The Empty #1

### Note. Effective immediately, beginning with the below review, I will be spending the next week getting caught up on reviews for The Burning Mind. This may include multiple reviews per day. Once caught up, the normal schedule will resume, with articles as well. Ace. ###

Publisher: Image

Creator, Writer, Illustrator, Letterer and Colorist: Jimmie Robinson

I know nothing about Jimmie Robinson, but apparently the only thing he didn’t do on The Empty is print the damn thing – as far as I know.

I want to give Jimmie some great props for doing all the writing, art, letters and colors, any one of those is no easy task, all of them is just short of amazing.

The art to me is the best part of the empty. It is sleek, clean well-defined and near beautiful. The subtle difference between the people of ‘The World,’ and ‘The Empty’ are slight, but make each look unique and different.

My only issue with the art is that it is too clean in ‘The Empty,” I feel it should be dirty or at least grittier. Tanoor, the female hunter of her village, fits into an apocalyptic world, with scares across her body and bandages for clothing. Some of her village brethren look a little to clean though.

The script is not quite up to the level of the art. Though it is not bad.

Some of the dialog feels unnatural, and at times like it should be thoughts, not dialog.
The biggest issue with the script is the character of Lila, who appears in Tanoor’s land of The Empty, from her one of The World. Her appearance is the driving point of the plot of this issue. Which feels rushed and not quite fleshed out enough.

This title is a frustrating one for me. I find it neither good, nor bad. It is just there. For me, it just fell flat.

FINAL THOUGHT: I would call empty slightly above average. I can’t call it required reading, but by no means should anyone steer clear of the Empty.

RATING: 5.5

FEATURE REVIEW: (KING) FLASH GORDON #1

(KING) FLASH GORDON

#1

Publisher: King/Dynamite
Writers: Ben Acker and Ben Blacker
Illustrated by: Lee Ferguson

Flash Gordon has a near 100 year history, dating back to his comic strip roots. For me Alex Raymond’s vision is still the best.

This new series from King/Dynamite is separate from the regular Flash Gordon series from Dynamite. This one is designed to tie into the other King Series Dynamite is publishing (Jungle Jim, Mandrake, The Phantom and Prince Valiant).

Unfortunately, over the course of time, different versions and takes on Flash and crew have evolved, just as they do with other characters.

While there is nothing ultimately bad with this title, I do not like this take on Flash. This version of Flash reminds me too much of the cocky teenage version in a Flash Gordon animated series some year ago. He is overly cocky, egotistical and has no idea what he is doing.

Zarkoff, is eerily similar to Flash in personality, in fact he seem like an older version of our hero, rather than a distinct character.

Dale seems like an afterthought in this story.

In this first issue, Flash and crew take refuge on a moon that houses a resistance against Ming, only to accidently discover a traitor.

The story and writing is okay, if you can get past the characterization – which at times is painful.

Lee Ferguson’s art is the best part of this book.

In fact my favorite part of this first issue is Page 1, Panel 1, we see a dejected Ming, and his clothes don’t seem to fit him right. It is like they are just hanging there, like the ill-fitting costumes from the old film serial. Love It.

FINAL THOUGHT: For Die Hard fans and Flash Gordon collectors like me, this will be added to the collection, if nothing more than to keep it complete. For others, they may enjoy the adventure and more modern cocky characterization.

RATING: 5

NOTE: As this is a Mini, and does tie into the other King titles, I will cover future issues of Flash Gordon and the other King titles.

FEATURE REVIEW - RAT GOD

RAT GOD 

# 1 & 2

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writer/Artist: Richard Corben

I am a big fan of Richard Corben. He is one of the few creators in comics that can truly be called a ‘Master of Horror.’ RAT GOD is his newest horror series from Dark Horse Comics.

I wish I could give you a brief idea of what RAT GOD is about, but I can’t. Truth is, I am not sure what it is about.

The first issue start outs with two Native Americans running from something. It then jumps to the early 20th century and we follow a young, rich American on an apparent journey to find a girl, Kito, and her home town of Lame Dog. After a brief encounter with Kinto’s brother, Clark is left to fend for his own in snow covered forest.

The second issue pushes forward, giving up glimpses into Clark’s recent past with Kinto and his relationship with her. After another brief encounter with Kito’s brother, Clayton finds himself in the mysterious town of Lame Dog. Everyone there is odd, warns him to leave and avoid the cemetery. Everyone in Lame Dog has weird rat like features.

Did I mention that Kito and her brother look like the Native Americans from the beginning?

These first two issues are confusing, odd and weird, in a wonderful way. Corben is laying out a great journey of discovery for Clark and the readers. One is never sure what is going on, but knows there is some driving force behind it.

Interesting enough Clark is an odd, gruff and unlikeable fellow. The readers might find themselves routing for what nasty end there could be waiting from him to actually happen!

In the hands of a lessor creator, RAT GOD could be dismissed as a muddled mess, but in the hands of a horror master it holds the potential to rise above such a mess.

That said, these are only the first two issues. They are confusing, yet entertaining. How the series will ultimately end up, will be determined over the next 3 issues.

I will cover the next 3 issues in Flash Reviews.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Die hard Corbin fans, so far this is can’t miss. For those not familiar with Corbin, it might be a tougher read.

RATING: Incomplete. I have not done this before, but I will review all 5 issues and give my final thoughts and reveal a rating once issue 5 is released.