Welcome back to Everything We Read This Week. This is the place that we make our weekly trip through this week’s pull-list. It features mostly spoiler-free brief analysis and commentary of each book.
It has been two months since we got new comics in comic shops, and we are so excited to #BackTheComeback. Our local comic shop was only open for curbside delivery this week, but we eagerly put on our masks and headed out to get new comics.
We reviewed books from DC Comics, Boom! Studios, AfterShock Comics, AWA Studios, and Image Comics this week. It was a light week as Marvel Comics will resume their new comics next week on May 27th. As always, we hope you might find what we say interesting enough to try some of these comics. Don’t forget we welcome comments on these and any other comics that you read. Feel free to leave a comment and get the conversation moving.
And here are the books we read in alphabetical order:
Disaster, Inc. #1
AfterShock Comics
Written by Joe Harris
Art by Sebastián Piriz
Letters by Carlos Mangual
Cover Art by Andy Clarke with Jose Villarrubia
Check out our complete preview review of this book here.
“This book is gripping and bold. … This is a fantastic debut issue to a captivating story.”
Also, we interviewed Joe Harris about this book and other works. Check it out.
Ghosted in L.A. #10
Boom! Studios
Written by Sina Grace
Art by Sina Grace
Colors by Cathy Le & Natalia Nesterenko
Letters by DC Hopkins
Cover art by Siobhan Keenan
We are excited to get this book back. Sina Grace has crafted this captivating ghost story set in Los Angeles, and it continues to get more interesting. The way the characters interact is an important facet of the success of this book. There is a perfect level of logic that allows for the human/ghost communication. This issue sees the tension rise as a conflict is becoming more dire to the cast of characters. Grace, along with Cathy Le and Natalia Nesterenko deliver a wonderful visual narrative with the right level of depth of imagery that keeps the story moving forward at a comfortable and enjoyable pace.
The Ludocrats #1
Image Comics
Written by Kieron Gillen & Jim Rossignol
Art by Jeff Stokely
Colors by Tamra Bonvillain
Letters by Clayton Cowles
Cover art by Stokely & Bonvillain
This book is ridiculous in every good way. There are outlandish imagery and nonsensical turns of phrase. The plot is head spinning if it even exists. Ludocrats is exactly the kind of book that will take you on a carefree trip to crazyland and have you enjoy every second of it. While there is conflict, it only serves to heighten the experience of lunacy. The art team of Jeff Stokely and Tamra Bonvillain weave a tapestry of bizarre, illuminated, larger-than-life characters who are immediately captivating. Kieron Gillen and Jim Rossignol have left enough nuggets of story in this hilarious romp that will have us eagerly anticipating the next issue, because there is definitely a story here that is worth telling.
The Plunge #3
DC Comics / Hill House Comics
Written by Joe Hill
Art by Stuart Immonen
Colors by Dave Stewart
Letters by Deron Bennett
Cover art by Jeremy Wilson
In this third issue of The Plunge, Joe Hill makes plain the threat that had been hinted about in the previous issues. While the earlier books were heavy on character development and were lifted up by intriguing wordplay, this episode of the story is full of in-your-face horror and fear. This story continues to be illustrated by the amazing Stuart Immonen with fantastic camera direction and dramatic execution. Dave Stewart‘s color tones enhance the storytelling experience in excellent ways. Deron Bennett‘s lettering is also crucial to the experience. There is danger in this story, and we are excited/afraid to see how it turns out.
Red Sonja #15
Dynamite Entertainment
Written by Mark Russell
Art by Bob Q
Colors by Dearbhla Kelly
Letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Cover art by Jae Lee
Mark Russell‘s run on Red Sonja has been marked by his ability to effectively comment on the nature of leadership and social responsibility. There are more lessons in this issue as the protagonist is transitioning to a different role in her journey, but the shift between “flashback” and “present tense” illuminates her intentions and motivations excellently. Bob Q is wonderful in the design and execution of the visuals to this book. Panel layouts in the battle scenes are of special note. Dearbhla Kelly uses light and texture to add a richness to the illustrated page. This book continues to deliver quality comic storytelling issue after issue.
Year Zero #1
AWA Studios
Written by Benjamin Percy
Art by Ramon Rosanas
Colors by Lee Loughridge
Letters by Sal Cipriano
Cover art by Kaare Andrews
The latest new release from AWA Studios‘ Upshot line is an intrigue introduction to a worldwide calamity. Benjamin Percy has begun a story that has multiple focal points apparently engaging with the same struggle. It is beautifully rendered by Ramon Rosanas and Lee Loughridge. While this issue is clearly an introduction that focuses on setting the table, there are enough interesting development points that the audience can’t help but be intrigued. Definitely looking forward to more of this book.
DISCLAIMER:
We use a 4 star rating system. It is simple and not to be taken too seriously. Everyone has their own impressions of art. These ratings are just to give our readers an idea of what we thought of the book, and they will be on the generous side, normally. So don’t expect to see a lot of 1 Stars. After all, it’s not often that you have a bad book on your pull-list.
The rating system is as follows:
OK
No
