Welcome to the latest installment of Preview Reviews.
This week we have a three terrific books for you. The first is a one-shot called The Fox: Family Values #1 from Archie Comics, and the second is I Hate This Place #1 which is from Image Comics. Finally, there is Shaolin Cowboy: Cruel To Be Kin #1 from Dark Horse Comics.
You can find these books at your LCS or wherever you buy books on May 18, 2022.
Also the rest of the #NewNumberOnes for May are here.
The Fox: Family Values #1
Archie Comics
Written by Dean Haspiel, Vito Delsante, & Alex Toth
Art by Haspiel, Richard Ortiz, & Toth
Colors by Matt Herms
Letters by Jack Morelli
Cover Art by Haspiel
Original Solicitation:
Archie Comics is setting the stage for the return of everyone’s favorite “Freak Magnet” Paul Patton, Jr. in The Fox: Family Values #1. Coming to comic shops and digital retailers May 18, 2022, the new one-shot comic will follow the adventures of the Pattons, The Fox, She-Fox, and their son Ghost Fox, as they try to be the best hero family of Foxes they can be! Featuring all-new stories by writer/artist Dean Haspiel, writer Vito Delsante, artist Richard Ortiz, and colorist Matt Herms with veteran letter Jack Morelli, The Fox: Family Values #1 will also include a reprint of a classic The Fox story by Alex Toth, providing new readers with a perfect introduction to this family of iconic characters.
PCS Review:
This book is chock full of goodness. There are three stories in this thirty-four page book. Each of them are fun morsels of comic excellence. The first story, written and drawn by Dean Haspiel, is in the same vein as his previous endeavors with The Fox. Haspiel takes some metaphysical swings in the storytelling and delivers a dynamic story filled with heart that leaves us wanting more from this incarnation of the character.
The second story written by Vito Delsante with art from Richard Ortiz goes back to the wedding of The Fox and fits in very nicely with familial themes of the first story. Delsante and Ortiz do an excellent job of crafting an action packed tale with an emotion filled ending. Solid storytelling by the whole team on this one.
The third story, from Alex Toth, comes from a backup adventure from 1983. It is fun to see Toth’s inventive art style and his classic lettering. It is a treat.
Ultimately this is a fun read, and we hope that Archie will continue to bring us adventures from this character.
I Hate This Place #1
Image Comics
Written by Kyle Starks
Art by Artyom Topilin
Colors by Lee Loughridge
Letters by Pat Brosseau
Cover Art by Topilin
Original Solicitation:
After inheriting a farm house, Trudy and Gabby are ready to start the next chapter of their lives together…except it’s already home to a mysterious force that’s attracted ghosts, aliens, and all kinds of supernatural beings for decades.
Now, Gabby and Trudy must play by the “house rules” in order to survive living among the most frightening creatures on Earth in this new series from KYLE STARKS and ARTYOM TOPILIN.
PCS Review:
Kyle Starks set out to make a horror comic, and Boy, did he succeed. This book is full of horrific scenes and terrifying page turns. The plot is engaging, and this issue tells the right amount of interesting story to keep the reader coming back for answers to the questions that are opened throughout the tale.
The art team of Artyom Topilin and Lee Loughridge craft a gruesome visual display and develop intriguing scene structures that enhance the reader’s experience. Loughridge’s color work is especially important to setting the tone and temperature as the issue moves along. I will say that when I got to the last page, I thought, “No Effing Way!!!!”
We thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Shaolin Cowboy: Cruel to Kin #1
Dark Horse Comics
Written by Geof Darrow
Art by Darrow
Colors by Dave Stewart
Cover Art by Darrow & Stewart
Original Solicitation:
In Phase 4 of the SCU, the Shaolin Cowboy finds his parenting skills being tested when he is forced to homeschool during a pandemic of unparalleled violence, in this story torn from yesterday’s viral twitter feeds.
Can he get a kung fu grip on the situation before a horde of .45 loving human monsters and not so human monsters send him to the ICU?
Only guns, swords, and flying guillotines will tell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AMITOUFU!!!!!!
PCS Review:
This book is absolutely gorgeous, as expected. Geof Darrow dazzles the senses with the insanely detailed backgrounds and glorious character work. The fluidity of the action in this book is totally amazing. The density of each panel is really a master class in illustration.
Dave Stewart’s colors provide the perfect level of focus and restraint. The color work illuminates the details of the linework and the pastel-like palette is an excellent compliment to the action in the story of this book.
The story being told is filled with action and is ultimately entertaining. This is a great read and we are looking forward to more.
