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Rapid Reviews for the Week of 6/21/23: Black’s Myth #1 and Wild’s End #1

Rapid Reviews for the Week of 6/21/23: Black’s Myth #1 and Wild’s End #1

Posted on by Bob Harrison

This week we reviewed a couple of New Number Ones for this column. We enjoyed them both and highly recommend them.

The books on today’s list are Black’s Myth: The Key to His Heart #1 from Ahoy Comics and Wild’s End #1 from Boom! Studios.

Our reviews are spoiler free and focus on the positive aspects of comic storytelling in each issue. You can find all of these books at your Local Comic Shop now or wherever you get your comics.

Black’s Myth: The Key to His Heart #1
Ahoy Comics
Written by Eric Palicki
Art by Wendell Cavalcanti
Letters by Rob Steen
Cover Art by Liana Kangas

Original Solicitation:

It’s back, the “moody tale that smartly blends familiar supernatural elements with the trappings of classic pulpy crime stories” (Comics Beat). In this new case, werewolf private eye Janie “Strummer” Mercado tries to prevent a young girl from becoming a monster, with the aid of her suave djinn assistant Ben Si’lat. But will Strummer gain an intern instead? And why is an old enemy sending mysterious packages to her house? Featuring a cover by Liana Kangas and an incentive cover by Tim Seeley. Continue reading “Rapid Reviews for the Week of 6/21/23: Black’s Myth #1 and Wild’s End #1” →

Favorite Creator Owned Comic Series Are Coming Back For More – Alice Never After, Black’s Myth, Dark Spaces: Good Deeds

Favorite Creator Owned Comic Series Are Coming Back For More – Alice Never After, Black’s Myth, Dark Spaces: Good Deeds

Posted on by Bob Harrison

When new “Indie” creator-owned comics hit the shelves, the guarantee of more than a first arc is often dependent on sales and critical acclaim. Therefore, it is always good news to hear that a series that you enjoyed is getting a shot at a second arc. There has been some recent news with three properties that are on there way back to production, and all from different publishers. Check below for the details on Alice Never After, Black’s Myth: The Key to His Heart, and Dark Spaces: Good Deeds.

Alice Never After

One of our favorite series of 2022 is headed back with a new arc. Dan Panosian and Giorgio Spalleta are returning to Wonderland. Continue reading “Favorite Creator Owned Comic Series Are Coming Back For More – Alice Never After, Black’s Myth, Dark Spaces: Good Deeds” →

Black’s Myth from Ahoy Comics Is Set To Return in 2022

Black’s Myth from Ahoy Comics Is Set To Return in 2022

Posted on by Bob Harrison

This is fantastic news from Ahoy Comics. Black’s Myth by Eric Palicki and Wendel Cavalcanti was a severely underrated series from 2021. We are super excited to see that there will be new content with the original creative team. We also recommend checking out the trade paperback of the first series which is being distributed this month. The story is terrific for noir mystery fans with magical flair. Check out the press release below for more details and quotes.

Press Release:

The Acclaimed, Punk Rock Horror Series Returns Later This Year, 

(2/9/2022) Ahead of the trade paperback release of the acclaimed BLACK’S MYTH graphic novel by writer Eric Palicki (Atlantis Wasn’t Built For Tourists) and artist Wendell Cavalcanti (BlackAcre), Syracuse-based comic publisher AHOY Comics has announced that the creative team, including star cover artist Liana Kangas (Trve Kvlt, Star Wars Adventures, She Said Destroy, BLACK AF: Devil’s Dye), will return for an all new BLACK’S MYTH series, to be released by AHOY Comics later this year. The acclaimed, punk rock horror comic follows the adventures of werewolf PI Janie Jones “Strummer” Mercado and her charming djinn assistant Ben Si’lat as they solve crimes in the “supernatural underground” thriving in Los Angeles.

The first volume of BLACK’S MYTH will be collected as a trade paperback in bookstores on February 15th and in comic book shops on February 16th 2022 and will feature an introduction by CHEW co-creator, writer John Layman. In this volume, when the case of a lifetime falls into Strummer’s lap, it’s up to her and her charming djinn assistant Ben Si’lat to figure out just how many silver bullets have been used. (And just where do silver bullets come from, anyway?)

In the upcoming series, the son of the mysterious Rainsford Black has gone missing while searching for a grimoire dating to the 1600s which would allow him to summon demons to hunt and add to the elder’s growing collection of trophies. Now it’s up to Strummer and Ben to find him — but as always, the case is less clear cut than it seems on the surface.

“Our first story belonged to Strummer and Ben, but we called the book Black’s Myth for a reason, and we have so much more of Rainsford Black’s story to reveal,” said writer Eric Palicki. “What compels him to hunt (and collect) monsters, and what kind of case could possibly bring Strummer back into his orbit? Volume 2 promises answers, along with the return of everyone’s favorite Minotaur.”

“Werewolf, Djinn, vampires, Minotaur, Los Angeles, the Dodge Charger, and Grim — attaboy! I missed you guys. Here we go again!” said artist Wendell Cavalcanti.

“I am beyond thrilled to give the people what they want: the further adventures of Strummer and her band of mythological misfits,” said editor Sarah Litt. “The reception to the first book blew us all away and I believe the second series will be even better. The entire team is returning and I am delighted to be working with them again — truly some of the most talented people in comics.“

Just like the last volume, the latest BLACK’S MYTH series will feature covers by Liana Kangas (Trve Kvlt, Star Wars Adventures, She Said Destroy, BLACK AF: Devil’s Dye). Said Kangas: “I’m back, back, back again, baby!”

Preview Reviews for the Week of November 24, 2021: Good Boy #1 and Black’s Myth #5

Preview Reviews for the Week of November 24, 2021: Good Boy #1 and Black’s Myth #5

Posted on by Bob Harrison

Welcome to the latest installment of Preview Reviews.

This week we have two books to review for you. The first is Good Boy #1 from the Source Point Press, and the other is Black’s Myth #5 from Ahoy Comics.

You can find these books at your LCS on November 24, 2021. Pick them up for your long weekend.

Good Boy #1
Source Point Press
Written by Christina Blanch & Garrett Gunn
Art by Kit Wallis
Colors by Wallis
Letters by Dave Lentz
Cover Art by Nick Bradshaw

Original Solicitation:

Set in a world where humans and dogs are equals, Good Boy is a thrill-packed treat for anyone who loves action, dogs, and good stories.

Flint Sparks and his human Jon, both former mercenaries, have settled down in quiet retirement from an industry where the job is supposed to be forever. But, unlike anyone before, they found a way out. However, this new life, filled with peace and joy, is not to be. In the dead of night, some of their former “colleagues”, who disagree with their decision to retire, break into their home and murder Jon, leaving Flint alive in the bloody aftermath.

That was their FIRST mistake.

But don’t worry – they haven’t seen anything yet

PCS Review:

This story, which is clearly a take on the John Wick movie franchise, is super fun. It is bombastic and action packed. The tone of the story has a strong beat of determination. The writing pair of Christy Blanch and Garrett Gunn have developed a compelling tale of vengeance. There is a sense that the reader may know where this story will end from the get go, and that is still ok. It is so interesting that you want to see it through. The book is full of heartfelt emotion with some different types of humor sprinkled in to keep it light enough. It is a well written book.

Kit Wallis really completes this book. The thematic color scheme combined with over-the-top action sequences are just breathtaking. Every page of this book is perfectly laid out and moves the story forward. There is care, thoughtfulness, and fantastic art in each panel.  The lettering by Dave Lentz is really well done. While the dialogue is generally sparse, the narration boxes are excellently crafted and placed.

I haven’t been as excited for a new series as I am for this one in a while. Now that it is finally coming out. You won’t want to miss it.

Black’s Myth #5
Ahoy Comics
Written by Eric Palicki
Art by Wendell Cavalcanti
Letters by Rob Steen
Cover by Liana Kangas

Original Solicitation

Final issue of the hit werewolf crime story! Will Strummer figure out who shot her? Is it the same person who stole the bullets? Will there be a “why” to go with the “who?” Will Ben and Aster ever get their beer?

Find out in the thrilling conclusion of Black’s Myth!

PCS Review

This review is a combination piece for both the final issue and the series itself. Both are excellent. This series, a black and white noir detective story with magical creatures, has been delivering high quality issue after issue. The finale give the reader a fantastic conclusion to the mystery that has been explored for the previous four issues.

Eric Palicki writes entertainingly wry humorous dialogue. The characterization of the lead characters is tenderly crafted by both Palicki and Wendell Cavalcanti. Cavalcanti’s ability to render an immersive visual experience with just black and white pages is truly masterful.

This book is smartly crafted and woefully underhyped. This issue marks the end of what I can only hope is the “first” arc. The world building in the series is excellent. I do not want this to be the end of our time with these characters. While I highly recommend this issue, the trade paperback for the series is already solicited for February.  Check it out.

Preview Review for the Week of 8/5/20: Atlantis Wasn’t Built For Tourists #1

Preview Review for the Week of 8/5/20: Atlantis Wasn’t Built For Tourists #1

Posted on by Bob Harrison

Welcome to the latest installment of Preview Reviews.  This is where we give advanced glimpses at some of the comics that will be coming out this Wednesday.

Here at Pop Culture Squad, we are decidedly Anti-Spoiler.  We feel that ruining someone’s experience with something for the sake of getting a scoop or clicks is the wrong thing to do. Therefore, we have decided to publish this column, as necessary, with mostly spoiler-free reviews of upcoming issues.  Hopefully, the information that we share with you will increase your excitement for these books.

This week we feature Atlantis Wasn’t Built For Tourists #1 from Scout Comics.

You can find it at your LCS on August 5, 2020.

Atlantis Wasn’t Built For Tourists #1
Scout Comics
Written by Eric Palicki
Art by Wendell Cavalcanti
Colors by Mark Dale
Letters by Shawn Lee
Cover Art by Caspar Wijngaard

Original Solicitation:

Lovecraft meets Sergio Leone in a modern tale of corruption, family legacies, and nightmarish dread. Lucas Lewis drifts into Atlantis County, Oregon wanting nothing more than a hot meal and a soft bed for the night. What he finds instead is a small town in thrall to eldritch creatures lurking in the surrounding wilderness, possibly guided by an even more sinister force. Lucas becomes determined to eradicate all Atlantis’s demons, but these monsters are not what they seem. Unfortunately for the monsters, neither is Lucas.

PCS Review:

Continue reading “Preview Review for the Week of 8/5/20: Atlantis Wasn’t Built For Tourists #1” →

Kickstarter You Should Be Backing: Maybe Someday by A Wave Blue World

Kickstarter You Should Be Backing: Maybe Someday by A Wave Blue World

Posted on by Bob Harrison

Hey folks. It’s that time again. It’s time to tell you a about a Kickstarter campaign that you should be backing. We search the current Kickstarter campaigns, and when we find one we feels needs a little boost, we let you know about it.

The project we are spotlighting is Maybe Someday: Stories of Promise, Visions of Hope by A Wave Blue World. It is a comic anthology full of inspiring, forward-looking stories for tomorrow.

 

 

The campaign description states:

MAYBE SOMEDAY: STORIES OF PROMISE, VISIONS OF HOPE is a full-color anthology featuring over 25 inspiring stories about a brighter future. It is also the sequel to the New York Times featured and Ringo Award Nominated anthology, ALL WE EVER WANTED.

Like its predecessor, MAYBE SOMEDAY features stories full of hope. Instead of focusing on dystopian fiction, these stories help show the path forward to a better world. It is edited by Matt Miner, Eric Palicki & Tyler Chin-Tanner and published by A Wave Blue World.

As we were already fans of All We Ever Wanted and the publisher’s other anthologies, including Dead Beats, we wanted to do what we could to support this project we reached out to the editors Tyler Chin-Tanner, Eric Palicki, and Matt Miner to get some more info on this book.

Pop Culture Squad: What about the current state of the world makes this the right time for an anthology like this?

Matt:  If I could gesticulate wildly to EVERYTHING, maybe?  For decades we fantasized about the post apocalyptic and authoritarian worlds, because they make for fun stories – but we’re starting to really live in that scary future that used to be the thing of movies, and for some folks it’s never been that great.  I think a little positivity and hope is a much needed thing right now.

Eric: I’m fond of a turn of phrase Matt used to describe the mission statement of our first volume, ALL WE EVER WANTED. Our goal was to tell science fiction stories that were “less Mad Max, more Star Trek.” Now, I look out my front door and I see a world practically on fire, and people not too far removed from Immortan Joe in positions of power. We don’t need to dramatize the dystopia we’re already living in, which makes now the perfect time to start thinking less about what the present is and more about what the future could be. Continue reading “Kickstarter You Should Be Backing: Maybe Someday by A Wave Blue World” →