Each week, we at Comic Booked like to offer some quick reviews of the previous week’s books in hopes of introducing fellow readers to books you might not generally think about trying. This comes in handy especially if you’re having a small week! (It should also go without saying that there will be spoilers in some of these reviews. We try to keep them vague though!)
This week: Dark Shadows #3, Godzilla #11, Sixth Gun #18, TMNT #6, The Walking Dead #93
DARK SHADOWS #3 (Dynamite)
Three issues in and this series has really found its flow. I’m loving everything about this from the writing to the art. On the writing end, Stuart Manning really knows his stuff. His writing is…well, it’s hard to put exact words on it but he is perfect for this book. It’s like I’m watching the show and this is where the art really shines. Aaron Campbell does some fantastic things in this issue even the subtle poses the characters take, it all comes together to make this series come alive like I’m watching the show on TV. Thumbs up all the way around! So, this issue has the witch who cursed Barnabas, Angelique, return to the flesh to carry out some sort of revenge on everyone. While Barnabas and Quentin reluctantly work together to find a way to stop her, she possess nearly the entire Collins family except Carolyn who, somehow, is able to resist her. It’s through her that we learn that Angelique wants to be warm and fully alive again and to do so she needs to kill others. She’s never had a problem with that and somehow Barnabas must find a way to stop her!
This is a book that you should certainly look into especially if you prefer your vampires to be of the non-glittery sort or plan to see the Tim Burton movie coming out this summer! –Skott Jimenez
GODZILLA: KINGDOM OF MONSTERS #11 (IDW)
Those wicked, and spooky, twins have control over Battra AND Rodan and now have their sights set on controlling Godzilla! They might have a chance, too, because Godzilla has been greatly weakened by his back-to-back battles with King Ghidorah and MechaGodzilla. They make an attempt to revive him and that might be the biggest mistake they make not only for us, considering they use a nuclear reactor to revive him…by dropping him on it… but for them, I mean, can anyone really control the King of the Monsters? These creepy girls get their answer very quickly in the form of Godzilla’s radioactive breath, or is the Big G simply lashing out considering the battles he just had? Can they really control him?
Writer Jason Ciaramella, who took over for Eric Powell on issue 9, continues to make this a great series. It’s like the Godzilla movie that never ends! So, having said all that, and having admitted that I’m really enjoying this book, the one complaint I do have it that I wish they would begin to move the story forward. I love the monsters and the monster fighting but we do need to actually move the story along a bit, I mean what is the end game here? It there someone or something behind this sudden emergence of monsters on Earth? That doesn’t mean I’m going to drop it, I’m here for the monsters. Moving the story forward would be nice, though. If there is some big thing in the comics, then it would be a great idea to start dropping hints in the main book. I know things have been touched on in the Godzilla Legends series but we need it in the main book as well!. Keep the covers like this one, I love them! –Skott Jimenez
THE SIXTH GUN #18 (Oni Press)
For those of you who haven’t been reading this comic, I’ll tell you what you need to know.
The Sixth Gun is a supernatural western about six powerful guns with special abilities, and the constant struggle between the forces wishing to posses them.
This issue is the start of a new story arc called,”A Town Called Penance.” As has been the case with each new arc, we are introduced to some new characters. Brian Hurtt has done, and continues to do a fantastic job with their designs. They stand out and are easily recognizable from each other. His flair for the supernatural is on display as well.
The comic begins by reuniting us with Drake Sinclair after a few issues of his absence. His friend and fellow protector of the six guns, Becky Montcrief, is searching for him. This has led her to a small town called Penance where she is immediately accosted by a beast of a man who is actually a deputy. Becky proves she’s a tough cookie and can take care of herself. Meanwhile we see that Drake is being held captive by some nefarious gentlemen who are trying to get their hands on The Six. These men have ties to Drake’s past, when he himself was a less than savory character.
One of the things that makes this comic a favorite of mine is the fact that it actually ships when it’s supposed to. It’s reliable. You can count on it to bring the Weird West awesomness on time, every time. Cullen Bunn is a master of the page turn. You can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next. This issue was a very strong start to a new arc and proves that this series isn’t losing steam, but gaining it. Highly recommended. Buy it! –Fabian Rangel, Jr.
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #6 (IDW)
I always admit to having a limited knowledge of the TMNT, but know enough to fully enjoy this series. It’s also written in a way that nearly anyone can pick it up and enjoy it. I’m especially enjoying the introduction of the concepts long familiar to this franchise. We’ve had sneak peeks at Rocksteady and Bebop, subtle hints at Shredder and Krang and others, it’s all coming together nicely.
This issue we get to see a certain group of robots often used to try to kill the Turtles. That’s right: MOUSERS! Stockman is letting Old Hob use them to hunt down and kill the Turtles! What happens next? I’m not sure, but I’m more than eager to stay on for the ride! The off panel teases while building to the big reveal was very nicely done here. Sort of like catching a glimpse of something off camera in a movie. Then having Stockman say the full name of these units before saying ‘MOUSERS’ was fantastic!
This series is a lot of fun. It’s certainly geared at old fans as well as new ones, like myself. My favorite part is the series has the look and writing of the great black and white independent comics from the 90’s that I enjoyed so much. Those were good days when imagination and innovation in stories was running rampant. Not always in a good way but it was certainly there.
TMNT has fast become one of my favorite reads every month. And here I thought I would have dropped it by now! –Skott Jimenez
THE WALKING DEAD #93 (Image)
A Larger World, Part 1: Rick and the Community have just had their entire reality turned upside down. For the longest time they thought they were the only gathering of people their size in the area. Last issue they learn this might not be true, but while there may be others, trust is certainly going to be an issue.
After taking the herald of these other groups, Jesus, hostage in hopes of preventing an attack, Rick and the others begin to scout the area even more to find evidence that there may be an attack coming. What they find is…nothing. Rick still isn’t sure but it seems the cop in him begins to show for the first time in a long time, and he begins to think about the situation rationally. Without evidence to support his beliefs that this might be another battle for survival, Rick begins to look at himself and his group and wonders if there could be anyone more dangerous than they are. For all the hell these people have gone through, could it be possible that a much larger community exists where people are really trying to co-exist in peace in the spirit of helping each other survive what was essentially the end of the world?
But the biggest question here is if this is true, can Rick and the Community force themselves to become living souls again after everything they’ve gone through?
Or is this just another case of ‘it’s to good to be true’?
The Walking Dead continues its march to the historic 100th issue, and this story might be the most interesting and most important of the entire book’s run! –Skott Jimenez
Thanks again for reading our Bullet Reviews and for the great feedback we’ve been getting! If you’d like to know more about what our contributors like/read click on any of the links, each one will go to a different social media outlet! And remember: You’re here because you’ve been Comic Booked!
