Hello, everyone! I’m back from New York and ready to get back into the Independent Comic Spotlight life! I’ve been reading a lot these last few days and here are just a few of the great books sent my way over the summer months. Feel free to contact me (or the creators directly) for further information on these great books!
Kuruz: Vol. I – The Arrival by Sonesh Joshi
- Artists: J. C. Grande, Paris Alleyne, Jacob Eguren, R. H. Stewart, Meisha, Th Tim Yu, Nikki Wynne, Fred C. Stresing, John Burton, and HdE
- Back Blurb Synopsis: “Heroes and villains from across Earth have been teleported to a mysterious planet called Kuruz. They must work together to find a way back home, coexist with the natives, and survive in a world controlled by a dictator.”
- My Rating: 3/5
B-Squad: Vol. I – Soldiers of Misfortune by Eben E. B. Burgoon
- Artists: Lauren Gamphrey, Jon Williams, Claudia Palescandolo, Sean K. Sutter, and Michael Finn
- Brief Synopsis: Think Suicide Squad, but with a little bit more heart and a lot more hilarity. Every single character, no matter how much of a fan-favorite or how likable, is expendable. And completely ridiculous. In a great way.
- My Rating: 3/5
The Samurai by Jim Alexander
- Artist: Luke Cooper
- Brief Synopsis: Planet Jimbot’s one-shot comic is full of black and white goodness that feels old school, like it could have been a Wolverine in Japan story from the 1980s. This is a fun read for anyone who loves Samurai stories, monsters, and, of course, action.
- My Rating: 3/5
ARH Comix by Arahom Radjah
- Titles: Arhian Head Huntress, Queen of Vampires, and Astria
- Co-Writers: Spencer Thurgood, Abraham Kawa, and Ben Bishop
- Artists: Manos Lagouvardos, Yannis Roumboulias, and Christos Martinis
- Brief Synopsis: Good girl art is back and better than ever, with three new miniseries (labelled graphic novels) featuring strong female protagonists. A covert operative, a vampire queen, and a warrior. Beautiful art and compelling stories make these a fun read for any adult reader.
- My Rating: 5/5
1400 by Jag Lall
- Brief Synopsis: A truly original graphic novel, this is the story of Sharanjeet, a young woman who is trying to battle monsters in her nightmares in order to reveal something greater and darker that happened in the real world. The tagline reads “empower the courage within,” and with this excellent art and topical subject matter, this is a great read for anyone who wants to tackle a controversial topic.
- My Rating: 3/5
Super Human Resources by Markus Zanker
- Brief Synopsis: This comic miniseries (and sequel miniseries) is definitely one for everyone who loves a good superhero comic. It also serves as a legitimately funny comic book, something that is quite rare nowadays with all of the super dark and uber-gritty books out there on the stands. Action Lab is a great company and this is probably one of their strongest titles.
- My Rating: 3/5
Rok of the Reds by John Wagner and Alan Grant
- Artist: Dan Cornwell
- Brief Synopsis: Comic book company BHP Comics has released a few titles these last few months and this is just one of their better comics. Legends John Wagner and Alan Grant take on a new character, Rok, and deliver a story that is fresh and new. Combining elements of sports, space opera, and multiculturalism, this is a fun read for all ages.
- My Rating: 3/5
Book Books Sent to Me this Season:
- The Professional Security Manual Class 1: Urban Security by Charles White
- Fwendly Fwuit: Winter Wonders by MIckey Lam
- Romeo and/or Juliet: A Chooseable-Path Adventure by Ryan North
So there you have it. Another great installment of Independent Comic Spotlight. It’s a wonderful time to be a comic fan, guys and gals. I still have a massive stack of comics and books to read, so expect another Independent Comic Spotlight column before summer’s end. I’m thinking a back to school special, just like the good old days (the 1990s, to be exact) of comic shops. See you soon!
