GODZILLA WAR FOR HUMANITY #1 IDW COMICS
Writer Andrew Maclean knows what Godzilla fans want and gives it to us. And while I am not a huge fan of Jake Smith’s art, he does give us shot on versions of our favorite kaiju. From Hedorah the Smog Monster to Manda to Minya (YES! I said Minya.) we have a great representation of the monsters of Godzilla’s Universe. He also manages to stick with the standard Godzilla tropes that we all love. Including the young scientist who was saved by Godzilla as a child, who is out in the world sticking up for him. And the human team fighting against the newest Kaiju, Kaiju Task Force Alpha. Filled with page after page of Moguera, Gorosaurus, and many more, this is exactly what IDW needed to get in our hands. 8 out of 10 Grahams.
BATTLE ACTION #1 REBELLION PUBLISHING
Oversized and loving every minute of it! Featuring stories by Garth Ennis and John Wagner. And while I’d love to tell that these stories are full on battle tales that read like the perfect novel, the truth is that the art here steals the show. Planes ablaze falling from the sky in mid-battle to the close up panel of the pilot’s keen eyes focased on the sun, this is a visual masterpiece only enhanced by the colorists’ pallets. And while war stories haven’t been high on any publishers output lists, this title could easily fit in to the amazing war comics of the 1950’s and 60’s. So what if if doesn’t fit in a standard bag and board, this is worth picking up. 9 out of 10 Grahams.
ORSON WELLS WARRIOR OF THE WORLDS #1 SCOUT COMICS
And so the independant company that gave us Impossible Jones, Sgt. Werewolf, and the Mall drops another bombshell into our lapse. And yes, for the record, I am a huge Orson Wells fan. Milton Lawson’s story is overflowing with plot, mystery, and conspiracies. And the story is only heightened by Erik Whalen’s art as he shows us old bearded Orson Wells, young radio performer Orsen Wells, and all the Orsen Wells in-between. What is the mysterious orb left on the floor next to Wells’ body in 1985. And throw in cameos by Peter Bogdanovich and Gary Graver is a wonderful addition. Follow the clues and time and space could be yours. 9 out of 10 Grahams.
THE MANY DEATHS OF LAILA STARR PEN & INK BOOM! STUDIOS
A terrific out of left field story from the mind of Ram V. As the God of Death become the mortal Laila Starr and is on a crusade to kill the mortal that made her lose her job. And it’s not at all easy as you think. The story is a mind blower in the way of psychology. Can the former God of Death kill a baby once she knows his name? That’s deep. And having it illustrated by Felipe Andrade will take your breath away. And make sure you read Andrade’s running commentary along the bottom of the pages. This one has a lot going for it. 9 out of 10 Grahams.
SANTOS SISTERS #5 AMERICAN NATURE COMICS
Five issues in and I’m still a bit confussed by some of this titles contents. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t a really fun read. The story of the Santos Sisters is starting to fill out as regular villains and secondary characters are showing up. We even have a story follow up for an adventure in issue #4. But we are also getting a little more adult themed material from drug references to some innuendo that just seems to add to the titles charm. For those of you old enough, this title is like staying up late on Sunday nights in the 1970’s to watch Monty Python and Benny Hill on the local PBS channel. Worth every penny. 8 out of 10 Grahams.