After only one issue of partial success, Shinku #2
is poorly constructed with only a few redeeming qualities. I was
entertained somewhat through the issue just enough to enjoy it. Shinku
invades a building where Asano, a vampire, hides. She takes out
numerous vampires until she comes face-to-face with Asano and a
boardroom filled with vampires. She may have bitten off a little more
than she can chew…
The genre of Elephantmen balances elements
from science-fiction, mystery and fantasy. The characters have
interesting qualities and the storyline is well crafted, but they are
boring. The art is missing the spark I enjoyed in the last issue,
and it features only one new redeeming quality. Ebony,
the main character, finds himself trapped in a dream within a dream
battling the Dragon Lord and his seductive daughter. While he fights for
his life, back in the real world Hip finds out his murder investigation
is far from over in a satisfying twist.
Here we go, issue two of Aspen’s magical romp Charismagic.
Are we off to the races or does the book stutter and throw its momentum right
into the ground?In the midst that is the Void, Hector finds showgirl Allie
as some over sized roaches attack them both. They run and seek refuge; Allie
demands to know what is going on. Hector lets her in on the bad news.In short,
magic has betrayed them.
Back in a human-less Las Vegas, Hank is engaged in a
conversation with his pet cat Sparkles. They chat as to what’s going on but
neither of them really knows. Hank’s mind is blown due to the fact that his cat
can talk. Sparkles breaks it to Hank that he has had the ability to speak since
birth and humans aren’t too keen on new things or magical stuff, like talking
cats. But everything seems to be lost on Hank as he just keeps asking what’s
going on. (The damn cat said he doesn’t know, let it go.) Suddenly two magic
possessed creatures show up and Hank and Sparklers pull a quick disappearing
act. Now safe they jump in a car and speed out of town.
Where to begin with this issue? If you thought that Cole Haddon was going to save it all for the fourth issue then be ready for the best disappointment of your life. This issue just keeps going and reveals more and more to the point where you don’t know when it’s going to stop. I will say that this issue is so good that the bar is set pretty high for the fourth issue, which means this one could end up being the best of the series.
A new Magdalena is out this week and this time is not only a new issue. Magdalena, issue seven, is the start of a new story arc by the creative team of Ron Marz and Keu Cha. It is really a great jumping on point for new readers. Although the story is continuity-driven, you don’t need to pick up the last few issues to know what the gist of the story is.
The action is this book is so crazy it’ll have you laughing out loud as people’s head explode and Leon the Professional type scenes play out before your eyes. This book really kicks the Hit List Agenda into high gear as a new executive assistant is introduced… Orchid!
After the zero issue I was pretty interested in where this series was going and looking forward to this issue to answering that question. Unfortunately it kind of rehashes the same formula as the last issue, but does manage to be entertaining with the action even if the story kind of hangs out. Even though this is Iris’ book the story is still focused on Diane Coverdale and her executive assistant Acteia. The first few pages give a deeper look at Diane and how she came to be in charge of her late husband’s fortune 500 business.
Snarked is an all age’s book that actually has a mass appeal to all types of comic readers. I know that should go without saying, but its something that’s actually hard to do with an all ages title. The zero issue is a great introduction to the world and storytelling style of Roger Lanridge’s unique style. The series stars two characters from the famous Lewis Carroll poem The Walrus and the Carpenter. For those of you that are more familiar with cartoons the poem is actually featured in Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, but this series has nothing to do with Alice or Disney (thank goodness).
The only monthly supernatural western comic returns this week from Oni Press and it kicks off the next storyline in the series. The last issue saw Sinclair and Becky board a train with the preists of the Sword of Abraham, a group that have sworn to dispose of the guns and General Hume. They’re transporting Hume’s body to a safer location to prevent him from escaping his coffin yet again.
Finally the issue every Goon fan has been waiting for: The Goon vs Twi… Ah, Sparkly Vampires! That’s right Eric Powell pits the Goon against one of the few horror creatures he’s never faced the Tween Vampire. This issue is definitely a one-shot story that doesn’t take itself serious in the least bit and really shows the artistic talent of Powell more than anything else.
