Newburn #8, Chip Zdarsky, Jacob Phillips, Image
This is the end of the first arc of Newburn. Newburn is a private detective that works for rival crime families, and the stories detail the conflicts and adventures he has on the way. In issue #8, Newburn is running around the city trying to figure out how to tie up some loose ends so that order is restored between a few families - namely the Albano family and the Yakuza. He also has to rescue his partner from a life threatening situation. I don’t want to reveal any spoilers, but it’s definitely a satisfying conclusion. The writing by Chip Zdarsky and artwork of Jacob Phillips are a perfect formula for a great comic series.
This issue also marks the end of the back-of-the-issue story called Spook-A-Rama by Casey Gilly, Soo Lee, and Toben Racicot. It’s been a fun story of a woman running a carnival ride and the murder of her friend that sets her on a different course. It’s definitely worth checking out if you have the last four issues of Newburn.
The Silver Coin #11, Michael Walsh, James Tynion IV, Image
This is a fantastic horror series, created by Michael Walsh, who does the artwork and has a different guest writer for each issue (Ed Brisson, Jeff Lemire, Kelly Thompson, Chip Zdarsky, and more). He also writes the last issue of each story arc, himself. Each issue involves a different set of characters, but the through-line is a magical silver coin, which usually brings the owner what they wish for, but always has deadly consequences.
After releasing collections for each of the first two volumes, issue #11 is the first story of the next volume. It’s written by James Tynion IV and it’s right in his sweet spot, as far as the horror element. All I can say is that it takes place in a diner, where the owner makes a wish for more customers. It reads like an episode of The Twilight Zone, but more murderous and bloody.
The Silver Coin comes highly recommended, and because each issue is a self-contained story, you can really jump in at any point, not having missed anything. That said, the collections, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 are fantastic and very worth your time and money. You really can’t go wrong with The Silver Coin.
Something Is Killing The Children #24, James Tynion IV, Werther Dell’Edera, Miquel Muerto, Boom! Studios
Erica Slaughter is a monster hunter for The Order of St. George. She belongs to The House of Slaughter and travels to different towns where children are dying, to hunt the monsters that only she and the children can see.
Issue #24 is the fourth issue of this story arc. It takes place in Tribulation, New Mexico, where a series of killings have been happening. A character that this story centers around is Gabi, whose entire family was killed at home by an unknown monster. In this issue, Gabi returns to the scene of the crime to find some answers. Erica is trying to get more information about the killer. And the mysterious, Cutter, is at The Order of St. George, trying to get answers about Erica, who she is trying to track and eliminate. The monster strikes another family, while the police and Erica try to figure out who is responsible for the killings.
The story is really starting to flesh out and I’m enjoying all the new characters that are introduced in this arc. The writing, as always, is top notch, and the Dell’Edera artwork seems to be getting better and better with each issue (and it was already fantastic from issue #1). I’ll continue to buy the single issues, as I can’t stand to wait to see how this story plays out for Erica and Gabi.
Blood Stained Teeth #3, Christian Ward, Patric Reynolds, Heather Moore, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, Image
Atticus Sloane is a vampire who turns other people into vampires for profit. The head of the vampire order has found out and wants him to kill each of the vampires he’s turned, or else they will kill him. Each issue follows Atticus as he tracks down the vampires he has to kill.
In this latest issue he’s chasing down a vampire named Danny who regularly crashes his car and then eats the people who try to help him. It’s an action-filled issue, which is always fun. It also gives a sneak peak of the next possible vampire on Atticus’ list. The writing by Christian Ward is excellent, but the neon world that Patric Reynolds creates is the most striking to me. I have really enjoyed the first three issues, and I’ll be back for more.
The Lonesome Hunters #1, Tyler Crook, Dark Horse Comics
This story is about a young man, a long time ago, who was given a (stolen) sword by his father to use against heretics. The sword has magic properties that give the man a long life and some element of power. The story starts in the modern day with the (now old) man trudging his way through life. Then a few events lead to use of the old magic that the sword carries, and a new young person in his life.
It was a really cool first issue, and has the makings of a really interesting continuing story. It was created, written, lettered and has art by Tyler Crook. I’m new to his work, but I’ll definitely be checking out more of it. The writing and the artwork were both solid. I’m interested to see how the story unfolds in future issues.
I Hate This Place #2, Kyle Starks, Artyom Topilin, Lee Loughridge, Image
This new series is about Gabby and her partner, Trudy. Gabby has inherited a house and ranch from her aunt, and now both of them have traveled there to start their new life. They quickly realize they are out of their element, when they discover that the house is haunted by ghosts and that the surrounding woods are unsafe. They don’t know what to do about it.
This issue explores them seeking out help for their ghost problem. They visit a psychic who unlocks the darkness of what they now carry with them everywhere they go. The ranchers who work on the property generally don’t encounter the ghosts, until one stays too late and ends up disemboweled on the property. As Gabby and Trudy struggle to figure out what to do, they make a call to Southern Illinois to seek professional help. This sets up the next issue which is out in July.
I enjoyed the first issue and this one really expands on the story. The artwork by Artyom Topilin is really great, and the writing from Kyle Starks perfectly gives the characters depth and builds empathy for them. I will definitely keep reading this series as I’m genuinely curious about the outcome of this story.
The Amazing Spider-Man #4, Zeb Wells, John Romita Jr., Scott Hanna, Marcio Menyz, Marvel
A quick story about John Romita Jr… when I was a kid I attended San Diego Comic Con in 1990 and 1991, well before it became a place for Hollywood to promote movies and TV shows. In those days, I was able to browse through comics and actually get to meet comic artists and get signatures and drawings (for free!). I kept a notebook of all the signatures and drawings I collected, and one of my favorites is a signature and Daredevil drawing by John Romita Jr. He was one of my favorites back then, and I try to pick up his more recent books when I can. I’ve read each issue of his new run on Amazing Spider-Man and I’m still impressed by his work.
In the previous issue, Spider-Man got beat to a pulp by Tombstone before he set his goons on a mission to create chaos in the city. There’s something satisfying about seeing Spider-Man bleeding through his mask, as dark and weird as it may sound. I found this issue enjoyable, particularly the dynamic between Tombstone, Robbie Robertson, Randy and Janice.
New Fantastic Four #1, Peter David, Alan Robinson, Mike Spicer, Marvel
I don’t really know the history behind why or how The Fantastic Four were captured, but The Hulk, Wolverine, Spider-Man, and Ghost Rider were called in to replace them as The New Fantastic Four. I think I honestly just bought this because of the cover art by Nick Bradshaw. I’ved found that buying comics for the cover art is usually not the best idea. The story follows a priest in Las Vegas who discovers that people in underground tunnels have been possessed by a demon named Mr. Nash. Somehow the New FF instinctually know to come to Las Vegas to help.
I was not really taken with the story, and I won’t continue to read this. I honestly have veered away from Marvel and DC, and have decided to focus on smaller publishers and creator-owned books. The only series that bring me back are Daredevil (Chip Zdarsky), the upcoming Batman run (Zdarsky), Nice House on the Lake (James Tynion IV), Nightmare Country (Tynion), and a few of the DC Black Label mini-series (Aquaman Andromeda, Wonder Woman: Dead Earth). This issue was a good example of why. Well known characters, recycled for an unnecessary story, that goes nowhere.