Review - The Walking Dead #70 (Image, 2010)

After the high drama and explosive action of last issue, you pretty much get what you might expect this time - a slowing down, more dialogue, and a proper introduction to the 'safe zone'. As you may also expect, Kirkman and Adlard almost immediately begin to convey a sense of uneasiness about this new community - but whether that is merely the creative team showing the unease of Rick and his companions in these new surroundings, is unclear.

That uneasiness, that tension increases when we are introduced to the nominal 'leader' of the community, Douglas Monroe. His conversation with Rick is fairly straightforward until he/Kirkman plunges the reader into a bizarre and stomach churning account of a Fathers inhumanity to his Son. What makes it particularly poignant - and more distressing - is that it is based on fact. Monroe's purpose in mentioning this crime seems pretty unfocused, other than the fact he is illustrating that we,as a race, have an inordinate capacity for cruelty and failing our loved ones. Maybe it is portentous. It was unsettling.

There is more to suggest that this community is recovering from some terrible event, and again we as readers are reminded that this 'safe haven' is barely concealing scars. The name of 'Davidson', mentioned last issue, crops up again. Whatever it was that he initiated, it sounds terrible. We will no doubt be better informed on him in time.

As well as the unease, there is a sense of out protaganists finally accepting they have reached some sort of safety, and actually enjoying the 'little things we take for granted' moments, like a hot shower, or kids playing out in the open, care-free. Nice moments.

A solid, entertaining opener to this new era. A mix of hope and crushing, frightening reality - 'the lights are on but the shadows seem to be encroaching' type of vibe. I get the feeling this will not end well.

Review - Resurrection #8 (Onipress, 2010)

My relationship with this title, if anyone is interested (and if you can really have a 'relationship' with a 'title' / comic), is a bit like my 'relationship' with the disgusting / scary / sometimes boring 'Crossed'. In other words, I blow a bit hot and cold with 'Resurrection'. Some months I think it is fabulous. Other months I can barely read it. Overall, and on average, it has enough going for it to keep me reading. This month, it tips itself over into the area marked 'okay'. It managed to move itself from the area marked 'rubbish', which is where it found itself last month. Not a lot of action, and very talky, and the improbable star of the show, Mr Bill Clinton, former President of the USA, is very much centre stage. But it works. I like the fact that he is very much in the thick of it in this ravaged new world. There is a nice reveal at the end. That's all there is to it really. Oh, there is a spaceship in the centre of some sort of sports field that looks a bit daft and I don't understand its significance. But all in all, BRAVO!

PS There is another one of those side stories in this issue, but I just could not be bothered. That may have stretched my patience, or ruined the moment.

Marvel UK advertises Marvel UK in the 80's

Various advertising pages from Marvel UK titles advertising various Marvel UK titles (including the rather splendid The Daredevils);







All credit to the original scanners......

Solicitation for Choker #4 (Image, 2010)

CHOKER #4 (of 6)
story BEN McCOOL
art & cover BEN TEMPLESMITH
MAY 19
32 PAGES / FC
ISSUE FOUR: BEAST COPS
Teamed with the dirge of Shotgun City’s police force, Johnny Jackson is thrust into confrontation against Hunt Cassidy and his band of killers, their sinister influence having put the city on edge. And when Hunt realizes that a precious possession is missing, the full extent of the madness is revealed…
RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

Crossed - there is more (2010)

In other news, that happy and life affirming* series, Crossed, has taken a surprising turn. You may well have thought that with the upcoming issue #9 (of 9), that that would be that. But no. The world of the 'Crossed' will live on this spring. But Garth Ennis and Jacen Burrows will not be the creative team. Instead, we will have the estimable David Lapham, who most recently gave the world the thoroughly twisted rock n' roll acid nightmare of 'Young Liars', and art by Javier Barreno. Interesting in so many ways - and a lot of them are dark and perverse and you do not want to think too long and hard about it. But one point of interest is the fact that you don't get many creators ceding creative control over of an owned title like Crossed to another team. More about it here;


http://www.avatarpress.com/2010/02/16/crossed-day/

I think it is going to be immense, disgusting, perverted and shocking, but also rather brilliant. We shall see - it's out in May. Lapham talks it up here;

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2010/02/16/david-lapham-on-writing-crossed-volume-2-family-values/

Depending on your state of mind, you may or may not want to have a look at the grisly, macabre, disturbed and blacker than a black hole humour of Jacen Burrows Crossed covers. He is doing the new series covers as well you know. If you are easily offended, then do not click here - seriously;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatarpress/4361219935/in/set-72157605058082820/




* I am taking the piss. For 'happy and life affirming', read 'thoroughly dark and depressing, savage and bleak'

Solicitation for Unknown Soldier #20 (Vertigo, 2010)

At issue 20 already, and getting better and better. An amazing success story. Plus, another wonderful Dave Johnson cover.




UNKNOWN SOLDIER #20
On sale MAY 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • MATURE READERS
Written by JOSHUA DYSART • Art by ALBERTO PONTICELLI
Cover by DAVE JOHNSON
Barely clinging to sanity and hunted by Karamojong cattle raiders, Moses finds himself physically and psychologically under siege in a hidden village of the exiled and deformed – a village that may very well exist only in his mind.

Solicitation for Sweet Tooth #9 (Vertigo, 2010)

SWEET TOOTH #9
On sale MAY 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • MATURE READERS
Written by JEFF LEMIRE • Art and cover by JEFF LEMIRE
Jeppard’s life would forever change the day he met Abbot, Dr. Singh’s deadly muscle-for-hire. It’s a day that’d start his deadly journey toward becoming a heartless killer. A day he’s been trying hard not to remember – until now.

Solicitation for I, Zombie #1 (Vertigo, 2010)

It's Vertigo, it's a new series, it's got Zombies - it's got to be brilliant!




I, ZOMBIE #1
On sale MAY 5 • 32 pg, FC, $1 US • MATURE READERS
Written by CHRIS ROBERSON •Art and cover by MICHAEL ALLRED • 1:10 Variant cover by DARWYN COOKE
Gwen Dylan is a gravedigger in an eco-friendly cemetery...and a zombie detective. Once a month, she has to eat a human brain – both to keep from going all “Night of the Living Dead,” and to keep her own memories intact. As a result, Gwen’s mind is crowded with the dead person’s thoughts. And lately, she feels compelled to fulfill their final requests. Torn between a mysterious mummy and a dashing young monster-hunter, Gwen is set for adventures beyond imagination! A were-terrier, a swinging ’60s ghost and a pack of paintball blasting vampires complete the cast of I, ZOMBIE.
Written by World Fantasy Award finalist Chris Roberson (CINDERELLA: FROM FABLETOWN WITH LOVE) with art by Eisner Award-winning superstar artist Michael Allred (X-Statix, Madman), I, ZOMBIE is a monster of a tale with razor-sharp prose and powerful pop artistry.
Don’t miss this special debut issue launching Vertigo’s next monster hit, priced at just $1.00!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.

Solicitation for The Walking Dead #72 (Image, 2010)

Love this series of covers with our newly 'domesticated' crew of survivors;




THE WALKING DEAD #73
story ROBERT KIRKMAN
art & cover CHARLIE ADLARD & CLIFF RATHBURN
MAY 12
32 PAGES / BW
Living among the safe can make you soft.
RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES


BUT LOOK OUT ABRAHAM - BEHIND YOU!!!!!

Heavy Rain (2010)

This looks intense. Out at the end of this month for PS3 - this could be this generations Shenmue, or Metal Gear Solid;



More here

Review - Sweet Tooth #6 (Vertigo, 2010)

Warning - Spoilers

So much going in this issue - and it is not all about Sweet Tooth. If you thought Jepperd had ridden off into the sunset with a holdall full of cash, then you are in for a sobering reminder of the power of Lemires beautiful writing. We learn more about his past life, about the beginning of the plague / apocalypse, and more about the man himself, and the promises he keeps. What this tells us about Jepperds future role in this tale is unclear. What it tells us about the man is more revealing.

Gus, meanwhile, is at the mercy of 'The Militia'. The mysterious Dr. Singh is mentioned, but not seen, but other children like Gus are revealed. Tragic and touching - these scenes carry a lot of raw power. Like Jepperd, Gus' future is uncertain - but his seems to be in more preil than his former protector.

As gripping, tragic and solemn a comic as you will read this week. Brilliant.

Before Mad Max - There was STONE (1974)

I had this very poster hanging up on my bedroom wall for several months in the early 1980s, courtesy of the nice man from Replay video in Fazeley;



The poster tag-line is, in fact, incorrect - Stone was before Mad Max. Handily, the box art of the VHS video from the VTC label got it right;



The film is more than a Mad Max rip-off though - it was more of a descendant of that landmark Aussie film.

Stone is a 1974 Australian film, produced and directed by Sandy Harbutt. It was a low budget movie, written by Sandy Harbutt and Michael Robinson.

Police officer Stone goes undercover with the Gravediggers outlaw motorcycle gang, to find out who is murdering their members, one by one.

The film stars Ken Shorter and features Rebecca Gilling, Bill Hunter and Helen Morse. The film's soundtrack was composed by Billy Green and featured some members of his group Sanctuary. Motorcycles featured include the legendary Kawasaki Z1(900). Stone initially rides a Norton.

Taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone(film)

It is also worthy of note that the magnificent Hugh Keays-Byrne, aka 'Toecutter' in 'Mad Max', plays the role of 'Toad' in 'Stone'.

Here is the theatrical trailer for the film;



It has a cult following - so much so that there was a follow up documentary;

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0282185/ - 'Stone Forever' Documentary at IMDB

http://www.urbancinefile.com.au/home/view.asp?Article_ID=2612 - Article on 'Stone' and 'Stone Forever' at Urban Cinefile

Finally, here is the theatrical release movie poster;

Kubrick, The Shining and the Moon Landings

You just have to read it, regardless of its basis in truth. Some conspiracy theories have a strong internal logic - and this one has that;

http://www.jayweidner.com/ShiningSecrets.html

Solicitation for Unknown Soldier #19 (Vertigo, 2010)

UNKNOWN SOLDIER #19
On sale APRIL 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • MATURE READERS
Written by JOSHUA DYSART • Art by ALBERTO PONTICELLI
Cover by DAVE JOHNSON
A new storyline! Moses has a list. Throughout his murder investigation of the IDP camp’s doctor, he’s been deciding just who will live and who will die. Now, caught in an arms deal near the Sudan border, it’s time to start checking names. But this is one battle that’s not as simple as it seems.

Solicitation for Sweet Tooth #8 (Vertigo, 2010)

SWEET TOOTH #8
On sale APRIL 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • MATURE READERS
Written by JEFF LEMIRE • Art and cover by JEFF LEMIRE
He’s got the might of the military behind him and a camp full of human-hybrid guinea pigs, so why is the ominous Dr. Singh most excited in getting his hands on Gus? What does he hope to discover? And why is Singh asking him so many questions about his father?

Solicitation for The Boys #41 (DE, 2010)

Rating: MATURE
Covers: Darick Robertson
Writer: Garth Ennis
Penciller/Inker: Darick Robertson
Colorist: Tony Avia
Publication Date: APRIL, 2010
Age range: 16+
Hughie goes to work on Superduper, and soon realizes that he's never seen Supes like these before. With the arrival of new leader Malchemical, the Superduper kids have problems of their own - and Hughie's unexpected assistance only deepens Butcher's dark suspicions. MM, in turn, is starting to wonder about Butcher's motives in all this... our heroes weave a tangled web, in part two of "The Innocents".
Suggested for mature readers.

Review - The Boys #39 (DE, 2010)

Warning - Spoilers

The Hughie / Anna (aka Starlight) romance has been burning brightly for around 2 years now. It's a touching and (fairly) believable take on a burgeoning relationship between 2 lovestruck young adults. The fact that Ennis has played it straight and sweet (well, as straight as Ennis gets, so there is lots of sex and some toilet humour)for so long with this plot thread is a great example of how strong this title is. Storylines can grow and develop, have time to breathe, meaning the emotional impact of a plot twist is heightened and really does grab the attention. The way that Butcher finds out about Hughie and Annie is paced so well, that although you know what is coming, it puts a knot in your stomach as follow each panel until Butchers terrible realisation. And he had only popped out to the local British shop to get some tea bags (nice touch there, Mr Ennis and Mr Robertson).

Elsewhere, Mothers Milk finds comfort, but at a (financial) cost. I didn't know what to make of that scene. I don't know if Ennis was going for sympathy, pity or sadness. It left me feeling curious.

The other highlight of this terrific issue was The Frenchmans ongoing battle to save the Female's soul. By introducing her to a British institution. I will not spoil it, but it is a bit of an in-joke, one for the fan-boys and old men alike, and I loved it.

Finally, over at Vought American, power-plays are being set into motion. We meet a new character, Jess Bradley, a lady with ambition. I am sure we will be seeing more of her soon. How she fits into the overall scheme of things, time will tell.

Entitled 'What I Know', this issue served Billy Butcher - who thinks he has a firm grip on every situation - with an unexpected variable. One that is going to have to be dealt with. One that will be dealt with at a price.

Another brilliant installment of The Boys.

Digitron

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixie_tube

How good is Siege #2? (Marvel, 2010)

Following on from my thoughts on Marvels debut issue of it's latest blockbuster event;
http://www.thoseweleftbehind.co.uk/2010/01/how-good-is-siege-1-marvel-2010.html
here are my thoughts on #2;



Brilliant - in a word. I read less and less traditional Superhero titles, but this one is pulling me back in. It is truly epic in feel, with stirring scenes of patriotism, heroism and some stunning fight sequences. It follows a fairly well-trodden path of the bad guys getting the upper hand, the good guys are on the back foot, but what's that on the horizon? The cavalry??? But it doesn't matter how generic the storyline may be if it is executed with style. And this is executed with a lot of style. The last page is absolutely blinding...

If this title is the herald of a (warning spoilers) new Heroic Age, then this new era for the Marvel Universe could be something to get excited about.

Genuinely thrilling, and a fantastic advert for Superhero titles. If Siege #1 was 'very good' (and that's what I said it was at the time), then Siege #2 is FANTASTIC, with all the intended emphasis that capital letters implies.

Review - 2000ad prog 1670 (2010)

Well, that is the smuttiest cover I have probably ever seen (if you have better ones, send them in on a postcard to the usual address). The contents inside are generally thrilling (but nowhere near as smutty).

Dredd, in another of the episodic tales within the larger framework of the 'Tour of Duty' epic, is picking up a bit. 'Dragons Den' is not without it's problems - the concept is a bit too fantastical for the general grittiness of the overall story (and I get the sense that some of it is intended as light relief from the political machinations going on at Mega City One - but it just feels out of place). However, things picked up in this installment, with Mackman in grave danger, Dredd all but beaten and an inspiring use of pre-atomic wars everyday objects making this Dredd episode one of the better ones of late. There is a scene with a great use of a culinder.

Stickleback is wonderful. Our man with the hook-nose and hunched back calls in favours from the Establishment to try to get to the root cause of all his recent trouble. What he finds out is frustrating and enlightening in equal measure, but shows to the reader Stickleback's place in the grand scheme of things. As ever, Edginton's script is deliciously ripe with dialogue and D'israeli does wonderful things with pencils. Victoriana at it's most thrilling. Bravo!

Ampney Crucis Investigates....The End of the Pier Show has fantastic art, and Edginton again imbues the story with cracking period dialogue (this time post-war Britain). There is something faintly Lovecraftian about the premise, and it is engaging without being outstanding (or as entertaining as Stickleback or Dredd).

Nikolai Dante - Hero of the Revolution seems to be imbued with the spirit of Frank Hampson and The Eagle, thanks to John Burns stirring artwork and use of colour. The story is equal to the illustrations, with tragedy at the heart of this episode, and enough action and events for the consequences to be felt for the rest of this series. Highly entertaining.

But, I am afraid I just cannot get in to ABC Warriors. I don't know if it is Clint Langleys art style (which I love for Slaine) or the script. But something (or everything) is not engaging with me. The pages look too busy, there is an overload of information. I just don't get it. Sorry. The cover is more entertaining than the strip.

Advert for Load Runner comic (1983)

Found in Doctor Who comic #84. My earlier post on the Load Runner comic is here.