New Comic Review - Star Wars: The High Republic #2

Name: Star Wars: The High Republic #2

Published by: Marvel comics

Writer: Cavan Scott

Artists: Ario Anindito, Mark Morales

Colorist: Frank William

Letterer: VC's Ariana Maher

The pace slows down quite significantly in the second issue of the new High Republic series, as the author tries to set up his team of heroes while introducing readers to some cameos by other characters featured in the works of the other creators. 

Vildar Mac continues his search for his mysterious assailant along with his companion and we get to learn more about the assailant this time. While this issue lacks action compared to the last one, it does end with a cliffhanger that is sure to keep fans of the franchise for the future of the series. 

The art is as strong as last time and it was great to see the landscapes of the fabled Jedha and the various species and races represented on the moon. The depiction of the characters from other creators as cameos was a fine additional enjoyment factor as well. 

All in all, this one lacked the spark and pace of the first issue, but still was certainly enjoyable. I will give this 3.5 out of 5 stars.

New Comic Review - Predator #4

Name: Predator #4

Published by: Marvel comics

Writter: Ed Brisson

Artists: Kev Walker

Colorists: Frank D'Armata

Letterer: Clayton Cowles 

The new Predator mini-series have gone past its halfway mark, but the author managed to keep the story flowing despite it starting to become a bit predictable. The beautiful drawing also emphasizes this action packed issue to keep fans of the franchise enticed enough for the future. 

This issue focuses more on action compared to the past few, but tries to show more flashy armors and designs rather than focus on visceral battle scene which is saved for the last few pages and tries to introduce a new angle close to the end. 

We get to learn more about the situation Theta is in as our protagonist tries to survive being pursued by more than one Predators. The battle gets brutal pretty soon and readers are kept wondering how this confrontation might resolve. 

The drawing by Kev Walker seems to very well suited for the futuristic action scenes and his take on the beloved Predator armors are very eye catching and detailed.

Despite having quite a few positive, some of its issues do hold this issue back somewhat. All in all, this one gets 3.5 out of 5 stars from me. 

New Comic Review - Batman #129

Name: Batman #129

Published by: DC comics

Writter: Chip Zdarsky

Artists: Jorge Jimenez, Leonardo Romero 

Colorists: Tomeu Morey, Jordie Bellaire

Letterer: Clayton Cowles

Zdarsky keeps his Batman run as tight and entertaining as ever in this issue, as we experience the mental and physical chase game that continues between Batman and his creation. The tension keeps building throughout the issue and culminates in an ending, that is sure to keep readers shivering with chills (pun intended) till the next outing. 

It begins with Failsafe figuring out the hiding place of Bruce and then the rest of the issue deals with the two of them trying to outmaneuver each other as Failsafe continues his relentless pursuit to kill Batman. And the ending once again will leave readers in a quite a predicament as it did to our hero. 

The art team once again delivered some fascinating action scenes. I really loved Jimenez's drawings of Aquaman in this one and his facial expressions seem to be getting better as well. 

The side story featuring the Joker detailing the adventures of the early days of Zurr-En-Arrh gets more interesting this time with duality and moral struggles of being a vigilante who has to deal with psychopathic killers and once more I was left wondering how this might tie into the main story in the future. 

Overall, another great issue, another 4.5 stars out of 5 from me. 

New Comic Review - Detective Comics #1065

Name: Detective Comics #1065

Published by: DC comics

Writers: Ram V and Simon Spurrier

Artists: Rafael Albuquerque and Hayden Sherman

Colorist: Dave Stewart and Nick Filardi

Letterers: Ariana Maher and Steve Wands

Ram V and Rafael Albuquerque seem to have finally reached the level of excellence they are aiming for this time. Coming in after reading their first three issues, the puzzle starts to fall in the right places slowly on this one. And the experience is like a satisfying sense of understanding and appreciation for any reader who was observant from the beginning. 

The Orghams have finally arrived in Gotham with style, and all the players who are affected by their presence and machinations seem to take notice and all the little character arcs appear to be shifting in new directions. Even the side story featuring James Gordon seems to come into play as Batman delves deeper into despair. 

The drawing by Albuquerque is even better than before and his unique use of shades and shadows accompanied by the captivating use of black and reds to enhance the mood by Dave Stewart does wonders here. You can almost feel the chill in your bones as you go down deeper and deeper with Bruce. 

This issue was a pure joy and a serious statement from the creative team, claiming their rightful place at the top as the people who deserve to work on the dark knight. Hoping for the series to keep on delivering on this level from now on. 

The side story by Simon Spurrier and Hayden Sherman stars a new three parter, delving deeper into the psyche of Harvey Dent. I am quite curious to find out how this ties up with the overall plot. 

This gets a well deserved 4.5 out of 5 stars from me. 

New Comic Review - Predator #3

Name: Predator #3

Published by: Marvel comics

Writter: Ed Brisson

Artists: Kev Walker

Colorists: Frank D'Armata

Letterer: Clayton Cowles 

The third issue of the new Predator comics starts with the fight that was expected based on the ending of the last issue. And afterwards, the mystery starts to unravel about the nature of the Predators and about how they are trying to deal with the situation of the protagonist Theta. 

The issue didn't really deliver the action I was hoping for, but it did expand on the plotline and gave some more exposition upon the past and implications for the future of Theta. And ended on a note promising more action on the upcoming issues. 

The drawing was quite strong on this issue, I really liked the facial expressions on Theta as well as the interior designs of the ship and the overall environment. Hopefully we get to see more action in the future from the artists. 

Overall - 3.5 out of 5 stars. 

New Comic Review - Star Wars: The High Republic #1

Name: Star Wars: The High Republic #1

Published by: Marvel comics

Writer: Cavan Scott

Artists: Ario Anindito, Mark Morales, Andrea Broccardo

Colorist: Frank William

Letterer: VC's Ariana Maher

A lot of stuff happens in this issue compared to most modern single issue comic book. My first foray into the comics of the High Republic era was quite enjoyable and interesting. This issue was a great jumping on point introducing readers to the setting of phase II and some of its factions and characters in a fun way. 

We, as readers, arrive with the Jedi Vildar Mac to the pilgrim moon Jedha and immediately get embroiled in the conflicting public opinions and religions while we try to investigate a theft of a religious artifact as well. The perspective of someone new with a traumatic past entering into this place which is as new to him as to the readers was a good way to introduce us to the setting. 

Cavan Scott also kept throwing various factions and species at us at considerable speed, reminding readers of the richness of the Star Wars universe. The plot progression was free flowing and swept us along nicely for the ride, abruptly jolting us with the ending twist and the reveal of the surprise narrator. 

The art by Anindito and Morales did a fine job depicting the beautiful locations and backgrounds while nicely introducing us to this dizzying array of different species in such a short scope. I would have loved a bit more dynamic approach to the fight scenes, though, hopefully this will be implemented in the future. 

The side story 'Peace and Unity' does a brilliant job of introducing us to another new Jedi and showing us a glimpse of the Convocation and yet more new species to sink our teeth into. And the short story also has a nice bit of ironic humor to make it more enjoyable. 

All in all, this was a thoroughly enjoyable entry into the new phase of the High Republic for both old and new readers. 4.5 out of 5 stars from me. 

New Comic Review - Star Wars: Visions #1

Name: Star Wars: Visions #1

Published by: Marvel comics

Writer & Artist: Takashi Okazaki

English Translation: Aki Yanagi

Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna

Those who saw and loved 'The Duel' episode from Star Wars: Visions animated series were eagerly awaiting the return of the Ronin and his world. And after the full length, he returns again, this time in a story by the original writer of the episode. 

The story is a short prequel set in an unspecified period before the episode, describes the Ronin's adventures in a snowy mountain as he battles a band of bandits and encounters a mysterious stranger while travelling with his droid. 

The short one-shot has quite an enjoyable plot once again reminding us about the glorious movies and fiction it so beautifully pays homage to. The dialogue is poignant and to the point, the action sequences are stunning and brilliant. And the overall experience leaves any reader desiring more stories featuring these characters. 

The art is almost as beautiful as the original episode minus the vivid and stylized animation. The black and white drawing inspired by Manga and the use of colors only to highlight the weapons and battles works wonders to create a sense of visual motion and makes the detailed art even more gorgeous. 

I left with wishing this was at least a mini-series instead of being just a one-shot. This is recommended to not only to any fans of the original, but also to any fans of Star Wars and samurai inspired fiction in general. 

A well deserved 4.5 out of 5 stars from me. 

New Comic Review - Daredevil #4

Name: Daredevil #4

Published by: Marvel comics

Writter: Chip Zdarsky

Artist: Rafael De Latorre

Colorist: Matthew Wilson

Letterer: VC's Clayton Cowles

Detective Cole North is one of favourite new characters of Zdarsky era of Daredevil. And this issue is narrated mostly by him. While nothing much happens compared to the last few issues and by Zdarsky's standards, the reveal at the end was quite massive and Cole's side of the view of the story was really refreshing, another great issue to say the least. 

We travel to the secret island with Daredevil, Cole and Foggy and immediately greeted by the new recruits of Elektra and Stick. Some crisp dialogue and minimal description leads us to the unique journey that our Daredevil duo must make, followed by two simultaneous fight scenes occurring in different locations of the island ending in a revelation that is sure to set the stage for the future of the series for a while. 

The drawing by Rafael De Latorre and Matthew Wilson was quite brilliant in this issue. Enhancing the overall atmosphere of seriousness and the violent future struggles to come. I loved how the fights were drawn with excellent coloring and beautiful depiction of faces and eyes. 

This was yet another strong issue in the almost inconceivable and flawless era of Zdarsky's Daredevil. And the future seems to show signs of relenting and more promises of good stories for the fans. 

4.5 out of 5 stars, once again. 

New Book Review - Secrets in Scarlet

Book - Secrets in Scarlet

Editor - Charlotte Llewelyn-Wells

Writers - David Annandale, Davide Mana, Jason Fischer, Carrie Harris, Stephen Philip Jones, Lisa Smedman, James Fadeley, MJ Newman, Josh Reynolds 

Series - Arkham Horror #18

Published By - Aconyte Books

First things first, I got this book from NetGalley, so thank you NetGalley and Aconyte Books for this opportunity.

My knowledge regarding Arkham Horror was quite minimal before reading this anthology. I know it was based on the Cthulhu Mythos by Lovecraft and others. I know there are quite a lot of books based on it and it has a devoted fan base. I was always a bit interested, so jumped on the wagon when I saw this on Netgalley. 

This collection is a very good jumping on point for new reads, the setting is based on locations all over the world, each story has feature people in red in some form, has some very interesting characters and introduces readers to the basic premise of the world of Arkham Horror among other things.

Now on to the stories - 

'The Man in the Bubble by David Annandale' 

We are introduced with the Commissioner Taylor of the Foundation as they investigate and try to locate a mysterious artifact that could be very harmful in the wrong hands. An average story which serves as an introduction to the Foundation. 

3.5 out of 5 stars. 

'City of Waking Dreams by Davide Mana' 

A story set in which Inspector Li Flint comes to Shanghai in search of the Lady with The Red Parasol. Quite an interesting story with brilliant setting, some nice characters and snappy dialogue. 

4 out of 5 stars. 

'Brother Bound by Jason Fischer' 

The story of two brothers, who gets caught in something more than the bargained for, and learns of ancient artifacts and dark magic. This story had an enthralling beginning and some delightful background into the history of cane and sugar tread. One of the better stories in this anthology. 

4.5 out of 5 stars. 

'Honor Among Thieves by Carrie Harris' 

Another story of siblings, twin sisters Mila and Rosa, who agrees to do a heist for the mysterious Sanguine Watcher, but things soon get out of hand quickly. Nice little story with twists and turns. 

4.5 out of 5 stars. 

'A Forty Grain Weight of Nephrite by Steven Philip Jones' 

Our main character Kymani Jones, is searching for a sky disc or Bi with mysterious powers, which was taken by a mysterious organization. A story full of twists and turns and people with unexpected motives and switching loyalties. One of the best stories in the collection, I didn't expect the small little twist in the at all.

5 out of 5 stars. 

'Strange Things Done by Lisa Smedman' 

Another brilliant story, set in a boat that is travelling to Alaska. The main character is a reporter who notices strange things going around him. A different kind of horror, but nonetheless a chilling experience. 

4.5 out of 5 stars. 

'In Art, Truth by James Fadeley' 

A story set in Turkey, detailing about a female researcher who is investigating about a mysterious artist. Despite a nice setting the story is a bit too slow for my liking and nothing is really resolved in the end. One of the weaker stories. 

3 out of 5 stars. 

'Crossing Stars by MJ Newman' 

Plotted as a story within a story, where a mysterious patron tells her new employee a story that might not be just a story. Had a nice beginning but gets pretty predictable quickly and even seemed to drag a bit despite having potential. 

3.5 out of 5 stars. 

'The Red and the Black by Josh Reynolds' 

Set in Venice, it tales the tale of Trish Scarborough, who is seemingly  working to find a red book before the members of the red coterie, or is she? Very enjoyable little story, as is to be expected from this skillful author, with a new perspective and some interesting twists. 

5 out of 5 stars. 

Overall, as can be expected from any anthology, this had some ups and downs. But I did enjoy reading most of it and it most certainly made me very interested in the world of Arkham Horror, where I will be sure to be a visitor again. 

Cumulative score - 4 out of 5 stars. 

New Comic Review - Ant-man #4

Name: Ant-man #4

Published by: Marvel Comics 

Writer: Al Ewing

Artist: Tom Reilly

Colorist: Jordie Bellaire

Letterer: VC's Cory Petit

The amusing and nostalgic journey comes to an end. We finally get to learn about the Ant-man from the future in this final issue, as the struggle against the All-father Ultron comes to a close in this final issue. Reilly tries to mix all of the styles he previously tried in the series to give the finale ever more panache. 

In the first six or so pages Ewing creates a total backstory for the future Ant-man, and tries to explain the reasons behind his time travel. We learn about the devastating nature and the immense power of All-father Ultron as well. The rest of the issue is a fight scene as all incarnations of Ant-man tries to find a way to defeat this version of Ultron. 

The art by Reilly and Bellaire is as gorgeous as ever, they use different color pallets and nuances to draw each version of Ant-man to make each unique and easily recognizable. The actions have an enjoyable and flamboyant nature with Reilly's unique style augmented by Bellaire's exquisite coloring. I also loved the varied method of lettering used by Cory Petit throughout the issue. 

My only complaint with the issue is the overuse of pseudo superhero science in the issue, especially the almost incomprehensible method our heroes used to defeat Ultron in the end. Despite these issues, this was most definitely the best anniversary tribute mini-series that has come out in years. 

This gets a well deserved 4 out of 5 stars from me.

New Comic Review - Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories #2

Name: Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories #2

Published by: Dark Horse Comics 

Writer: Cecil Castellucci

Artist: Megan Huang

Letters: Comicraft’s Tyler Smith and Jimmy Betancourt

Despite not being as good as the first issue, Hyperspace Stories continue to provide fun little one issue stories set in different time periods in the rich history of Star Wars. This time the story focuses on the legendary twin of Luke and Leia as they search for a safe haven for the Rebel Alliance after the destruction of the first Death Star. 

The duo reaches a seemingly harmless planet called Banas, but finds out that this little planet might not be as inconsequential as they first thought it to be and gets embroiled in a new battle for survival against the forces of the Galactic Empire. 

The story, while not adding much to the canon of the overall plot, does provide an all ages adventure introducing a new planet, a new sentient species and some interesting dialogue between Luke and Leia. 

The art was quite unorthodox and definitely not for people who like their characters to look like the live-action counterparts. I myself enjoyed this new look at the familiar characters. The environment and vehicles were done in a unique style also, giving a charming edge to the story. 

Overall an enjoyable experience, despite the low stakes of the battle, I will give this 3.5 out of 5 stars. 

New Comic Review - Batman #128

Name: Batman #128

Published by: DC comics

Writter: Chip Zdarsky

Artists: Jorge Jimenez, Leonardo Romero

Colorists: Tomeu Morey, Jordie Bellaire 

Letterer: Clayton Cowles

It is hard to write stuff about this new Batman run by Zdarsky and Jimenez without starting with readers to stop everything and urgently start reading, especially if they are a fan of action or superheroes. The duo delivers another top notch issue with immaculate characterization and mesmerising action. 

The story continues progressing at a breathtaking pace and we get cameo appearances from several Justice League members. The characterization of these characters was spot on by Zdarsky and his depiction of them and their dialogues feels natural and effortless. I really loved the banter despite the seriousness of the situation. We get a sense of how truly efficient and ruthless Failsafe is throughout his interactions with these characters. 

The dialogue between Bruce and Tim when they separate due to the circumstances was my most favourite bit in this issue. It shines a light on the fatherly aspect of Batman and makes him feel more human than ever, and quite unlike the weapon that always strives to be. 

Some may argue that this setup has been done before, in the iconic 'Tower of Babel' or various other instances where Batman's enemies have defeated his whole team and has taken over Gotham. But it is quite hard to not be influenced by past stories while writing such an iconic character with such long history. And Zdarsky's execution of the story and his handling of the characters makes this such a joy to read and very refreshing and modern despite obvious homages to past runs. 

The art by Jimenez and Morey once again is spectacular. The action sequences are the true strength of the duo with their impactful use of art and colors, making the motions seem to reach a new level vividness. The costumes of these vast array of characters were also detailed quite thoroughly and I loved the facial expressions emphasising on the direness of the situation. 

The new side story by Zdarsky and Leonardo Romero that begins here seems very promising. The story seems like it will delve more into the story of Batman of Zurr-En-Arrh. The drawing is very unique and adds a sense of old school nostalgia surrounding these iconic characters. The cliffhanger does make readers ponder about the future. 

Another almost perfect issue that gets 4.5 out of 5 stars from me. 

Magazine Review - Star Wars Insider #213

Name: Star Wars Insider #213

Published by: Titan Magazines 

Release Month: September '22

Editor: Christopher Cooper

Fiction Writer: George Mann

While I had watched the original Star Wars trilogy, parts of the prequel trilogy and some of the animated shows previously, my actual fandom with Star Wars started with the awesomeness of' The Mandalorian'. Then I went back and started delving into the world of Star Wars, both media and prose fictions of the expanded universe. 

This issue is my first foray into 'Star Wars Insider', which I mainly decided to check out for the fiction piece starting 'High Republic: Phase II'. This was a pleasant experience, as while I didn't like everything, I did enjoy many of the contents on offer. 

The two interviews were great. I liked learning of the unused scenes and his experiences from the original trilogy from Garrick Hagon. Loved to read about the story behind Warren Fu's designing of General Grievous. 'Joining the Quest' piece was a nice introduction for the creators of Phase II of the High Republic. The Book of Boba Fett companion was a nice refresher of the story of that series and made me intrigued about the future of the characters. 'A certain point of view' feature about the ships was another delightful little piece. 

Now lets come to the fiction, "Tales of Enlightenment: New Prospects" is a short story set during the High Republic Era, written by George Mann. Only part one is published here and readers have to wait for the next issue for part two. 

The story is set on the tapbar called Enlightenment, where a human prospector named Saretha von Beel tells her story to some regulars of this establishment in exchange for a drink. In her story she details her experiences as a prospector. Her encounters with pirates, a Jedi and monsters.

The prose was quite enjoyable and the method of establishing the setting and the characters also gives us some insight into this time period in the history of the Republic. The short little piece is clearly intended as a jumping on point for new readers as well as to entice anyone interested to start their journey into this era and does a commendable job serving its purpose. 

As a whole, I liked this issue and will definitely check out other issues of this magazine in the future. 4 out of 5 stars. 

New Comic Review - Ant-man #3

Name: Ant-man #3

Published by: Marvel Comics 

Writer: Al Ewing

Artist: Tom Reilly

Colorist: Jordie Bellaire

Letterer: VC's Cory Petit

Well, now I am officially a fan of this creative duo. Once again, they provide another brilliant issue, this time dealing with the most famous incarnation of Ant-man. This issue is packed with funny and witty dialogue, progresses the plot towards its inevitable conclusion in the future issue, while introducing readers to more of the iconic and interesting characters from the Ant-man mythos. 

Al Ewing completely understands the essence of the character of Scott Lang, and depicts him clearly as a family man, a smart and down to earth superhero who is smart and witty but knows when to get serious when the situation demands it. I really loved his handling of Cassie and the LMD version of Black Ant. It was great to see the cameos by some big shot Avengers too.

The most funny thing in this was definitely the banter between the characters, I also loved the father and daughter dynamic and the humorous monologue by the Black Ant. In fact, it was hard to find a misstep in the pages of this issue. And the twist at the end cleverly set up the stage for the finale. 

The art and color by Reilly and Bellaire is as good as the first two issues. Reilly once again morphs his style, this time adapting the modern approach, with using his unique grasp of the medium, and from the help of Bellaire creates a sense of motion while the characters change their sizes and the action scenes. The coloring also works to add up a kind of personality for the different characters with the use of shading. 

Despite initially wishing to write a short review, I cannot help myself from adding stuff to express my enthusiasm for this thoroughly entertaining and delightful little mini-series. 

My score - 4.5 out of 5.

New Comic Review - Detective Comics #1064

Name: Detective Comics #1064

Published by: DC comics

Writers: Ram V and Simon Spurrier

Artists: Rafael Albuquerque and Dani

Colorist: Dave Stewart

Letterers: Ariana Maher and Steve Wands

Well, Ram V and Rafael Albuquerque seems to have finally achieved what they were aiming for with this issue. The prose is much more tight and engrossing, the characters more vividly portrayed than ever and the art seems to have reached a new high with brilliantly mixing the gothic mystery and a brooding sense of darkness. 

The story begins with a beautiful little scene between Talia and Damian where Talia tells her son a folk tale which is presented with exquisite drawings. Then we get to see Bruce once again trying to cope with his health and his loss of family fortunes while trying to piece together the mystery on hand. Then the artistically choreographed fight sequence between Talia and Batman takes center stage. 

The storyline seems like it's finally falling into pieces while readers are still looking for hidden clues and cryptic meaning everywhere. The importance of Talia and the League finally comes to the forefront and Damian gets an interesting cameo. 

The drawing seems much improved this time somehow, especially the opening sequence and the fight scenes. The coloring by Dave Stewart is also top notch, adding an extra sense of mystery and horror to the atmosphere. 

The side story by Simon Spurrier featuring Gordon comes to its end here, leaving a lot of room for maneuvering in the future, ending up with giving Gordon something of a new status quo to explore. The unusual drawing by Dani was once again a driving force for this short little noir inspired piece. 

In the end, I will give this one a much deserved 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Graphic Novel Review - Predator Omnibus Vol. 1

Name: Predator Omnibus Vol. 1

Published by: Dark Horse Comics 

Written by: Mark Verheiden, Ian Edginton, Chuck Dixon, Dan Barry, Mike Richardson, Neil Barrett, Jr. 

Penciled by: Chris Warner, Ron Randall, Rick Leonardi, Enrique Alcatena, Dan Barry, Leo Duranona

Inked by: Sam De La Rosa, Chris Warner, Randy Emberlain, Steve Mitchell, Rick Magyar, Dan Panosian, Enrique Alcatena, Dan Barry, Leo Duranona

Colorer by: Chris Chalenor, Rachelle Menashe, David Nastelle, Steve Mattson, John Hannan III, Greg Wright, Gail Beckett, Eric Vincent 

Lettering by: Jim Massara, David Jackson, Clem Robins, Steve Dutro, Gail Beckett, Ellie De Ville

Well, this one is certainly not for everyone, but for the fans of Predator and of 80's action movies this is definitely going to be something of pure joy and nostalgia. Don't come here looking for artistic writing or groundbreaking mystery or finesse, but if you just came to enjoy mindless action and cheesy dialogue filled with varied and interesting drawings featuring the iconic Predators you have reached the right place indeed. 

This omnibus contains some of the earliest comic issues published by Dark Horse and you can clearly feel the influence of the first movie of the franchise in these stories. I would now write a few lines expressing my feelings about each of the story on offer. 

'Concrete Jungle' is the first ever original Predator comic series. It deals with the brother of Dutch, John Schaefer, who is an NYPD detective. It is clearly apparent that this has heavily influenced the second movie. While the author did some things better than the movie, but some things were just better done on big screen. 

'Cold War' once again features John Schaefer, but this time he goes to Siberia and teams up with a Russian woman named Lt. Ligachev to deal with another party of Predators. I liked this one most of the trilogy featuring Schaefer, the setting is quite promising for a movie in my opinion, the drawing was very good and Ligachev was a great addition too. 

'Dark River' is definitely the weakest of Schaefer trilogy, despite having some delightful art. The story is just too similar in essence and execution of the previous two and the dialogue was a bit too cheesy even for the 80's action movies feel it was trying to achieve. 

'Rite of Passage' was the first of the two short pieces based in Africa. I really liked this silent short. It reminded me a bit of 'Prey', the latest movie in the franchise. 

'The Pride at Nghasa' was another enjoyable story, reminding of the hunting stories I used to love in my childhood, with a twist of the hunters being massacred by a Predator. 

'The Bloody Sands of Time' was a mixed bag. While I really loved the characters of Griggs and Gwen, the story relied too much on the horrors of war and mindless slaughter instead of focusing on the characters for my liking. 

'Blood Feud' was another story that had a promising beginning, focusing on a blind Samurai but rather failed to deliver later on. Despite being a short story this one seemed to drag a bit and lacked the action that I hoped for. 

All in all, a fine example of the early days of Predator comics that is essential reading for any fans of the franchise and anyone who likes cheesy action movies. 

My score - 4 out of 5 stars. 

New Book Review - All or Nothing: A Zombicide Novel

Book - All or Nothing 

Writer - Josh Reynolds 

Series - A Zombicide Novel

Published By - Aconyte Books

First things first, I got this book from NetGalley, so thank you NetGalley and Aconyte Books for this opportunity.

To be honest, zombie fiction has reached such a point in its history that it is almost impossible to create anything fresh regarding it. Almost every angle has been explored, every stone has been turned to the entertainment the targeted audience. Josh Reynolds didn't focus on trying new dimensions, rather he gave us strong characters and some thrilling action bits to tell us an engrossing tale of survival. 

I was a bit sceptical when requesting this on netgalley, as I had no prior knowledge of the board game 'Zombicide', and also because this novel is a sequel of the writers first book based on the game. But, Reynolds did a brilliant job of making this a smooth read for any newcomer into the world of Zombicide and the story stands on its own quite independently despite being a sequel. 

'All or Nothing' is the tale of former career criminal Westlake, who finds himself semi-zombified in Atlantic City. Where he is kidnapped and becomes part of a savage gladiator-styled show for the amusement of a heartless overlord. But, ex-cop Estela Ramirez and her crew of mishap heroes are already on their stop the horrors being inflicted on the humans. 

The story is told through various viewpoint characters, almost all of whom different agendas and act in ways to ensure their goals in interesting ways. The plot is filled with enough thrills to keep the reader guessing what might happen next and keep hoping that their favorite characters somehow survive the ordeals. The story had enough momentum to keep any reader motivated to keep turning pages and some detailed action sequences as well. 

Among the characters, some were very interesting; including but not limited to the dubious protagonist Westlake, the masked wrestler named Calavera, the curiously academic and articulate Potelmy, the highly capable and stealthy Sayers, the enigmatic and mysterious Duchess and the not so generic mad scientist Brewer. I really loved many of these characters and that is what kept this story so entertaining despite the unoriginal setting of a zombie apocalypse. 

Despite wishing the ending had a bit more punch and more instances of near death experiences overall, I really loved the writing by Josh Reynolds and the characters. 

I will give this, 4 out of 5 stars. 

New Comic Review - Daredevil #3

Name: Daredevil #3

Published by: Marvel comics

Writter: Chip Zdarsky

Artist: Rafael De Latorre

Colorist: Matthew Wilson

Letterer: VC's Clayton Cowles

Every month I pick up new issues by Chip Zdarsky, mentally dreading that maybe this time he will drop the ball by writing something less than stellar. And each time I get pleasantly surprised as he yet again delivers another spectacular issue dealing with the resolve and the beliefs Matt has regarding his past and the direction he has decided to take his life in. 

This issue continues to deal with Matt trying to tie up loose ends before leaving NYC to deal with the Hand. But this time he decides to pick up some more members for his army and tries to sway some of his friends to fight for his cause. On his travels through the city he also visits some of his lingering enemies that needs to be dealt with in the future, as well meet with some new enemies who he has to face sooner rather than later. 

That is the most I can say without spoiling anything of the plot. This issue is a rather prose heavy and lacking in action, but in Matt's world you don't always need action to portray an intense story. This issue is, as always, hard to put down once you start and immediately starts you wondering what to expect from the future issues once you are done, as Zdarsky already has all readers so much invested in the plight of his heroes. 

The drawing does suffer a bit with the absence of extremely capable Checcheto, but Rafael De Latorre & Matthew Wilson does a more than recommendable job of conveying the dire and desperate nature of the situation. 

The last few pages were my favourite nonetheless due to Zdarsky beautifully portrays Matthew's futile attempt at leaving behind his past life and old friends despite the apparent public death of his civilian persona. I just can't wait to discover what the future holds for these characters and for once the brilliant story didn't make me realise the total absence of Elektra till the final page. 

Once again, a resounding 4.5 out of 5 stars. 

New Comic Review - Predator #2

Name: Predator #2

Published by: Marvel comics

Writter: Ed Brisson

Artists: Kev Walker

Colorists: Frank D'Armata

Letterer: Clayton Cowles 

This issue slows the pace down quite a bit, after the action packed and plot enriched first issue. There is a distinct lack of visceral action sequences present on the first issue. There isn't much presence of the titular character of 'Predator' as well. 

Rather the author focuses more time building on the character of Theta, adding depth into both her inner struggles as well as her attempt of surviving the unforgiving and harsh conditions of the planet that she crashed on in the previous issue. The ending does set up next month's issue to have one intense battle though. 

Despite liking some aspects of the issue which make this an enjoyable science fiction story, my main problem is that this doesn't really feel like a Predator comic at all. The sense of horror and intensity characteristic of fictions associated with the unique hunter species is distinctly absent here. 

The drawing and coloring do the job admirably with depicting the desolate atmosphere of the planet as well as the desperation and turmoil the protagonist goes through. But I will be much more interested to see the action sequences drawn by these two in the future issues. 

Like the first issue, I will give this one 3.5 out of 5 stars once again.

Audiobook Review - The Interrogation of Salvor Lermentov

Name: The Interrogation of Salvor Lermentov

Series: Vaults of Terra

Published by: Black Library / Games Workshop

Writer: Chris Wraight

Performed by: John Banks & David Seddon

As an audio drama set in the 'Vaults of Terra' series, this is situated just after the first book. While this doesn't add much to the story, it does deal with the fate of one of the side characters. It also is a short statement regarding the current state of the Imperium of man, presented through a charged conversation between two men with very different opinions. 

Salvor Lermentov was one of the interesting side characters of ' The Carrion Throne' and Inquisitor Cowl was my favourite character in the book. So, despite the predictable direction of their meeting and the equalling predictable outcome, it was fun to hear them talk. Some more insights into the backstory of Lermentov were presented here, as well as the origins of his motivation. 

The performance by John Backs and David Seddon were great. I liked the emotionally charged arguments and the background music also added to the overall enjoyment. Their pronunciations were quite clear and understandable. 

This was a fun experience that should reinvigorate readers' interest in the future books of the series. Despite its short length and this not being essential for understanding the series it was a fun experience nonetheless. 

3.5 out of 5 stars from me. 

New Comic Review - Aliens: Aftermath #1

Name: Aliens: Aftermath #1

Published by: Marvel comics

Writer: Benjamin Percy

Artists: Dave Wachter

Colorists: Christopher Sotomayor 

Letterer: VC's Ariana Maher

This one shot celebrates and explores upon the 35th anniversary of the beloved second movie of the franchise, 'Aliens'. And we get to travel once again to the ruins of 'Hadley's Hope' with a new cast of doomed characters. 

The story is set 35 years in fictional time of the Aliens universe, as we see a group of renegade terrorists trying to explore what's left of LV-426, with some hidden agendas thrown into the mix. Things don't  go according to plan as always and we get to meet a new kind of Xenomorph, as the crew tries to survive the experience. 

There is a lot of story packed here for only a one-shot, even some backstories for characters and a surprise ending that leaves ground for exploration in the near future. The fast paced ride was a quick reading and left me wondering if it could have worked better as a mini-series with the addition of a bit more materials. 

Usually I don't talk about characters in a single issue of any comics, but here we get to meet the nephew of the one and only 'Vasquez' from the movie; and we also meet a mysterious employee of Weyland-Yutani. Aside from the other unexplored and expendable side characters, these two seemed quite interesting. 

There is nothing unique or extraordinary going on in the art department, but Dave Wachter did a fine job of detailing the atmosphere of the locations and the coloring by Sotomayor added to the overall feel of horror. The design for the new Xenomorph was quite eye catching as well. 

Overall, I will give this 4 out of 5 stars (.5  added due to my love for the movie and potential for the future). 

New Comic Review - Batman #127

Name: Batman #127

Published by: DC comics

Writter: Chip Zdarsky

Artists: Jorge Jimenez, Belén Ortega

Colorists: Tomeu Morey, Luis Guerrero

Letterer: Clayton Cowles

Both of Zdarsky's main superhero series' have become so engrossing that it is hard to wait for the next issue each month. And his new Batman once again delivers such an issue, that you have to think for some time after finishing about the references and the ramifications and what the reader might expect next. 

The plot follows Batman and Tim while they try to outwit Failsafe, and survive his relentless onslaught. Elsewhere, Nightwing and Oracle decide to call for some backup and the story ends with another surprise in the guise of a cameo from a beloved DC icon. 

The issue opens directly from the last issues surprise reveal as the author slowly takes us into the origin of 'Failsafe'. The action slows down a little and Zdarsky's inner monologue for Bruce seems a lot more focused on this issue. Despite the author going for the psychological impact on Bruce about his dual identity and his mission versus family, which has been done many times before, his approach and execution makes this tired trope shine brighter than ever before. 

The artists do another superb job, the action sequences are as good as the last issue, with brilliant use of colors throughout. The desperation and anguish is almost palpable on the faces of the heroes and the backgrounds were done quite skillfully as well. 

The side story featuring Catwoman takes a surprise turn in this finale. And rather than focusing on the action this time Zdarsky delivers a different take, writing about how his rogues feel about Batman on the impact he has on their life and what it feels like to start from the scratch. Not a bad end to this delightful little story. 

My score - 4.5 out of 5 stars. 

New Manga Review - Star Wars Rebels, Vol. 1

Name: Star Wars Rebels, Vol. 1

Based on the series created by: Dave Filoni, Simon Kinberg & Carrie Beck

Art by: Akira Aoki

Published by: Yen Press

I can't seem to get enough 'Star Wars' in my life at the moment. On a whim, I even decided to check out a manga based on the franchise. This first volume of 'Star Wars Rebels' manga doesn't really do anything new or groundbreaking, but it felt kinda good to see these characters and the universe in this new format. 

There is not much to say about the story, as this volume mostly follows exactly the plot of the first one hour television film 'Spark of Rebellion' barring a few minor changes. Although it's been quite a long time since I saw the first season of the show, this brought back some fond memories. We also get introduced to the main characters and their ship. Some more changes or a bit of depth in storytelling might have been better though. 

The art was the main reason for my interest in this, and while I didn't like all of the character drawings, the environment and the ships were done quite beautifully in the style of manga art. The action sequences were also done with enough charisma to make readers recheck for missing bits and pieces. 

The short side story featuring 'Darth Vader' at the end was very interesting, and as far as I can tell it adapts a small part of the novel 'Lords of the Sith'. This features some delightful drawing of Vader and made me interested to check out the novel. 

Overall, I liked this short read despite the lack of originality or innovation in the plot and will probably check out the next two volumes for the art and for refreshing my memory of the animated series before I watch the later seasons. 

I will give this, 3.5 out of 5 stars. 

New Book Review - Star Wars: Be More Obi-Wan

Name: Star Wars: Be More Obi-Wan

Writer: Kelly Knox

Published by: Dorling Kindersley Limited (DK) 

My first experience with the Star Wars Be More series is just what I expected, a fun little self-help book with Star Wars humour thrown in for good measure.

The book is divided into five chapters with each containing five mages with a title line followed by a small paragraph. Even the tragedies of Obi-Wan's life are made fun of through bits of wisdom and quotes from the various characters dispersed throughout each page of the different chapters.

It was a short and enjoyable read. Any fan of Star Wars will surely love to revisit these pieces from the past history of the Star Wars universe and the unique sense of humour present throughout the texts is always sure to cater to the taste of the fans of the series. The choice of the dialogues picked were also top notch and right on point.

There were many screenshots from both the live action and animated features from the Star Wars franchise. I just wish there were a few illustrations present, which would have made me enjoy this even more.

4 out of 5 stars from me, for this short little title.

Graphic Novel Review - Star Wars: Allegiance

Name: Star Wars: Allegiance 

Writter: Ethan Sacks

Artist: Luke Ross

Colorist: Lee Loughridge

Cover Artist: Marco Checcheto

Letter: VC's Clayton Cowles 

'Allegiance' is the only one of the three 'Journey To Star Wars' mini-series for the sequel trilogy that focuses on the main three protagonists and even the main antagonist Kylo Ren in cameo appearance. Maybe that is why it was so hard to pull off, especially considering despite the presence of all the major players the conflict was quite minor and the outcome was so obvious from the start. 

The plot follows Leia, Rey, Chewie and Rose as they travel to Mon Cala to forge a new alliance while aiming to acquire some new spaceships for the resistance. While in a side plot Finn and Poe attempts to find a secret cache of weapons that can be of great use to the plight of the forces of the resistance. 

The plotline following Leia and Rey seems to contain a bit too much dialogue and the characters seemed a bit too off at times. I liked the subplot involving Finn and Poe much better in comparison with its banter and humorous bits, but this might be due to fact that Finn is one of my favourite characters in the sequel trilogy. 

There was nothing wrong with the art, in fact the alien characters were drawn quite nicely and the action sequences were well done too. But it lacked the grandiosity of drawing on offer present on the first two miniseries. As a matter of fact, the spectacular covers by Marco Checcheto makes this even more apparent.

I did enjoy reading about these characters and I am sure it served its purpose of enticing fans before 'The Rise of Skywalker'. But I can't give this more than an average score of 3 out of 5 stars.

New Comic Review - Ant-man #2

Name: Ant-man #2

Published by: Marvel Comics 

Writer: Al Ewing

Artist: Tom Reilly

Colorist: Jordie Bellaire

Letterer: VC's Cory Petit

It is very hard follow up the first issue of this mini-series, which was a dose of nostalgic perfection. But Ewing and Reilly do manage to deliver another fun and enjoyable issue, although maybe not as spectacular as the previous one. 

This time we switch our focus to the most notorious person ever to use of the name of Ant-man, the irredeemable Eric O'Grady. The story is set just after Eric had stolen the new and improved Ant-man suit from SHIELD, as he tries to get familiar with his new found powers and ends up meeting different incarnations of Ant-man. 

The art style by Tom Reilly, tries to imitate the style of the 2000's and does so admirably. His paneling and drawing style was a brilliant replication of the methods used in 'The Irredeemable Ant-man' series in which Eric used to star on, and once again was an enjoyable trip to the past. 

But to me the pacing was the issue was a bit too slow, and nothing much really happened concerning the main overarching plot of the series. 

This gets, 4 out of 5 stars from me. 

Graphic Novel Review - Star Wars: Captain Phasma

Name: Star Wars: Captain Phasma

Published by: Marvel Comics 

Writter: Kelly Thompson 

Artist: Marco Checcheto

Colorist: Andres Mossa

Letter: VC's Clayton Cowles 

One of the minor characters that I was intrigued by in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' was the character of Captain Phasma. I found here design quite unique and interesting, and was kind of disappointed by her fate towards the end. This story picks up after where we left her in the movie moving her part of the plot forward and the art by Marco Checcheto was as delightful as ever. 

The story starts with Captain Phasma, just after where we left him in the movie, follows him as he erases the evidence of his involvement in the destruction of Starkiller base and his pursuit of the only one who is aware of this secret. This 4 part mini-series introduces a few new characters and a new planet with some backstory. 

While the story wasn't particularly bad, the story of the planet and its occupants wasn't much interesting. I would have liked to learn more about the past of Captain Phasma rather than this, which was only barely hinted at. The main focus is on the present and the ruthless intensity of Phasma to tie up loose ends to ensure her own survival. 

I have become a fan of Marco Checcheto's art in the recent months, and once again he delivers with delightful precision. His beautifully detailed drawing of the spaceships and the environment is complemented adequately by the equally capable Andres Mossa. I also liked Checcheto's designs for the various inhabitants of the planet Luprora. Once again, this artist duo is impeccable in their execution and their world of Star Wars is a joy to behold. 

Frankly, I wanted to give this collection a lower score, but on a second thought I did enjoy the story and was quite invested in the character of Captain Phasma throughout her struggles. And the drawing deserves full marks. So I decided to give this 4 out of 5 stars in the end. 

Graphic Novel Review - Star Wars: Shattered Empire

Name: Star Wars: Shattered Empire 

Published by: Marvel Comics

Writer: Greg Rucka

Artists: Marco Checcheto, Angel Unzueta and Emilio Laiso

Colorist: Andres Mossa

Letter: VC's Joe Caramagna 

I picked this up because what was advertised about this miniseries, I wanted to find out what happened just after 'Return of the Jedi' and based on the cover and my previous experience with Marco Checcheto I was quite enthusiastic about how he would draw this iconic characters and action scenes. I got almost exactly what I was expecting. 

The main viewpoint character is Shara Bay, the mother of Poe Dameron, from the sequel trilogy. The stories present in the main four issues are kind of like anthologies, tales occurring just after the final battle of the third movie and the week following it, she interacts with the trio of heroes from the movie with cameos from other beloved characters. 

There never is any real danger or momentum in the stories presented here, and dialogues are very cheesy quite often. At times, this almost felt like deliberate and cheap attempt at introducing Dameron's parents in the main story chronologically without adding much to the plot other than establishing that the battle with the Empire is not over yet. 

But the art by Marco Checcheto is even better than I expected. His brilliant drawings of these iconic characters and visually astounding action sequences is bound to create nostalgia in the fans of this franchise. With his truly remarkable drawing of the epic Star Wars universe, it was almost impossible to stop from keep on turning the pages just to watch the brilliance unfold. If this was solely based on art, I would have given this full marks for sure. 

The extra two issues featured here are, Mark Waid's Princess Leia #1 and Star Wars (1977) #1. I didn't really care much for the first one, as the story was very bland, and the drawing of the main two characters was too similar. The second issue is the start of Marvel’s adaptation of the original movie, which was some nostalgic fun, despite having some peculiar drawing. 

Overall, I'll give this one, 3.5 out of 5 stars. 

New Comic Review - Detective Comics #1063

Name: Detective Comics #1063

Published by: DC comics

Writers: Ram V and Simon Spurrier

Artists: Rafael Albuquerque and Dani

Colorist: Dave Stewart

Letterers: Ariana Maher and Steve Wands

The second 'Detective Comics' issue of Ram V is more of a mixed bag compared to the incredible first one. While he deepens his gothic mystery and cosmic horror angles of the story, his prose seems to slow down a bit too much and lacks the action and aggressive momentum that is needed in an enjoyable Batman comic. 

The story begins with Batman having an enquiring and interesting conversation with Harvey Dent, then we get some more ominous appearances from the new villainous characters while Bruce continues his investigations to uncover the mystery behind the ancient music box. The dialogue is as serious and moody as before (too much emphasis on Bruce getting old though). The prose is a bit too dense at times and the pace seemed to be deliberately slowed a bit too much too. 

The art is as exquisite as before, with brilliant facial expressions and masterful and clever use of colors by Dave Stewart. But the lack of action sequences seemed to once again dimmed my enjoyment a bit as I think the artist duo could have worked wonders there. 

The side story focusing on Jim Gordon by Spurrier manages to deliver as the first issue, taking us deeper into the mystery and keeping us curious about how the last part might tie everything up. The art by Dani here brilliantly complements the atmosphere and strengthens the storytelling. 

I will give this 3.5 out of 5 stars. Hopefully the story picks up pace in the next few issues. 

New Comic Review - Amazing Spider-Man #8

Name: Amazing Spider-Man #8

Published by: Marvel comics

Writter: Zeb Wells

Artists: John Romita Jr., Scott Hanna

Colorists: Marcio Menyz

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

The new series of 'Amazing Spider-Man' seems to have finally found its rhythm into its eighth issue. It is a tightly focused issue with visually engrossing action and emotionally charged dialogue. While I am not entirely sure what the future might be like for this series, but I definitely liked this issue.

This one starts from where the 7th issue ended, as Spider-Man continues his fight against vulture, trying to outwit the villain, despite his momentary disadvantage, while trying desperately not to be killed. The most of the issue is a brutal and visceral battle scene, in between which Peter seeks help from a very unlikely place. The issue ends with a twist ending that has been foreshadowed in the last few issues. 

The art by John Romita Jr. is as good as ever. His ability to depict emotions and desperation with his unorthodox style of drawing characters adds to the drama of the story in a big way. And his delightful drawing with excellent lettering by Joe Caramagna adds to the overall savageness of the battle. 

In my opinion, this might be the best issue of this run of ASM, if not the best Spider-Man issue of the year so far. But due to next two issues being kind of tie-ins to the bigger Marvel universe I am not too optimistic for the future, as I would have liked the story to be more focused on these characters. Let's just hope the creative duo doesn't drop the ball again just after they seemed to have found their groove. 

Nonetheless, this issue gets a well deserved 4.5 out of 5 stars. 

New Comic Review - Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories #1

Name: Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories #1

Published by: Dark Horse Comics 

Writer: Amanda Deibert

Artist: Lucas Marangon

Colorist: Michael Atiyah

Letters: Comicraft’s Tyler Smith and Jimmy Betancourt

Well, I didn't know this was coming out this week. Before yesterday I wasn't even aware that 'Dark Horse' has gained the rights to publish Star Wars comics again. Although I was a bit sceptical before picking this up, the first issue of this new series turned out to be quite a pleasant surprise.

This story takes place sometime during the Clone Wars and features all the main trio of characters from the prequel trilogy as they are one rescue mission. Amanda Deibert seems to have a good understanding of these characters and she even includes some cameos and one of the fan favorite villain from the era.

The most interesting part is that this is 'done in one' all-ages adventure. In this age of multi issue and multi series stories, this feels quite refreshing. And the author manages to flesh out the story quite well in just one issue. I really loved the emotional side story of the Wookiee family.

Lucas has quite a unique style in his art. The drawing seems like a mash up between 2D cartoons and mangas. His unique take on this iconic characters were quite eye catching, although it took out some of the characteristic flashiness out of the action sequences at times.

I wish this issue had at least a small paragraph on the credits page detailing when it takes place regarding the Star Wars timeline. That would have made this a bit more newbie friendly, then again, not many people who is not an invested Star Wars fan will pick this up.

All in all, this gets 4 out of 5 stars from me. 

New Comic Review - Daredevil #2

Name: Daredevil #2

Published by: Marvel comics

Writter: Chip Zdarsky, Ann Nocenti, Chris Giarrusso 

Artist: Marco Checchetto, Rafael De Latorre, Alex Maleev, Paul Azaceta, Phil Noto, Chris Samnee, Klaus Janson, Mike Hawthorne, John Romita Jr., Scott Hanna, Chip Zdarsky, Chris Giarrusso 

Colorist: Matthew Wilson

Letterer: VC's Clayton Cowles 

Daredevil #2 is yet another chapter in Murdock's life where Zdarsky uses his unique style of storytelling to incorporate new elements into the Daredevil mythos. The prose is just as emotional and poignant as it has ever been with beautiful drawing by Checcheto and a team of brilliant artists augmented by powerful coloring from Matthew Wilson. 

The second (or 650th) issue of Daredevil is certainly not what I expected it to be. Unlike many anniversary issues, it doesn't showcase the supporting cast and the signature rogues gallery of the hero (just recently ASM #900 pulled this off). Rather, it continues from the last issue, progressing the plot further, introduces a new antagonist and uses the talent of the plethora of great artists on offer to introduce said character methodically into Matt's past adventures. 

The art in this issue is truly phenomenal. While the single pages that glimpsed the past by previous artists were a welcome addition and eye catching indeed, I liked the drawing by Checcheto and Wilson detailing the present even more. The fist fight in the rain, the use of darker colors to implement the mood; and the anguish, confusion and desperation in Matt's face without even revealing his eyes, all these are just some of the highlights of their excellent dual performance.

Ann Nocenti is one of my all time favourite Daredevil writers, and her 4 page short is as characteristic in style as one expects of her. I sometimes wish that she would return to write some issues in the future, although that seems very unlikely. The one page mini by Chris Giarrusso is also quite funny.

The absence of Elektra on such a landmark issue was a negative for me, cause I think she has become an integral part of Daredevil. I also found the introduction of the new antagonist into such pivotal moments from Matt's past a bit too much at times.

But, Zdarsky certainly keeps the ball rolling, and his current run continues to be one of the best comics being published at the moment. 

4 out of 5 stars from me.