Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!
Let’s jump into some other books that have been released over the last few weeks!
Moonshine #1
Written by Brian Azzarello
Illustrated by Eduardo Risso
Published by Image Comics
When the team behind 100 Bullets reunite to create a new comic, you have to read it. And it’s not a disappointment either. This could be the start of one hell of a series.
Set during Prohibition, and deep in the backwoods of Appalachia, Moonshine #1 tells the story of Lou Pirlo, a city-slick “torpedo” sent from New York City to negotiate a deal with the best moonshiner in West Virginia, one Hiram Holt.
What Lou doesn’t figure on is that Holt is just as cunning and ruthless as any NYC crime boss. Because not only will Holt do anything to protect his illicit booze operation, he’ll stop at nothing to protect a much darker family secret…a bloody, supernatural secret that must never see the light of day… or better still, the light of the full moon.
Azzarello is a writer who is at the top of his game. Here he pushes himself and challenges himself in new territory. Same with Risso on art. It’s exhilarating. I’m not as big a fan of these two separately at times…when they are together?
They totally rock.
I’ll be reading this series each month. You should too. It’s pretty damn awesome.
RATING: A-
Scarlet #1-10
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Illustrated by Alex Maleev
Published by Marvel Comics
After a sporadic publishing schedule that was truly maddening, I was finally able to read Scarlet numbers 1-10…and it ended on a cliffhanger telling me it will continue next year which is even more maddening.
It’s only maddening because the comic book is so damn good.
Bendis used to be a writer who I would buy anything he wrote. Lately, it’s been less than so for me. I like Bendis still, but he sort of wore on me. This book reminded me that when Bendis hits, he really hits. His story of Scarlet and her struggle against the police force and the city is mesmerizing. I can’t get enough.
Alex Maleev Illustrates this book and it’s the best of his career. These two are such a good team on anything…but this is just awesome. It would get an A plus if it had anything resembling a normal schedule.
Still, this is a book of passion and I love every second.
RATING: A
Reborn #1
Written by Mark Millar
Illustrated by Greg Capullo
Published by Image Comics
Man, Image Comics really is one hell of a publisher. They are really pushing what can be done in comics. Now comes this from the always reliable Millar and it’s another great start to a series.
I think eventually all of Millar’s books will hit the big screen. It’s not hard to see why. The story goes like this: Where do you go when you die? Not heaven or hell; somewhere else. Somewhere you have to fight to survive. Somewhere the people from the past are waiting for you—the good and the bad.
The story follows an eighty-year-old woman named Bonnie Black who passes away and finds herself young once again, in a limbo-like dimension that she must fight through to find her husband, who she lost fourteen years prior.
The opening sequence starts this series off right. Fast, fun, and just damn enjoyable. Millar continues on his roll of hits and Capullo is just a master artist at this point. What they do together is amazing.
Another great book from Millar. I don’t know if his streak can be beaten at this point.
RATING:A
Another Chance to Get it Right
Written by Andrew Vachss
Illustrated by Various
Published by Dark Horse Comics
I actually bought this book on the stands in 1993. This book here is a reissue of that same book I bought.
So I reread it. And let me tell you: It’s as moving now as when I first read it.
This book is a groundbreaking collection of short stories, poetry, and allegory by Andrew Vachss, one of the most powerful voices in the field of child protection. This work is an illumination of the realities of child abuse, juvenile violence . . . and tribute to the power of imagination. It features a line-up of award winning artists, including Geof Darrow, Paul Chadwick, Frank Caruso, Dave Gibbons, and Tim Bradstreet.
I forgot how good this book is…and how there has never been quite another book like it. I remember being stunned by this. I read it again, and I was stunned all over again. A must read.
RATING: A+
