Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown, the Friday Edition!
Let’s waste no time and let’s talk Comics!
The Damned: Three Days Dead
Written by Cullen Bunn
Illustrated by Brian Hurtt
Published by Oni Press
I have to confess: I’ve never been that big a fan of writer Cullen Bunn. His Marvel stuff has always left me cold. Therefore, it comes as a nice surprise to see him write so damn well on this title.
This is awesome and I loved this book.
During the prohibition era, gangsters grew rich on our vices, and rivalries between criminal organizations resulted in open war.
But unknown to the masses, a more sinister power controlled the crime cartels, using greed, gluttony, lust and other sins to fuel a much more lucrative trade: mortal souls.
The long-standing feud between two of the families is about the come to an end thanks to a brokered deal to consolidate power.
But before things can be finalized, the bookkeeper tasked to brokering the deal is kidnapped along with a ledger that could spell doom for all the families. Hoping to find the missing bookkeeper before the deal falls apart, Big Al pulls Eddie’s corpse out of a ditch and puts him on the case. Now Eddie, cursed and unable to rest, finds himself caught up in the middle of a sinister web of kidnapping, murder and damnation.
Man, that’s a hell of a description. It works incredibly well. Brian Hurtt is a hell of an artist too. His work is dark and well composed. Between the two of them, the storytelling is top notch. You can’t ask for better.
Pick this up and enjoy…if you like dark, well written, well drawn comics then this is for you.
RATING: A
Seven to Eternity Vol.1: The God of Whispers
Written by Rick Remender
Illustrated by Jerome Opena
Published by Image Comics
Man, this comic book series is fantastic. When Remender is good, he’s great. This is full of creativity from the first page to the last. I love the writing here so much.
I was a huge Fear Agent fan…and this may indeed surpass that.
The God of Whispers has spread an omnipresent paranoia to every corner of the kingdom of Zhal; his spies hide in every hall spreading mistrust and fear. Adam Osidis, a dying knight from a disgraced house, must choose between joining a hopeless band of magic users in their desperate bid to free their world of the evil God, or accepting his promise to give Adam everything his heart desires.
The art by Opena is the best of his career, bar none. It’s gorgeous to look at.
I also have to commend Matt Hollingsworth on the colors. The work is top notch art. I wouldn’t be surprised if it has a couple of Eisner nominations this year.
This is a great starting point…pick up this book and be amazed.
RATING: A
Glitterbomb Vol. 1: Red Circus
Written by Jim Zub
Illustrated by Djibrill Morissette-Phan
Published by Image Comics
Jim Zub is one of those writers who doesn’t get enough credit. His scripts are always strong, and well composed.
This is no different. Zub is a writer you should read if you haven’t. He knows how to write a script like no other.
Farrah Durante is a middle-aged actress hunting for her next gig in an industry where youth trumps experience. Her frustrations become an emotional lure for something horrifying out beyond the water…something ready to exact revenge on the shallow, celebrity-obsessed culture that’s led her astray. The entertainment industry feeds on our insecurities, desires, and fears. You can’t toy with those kinds of primal emotions without them biting back..
The artwork is quite strong here as well. Djibrill Morissette-Phan is quite a talent indeed. This is a good book that may have slipped off a lot of people’s radars. It shouldn’t.
Find this and pick this up and enjoy it like I did. You owe it to yourself!
RATING: A
Weird Detective: The Stars Are Wrong
Written by Fred Van Lente
Illustrated by Guiu Vilanova
Published by Dark Horse Comics
Fred Van Lente is a comic book wonder as a writer. He works for many different publishers, and works on many, MANY different characters.
Yet, each time he brings something new and genuine to the game. It’s great to see and it’s extremely admirable. His latest is quite good as well.
The streets of New York have been plagued by a pattern of crimes too weird and bizarre for the average detective. Lurking in the evidence are shadows of loathsome horrors from beyond space and time, seeking to usher in the unimaginable evil of the Old Ones. And the only man capable of fighting against the unspeakable terrors isn’t a man at all. Detective Sebastian Greene is one of them.
The art by Villanova is something unique as well. We haven’t seen his likes before. It feels very influenced by Lovecraft and I enjoy that.
Pick up this book. It may be outside of your wheelhouse but you totally should.
Tell them Lenny sent you.
RATING: A
