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Graphic Breakdown: ‘Narcopolis: Continuum’, ‘Jughead: The Hunger’, ‘Dan Dare’ & More

Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown, the Friday edition!

Here are some titles to get your weekend started off right.

 

Narcopolis Continuum TPB
Written by Scott Duvall
Illustrated by Ralf Singh
Published by Heavy Metal

This is a fairly interesting comic book that has just been collected. You’re in luck as this is quite a solid read.

Scott Duvall writes a tale about a man (Ben) looking for his father. He is trying to find out what happened 20 years ago. Since this is set in a science fiction setting, something wild should happen. So something does.

Ben is also an inventor. He comes up with a drug that allows him to travel through time. Thus begins the mystery of the book. There are twists and turns throughout.

I love that Duvall takes risks. He is not afraid to be brutal to his main character. Ben literally goes through hell on this journey and I freaking love it.

The story starts off a little slow for me. Then it builds and becomes incredibly unnerving.

The art accompanies the writing very nicely. There are a few nice flourishes too. ( I did enjoy the H.G. Wells references as well as the Harold Lloyd inspired cover.)

Give this a shot. It’s a very creative , well paced book that is a true original.

Rating: A-

 

Jughead: The Hunger #1
Written by Frank Tieri
Illustrated by Tim And Pat Kennedy
Published by Archie Comics

My favorite comics lately have been coming from the Archie line.

This is no different. This new ongoing series shows what happens when Jughead becomes a werewolf. It’s funny, irreverent and more than a little terrifying.

Picking up where the one-shot left off, Jughead is now a full fledged werewolf. When the full moon happens, Riverdale is under siege. He is on the run from Betty Cooper: Werewolf Hunter and Archie Andrews. They are after him for sure. But did he commit this atrocious acts? And if he didn’t, who did?

Tieri is writing some of the best comics of his career here. This book is funny, and fast. It’s also thrilling. The art is excellent as well.

Pick this up. It’s one of the best releases of the year.

RATING: A

 

Fighting American #1
Written by Gordon Rennie
Illustrated by Duke Mighten
Published by Titan Comics

Joe Simon and Jack Kirby’s superhero is back in his own series! Who’s excited? Probably not too many people sadly. He’s never been a top tier character. Sadly, this new series won’t make much of a difference in making this character desirable to read.

Fighting America has been frozen since the 50s and just wakes up in modern day. Now he must deal with the hot topics of the day. Topics such as gay marriage come up. Civil rights. It sounds like it could be interesting. Yet, Rennie never makes this better. He writes a very standard tale that also makes you a little sick.

The art by Mighten is rather unexciting too. It’s the first issue and I already want a new creative team. This could have be fun. Instead, it’s a real slog, man.

RATING: D+

 

Dan Dare #1
Written by Peter Milligan
Illustrated by. Alberto Foche
Published by Titan Comics

Peter Milligan is a very underrated writer.

His new take on Dan Dare is quite good. Milligan knows how to take a character from the 50s and turn this British hero into something good. This is worth paying attention to.

This four issue series finds Dare in space with Digby and the Space Fleet. They come across a force that may indeed destroy all life in the entire universe.

What is the team to do? Can they win? Let’s hope!

Milligan keeps the pacing good and fun. The art by Foche isn’t my favorite. It could stand to be a little more exciting.

Still, the story is strong and the concept is good. Pick it up. It’s a good read.

RATING: B

 

Brilliant Trash #1 and #2
Written by Tim Seeley
Illustrated by Priscilla Petraites
Published by Aftershock Comics

This has to be the strangest title I have come across this year in comics. Not that the book is all that strange…the title itself is just wacky.

It’s a science fiction tale that I thought was quite enjoyable. Tim Seeley steps up his writing game here.

It’s the future! A very mad teenage girl with super powers wipes the city of Jerusalem from the planet! Now in America, there is a journalist stumbles upon a conspiracy about a something that makes people into gods in trade for just a few days of their lives.

Its an interesting first and second issue to say the least. The story is better than all of Seeley’s recent output. The art by newcomer Petraites is quite nice. Pick this up. It could be the start of a grand new series.


 

Spiral #1
Written by Magnus Aspli
Illustrated by Emerson Dimaya
Published by Krakenprint

This is one of those Kickstarter comics come to life. And man, it’s damn good. Like really good. These creators aren’t just emerging creators. They are fully formed talents right out of the gate.

I love a good crime noir comic book. This book is just that.

Two families spiral out of control both outside and inside the law. Even better this comic takes place in London. Aspli give the book it’s writing flavor with clear and concise characters and high drama in every panel.

The art by Dimaya is superb. I can’t get enough of it. He reminds me of Francavilla but with his own flair. Pick this up. This is quite excellent.

RATING: A-

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