REVIEW: Soulfire Vol.2 #0
Soulfire Vol.2 #0
“Freefalling”
Story: JT Krul
Pencils: Marcus To
Inks: Saleem Crawford
Colors: Beth Sotelo
Letters: Josh Reed
Publisher: Aspen MLT
Its no secret I’m a huge fan of Aspen MLT. While “Fathom” is what brought me to the company, it has been “Soulfire” that has really become my favorite universe at Aspen. I’ve recently re-read the entire first volume of this series in order to get ready for this new volume. This issue is a perfect transition issue as well as being a great jumping on point for new readers.
Krul and To with Crawford, Sotelo, and Reed should really be happy with the work they’ve put into this issue. It reads great. It looks great. And that last page had me really excited for what’s to come with this book. I want the next issue to hurry up and get here!!
REVIEW: Last Resort #2
Last Resort #2
“Part Two: Red Tide”
Writers: Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray
Art: Giancarlo Caracuzzo
Lettering: Robbie Robbins
Publisher: IDW Publishing
If you picked up the last issue of this new series by Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray, the book ended with a really big explosion and made you wonder why were there was so much time introducing you to all of those characters. I really liked the first issue, but that ending had me scratching my head. Well, this issue clears all of that up (like I knew it would) and moves the story along at a steady pace.
I think I flipped through this issue three or four times before I actually read it because I was just soaking up Giancarlo Caracuzzo’s art. I don’t know for sure if this is a miniseries or an ongoing series, but either way I hope there is a nice oversized hardcover for it because I’d love to see these pages a bit larger to really dive into them.
Palmiotti and Gray continue to write some of the best comics on the shelves. If you’re NOT reading at least ONE series by these guys get out to a comic shop RIGHT NOW and buy one of their books. You’ll love them!
REVIEW: Sweet Tooth #1
Sweet Tooth #1
“Out of the Deep Woods” – Part One
Story & Art: Jeff Lemire
Colors: Jose Villarrubia
Letters: Pat Brosseau
Publisher: DC Comics/Vertigo
Yes. I’m behind on my reading and everyone’s already said all that there is to say about this new series by fan favorite, Jeff Lemire. There’s not a lot I will say about this series other than its the first piece of Lemire’s I’ve read. I’ve had “Essex County” and “the Nobody” on my radar but I’ve not had a chance to grab either yet. I will after reading this issue because I want to see what everyone’s talking about.
If I come away with anything from this issue its that Lemire is everything I’ve heard about them, but I want to wait and read a few more issues before I can decide if this is something I want to read on a monthly basis. I’m hoping this isn’t a series that was originally a graphic novel idea that is getting expanded on. We’ll see.
REVIEW: Savage Dragon #152
"Savage Dragon" #152
“Picking Up the Pieces”
Writer: Erik Larsen
Artist: Erik Larsen
Lettering: Tom Orzechowski
Colors: Nikos Koutsis
Flats: Mike Toris
Publisher: Image Comics
If there’s a series that I cannot do without its this one. “Savage Dragon” continues to entertain the part of me that just loves quirky and entertaining comic books. Yeah, there are others out there that I enjoy, but every time this book comes out it is a MUST read before anything else.
This issue continues with the fallout of Dragon’s death. His kids are trying to cope in their own ways, and Larsen shows that there’s some heart in this comic book among all of big action and insane villains. I like that Malcolm continues saying his dad isn’t dead and that he’s determine to find out what happened and where Dragon is.
The ‘Dragon” creature that thinks its actually the real Dragon is an interesting twist to all of what’s happened since #150. I’ve got some theories, but they’re probably nothing close to what Larsen’s going to throw at us sooner or later and that’s just fine with me.
Good writing. Good art. Solid book all around, but if you’re new to the series go get #150 and then get caught up. You’ll enjoy it more.
Chris’s Pull List – Sept 10, 2009
Another week and another pull list! I did manage to grab some books from last week’s pull list (all but “Jersey Gods”) and I’m going to read them sooner or later! LOL. So, let’s see what I’m looking forward to picking up this week:
Soulfire Vol.2 #0
Soulfire Vol.2 #0 – I’m a long time fan of Michael Turner and “Soulfire” is one of those series that was just so amazing when it first hit the shelves. I hate that we’ll never see what Turner wanted to do with this series, but I know its in good hands with the fine folks at Aspen.
Vampirella: Second Coming #1 – While I don’t really know if I want to grab this new series or not, it is written by Phil Hester and I’m a fan of his work. His “Darkness” run has been great and if he’s going to do something similar with Vampirella it’ll be hard to say “no” to.
Witchblade #130 – I was on the Alternate Reality podcast this week talking about this issue. Its a real solid conclusion to the “War of the Witchblades”.
Have no fear, fanboys!
Well, its been a little bit since I posted last, but I’ve been packing and driving to my new location. I start my new job tomorrow so I’m pretty excited. While that’s said, I’ll probably get back to blogging tomorrow evening after I get “home”.
If you’re a podcast listener I thought I’d let you know I was on the latest episode of Alternate Reality (episode 241?). Jon, Charlie, and Eric are great guys. Eric was traveling home from DragonCon so he wasn’t able to be on the show, and Jon and Charlie let me come on the show to talk about “Savage Dragon” #152 and “Witchblade” #130. We chatted about a lot of other things, too, so go check it out. I think the show will probably be up Wednesday or so of this week.
Long Beach Comic Con
I have been attending Heroes Con in Charlotte, NC for the last 12+ years. I love that con and its not really a con to me anymore as it is a ritual that I make every year. This past year I took my son (who was 9 at the time) and he had a great time. We’re hoping to make a longer return visit in 2010, but with our move to Atlanta we’re not 100% sure we’ll be there, but we’re going to do our best.
This year was the first time I made an attempt to go to another con other than Heroes Con. In February I loaded up the family and we went to Orlando, FL to attend MegaCon. While I was only there for a couple of hours it was a great con and I’m making efforts to be there again next year (and for more than a couple of hours).
I’ve been looking ahead to see what other cons are out there that I’d like to attend and I came across the Long Beach Comic Con. It takes place this October 2-4 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, CA. I’ve made the personal deicsion that while I’d love to attend San Diego, I’ll probably never go. BUT, looking at the Long Beach Comic Con’s web site I would love to hit this one.
Gelatometti
This year is the first year for the con which makes me excited that there are new cons popping up every year. It gives me the hope that the industry is doing just fine and that people are really excited about comics books and the creators and companies that bring them to us. I’m singling out the Long Beach Comic Con for a few reasons, but the biggest one is that my favorite studio of artists, Studio Gelatometti, will have a lot of its people there. If you’ve never been by the Gelatometti website you really should check it out (click here and go visit, we’ll wait for you)…
… back? Cool.
If any of you reading this go out to this con, please comment here and let me know how it was. I’m curious to know so I can know what to expect next year.
Fairy Tales by J. Scott Campbell
I don’t know if you’ve see what J. Scott Campbell has been up to lately, but over at the Comic Art Community they have have been posting some of Campbell’s artwork from what I think is an upcoming calendar he’s working on. Campbell is taking a lot of leading fairy tale females and putting his own style to them and its classic Campbell goodness. Yeah, its a little over sexualized, which makes me wonder who commissioned this calendar (maybe Zenescope).
Just click on the link above and it will take you to his gallery on the Comic Art site. Its awesome!
Here are a few of examples:
Goldilocks and the 3 Bears Little Mermaid
Maleficent
Really? Did We Need This?
Lobo Unbound #3
I know this is somewhat old news, but… From time to time I stumble across stuff on various news/media/entertainment sites that make me wonder ‘why’. I know a lot of people are excited about the news that Guy Ritchie will be directing a “Lobo” movie, but I’m not too sure.
I was a big DC reader back during the days of Lobo’s first appearance and actually had the issue of “Omega Men”. I really never got interested in him, but enjoyed his random guest appearances from time to time. I guess with the right screen writer(s), the right actor, and the right direction any character can be a great movie. I guess we’ll see.
So, I’m cleaning the attic space…
While I wish I could give you this amazing story that I found some insanely rare comic book in my attic today – I can’t. What I can say is that instead of cleaning while I was up there (well, I did sort of organize things in my head so I could really get moving once I was ready) I started to look at the collection of comics and trades I have. Keep in mind, its nothing to hold in high acclaim or anything like that. I’ve since moved beyond the need to have thousands on thousands of comic books and have them take over a large portion of my home. I did that twice (nearly three times) already and I’m over it. What I am having a problem with is what do I take with me?
As some of you know, I have gotten a new job and will be moving to Georgia. I’m all excited about the job, but sad that I will have to leave my family for large stretches of time during this transition. To occupy my spare time in Georgia (you know, the time where I won’t be at work) I know I’ll be doing some reading and writing and playing WoW. I know I’ll buy some new comics each week, but what do I carry with me when I go? What books are those “must take” because I’ll want to read them again or use them for research (yes, I have some plans for something that needs some research)?
Hopefully between now and when I leave for Georgia (and no, I won’t be on the midnight train) I’ll figure all of that out. If anything – those boxes of 90s Image Comics will be coming with me. 
Chris Partin