Misty & Scream 2020 Special (Rebellion)

 

It's time to prepare for that tie of year again as October approaches and will end with the height of the supernatural on Halloween so Rebellion have published their fourth Misty & Scream Special to bring us tales of horror and mystery to scare us as the dark rises......

It looks like this annual publication is here to stay and join the growing list of specials and new British comics appearing on that stands and in the newsagents across the country since Rebellion secured the rights to so much of the old industry that disappeared a couple of decades ago.

The latest Misty & Scream 2020 Special contains six stories including the return of Black Max and his giant vampire bats from the pages of Thunder as does Dracula from Scream along with four other stories.

There's the dark Thief of Senses in which a family legend haunts a young girl followed by the short Aegis in which evil gets it's just award at a school play!

Some people are scared of cats others of clowns. Not a fan of them myself and frankly neither will you be after Bumps In The Night makes you wish the circus stays away from your town. Beth continues her adventure in The Witch Tree. Black Max is the penultimate story in Flying Solo but the most scary is saved for last....

Older readers will recall KGB agent Demitri Stakis defecting to the West t warn us of an ancient evil his superiors refuse to accept exists. Things have not gone well for him and Dracula is on the loose but is the end finally in sight for this conflict. The Dracula Files continues....or does it?

A solid read and available from in the shops on Wednesday or direct from Rebellion at: 2000ad.com  where you can also pre-order the Misty Winter Special heading our way in November.

There has never been a better time to Support British Comics!

Superman: Man of Tomorrow New DC animated movie.

With so many blockbuster films held up by the pandemic there's actually more than just live action pictures available to entertain. For some years now I have (almost) been avidly following DC's animated movies where even more than the TV market they have outshone Marvel.  

I had in fact skipped the last one because it featured Deathstroke a character I have never been that keen on and certainly a villain with an over-rated reputation within the DC fictional universe itself. Superman on the other hand is the premier superhero and the granddaddy of the genre ready to entertain n a variety of formats.

This latest film see's a slightly different take on the legend, one that incorporates elements of the now defunct "New 52" reboot as Clark Kent don's goggles and a balaclava to fight evil or save the day, at least till Ma Kent makes him his iconic uniform out of his bay wrapping (there must have been a lot of it...just saying.

All the usual elements are there: Lex Luthor, Lois Lane the Daily Planet and Perry White. Add to this mix poor old Rudi, the Parasite, Lobo, and the Martian Manhunter. and the adventure begins. There are elements of this movie that didn't sit easily with me. metropolis was far to advanced for the period and there were some creeping Mangaesque elements which were not to my taste for the source material but overall an enjoyable distraction from the bad weather that left me in front of the TV.

There's a trailer for the upcoming Batman: Son of The Dragon which is all so very seventies and deliberately so. I'll probably give that a go although I'm not a great fan of martial arts.

Sentinel #3 (Sentinel Publishing)

 

Sentinel #3

Alan Holloway (w) Paul Spence (a)

It's not often I look at unsolicited messages on Messenger most of them are from shysters or political opponents throwing insults and the occasional threat (usually anonymously) but I did read one from someone called Alan who alerted me to this comic and sent me a pdf to review. I don't like reading comics on-line (I'm the old fashioned type who prefers hard copy) so I contributed to their Kickstarter appeal to get a copy which dutifully arrived a couple of days back.

Alan told me me this was a "sort of tribute to Ace Trucking from the early days of 2000AD and he wasn't far wrong at all. The story A Fare To Remember does indeed remind me of that strip and the cartoony artwork is well suited to the absurd tale of warfare between two interplanetary cab firms. This isn't Space Cabby of fifties DC. This is modern aggressively amusing in yer face story telling.

I couldn't help thinking of Danny De Vito from Taxi when reading this story as two firms compete for the business of the local mobster. but something is amiss and it's not all Carry On either.

This comic comes with two covers the main one at the top of the article and the other in the text. My view? Surprisingly entertaining and I'd actually like to see another one of these sometime. 

Oh and did I mention that this is in a 64 page "pocket picture library" format? It certainly should show DC Thomson that a market may exist for a science fiction companion to it's long running Commando title. There's plenty of British talent out there. This one is certainly professional.

Rating: 4 Stars (Recommended)

Sentinel can be found on Facebook: here

The Kickstarter for Sentinel #4 is: here

2000AD #2200 (Rebellion) Jump on board issue!

The latest and extra sized issue of 2000AD hits the stands today and it's an encouraging sign that Britain's premier comic is not only managing to survive the crisis but is thriving as subscriptions* are on the increase and sales of their specials featuring old British comics revived for the 21st century are proving a success. 

This is one of of their "jump on board" issues for those who have either not been reading or not kept with the title for a while and contains as usual "all new stories" except Sinister Dexter isn't as it does continue from the previous two issues. Not to worry you'll soon catch on....

Meanwhile Mega City One is facing a finial crisis and the influx of refugees caused by the recent near ending of the world hasn't helped as the Chief Judge and her council try to prioritise expenditure. Sound familiar. The dystopian future has all the problems and woes we face in these times of crisis. Except they have a plan. Nothing could go wrong...could it?

Next up is one of those fascinating Future Shocks short stories that sees archaeologists exploring a planet that was envied and suddenly perished for no apparent reason. Amongst them old rivalries continue. The outcome will either amuse or shock.

Fans of the short lived but famous Action! comic will be pleased to hear that Hookjaw has returned and there's something afoot as an old seaman tells his embellished tales of old times in the local pub. meanwhile something has a bite to eat. I have to say this looks more interesting than the usual Jaws type stories I recall (not a fan really) and I'm intrigued. Good writing and artwork helps.

Part three of Sinister Dexter sees Ghostlands continue it's unexpected twist as a rogue A.I. causes problems for our intrepid gunmen. 

Skip Tracer returns in a new yarn Hyperballard he rescues a young lady with very manga eyes. Money and violence in this future world is all one can expect. Can't wait for the next instalment.

Finally to end this oversized edition is Stickleback: New Jerusalem a tale of horror as a being emerges from the other side. Can it be stopped before the others arrive?

Get your copy or subscribe to 2000AD here: shop.2000ad.com

And don't forget the latest issue of the monthly Judge Dredd Megazine is now on sale and is the 30th Anniversary edition. If you can't find a copy in the shops it's being reprinted as the first run sold out at distributor level. Jump on board this as well!

Support British Comics!

Marvel on TV: Jessica Jones (Season One)

Marvel has had tremendous success with it's movies and has built a coherent multi film universe allowing their various characters to interact.  So far Marvels performance on TV has been somewhat lacklustre and a lot of their out, infarct most does not appeal. I am no fan of Daredevil, Luke Cage and have never liked Iron Fist. The latter's comics were of no interest to me whatsoever and considering the range of characters they have available seems a poor choice.

I was however interested in Jessica Jones and had collected the full 28 issue run of Alias upon which the series is based. I only ever read the comic as it came out and am unlikely to re-read the series as I have so much more I want to read again. However I was inclined to see a TV adaptation.

This was an interesting show though I have to say I though the producers over-indulged with the sex scenes which frankly didn't really add much to the story line. I'm no prude but this should have been less explicit and a bit more discreet. The story revolved around Jessica a retro created "superhero" who became a semi-alcoholic Private Investigator who had a run in with a mind controlling villain known as Kilgrave.

David Tennant's  portrayal as the totally deranged protagonist for the entire 13 episode was superb as was Krysten Ritter as Jessica but despite some exiting and interesting moments especially towards the end of the season I didn't really take to to the series and given that only the first season is the only one released on DVD it appears I may not be alone in my view.

Although there were two further seasons the show was cancelled as indeed so many of Marvel's shows. Jessica also appeared in a mini-series called the Defenders which bore no relation to team we all know and love in comics. This has never been released on DVD as far as I can tell.

Marvel are developing more programmes but for me it's DC that have won the television battle and I continue to be impressed by their output. Mind you if they ever release Runaways on DVD I'd give that a try. I collected the original comic book series that was based on and would have potential.

Meanwhile I've moved on to Preacher Season Two now that's great TV.  Next up iZombie Season One!

Battle of Britain Special (Rebellion)

Back in the sixties and seventies British comics were very much orientated towards stories of the Second World War. For many of our parents, grandparents Uncles and neighbours the shadow of the war hung over us all. I was aware of the effect the Nazi's had on my family most of whom went to Auschwitz. Two uncles who managed to survive still had their numbers tattooed on their arms. 

The story of resistance to the Germans were very much in vogue. The country was rightly proud of its stand against the most hateful regime in history. The pinnacle of that stand was the Battle of Britain where a handful of British, Empire and Allied pilots stood against the Luftwaffe.

For boys the number of war comics ranged from the aptly named Battle and War picture libraries to Air Ace and Commando the latter the only surviving example still being published today. Such stories dominated the boys papers from Lion to Victor but as tastes and attitudes changed there came a new title simply know as Battle Picture Weekly.

Running from 1978 to 1985 Battle Picture Weekly was a very different type of war comic. It started producing much more gritty and realistic war stories including having a look at troops from the other side. One of it's  features which is clearly of it's era was a letter pages where readers sent in details of their family members experiences of the war.

Developed by comic creators Pat Mills and John Wagner Battle went on to inspire a whole new generation of comics including the short lived but controversial Action and the still surviving 2000AD today published by Rebellion who have managed to purchase the rights to a huge back catalogue of British comics material.

This is the latest in their now almost monthly publishing programme of "specials" based on old British comics in a variety of formats though unlike the originals (which used cheap newsprint) these are produced in colour on high quality paper.

There are nine war stories, mostly about World War Two starting with one of Battle's original features Ratpack and ending with a tale of the German's Death Squad on the eastern front. One of tales is a serious piece produced in conjunction with the charity War Child. 

The US Civil War gets a look in with an adventure featuring Battle regular El Mistizo and Vietnam appears in Bravo, Black Lion.

In line with the comics of the day there are text features on the Battle of Britain itself and one page features on British planes used in the conflict.

Overall this is an excellent read and a trip down memory lane for the older reader. Hopefully this will be the first of many specials over the coming years as Rebellion brings back British comics. And about time to. DC Thomson please note.

Available from all good newsagents and direct from: 2000ad.com

Judge Dredd Megazine #424 30th Anniversary Issue!

Judge Dredd is at the centre of the continuing survival and current revival of the British comics scene having originally appeared in 2000AD #2 back in 1977 and didn't even make the cover! The first cover appearance of Joe Dredd was not until #10! Gradually over the years Judge Dredd became the central character to 2000AD and developed a fan base of his own. 

It was inevitable especially during the comics boom at the beginning of the nineties that Judge Dredd would eventually get a title of his own Originally called Judge Dredd The Megazine it launched in September 1990 and despite the virtual collapse of British comics in the intervening years still survives alongside it's parent title 2000AD.

The latest issue is a 100 page special and comes with a 68 page supplement a 2000AD Encyclopedia Part One (A to B) which is a fun read and I look forward to collecting the rest. The main issue itself kicks off with part one of a new Dredd story The Victims of Bennet Beeney.

The rest of the issue is full of stories from the Dredd verse including fan favourite Judge Anderson, The Dark Judges plus an entertaining little alternate universe story of Mega City One. There's the continuing Lawless, The Returners (set in Brit Cit) Dreadnoughts and features including a look at the release of the Battle od Britain Special also out this week!

What better way to celebrate this anniversary issue than a look at some of the covers from over the years!

Available from all good newsagents or direct from 2000ad.com

And don't forget the latest issue of the legendary 2000AD is also out today!

Superman #23 (DC)

 

Superman #23 (DC)

Brian Michael Bendis (w) Kevin Maguire & John Timms (a)

The latest issue of Superman continues the run of former Marvel writer Brian Michael Bendis on DC's premier superhero. A new story begins which takes Superman into the realms of magic a world where he is vulnerable but he has the new Doctor Fate to join him for the ride. 

I'm not familiar with the new incarnation of Fate but he's always an interesting choice of character to team up with.  There's guest appearances from the DEO and the Wonder Twins but it's the involvement of Agent Veronnica Bisset that is of interest to us as we are introduced to a new villain Xanadoth whom she has somehow freed.

And he seems to have a grudge.

Meanwhile as Fate and Superman muse inside The Tower of Fate which is an Hogwarts style home the danger builds outside.

This may be the last "single issue" of Superman I will be buying as my approach to the hobby changes* so it remains to be seen whether I will pick up a collected edition sometime in the future. Sad really. 

 

I've been reading Superman in his own title, Action Comics, World's Finest and Superboy since around the mid-sixties on and off. I preferred the days when you could pick up a copy at random and just read a complete story in one issue, but then these were both a lot cheaper and more easily obtainable than they are today. 

As for this story? Not bad  average fare but only the beginning of a story arc.

Rating: 3 Stars

DC Vertigo on TV: Preacher (Season One)

 

Not having access to any of the premium channels I have not seen so many of the comic related programmes and am only now catching up on them via DVD box sets. The first season of Preacher cost me a mere £2.99 (plus postage) on Amazon though the other three series are at normal price points. I have to say after a bit of a bumpy beginning I have really taken to the television adaptation.

I have read Preacher in it's entirety but later than most since I collected all the trade paperbacks. A wonderful story but it's been more than a while so I am not held back (at this stage anyway) by worries of how much the story deviates from the original.

 

For those not familiar with Preacher (there must be many out there) this is the tale of Jesse Custer a flawed Preacher with a criminal past who upon receiving a power though a cosmic accident tries to bring God to his townsfolk.

His companions the vampire Cassidy and ex-girlfriend Tulip still in criminal mode watch and try and both discourage and help the way Jesse goes around conducting himself. Throw in a couple of Angels trying to cover their error, a psychotic member of the Seraphim, a totally insane meat baron and his thugs, a corrupt wimp of a mayor and a woman ignored but supportive of Custer and the cast of Season One is born.

The show an 18 Cert is violent as was the comic and that's anything to go by future seasons (there are four to collect) the gore and deviancy should increase exponentially.

Highly recommended.

Meanwhile I have just started Season Three of Lucifer. Marvel may have the better movies but DC rules the TV.