HACK/SLASH – Issue #9
Written by Tim Seeley Art by Rebekah Isaacs
Devil’s Due Publishing
Though this review may be first, I actually read this issue last to see if I’m some crazy obsessed fanatic to Tim Seeley’s Hack/Slash comic. Nope. This is genuine good stuff. Though the climax is bit convoluted with X-Files characters getting in the way, it’s still a good read for this second story arc featuring hot lesbians and long enduring games of slapjack. I like the bond being strengthened between Cassie and Vlad because that kind of relationship will be tested under the experiences both have had in previous issues. Cassie is now understanding her sexuality a little better and goes with her feelings more, and for Vlad, well, he’s now had “the sex”, and so Cassie is looking a little different in his eyes these days. Can’t blame him either because she’s damn fine in those clothes she straps on around her bodacious bod. It’s the progression though that really grabs me with Seeley’s writing though because he allows the characters to grow. Allows a step forward, and always a step up the ladder. That is how you keep the readers reading. Artist Rebekah Isaacs steps it up a notch, giving more cinematic movement in the panels like previous artist Emily Stone, and the colors by Andrew Dalhouse really shined here making the panels really lively and appealing. Another good set of cards for Seeley and the gang, and here’s looking to more Hack/Slash goodness. Or is it greatness? I say “gooreatness”.
GRADE: A- CONTINUE READING? What’s next? I gotta know, I gotta know!
THE DARKNESS – V.3 - Issue #2
Top Cow Comics
Written by Phil Hester Art by Michael Broussard
Phil Hester is kicking ass and taking names. What names? I don’t know. I just know he’s kicking ass, and artist Michael Broussard is the driver in this fantastic new volume of The Darkness. Everything that needed to be fixed was not only done in a clever but refreshing way, but done intelligently. In other words, you make a statement, you back that shit up. Hester backs it all the way up the street, and then some. In this issue, Jackie begins to use the darkness power to its full potential. I never understood why Top Cow limited him so much when he can basically build anything with this power. So it’s only logical for a horny, young good-looking guy to use that power to make himself a supermodel bed buddy, right? I had this idea, and it’s good to see Hester did too. On top of that, who the hell has cute dark goblins hanging around all the time? I always hated them being punk versions of The Little Rascals, and I wanted them to be more versatile and different. Hester and Broussard somehow tap my brain and say, “Hey, you got it Mr. Fish!” So now the Darklings are badass beasts, more vampiric and werewolf-like than dumb Animaniac hip-hoppers. I’m digging that improvement big-time. And I love the doctor character. Smart, conniving, and out to sabotage Jackie in the long run, but at the same time, intriguing and careful. Very careful. So much so that he can stand next to Jackie, and your senses go into overdrive because you’re just not sure what he’s going to do. Every word is strategic, reminding me of Kevin Spacey’s John Doe character in Se7en, and that’s some great writing on Hester’s part to make this character float evenly between sidekick and traitor. I love that balance, and the direction The Darkness is headed to looks like certain paradise. Keep on driving Broussard, and keep firing those guns Hester because this is a hell of a ride so far.
GRADE: A CONTINUE READING? I’m really amazed with the first two issues, and I didn’t think I’d say this, but damnit, it was worth the wait.
FRIDAY THE 13TH: BAD LAND – Issue #2 of 2
Written by Ron Marz Art by Mike Huddleston
WildStorm Entertainment
Oh boy. Parallel worlds couldn’t be so yawn-inducing than they do here where the past killings make no sense to the future killings. Basically, writer Ron Marz is saying, “Jason ain’t evil! Nosireebob he ain’t! It’s Camp Crystal Lake that’s evil!” PFFFFTT! Jason’s evil fool, and the place didn’t cause it. People did. People and that special love fo yo mama! But yeah, what does an Indian getting his life screwed over by white trappers have anything to do with Jason Voorhees? Better yet, WHY make it have anything to do with Jason? Are we really at that point where we need to go around Jason to tell a new tale? Is Jason’s hockey mask the reason why he can’t pee standing up? Does his itchy-blue jump suit cause him to kill auto mechanics more than cheerleaders? Cuz IT’S EVIL!!?? Argh. Can you tell this book pissed me off? Like I said, WildStorm has treated the Jason Voorhees legacy pretty darn well up until this series, so it’s very disappointing to see this drivel make it to comic book shelves. The only real highlight of this book is Mike Huddleston’s gruesome panel of the rock smashing in the most innocent guys face like a pumpkin being greeted by an anvil. I guess the creative team really does believe that nice guys finish last… and deserve a bigass boulder to the face. So let’s make sure we learn from this folks. Your death will be less painful and disgusting if you’re THE MOST EVIL! Don’t worry. Jason will be there to give you a hand.
GRADE: D+ SERIES GRADE? D+ The first issue was nasty voice on the phone giving away sex, and the second issue was a 60 year old hooker showing up at your door.
THE ZOMBIE: SIMON GARTH – Issue #2 of 4
Marvel MAX Comics
Written by Kyle Hotz and Eric Powell Art by Kyle Hotz
So from issue 1, The Zombie continues it’s Wrong Turn meets Land of the Dead take as the hillbilly sickos try to make beefsteak out of the good bad doctor. It’s too bad Simon is out saving girls in the woods from bad wolves and bad breath. I don’t dislike this book, but it’s definitely lost something from the first series. I think maybe it’s winking a little too much at horror movies like Wrong Turn, Day of the Dead, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, even showing a cover of issue three at the end with an obvious TCM homage. The story is kind of lingering too, as if to try and figure out where to take Simon Garth. Should he be a hero? Or misunderstood like Frankenstein’s monster? Or just lost in the woods forever, saving pretty ladies and their daughters from backwoods butt-rapers? I don’t know, but I hope it moves forward. I never did like that swimming test in high school where you had to stay afloat for like five minutes straight. By the third minute, you’re already thinking cannonball off the diving board because it’s so uncomfortable. I’m glad to see Kyle take on the writing duties with the help of Eric Powell because then I’ll have more books to read from Kyle every month I suppose. But this one needs to pick up the pace, stick the thumb out, and hitch a ride to a nice climactic ending. We have enough zombie stories as it is, and this one has the potential to break free from the mold with Simon being a different kind of zombie. I love ya Kyle, but step on the gas brother.
GRADE: B- CONTINUE READING? I will always stick with a Kyle Hotz book. Been doing it for over a decade now.
– Mike Fish
