NEGROMANCER 2.0: Crowdfunded

Showing posts with label Crowdfunded. Show all posts

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Comics Review: "GEEK-GIRL #12" Breaks Out the Break-In

GEEK-GIRL, VOL. 2 #12

MARKOSIA ENTERPRISES, LTD.

STORY: Sam Johnson

ART: Carlos Granda

COLORS: Chunlin Zhao

LETTERS: Paul McLaren

COVERS: Carlos Granda with Chunlin Zhao; Flinn Douglas with Carlos Granda

24pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2023)

Rated T+ / 12+ only

Geek-Girl created by Sam Johnson

“Identity Crisis” Part 2: “Skin and Bones, Waifs and Strays”

Created by Sam Johnson, Geek-Girl is a comic book character that debuted in the 2016 Geek-Girl miniseries, She returned in a second miniseries, 2018's Geek-Girl Vol. 2, which subsequently became an ongoing series. Geek-Girl Vol. 2 is written by Sam Johnson; drawn by Carlos Granda; colored by Chunlin Zhao; and lettered by Paul McLaren.

Geek-Girl focuses on Ruby Kaye of Acorn Ridge, Maine, a sexy and popular college coed who inadvertently becomes a superhero. Ruby dons a pair of super-tech eye glasses that give her super-powers. Ruby's BFF, Summer James, then talks her into trying to be a superhero, even providing her with a moniker. Now, Ruby is Maine's newest superhero, “Geek-Girl.”

Geek-Girl Vol. 2 #12 (“Skin and Bones, Waifs and Strays”) opens at “Snakeskin's Bar.” Chromex and Dog Woman, friends of the captured costume, Pig Head, have approached Digger Mensch and Terry the Super-Porter. One of them, Chromex, makes Digger a lucrative offer for the whereabouts of Pig Head – a big payday. Meanwhile, Pig Head is getting to know Rosebud and Joe Cyborg.

Ruby returns to headquarters, struggling to understand what happened to her, but her conversation with The Minger is interrupted when the League of Larcenists invades the headquarters. Should Ruby help with the response to this assault or go after the person who has stolen her identity and a lot more.

THE LOWDOWN: Geek-Girl creator-writer Sam Johnson regularly sends me PDF review copies of the latest issues of Geek-Girl, and has been doing so for several years. I enjoy reading about Geek-Girl and her (mis)adventures. I like this comic book enough to believe that encouraging you to give this series a try, dear readers, is one way I can contribute something good to the comic book industry.

Geek-Girl #12 carries over threads from Geek-Girl #11 and the recent release, Fake Geek-Girl #1. Writer Sam Johnson packs most issues with a lot of characters, which can sometime put a drag on the pace of the narrative, as it does here, but only a little. Sam is an imaginative writer and his stories, in a deceptively quiet way, are riveting. He captures the spirit of Silver and Bronze Age superhero team comic books like Marvel Avengers and DC Comics' Justice League. The difference is that Sam captures the eccentricities of both the superheroes and their civilian identities, where as the earlier comic books focus on the weirdness of the superheroes.

Artist Carlos Granda is quite good at capturing facial expressions and the quirkiness and oddness in the way people act in relationship to emotions and speech. Granda's graphical storytelling and compositions capture both the unique nature of Sam Johnson's world and the classic comic book sensibilities of Geek-Girl. All of this really shows under Chunlin Zhao's excellent colors and Paul McLaren's lettering.

Geek-Girl #12 is like the series as a whole, endlessly charming and constantly beguiling. I always want to read this series, and issue #12 makes me hungry for more. I don't know if Johnson wants to make Geek-Girl a monthly comic book, but, dear readers, I wish for that.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of lovable superheroes will find an all-around winner in Geek-Girl.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

Geek-Girl #12 can be ordered via Indy Planet at https://www.indyplanet.com/geek-girl-12.

You can get more information about Geek-Girl here or at https://samjohnsoncomics.wixsite.com/geekgirlcomics.

Information about the Kickstarter for Geek-Girl issues #13 and 14 is available here or at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/geekgirlcomics/geek-girl-identity-crisis.

https://twitter.com/daSamJohnson

https://twitter.com/Markosia

https://twitter.com/Markosia_News

https://markosia.com/

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Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

Saturday, February 17, 2024

Comics Review: "FAKE GEEK-GIRL #1" - How to Spot a Fake or Be One

FAKE GEEK-GIRL #1

MARKOSIA ENTERPRISES, LTD.

STORY: Sam Johnson

ART: Carlos Granda

COLORS: Chunlin Zhao

LETTERS: Paul McLaren

COVER: Carlos Granda with Chunlin Zhao

VARIANT COVER: Narcelio Sousa with Chunlin Zhao

24pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2024)

Rated T+ / 12+ only

Geek-Girl created by Sam Johnson

“Identity Crisis”: “Geek-Girl, Interrupted”

Created by Sam Johnson, Geek-Girl is a comic book character that debuted in the 2016 Geek-Girl miniseries, She returned in a second miniseries, 2018's Geek-Girl Vol. 2, which subsequently became an ongoing series. Geek-Girl Vol. 2 is written by Sam Johnson; drawn by Carlos Granda; colored by Chunlin Zhao; and lettered by Paul McLaren.

Geek-Girl focuses on Ruby Kaye of Acorn Ridge, Maine, a sexy and popular college coed who inadvertently becomes a superhero. Ruby dons a pair of super-tech eye glasses that give her super-powers, and she becomes Maine's newest superhero, “Geek-Girl.” Now, the super-villain, Identity Thief, has tapped into Geek-Girl's mind and taken on her physical form in order to become “Fake Geek-Girl.”

Fake Geek-Girl #1 (“Geek-Girl, Interrupted”) opens as Ruby's best-frenemy, Karin Carpenter, arrives at “Rock” nightclub with her latest boy-toy, Alex. Before long, she is greeting acquaintances Jools, Estelle, and Howard. Her most important conversation, however, is with Danny about Ruby. So which is the real Geek-Girl? Which is the Fake Geek-Girl?

THE LOWDOWN: Geek-Girl creator-writer Sam Johnson regularly sends me PDF review copies of the latest issues of Geek-Girl, and has been doing so for several years. A recent arrival is Fake Geek-Girl #1.

Fake Geek-Girl #1 takes place between Geek-Girl #11 and Geek-Girl #12. It is both a standalone comic book, and it is also part of Geek-Girl #11 Deluxe. Fake Geek-Girl #1 is necessary for regular Geek-Girl fans because the “Previously:” segment on the inside front cover gives a detailed synopsis about the state of the narrative and how Fake Geek-Girl came to be.

This issue is produced by the regular creative team, so it fits quite well. Honestly, “Geek-Girl, Interrupted” isn't as strong a chapter as the ones in the main series, but it quite enjoyable. Also, I find that one needs to read everything Geek-Girl, dear readers. The first reason is because it is necessary, and the second reason is because Geek-Girl comics are super-duper good.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of the lovable Geek-Girl will want to read Fake Geek-Girl.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

Geek-Girl #11 Deluxe is a great jump-on point for the Geek-Girl series: containing all the content from Geek-Girl #11 (“Identity Crisis”: Part 1) and Fake Geek-Girl #1-Shot (also available as its own comic). You can buy it here or at https://samjohnsoncomics.wixsite.com/geekgirlcomics/geek-girl-11-deluxe

Kickstarter for Geek-Girl issues #13 and #14 are part of a crowdfunding campaign here or at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/geekgirlcomics/geek-girl-identity-crisis

Buy Geek-Girl comic books here or at https://www.indyplanet.com/?s=geek-girl

https://twitter.com/daSamJohnson

https://twitter.com/Markosia

https://twitter.com/Markosia_News

https://markosia.com/

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Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like these, BOOKS PAGE, GRAPHIC NOVELS, or MANGA PAGE and BUY something(s).

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Comics Review: "KONI WAVES" Crests on Cool Characters and Inventive Elements

KONI WAVES

HAUNTED PIZZA LLC/ARCANA STUDIOS

STORY: Mark Poulton

SCRIPT: Mandy Summers

ART: Renzo Rodriguez

COLORS: Dexter Weeks

LETTERS: Dexter Weeks

COVER: Renzo Rodriguez with Ink Spots

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Irene Strychalski; Chris Graves

ISBN: 979-8-987-45314-8; paperback (November 2023)

56pp, Color, $25.00 U.S.

Koni Waves created by Mark Poulton, Stephen Sistilli, and Dexter Weeks

Koni Waves is an independent supernatural horror comic book that was published as a series of miniseries and one-shots from 2006 to 2010 by Arcana Studio. Created by Mark Poulton, Stephen Sistilli, and Dexter Weeks, Koni Waves focused on Koni Kanawai, a female detective in Honolulu, Hawaii, who specialized in supernatural cases.

Koni Kanawai returns in a new original graphic novel, entitled Koni Waves, that was crowdfunded on Indiegogo last year and was published late last year (2023). The new graphic novel is written by Mark Poulton (story) and Mandy Summers (script); drawn by Renzo Rodriguez; and colored and lettered by Dexter Weeks. In this new story, Koni becomes involved in a complicated murder case that involves supernatural scheme and conspiracy.

Koni Waves opens with Koni Kanawai rescuing her pal, Pete, from the vampires(!) of Black Bear Cove, but that adventure is easy compared to what is coming. Koni's father, James Kanawai, a detective with the HPD, wants Koni to try to get back on the force. Koni, who was suspended apparently after running afoul of Internal Affairs, is willing to give that a try.

Later, at her favorite watering hole, Koni learns that District Attorney Choi believes that he has convicted the wrong man, Danny Snyder, of the murder of Felicity Andrews, an exotic dancer and former associate of Koni's. Taking on the case, Koni contacts Krystal, another dancer and former associate of Felicity's. After snooping around, Koni comes to believe that a local power broker, Prince Hopohopo, is connected to the Felicity Andrews case. However, Koni will discover that this case involves Hawaii's darkest secrets and its edgiest supernatural and spiritual past.

THE LOWDOWN: A few years ago, I came across the Twitter feed of a Mexican comic book artist named Renzo Rodriguez. From the first of examples of his art I saw, I thought he was very talented, but because I had never heard of him previously, I assumed Renzo was a new talent. I would later learn that Renzo was a veteran talent who had been drawing professionally for a long time, including for Zenescope Entertainment.

Last year, I learned that Renzo would be the artist for a crowdfunded project, entitled Koni Waves, so I quickly contributed. I did not know that Koni Waves was a comics property with a history, so I did not know what to expect. Now, having read and received this original graphic novel, I am glad that I contributed to the campaign.

Renzo is obviously influenced by legendary comic book artist Art Adams. Some artists who were influenced by Adams (such as J. Scott Campbell and Rob Liefeld) picked up on Adams' stylish flourishes. However, what Renzo seems to have taken from Adams is the ability to compose complex, multi-panel pages that allows a story to be told in detail without going into overdrive with decompression. Most of Renzo's pages have at least seven panels of varying size, and Renzo composes detailed backgrounds and environments in a way that compares to the work of set decorators for film and television. Renzo makes the world of Koni Waves feel lived-in, like a real place.

All those panels on each page allows scripter Mandy Summers to flesh out Mark Poulton's character-rich story in a way that conveys motivation and personality, plot and mythology, and action and drama. Summers makes Koni Waves read like an actual graphic novel in a way that so-called graphic novels (trade paperbacks) three times its size do not.

Dexter Weeks' precise, rich colors capture the curves, shapes, and contours of Renzo's figure drawing. Those colors make every character seem alive and, in the case of some, seem quite sexy, and they also make the art pop on the page. In addition, Weeks' lettering finds plenty of space for Summers' dialogue, so that nothing is crowded out.

I like Koni Waves, and I'd like to see more of Koni and her closest allies and most dangerous adversaries. This comic book scratches the surface of Koni Waves' supernatural skin, but the freaks want to come out. So I say let them out with more Koni Waves.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of supernatural and occult detective comics will want Koni Waves.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://www.hauntedpizzallc.com/

https://twitter.com/hauntedpizzallc

https://twitter.com/KoniWaves

https://twitter.com/renzo_rocomic

https://twitter.com/WartTheWizard

https://www.instagram.com/hauntedpizzallc/

https://www.youtube.com/c/PrimetimePoulton

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Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Comics Review: "Kolchak: The Night Stalker – 50th Anniversary Graphic Novel" is a Great Tribute, Great Read

KOLCHAK THE NIGHT STALKER 50TH ANNIVERSARY SOFTCOVER

MOONSTONE BOOKS

STORY: David Avallone; Jonathan Maberry; Peter David; R.C. Matheson; Kim Newman; Tim Waggoner; Steve Niles; Rodney Barnes; Gabriel Hardman; James Aquilone; Nancy A. Collins; James Chambers

ART: Julius Ohta; Marco Finnegan; J.K. Woodward; Paul McCaffrey; Clara Meath; Szymon Kudranski; Jonathan Marks Barravecchia; Gabriel Hardman; Colton Worley; Warwick Caldwell-Johnson;

COLORS: Zac Atkinson; Szymon Kudranski; Colton Worley; Warwick Caldwell-Johnson;

LETTERS: Tom Napolitano; Tom Napolitano with DC Hopkins

EDITOR: James Aquilone

COVER: Colton Worley

MISC. ART: Jerry Ordway with Zac Atkinson; J.K. Woodward; Dan Brereton

ISBN: 978-1-946346-14-8; paperback (October 21, 2022)

188pp, Color, $24.99 U.S.

Kolchak: The Night Stalker – 50th Anniversary Graphic Novel is a 188-page comic book anthology that celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of the former ABC television series, “Kolchak: The Night Stalker.” This graphic novel is edited by James Aquilone and published by Moonstone Books.

“Kolchak: The Night Stalker” was a television series that blended horror, fantasy, and science fiction. It aired on ABC during the 1974–1975 season for a total of 20 episodes. The series was preceded by two ABC television movies, The Night Stalker (1972) and The Night Strangler (1973).

The TV series and two movies followed wire service reporter named Carl Kolchak, who was played by the late actor Darren McGavin (1922-2006). Kolchak worked for the Chicago branch of the Independent News Service (INS), a small news wire service. He often investigated mysterious crimes and events and they were usually caused by forces, creatures, monsters, entities, etc. that were of supernatural, science fiction, and/or fantastic origins. Carl Kolchak was created by the late writer, Jeff Rice (1944-2015).

2022 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the debut of “The Night Stalker” TV movie (specifically January 18, 1972). To commemorate that anniversary, editor and publisher, James Aquilone, launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for an anthology graphic novel telling all-new comics stories that would span Carl Kolchak's entire career as a reporter of the supernatural and as TV’s greatest monster-hunting reporter.

The result was a hugely successful campaign and the eventual release of Kolchak: The Night Stalker – 50th Anniversary Graphic Novel. This special 188-page graphic novel is comprised of 12 all-new stories that chronicle the adventures of the intrepid Carl Kolchak from the 1930s to the early 2000s.

The stories are written by a stellar line-up of novelists, television writers, and comic book scribes. The list includes David Avallone, Rodney Barnes, James Chambers, Nancy A. Collins, Peter David, Jonathan Maberry, and Steve Niles, to name a few. The artists include Jonathan Marks Barravecchia, Szymon Kudranski, Paul McCaffrey, Julius Ohta, J.K. Woodard, and Colton Worley, to name a few.

THE LOWDOWN: There is more than one edition of Kolchak: The Night Stalker – 50th Anniversary Graphic Novel, including one that will contain a series of prose stories featuring Carl Kolchak. My review will be of the 188-page “Cover A” paperback edition that contains the 12 stories and a short illustration gallery of variant cover art.

First, allow me to gush, dear readers. If Kolchak: The Night Stalker – 50th Anniversary Graphic Novel is not the best horror comics anthology of the 21st century that I have read, it is definitely in the top three. I can't think of a better one that I've encountered over the last twenty-plus years.

It is bracketed by a fine opening story and a pitch-perfect closing story. The opening tale, writer David Avallone and artist Julius Ohta's “The Funny Place,” introduces a young Carl Kolchak who is coming into his own. Avallone does not make the mistake of doing what the film, Solo: A Star Wars Story,” did and show us the origins of every single habit for which television viewers and fans would come to know Kolchak. I'd like to see Avallone and Ohta produce a YA graphic novel expansion of their take on young Carl Kolchak. I know it likely won't happen, but a fanboy can dream...

The closing story, writer James Chambers and artist Paul McCaffrey's “The Last Byline,” is masterstroke as a concluding story in an anthology. It recalls Kolchak's debut, The Night Stalker; is a summation of his work and motivation; and is a fitting end … with his boots on.

In between, the writers and artists introduce new spins on the adventures of Carl Kolchak, such as Nancy A. Collins' and Warwick Caldwell-Johnson's “The Sin Feeder” and Jonathan Maberry and Marco Finnegan's “The White Lady.” Writer Rodney Barnes and artist Jonathan Marks Barravecchia summon the spirit of original “Kolchak: The Night Stalker” episode, “The Zombie,” with the superb “Voodoo Child.” It is a timely rumination on the pervasive poverty of black and brown inner city neighborhoods and also police violence, with a seeding of George A. Romero's “Dead” films.

I actually cannot pick a personal favorite story from Kolchak: The Night Stalker – 50th Anniversary Graphic Novel because they are all so damn good. “The Nest” by Tim Waggoner and Clara Meath may be the sweetest. I unequivocally endorse Kolchak: The Night Stalker – 50th Anniversary Graphic Novel. I think the version that I am reviewing costs $32 to purchase from James Aquilone's Monstrous Books website. I am sure, dear readers, that some of you have spent much more on reading material that is not nearly as good as this book.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Carl Kolchak and of “Kolchak: The Night Stalker” will very much want Kolchak: The Night Stalker – 50th Anniversary Graphic Novel.

[This volume includes introductions by R.C. Matheson and James Rice.]

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://twitter.com/jamesaquilone

https://monstrousbooks.com/

https://monstrousbooks.com/shop

https://moonstonebooks.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MoonstoneBooks/

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Friday, March 18, 2022

Comics Review: "ELVIRA: The Wrath of Con" is a Romp of Fun

ELVIRA: THE WRATH OF CON
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

[There is a new Elvira comic book, Death of Elvira, at Indiegogo.]

STORY: Elvira & David Avallone
SCRIPT: David Avallone
PENCILS: Dave Acosta
INKS: Dave Acosta and Jason Moore (pp. 12-40)
COLORS: Walter Pereyra
LETTERS: Taylor Esposito
EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt
COVER: Dave Acosta and Jason Moore with Ryan Lee
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Dave Acosta and Jason Moore; Dave Acosta and Jason Moore with Ryan Lee; Elvira photo cover
56pp., Color, (2021)

Rated Teen+

“The Wrath of Con”

In the early 1980s, actress and model Cassandra Peterson created the “horror hostess character,” known as “Elvira.” Elvira gradually grew in popularity and eventually became a brand name. As Elvira, Peterson endorsed many products and became a pitch-woman, appearing in numerous television commercials throughout the 1980s.

Elvira also appeared in comic books, beginning in 1986 with the short-lived series from DC Comics, Elvira's House of Mystery, which ran for eleven issues and one special issue (1987). Eclipse Comics and Claypool Comics began the long-running Elvira: Mistress of the Dark from 1993 to 2007. In 2018, Elvira returned to comic books via Dynamite Entertainment in the four-issue comic book miniseries, Elvira Mistress of the Dark, that actually ran for 12 issues.

Since 2021, Dynamite Entertainment has been running crowdfunding campaigns that go towards producing and publishing special issues of its Elvira comic book series. Elvira: The Wrath of Con is the second crowdfunded Elvira comic book (after Elvira: The Omega Ma'am) and was successfully funded via a “Kickstarter” campaign. It is written by Elvira (story) and David Avallone (story-script); drawn by Dave Acosta (pencil and inks) and Jason Moore (inks); colored by Walter Pereyra; and lettered by Taylor Esposito. The Wrath of Con finds Elvira the honored guest at a major pop culture convention, but not everyone attending is happy to see her.

As Elvira: The Wrath of Con opens, the busty title heroine is watching footage from her latest film, "Elvira: Mistress of the Dark: The Omega Ma'am." Directed by Hanover Utz, the film is an exaggerated and inaccurate retelling of Elvira's struggle against a cult leader, Rick Circe, and his orange zombies (as seen in The Omega Ma'am). Known as the “Sudsies,” these zombies were people transformed when they ingested the cleaning product, “Doctor Sudsy.”

Although Elvira and her script doctor, Eddie Mezzogiorno, object to Utz's cut of the film, the director is sticking to his vision. In fact, he has produced a teaser trailer for the film, and he wants Elvira to screen the trailer at the “San Diego Pop Culturama.” Elvira is the “Guest of Honor” at the convention, where she will be feted during the “Queen of the Cure” event, which will celebrate her curing the “Sudsies” zombie affliction.

Not everyone is in the celebratory mood, and despite foreshadowing and a warning in the form of an homage to the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956). Will Elvira avoid doom, and will she find the super … hero (“The Soul Survivor”) that she needs?

THE LOWDOWN: Writer David Avallone and artist Dave Acosta were the original creative dream team of Dynamite's Elvira comic book launch. The crowdfunded Elvira comic books are a chance for readers to have them together again.

Honestly, Avallone's Elvira scripts would still be comedy gold no matter who drew them. By “who,” I mean a professional comic book, comics, or graphic novel artist, of course. The plots don't matter, although Avallone fashions intriguing plots. These plots allow him to skewer American culture and pop culture. He is one of the few modern comic book writers that would be worthy of finding a place on the original staff of EC Comics' Mad comic book.

Here, Avallone attacks anti-vaxx, anti-intellectual, Tea Party, conspiracy-obsessed reactionaries with the same razor-sharp humor and disdain Mel Brooks used on Hollywood Western films, corrupt politicians, and racists in his 1974 film, Blazing Saddles. However, Avallone never forgets to deliver Elvira's trademark charming wit and delightfully droll humor in servings that are as bountiful as the Mistress of the Dark's breasts.

Dave Acosta is the kind of comic book artist who seems to get everything right. He is a master at cartooning the human face in an impressive array of emotions and expressions. The most amazing thing about Acosta's work on this series is that every single time he draws Elvira, both her charm and sexiness comes through. Jokes about her cleavage aside, Acosta conveys Elvira physical attractiveness in her poses and in the way he … exposes her lovely legs when depicting that treasured split in her flowing black dress.

And, dear readers, in order to enjoy such a special, special edition of the Elvira comic book series, you have to support a crowdfunding campaign. Only the good people who fund it get to enjoy the goodness that is Elvira: The Wrath of Con. If you missed out, there is a new campaign.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Elvira and of David Avallone's Elvira comic books will want to read Elvira: The Wrath of Con.

[This comic book includes a seven-page “Thank You” section that thanks campaign contributors (of which I am one).]

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

There is a new crowdfunding campaign for a new Elvira comic book, Death of Elvira. You can visit the campaign here or at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/death-of-elvira-comic-book-does-the-unthinkable#/.

https://twitter.com/DAvallone
https://twitter.com/DynamiteComics
https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/
https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment

The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Thursday, December 31, 2015

Review: "Da Sweet Blood of Jesus" is Strange and Beautiful

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 50 (of 2015) by Leroy Douresseaux

[A version of this review originally appeared on Patreon.]

Da Sweet Blood of Jesus (2014)
Running time: 123 minutes (2 hours, 3 minutes)
MPAA – R for brief violence, language and a disturbing situation
DIRECTOR: Spike Lee
WRITERS: Spike Lee and Bill Gunn
PRODUCERS: Spike Lee and Chiz Schultz
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Daniel Patterson
EDITOR: Randy Wilkins
COMPOSERS: Bruce Hornsby

FANTASY with elements of drama and romance

Starring: Stephen Tyrone Williams, Zaraah Abrahams, Rami Malek, Elvis Nolasco, Thomas Jefferson Byrd, Joie Lee, Felicia “Snoop” Pearson, Katherine Borowitz, Donna Dixon, Cinqué Lee, Jeni Perillo, Chiz Schultz, and Naté Bova

Da Sweet Blood of Jesus is a 2014 African-American vampire drama and romance from director Spike Lee. Lee financed the film using the crowdfunding platform, Kickstarter. A number of fellow filmmakers and celebrities gave money to Lee's crowdfunding campaign, and each of their contributions was large enough ($10,000, I think) to earn a film credit as an “associate producer.” Some these associate producers include Oscar-winning director, Steven Soderbergh; owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban; NBA star, Joakim Noah; and CNN's Soledad O'Brien, among others. The film was released to select theaters and VOD (video-on-demand) by Gravitas Ventures.

Da Sweet Blood of Jesus is an unofficial remake and homage to Bill Gunn's 1973 film, Ganja and Hess. Lee's film focuses on a wealthy anthropologist who becomes a vampire after being stabbed to death with an ancient African dagger.

Da Sweet Blood of Jesus introduces Dr. Hess Greene (Stephen Tyrone Williams), a wealthy, young African-American anthropologist. A collector of African art and artifacts, Hess has recently acquired a mysterious dagger originating in the ancient Ashanti Empire. Hess shares his find with Lafayette Hightower (Elvis Nolasco), a colleague from the Museum of the Republic of Brooklyn.

After a brutal confrontation, Hess discovers that his body is invulnerable to physical harm, and that he also has an insatiable need for blood. However, the manner in which he must satisfy his thirst is complicated and messy. When Hightower's estranged wife, Ganja (Zaraah Abrahams), comes looking for her husband, Hess believes that he has found someone with whom to share his new life.

Da Sweet Blood of Jesus is a strange, melancholy film with wild shifts in mood. One might even call it bipolar. Even when one considers the oddities that are sprinkled throughout Spike Lee's filmography (Bamboozled and She Hate Me – to name a few), Da Sweet Blood of Jesus is the oddest. Still, I found this movie quite watchable, in a weird way; it was as if I could not stop following this film's nonsensical narrative. I think watching Da Sweet Blood of Jesus is like being ensnared by the alluring gaze of a vampire.

Lee sometimes has a problem unifying the messages and themes he presents in his films in a way that forms a coherent whole. Lee has described this film as being about humans that are addicted to love and as being a new kind of love story. Da Sweet Blood of Jesus offers themes of addiction, of HIV/AIDS, and of violence against women. At one point in the film, Hess tells Ganja that people can be addicted to anything. However, Hess' vampirism seems like a metaphor for addiction to crack, and his violence acts of women spread his affliction as if were spreading HIV/AIDS.

On the other hand, maybe Da Sweet Blood of Jesus is mostly Lee's tribute to the late Bill Gunn and his film, Ganja and Hess. I have not seen that movie (and don't plan to), but Lee reportedly reproduces certain sections of the 1973 film shot-for-shot in Da Sweet Blood of Jesus. If this is true, it would be fitting. The misunderstood Spike Lee toasting another, perhaps misunderstood filmmaker.

Whatever the case, this unconventional, stubborn, obtuse movie impressed me. I am always looking for a fresh take on vampires, and this detached, but gruesome, not-quite-a-fantasy film is bloody refreshing. Also, fans of Lee's film, Red Hook Summer, will find that it is connected to Da Sweet Blood of Jesus via the Lil’ Peace of Heaven Church.

Da Sweet Blood of Jesus has a lovely piano score by Bruce Hornsby and an invigorating and imaginative soundtrack featuring songs mostly performed by recording artists who are unsigned to major record labels or by music corporations. One can enjoy this film's opening credit sequence in which dancer, Charles “Lil Buck” Riley, dances to the opening strains of Hornsby's lovely score. The use of music in Da Sweet Blood of Jesus is indeed sweet.

7 of 10
B+

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.