Comics Review: "BIG GAME #5" Brings in the Big Names

BIG GAME #5 (OF 5)

IMAGE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Pepe Larraz

COLORS: Giovanna Niro

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Pepe Larraz with Giovanna Niro

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Dike Ruan with Giovanna Niro

52pp, Color, $7.99 U.S. (November 2023)

Rated M / Mature

Big Game is a five-issue comic book event miniseries from writer Mark Millar and artist Pepe Larraz.  Big Game is a crossover event series that pulls together all the franchises that are part of Millar's company/imprint, “Millarworld.”  That includes Kick-Ass, The Magic Order, and Wanted, to name a few.  Colorist Giovanna Niro and letterer Clem Robins complete the series' creative team.

Big Game is a sequel to the first Millarworld comic book miniseries, Wanted (2003-04).  The stars of that series, The Fraternity, the super-villains that secretly rule the world, defeated their superhero adversaries in 1986.  Now, this entity is concerned about the reemergence of superheroes, so it unleashes it new superhero killer, Nemesis (from Nemesis: Reloaded), on a hero-assassination spree.

Big Game #5 opens in Singapore, Moscow, and New York.  It is in these places that Diabolos the Sorcerer makes his announcement on behalf of his master, King Morax (Empress).  Diabolos has traveled millions of years from Earth's deep history in order to speak to the planet's true leader, Wesley Gibson, the secret Lord of the Earth (Wanted).

But for all the flexing Wesley and Diabolos will commit in front of each other, everything hinges on Hit-Girl/Mindy McCready (Kick-Ass).  Can she stop Nemesis' superhero murder spree before it starts … again?  Guest-starring the stars of The Ambassadors, Huck, Night Club, Starlight, and a surprise.

THE LOWDOWN:  I have been receiving PDF review copies of Netflix/Millarworld's comic book titles since late 2021.  Big Game #5 is the latest.

Big Game #5 is the end of, what is for me, the most readable comic book crossover event of the last fifteen years.  I have read some event series that started off grand and ended with a whimper (Marvel's recent Heroes Reborn).  I have read some that are full of sound and fury signifying nothing but perpetual noise (DC Comics' Dark Metal).

Writer Mark Millar and artist Pepe Larraz offer a satisfying ending that brings together all the elements, hooks, and twists from throughout Millarworld, although I will say that Big Game #5 doesn't have the big game of previous four issues.  This conclusion leaves me satisfied, and I am anticipating what comes next.

Millar seems to promise a brave new Millarworld going forward, and I want to be there.  So, dear readers, perhaps you should get that Big Game trade paperback for some good reading.  Add it to your gift list.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Millar and especially of his Millarworld titles will want to read Big Game.

A

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

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

https://twitter.com/ImageComics

https://twitter.com/mrmarkmillar

https://twitter.com/netflix

https://twitter.com/themagicorder

http://www.millarworld.tv/

www.imagecomics.com

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Comic Books, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for November 15, 2023

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

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Comics Review: "BIG GAME #4" Goes Back to the Future

BIG GAME #4 (OF 5)

IMAGE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Pepe Larraz

COLORS: Giovanna Niro

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Pepe Larraz with Giovanna Niro

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Matteo Scalera; Pepe Larraz

28pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (October 2023)

Rated M / Mature

Big Game is a new five-issue comic book event miniseries from writer Mark Millar and artist Pepe Larraz.  Big Game is a crossover event series that pulls together all the franchises that are part of Millar's company/imprint, “Millarworld.”  That includes Kick-Ass, Kingsman, Nemesis, and The Magic Order, to name a few.  Colorist Giovanna Niro and letterer Clem Robins complete the series' creative team.

Big Game is a sequel to the first Millarworld comic book miniseries, Wanted (2003-04).  The stars of that series, The Fraternity, the super-villains that secretly rule the world, defeated their superhero adversaries in 1986.  Now, this entity is concerned about the reemergence of superheroes, so it unleashes it new superhero killer, Nemesis (from Nemesis: Reloaded), on a hero-assassination spree.

Big Game #4 opens in the world of the series, Empress (before the events of that series).  Hit-Girl (Mindy McCready) has ridden a dead Chrononaut far, far into Earth's deep history.  Now, she's face to face with Princess Aine, the daughter of King Morax.  The King himself has conquered space, so he is shocked to realize that millions of years in the future – from where Hit-Girl hails – his Empire does not exist and no one remembers it.  Now, he believes that time travel can change this unpleasant future reality, but where does that leave Mindy?

Meanwhile, a gathering of superheroes is unaware that they are sitting ducks for Nemesis.  So where are The Magic Order and Kick-Ass?

THE LOWDOWN:  I have been receiving PDF review copies of Netflix/Millarworld's comic book titles since late 2021.  Big Game #4 is the latest.

Big Game #4 is an excellent Empress comic book, especially considering that the long-awaited second series is still long-awaited.  Still, I like the manner in which writer Mark Millar is fitting all his series together; Big Game makes Millarworld really feel like an actual comic book world.

All along, series artist Pepe Larraz has unleashed his beautiful and brutal graphical storytelling.  Big Game #4 allows him to offer a different tone.  Yes, there is still the slaughter, but Larraz's ability to depict multiple worlds and settings gets to impress here.  Giovanna Niro makes it all pop with her rich colors, giving the narrative an epic scope.

Big Game #1 had me curious to see what was next.  Big Game #2 blew the doorway to my imagination off its hinges.  Big Game #3 felt like the story wasn't finished pounding me.  Big Game #4 promises to be a blast.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Millar and especially of his Millarworld titles will want to read Big Game.

A+

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

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

https://twitter.com/ImageComics

https://twitter.com/mrmarkmillar

https://twitter.com/netflix

https://twitter.com/themagicorder

http://www.millarworld.tv/

www.imagecomics.com

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

------------------------------------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the affiliate link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the affiliate link below AND buy something(s).

Comics Review: "BIG GAME #3" is Out Here Just Killin' Millarworld Stars

BIG GAME #3 (OF 5)

IMAGE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Pepe Larraz

COLORS: Giovanna Niro

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Pepe Larraz with Giovanna Niro

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Travis Charest

28pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (September 2023)

Rated M / Mature

Big Game is a new five-issue comic book event miniseries from writer Mark Millar and artist Pepe Larraz.  Big Game is a crossover event series that pulls together all the franchises that are part of Millar's company/imprint, “Millarworld.”  That includes Kick-Ass, Kingsman, Nemesis, and The Magic Order, to name a few.  Colorist Giovanna Niro and letterer Clem Robins complete the series' creative team.

Big Game is a sequel to the first Millarworld comic book miniseries, Wanted (2003-04).  The stars of that series, The Fraternity, the super-villains that secretly rule the world, defeated their superhero adversaries in 1986.  Now, this entity is concerned about the reemergence of superheroes, so it unleashes it new superhero killer, Nemesis (from Nemesis: Reloaded), on a hero assassination spree.

As Big Game #3 opens, Huck (from the miniseries, Huck) is the target of the assassins.  Superior, Night Club, Kingsman, and Kick-Ass: who will survive?  Is Hit-Girl the most dangerous target and/or the smartest?  Time will tell.

THE LOWDOWN:  I have been receiving PDF review copies of Netflix/Millarworld's comic book titles since late 2021.  Big Game #3 is the latest.

As a longtime Millarworld fan, it is both terrifying and thrilling to read Big Game, especially because Nemesis is on the prowl.  That's the good part.  He and others, however, are killing some of my favorite Millarworld good guys and anti-heroes.  Of course, that's the bad part.  Mark Millar ain't playing, and every issue is a prepared explosive device – the opposite of an “improvised explosive device.”  This third issue explodes all the way to the end with surprises, and while I expected this kind of fun, I didn't expect this much fun.

Artist Pepe Larraz continues to unleash his beautiful and brutal graphical storytelling, bringing to life the gleeful vindictiveness of Millar's script.  Larraz just might be making his readers all beg for breaks between issues, even if they'd like to read the next installment as soon as they finish the current issue.

Big Game #1 had me curious to see what was next.  Big Game #2 blew the doorway to my imagination off its hinges.  Now, dear readers, Big Game #3 feels like it ain't finished with me just yet.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Millar and especially of his Millarworld titles will want to read Big Game.

A+

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

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

https://twitter.com/ImageComics

https://twitter.com/mrmarkmillar

https://twitter.com/netflix

https://twitter.com/themagicorder

http://www.millarworld.tv/

www.imagecomics.com

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

-----------------------------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the affiliate link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the affiliate link below AND buy something(s).

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MAY230210 DARK RIDE #8 CVR A BRESSAN & LUCAS (MR) $3.99

MAY230211 DARK RIDE #8 CVR B HOUSE (MR) $3.99

MAY230212 DARK RIDE #8 CVR C GANUCHEAU (MR) $3.99

JUN230111 MAGIC ORDER TP VOL 04 (MR) $19.99

JUN230373 UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY #25 CVR A CAMUNCOLI (MR) $3.99

JUN230374 UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY #25 CVR B MOMOKO (MR) $3.99

----------------------

Image Comics Publishing Shipping from Diamond Distributors for September 6, 2023

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JUN230100 NIGHT CLUB TP VOL 01 (MR) $16.99

JUN230340 PURR EVIL #2 (OF 6) CVR A BRAGA (MR) $3.99

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JUN230342 PURR EVIL #2 (OF 6) CVR C DURSO (MR) $3.99

JUN230343 PURR EVIL #2 (OF 6) CVR D MORANELLI (MR) $3.99

------------------------

DC Comics Shipping from Lunar Distributors for August 29, 2023

DC COMICS:

Absolute Superman For All Seasons HC, $100.00

Action Comics Presents Doomsday Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Bjorn Barends), $5.99

Action Comics Presents Doomsday Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Lucio Parrillo Card Stock Variant), $6.99

Action Comics Presents Doomsday Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Puppeteer Lee Card Stock Variant), $6.99

Action Comics Presents Doomsday Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Clayton Crain Card Stock Variant), AR

Action Comics Presents Doomsday Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover E Jon Bogdanove Card Stock Variant), AR

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Batgirl Volume 8 The Joker War TP (Rebirth), $16.99

Batman Catwoman The Gotham War Battle Lines #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Jorge Jimenez), $5.99

Batman Catwoman The Gotham War Battle Lines #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Joe Quesada Card Stock Variant), $6.99

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Batman Catwoman The Gotham War Battle Lines #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Blank Card Stock Variant), $6.99

Batman Catwoman The Gotham War Battle Lines #1 (One Shot)(Cover E Jonboy Meyers Foil Variant), $7.99

Batman Catwoman The Gotham War Battle Lines #1 (One Shot)(Cover F Otto Schmidt Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman Catwoman The Gotham War Battle Lines #1 (One Shot)(Cover G Kael Ngu Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman Catwoman The Gotham War Battle Lines #1 (One Shot)(Cover H Joe Quesada Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman Knightwatch TP, $16.99

Catwoman Uncovered #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Jamie McKelvie), $5.99

Catwoman Uncovered #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Frank Cho), $5.99

Catwoman Uncovered #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Olivier Coipel), $5.99

Catwoman Uncovered #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Stanley Artgerm Lau Foil Variant), $7.99

Catwoman Uncovered #1 (One Shot)(Cover E Babs Tarr), AR

Catwoman Uncovered #1 (One Shot)(Cover F Jeff Dekal), AR

G’norts Illustrated Swimsuit Edition #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Vasco Georgiev), $5.99

G’norts Illustrated Swimsuit Edition #1 (One Shot)(Cover B J Scott Campbell Card Stock Variant), $6.99

G’norts Illustrated Swimsuit Edition #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Adam Hughes Card Stock Variant), $6.99

G’norts Illustrated Swimsuit Edition #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Pablo Villalobos Card Stock Variant), AR

Harley Quinn The Animated Series The Eat Bang Kill Tour TP, $19.99

Knight Terrors Night’s End #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Howard Porter), $5.99

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Knight Terrors Night’s End #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Mico Suayan Card Stock Variant), $6.99

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Knight Terrors Night’s End #1 (One Shot)(Cover H Howard Porter), AR

Phantom Stranger Omnibus HC, $150.00

Sandman Universe Nightmare Country The Glass House #4 (Of 6)(Cover A Reiko Murakami), $3.99

Sandman Universe Nightmare Country The Glass House #4 (Of 6)(Cover B Matteo Scalera Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Sandman Universe Nightmare Country The Glass House #4 (Of 6)(Cover C Cathy Kwan Card Stock Variant), AR

Superboy The Man Of Tomorrow #5 (Of 6)(Cover A Jahnoy Lindsay), $3.99

Superboy The Man Of Tomorrow #5 (Of 6)(Cover B Adrian Gutierrez Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Superboy The Man Of Tomorrow #5 (Of 6)(Cover C Carlo Barberi Blue Beetle Movie Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Superboy The Man Of Tomorrow #5 (Of 6)(Cover D Scott Kolins Card Stock Variant), AR

Superman Red Son TP (2023 Edition), $19.99

Wonder Woman 1987 #1 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover A George Perez), $3.99

Wonder Woman 1987 #1 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover B Blank Variant), $4.99

Wonder Woman 1987 #1 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover C George Perez Foil Variant), $5.99

------------------------

Comics Review: "BIG GAME #2" - Nemesis Drops a Double-Nickel Game

BIG GAME #2 (OF 5)

IMAGE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Pepe Larraz

COLORS: Giovanna Niro

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Pepe Larraz with Giovanna Niro

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Leinil Yu with Sunny Gho; Pepe Larraz

28pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (August 2023)

Rated M / Mature

Big Game is a new five-issue comic book event miniseries from writer Mark Millar and artist Pepe Larraz.  Big Game is a crossover event series that pulls together all the franchises that are part of Millar's company/imprint, “Millarworld.”  That includes Kick-Ass, Kingsman, Nemesis, and The Magic Order, to name a few.  Colorist Giovanna Niro and letterer Clem Robins complete the series' creative team.

Big Game is a sequel to the first Millarworld comic book miniseries, Wanted (2003-04).  The stars of that series, The Fraternity, the super-villains that secretly rule the world, defeated their superhero adversaries in 1986.  Now, this entity is concerned about the reemergence of superheroes, so it unleashes it new superhero killer, Nemesis (from Nemesis: Reloaded), on a hero assassination spree.

As Big Game #2 opens, Edison Crane (Prodigy) and Bobbie Griffin meet the Chrononauts, Corbin Quinn and Danny Reilly.  Crane, the world's smartest man, wants the duo to take him and Griffin back in time to 1986 for proof of that what Griffin says is true.  Superheroes did exist in the past.

Meanwhile, Doctor Choon-He Chung (The Ambassadors) and her international rescue squad, The Ambassadors, search for a missing Ambassador.  Plus, two early Millarworld favorites are forced together on new comics day.

THE LOWDOWN:  I have been receiving PDF review copies of Netflix/Millarworld's comic book titles since late 2021.  Big Game #2 is the latest.

Some of Millarworld's most popular comic book franchises and series have been adapted into Hollywood feature films.  They are Wanted (2008), Kick-Ass (2010), Kick-Ass 2 (2013), Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014), Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017), and The King's Man (2021).  These movies are so disparate that you, dear readers, would be surprised to know that their source material originates from a shared universe.

As a longtime Millarworld fan, it is both terrifying and thrilling to read Big Game, especially because Nemesis is on the prowl and is killing some of my favorite Millarworld good guys and anti-heroes.  Writer Mark Millar is having himself quite a bit of fun by tearing things apart, but the smart Millarworld readers (Is there any other kind?) know that Mark has shocks and surprises in store for us.  Plus, :nothing is really what it appears at first” is a truism in every one of Millar's comic book series.

Pepe Larraz's art is similar to the work of Bryan Hitch, a specialist in event comic books, and Larraz's storytelling style certainly suggests that this is truly a BIG event.  He is also good at creating an air of menace, suggested in the faces of the characters and in the overall narrative.  Giovanna Niro's colors serve this “dark universe” quite well, and Clem Robins' lettering is uniquely fashioned to amplify the soundtrack of Millar's scripts.

Big Game #1 had me curious to see what was next.  After reading that first issue, I almost guaranteed that the second issue of Big Game would blow the doorway to your imagination off its hinges, dear readers.  My hinges gave out.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Millar and especially of his Millarworld titles will want to read Big Game.

A+

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

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

https://twitter.com/ImageComics

https://twitter.com/mrmarkmillar

https://twitter.com/netflix

https://twitter.com/themagicorder

http://www.millarworld.tv/

www.imagecomics.com

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

-----------------------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the affiliate link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the affiliate link below AND buy something(s).

Image Comics Publishing Shipping from Diamond Distributors for August 23, 2023

IMAGE COMICS

MAR230039 ART BRUT HC VOL 01 WINKING WOMAN (MR) $19.99

JUN230291 BATTLE CHASERS #12 CVR A LULLABI (MR) $3.99

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MAR230072 COMP WITCHBLADE HC VOL 03 (MR) $49.99

MAR230071 COMP WITCHBLADE TP VOL 03 (MR) $29.99

MAY230214 DEAD LUCKY #8 CVR A CARLOMAGNO MV $3.99

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JUN230310 FIRE POWER BY KIRKMAN & SAMNEE #26 CVR A $3.99

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JUN230115 WHATS THE FURTHEST PLACE FROM HERE TP VOL 02 $14.99

------------------------

Comics Review: "THE MAGIC ORDER 4 #6" Flows Like a Harpoon

THE MAGIC ORDER 4 #6 (OF 6)

IMAGE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Dike Ruan

COLORS: Giovanna Niro

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITORIAL: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Dike Ruan with Giovanna Niro

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Javier Fernández with Alejandro Sánchez; Dike Ruan

36pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2023)

Rated M / Mature

The Magic Order created by Mark Millar at Netflix

The Magic Order 4 is a six-issue miniseries from writer Mark Millar and artist Dike Ruan.  The is the fourth installment of The Magic Order series, which began with the 2018-19 miniseries written by Millar and drawn by Olivier Coipel.  The Magic Order is a band of sorcerers, magicians, and wizards – with a focus on the Moonstone family – that live ordinary lives by day, but protect humanity from darkness and monsters of impossible sizes by night.  Colorist Giovanna Niro and letterer Clem Robins complete the series creative team.

The Magic Order focuses on a coup within the Order, one that has left the Moonstones defeated … seemingly … by the dark one who always wanted to rule the order – the supposedly defeated Madame Albany.  Now, to save everything, Cordelia Moonstone, the now deposed leader, will have to go way down in the dirty dirty to restore order.

The Magic Order 4 #6 opens as Madame Albany prepares to face the consequences of bringing the Wizard King from the world/dimension known as “Kolthur” back to Earth.  However, Albany wants to face the consequences.  It's all part of her quest for revenge, even if it means she goes back to being dead.  The only ones who are around to face the Wizard King are several apprentice wizards.

Madame Albany isn't the only one with a trick or two up her magical sleeves.  How will Cordelia defeat a being of infinite power?  And can she finally end the long-running “wizard wars?”

THE LOWDOWN:  In late 2021, the Millarworld division of Netflix began providing me with PDF copies of its comic books for review.  That has given me the opportunity to read many Millarworld titles, especially my favorite, The Magic Order.

Because of The Magic Order 4 #6, I can justify saying that The Magic Order series is the most interesting comic book about magic that I've read since Alan Moore and J.H. Williams' Promethea.  I can also safely say that The Magic Order is the most inventive and intense comic book about magic since Steve Ditko and Marvel Comics' Strange Tales unleashed Doctor Strange on newsstands.  When the Netflix series adaptation of The Magic Order arrives, I hope that it is every bit as weird as Disney and Marvel Studios 2016 film, Doctor Strange.

Writer Mark Millar never disappoints with The Magic Order.  It seems that he loves his readers enough to keep throwing one surprise after another at us.  Not only does he cleverly resolve this fourth volume with something he's previously referenced, but he also drops a bomb on the last page about what is coming in the next series.  And the surprises certainly explode under Clem Robins' lettering.

Artist Dike Ruan turned in some fabulous graphical storytelling in this series.  His every line and every brushstroke is an exercise in the intensity and insanity of dark magic.  Ruan made this series feel dangerous, and colorist Giovanna Niro made it all burn before our very eyes.  I hope this isn't the last we see of Ruan in this franchise.

The Magic Order 4 #6 is a delight from the first sound effect to the last caption box.  Dare I say, dear readers, that The Magic Order 4 is magical?

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Millar and of The Magic Order will want to read The Magic Order 4.

A+

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

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

https://twitter.com/ImageComics

https://twitter.com/mrmarkmillar

https://twitter.com/netflix

https://twitter.com/themagicorder

http://www.millarworld.tv/

www.imagecomics.com

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

-----------------------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the affiliate link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the affiliate link below AND buy something(s).

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JUN230285 ANTARCTICA #2 CVR A ROBERTS $3.99

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DEC210355 WHATS THE FURTHEST PLACE FROM HERE #4 DLX ED 2ND PRESS $14.99

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Comics Review: "NIGHT CLUB #6" Doesn't Wait Until Dark

NIGHT CLUB #6 (OF 6)

IMAGE COMICS

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Juanan Ramírez

COLORS: Fabiana Mascolo

LETTERS: Clem Robins

COVER: Matteo Scalera with Giovanna Niro

EDITORIAL: Sarah Unwin

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Matteo Scalera

36pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2023)

Rated M / Mature

Night Club created by Mark Millar at Netflix

Night Club is a six-issue miniseries written and created by Mark Millar and drawn by Juanan Ramírez.  An Image Comics publication and a Netflix production, Night Club focuses on a teen boy who is bitten by a vampire and decides to make the best of his new condition.  Colorist Fabiana Mascolo and letterer Clem Robins complete Night Club's creative team.

Night Club introduces 17-year-old Danny Garcia, who had ambitions to gain fame and fortune as a YouTube star with his friends, DJ Sam Huxley and Amy Chen.  Then, after a terrible accident, a vampire bites him, and his life goes awry.  Instead of living like a stereotypical vampire, Danny decides to live “la vida loca” of a superhero.

Night Club #6 opens with Starguard (Danny), Thundercloud (Sam), and Yellowbird (Amy) prepare to get the vampire gang overlord, Gunner Joe, and crew his crew before they get them.  The best laid schemes o' mice an' men an' teen vampires, however, is a way of saying that things will not go according to plan.  In the final showdown, it is clear that one side will have to annihilate the other.  So what happens after that?

THE LOWDOWN:  Netflix/Millarworld sends me PDF review copies of their comic books.  Thus, I have been lucky enough to get review copies of all six issues of Night Club.

Writer Mark Millar and artist Juanan Ramírez offered big surprises in Night Club #5.  There was an intriguing origin story and the depiction of the strife between the (apparently) small number of vampires that currently exist.  In this finale, Millar sets the groundwork for more rivalries and offers a revelation that it is not so much that power corrupts, but that it inflates the ego.

Ramirez attacks the action in this final issue with gusto.  It is somewhere between supernatural violence and rural crime thriller.  Colorist Fabiana Mascolo captures the subtly moments and the violence with equal aplomb.  Letterer Clem Robins also captures the shifts and tones in mood that lay the groundwork for what is to come in future Night Club series.

Night Club is a truly unique spin on vampire comic books the way the 1997 film, Near Dark is certainly a unique  take on the vampire movie.  Night Club #6 is quite a nice end of the beginning, and it will probably seem even better in trade paperback form

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Millar and of vampire comic books will want to be bitten by Night Club.

A

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

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The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Image Comics Publishing Shipping from Diamond Distributors for July 26, 2023

IMAGE COMICS

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