Monday, October 18, 2021

Comics Review: "PURGATORI Volume 2 #1" is a Strong First Issue

PURGATORI VOLUME 2 #1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Ray Fawkes
ART: Álvaro Sarraseca
COLORS: Salvatore Aiala
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
EDITOR: Matt Idelson
COVER: Antonio Fuso
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Carlo Pagulayan and Jason Paz with Wil Quintana; Russell Fox with Robert Nugent; Daniel Maine; Alvaro Sarraseca; Nerdy Nereid (cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2021)

Rated Teen+

Purgatori created by Brian Pulido and Steven Hughes

“Witches Get Stitches” Part One


Purgatori is a horror comics character created by writer Brian Pulido and artist Steven Hughes and originally published by Chaos! Comics.  A crimson-skinned, winged vampire goddess, she first appeared in the comic book, Evil Ernie: Revenge #1 (cover dated: October 1994).  Chaos! Comics eventually went out of business, and in 2010, Purgatori became the intellectual property (IP) of Dynamite Entertainment.

Dynamite's first solo Purgatori comic book series is Purgatori Volume 2.  It is written by Ray Fawkes; drawn by Álvaro Sarraseca; colored by Salvatore Aiala; and lettered by Tom Napolitano.  Purgatori follows the title character as she deals with a plot against her.

Purgatori Volume 2 #1 opens after the events depicted in the Vampirella vs. Purgatori miniseries.  In Hunan Province, China, Purgatori resides at a monastery where she has enjoyed the fruits of abbots for centuries.  She needs this now, as she is suffering Lilith's (Vampirella) magic in the form of nasty mind worm that is eating her willpower.

However, in London, England, a coven of witches plots against Purgatori, and using magic, they have sent one of their own to set their trap for her.  Is Purgatori ready for the mayhem?

THE LOWDOWN:  Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department recently began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Purgatori Volume 2 #1, which is the first Purgatori comic book of any kind that I've read.

Writer Ray Fawkes offers the kind of intriguing first issue that will draw many readers back for more.  He teases just enough about the conspiracy against Purgatori and about the conspirators to make me want to find out at least a little more.

Artist Álvaro Sarraseca's clean drawing style and clear storytelling convey the attention grabbing elements in Fawkes' script.  Salvatore Aiala's colors have an eye-candy quality, and, as always, letterer Tom Napolitano delivers the kind of work that gives comic books a sense of sound.

I didn't expect much of Purgatori; after all, I have always ignored the character.  But after this first issue, who knows...

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Chaos Comics Purgatori will want to visit Purgatori Volume 2.

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


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The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Comics Review: "BETTIE PAGE and the Curse of the Banshee #5" Ends Well

BETTIE PAGE AND THE CURSE OF THE BANSHEE VOLUME 5 #5
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Stephen Mooney
ART: Jethro Morales
COLORS: Dinei Ribero
LETTERS: Taylor Esposito
EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt
COVER: Marat Mychaels
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Joseph Michael Linsner; Stephen Mooney; Leslie Leirix; Marat Mychaels; Rachel Hollon (cosplay); Bettie Page (vintage photo)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2021)

Rated Teen+

Bettie Page (1923–2008) was an American model who gained notoriety in the 1950s for her pin-up photos.  She is still referred to has the “Queen of Pinups,” and her shoulder-to-armpit-length jet-black hair with its trademark bangs and her blue eyes have inspired generations of artists, illustrators and comic book artists.

In 2017, Dynamite Entertainment made Bettie Page the star of her own comic book miniseries.  The latest is Bettie Page and the Curse of the Banshee.  It is written by Stephen Mooney; drawn by Jethro Morales; colored by Dinei Ribero; and lettered by Taylor Esposito.  In this series, Bettie, a freelance agent for the federal government and something of a monster hunter, and her partner, Lyssa Druke, travel to rural Ireland to investigate a series of murders supposedly perpetrated by a mythical creature, a “banshee.”

Bettie Page and the Curse of the Banshee Volume 5 #5 opens “somewhere beyond knowable places.”  There, the banshee, Márie, who has many guises and is building an army, makes her pitch.  She wants Bettie to use her power to help her gain revenge on the descendants of her old enemies.  Meanwhile in O'Riordan's Bed and Breakfast, Ireland, 1954.  Lyssa maintains a vigil over Bettie's sleeping form, but now, she needs to round up an army of her own – to fight a zombie horde!

This is it!  The Irish adventure of Bettie Page is almost over?  Will she escape the forever curse of the Banshee and return, unscathed, to the life of a Hollywood starlet?

THE LOWDOWN:  Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department recently began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Bettie Page and the Curse of the Banshee Volume 5 #5, which is the third issue of the title that I have read.

Bettie Page and the Curse of the Banshee Volume 5 #5 is the final issue of the series.  Writer Stephen Mooney offers a tidy wrap-up that balances the story between Bettie's battle and Lyssa's struggle.  There is even a poignant and tragic end for the villain; you, dear readers, may even feel a bit of sadness … or something like it.

Artist Jethro Morales presents storytelling that, in a graphic sense, softens the blow of this conclusion.  Dinei Ribero's cotton candy colors seem simultaneously out of place and appropriate, and letterer Taylor Esposito balances the sounds of a final battle that is filled with pain.

While reading the last issue of Bettie Page and the Curse of the Banshee, I thought that it would make a good basis for a B-movie.  It would be fun … if anyone wanted to finance a Bettie Page monster mash movie...

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Bettie Page comic books will want to try Bettie Page and the Curse of the Banshee Volume 5.

B+

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


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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment


The text is copyright © 2021 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).


BOOM! Studios Shipping from Diamond Distributors for October 20, 2021

BOOM! STUDIOS

AUG210982 DUNE HOUSE ATREIDES #11 (OF 12) CVR A CAGLE (MR) $4.99
AUG210983 DUNE HOUSE ATREIDES #11 (OF 12) CVR B KHALIDAH (MR) $4.99
JUN211045 DUNE HOUSE ATREIDES HC VOL 02 (MR) $24.99
AUG211002 EAT THE RICH #3 (OF 5) CVR A TONG (MR) $3.99
AUG211003 EAT THE RICH #3 (OF 5) CVR B CAREY (MR) $3.99
JUN211115 JUST BEYOND MONSTROSITY ORIGINAL GN $10.99
AUG210989 MAW #2 (OF 5) CVR A KRISTANTINA (MR) $3.99
AUG210990 MAW #2 (OF 5) CVR B GIST (MR) $3.99
JUN211098 ORIGINS TP $19.99
JUN211087 SOMETHING IS KILLING CHILDREN DLX ED SLIPCASE HC BOOK 01 $69.99

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Dark Horse Comics Shipping from Diamond Distributors for October 20, 2021

DARK HORSE COMICS

OCT200307 ART OF FAR CRY 6 HC $39.99
MAY210267 COMPLETE AMERICAN GODS HC (MR) $124.99
AUG210281 CRITICAL ROLE: TALES OF EXANDRIA #1 (OF 4) (RES) $3.99
MAY210313 CYBERPUNK 2077 WHERES JOHNNY HC $19.99
JUN210347 DELVER TP $19.99
MAY210308 DRAGON AGE DARK FORTRESS HC $19.99
MAY210324 ELEGANT SPIRITS AMANOS TALE OF GENJI & FAIRIES HC $39.99
JUN210294 EXO LEGEND OF WALE WILLIAMS TP VOL 01 $24.99
MAY210300 HALO GRAPHIC NOVEL TP $19.99
AUG210324 KILLER QUEENS #3 (OF 4) CVR A BALBONI (MR) $3.99
AUG210325 KILLER QUEENS #3 (OF 4) CVR B ABLES (MR) $3.99
AUG210326 KILLER QUEENS #3 (OF 4) CVR C TALASKI (MR) $3.99
JUN210385 KINGDOM HEARTS CHARACTER FILES HC $44.99
AUG210312 MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE REVELATION #4 (OF 4) CVR A WILKINS $3.99
AUG210313 MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE REVELATION #4 (OF 4) CVR B ADAMS $3.99
AUG210320 ORVILLE ARTIFACTS #1 (OF 2) $3.99
JUN210383 RUNESCAPE FIRST 20 YEARS AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY HC $39.99
AUG210288 SAVAGE HEARTS #4 (OF 5) $3.99
AUG210332 TALES FROM HARROW COUNTY FAIR FOLK #4 (OF 4) CVR A SCHNALL $3.99
AUG210333 TALES FROM HARROW COUNTY FAIR FOLK #4 (OF 4) CVR B CROOK $3.99

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Dynamite Entertainment Shipping from Diamond Distributors for October 20, 2021

DYNAMITE

AUG210789 BETTIE PAGE & CURSE OF THE BANSHEE #5 CVR A MYCHAELS $3.99
AUG210790 BETTIE PAGE & CURSE OF THE BANSHEE #5 CVR B LINSNER $3.99
AUG210791 BETTIE PAGE & CURSE OF THE BANSHEE #5 CVR C MOONEY $3.99
AUG210792 BETTIE PAGE & CURSE OF THE BANSHEE #5 CVR D COSPLAY $3.99
AUG210793 BETTIE PAGE & CURSE OF THE BANSHEE #5 CVR E BETTIE PAGE PIN $3.99
AUG218305 BETTIE PAGE & CURSE OF THE BANSHEE #5 CVR L FOC PREMIUM LEIR $3.99
JUN210882 ELVIRA COLL HALF DOLLAR COIN $29.99
AUG210631 PURGATORI #1 CVR A FUSO $3.99
AUG210632 PURGATORI #1 CVR B PAGULAYAN $3.99
AUG210633 PURGATORI #1 CVR C FOX $3.99
AUG210634 PURGATORI #1 CVR D COSPLAY $3.99
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AUG218291 PURGATORI #1 CVR M FOC BONUS MAINE $3.99
AUG218292 PURGATORI #1 CVR N FOC BONUS SARRASECA $3.99
AUG210873 RED SONJA BLACK WHITE RED #4 CVR A PARRILLO $4.99
AUG210874 RED SONJA BLACK WHITE RED #4 CVR B STAGGS $4.99
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AUG218309 RED SONJA BLACK WHITE RED #4 CVR K FOC BONUS COSPLAY B&W VIR $4.99
JUL211011 SONJAVERSAL #8 CVR M PARRILLO LTD VIRGIN $50.00

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IDW Publishing Shipping from Diamond Distributors for October 20, 2021

IDW PUBLISHING

AUG210541 BERMUDA #4 (OF 4) CVR A BRADSHAW $4.99
AUG210544 DUNGEONS & DRAGONS MINDBREAKER #1 (OF 5) CVR A MAX DUNBAR (C $3.99
AUG210545 DUNGEONS & DRAGONS MINDBREAKER #1 (OF 5) CVR B MAX DAVENPORT $3.99
MAY210477 GHOSTBUSTER MEN IN BLACK ECTO-TERRESTRIAL INVASION $124.99
AUG210552 MY LITTLE PONY GENERATIONS #1 CVR A MEBBERSON $3.99
AUG210553 MY LITTLE PONY GENERATIONS #1 CVR B GARBOWSKA $3.99
DEC200438 SLEEPING BEAUTIES #7 (OF 10) CVR A GLENDINING $3.99
DEC200439 SLEEPING BEAUTIES #7 (OF 10) CVR B WOODALL $3.99
AUG210568 STAR WARS ADV GHOST VADERS CASTLE #5 (OF 5) CVR A FRANCAVILL $3.99
AUG210569 STAR WARS ADV GHOST VADERS CASTLE #5 (OF 5) CVR B CHARM $3.99
AUG210559 STAR WARS ADVENTURES (2021) #11 CVR A FRANCAVILLA $3.99
AUG210560 STAR WARS ADVENTURES (2021) #11 CVR B NICK BROKENSHIRE $3.99
AUG210575 TMNT ONGOING #122 CVR A NISHIJIMA $3.99
AUG210576 TMNT ONGOING #122 CVR B EASTMAN $3.99
AUG210595 USAGI YOJIMBO DRAGON BELLOW CONSPIRACY #5 (OF 6) $3.99

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Image Comics Shipping from Diamond Distributors for October 20, 2021

IMAGE COMICS

JUN210035 ANT #1 CVR A LARSEN $3.99
JUL210142 DEADLY CLASS TP VOL 10 SAVE YOUR GENERATION (MR) $16.99
AUG210159 DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH TP VOL 02 (MR) $16.99
JUL210084 DESTROY ALL MONSTERS HC A RECKLESS BOOK (MR) $24.99
AUG210063 ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO COMIC BOOK LETTERING TP $16.99
AUG210013 GUNSLINGER SPAWN #1 CVR A BOOTH $5.99
AUG210014 GUNSLINGER SPAWN #1 CVR B MCFARLANE $5.99
JUL219298 GUNSLINGER SPAWN #1 CVR C ALEXANDER $5.99
JUL219299 GUNSLINGER SPAWN #1 CVR D CAPULLO $5.99
JUL219300 GUNSLINGER SPAWN #1 CVR E KIRKMAN $5.99
JUL219301 GUNSLINGER SPAWN #1 CVR F REVOLVER $5.99
JUL219302 GUNSLINGER SPAWN #1 CVR G BOOTH CONNECTING $5.99
AUG210161 HACK SLASH DLX ED HC VOL 02 (MR) $49.99
AUG210016 HELLCOP #1 CVR A HABERLIN & VAN DYKE (MR) $3.99
AUG210017 HELLCOP #1 CVR B HABERLIN & VAN DYKE (MR) $3.99
AUG210018 HELLCOP #1 CVR C HABERLIN & VAN DYKE (MR) $3.99
AUG210019 HELLCOP #1 CVR D BLANK CVR (MR) $3.99
JUL210237 ICE CREAM MAN #26 CVR A MORAZZO & OHALLORAN (MR) $3.99
JUL210238 ICE CREAM MAN #26 CVR B ECKMAN-LAWN (MR) $3.99
AUG218313 KING SPAWN #1 2ND PTG $5.99
AUG210246 KING SPAWN #3 CVR A GLAPION $2.99
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JUL210105 LUTHER STRODE COMP SERIES TP (MR) $39.99
AUG210034 NITA HAWES NIGHTMARE BLOG #1 CVR A WELL-BEE (MR) $3.99
AUG210035 NITA HAWES NIGHTMARE BLOG #1 CVR B ALEXANDER (MR) $3.99
AUG210036 NITA HAWES NIGHTMARE BLOG #1 CVR C MATTINA (MR) $3.99
AUG210107 PAPER GIRLS COMP STORY TP $49.99
AUG210122 SUMMONERS WAR TP VOL 01 LEGACY $16.99
AUG210134 TIME BEFORE TIME TP VOL 01 (MR) $16.99

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