DC Comics Shipping from Lunar Distributors for January 25, 2022

DC COMICS:

Action Comics #1039 (Cover A Daniel Sampere), $4.99
Action Comics #1039 (Cover B Julian Totino Tedesco Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Action Comics #1039 (Cover C Riccardo Federici Card Stock Variant), AR
All-Star Superman The Deluxe Edition HC, $34.99
Aquaman Green Arrow Deep Target #4 (Of 7)(Cover A Marco Santucci), $3.99
Aquaman Green Arrow Deep Target #4 (Of 7)(Cover B Kael Ngu Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batman Catwoman Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover A John Paul Leon), $9.99
Batman Catwoman Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Lee Weeks), $9.99
Batman Catwoman Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Bill Sienkiewicz), AR
Crisis On Multiple Earths Volume 2 Crisis Crossed TP, $39.99
DC Connect #21, AR
DC Vs Vampires #4 (Of 12)(Cover A Otto Schmidt), $3.99
DC Vs Vampires #4 (Of 12)(Cover B Francesco Mattina Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Deathstroke Inc. #5 (Cover A Howard Porter), $3.99
Deathstroke Inc. #5 (Cover B Ivan Tao Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Deathstroke Inc. #5 (Cover C Lucio Parrillo Peacemaker Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Deathstroke Inc. #5 (Cover D Nathan Szerdy Card Stock Variant), AR
Detective Comics #1050 (Cover A Irvin Rodriguez), $5.99
Detective Comics #1050 (Cover B Lee Bermejo Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Detective Comics #1050 (Cover C Jorge Molina Connecting Legacy Thomas Martha Bruce Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Detective Comics #1050 (Cover D Jorge Molina Connecting Legacy Alfred Gordon Young Bruce Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Detective Comics #1050 (Cover E Jorge Molina Connecting Legacy Batman Robin Batgirl Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Detective Comics #1050 (Cover F Jorge Molina Connecting Legacy Joker Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Detective Comics #1050 (Cover G Jay Fabok Team Card Stock Variant), AR
Detective Comics #1050 (Cover H Jorge Fornes Card Stock Variant), AR
Flash #778 (Cover A Brandon Peterson), $3.99
Flash #778 (Cover B Jorge Corona Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Flash By Geoff Johns Omnibus Volume 3 HC, $99.99
Gen 13 Starting Over The Deluxe Edition HC, $49.99
Harley Quinn #11 (Cover A Riley Rossmo), $3.99
Harley Quinn #11 (Cover B Derrick Chew Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Harley Quinn #11 (Cover C Dima Ivanov Peacemaker Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Harley Quinn #11 (Cover D Acky Bright Card Stock Variant), AR
Human Target #4 (Of 12)(Cover A Greg Smallwood), $4.99
Human Target #4 (Of 12)(Cover B Dave Johnson), $4.99
Justice League #71 (Cover A Yanick Paquette & Nathan Fairbairn), $4.99
Justice League #71 (Cover B Alexander Lozano Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Mister Miracle The Great Escape GN, $16.99
Peacemaker Disturbing The Peace #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Juan Ferreyra), $5.99
Peacemaker Disturbing The Peace #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Garry Brown), $5.99
Peacemaker Disturbing The Peace #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Ryan Brown), AR
Peacemaker Disturbing The Peace #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Amanda Conner), AR
Robin #10 (Cover A Simone Di Meo), $3.99
Robin #10 (Cover B Francis Manapul Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Robin #10 (Cover C Nikola Cizmesija Card Stock Variant), AR
Static Season One #5 (Of 6)(Cover A Khary Randolph), $3.99
Static Season One #5 (Of 6)(Cover B Nikolas Draper-Ivey Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Superman ’78 #6 (Of 6)(Cover A Mikel Janin), $3.99
Superman ’78 #6 (Of 6)(Cover B Rafa Sandoval Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Superman And Robin Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Viktor Bogdanovic), $5.99
Superman And Robin Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Jorge Jimenez Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Superman And Robin Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Rafa Sarmento Card Stock Variant), AR
Task Force Z #4 (Cover A Eddy Barrows & Eber Ferreira), $3.99
Task Force Z #4 (Cover B Riley Rossmo Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Task Force Z #4 (Cover C Dan Mora Peacemaker Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Task Force Z #4 (Cover D Dan Schoening Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Teen Titans Academy #11 (Cover A Rafa Sandoval), $3.99
Teen Titans Academy #11 (Cover B Fico Ossio Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Teen Titans Go DC Super Hero Girls Exchange Students TP, $9.99
Wonder Girl #7 (Cover A Matteo Scalera), $3.99
Wonder Girl #7 (Cover B Julian Totino Tedesco Card Stock Variant), $4.99

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Comics Review: Blade is the Vampire Law in "Death of Doctor Strange: Blade #1"

DEATH OF DOCTOR STRANGE: BLADE #1
MARVEL COMICS

STORY: Danny Lore
ART: Dylan Burnett
COLORS: Mike Spicer
LETTERS: VC's Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Darren Shan
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Boss Logic
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: David Baldeon with Israel Sukva
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (February 2022)

Rated “Teen+”

Blade created by Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan

Blade is a Marvel Comics character created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist Gene Colan.  He first appeared in the comic book, The Tomb of Dracula #10 (cover dated:  July 1973), as a supporting character.  Blade is Eric Brooks, who was born a half-vampire and half-human, after a vampire attacked and killed his mother.  Possessing a vampire's speed, strength, and healing, Eric became Blade the vampire hunter and killer.

“The Death of Doctor Strange” is a 12-issue comic book event published by Marvel Comics from September 2021 to January 2022.  I don't give a crap about it, but I do give a crap about Blade.  One of the twelves titles is Death of Doctor Strange: Blade #1.

Death of Doctor Strange: Blade #1 is written by Danny Lore; drawn by Dylan Burnett; colored by Mike Spicer; and lettered by Travis Lanham.  This one-shot finds Blade, the Sheriff of the Vampire Nation, dealing with invaders from another dimension

Death of Doctor Strange: Blade #1 opens in the Vampire Nation.  Once upon a time, Doctor Strange destroyed every vampire in the world with one spell, the “Montesi Formula” (as seen in Doctor Strange  #59-62; cover-dated June to December 1983).  Strange also preserved a magical barrier around the Earth to ward off attacks from other dimensions.

Now, Doctor Strange is dead, as seen in Death of Doctor Strange #1(cover date: November 2021).  And the Vampire Nation celebrates.  That does not sit too well with Strange's old friend, Blade the Vampire Hunter, who is the new Vampire Nation sheriff … at the behest of his old adversary, Count Dracula, the Lord of the Vampire Nation.

What happens, however, when interlopers from another dimension invade vampire territory and put all the bloodsuckers' lives at risk?  Will Blade do his duty to protect them?  Or will he let the vampires get wiped out again?  Can he truly be a partner with Dracula, someone he neither likes nor trusts? And what exactly are these creatures from another dimension.

THE LOWDOWN:  My summary of Death of Doctor Strange: Blade #1 does not do it justice.  There is a subplot involving a group within the Vampire Nation that is spoiling for a fight with Blade.  The other-dimensional invaders are not what they seem, and Blade is not sure the invaders are all invaders, which he may or may not be wrong about.

My summary is inadequate because writer Danny Lore makes use of every page of this one-shot.  Lore offers multiple points of view, red herrings, conflicting subplots, and more.  In addition, Lore presents a Blade tale that captures the off-beat nature of the 1970s Blade stories written by Marv Wolfman and Chris Claremont for the old black and white comics magazines, Vampire Tales and Marvel Preview.  They were some of the best Blade comics ever.  I often thought of them while reading what Lore weaves in this comic book.

Dylan Burnett is the perfect artist for Death of Doctor Strange: Blade #1.  His art has an animation quality and, in some ways, resembles the work of Bruce Timm.  From a graphic and visual perspective, Burnett's work here recalls the visual style of the the 1998 Blade film, the first in a trilogy starring actor Wesley Snipes as Blade.  Burnett also captures the shifting and shifty nature of Lore's tale.

Mike Spicer's colors are perfectly garish, hinting at a neon, nightmare world of vampires.  The always reliable Travis Lanham letters this story in a way that reflects the multiple layers of the plot and its subplots.  I would love to see this creative team on another Blade comic book.  I don't know if the current Direct Market can support an ongoing Blade comic book, but certainly it could support another one-shot, if not a miniseries like this.  This is a good beginning.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Blade and readers of the “Death of Doctor Strange” event will want to read Death of Doctor Strange: Blade #1.

A-

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


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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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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from January 16th to 22nd, 2022 - Update #21

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

MOVIES - From Deadline:  The release dates for "Mission: Impossible 7" and "Mission: Impossible 8" have been pushed back again.  The Tom Cruise-starring films will move to July 14, 2023 and June 28, 2024.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Writer-director Michael Mann and novelist Meg Gardiner have written "Heat 2," a novel that will act as both a prequel and sequel to Mann's 1995 classic crime film, "Heat."  The film follows the conflict between an LAPD detective, played by Al Pacino, and a career thief, played by Robert De Niro.

ANIMATION/NETFLIX - From Deadline:  Beloved animated duo, "Wallace & Gromit," will return in 2024 for the first time since the 2008 Oscar-nominated short, "A Matter of Loaf and Death."  Netflix will stream the film in all non-U.K. territories, which will be handled by the BBC.

DISNEY - From Deadline:  Disney is apparently working on a live-action version of its 1970 animated feature film, "The Aristocats."

OSCARS - From Deadline:  The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the 276 feature films that are eligible for consideration in the "Best Picture" category at the 94th Oscars, which are set to air live March 27, 2022 on ABC from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

DISNEY+ - From Deadline:  Disney+ has picked up a basketball-themed coming of age drama, "The Crossover."  20th Television is producing with LeBron James, Maverick Carter, and Jamal Henderson of The SpringHill Company are executive producing.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Director Adam McKay ("Don't Look Up") and screenwriter Billy Ray ("Captain Phillips") have together for "J6," a film about the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

TECH - From Variety:  Space Entertainment Enterprise (S.E.E), the company co-producing Tom Cruise’s upcoming space movie, plan to launch a sports arena and production studio in zero gravity by 2024.

MOVIES - From Variety:  Robert Pattinson ("Twilight," "The Batman") is in talks to star in "Mickey7," the next film from Oscar-winning director, Bong Joon Ho ("Parasite").

STREAMING - From Variety:  Amazon's "Lord of the Rings" series has a full title, "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power."  It starts streaming on Amazon Prime Sept.2, 2022.

MOVIES - From ETCanada:  "Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe play Grammy Award-winning recording artist, actor, and music video director, "Weird Al" Yankovic in a biographical film.

MUSIC - From AZCentral:  Rock and pop music icon, Debbie Harry, talks about her memoir, "Face It," with writer Ed Masley.  The book traces her life from topping the music charts with seminal 1980s band, "Blondie," to beyond.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 1/14 to 1/16/2022 weekend box office is "Scream" with an estimated take of 30.6 million dollars.

From Negromancer:  My review of "Scream" 2022.

SCANDAL - From Vulture:  "The Undoing of Joss Whedon" is a feature and interview from New York Magazine's "Vulture" site that goes into great details about the scandals of writer-director Joss Whedon ("Marvel's Avengers," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer")

ANIMATION - From Deadline:  "South Park" will begin its 25th season on Wed., Feb. 2nd on Comedy Central.

MOVIES/TV - From THR:  The "Heat Vision" column looks at the coming year in genre films and television series, especially superhero and science fiction productions.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:   NBC has given a pilot order to a reboot of its beloved former TV series, "Quantum Leap" (1989-93).

OBITS:

From THR:   Stand-up comedian, actor, and game show host, Louie Anderson, has died at the age of 68, Friday, January 21, 2022.  Although he was best known for his stand-up act, Anderson often appeared in television and film.  He won a Primetime Emmy Award and was nominated twice more for his work on the FX series, "Baskets" (2016-19)  He won two Daytime Emmys for his performance on his children's animated TV series, "Life with Louie" (1994-98).  Anderson was also the first host of the third revival of the game show, "Family Feud," from 1999-2002.

From Deadline:  Film and television producer, Mace Neufeld, has died at the age of 93, Thursday, January 20, 2022.  Neufeld began as a talent agent, managing such stars as Don Knotts and Don Adams.  After starting as a producer of TV series, Neufeld executive produced the legendary horror film, "The Omen" (1976).  Neufeld is best known for producing several films based on novels by the late Tom Clancy:  "The Hunt for Red October" (1990), "Patriot Games" (1992), "Clear and Present Danger" (1994), "The Sum of All Fears" (2002), and "Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit" (2014).  Most recently he produced "The Equalizer" films starring Denzel Washington.

From Variety:  The French actor, Gaspard Ulliel, has died at the age of 37, Wednesday, January 19, 2022.  In 2004, Ulliel won the Cesar Award (French Oscars) for "Most Promising Actor" for the 2004 film, "A Very Long Engagement."  He won the "Cesar Award for Best Actor" for his lead role in the 2016 film, "It's Only the End of the World."  Ulliel was set to play the character "Anton Mogart / Midnight Man" in the Disney+/Marvel Studios series, "Moon Knight."

From Variety:  American fashion journalist and creative director, Andre Leon Talley, has died at the age of 73, Tuesday, January 18, 2022.  Talley is best known for his association with "Vogue" magazine.  From 1988-95, he was the magazine's first African-American male creative director.  He was also "Vogue's" editor-at-large from 1998 to 2013.  Regarded as a "fashion icon," Talley championed diversity in the fashion industry.  He also served on the judging panel of the TV series, "America's Next Top Model" for few cycles (seasons) in 2010 and 2011.

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

AWARDS:

From Deadline:  Netflix's Black Western, "The Harder They Fall," was named the "Best Picture" of 2021 at the 13th annual African American Film Critics Association Awards.  The Western tied with "King Richard" for most wins with four.  Will Smith was named "Best Actor" for "King Richard."

From Deadline:  The nominations for the 2022 / 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards have been announced.

From Variety:  The snubs and surprises in the nominations for the 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards.

From Variety:   At the 2022 / 79th Golden Globes, "The Power of the Dog" wins "Best Motion Picture-Drama" and "West Side Story" wins "Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy."

From Variety:  The National Society of Film Critics names the Japanese film, "Drive My Car," the best film of 2021.

From AwardsWatch:  The nominations for the 22nd Annual Black Reel Awards were announced a few weeks ago. Netflix's Black Western, "The Harder They Fall," has a record 20 nominations.  The winners will be announced February 27, 2022.

From AwardsWatch:  The Columbus Film Critics Association announced the nominations for their annual film awards.  Director Jane Campion's "The Power of the Dog" leads with 12 noms.  The winners will be announced Thurs., Jan. 6th, 2022.

From Deadline:  The Los Angeles Film Critics Association has named the Japanese film, "Drive My Car," the "Best Picture" of 2021.

From Deadline:  The 2022 / 37th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards have announced their nominations. "Zola" leads with six nominations. The winners will be announced Sun., March 6, 2022.

From THR:  The 2022 / 79th Golden Globes Awards nominations have been announced.  "Belfast" and "The Power of the Dog" lead with seven nominations each.  Winners will be announced Jan. 9th, 2022.

From GoldDerby:   The 2022 Critics Choice Awards nominations have been announced. "Belfast" and "West Side Story" leads with 11 nominations each. Winners will be announced Jan. 9th, 2022.

From Deadline:   The American Film Institute announced the "2021 AFI Awards" Top 10 list, and the list includes "Dune," "The Tragedy of Macbeth," and "West Side Story."

From THR:  Director Aleem Khan's "After Love" tops the 2021 British Independent Film Awards, winning six awards, including "Best Film of 2021."

From Variety:   The New York Film Critics Circle has named the Japanese drama, "Drive My Car," as the "Best Film of 2021."

From Deadline:  The National Board of Review hands director Paul Thomas Anderson's "Licorice Pizza" it "Best Film" and "Best Director" awards.  Will Smith picks up the "Best Actor" award for "King Richard."

From THR:  Netflix’s "The Lost Daughter," directed by actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, dominated the 2021 Gotham Awards in New York on Monday night (Nov. 29th).  The film won in four of the five categories in which it was nominated, including "Best Feature."

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

"RUST" ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING DEATH:

From Deadline:  This link will take you to Deadline's Halyna Hutchins page, which articles related to everything about her shooting death on the set of the Western film, "Rust."

From Deadline:   Alec Baldwin has finally turned over his cell phone to police for their probe into the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Baldwin's Western film, "Rust," last October in New Mexico.

From Variety:  One of the producers of tragic Western film, Rust, Emily Salveson, pushes tax shelters and hid income.

From THR:  "I let go of the hammer and 'Bang,' the gun goes off" says Alec Baldwin says in his first interview of the moment when a gun he was holding accidentally killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western film, "Rust."

From Deadline:  Alec Baldwin will sit down with ABC's news-reading clown George Stephanopoulos for a one hour special tomorrow night to talk about what happened on the set of the movie "Rust."  It will be Baldwin’s first extensive interview about the shooting.

From Deadline:  Industry veteran, Thall Reed, the father of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the Western, "Rust," may have handed the police a tip on why the film's cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, was shot to death on the set.

From THR:  A search warrant affidavit filed Tuesday for a prop shop sheds light on how alleged live ammunition ended up on the set of the Western film, "Rust," where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed in October.

From Deadline:  A month after cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, was shot and killed on the New Mexico set the movie Western, "Rust," by a prop gun “discharged” by Alec Baldwin, those closest to the cinematographer held a private ceremony and interred her ashes at an unknown location.

From Deadline:  Actor Daniel Baldwin defends his brother, Alec Baldwin, in the accidental shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film, "Rust."  "Someone loaded that gun improperly," Daniel says.

From Deadline:  The newest lawsuit involving the tragic shooting on the set of the Western film, "Rust," has been filed by the film's script supervisor, Mamie Mitchell, against Alec Baldwin, the producers, the production company, armorer Hanna Gutierrez Reed, and others.

From Deadline:  Serge Svetnoy, the gaffer on "Rust," has filed a lawsuit against several parties related to the film, including the production, the financiers, star Alec Baldwin, armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, and first Assistant Director David Halls.

From THR:   In the wake of the tragic accidental shooting on the set of his film, "Rust," Alec Baldwin on Monday took to social media to urge Hollywood to employ a police officer on every film and TV set that uses guns.

From THR:   The budget for "Rust" - Alec Baldwin was set to earn $150,000 as lead actor and $100,000 as producer, while $7,913 was earmarked for armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed and $17,500 was set aside for the rental of weapons and $5,000 for rounds.

From Deadline:  Attorneys for Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the set of the film, "Rust," said that they’re looking into whether a live bullet was placed in a box of dummy rounds with the intent of  “sabotaging the set.”

From THR:   Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the film, "Rust," released a statement through her lawyers.  She says she had “no idea where the live rounds came from” that were recovered by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's during the investigation of the accidental on-set shooting death of Halyna Hutchins.

From Jacobin:  An opinion piece says that cinematographer Halyna Hutchins' death on the set of the film, "Rust," was not a freak accident, but was about Alec Baldwin and his fellow producers' cost-cutting decisions.  Baldwin accidentally fired the gun that killed Hutchins.

From Deadline:   Two of executive producers on "Rust," Allen Cheney and Emily Salveson, disavow responsibility for the film's troubled production.

From THR:   Iconic "Ghostbusters" actor Ernie Hudson is reeling from the news of the death of Halyna Hutchins, like the rest of Hollywood. Hudson also appeared in the film, "The Crow," the film in which its star, Brandon Lee, was killed because of an on-set accidental shooting.  He also agrees with the call to ban real guns from movie sets.

From THR:  The Sheriff of Sante Fe County says that his office has recovered three guns and 500 rounds of ammunition from the set of the movie "Rust" where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed.

From Deadline:  Regarding criminal charges in the death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film "Rust," District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altweis, "all options are on the table - no one has been ruled out."

From THR:  Does Hollywood Need Guns? Will new regulations lead to an overreactions to a tragedy.

From Deadline:   "Rust" producers have opened an internal investigation into the fatal shooting on the set of the Western film.  They have hired outside lawyers to conduct interviews with the film's production crew.

From Deadline:  "Rust's" AD (assistant director), Dave Halls, has come under scrutiny in the wake of the on-set shooting death of the film's cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins.

From Deadline:  The affidavit of Sante Fe Sheriff's Department Detective Joel Cano has been made public. It can be read at "Deadline."  The affidavit was for a search warrant from the property were the Western, "Rust," was being filmed.

From THR:  The production company behind "Rust" has shut the film down until the police investigation into the fatal, on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins is through.  The Sante Fe County Sheriff's Office has also revealed a timeline of the shooting.

From Deadline:  The Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department confirmed Thursday night that Alec Baldwin “discharged” a prop gun on the New Mexico set of the movie, "Rust."  As a result, one crew member, director of photography Halyna Hutchins, was killed and director Joel Souza was injured and remains in a local hospital - his condition unknown.

From THR:  "Rust" director, Joel Souza, who was wounded in the accidental on-set shooting, says that he is "gutted" by the death of his cinematographer on the film, Halyna Hutchins.

From Deadline:  The fatal shooting on the set of "Rust" may have been "recorded" according to detective for Santa Fe Sheriff's Department.

From Deadline:  The production company behind the film, "Rust," will launch an internal safety review after the fatal accident that killed Halyna Hutchins; possible prior gun incidents; and a camera crew walkout.

From CNN:   Crew member yelled "cold gun" as he handed Alec Baldwin prop weapon, court document shows.

From Variety:  Actor Alec Baldwin releases statement on the death of Halyna Hutchins: "There are no words to convey my shock and sadness."

From Variety:  The prop gun that killed “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza on during an on-set accident on Thursday contained a “live single round,” according to an email sent by IATSE Local 44 to its membership.

Comics Review: "JENNIFER BLOOD Volume 2 #4" Will Slap the Piss Outta You

JENNIFER BLOOD VOLUME 2 #4
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Fred Van Lente
ART: Vincenzo Federici
COLORS: Dearbhla Kelly
LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry
EDITOR: Nate Cosby
COVER: Lucio Parrillo
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS:  Joseph Michael Linsner; Lesley Leirix Li; Juggeun Yoon; Ken Haeser; Vincenzo Federici; Lucio Parrillo; Rachel Hollon (cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2022)

Rated Teen+

Jennifer Blood created by Garth Ennis and Adriano Batista.

“Bloodlines” Chapter Four: “Me Time”

Jennifer Blood is a a comic book character created by writer Garth Ennis and artist Adriano Batista.  A suburban wife and mother by day, Jennifer Blood is a ruthless vigilante by night.  Born “Jessica Blute,” she took her mother's first name, Jennifer, and created the alter ego, “Jennifer Blood, and sought revenge against her father's family for the death of her parents.  The first Jennifer Blood comic book series ran for 36 issues from 2011 to 2014.

Jennifer Blood returns from the dead in a new comic book series, Jennifer Blood Volume 2.  It is written by Fred Van Lente; drawn by Vincenzo Federici; colored by Dearbhla Kelly and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry.  In the new series, someone is acting like Jennifer Blood, who is supposedly dead.  And this “copycat” loves to kill criminals just like the original did.  Here, the stomping ground is Bountiful, Utah – a town run by and for criminals.  Bountiful is where the U.S. Department of Justice sends the most infamous East Coast mobsters into the federal “Witness Protection Program” (WPP).

Jennifer Blood Volume 2 #4 (“Me Time”) opens in Bountiful – population 4302.  At the local library, Hercules hopes he can find a book to read.  At the local hospital, he tries the book out on his boss, Alphonso “Don” Giallo – the former overboss of Newark, NJ – the comatose former overboss.  Also in the hospital is Giulietta Romeo a.k.a. “Sheriff Lafayette,” still hunting Jennifer Blood.

Enter FBI Special Agent Latisha Adams from the Salt Lake City branch.  She is kind of like a zookeeper at Bountiful.  And she says it's “Piss Day.”  Would Jennifer interfere with that?  Plus, a lead on the true identity of Jennifer Blood.

THE LOWDOWN:  In July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Jennifer Blood Volume 2 #4.  This is the fourth Jennifer Blood comic book I have read, although I had previously heard of the series.

I'll say the same thing about Jennifer Blood Volume 2 #4 that I said about the first three issues.  It's a fun read and a funny read.  Every time I think that series writer Fred Van Lente offers his best issue yet, he finds a way to top that.  Well this fourth issue is the penultimate issue of the series, which is a shame.  I could read another few issues of this.

The art and storytelling by Vincenzo Federici perfectly fits this story's depraved comic tone, and the colors by Dearbhla Kelly are once again spot on.  Simon Bowland's lettering continues to be the soundtrack of sacrifice to mob violence and bloody revenge.  So, dear readers, get onboard this series.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Jennifer Blood will want to read Jennifer Blood Volume 2.

A-

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


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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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Comics Review: "JAMES BOND: Himeros #4" Will Put the Viper on Your Ass

JAMES BOND: HIMEROS #4
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Rodney Barnes
ART: Giorgio Pontrelli
COLORS: Adriano Augusto
LETTERS: Social Myth Studios
EDITOR: Joe Rybandt
COVER: Francesco Francavilla
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jackson “Butch” Guice; Francesco Francavilla
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2022)

Rated T+

Based on the characters and stories created by Ian Fleming

“James Bond” is a fictional British Secret Service agent created by Ian Fleming, a British writer and novelist.  Fleming introduced James Bond in the 1953 novel, Casino Royale, and featured the character in 12 novels and two short-story collections.  Of course, most people know Bond because of Eon Productions' long-running James Bond-007 film series, which began with the 1962 film, Dr. No.

Over the past 50+ years, Bond has made sporadic appearances in comic books, but Dynamite Entertainment has been steadily publishing James Bond comic books since early 2016.  Their latest James Bond comic book is James Bond: Himeros.  It is written by Rodney Barnes; drawn alternately by Antonio Ruso, Pierluigi Minotti, and Giorgio Pontrelli; colored by Adriano Augusto; and lettered by Social Myth Studios.  In Himeros, 007 finds himself caught in a web of powerful people who will kill to keep their connections to billionaire financier and notorious sex trafficker, the late Richard Wilhelm, from coming to light.

James Bond: Himeros #4 opens in West Brompton, London.  Anton Bates, an arms dealer who enjoyed Wilhelm's services, is meeting with Defense Minister Abara of Nigeria.  Bates wants to sell the minister a new weapon, called “the Viper,” but who is the viper in this deal?

Meanwhile, after having survived a series of deadly assaults by the Bates' assassin, Kino, Bond and Sarah Richmond, Wilhelm's right hand man, fly to Wilhelm's island.  There, Sarah will retrieve Wilhelm's books that, along with what she knows, have made her a target.  Can the two escape the death that seems to await them at every turn?

THE LOWDOWN:  In July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is James Bond: Himeros #4, which is one of several Dynamite James Bond comic books I've read.

Writer Rodney Barnes has been slowly building this series to its concluding fifth issue.  Like the second issue, this penultimate fourth issue simmers with drama and trauma.  Like the third issue, Barnes also throws gasoline on the fire for some hot action scenes.

This fourth issue also introduces the series' third artist.  Like the previous illustrators, Giorgio Pontrelli strikes the right tone for the secret agent style of this story and also captures its tropical and sunny settings.  Adriano Augusto's colors always strike the right look regardless of which artist is drawing an issue.  “Himeros” is the Greek god of sexual desire, and after reading James Bond: Himeros #4,  dear readers, I desire the final issue.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of James Bond comic books will want to try James Bond: Himeros.

A

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


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Comics Review: "KISS: Phantom Obsession #5" Gets it In the End

KISS: PHANTOM OBSESSION #5
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Ian Edginton
ART: Celor
COLORS: Valentina Pinto
LETTERS: Troy Peteri
EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt
COVER: Jae Lee with June Chung
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Stuart Sayger; Tim Seeley; Celor
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2022)

Rated Teen+

Kiss is an American, four-man, rock band.  It was formed in New York City in January 1973 by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss, the original line-up that is also considered classic Kiss.  Kiss is best known for its members' face paint and stage outfits, and the group rose to prominence and gained a notorious reputation in the mid to late 1970s with its shocking live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood-spitting, and pyrotechnics.

Dynamite Entertainment obtained the license to produce comic books featuring Kiss' brand and began releasing Kiss comic books in 2016.  The latest comic book is Kiss: Phantom Obsession.  It is written by Ian Edginton; drawn by Celor; colored by Valentina Pinto; and lettered by Troy Peteri.  Phantom Obsession pits the band against Darius Cho, a powerful, super-wealthy, obsessed Kiss fan who wants more than some autographs.

As Kiss: Phantom Obsession #5 opens, Paul, Gene, Ace, and Peter learn the secrets of Darius Cho.  That means that they must also confront the secrets of Lyra Tzen, one of Cho's employees.  Since being kidnapped by Cho and presumed dead, KISS has faced it all:  megalomaniacs, giant monsters and robots, and now, a killer android.  Can the greatest Rock N' Roll band in the world survive its final showdown with the true mastermind behind it all?

THE LOWDOWN:  In July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Kiss: Phantom Obsession #5, which is only the fifth Kiss comic book that I have ever read.

In the first four issues of Phantom Obsession, writer Ian Edginton offers a breezy adventure that is part Kiss comic book and part superhero comic book.  I thought that Phantom Obsession #4 was the best issue of the series, but issue #5 surpasses it.  The sad back story and the awful costs of a tech billionaire's arrogance and lack of self-awareness come full circle.

As this is the final issue of the miniseries, I think Phantom Obsession will read really nicely as a trade paperback.  For one thing, readers can see the evolution of the art team of illustrator Celor and colorist Valentina Pinto.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Kiss comic books will want to read Kiss: Phantom Obsession.

B

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


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Comics Review: "PURGATORI Volume 2 #4"

PURGATORI VOLUME 2 #4
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Ray Fawkes
ART: Álvaro Sarraseca
COLORS: Salvatore Aiala and Mohan
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
EDITOR: Matt Idelson
COVER: Antonio Fuso
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Russell Fox; Daniel Maine; Szymon Kudranski; Ken Haeser; Alvaro Sarraseca; Nerdy Nereid (cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2022)

Rated Teen+

Purgatori created by Brian Pulido and Steven Hughes

“Witches Get Stitches” Part 4

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 Mohan; and lettered by Tom Napolitano.  Purgatori follows the title character as she deals with a plot against her, formulated by a coven of witches who want her immortality and power.

Purgatori Volume 2 #4 opens in the Nile Basin, Kenya.  Purgatori is about to snack on her “partner,” Asim Darwish, the last of the warriors of St. Luke, the monster-hunting society.  Luckily, he is prepared for just such a dining experience.

Purgatori has the memories of thousand of people in her head – because she ate their souls.  Now, her mind returns to Alexandria, Egypt, 1370 B.C. and the first time she ate someone.  Sometimes, the people she ate affected her.  So why are these witches trying to be a meal?  Why do they want to get into Purgatori's mind?

THE LOWDOWN:  In July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Purgatori Volume 2 #4, which is the fourth Purgatori comic book of any kind that I've read.

I can say the same thing I said about the fourth issue of Purgatori that I said about the third issue.  Thus far, writer Ray Fawkes has made every issue of Purgatori an intriguing treat.  Even when he reveals something new about the conspiracy against Purgatori, he also manages to throw in a new twist.  

Together with artist Álvaro Sarraseca, who offers beautifully drawn art, Fawkes presents a stirring dark fantasy series that continues to be an exciting read.  I didn't expect much of Purgatori; after all, I have always ignored the character.  But after four issues, I see the fun that creators can have with the character … and readers, too.

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

B+

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


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The text is copyright © 2022 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).