See You around The Shop --Ed
Comic Reviews
"The Last Witch" Boom Box: What a fun book! It's bright and colorful; the characters are fully realized and three dimensional. There is a lore that is instantly recognizable allowing the writer to delve deeper into character moments rather than world building. Here's the pitch: a pair of siblings go exploring in the woods and find a decrepit tower. I know what you're thinking: "yawn, read that story before." I get it, I thought the same thing before I gave this title a shot. It's really good. Sure it's not reinventing fantasy from the ground up, but what it does is more impressive. It executes a classic tale so perfectly that it is engaging and enjoyable. 8 puddles out of 10
"Scout's Honor" After Shock: I picked this up because I love Matt Kindt's "Black Badge". This is not a Matt Kindt title. At best this could be described as a spiritual successor or, more accurately, I think "Black Badge" inspired this fantastic post-apocalyptic tale. The Scout's Handbook has become the official Bible of Survival for this fledgling community, the codes of conduct are followed strictly and twisted into something less virtuous than intended. It's gritty and grim. It focuses on the bond of friendship and brotherhood and what these bonds mean, how they can be bent and broken, how trust is paramount, and how identity can be a roadblock to acceptance. There are some deep themes being explored here, but it's mostly subtext and if you just want a wild story about boy scouts surviving the apocalypse and rebuilding in the aftermath, that's here as well. 7 Gamma boars out of 10
"Future State: Robin Eternal" DC: This has been my favorite Future State title so far. It's Tim Drake against the Magistrate all on his own, well except for Spoiler and Darby. When is any lone member of the Bat-family actually alone? I can't quite put my finger on it, there's nothing really new happening (until the end, which I will not spoil), but Fitzmartin and Barrows work very well together telling a tight story. 7 everyone looks more badass with eye patch out of 10
Honorable Mentions
"Future State: Dark Detective" DC: Bruce Wayne is "dead", Tim Fox is Batman, and the Dark Detective works from the analog shadows of a dystopian cyber city he helped build. Luckily, since Bruce created the tech being used to coerce and control the people of Gotham, he's the best equipped to take Gotham back!
"Future State: Justice League: DC: This is the new Justice League with new rules designed to keep everyone safe from each other just in case someone goes rogue. Predictably not everyone is good at that, and why is the league being attacked by...the Justice League?
"Future State: Kara Zor-El Superwoman" DC: This is a very pretty book. I think the artists were trying to invoke the feel of water colors without actually using water colors? Kara is on the moon and is trying to impart her wisdom to a child blessed with incredible gifts who has run away from her warring world and family disputes.
"Future State: Superman Wonder Woman" DC: Jon Kent and Yara Flor have to tackle a petulant Sun God, an Intergalactic Sun Draining being and Brazilian Corruption. There's a lot going on and it's all surprisingly threaded together into a neat tapestry.
"Future State: Teen Titans" DC: A slow burn that culminates in a major reveal/cliffhanger. The story bounces from flashbacks to the present, somewhat clunkily. I think this will read better as a trade. On the plus side, there are some super cool costume moments that will be sure to be talked about for some time.
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