Ripper's Spot

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   I think there are small amounts of the visuals that could be a little dark either via shading or color palette. Though over all there is some spectacular work throughout the entire issue. Particularly the weird death scene at the beginning and "the goop" scene found later in the book. Also kudos on various expressions and character models. Though I think there is cause for legal concern with how "The Cleansed" appear similar to Doctor Who villains in the episode "The Girl in the Fireplace"

  As for the writing the characterization is strong and the dialogue is fine. Yet I think the deranged child from New Japan is arguably playing the Iago role too soon. (I am comparing him to Iago due to his motivations and method of trickery involving his rival/sibling.) This character is also the reason I think some people may be turned off and/or triggered by his actions. While Harbinger and other Valiant titles have introduced disturbing chara…

1. Kamandi #47 (1976) is recommended for those looking for a surprising and clever plot twist that is not cliched. It also has some very good proportions and action on display in the visuals.

2. Superman & Batman: Generations Book One: 1939-1949 (1999) has a little too much Silver Age style and characterization in this section of the story. However, it is still a good example of John Byrne's work before it started devolving.

3. Superman #677 (2008) is a good beginning to James Robinson's take on Superman. Very much helped by the artists of both the interiors and covers. Definitely for fans of the original national comics (Golden Age) characterization of Superman as an imposing figure.

4. Superman: The Man Of Steel #63 (1996) has subpar art, but decent coloring, lettering and great writing. Just barely recommended because I think those who like de-powered hero and/or honeymoon adventure stories may enjoy it.

This episode is okay in certain parts. However, I think it mostly sucks due to how stupid they make Usagi sound. I mean why wouldn't she know what a poet and poetry is when she is a romantic. Also she reads manga voraciously and one would assume one would have used the term. Also Japan has its own forms of poetry (haikus are the obvious example). Yet despite these three possible reasons for how she could know the term we are just supposed to believe she has never heard of poetry.

   There is also the factor of how Usagi does not ask for help from the elder scouts. I mean Michiru and Haruka probably have some contacts that could look into what is going on with Mamor. Heck, they could also just provide funds to hire a detective agency. Not to mention Michiru could just use her mirror to show Usagi Mamoru's whereabouts. Yet, she keeps her worries to herself for no apparent reason. This like the cake trap moment and certain bits of animation (look at the rising knees of Usagi aft…

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  This issue is fast paced, and for the most part okay in the visuals. However, there are two major obvious failings and two subtle failings within the narrative. The initial flaw is how San Francisco was supposedly wrecked in issue one to the point that previous apocalypses such as Season 8's are not as a big a deal in comparison. Yet Rebekah Isaacs for whatever reason fails to indicate any such level of destruction. In fact the city of San Francisco looks completely fine when the Dragon is summoned to attack it again.

  Next is the factor of the big bad being a cyborg witch who is also the government's press secretary. Not only is this shades of Adam/Maggie Walsh/The Mayor/Willow/Amy rolled into one villain I don't believe we were ever shown this character before. Even if she made any cameos they were never properly pointed out, or set-up as clues.

 As for the subtle failings they are both found in how "thousands" of women are de-powered in…

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   I have to say that this issue has a lot of detailed work, and though I am not a major fan of Clayton Crain he does deliver some high-quality visuals. As for the writing it could be better in establishing who is providing narration and to whom they are giving it to. Said narration is mainly unnecessary due to it just telling us things we are seeing or already know. Despite that problem we due get a new feature and more characterization from the Armor/Shanhara. This last bit is why I am recommending this issue. Finally I am still finding this series's summary page's placement is disrupting the pacing of the story.

   Recommended!

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  I was absolutely loving this series for its excellent characterization. However, characters like Ninjak, Rai, and Bloodshot seem off or cliched due to the lines they are given. For example Ninjak sounds like a stereotypical Englishman. While the latter two seem to have either been given the wrong word balloon (which feels like the case), or Jody Houser and the editing team failed to remember that Rai is more samurai than commando.

  There is also the factor of how both the art and colors devolve starting around the mid-point of the issue. The last few pages look especially rushed.

  Finally the writing seems to both compress and decompress the turn out of developments in this story arc.

  My verdict: Not Recommended!

1. The H.A.R.D. Corps #5 (1993) is the first meeting of the original version of Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps. It is not as cool as the stories featuring the current iterations, but it is still better than anything from the Acclaim reboot. Lastly the narrative provides good examples of various elements including proportions and pacing.

2. The H.A.R.D. Corps #6 (1993) has a somewhat jarring opening and an ending that is somewhat predictable. However, it is very well paced with great art and a superb use of colors. Overall this issue is solid enough to be worthy of recommended status.

3. Marvel Fanfare #20 (1985) has some seemingly unnecessary narration, but is otherwise solidly written. Also the art and colors are good stuff, especially some of the extra pin-ups found at the end.

4. Shadowman #23 (1994) has an interesting cover and is pretty decent overall. It is the end of a multi-issue story yet stands fine on its own merits, including being very accessible.

1. Action Comics Weekly #641 (1989) is just too average to be worth recommending. Though I won't say it should be avoided.

2. The Green Arrow feature from More Fun Comics #73 (1941) is weak in the wrap up, and the overall mystery of the villain is on the level of the first live action Scooby-Doo movie.

3. Supreme The Return #2 (1999) is mainly an information dump issue, and is just not good enough in the art or writing to make my ongoing list of recommendations.

4. Supreme The Return #3 (1999) has art and colors that range from good to very ugly. It also feels like an info dump, though to a lesser extent than issue 2. Overall it is boring despite the jokes about the Superman mythos.

This episode almost works as entertainment, but then it makes two anti-gay/lesbian comments and falls apart. The best example, besides the real world ones, is the existence of Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune in the franchise. So why these comments were allowed in is beyond me. Though it does make me wonder if this has anything to do with the absence of the outer scouts since the opening episodes. 
   As for the rest of the episode I think it feels generic, but was not horrible. Heck, Minako having a nose bleed gag moment happen was a first for my eyes.
   Questions! Where was Chibi-Usa and Diana? Why are we getting so little character and plot development? How much longer before Mamoru's fate is revealed to Usagi and the others? Why was this episode showing so many irresponsible and abusive moments of pet ownership?

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   There are arguably only two real flaws in this issue. The most prominent is how certain lines are too sharp. For example the cover shows the leads Tim, Nick, & Aubrey, & Tim's nose looks overly angular and almost beak-like. However, this flaw feels more like a stylistic choice that simply has to be refined a bit. Overall though the art has atmosphere, depth, and great use of shadow.

   The second flaw is this issue has little real character development. Now this second flaw actually works in the comic's overall favor due to how in a horror movie situation there is often to much time spent on characters talking. Case in pointFriday the 13th Part VIII:Jason Takes Manhattan spends more time with characters talking than dealing with Jason being/killing in Manhattan. So with this being a three issue horror series we are getting a high-quality short story that could be compared to the myth about the killer's hook hand on the car door handle. 

   Fina…

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  If this issue were a person I might actually consider bowing before it and I bow to no one! Seriously the only real flaw I found is one involving the interior cover image (where the copyright information is) of Nikki's thumb looking odd in its proportions. In fact this is the best serious in tone comic I have read from Valiant Entertainment since they came back in 2012. If there is one thing that I am disappointed by it is having to wait for more from this creative on these characters.

  I know this all sounds like fanboying, but that is simply because I don't want to spoil any visual or text based moments due to how technically near perfect this issue is.

   ULTIMATE RECOMMENDED STATUS ACTIVATED!

1. The Johnny Quick story from the anthology comic More Fun Comics #73 (November 1941). It can more easily be found in reprinted form in Millennium Edition: More Fun Comics #73 (2001). I am recommending it due to how despite the annoying amount of red and overall garish coloring it is pretty high quality for a Golden Age feature.

2, 3, & 4. are the remaining three features (Green Lantern, The Secret Six, Deadman) from Action Comics Weekly #611 (1988). Green Lantern is a little reliant on the next and past installments, but is solid enough in execution of its narrative to be recommended.

  Deadman is recommended more for those who want a story featuring a variation on the "Christian (religion) version of the Devil versus main character" story. Deadman also has a twist ending for this installment.

  Finally The Secret Six is recommended for its art, and how it can be used by various scholars as an example of corruption in fiction.

1. The story "Death Of An Immortal" from The Flash #215 (1972)

2, 3, & 4. The Superman, Catwoman and Black Canary features found in Action Comics Weekly #611 (1988) are just not good enough. Catwoman came the closest to be worthy of recommendation, but fails due to how it is obviously is just half a story. While Superman fails due to how the panels are laid out in the wrong reading order. Finally Black Canary is unclear on certain actions that happen in the visuals. Not to mention the page placement and writing makes Black Canary feel inaccessible.

1. Star Wars: Darth Maul #1 (2000) is relatively simplistic, and seemingly no longer canon, but is solid enough for even casual fans to enjoy.

2. Time & Vine #3 (2017) has a few areas that could have been better, for example a bit of minimalism in one panel. However, it is still a solid read with good art.

3. Dark Entries Hardcover (2009) reads a bit like a prose novel despite having sequential art throughout it. There are several things for fans and scholars to think on and enjoy with this work. Particularly whether John Costantine learns any lesson by the end.

4. The Old Guard Book One: Opening Fire (2017) is to my mind the only way this set of issues can be successfully enjoyed due to how "made for the trade" the writing is. Though there are some flaws with certain layouts and page designs the art is overall kinetic and strong.

This episode confused me with some of the dialogue that is said and certain moments that occur. For example when Usagi asks for help from Taiki instead of Ami. It is not like she is a fan, or that Taiki has outscored numerous times Ami. What is weirder is that Ami comments on not being asked for help studying as if this wasn't the first time Taiki was being asked, and Ami is behind Taiki when it happens. Speaking of Taiki he looks more feminine in civilian design than in previous episodes. Almost like the animators gave up and simply put one head design to whichever body was being shown.

  Finally I think the title of the episode is not really a misnomer like the last one. Rather it seems this episode's title and the way the episode are presented are reliant on the themes.

  Questions! Why does Usagi not complain about about Mamoru's lack of replies? Cause that should be happening by this point. Are any of the Sailor Guardians going to be killed off in this season like t…

1. Inhumans #1 (1975) is over-written, and seems to oddly switch omniscient narration styles in select areas. It also a disconnect between the art and writing that causes a weakening in the narrative.

2. Wonder Woman #103 (1995) feels too decompressed. Also it raises the characterization questions concerning Morgan Le Fey's "immortality" and Darkseid's level of godhood. For instance why would a "god" need so many spaceships?

3. Rise Of The Magi #0 (2014) first and last pages suggest a potentially epic story, but the rest of the issue feels average at best.

4. Action Comics Weekly #617 (1988) has the problem of all the chapters feeling to some extent incomplete for each feature in this issue of this anthology.

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  The transitions are much better in this third outing for Torchy & McBride when compared to the previous one. Though the best one in my opinion, at least so far, is still Smart Blonde (1937). However, this is definitely an entertaining watch for those looking for a good screwball comedy mystery movie.

   The pros of this movie include: a small meta/fourth wall commentary/monologue on acting while details are confessed. A meta moment with Tom Kennedy delivering a line that not only unintentionally sums up the antics of Torchy and McBride, but the movie's plot to that point. (Heck, one could argue that it sums up this whole franchise.) There also is a brilliant set-up of the whodunnit  using a few actors from the previous two movies in different roles.

  Now while the pros outweigh the cons the latter still exist. The most major is the lack of respect on-screen certain supporting actors are given. Mainly this is most obvious in the case of the maid characte…

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   Certain readers may be turned off by this issue due to the clear sociopathic traits displayed by a character in the main story. However, for those who can look past this one thing they will get a good recap on who Ninja-K is and how deadly he can be. As for the visuals, all the artists and both colorists do noteworthy work with their styles. On the lettering front, I felt unsettled by the main story's font and though I can't pinpoint why it did help the atmosphere of the story. Finally the writing and lettering in "prelude to Ninja-K" is a good tasting of said upcoming series.

   Recommended for most. Not recommended for the squeamish or certain other readers. Extremely Recommended for fans of visceral animes like Fist of The North Star and/or Netflix's Castlevania.

1. All-New Wolverine #1 (2015) has a great summary and mediocre story. It is essentially one scene that provides the bare minimum of setting-up the series and first story arc. Also the use of the currently dead original Wolverine in a flashback hurts the ability to embrace X-23 as Wolverine. Finally she is overpowered since she can heal from being in her words "dead."

2. X-Men #188 (2006) is weak in set-up the story and making it accessible for most readers. Also the women are over-sexualized, especially in the case of one character being displayed as such while unconscious. Finally Cyclop's  force beams are not lasers and thus cannot be refracted by diamonds.

3. The PSA comic released by Pizza Hut and Marvel called Real Heroes #1 (1994) is promotes not being a bigot and yet barely mentions things related to that topic. There is also nearly every other flaw that can happen in sequential art in this one comic.

4. Guy Gardner: Warrior #21 (1994) is the end of one fight sce…

This episode is so odd and mainly in what I consider bad ways. For example the most masculine faced of the Sailor Stars (Sailor Fighter) looks too feminine in form when in his dance outfit. It really screws up the idea that that they are, or simply appear, as men in civilian form when design choices like this happen. Heck, with how tight the clothes appear there should be at least some kind of hint of a bulge. Also the episode title is a misnomer since we get no shock related to Fighter's transformation. Unless we are supposed to be shocked at the briefness of the transforming sequence.

   The only good part of this episode is how this suggests a bridging between anime's realistic styles from past eras and the more absurd and/or cheaper and generic styles of today.

  Questions! Why couldn't the nun also being a director side story be resolved somehow? Also how come there is no follow-up on Rei being shocked by the identity reveal? Finally why is she only a good director…

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  The color palette has an excellent selection and application, especially during the darker lit scenes. Also Darick Robertson and Walden Wong bring some impressive line and design work. However, I think Monica Jim should have been a bit closer in relation to the car's pedals. Also those particular panels felt a bit inconsistent. Finally Rafer Roberts and Simon Bowland bring emotional weight to a narrative that is primarily talking heads via their respective jobs on this issue.

   Recommended!

1. Mega Man Megamix Volume 3 (2010, English Edition) is recommended for how deftly the doppelgänger story is handled.

2. Flash #76 (1993) is recommended solely for the Max Mercury, Jay Garrick, Johnny Quick moments.

3. Future Quest #4 (2016) is a little weak due to the attempts at breaking the story into chapters, but is still pretty solid high quality entertainment.

4. Future Quest #7 (2017) is better than issue 4 due to not having the chapter breaks. Although it feels a little bit less accessible than 4. Yet like the above issue it works as an interesting narrative.

Opinion: I don't condone what Kai Cole has alleged Joss Whedon did. Also I believe that Buffy The Vampire Slayer is more about the various fans views of it than Joss Whedon's or any corporate entities views. Thus I will continue to review Buffy stories, including comics, but after Season 11 ends I will be trade waiting. Said collected editions will then be read and reviewed at whatever point I choose.

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   Almost nothing happens except some thinly veiled real world political commentary and the Scooby Gang learning a minuscule bit more about the baddie. Oh and now there is a ticking clock in the form of a magic redirecting satellite launch. So essentially we still may or may not know who the seasonal big bad is, but we definitely know the mystery is lacking clues for the finale's set-up. Also I found the pacing is still glacial.

  The previously mentioned flaws are not helped by two major art problems. First the art has a stupid moment of Spike biting a m…

1. Caliber #1 (2008) lacks clarity in what is being shown to the reader. Also any and all transitions are non-existent.

2. Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #100 (1967) is a very weak story in how it is structured and the reasons characters are motivated. It also has some serious logic fails in the art, such as where and how Jimmy keeps his mementos from past adventures.

3. Darkstalkers #0 (2004) tells a story, but fails to do more than give a potential future narrative versus any actual set-up.

4. Rumble #1 (2014) simply lacks enough figurative meat to be worth recommending. Maybe it gets better with succeeding issues, but I am not currently curious or excited enough by this issue to find out.

Plot Synopsis:
Dark Moon is the story of a scientist named Dante, who is an inventor that has developed a prototype transporter in the late 21st century. Because of an impending disaster in his hometown of San Francisco, he is forced to use the technology to save himself and a handful of people around him, by traveling to the location his transporter was set to right before the crisis, a small moon millions of miles away that might be able to support life.
The story begins very bleakly, as they arrive on the moon, wearing life support suits, and are not able to find any signs of water or usable atmosphere. To make matters worse, as they are exploring, they begin to find themselves hunted by creatures, and Dante is able to make a makeshift weapon from the transporter wreckage to protect them. This leads to them being chased into an abandoned alien base, to try and take shelter from the hoards of creatures on the moon surface.
Inside the base they find another alien race, who appears to …

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  This issue ramps up the action without failing to build on the plot. It also avoids the pitfall of repetition time loop stories usually have. However, the art does have the blank white eyeball flaw that some call "Youngblood's Disease." (Youngblood's Disease is a term coined by reviewer Linkara in reference to the missing eyes in titles like Youngblood.) Yet this is not a problem on every panel, and even the panels it does occur in do not have every character affected by it. This is really the only real problem I noticed in this issue so not too bad.

  The final thing I have to say is kudos to the artists and colorist for a consistent enough feel, and for the awesome visual moments involving the actual time traveling.

   Very Recommended!