Shang-Chi And The Ten Rings #4 - Marvel Comics

SHANG-CHI AND THE TEN RINGS No. 4, December 2022

Probably best described as an amalgamation of the New York City-based publisher’s comic book events “Secret Wars” and “Contest Of Champions”, Gene Luen Yang’s narrative for Issue Four of “Shang-Chi And The Ten Rings” is crammed full of uncomfortable contrivances and all-too brief cameos from some of the titular character’s most nefarious past nemeses. Yet whilst all ten of the mysterious Game of Ring’s participants are implausibly whisked away to another dimension by a pair of “lion-faced gremlins” simply to set up the storyline, the vast majority of this periodical’s readers will arguably soon get caught up in the sense-shattering shenanigans it creates.

For openers, no sooner is the bemused Master of Kung Fu challenging his captors’ right to take the “mystical iron rings originating from Ta-Lo” from him, than he is fighting for his life against Doug Moench’s classic co-creation from 1975 – Darkstrider. This battle is wonderfully written, with the multi-limbed combatant being given plenty of false pride in his ability to fashion a web of dagger-fronted ropes, only to find his opponent less than impressed having witnessed Spider-Man do the same thing for real on numerous occasions; “Not to disappoint you, but I have a friend who shoots actual webs.”

Furthermore, Commander Hand’s inexplicable inability to call the outstanding nine rings back from the other competitors’ wrists to his one remaining one, suddenly provides all the supporting cast members with a chance of beating him – having all been defeated, sometimes repeatedly, by the “former ally of the Secret Avengers” in the past. This potential for disaster is raised quite early on, when Shang-Chi is saved from defeat by the intervention of his friend Shen Kuei, and therefore generates some much-needed tension when it comes to the supreme leader of the Five Weapons Society fighting against lesser challengers – especially when their rings are seemingly willing to strike at him unexpectedly, and without their new owners’ forethought.

Similarly as successful as this comic’s penmanship are its pencils by Marcus To and Erick Arciniega’s atmospheric colours. Admittedly, the Alberta-born artist’s bipedal brass lions will strike some in the audience as disconcertingly cartoonish-looking minions for “the most revered game administrators”. But there can surely be no doubting his ability to sketch a well-delivered drop-kick, ferociously fast assault or blow blocking parry when this plot’s dynamic action starts to heat up.

The regular cover art of "SHANG-CHI AND THE TEN RINGS" #4 by Dike Ruan & Matthew Wilson

Creepshow #3 - Image Comics

CREEPSHOW No. 3, November 2022

Co-authored and pencilled by Eisner Award-winner Francesco Francavilla, the Creep’s opening ‘scare’ for Issue Three of “Creepshow” certainly provides the ten-page tale with just the sort of sleepy, American backwater terror some of the horror franchise’s fans might find enjoyably reminiscent of Stephen King’s “Old Chief Wood'nhead”. Indeed, the Italian illustrator may well have missed something of a trick by not sketching the cigar store Indian nonchalantly standing idly by in a heavily shadowed corner of Jimmy the Barber’s salon, as the animal lover quietly goes about his daily business of cutting people’s curls and listening to boastful hunters talk of their potential future kills.

Happily, despite this slight quibble, there’s still plenty to intrigue the reader in “Hair” as both the role of James’ amiable raccoons and the innocuous task of him sweeping his customer’s severed locks down into the sewer system suddenly becomes abundantly clear. Unsurprisingly, this revelation also allows Francavilla the opportunity to depict a truly formidable-looking specimen of Procyon lotor, as well as hint that the story’s central protagonist probably isn’t quite as innocent as to the devilish doings taking place “down by the river” as his inoffensive surprise at so many grisly murders might suggest.

Somewhat more technologically minded, though equally as chilling, is Ariela Kristantina’s “journey to a temple hidden within an island paradise where many visit but not everyone leaves.” Depicting easily one of the most annoying and condescending ‘victims’ of a ghoulish demise imaginable, “The Bridge” will doubtless have many a perusing bibliophile urging this standalone story’s foul-mouthed Alexis on towards her inevitable doom with increasing urgency.

In fact, this tale’s tension is debatably caused solely by the suggestion that the repugnant social influencer will also lead her hapless trio of biographers into a fate worse than death, rather than it being generated by concern over the bikini-clad bimbo’s diabolical destiny. Artist Jorge Corona should also be heartily congratulated for their contribution to this staycation’s success, courtesy of some truly plant-packed panels, and their wince-inducing layouts showing Alexis’ disconcertingly ghastly physical transformation; “You… Learn some respect… Learn how to listen… Stay here… With the others… Forever…”

Writers: L Marlow Francavilla & Francesco Francavilla, and Ariela Kristantina, and Artists: Francesco Francavilla and Jorge Corona

The Batman And Scooby-Doo Mysteries #1 - DC Comics

THE BATMAN AND SCOOBY-DOO MYSTERIES No. 1, December 2022

Throwing its audience straight at the deep end by already having had the Caped Crusaders and a certain gang of “meddling kids” meet-up off screen, Sholly Fisch’s script for Issue One of “The Batman And Scooby-Doo Mysteries” sets a ferocious, action-packed pace which arguably doesn’t let up until the twenty-page-periodical’s end. Indeed, with the notable exception of a few panels depicting Shaggy and his Great Dane enjoying the lavish hospitality of Bruce Wayne’s private plane, the American author is utterly merciless in his endeavour to keep both the lead protagonists and their fans incredibly busy; “I take it back! I take it back! I don’t want all of our cases to be like this!”

Foremost of these debatably exhausting endeavours is the “Looney Tunes” writer’s determination to have this comic’s considerably sized cast travel all over the world and visit numerous locations. Such penmanship undoubtedly provides any perusing bibliophile with plenty of snippets of information as to the mythical mummery found in both Argentina and England. But by the time the Dark Knight and Robin arrive in the city of Batman, Turkey, it’s quite probable that the heads of this publication’s younger readers will be uncontrollably spinning. 

In addition, “A Few Good Batmen” isn’t slow to start expanding upon the members of The Batmen of All Nations, with the likes of El Gaucho, Musketeer, Impala, Knight, Legionary, Ranger, Squire and Wingman all becoming involved in the fray by the final few panels. Sadly, so many colourfully costumed crime-fighters soon get lost in the frenzied hubbub of Ra's al Ghul’s deadly ninja attack, and resultantly several characters aren’t given any spotlight to explain either their motivations for taking up the Mantle of the Bat, or how they fortuitously just happen to arrive outside the supervillain’s headquarters at precisely the right moment.

Of course, for those who enjoy being carried along upon such adrenalin-charged adventures and appreciate first-rate ‘cartoon-style’ pencilling, these are minor quibbles which can easily be pushed aside so as to enjoy Dario Brizuela’s layouts. The illustrator is especially good at capturing the laugh-out-loud facial expressions of Shaggy and Scooby, whenever the cowardly pair are spooked or scared. Furthermore, the line work suggesting just how well the Demon’s Head can wield a curved blade during a swordfight is excellent.

Written by: Sholly Fisch, Drawn by: Dario Brizuela, and Coloured by: Franco Riesco

Batman: Urban Legends #20 [Part Two] - DC Comics

BATMAN: URBAN LEGENDS No. 20, December 2022

Essentially comprising of a story-long argument between Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul, Nadia Shammas’ distinctly feisty “My Son” certainly maintains this anthology book’s atmosphere of adrenalin-fuelled action. But whilst there’s nothing wrong with witnessing an unmasked Dark Knight patiently fend off his angry former lover with a series of feints and parries, the entire tale, strangely set at the bottom of the stairs leading up to an unconscious Damian’s sickbed in Wayne Manor, is debatably fairly frustratingly contrived.

True, the female master assassin is the daughter of the super villainous Demon's Head, so perhaps it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to this publication’s readers that she can enter the billionaire’s home by simply tunnelling straight through a brick wall with some sort of acidic smoke device. However, some bibliophiles may find the ease with which proficient penciller Jahnoy Lindsay illustrates her rather dramatically penetrating the mansion a bit disconcerting considering its state-of-art security measures. In addition, the entire fracas is apparently due to Nightwing failing to check his explosive equipment before conducting a routine evening patrol – something which seems rather incredulous considering the fastidiousness of Dick Grayson’s long-time mentor and the former Teen Titan’s usual attention to such details.

Arguably much more intriguing is “The Murder Club” by Joey Esposito, which rather neatly dangles the audience along with its suggestion of a mysterious cult murdering Gotham City’s super-rich in a terrifyingly gruesome way; “Gradual rotting of the flesh, then sudden violent psychosis until the body gives out.” Indeed, Batman’s investigation into the fifth such killing “in as many months” has all the hallmarks of being a classic crime thriller involving the World’s Greatest Detective, especially as this four-parter’s opening instalment features the Caped Crusader confronting his arch-nemesis the Penguin. Unnervingly however, the author then completely wrong-foots everybody by revealing the shock identities of a couple who initially appear destined to be the contagion’s next victims, with a genuine, jaw-dropping cliff-hanger.

Also adding some palpable edge to this twenty-one-page plot is Vasco Georgiev, whose ability to capture all the grotesque physicality of Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot alone makes this adventure well worth perusing. Coupled with Alex Guimaraes' colours, the Swiss provides some incredibly atmospheric layouts to this fable, not least of which is its appropriately dark, heavily shadowed opening inside the Gotham City Medical Examiner's Office.

Writers: Nadia Shammas and Joey Esposito, and Artists: Jahnoy Lindsay and Vasco Georgiev

DC Horror Presents: Sgt. Rock Vs. The Army Of The Dead #3 - DC Comics

DC HORROR PRESENTS: SGT. ROCK VS. THE ARMY OF THE DEAD No. 3, January 2023

Whilst “DC Comics’” pre-publication synopsis for Issue Three of “DC Horror Presents: Sergeant Rock Verses The Army Of The Dead” enthusiastically speaks about Easy Company having “some fun defending themselves against Hitler’s undead goons”, such joy probably pales when compared to how much entertainment this comic’s audience will have actually reading Bruce Campbell’s narrative. Sure, the twenty-two-page periodical starts off a little slowly, courtesy of the grizzled squad being thoroughly briefed back at Allied Command Centre about their latest offensive behind enemy lines. But once the likes of Four Eyes and Long Round have been equipped with the latest weaponry, the veteran soldier company are quickly thrown straight into the deep end; “With these new toys, we were itchin’ to get back into the sandbox.”

Furthermore, the brief pause in zombie-killing action allows the American author to establish the parameters of a mission which is far more interesting than a simple full-on assault against the Fuhrer’s walking dead. The Allies’ need to “flush” out an unharmed Doctor Theodor Morell so the evil physician can potentially lead Rock to Hitler himself makes the assignment doubly difficult and adds an extra edge to the pulse-pounding proceedings when events start to take a turn for the worse – such as Team Dozer inadvertently blocking their entry into the Nazi’s unholy serum factory with a bazooka blast to its brick-built giant chimney.

Equally as enthralling is the fact that even with such advanced armaments as a heavy counterassault rifle, Easy Company are far from the unstoppable killing machine lesser comic book writers might be tempted to pen them as. Indeed, despite their flamethrower, ability to breach cement walls and be deadly “accurate from a thousand yards”, this mini-series’ protagonists are repeatedly shown having to desperately hurl themselves behind cover as their disconcertingly gleeful, almost bestial foes, continue to soak up physical damage which would ordinarily lay low a mortal opponent. 

Adding an insane number of detached retinas and entrails to “Belly Of The Beast” is Eduardo Risso, whose pencils don’t shy away from the notion of depicting a goose-steeping undead German having his entire face or all-too visible bowels shredded by a shotgun shell or two at close quarters. In addition, colorist Kristian Rossi does a first-rate job providing plenty of atmospheric lighting for all the gratuitously graphic set-pieces, whether it be inside the heavily shadowed Fuhrer’s bunker, the purple-saturated darkness of night, or the beautifully bright glow of a flamethrower.

The regular cover art to "DC HORROR PRESENTS: SGT. ROCK VS. THE ARMY OF THE DEAD" #3 by Gary Frank

Batman: Urban Legends #20 [Part One] - DC Comics

BATMAN: URBAN LEGENDS No. 20, December 2022

Hooking its readers straight from the start with a thrilling trip “to the world of Batman, monster hunter”, this particular anthology comic book must surely have pleased any fans of “DC Comics” alternative reality-based publication imprint “Elseworlds”. In fact, considering Jim Zub’s storyline for “Castle Arkham” arguably contains the perfect mix of medieval horror, dedicated detective work and pulse-pounding pugilism, it’s doubtful any perusing bibliophile would have been able to put Issue Twenty of “Batman: Urban Legends” back down until they’d at least witnessed Bruce Wayne and Julia Pennyworth successfully thwart Kirkland Langstrom’s misguided attempt to rule Gotham as a terrifying demonic bat-creature.

Much of this mesmerising spell is indisputably due to the Canadian author penning an incredibly believable and intriguing feudal world of swashbuckling swordplay and mean-spirited politics. However, enormous credit must also be given to Max Dunbar’s simply sumptuous layouts, with the illustrator pencilling some seriously disconcerting ghouls who increase their grinning numbers through a bloody sacrificial ritual, as well as an awesome-looking finale set high above the dark metropolis’ rooftops; “In the city square, the people celebrate good harvest and good fortune… Until their revelry crumbles into unspeakable fear.”

Equally as enjoyable, though significantly shorter than this periodical’s opening yarn, is Chris Burnham’s “epic Alfred saga” which quite marvellously manages to spotlight the loyal butler’s ability to outthink his opponents even when they are both numerous and dangerously fanatical about their diabolical cause. Absolutely vibrant in its Lovecraftian imagery, courtesy of the narrative’s fixation upon the Assyrian fish deity, Dagon, this ten-pager’s plot probably wrong-footed a fair few in its audience by rather cleverly having the decapitated god’s scales actually turn out to be much more than just ancient rigid skin plates.

Furthermore, the Connecticut-born artist also provides “Out Of The Frying Pan” with plenty of compelling visualisations, not least of which is the imaginative underwater museum display dedicated to Dagon’s long-dead corpse. Coupled with the American’s dynamic drawings of two competing cult factions, including amphibian-headed rubber masks plus obligatory red robes, and most readers will easily get caught up in the frantic post-ritual fight once the first angry punch is thrown.

Writers: Jim Zub and Chris Burnham, and Artists: Max Dunbar and Chris Burnham

DC Horror Presents: Sgt. Rock Vs. The Army Of The Dead #2 - DC Comics

DC HORROR PRESENTS: SGT. ROCK VS. THE ARMY OF THE DEAD No. 2, December 2022

Featuring an undead fascist host which is not only almost unkillable, but also retains enough memory of their former life to drink, drive, converse and fire automatic weapons, Bruce Campbell’s narrative for Issue Two of “DC Horror Presents: Sgt. Rock Vs. The Army Of The Dead” unquestionably produces a genuine sense of deadly danger surrounding Easy Company as they reconnoitre behind enemy lines. Indeed, at one point it actually appears a sure-fire certainty that Dozer is about to be throttled to death by a grinning cadaver, when the unsuspecting soldier is surprised by a pair of Third Reich zombies being carried inside a canvas-covered German truck.

Enjoyably, such sincerely felt jeopardy isn’t palpable just for this one set-piece either, as the Michigan-born writer later places the veteran squad inside a derelict building which is suddenly swarmed full of almost bestial, gun-toting zeds. Moreover, ‘the Sword of Damocles’ is even shown dangling above the head of Doctor Theodor Morell’s second-in-command, when the villainous physician makes it abundantly clear to his sub-ordinate that the factory the terrified officer controls will increase its output of walking dead immediately; “Need I remind you that your employment -- and your very life -- depend upon it?”

Marvellously matching these pulse-pounding proceedings are Campbell’s frequent injections of dark humour, such as the putrefying, goose-stepping goons who decide to get drunk in Das Hafenzimmer and subsequently start gleefully shooting one another to bits in an attempt to see who can take the most bullets. This ‘tongue in cheek’ approach entertainingly extends even to Easy Company, as Sergeant Rock and his men make numerous quips throughout the twenty-two-page periodical.

Similarly as successful as this book’s prodigious penmanship are its sense-shattering layouts, with Eduardo Risso pencilling some incredibly animated corpses and seemingly spraying every panel possible with a hail of deadly lead. Indeed, some of the German zombies depicted within this comic convey such evident personalities of their own, especially whenever they’re about to strangle or shoot someone, that many readers might arguably find it hard to imagine even Joe Kubert’s co-creation being able to outfight the Fuhrer’s formidably strong machines of undying flesh and bone.

The regular cover art to "DC HORROR PRESENTS: SGT. ROCK VS. THE ARMY OF THE DEAD" #2 by Gary Frank