Ricardo Denis Comic Reviews

A Righteous Thirst for Vengeance #6 is confirmation that the series is still on the right track and riding high. Each entry has been a surprise unto itself and #6 is no exception. It's a comic that demands to not just be read, but also to be listened to.

Abbott 1973 #1 is a perfect continuation of Elena Abbotts investigations into how magic has been taken over by racists bent on keeping America divided. Ahmed and Kivel have one of the best characters in comics in their hands and they seem to be well aware of it. Abbott is the kind of creation one hopes becomes an industry staple, producing hundreds of stories for years to come.

The final moments do a great job of bringing everything full circle and the twists and turns in this final issue do bring new things to the table in terms of who also deserves the axe but doesn't always get it. It's worthy of discussion and it invites a controversial opinion or two. I guess that's the thing about stories with axes. No matter the cut, they always leave a bloody mess behind.

Beta Ray Bill #1 is primed to be an emotional adventure with a mind to keep things cosmic both inside and outside its main character. To say that its exceptionally illustrated and colored is to state the obvious. Johnson and Spicer are a formidable storytelling team and if theres one guarantee in all this is that the comics visuals will settle for nothing less than unforgettable, but it's the storys heart where new storytelling possibilities spring forth and entice readers. Expect this journey to tap into your entire emotional spectrum and remember to take your time enjoying each panel. Wondrous things abound in every one of them.

Blade Runner 2019 #9 is not as simple a jumping on point as it suggests it is, but if it inspires people to go back and read the first issues then it is hitting all the right notes. This series is a treasure trove of cyberpunk storytelling an any excuse it gives readers to explore it is a good one.

Bolero #1 is a primer on love, pain, and loss that prepares readers for a deeply intimate and rough story that is sure to connect on many levels. Its a world of possibilities I cant wait to dive into, no matter how hard things will most definitely get for Devyn and Natasha as they go through 53 variations of their doomed relationship.

Bomb Queen's Trump-like behavior in past events makes her an interesting example of villainy to bounce off of. The idea of making a Trump-like villain run against the actual Trump is a fascinating one and merits discussion. Give it a read and if it's not your thing, that's okay. If you end up liking it, then you have a lot more satire to look forward to, along with the added sting of pure unpolitical correctness.

Death Mask is a great addition to the vigilante tradition. Deibert and Staggs have come up with a story that puts morality and justice under the unforgiving gaze of consequence to cast doubt on whether there is a right or a wrong way of making bad people pay for their bad behavior. Its smart, urgent, and confrontational, and it uses the language of horror well to make its ideas land with brutal force. Death Mask has set the tone for future Dark & Twisted stories at Storm King. You cant ask for a better start.

Dark Ride continues to be one of the best series on the stands and it looks like that won't be changing in 2023. Williamson and Bressan are taking full advantage of the premise, adding layers upon layers of storytelling to the point of establishing narrative arcs and threads that can go on for a long time. I hope the series stays for the long run. If Devil Land were a real place, I'd have no problem buying one of those expensive, all-inclusive passes that let me visit whenever I want. Even if it risks being eaten by one of the rides.

The Conjuring universe has a very successful first outing in its hands with The Lover. It comes off as an organic extension of the franchise and its own brand of horror. Theres a lot to look forward to in each issue knowing just how much is squeezed into one comic. Its quite the horror package and it feels as if it cant wait to show us even more terrible things for our viewing pleasure.

Things aren't looking so good for Jessica and the next issue is shaping up to be an intense encounter with the dark forces that have decided to torment her. We can only hope the Warrens make a surprise appearance to save the day, but the way things are going, that doesnt seem like its going to be the case.

The Conjuring: The Lover has managed to maintain a formidable degree of terror throughout the series and it looks like the finale will leave an impression, or a bloody handprint, once it closes shop. We might need to get used to the idea that sometimes evil can have its way and that we are powerless to stop it. Scary thought, huh.

The Conjuring: The Lover triumphs in demonstrating just how a movies universe can grow through comics if given the chance. I hope this isnt a one-off and that we get more Conjuring series sooner rather than later. The source material is too good, and its undeniably eager to continue prodding into the things that stoke our fears.

This complaint, however, does little to detract from this impressive and refreshing horror series debut. The promise of things to come is more than enough to warrant attention and further reading. It's hard not to love stories that tinker with traditions and expectations within genre to arrive at something new. Dead Seas falls squarely on that category and I can't wait to see what horrors await us in Perdition.

Deadbox is an incredibly smart comic that finds a lot to be scared of in stupidity, but also a lot to laugh at. The first issue of the series stands on the strength of its sharp wit and its visual comedy. Theres a lot of stupid in the world right now and Deadbox is here to make fun of it.

I could go on and on about Deadbox and how it gets progressively funnier the scarier it gets, but the beautys in the discovery, in decoding the satire. Bottom line is, you need to read this book. Comics shelves become smarter when its on display.

Empyre: Captain America #2 is an impressive exploration of the Cotati invasion and its forays into military policy basically hold up a mirror to America's Army and how it could be doing more than it usually does.

In a way, End After End #1 feels like the introductory level of a big budget AAA video game. It drops you right in the middle of the action so you can figure everything out as you go along. The creative team are all on the same page for this, producing a finely tuned narrative that begs to be expanded upon. All of this to say that, for a first issue, End After End #1 is a masterclass in how to start a new series.

With a final page thats sure to get readers excited about whats coming next, Eve #1 is the start of what looks to be an entirely different kind of environmental storytelling. Its characters are instantly likable and the setting carries enough visual flair to distinguish it from some of the other stories on the market. Eve is the type of comic you open a subscription box for.

Far Cry: Rite of Passage is an ambitious character study of bad people. Hill and Borges treat the subject matter with the seriousness it deserves while also celebrating Far Crys rogues gallery. Its a strong companion to the game series and even deepens our understanding of the sandbox world Far Cry presents gamers with. Hill and Borges make it a treat to get up close and personal with evil men.

Theres enough in Fear Cases first issue to justify following the series at a monthly basis. This is the kind of comic one desperately wants to continue reading once an issue is done. On top of that, it just comes off as a very good pilot episode for a TV series, like the first episodes for Fringe and The X-Files. Much like those shows, Fear Case hooks you in immediately and I doubt youll put up much of a struggle given how good it is.

Goosebumps: Secrets of the Swamp #1 is a strong start to a YA horror story that can set a good example as to how to get the most out of the genre. The creative team for this comic is in perfect synchronization and it shows. Stay with this comic. Theres a lot of horror to be had with the promise of more to come.

Gunslinger Spawn #2 is another great showcase of Brett Booths skills and theyre enough to warrant a purchase. The story itself might need a bit more kick to rise to the occasion, especially in the man out of time aspects of it where the Gunslinger pokes fun at modern practices (which seems a bit forced), but the necessary elements for success are there. While the story catches up, though, you can just sit back and enjoy the art.

Horizon's world is nothing short of breathtaking. The contrast between mechanical dinosaurs and human characters designed like they come from a high tech Stone Age is very unique to the PS4 game and Maulina has captured it faithfully in the comic book page. That same sense of wonder and danger that one gets while playing the game transfers over to the comic, with vibrant colors and deadly machines inhabiting a blossoming natural word.

Impossible Jones #1 is a blast, in every sense of the word. It will satisfy readers searching for not-too distant nostalgia in their comics and readers looking for a creative alternative to the usual superhero offering on the shelves these days. To sum it all up, its a crowd pleaser.

Booher and Thorogoods adaptation of Hills novella is a great example of what a creative team can conjure up when it so fully understands the vision behind a story. Adaptation is no easy task, especially when it comes with the expectation it has to be as good (if not greater) than the source text. Fortunately for Rain, the first issue starts the series out on the right foot, with the promise of more darkly curious things to come.

Join the Future is a comic in no rush to reveal all its cards. In its first issue, we get a compelling situation with several moving parts that are sure to result in some very interesting looks at what the future will be and whether its in our best interest to join it.

Killadelphia #4 speeds things up quite a bitperhaps a bit too quicklybut the quality of the storytelling hasnt dipped not one bit. There are traces of Richard Mathesons I Am Legend here, and even a bit of Candyman in terms of ambiance. Im eager to see what else gets thrown in the ring, because we got a vampire revolution firing up and it looks like its about to get real bloody.

LOUD is a statement on visual storytelling, both in terms of erotica and on sound in comics. Few wordless comics manage to tell their stories with such intensity. It genuinely feels like Llovet created her own imaginary soundtrack for the book. Theres nothing quite like it out there. It quite literally demands to be seen and heard.

Made in Korea packs a lot into its first issue. The six-issue miniseries is ambitious and expansive, worthy of the topic it settled on. There's something lurking in its pages that looks like it'll blow up in later issues concerning the questions that come with adopting a child among couples that can't conceive. Just how much that'll figure in the story remains to be seen, but what's here is already enough to make for an exceptional comic.

Marvel Voices #1 is the type of book Marvel needs to invest more on. It shows just how important it is to bring in other perspectives into this superhero universe and just how different it can all turn out to be. It speaks to the power of voices hungry for diversity in storytelling. And that, in itself, is a beautiful thing.

Monarch #1 is an impressive debut that builds a living, dangerous world with complex characters that already carry a considerable amount of personal history with them. It's impossible not to root for Travon and you will keep turning the pages with a certain reluctance for fear of what might happen to him throughout. But turn them you shall, and you won't want to stop. Monarch is just that good.

Any excuse to pop in a Prince album and get lost in the sounds of his unique brand of funk is a good one. MPLS Sound doesnt just give a good reason to do that, it gives the perfect reason to do so. The book invites a deeper understanding of music, craft, and of legendary musicians themselves, but also never at the expense of fun and excitement. Whats here possesses the stuff that makes certain comics go beyond greatness, an accomplishment worthy of the Artist that inspired it.

Night of the Ghoul is a well-oiled machine made by two masters of the craft. Horror runs deep in its DNA and it understands the inner working of it in intimate detail. The comic is well on its way to becoming a horror comics classic. If it holds steady, itll become a story Ill be recommending to readers interested in expanding into the comics medium for their horror fixes.

Night of the Ghoul #3 isnt afraid to dump scary things on readers laps and then leaving it up to them to process it. Its horrors are out in the open, so were left to contend with how terrifying things are and how terrifying they can get. In a time where puzzle box mysteries dominate the playing field, Snyder and Francavilla are setting up their own rules and making people engage with the story on their terms. Thankfully, those terms are yielding results, paving the way for more scary things to be gleefully afraid of as they make themselves known.

Nita Hawes Nightmare Blog #1 is the type of comic that supports and builds upon the foundations of the main title it sprouts from while also telling a story that it can legitimately call its own. It owns its part in the grand scheme, but it also makes sure its essential for the enjoyment of the entire experience. Nita Hawes is ready to make the world of Killadelphia meaner and scarier.

Not All Robots is a funny, scary, and plausible take on humanitys self-authored descent into obsolescence. Readers will laugh hard the entire way through, but theyll also have no choice but to think about the consequences of our exponential growth into a machine-dominated world. The kicker, though, is that regardless of how advanced these robots turn out to be, they might not have a choice but to become a bit human to find some meaning in the new status quo.

Out is a great example of how to take tradition and twist it into something that can appeal to more current sensibilities. Its a classic horror story that reads like a POW war narrative with key adages and permutations that elevate it into more compelling forms of storytelling. Williams and Conrad came up with a clever and violently emotional exploration of war, death, and everything in between. In the process, they might also suggest learning other languages can be the deciding factor in some life and death situations. You never know when you might need to talk down a blood-sucking creature from using your head as a wine glass in its native tongue.

Theres a lot to like about Outer Darkness/Chew #1, especially for fans of the two series. In fact, Id say thats precisely the audience its seeking. New readers will probably struggle a bit to make everything click, but there're still enough things going on in the story that anyone could latch onto and follow. Theres just a lot of fun to be had here, and the promise of more Cibopaths in space is always a good thing.

I can honestly say I have absolutely no idea what issue #3 of OD/C is going to bring, and this makes me very happy. Despite Outer Darkness being left out a bit in this part of the story, what Layman, Chan, and Guillory have achieved here is gleefully unique and well worth the price of admission. If you buy one comic this week, make sure it's this one.

In a perfect comic book world, this crossover would be its own on-going series. The setting, the exchanges between characters, and the cast as a whole is more than enough to sustain a long-running series for years to come.

Playthings #1 should please fans of classic horror, fairy tales, and 1990s fantasy comics. It establishes a dark event with terrifying potential, full of painful promises that readers can engage with in more ways than one. Issue #2 should satisfy both readers with dark sensibilities and readers who quite simply enjoy a good story. Keep this one on your radar.

Primordial #1 possesses a very exciting and intense sense of discovery and exploration that rests on the notion that secrets and conspiracies can generate quite a set of sense-shattering images. It's a supreme example of what can be achieved with visual storytelling and how comics can offer narrative possibilities other mediums can only hope to imagine.

Shock Shop #1 sets the stage for a pair of horror tales that are of equal quality, presented via a refreshingly twisted comics retailer that I hope we get to see more of. The haunted comic shop setup is brilliant and deserves to be explored a bit further, perhaps leaning into metafiction to get at some other kinds of dark happenings as the series progresses. Regardless, the terror on this display in Shock Shop is expertly crafted and is sure to become a mainstay for horror fans that faithfully tuned in either to their favorite anthology show week after week or to went out late at night for the old school double-feature show at the local movie theater.

Stealth #1 presents aworld of conversation starters regarding mental illness, hero worship, andstraight up comic book storytelling. Its a story about checking in with ourheroes to know when theyve reached their limit and when to flip the roles totake care of them. Its about a kind of responsibility we need to own up tomore than we actually do.

Dog Days #1 signals a return to darkness for the pups of the main story. The segments included in this story arent there to be crowd pleasers or alleviate the sadness. That said, the bond the dogs create within the pack is still given its time to shine and points to the light these animals bring to life even when its at its most terrifying. I cant wait for issue #2, even though I dread knowing what each dog went through once the killer steps into their lives. Despite that, Stray Dogs is still a world I want to spend more time in.

Fleecs and Forstner make a formidable creative team and I hope to see more of their work together. Stray Dogs is so good I wish there was a way to extend our stay in its world. There might be a chance of it if they try for an American Horror Story kind of anthology format in which a different horror scenario plays out with different animals and settings. It might open the door for a Stray Cats series in the future, hopefully. For now, though, we have Stray Dogs, and Ill be rereading it several times more before Im done with it. You should too.

Swan Songs #1 sets the tone for a unique emotional journey that hopes to unsettle with the intention of getting at harder but necessary interpretations of our relationship with the end. Theres melancholy and theres pain, confusion and frustration, but also the possibility of hope should the individual find it within him or herself to see certain things all the way to their conclusion. And yet, none of this is telegraphed to the reader. You dont read Swan Songs for answers. You read it for the questions itll make you ask. Whatever answers you find are entirely yours.

The Butchery lives up to its title and expands upon the preconceived definitions of the word that gives the book its name. Vivs goes to well-traversed territory regarding love and loss, but he brings a different tool set to explore where our minds often go to when experiencing such things. It's designed to make readers feel every emotion known to humans in love or who have loved and it leaves you no choice but to keep reading.

The Enfield Massacre #1 promises a whole new chapter in the world of Ambrose County, giving it a longer narrative reach while opening numerous doors for more stories spread throughout the location's history. Condon and Phillips are producing career-defining work here, and were lucky to be witnessing it one comic at a time.

The Nice House on The Lake has arrived with the intent of reaching deep within our souls in search of that primal fear that entertains the end of the world. Surprises abound and new horror concepts push the comic into uncharted waters. The first issue alone carries enough fear to scare readers into following the entire series all while questioning just how they would react knowing the end of the world has finally left the realm of imagination and violently entered the confines of reality.

The Nice House on the Lake #2The Nice House on the Lake is an intoxicating read, period. Its hard to stop pouring over each panel, each line of dialogue trying to figure everything out. Issue #2 gives readers enough story to keep them hooked while also teasing so much more horror to come. The monthly wait is starting to get difficult, and I can only see it getting harder to hold out till the next chapter.

Tynions focus on Sam shows that each character in Nice House has a continents worth of story in them. Not only should we expect more of these single-character studies in the future, but they might also become the some of the best parts of the whole series. Its getting harder and harder to wait for the next installment of The Nice House on the Lake and its looking like it has no intention of letting up on that.

The Nice House on The Lake #4 changes the ballgame for the characters involved and deepens the horror that binds them together. It makes a great argument for why some comics do justify a monthly schedule. The anticipation behind each new entry gets more intense each time and I cant wait to see whats in store for us come issue #5.

The Nice House on the Lake #5 is a fitting end to the first arc of the series. It sets up just enough to keep readers desperate for more. Looks like the best new horror comic of 2021 fully intends to just get better and better.

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE review copy for review

The Nice House on the Lake #7 is further confirmation we're seeing the makings of a classic horror comic as it develops. What's surprising is how much of the story is still in the process of revealing itself. Less meticulous creators would've probably given most or the entire mystery away by now. Tynion and Martnez Bueno are still in the secret keeping business and it's making the looming finale feel like a massive event ready to change the very definition of horror.

Graphic Policy was provided with a FREE review copy by the publisher

We're closing in on the end, which means the comic's central mystery is running out of places to hide. Very soon, things will have to come out into the light. Fortunately for us readers, the process has been nothing short of spectacular, even though it's getting harder and harder to wait for the remaining issues to drop.

It's all down to a single final issue. The end is finally upon us. We might even get to know why every chapter starts with one character talking a bit about themselves surrounded by fire and ruin (the remnants of the Nice House perhaps). Now's a good time to reread the series in full to prepare for what's coming. Until then, enjoy the time you have left in the Nice House. It's possible it won't be there a few pages into issue #12.

If this last issue is meant to the closing of a part of a larger story, then it's easier to forgive the lax nature of it and its overreliance on text-only pages. As it stands, it doesn't really feel like an end. There's not even enough for an open-ended type of conclusion. In fact, it feels more like a recap with a big decision in the middle of it. If this really is how it comes to a close, though, then it's unfortunate its final moments unravel in a manner befitting of a middle chapter in a book rather than a concluding one.

Duggan, Posehn, and Koblish do more than enough to keep the conversation going on what is still a hotly debated topic. They condemn bad practices while making an honest plea to eliminate a problem that has no business being considered a crime in our times. For the benefit of all, they enlist lizard people, 80s action heroes, and a weed version of Swamp Thing to lend a hand in fighting the good fight.

Two Moons #1Two Moons is a new series with a lot of promise. Its in a position to offer an appropriately confrontational take on what makes an American and if its even possible to identify anyone as such. The art is exceptional and it takes command of the story in unexpected ways. The book welcomes questions, demands thought, and values different angles. Come ready into the story or it will sneak up on you with its dark intricacies.

The comic is not without its charm and it does have heart. Theres a chance future issues complicate things well enough to take our werewolf into uncharted territory. The first issue of Werewolf by Night is no indication of this, but theres enough here to build on.

The second issue of Yasmeen braves unsettling and rough terrains, full of terrible things. But as is the case with the first issue, hope still manages to carve out some space for itself. There's a lot of darkness still, but the promise of light at the end of the tunnel is there. I don't expect that light to be all-powerful or all-healing, but I'm intrigued as to what it offers to Yasmeen.