Sunday, May 26, 2019

Sera & The Royal Stars #1 Advanced Review

https://thatcomicgirl.blogspot.com/2019/05/sera-royal-stars-1-advanced-review.html

You guys probably already know but I'm just gonna reiterate how much I love Vault comics! They're honestly one of the best publishers out there right now with some of the best talent in the industry. Despite Vault still being in its infancy, they've already managed to publisher hit titles like, Heathen, Wasted Space, These Savage Shores, and Submerged, all of which you should be reading. Not only that but they publish some of the most diverse stories in comics right now, with a wide range of themes and voices across all their titles.

Sera & The Royal Stars is a new Asian influenced epic fantasy limited mini-series from Jon Tsuei & Audrey Mok. In the midst of a great civil war, Princess Sera will have no choice but to follow a predetermined destiny when the great goddess Mitra replaces her heart with a fragmented crystal shard. With the fate or her house, subjects, and land on the line, Sera will have no choice but to leave all she knows behind in the hope of bringing balance back to Parsa. 

Princess Sera reminds me a lot of Red Sonja, she's fierce willful and badass, making her my favorite kind of protagonist. Despite the odds against her and the lingering weight of past failures, she embarks on a journey carrying a burden that only she is able.

I absolutely loved this first issue. First issues often suffer the casualty of world building and character introductions, while sacrificing excitement and intensity or vice versa, but with Sera & The Royal Stars, this is not the case. Our story starts on the foothills of a great battle. It makes the beginning quick and sharp, but as the story transitions, Jon Tseui is able to find this perfect balance that offers action and engagement while still setting up this fantastical world he's created with Audrey Mok, that leaves you wanting to see more. 

Speaking of Audrey Mok, her work in Sera & The Royal Stars is drop dead gorgeous. I'm familiar with her cover work with Archie titles like Josie & The Pussycats and Blossoms 666, but creating a cultural fantasy combined with some really fantastic character designs is where she shines. Colorist, Raúl Angulo who works alongside Mok, utilizes bold and contrasting colors, along with unique textures to really help push her linework to another level, giving life to this new world.

Sera & The Royal Stars is a wonderful and diverse addition to the fantasy genre. With such a star-studded first issue, the series is definitely on my pull list.  So far it's a great all-ages title, without succumbing to an overly childish feel, making it great for literally everyone. If you're a fan of series like Avatar The Last Airbender/Legend of Korra or Red Sonja make sure to check this one out!

Sera & The Royal Stars is currently available to preorder at your local comic shop, with the first issue releasing on July 17th.


Thursday, May 23, 2019

The Importance of Comics & Your Local Library



https://thatcomicgirl.blogspot.com/2019/05/the-importance-of-comics-your-local.html

 I'm just gonna say it, comics can be expensive. If we're just looking at collected trades and graphic novels the prices for each one can range anywhere from $9.99 to $29.99. For anyone looking to get into comics or even to the casual reader this can feel intimidating and even offputting. Well did you know that your local library more than likely has comics for you to borrow?

As comics become more popular and even mainstream, more and more local libraries are realizing the importance of expanding their graphic novel sections.  You'd be surprised, just how many recent and relevant titles are available for you to read. Now I'll be honest when I say that a lot of these selections are a majority of series from both Marvel and DC, libraries are slowly expanding their shelves for series from other indie publishers like Image. Not every librarian is up to date in the world of comics, and a lot of them tend to look at best sellers list, while also continuing series they may already have on the shelves.

So what happens if you don't see a title you're looking for on the shelf? Well believe it or not but most libraries either in a county or state are connected. A lot of libraries have a free library transfer system, along with their online catalog, which means that you have access to all the libraries in your area, giving you a wider selection of stories to choose from, and you can have those books sent to your local library for pickup. The best part it's FREE. Now I live in Delaware, so I have access to literally every library in my state, (I guess there are perks to living in the smallest state) depending on where you live your accessibility could be a bit different so make sure to ask a member of staff.  I've even heard from friends that some libraries, especially in larger cities have digital libraries available to patrons, so that's something to also check into. If you don't see a particular story or series at all you can always talk to a librarian about potentially adding said book to their collection, again a lot aren't in the comics community and from personal experience they're always willing to listen to a suggestion.


 Now there are some people who's first initial thought feels like getting your comics from a local library hurts the comic industry as a whole but I can assure you this is not the case. I always preach that you should support your local comic shop, first and foremost when you can, especially when looking at direct markets like Amazon or even Barnes & Noble. But comparing your local library to Amazon is like comparing apples to oranges. In fact, there are a lot of comic shops out there who partner with libraries to help get the titles they need on the shelves.

So how does supporting your local library also support the comic industry? Well, the libraries have to get their comics from somewhere? I already spoke about how some local comic shops partner with libraries, but again those graphic novels are bought one way or another. Which means money and support is going directly back to the publishers. Not only that but the more graphic novels and trades that are checked out of the libraries, the demand for these books are seen, and the budget for that department gets increased. Which means more comics for you to check out!

 Libraries and their accessibility to comics is such an important thing for a multitude of reasons. Personally, I'm one of those people who has an insane comic subscription list, as well as the compulsive nature to be buying trades (especially those $9.99 Image trades) every time I turn around. That being said I still like the soft cushion of knowing that I can also get all the comics I want without feeling restricted. Sometimes you want to try out a new series or character without the risk of spending the money on something you might not even like, which is something I seem to do a lot. I've had the opportunity to read books I never thought I would pick up in the first place and some of those series are even on my favorites list now. If I'm being entirely honest I don't think I would be reading as many Marvel comics as I am without my local library. I was a DC loyalist for the longest time, but the library has helped me fall in love with characters like Hawkeye, Moon Knight, and X-23. Now I'm still a lowkey DC loyalist but I also now love Marvel, which is something I never thought would happen.

The moral of the story is support your local comic shop when you can. But for days where it might not just be in your budget or you're just looking to branch out into something new without taking the risk, support your local library!








Tuesday, May 14, 2019

New Series Roundup 2

counterintuitive

 Alright gang, it's time for another installment of the 2019 new series roundup. I tend not to do these so close together, but 2019 is simply putting out so many new titles back to back and I honestly can't complain because there are so many new wonderful stories to fall in love with. So let's not dilly dally and jump right into it!


Assassin NationKyle Starks & Erica Henderson - Not to be confused with the movie Assassination Nation, Assassin Nation is a new five-issue mini-series from Image comics. Though it may seem premature, I'm already calling Assassin Nation my favorite new title of 2019. This is the one title I look forward to every gosh dang month I just love it that much! When an assassin turned crime boss has a price on his head, he'll call in old friends and colleges to protect him. With twenty of the greatest killers in one room, chaos ensues in this fast-paced, violent comedy.  What I love about Assassin Nation is that it starts you off with this engaging splash page score board, ranking all of our key players, allowing you to connect and potentially even choose a favorite even before the story really begins. And boy are there so many diverse characters to love. From the sexually ambiguous Fuck Terrington to the mysterious Mamba Twins, to David Bowie Knife, each character is unique and colorfully designed. Despite its serious nature this book is just so much fun, and both Stark and Henderson take that joyous fun and they run with it. Given its premise, it would be easy to go for a gritty and grim tone, but that's not the case with Assassin Nation. Stark's humor is delightful with laugh out loud lines such as "We climbed a mountain and fucked the sun, my friend. We got the sun burnt dicks to prove it." Most of you might find that gross, but I for one think it's hilarious, and the book is just filled with quirky and hilarious one-liners all throughout. And I gotta say it's refreshing to see Erica Henderson on such a violent book. Her cartoonish and often exaggerated style works with these characters and their actions which are equally outrageous. I cant stress enough how amazing Assassin Nation is and I for sure plan on doing a full scale review at the end of the series. If you love witty humor, whirlwind action, diverse characters or a combination of the three you're definitely gonna wanna check out Assassin Nation. [Comixology]

Faithless - Brian Azzarello & Maria Lllovet - Man I am so on the fence with how I feel about Faithless. Faithless from Boom comics is a new erotic horror book from comic vetern Briana Azzerello and comic newcomer Maria Llovet. This genre isn't something we see very often so of course, I got very excited for a book like this. From personal experience, it seems Boom doesn't often take on a lot of mature series, and I feel like over the years they've ended up with the title of the kid-friendly publisher, so it's a surprise that they would be willing to take on a book of this nature. Faithless claims to be it's own take on Dante's famous Divine Comedy but done in the style of lesbian erotic horror. There's sex, there's demons, there's a cult maybe??? You get the gist. I'm just gonna start off saying that Maria Llovet's art is absolutey stunning throughout the entirety of the book and as the tone of the series gets stranger and stranger I'm excited to watch her style evolve with it. No doubt about it she nailed everything about this series, and that goes for Daniel Semanas on colors too! Now let's talk about Brian Azzarello. As a queer woman, there's just something about a straight man writing other queer women that just always feels offputting. This goes for Stjepan Sejic on Sunstone as well, and I freaking love that book!  There are moments throughtout Faithless that feel very stereotyped, and that's even going beyond the queer content, as this same feeling arises with a woc in the story's opening. For a mature book, there was a lot of dialogue that just felt childish and overly simple. I'm not saying we need the overextending vocabulary of the original Divine Comedy, but if you're trying to compare youreself to such an iconic scripture, you could spice it up a little. Despite all my criticims, this book is on my comic subscription list at least to see where the story goes, because that last page left me oh so curious. I also feel the STRONG need to support Faithless if not just for the story itself but for the niche genre in the hopes that we'll get more stories like this. [Comixology]

Invisible Kingdom - G Willow Wilson & Christian Ward - There was a lot of hype behind Invisible Kingdom. After all it was a fresh new creator series from G Willow Wilson and Christian Ward who were both heavy hitters over at Marvel. While I was excited, I wasn't excited (if that makes any sense at all) and I honestly considered glancing over the first issue, and picking it up in it's completion. Boy am I glad I changed my mind. That first issue alone is too good to pass up and issue two only extends to that goodness. Invisible Kingdom fills the void in my heart Saga left behind while it goes on it's hiatus. Set in an exotically beautiful futuristic universe the story follows the path of two women each with their own diverging paths. Grix, the first character we're introduced to is a hardened and badass freighter pilot for a universe domineering corporation (sup Amazon). Vess, who we meet later in the first issue, is a mere girl from a dying planet, who has abandoned her home in search of her place in the world, in the form of a religious disciple. The two will come together, as things slowly crumble and things not seen before are suddenly revealed. There's gorgeous commentary on both sides of the story, and Ward creates these gorgeous splash pages that contrast our main character's wildly different origins while seemingly blending them together. The colors are bright and eyecatching giving the world of Invisible Kingdom even more life to it's pages. While I admit that G Willow Wilson isn't exactly one of my favorite writers, I acknowledge all the work she's done for comics. But her work on Invisible Kingdom has this beautiful sophisticated style, without being overly complex and I'm just loving it. Willow Wilson and Ward are a match made in heaven, the two of them are crafting a beautiful story that will be awe-inspiring to follow along from start to finish. [Comixology]

Orphan Age Ted Anderson & Nuno Plati - Post Apocalyptic books are my god damn jam. It's my absolute favorite genre, and when done right it can become an endless land of absolute opportunity. This is also my shameless plug yet again for a list of some of my favorite end of the world comics, and I'll continue to plug it because there are just some fantastic books on there you should be reading! Alright now back to Orphan Age! In a world where all adults have been wiped from the Earth, the children left in the wake of what's left are forced to structure a new world from the remains of one they barely knew or understood. Set twenty-some years later we'll be introduced to what they've made of said world. Except the problem with Orphan Age's world-building in the first issue, is that it doesn't exactly feel all that different. Things feel the same as any other apocalypse, and considering its a world built by children, I expected some creativity to an oversaturated genre. The most exciting part about the Orphan Age so far is the introduction of the series' antagonist, the New Church, a religious cult following, slightly reminiscent of white supremacists. While they don't do a whole lot in those final pages, I'm sure they'll be the driving force of Orphan Age's conflict. And therein lies the problem. There's a foundation there, but it's an extremely slow start. The creative team has created a very simple base for what could could turn into a complex narrative, and Nuno Plati's art ist just absolutely stunning, however I'm worried that with such a slow start most readers will simply wait for a trade collection. Maybe I'm just being a little harsh, but this series was one of my most anticipated new titles of 2019 and I just feel overly disappointed. Compared to Animosity, another post-apocalyptic series in the genre and also from Aftershock comics, Orphan Age just falls flat. [Comixology]

Ronin Island - Greg Pak & Giannis Milonogiannis - This book almost flew under my radar and I am so upset about it because it's just so good! We need more culturally diverse fantasy stories, and Ronin Island delivers that and more. Set in historic Japan this new series follows two young up and coming warriors. There's Kenichi, the son of a fabled samurai warrior, and Hana, a Korean orphan who while despite having nothing, not even a title to her name, has all the skills to make her a great warrior. Given their wildly contrasting personalities and backgrounds, Kenichi and Hana work as a foil to one another as both vie for the same goal in being their island's champion. Despite its historical background, there's a beautiful blend of fabled monsters and creatures that help drive the story forward. This book wears the influence of both Princess Mononoke and Avatar The Last Airbender on its sleeve, both with the help of Pak's storytelling and Milonongiannis' expressive art and characters. Hell, the first issue almost beautifully parallels the second episode of ATLA. Unlike a lot of series firsts, which are often bogged down with world building and exposition, Ronin Island's premier issue jumps right into the action, giving readers a fast-paced issue, with a world and backstories to be desired. Pak expertly crafts these answers into future issues, while still continuing to carry out the story in an engaging and action filled way. I'm personally a huge fan of Greg Pak, loving books like Planet Hulk, Batman/Superman and Mech Cadet Yu, and he's known for creating these diverse fantasies filled with representation, that everyone can see themselves in. Ronin's Island is just a fantastic treat of a new series wether you just want a great historical fantasy or if you're a fan of such series as ATLA or Studio Ghibli. Ronin Island is a wonderful all-ages story for the modern age. [Comixology]

FairladyBrian Schirmer & Claudia Balboni - FairLady is another series who's first issue I almost passed up on and now am glad I didn't. After a long tiring war is over what left is there for a soldier? Enter Jenner Faulds, a mercenary turned private detective as the world's first and only FairLady. Stuck with the case's no one else wants she'll be sent on a path of action and mystery. What I really like about Fairlady is that while there's an ongoing enigma and character buildup for our main heroine, each issue at its core is individualized and self-contained into its own story. This makes it great for both new and casual readers considering you could pick up an issue at any time and still follow along and enjoy it to the fullest. It honestly feels like watching an old-world fantasy version of Law and Order. The first page and how it blends beautifully into the title spread on the following pages was enough to grab me in. There's a lot of wonderful and unique pages, creatively crafted by Claudia, Balboni, including a full-fledged aerial crime scene investigation. Each page was just a joy to look at and while there were several methods of storytelling featured throughout the book, they blended together seamlessly without feeling counterproductive. The beautiful fantasy world of Feld, and the creatures and characters that inhabit it remind me a lot of Rat Queens. While I love Jenner, and how witty and badass she is all my love right now goes towards her partner who is literally this giant cat. He acts as her muscle and brute force in certain situations with a temper of his own and I just love him so gosh dang much. Either way thanks to both Schirmer and Balboni we've got some pretty fantastic leading characters. I can't wait to see more of their adventures in future issues of FairLady! [Comixology]

Thursday, May 2, 2019

Cover to Cover: Red Sonja

A majority of the comics in my collection, I've bought are because of my love for the cover. I'm a huge variant chaser, and gorgeous, eye-catching covers are one of the many things I love about the world of comics. So welcome to Cover to Cover, a new series of super casual posts where I'll be featuring my favorite covers. Each post will be dedicated to a specific character, theme, title or even genre. The possibilities are literally limitless. Of course, this is always about us, so let me know what kind of characters/themes you'd like to see in the comments below!

I figured I'd start things off with Red Sonja, the She-Devil of Hyrkania and light of my entire life. If ya'll aren't already reading Red Sonja you totally should be and ya'll know I have a recommended reading post for her in the works! Considering I have an entire short box dedicated to the character it shouldn't be very hard.

Now a character like Red Sonja literally has thousands of covers. Unfortunately, that's not an exaggeration in the slightest. Dynamite Comics typically puts out three to four different variant covers for the She-Devil (This totally doesn't include the black and white, or virgin variants btw.) I absolutely hate this sort of practice. That being said I'm totally a culprit of buying multiple covers for a single issue. I'm terrible I know.

It feels like everyone has had their hands on Red Sonja at some point. From Cliff Chiang to Amanda Connor, to Adam Hughes. There's a Red Sonja cover for everyone and I really mean that. This is a character that has the ability to be portrayed in such a wide range. There's been the classic comic takes, from her original creator Frank Thorne, to the more modern, pulpy style of Ben Caldwell.