Tears of a Lamb Volume 1

From the books I had in storage.

Title: Tears of a Lamb
Issue: Volume 1
Date: 2008
Publisher: CMX
Writer: Banri Hidaka
Artist: Banri Hidaka
Editorial Director: Jim Lee

High school romantic drama that starts light and builds into more serious issues as it goes. Kei Hasumi only wants one thing from her classmate, Kyosuke Kanzaki. She wants to get into his apartment. She's lost something, and she believes the apartment, when it was rented to a previous tenant, is where she misplaced her treasure.

It begins as something of a silly argument, with Kanzaki reluctant to show Hasumi his place because it was previously rented to his sister and still has all of her feminine decor. But as the story continues, additional layers of drama and misfortune are revealed about the two lead characters and their families.

The romantic direction is clear, but it's on slow-build, and the lead characters don't start off with much chemistry between them. The relationship between Hasumi and her older twin brothers does more for character development than here interactions with Kanzaki do.

This had a slow start, but it does do a good job of building some tension and complexity. Possible trigger warning: An eating disorder is a major plot point, and it's not always handled as sensitively as it could be.

Rating: 5.5/10

Small Town Type #1

 Finally back to the Random Stack of Unread Comics!

Title: Small Town Type
Issue: #1
Date: 2008
Publisher: Fat Cat Funnies
Writer: Ian Nichols
Artist: Ian Nichols

So, apparently I reviewer issue #3 of this series (here), but never got around to reviewing the first two. Fixing that now.

Small Town Type is Ian Nichols' reinvention of the Superman story. I love the visual style of the big moments in this opening chapter, but the dialogue in the small moments are equally captivating. The voice of the (so far, unnamed) main character is deep and real, and the little interactions of small town life give the story heart.


There isn't a ton of plot in this issue, but that actually works well, keeping the focus on the big event that initiates the classic hero's journey while developing the lead character through dialogue, internal monologue, and day-do-day interactions.

This is a great start to a story that feels comfortably familiar but still intriguing.

Rating: 9/10

Fatalysia #2

From the Random Stack of Unread Comics.

Title: Fatalysia
Issue: 2
Date: January 2008
Publisher Primeval
Writer: Liam Kemp
Artist: U!
Letterer: Chris Tabor
Cover: Myke Amend

A dark fairy tale with a classic gothic horror vibe. Susan lives in an isolated village surrounded by forest. Trapped in an abusive home, she is haunted by dreams of a mysterious scarecrow, and she has begun to believe that there is something awaiting her in the forest that is more than just the stuff of dreams.

Meanwhile, her father, the town butcher, is succumbing to his own brand of madness.

This was moody and intriguing, with a great look to it and an interesting group of characters. The story is developing slowly, and it didn't feel like I missed much by starting at the second issue, but it still did a nice job of getting me interested and building tension.

Rating: 7/10

Seductions

From the Random Stack of Unread Comics.

Title: Seductions
Date: 2008
Publisher: Aazurn Publishing
Writer: Gary Scott Beatty
Artist: Bill Bryan
Colorist: Gary Scott Beatty
Letterer: Gary Scott Beatty

The narrative in this vampire story starts off with something of a pickup artist vibe that was perhaps more of a turn-off in terms of sympathy for the main character than the author intended. Or perhaps not?

The gimmick here is that the vampire sleeps for ten years after each kill, so a lot of the book is quick flashes that manage to incorporate as many obvious cultural cliches from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s as possible into a couple of panels.

This is interspersed with backstory set in the 1500s that tells something of an origin story. The 1500s stuff is the best material by far, and provides the best character: the lost love-interest of that the vampire narrator now chases through an eternal existence of what felt like standard vampire angst.

The artwork looked great, but in spite of some attempts, this never broke far enough away from standard vampire tropes.

Rating: 4/10

Inbound #2

From the Random Stack of Unread Comics.

Title: Inbound
Issue: 2
Date: 2008
Publisher: Boston Comics Roundtable
Writer: Matthew Reidsma, Jason W. Salzarulo, Charles Schneeflock Snow, Kevin Kilgore, Rachel Maguire, Ron LeBrasseur, Jay Kennedy, Cathy Leamy, Justin Clibun
Artist: Matthew Reidsma, Shelli Paroline, Eric Haines, Kevin Kilgore, Rachel Maguire, Ron LeBrasseur, Jay Kennedy, Cathy Leamy
Editor: Dave Kender, Dan Mazur, Ron LeBrasseur, Shelli Paroline
Cover: Braden Lamb

Anthology from the Boston Comic Roundtable. Very nice collection with a good variety of stories, including a comic adaptation of Justin Clibun's true account of US soldiers in Iraq. There is a humorous science fiction story by Charles Schneeflock Snow and Eric Haines, as well as a silly tale of mad science called Too Many Robots by Ron LeBrasseur. Jay Kennedy and Matthew Reidsma each provide a different and unique examination of the superhero genre. There is also a very creepy dark fairy tale by Jason W. Salzarulo and Shelli Paroline, and one of Cathy Leamy's wonderfully quirky slice-of-life story, this one dealing with her sister living an alter-ego life. A wordless and surreal tale by Rachel Maguire rounds things out, along with a humorous fictional history of comics creators in Boston.

All of this was good, and I enjoyed the variety of styles represented here.

Rating: 8/10

Sky Pirates of Valendor #5

From the Random Stack of Unread Comics.

Title: Sky Pirates of Valendor
Issue: 5
Date: 2008
Publisher: Free Lunch Comics
Writer: Everett Soares
Penciler: Brian Brinlee
Inker: Alex Rivera, Keith Murphey
Tones: Jet Amago
Letterer: Steve Kuster
Editor: Amy Haley, Dave Haley

As Tobin Manheim and the crew of the Rogue's Revenge race to deliver their prisoner to the port of South Gate, the Temple of Khorii calls upon the full might of its fleet to blockade the approach to the floating island.


But Tobin is not out of tricks, and he's got one last favor that he can call in.


This was the conclusion to the current storyline, and it had some fun mass battle scenes between the sky ships of the Temple of Khorii and the returning (Yay!) Pirate Queen.

The more personal confrontation at the climax was fine for what it was, but would have been helped by a bit more depth and personality for the villain. Still, it delivered a fun moment and a satisfying end to the story arc.

Rating: 6/10

Sky Pirates of Valendor #4

From the Random Stack of Unread Comics.

Title: Sky Pirates of Valendor
Issue: 4
Date: 2008
Publisher: Free Lunch Comics
Writer: Everett Soares
Penciler: Brian Brinlee
Inker: Brian Brinlee, Michael W. Kellar
Tones: Jet Amago
Letterer: Steve Kuster
Editor: Amy Haley, Dave Haley
Cover: Brian Brinlee, Jet Amago

The skyship Rogue's Revenge comes upon a seemingly abandoned floating island, but when they attempt to claim salvage rights, they find themselves in competition with a crew of gnolls, and then fighting for their lives against a horde of zombies, controlled by a figure from Shyni's past.

The climactic fight scene was good,  but getting there involved a whole series of bad decisions by people who should have known better (heroes and villains alike). It also felt like some of this was resolved too quickly, although there was still plenty of plot left open at the end.

One thing is absolutely loved was the spectacular cover art by the Brinlee/Amago team.

Rating: 6.5/10

Dark Red #2

Back from an amazing vacation in Taipei and Palau, and back the Random Stack of Unread Comics!

Title: Dark Read
Issue: 2
Date: 2008
Publisher: Dark Red Comics
Writer: Lynn French
Artist: Lynn French
Letterer: Joanna McKenzie
Editor: Joanna McKenzie

Sarah MacAllister's introduction to the supernatural side of the city continues at a rapid pace as it turns out that a woman she's known since her childhood is deeply connected to the city's mystics.

Meanwhile forces are conspiring to release a plague of demons on the city, and the first attacks on the city's protectors have begun.

This issue really ups the complexity of the story, introducing new villains and new supporting characters, and extending the story beyond Sarah's personal experiences. By the end, there is a good established direction to the action, and the plot feels less scattered than at the start of the issue.

The photo-based artwork continues to be a visual treat, and I'm enjoying the worldbuilding.

Rating 7/10

Daredevil Saga

From the Random Stack of Unread Comics.

Title: Daredevil Saga
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Date: 2008
Writer: Ed Brubaker, Anthony Flamini
Artist: Michael Lark, David Aja, Gene Colan, Marko Djurdjevic, Paul Azaceta, Clay Mann
Editor: Ed Brubaker

This is a promotional freebie from Marvel Comics that recaps a series of Daredevil issues written by Ed Brubaker, centered around Matt Murdoch's Daredevil identity being exposed and Murdoch ending up in prison alongside the Kingpin and a whole rogues gallery of past foes. This recap book is, of course, loaded with spoilers for the actual comics.

I was pleasantly surprised at how well this book functioned. In spite of the nature of being a summary, there were enough details left to be filled in that it did do its job of getting me interested in reading the stories that it recapped. I was particularly impressed with Brubaker's ability to smoothly incorporate some of the more ridiculous classic villains into a modern noir story. It was fun to see serious takes on guys like Hammerhead, the Owl, Tombstone, and the Enforcers

The final few pages are devoted to a nice wordless showcase of Clay Mann's artwork and the introduction of Lady Bullseye.

This was an effective promotional item if you don't mind the spoilers.

Rating: 6/10

Bongo Comics Free-For-All 2008

From the Random Stack of Unread Comics via Free Comic Book Day 2008.

Title: Bongo Comics Free-For-All
Date: 2008
Publisher: Bongo Comics
Writer: Ian Boothby, John Bates, Chuck Dixon
Penciler: John Delaney, James Lloyd, Nina Matsumoto
Inker: Andrew Pepoy, Mike Rote
Colorist: Chris Ungar, Art Villanueva
Letterer: Karen Bates
Editor: Bill Morrison
Cover: Matt Groening, Bill Morrison, Mike Rote

Ashcan-format full-color freeby for FCBD 2008, containing three stories.

The first one features Bart, Lisa, and Maggie Simpson in their superhero identities as Stretch Dude, Clobber Girl, and Bouncing Battle Baby. It's a good quick-paced story that is pretty standard superhero fare, but it's loaded with good jokes and excellent comedic timing, so that the not-that-original plot never overstays its welcome.

The second story features Bart going on a "stink strike" by refusing to take a bath. Not surprisingly, he ends up discovering that there is someone in the household who is more than capable at beating him at his own game.

The third story is the strangest of the bunch. It's a manga interpretation of The Simpsons, really a parody of manga tropes, and much like the baseball game that it features, it's hit-or-miss. Some of the jokes are brilliant, while others felt mean-spirited or crossed the line into playing to stereotypes.

I did love Nina Matsumoto's manga interpretations of the Simpsons characters.

A mixed bag overall. It didn't have me ready to go out and buy more Simpsons comics, but it did provide some decent humor.

Rating: 5.5/10

Bored Angel

From the Random Stack of Unread Comics.

Title: Bored Angel
Date: 2008
Publisher: Aya Rothwell
Writer: Aya Rothwell
Art: Aya Rothwell

Cardstock minicomic with a hand-stitched binding.

Standing guard alone can be a pretty dull assignment for the angel in this nearly-wordless story, which is really just a clever setup for a visual punchline. The whole thing is done so adorably, and the spacing and expressiveness of the artwork is so good that it really works way better than it could be expected to.

Brought a smile to my face.

Rating 8.5/10.

Psycho Bunny #3

From the Random Stack of Unread Comics.

Title: Psycho Bunny
Issue: 3
Date: 2008
Publisher: Witches Brew Press
Writer: Michele Witchipoo
Artist: Michele Witchipoo

I will admit that I have a preference for Michele Witchipoo's other series, Babalon Babes (one issue is reviewed here) to her Psycho Bunny, but I appreciate the ability and inspiration that go into writing in two completely distinctive tones and styles.

Psycho Bunny is the ongoing series of adventures of a foul-mouthed and perpetually drunk rabbit who hangs around New York, avoiding paying his bar tab, and making his cynical observations about the world around him.

This is all very crude. Readers looking from some politically incorrect humor will find plenty here, along with the occasional bit of just plain gross-out. It's intentionally tasteless in such an over-the-top way that it can be fun, although I did think there was one bit that went too far over the line for my own tastes.

There are definitely some laughs to be had here, and the ongoing plot about Psycho Bunny auditioning for American Idol was a nice bit of satire.

Rating: 5.5/10

Wulflorne: Elegy For Innocence: The Coldest Winter

From the Random Stack of Unread Comics.

Title: Wulflorne: Elegy For Innocence: The Coldest Winter
Date: 2008
Publisher: Modsprocket
Writer: Mike Mann
Artist: Lee Cherolis
Colorist: Mike Mann

This is a minicomic introduction to what is intended to be a fantasy epic. The title character, a barbarian-type, attempts to save a woman who is lost in the wilderness from a bear. It does not go well, in the end.

I liked the artwork in this, which does a nice job of conveying the loneliness of the wilderness while still maintaining a minimalist look.

This is just a tiny piece of what will be a much longer story, and it sets the mood and tone well.

I was less thrilled by the use of heavily stereotyped gender roles from the opening dialogue of "A woman? Here?" to the contrast between the traditionally macho protagonist and the hysterically panicked and fragile woman. There were only a few pages to work with here, and the story showed no signs of breaking away from its tired set of tropes, which is disappointing because I feel like there is probably a lot more going on than we get to see in this small sample.

Rating: 4.5/10

Amulet Book One: The Stonekeeper

Brought home by the Kiddo from the school library.

Title: Amulet Book Two: The Stonekeeper's Curse
Publisher: Scholastic / Graphix
Date: 2008
Writer: Kazu Kibuishi
Artist: Kazu Kibuishi
Editor: Sheila Keenan

I read the second volume before I read this one (review here).

The story opens with a genuinely horrifying family tragedy, leaving a young sister and brother and their mom to seek a new life in the the home of the mom's eccentric grandfather. What starts as a creepy haunted house story quickly turns into a full-on fantasy epic, as Emily and Navin find themselves on a desperate mission to save their mom from evil forces from another world.

The first half of this is setup for what is coming, and it felt a bit hurried. Kibuishi is at his best in the fantastic worlds that he introduces in the second half of this volume, but once the momentum of the story starts building it never lets up.

The action in the last fourth of the book is really clever and intense, and there are so many great little details that help bring the world and characters to life.

The Kiddo is loving this series as much as I am, and we look forward to seeing where the story goes.

Rating: 8/10

A Prelude To Penemue

From the random unread comics stack. I got this from the author at Arisia 2009 in Cambridge MA.

Title: A Prelude To Penemue
Date: 2008
Publisher: Apex Publications
Writer: Sara M. Harvey
Cover: Melissa Gay

Not a comic. This is a chapbook containing a short story by Sara M. Harvey meant to act as a prequel and companion piece to her novel The Convent of the Pure.

The setting mixes some mythological high fantasy (nephilim and demons) with sword-and-sorcery spellcasting and some steampunk elements.

The opening, plunging right into the action, finds aristocratic nephilim Lady Hester Sloane in the middle of a battle between nephilim and demonic forces. True to her duty to defend the humans in her charge, and seeking to protect her human husband and their child, Hester rushes into battle alongside the warrior nephilim.

When things turn tragic, Hester must take a hard look paths that lie ahead and make a fateful decision.

This story packs a bunch of great characters and some impressive worldbuilding into a thin chapbook, along with some really great fantasy battle scenes. The action is nonstop in the first half, while the character development takes center stage toward the end.

This felt more like traditional fantasy than the novel it is linked to. Convent of the Pure has more of a steampunk gothic horror vibe. Still, this is a solid introduction to a fantasy world that has some familiar elements, but plenty of surprises and memorable characters.

Rating: 8.5/10

Warriors: Graystripe's Adventure

The Kiddo picked this one out this past summer at Barnes & Noble in Manchester NH. We've read two Warriors novels in prose form. This is our first time trying out the manga version.

Title: Warriors: Graystripe's Adventure
Date: 2008
Publisher: Tokyopop / Harper Collins Childrens
Writer: Dan Jolley, Erin Hunter
Artist: James L. Barry
Colorist: James L. Barry
Letterer: Mike Estacio, Lucas Rivera, John Hunt
Editor: Lillian Diaz-Przybyl

Originally published as three b/w manga volumes, this full-color collection tells the complete story of Graystripe's capture by the "twolegs", his life as a "kittypet", and his romance with Millie, who makes the decision to join in his attempt to escape back to his beloved Thunderclan.

Erin Hunter's world of feral cats is fun, and it has a an interesting level of depth, especially around the mythology the cats have developed, and those mythological elements play an important role in this epic journey.

There are plenty of encounters and dangers along the way, and the romantic elements between Millie and Graystripe are handled with only the occasional slip too deep into romantic trope territory.

The real strength of the story is Graystripe's internal conflict as he battles his doubts and fears that his time living with humans has somehow altered him so much that he may not be able to regain his warrior nature.

This conflict takes center stage as he is forced to decide whether he can possibly compromise his beliefs that all contact with anything to do with humans must be avoided.

This is an excellent heroic journey with character who experience many stumbles, but find a way to follow their quest to its end.

James L. Barry's artwork is excellent, and the vivid use of color brings the story to life in ways that weren't possible in the black-and-white manga version.

Lovely book and an engaging and satisfying story.

Rating: 9/10

Geraniums and Bacon #5

From the random stack of unread comics.

Title: Geraniums & Bacon
Issue: 5
Date: 2008
Publisher: Bella Razor Press
Writer: Cathy Leamy
Artist: Cathy Leamy

I love a good geeky autobiographical comic, and Cathy Leamy always delivers great stuff in hers (see here for my review of #6 in this series).

This issue opens with wedding dress shopping, well, observing it for fun, anyway, and it closes with bra shopping. In between, we get a suit of "War of the Roses Mecha", a rotted, deflated pumpkin named Senor Calabaza, freelancing, and the local gang of bike-modders. The opening bit is hilarious and awesome as the artist attends the annual Filene's Basement bridal gown sale AKA the "Running of the Brides". She's not planning on getting married; she just wants to be part of the chaos.

The roommate story of the rotten pumpkin is sentimental and fun, and the tale of the suit of armor is wonderfully surreal.

Cathy Leamy picks out great details to bring her stories to life, and they are always amusing. Also, that Charlies Angels tribute cover is awesome!

Rating: 8/10

Erstwhile: The Clever Farmer's Daughter

From the random unread comics stack.

Title: Erstwhile: The Clever Farmer's Daughter
Date: May, 2008
Publisher: Strawberry Comics
Writer: Gina Biggs
Artist: Gina Biggs

Gina Biggs adapts the story of the Clever Farmer's Daughter from the fairy tales of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm.

The daughter of a poor peasant tries to help her father by convincing him to appeal to the king for some land to farm. The young king becomes impressed with the girl's cleverness, and challenges her with a riddle to solve. If she succeeds, he will marry her and make her queen.

Unusually for the Brothers Grimm, there is are not fantastical and magical elements in the story, and relatively little violence. Velinda (the characters are unnamed in the Brothers Grimm version, but fleshed out and given names for the comic) uses her wits, with a sprinkling of ambition and a touch of ruthlessness to get what she truly wants from the King and secure her own happiness.

This is an enjoyable story to begin with, with multiple plot twists and turns, and Gina Biggs' illustration style is a lovely addition to the tale.

I'm definitely interested in checking out more of this series.

Rating: 8.5/10

The Eye of Aya

From the random stack of unread comics. I bought this minicomic directly from the writer/artist at one of the Boston-area conventions.

Title: The Eye of Aya
Date: 2008
Publisher: Aya Rothwell
Writer: Aya Rothwell
Art: Aya Rothwell

This is subtitled "Cartoons From Daily Life", and fits into that geeky autobiographical subgenre that I always enjoy reading. This was extra-fun for me because of the Boston-area references (both geeky and non-geeky): Anime Boston, the Boston Marathon, Haymarket, and Boston Comics Roundtable.

The sequence on film school was particularly amusing. Aya Rothwell's cartoon style manages to be expressive even in tiny drawings, and she does a nice job of capturing quirky moments.

Rating: 8/10

Salt Water Taffy 2: A Climb Up Mt. Barnabas

I picked up the first volume of this series at New York Comic Con in 2011, and reviewed it here. I proceeded to bring it as one of my recommendations when I was on a panel about all ages comics at Arisia the following January. The first volume was a fun story, which was very rooted in its coastal Maine setting. So I was rather amused to find the second volume on sale at Monument Books in the Aeon Mall in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. That's about as far from Maine as one can get!

Title: Salt Water Taffy
Issue: Volume 2: A Climb Up Mt. Barnabas
Date: 2008
Publisher: Oni Press
Writer: Matthew Loux
Artist: Matthew Loux
Design: Matthew Loux, Keith Wood
Letterer: Douglas E. Sherwood
Editor: Randal C. Jarrell

A leisurely family hike leads to a tale of an encounter with Barnabas, the monstrous hat-stealing giant eagle, who resides on the mountain bearing his name. And that mountain is a considerably less leisurely place for hiking.

Still, when their Dad's favorite hat falls victim to Barnabas, Jack and Bennie Putnam dare to make the ascent, encountering various unusual creatures en route to a confrontation with Barnabas himself.

This was a more linear story than the first volume, but there were sill plenty of surprises and twists. The setting blends fantasy and comedy nicely, and the Putnam Boys are fun characters with a comfortable interaction and distinctive personalities.

Matthew Loux's artwork is beautiful, and the pacing of his panels gives the reader a chance to appreciate the scenery, even when hiking up the most dangerous peak in Chowder Bay.

Rating: 7.5/10