Monday, November 7, 2016

Review- Halloween ComicFest 2016 offerings




Spidey #1: Halloween ComicFest 2016 Edition (Marvel, cover date December, 2016)

Writer: Robbie Thompson
Artist: Nick Bradshow
Colorist: Jim Campbell

This is a reprint of the latest in a long line of all-ages reboot/ retellings of the earliest days of Spider-Man, designed to get kids into comic books. The fact of the matter is that awareness of these characters is at an all-time high, and everyone realizes that the source material is the comic books. Getting kids into comic books should be simple. A character like Spider-Man should be an easy sell to kids, and yet they continually try to peddle a pandering, “kiddie” version when kids (like my son) know that this isn't the “real” Spider-Man and aren't interested. This title will be cancelled within 18 issues.

This latest mash-up of movie and comic continuity falls flat on its face. In the Ultimate Spider-Man re-imagining 16 years ago they created a lot of contradictory continuity to the main Marvel Universe. Continuity which was co-opted by the movies and accepted as canon by the civilians. This re-imagining does nothing to set this right. It's entertaining to a degree, but I will never understand why Marvel can't sell a regular Spider-Man comic book to kids.
Junk Food For Thought rating: 3 out of 5.



Harrow County #1: Halloween ComicFest 2016 Edition (Dark Horse, cover date October, 2016)

Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Tyler Crook with Owen Gieni (Tales Of Harrow County one-page back-up feature)

Everyone has been raving about this series, nearly calling it the second coming or Horror. After reading this, I'm not sure that this lives up to the hype, but it is intriguing enough to read more issues. My OCD homeskillet Ferjo Byroy has all four trades and has offered to loan them to me. I may have to take him up on it.
Junk Food For Thought rating: 3.75 out of 5.



Tomie: Halloween ComicFest 2016 Edition (Viz Media, cover date December, 2016)

Writer and Artist: Junji Ito

I am largely ignorant of Manga, more so in terms of the Manga sub-genre of Horror. While I dislike the right to left method of reading Manga, this was a decent enough read that it overcame this limitation. It's still not my cup of tea but if you are into Manga or Horror then this should be right up your alley.
Junk Food For Thought rating: 3 out of 5.



Black Eyed Kids #1 Black & White Halloween Special (Aftershock, cover date October, 2016)

Writer: Joe Pruett
Artist: Szymon Kudranski

Okay, now this is the real deal. A Horror comic filled with suspense and highly effective artwork. I did a quick peek of the artwork online after reading this, and I feel that Szymon Kudranski's artwork works better in black and white than in color. The color version seems to strip his artwork of it's moodiness. In any case this was a terrific read that makes me want to pick it up and read more.
Junk Food For Thought rating: 4.5 out of 5.



Haunted Mansion #1: Halloween ComicFest 2016 Edition (Marvel, cover date December, 2016)

Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Jorge Coelho
Colorist: Jean-Francois Beaulieu

I rode this ride when my family went to the Disney magic Kingdom near Orlando, FL three years ago. This is a fun read that I wouldn't hesitate to check out from the library and read for free.
Junk Food For Thought rating: 3 out of 5. 

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