Review- LADY KILLER VOL. 2

LADY KILLER VOL. 2 (Dark Horse, First Printing, 2017; Softcover)

Collects Lady Killer 2 #1-5 (cover dates August, 2016- August, 2017)

Writer and Artist: Joelle Jones

Colorists: Michelle Madsen

I borrowed this book from my local library.

Ho ho! We see a change of location and a change of circumstances for Josie and her family this time around. We also see the introduction of a major complication by the name of Irving, who sets everything on its head. The gore and the violence are turned up to 11, along with the plot developments and dark humor. This book has everything which made the first volume great, only more of it.

The artwork is a little different this time out but is still great. The coloring is worlds different, with Michelle Madsen replacing Laura Allred. Madsen uses more bells, whistles, and Photoshop gimmicks than Allred does but knows when to dial it down to a more “flat” look when appropriate. There are times when her color art looks better and other times where I wish Allred were still on board.

The story moves forward and is as tight as a drum. As with Volume 1, we have enough loose ends for another arc. That isn't on the horizon for the time being, as Jones is currently doing work over at DC, but you never know.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 4 out of 5.

The OCD zone- This is the part where I go into tactile sensations and materials used in physical media. Those with heart conditions, high blood pressure, or women who are pregnant should exit my blog at their earliest convenience, as their safety cannot be guaranteed beyond this point.

Library copies are fascinating studies in the durability of these books. I look at them like science experiments, as the average human handles their books like the Samsonite Gorilla when compared to how I handle my books.

Paper stock: Coated stock with a slight sheen to it.

Binding: Sewn binding.

Cardstock cover notes: Matte coating with spot varnish.

Review- LADY KILLER VOL. 1

I read the first issue in the Dark Horse Number Ones trade last year and was blown away by it. My local library has a pretty kickass graphic novel section and I was pleased to find this book there.

LADY KILLER VOL. 1 (Dark Horse, First Printing, 2015; Softcover)

Collects Lady Killer #1-5 (cover dates January- May, 2015)

Writers: Joelle Jones and Jamie S. Rich

Artist: Jamie S. Rich

Colorists: Laura Allred

I borrowed this book from my local library.

Lady Killer is the story of Josie Schuller, your average middle class housewife circa 1960 who has a side job. The Jackie Kennedy American post-war prosperity aesthetic and optimism is a fantastic contrast to the extreme gore and senseless violence that her side job provides. Josie is a hitman...er, I mean hitlady.

Like all working women who juggle family life with a thriving career, Josie is burning the candle at both ends trying to make it all work. She tries to compromise family life and scheduling with her hits and winds up making neither side happy. This is where her situation gets sticky for everyone involved.

Without giving away anything, this is a fun, fast-paced read high on style. Those with an aversion to excessive gore or black comedy would do well to stay away from this comic. If you can giggle at the over the top nature of the series then you will have a blast reading it.

Everything wraps up nice and neat at the end while leaving enough loose ends for further investigation of the series. The writing is solid, the artwork has a style that balances between nostalgic and modern, and Laura Allred's coloring is second to none.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 4 out of 5.

The OCD zone- This is the part where I go into tactile sensations and materials used in physical media. Those with heart conditions, high blood pressure, or women who are pregnant should exit my blog at their earliest convenience, as their safety cannot be guaranteed beyond this point.

Library copies are fascinating studies in the durability of these books. I look at them like science experiments, as the average human handles their books like the Samsonite Gorilla when compared to how I handle my books.

Paper stock: Coated stock with a slight sheen to it.

Binding: Sewn binding.

Cardstock cover notes: Matte coating.

Review- DARK HORSE NUMBER ONES 2017

DARK HORSE NUMBER ONES 2017 (Dark Horse, First Printing, 2017; Softcover)

Collects The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite #1, Lady Killer #1, Black Hammer #1, Dept. H #1, Briggs Land #1, Bounty #1, Harrow County #1, and Hellboy In Hell #1 (cover dates September, 2007- August, 2016)

Writers: Gerard Way, Joelle Jones, Jamie S. Rich, Jeff Lemire, Matt Kindt, Brian Wood, Kurtis Wiebe, Cullen Bunn, and Mike Mignola

Artists: Gabriel BA, Joelle Jones, Dean Ormston, Matt Kindt, Mack Chater, Mindy Lee, and Tyler Crook

Colorists: Dave Stewart, Laura Allred, Sharlene Kindt, Lee Loughridge, Leonardo Olea, and Andy Cotnam

I am a sucker for these value priced sampler trades. While I am admittedly old-fashioned in terms of my comic book tastes, I also like to see what's shaking from time to time. This book features eight first issues for six bucks. Even the tightest tightwad cannot resist such an entertainment bargain.

Gerard Way's The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite #1 is far too self important and self aware to be taken seriously. It is so slavish to the writing styles of Alan Moore and Grant Morrison that it's like a parody. Dry, dull, and sterile, it's as brickwalled and overproduced as you'd expect from the My Chemical Romance guy.

Lady Killer is a breath of fresh air, big on gore and big on style. It's a lot of fun because it's over the top without taking itself too seriously. Joelle Jones and Laura Allred are a formidable art team. I'm inclined to pick this series up.

Black Hammer is an interesting concept, ditto Dept. H. I would borrow the latter from the library for sure. Briggs Land smacks of “IP”. It seems to be a comic only so that the creators can sell off movie or television rights. Bounty is godawful in every way, shape, and form. The best thing that you could do with that comic is recycle it. I've read Harrow County #1 before, and it is entertaining. There is a lot of positive buzz around this series, and it's not unwarranted.

Recycle it! 

Hellboy In Hell...I've never gotten Hellboy, and the only work by Mike Mignola that I've enjoyed were his 1980s runs on Rocket Raccoon and Alpha Flight. Hellboy and Deadpool are two enduring popular characters that I have never gotten, and I am okay with that.

All in all, this is a real mixed bag read, and that's a good thing. Not everything has to be for everyone, and just because I dislike something doesn't mean that you will too. If anything, there's no reason for you not to grab this bargain priced book and see what's shaking for yourself.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 2.75 out of 5.

The OCD zone

Paper stock: Semi-glossy coated stock, which is fine for modern computer coloring.

Binding: Sewn binding.

Cardstock cover notes: Nice thick lamination.