Reviews- PRODIGY. VOL. 1: THE EVIL EARTH, PLANET OF THE APES ARCHIVE VOL. 2: BEAST ON THE PLANET OF THE APES, THE IMMORTAL HULK VOL. 1: OR IS HE BOTH?, and THE IMMORTAL HULK VOL. 2: THE GREEN DOOR

PRODIGY. VOL. 1: THE EVIL EARTH (Image, First Printing, 2019; Softcover)

Collects Prodigy. #1-6 (cover dates December, 2018- June, 2019)

I like Mark Millar. His stuff doesn't always fry my mind but there is usually enough of a hook to intrigue me enough to keep going. I'm not sure if I'm in for the next volume or not. This is close to his Nemesis series, and I enjoyed that one a lot more than I did this one.

PLANET OF THE APES ARCHIVE VOL. 2: BEAST ON THE PLANET OF THE APES (Boom, First Printing, 2017; Hardcover)

Collects material from the Planet of the Apes Magazine #1-11, 21 (cover dates August, 1974- June, 1976)

I am hoping that Disney buying Fox means that Marvel will eventually get the Planet Of The Apes license back and we can get proper, comprehensive reprints instead of Boom's arranged by storyline method of collecting. While these are nicely done books I prefer material to be collected in publication order. I'm glad that these were finally reprinted. They have since been falling out of print and are now commanding some money on eBay. I'm keeping mine.

THE IMMORTAL HULK VOL. 1: OR IS HE BOTH? (Marvel, First Printing, 2018; Softcover)

Collects Avengers #684 and Immortal Hulk #1-5 (cover dates May-November, 2018)

THE IMMORTAL HULK VOL. 2: THE GREEN DOOR (Marvel, First Printing, 2019; Softcover)

Collects Immortal Hulk #6-10 (cover dates November, 2018- February, 2019)

I had heard endless great things about this title, so when I saw them at the library I had to give them a spin. Wow! This is very similar in tone to the first six issues of The Hulk by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, only infused with modern sensibilities. The original take on The Hulk was Horror/monster-tinged, Cold War paranoia. This take is similar, replacing The Cold War paranoia with the horror of humanity and conspiracies involving our own Government, who seek to weaponize the methods which made Bruce Banner turn into The Hulk.

The Absorbing Man appears in the second book, and he is one of those villains that never ceases to make me smile when he shows up to fight someone. They have reissued both of these trades in one hardcover. I will pick this series up at some point in some format. Time and money are both in shorter supply these days for me when it comes to comic books, but this is a series that I would like to reread.

Review- DEAD MAN LOGAN VOL. 1: SINS OF THE FATHER, RELAY VOL. 1: REALITY DENIED, Questprobe #1-3 and Marvel Fanfare #33, THE MAGIC ORDER VOL. 1

DEAD MAN LOGAN VOL. 1: SINS OF THE FATHER (Marvel, First Printing, 2019; Softcover)

Collects Dead Man Logan #1-6 (cover dates January-June, 2019)

Good stuff that should have just been more issues of Old Man Logan. But hey kids, a new #1! I am trying to not bag on the industry, but these endless relaunches seem to be a case of diminishing returns and jumping off points for older readers without a mass influx of new readers. We are at a point where we should just go to cover dates instead of issue numbers.

RELAY VOL. 1: REALITY DENIED (Aftershock, First Printing, April, 2019; Softcover)

Collects Relay #0-5 (cover dates May, 2018- April, 2019)

Brilliant stuff. There has been no news of any more issues, which stinks. Let's hope that we'll see more sooner than later.

Questprobe #1-3 and Marvel Fanfare #33 (Marvel, cover dates August, 1984- January, 1987)

Computers were for nerds in 1984. My family being able to afford a computer in 1984 was as far fetched as my family being able to afford a rocket ship. Plus, what on Earth could we possibly need a computer for? The old world is pretty funny in retrospect.

I bought issue 2 off of the spinner rack in October of 1984. I still say that it was intended to be issue 97 of Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man and was recut at the last minute to include the Chief Examiner. Go back and reread it, you'll see what I mean. The portions that tie in are almost entirely on separate pages and seem spliced in. Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #97 was essentially an inventory story with little ongoing subplots. Questprobe #2 was way more tied into the current series with the supporting cast featured. Marvel Fanfare #33 was intended to be the fourth issue but was cancelled when the computer company who made the video game went bankrupt. It was released a couple of years later in that inventory story clearing house series.

THE MAGIC ORDER VOL. 1 (Image, First Printing, 2019; Softcover)

Collects The Magic Order #1-6 (cover dates June, 2018- February, 2019)

Magic seems to have been reduced from childhood fantasy to the dustbins of history. Children, with their home computers and surround sound television, no longer have a need for magic. Magicians used to be a popular thing at kids' birthday parties. Technology has killed magic.

This was good enough for me to buy a Volume 2 if or when it happens. I still like magicians and all that jazz.

Review- MY HEROES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN JUNKIES

MY HEROES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN JUNKIES (Image, First Printing, 2018; Hardcover)

Original graphic novel.

Writer: Ed Brubaker

Artist: Sean Phillips

Colorist: Jacob Phillips

Brubaker and Phillips are the Lennon and McCartney of Crime/Noir comic books. They have developed the type of creative partnership that most writers and artists can only dream of. Each new book is an automatic blind buy on my end. I don't even need to know what it's about, because I know that it will be worthwhile.

People who romanticize heroin addiction frighten me. I have known people addicted to it, and it's an absolute nightmare for everyone involved. I thought that this story might be a cautionary tale about heroin or a story abut addiction spirals. Instead it morphs into a crime story.

Ellie isn't exactly likable or relatable. She seems like someone best avoided the first time that you meet them. I guess that this wouldn't have been an interesting story if Skip was a smart guy to begin with, though. This problem is compounded by the fact that the reader is provided with no knowledge of Ellie or Skip bottoming out. They are just in rehab, where they meet. I get Ellie's fascination with dead junkie musicians and know the material being referenced offhand, but I imagine younger readers sitting there Googling names and listening to YouTube or Spotify to try and piece it all together and still coming up empty-handed. It's a bit of a plot crutch.

This is a quick read, clocking in at 72 pages. This is, in truth, the next Criminal book, albeit more of a standalone story than an outright continuation. It seemed weaker in my mind after making that connection. If it were listed as Criminal Vol. 8 I would have been less gentle in my criticisms, as Criminal is a high mark of 21^st century comic books. This is still worth a read, as Brubaker and Phillips are great and deserve your time and money.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 3.75 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.

Paper stock: This paper feels like the kind of paper you would find in a Dr. Seuss book. I can't recall any other comic book or collected edition which utilizes this paper stock.

Binding: Sewn binding for $16.99 MSRP? Yes please!

Hardback cover notes: Matte finish on the casewrap.

Review- THE ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN: COMPLETE COLLECTION

THE ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN: COMPLETE COLLECTION (Image, First Printing, 2017; Hardcover)

Collects The Astounding Wolf-Man #1-25 and Invincible #57 (cover dates May, 2007- November, 2010)

Writer: Robert Kirkman

Artists: Jason Howard with Ryan Ottley* and Cliff Rathburn* (*Invincible #57)

Colorists: Jason Howard, Fco Plascencia, and Ivan Plascencia

Life is a funny thing. You just never know. You can think that you have everything all sewn up nice and neat and then something happens and your life is forever changed. Something like...I dunno, being attacked by a werewolf and becoming one yourself.

The Astounding Wolf-Man, while having a supporting cast and recurring antagonists, is about Gary Hampton and his rise, fall, and redemption. This was both a double dip and a re-read and it held up extremely well the second time through. Sadly I have come to the realization that I will likely never reread any book that I own unless I double dip on an upgrade, since my OCD compels me to read every book that I buy, and I have so many unread books in my backlog waiting to be read.

You can see what I thought about Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3, and Volume 4 back when they were first released. Maybe I'll upgrade to another super duper deluxe edition and read it again someday. I really enjoyed this ultraviolent, fast-paced, action-packed superhero comic for the 21^st century.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 4.5 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.

Paper stock: Thick coated stock with a slight sheen.

Binding: Sewn binding. While the book block does flex so it lays about 80% flat, the square casing prevents 100%. Who ever thought that these super squared spines were any good? They look great on your shelf but dig into your hand when you are reading them.

Hardback cover notes: The image is printed on the the laminated casewrap.

Review- KILL OR BE KILLED VOL. 3

KILL OR BE KILLED VOL. 3 (Image, First Printing, 2018; Softcover)

Collects Kill Or Be Killed #11-14 (cover dates August- November, 2017)

Writer: Ed Brubaker

Artist: Sean Phillips

Colorist: Elizabeth Breitweiser

It's difficult to talk about this series without spoilers, but I will try to keep them to a minimum. Dylan supposedly imagined the whole thing, with the demon being the result of him being off of his psychotropic meds. With this realization (or his perception of it?) he decides to stop killing “people who deserve it” cold turkey, and you know what? Nothing happens. No demon. He doesn't die all of a sudden. Life goes on.

Dylan takes this opportunity to reevaluate his life and work on things that are important to him. Things like his female friend/ love interest Kira. This is where his recent past catches up to him, when the Russian mobsters have traced him to her place of employment. This spurs Dylan back into action as the masked vigilante and brings us to the end where we see...

...Sorry folks, I try to avoid spoilers. Let's just say that Brubaker likes turning things on end over and over.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 5 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.

The covers are collected in the back of the book, a major pet peeve of mine. While there is a blank red page which serves as a chapter marker for each issue, I dislike it when the covers aren't placed before the issues. Your mileage may vary.

Paper stock: Matte coated stock with minimal sheen. This is some fantastic paper.

Binding: Perfect bound paperback.

Cardstock cover notes: Matte coating on the cardstock which is remarkably resistant to scuffing. Image makes quality books these days, and I'm not just referring to the content.

Review- DIVIDED STATES OF HYSTERIA VOL. 1

DIVIDED STATES OF HYSTERIA VOL. 1 (Image, First Printing, 2018; Softcover)

Collects The Divided States of Hysteria #1-6 (cover dates June- November, 2017)

Writer and Artist: Howard Chaykin

Colorists: Jesus Aburtov and Wil Quintana

What happens when a member of the Left's old guard makes a comic about the divisive nature of politics in the 24/7 news cycle, echo chamber feedback loop social media world? The modern Left lose their collective minds, apparently. To be honest, I had no interest in reading this comic book until Joe Glass at Bleeding Cool threw a temper tantrum calling Chaykin a bag of meat that should be fired and condemning Image for not censoring their artists. It was hilarious and it has since been deleted, a shame since it was a textbook example of the complete lack of tolerance that the so-called tolerant modern Left have.

Like Chaykin, I am what is called a 'classical Liberal'. I guess that I would be considered a Centrist by modern political standards. Chaykin uses this series as a way to point out the glaring hypocrisy of the Left and the Right, and has stated that he expected that this series might get him arrested in the United States. Ironically, it was the Leftists calling for this to be banned and Chaykin to be fired. The virtual torch and pitchfork Internet mob was in full swing. The Left used to be the bastion of Free Speech and the arts but have since been brainwashed and now actively call for banning things that they disagree with. We are a notch away from book burning, folks, only this time it won't be the Right calling for it. Whoever is pulling the strings here is a genius.

The gist- In the not too distant future the United States is hit with another terrorist attack. Frank Villa is fired from the CIA for failing to prevent it from happening but is hired by a company known for operating private prisons. He is tasked with assembling a team to take out the terrorists. This “A-Team” of criminals consists of Henry John Noone, a black racist who killed nine white people, Christopher Michael Silver, a drag queen/ transsexual who murdered Iraqi diplomats, Paul Evan Burg, a money-hungry Jewish person who happens to poison people, and Cesare John Nacamulli, a mob hitman. All of these characters are stereotypical caricatures and are intended to offend you.

The story meanders along and ticks off every box of what is considered offensive while peppering the proceedings with a glimmer of insight. There isn't a single character in this book that anyone can identify with, relate to, or even root for. The majority of comic fans, none of which actually bought or read this book, called for it to be banned, saying that it went too far and shouldn't even be published. I say that the series didn't go far enough. There should have been more thought put into the protagonists and their motivations. The series should have been longer than six issues to make its point. The Internet would have exploded had this series continued beyond six issues, though.

Art is supposed to have an emotional impact on you. Art is supposed to inspire thought and conversation. It is not the job of art to make you feel comfortable or to reinforce your personal belief system. Chaykin uses every hot button topic of the day in a provocative manner, ironically ending up with the outrage that can best be described as life imitating art. The Divided States Of Hysteria is a cautionary tale told in the form of satire that nobody seemed to get the punchline of. Weep for this country, especially the youth who seem to have lost all objectivity.

That said, this series simply isn't very good. The writing isn't good, the artwork isn't good, and the coloring isn't good. The page layout is the most hideously over-rendered pile of gobbledygook imaginable. This series did not live up to the potential of its initial promise. It was boring and a chore to read. Like all faux outrage and virtue-signaling, this burned white hot for a minute and then was all but forgotten. Rinse. Repeat. And the beat goes on.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 2.25 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.

Paper stock: Thick coated stock with a slight sheen.

Binding: Perfect bound trade paperback.

Cardstock cover notes: Matte finish.

Review- FATALE: THE DELUXE EDITION VOL. 2

FATALE: THE DELUXE EDITION VOL. 2 (Image, First Printing, 2015; Hardcover)

Collects Fatale #11-24 (cover dates January, 2013- July, 2014)

Writer: Ed Brubaker

Artist: Sean Phillips

Colorists: Dave Stewart and Elizabeth Breitweiser

I quit buying the trades after Volume Four, as the double dip game was getting old back then. I've since quit that merrygoround of upgrade insanity. The first two-thirds of this book were a reread for me, and if you want to see what I thought about Volume Three and Volume Four, feel free to click the links.

We see everything tied together nicely in the fifth arc and are brought to a satisfying conclusion. Fatale is/was a fantastic series. This was easily the best thing that Brubaker and Phillips did...until I read Kill Or Be Killed.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 5 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.

Paper stock: Thick coated stock with minimal glare.

Binding: Sewn binding. I dislike the squared spine found on so many hardcovers these days. While they look pretty on your bookshelf they are less enjoyable to handle when you actually read your books. Does anyone actually read these books though? It seems like collected edition fans buy stupid amounts of them and they sit unread.

Hardback cover notes: Image printed on the casewrap. No dustjacket required. The coating on the casewrap is matte and is resistant to scuffing. 

Review- FATALE: THE DELUXE EDITION VOL. 1

The double dip is the bane of the collected editions fan's existence. The upgrade is a never ending chase to experience a story in the finest “fidelity” possible. It's the comic book equivalent of being an audiophile. Collected editions are a curse, but so too is the femme fatale...

FATALE: THE DELUXE EDITION VOL. 1 (Image, First Printing, 2014; Hardcover)

Collects Fatale #1-10 (cover dates January- November, 2012)

Writer: Ed Brubaker

Artist: Sean Phillips

Colorists: Dave Stewart

Since this was a double dip and reread, I turn you over to my reviews for Volume One and Volume Two of the trades to see what I thought at the time. This held up every bit as well on the reread years later.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 5 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.

Paper stock: Thick coated stock with minimal glare.

Binding: Sewn binding. I dislike the squared spine found on so many hardcovers these days. While they look pretty on your bookshelf they are less enjoyable to handle when you actually read your books.

Hardback cover notes: Image printed on the casewrap. No dustjacket required. The coating on the casewrap is matte and is resistant to scuffing.