(4,3 of 5 for decent comics with refreshingly interesting plots) I didn't expect much, but boy how I enjoyed this. The art is fine, it fits the light-i(4,3 of 5 for decent comics with refreshingly interesting plots) I didn't expect much, but boy how I enjoyed this. The art is fine, it fits the light-ish note of the comics (even if it tackles some heavy topics) and works well for static and dynamic scenes. And you get plenty of both here. I enjoyed the setting and plot, which was quite original to me. Yes, Kyle Starks uses some well-known tropes there and here, but the overall story is fresh and fun, there is also a lot of action and some lightened drama. Anyway, it's very energetic and immersive and I enjoyed it a lot. The characters are distinctive and interesting but easy enough to fit the atmosphere of this comic. How the story unveils and introduces new characters was the main joy to me, so I figure this won't stand repetitive reading very nicely, with that part of charm gone. But the first reading is great and I recommend it for anyone who likes action comedies. A lot of nice twists and, a lot of fun....more
(4 of 5 for getting kind of whole and new-ish nice story arc) This volume follows the timeline and stories from the previous one but starts right off w(4 of 5 for getting kind of whole and new-ish nice story arc) This volume follows the timeline and stories from the previous one but starts right off with a new story arc. And it manages to close it within the boog quite nicely. It's again more serious, thrilling and action-packed, but it was quite enjoyable. It moved and still carried on one previous storyline (I wish would finally close in the last volume). And I wondered how the change and obviously - Ferrier stepped in for Wiebe. I wish that happened sooner. Maybe even right after the very first volume. ...more
(3,6 of 5 for interesting dystopian future "big brute hero" adventure) I kind of get the rather low rating here on GR. The dialect (based on a very sim(3,6 of 5 for interesting dystopian future "big brute hero" adventure) I kind of get the rather low rating here on GR. The dialect (based on a very simple mechanism that the original use vanishes and the term shortened and changes by its phonetics; also a simplifying the speech) can be a bit annoying at first and if read in issues with plenty of time between them it must've been a pain to getting into. But as a whole, it works well. It's an adventure with pretty common tropes, but it works nicely, the duality of "dreams" and the reality of the main character is well done here and the art is, well, fine. It was a fun ride, nothing to remember, nothing innovative, but nicely executed and with some nice elements of worldbuilding....more
(3,7 of 5 for a nice anthology with a sour taste) I kind of expected a finish for what the second volume left open, but I got an anthology of various s(3,7 of 5 for a nice anthology with a sour taste) I kind of expected a finish for what the second volume left open, but I got an anthology of various stories from the life of all our immortal characters. Because of various writers (and artists), the quality of stories varies. Overall, it's good, but it's quite expected because making short stories for characters who live through multiple eras all over the world is easy picking....more
(4 of 5 for a nice next chapter in the "old guard" world) I really like the idea of Old Guard and I would appreciate more linkage of characters with hi(4 of 5 for a nice next chapter in the "old guard" world) I really like the idea of Old Guard and I would appreciate more linkage of characters with history. I got some of that with this volume, but also the very opposite of that. Because Andromache's "beginnings", apparently in late prehistoric times (stone age, considering her birth around 4700 BCE), are depicted more like from Conan the Barbarian than from human history. And that felt weird to me. Except that, the second volume retains the thrill and good action similar to the first volume, it's fun and enjoyable reading. It ends kind of on a cliffhanger, so I'm curious if the third volume addresses those "open ends" or not....more
(3,6 of 5 from this second-hand almost 800 pages long collection of horror-ish stories) Night Mary - I admire the pencil art here, the story is good, e(3,6 of 5 from this second-hand almost 800 pages long collection of horror-ish stories) Night Mary - I admire the pencil art here, the story is good, even if it didn't feel entirely "fresh and new", but it is fairly horror-thrilling. Little bit of stranger things science experiments vibe there.
XXXombies - humorish zombie-genre gore ride. The art is great, and the colouring too, perfectly fits this kind of story. Yes, it's a bit dumb and over the line, but this is just a "sit and enjoy the ride" style of fun.
Creatures - Teddy, the monster hunter is a funny idea. I can imagine it being part of hellboyverse, with a few tweaks. Of course this "alternative history" take is nothing new, Rick doesn't even dig deeper to create some lore, just a quick setup and some pre-defined encounters mashup. Art is fine, again reminding me of some from B.P.R.D. I liked it but it is a very "diet meal".
Sorrow - the "hills have eyes" kind of horror. A forgotten town in the middle of the desert where evil lurks welcomes some lost travellers. It's quite creepy, good horror and the B&W ink art works nicely for this. The finale wasn't as climactic as I would expect, but otherwise "lovely" horror.
Sea of Red - the art and the kind of monochromatic - red - style reminded me very much of another comic with a similar name and naval theme (but it included black slaves instead of pirate vampires). I love the "Joel Cameron" bit, that is a funny reference. The story is quite good, even if it suddenly escalates too quickly, losing its horror momentum. The art is fine and mostly works for this kind of story, but the action felt chaotic to me. And also, at first, I thought it would be some few-issues short story too, as in previous ones. And it could be, but then it moved on and moved on and eventually it span for like 14 issues. Except for the chaotic fight, something ste storytelling feels chaotic too. Like when the binding of a book gives up, then you collect the pages but you accidentally put parts of some chapters in the wrong place and also you apparently lost a few pages entirely... But except for this crudeness, the story is actually good. It doesn't feel much original, but it's interesting enough to hold me in despise the not-very-appealing art.
Well, it's obvious why most (well, all) of those stories were at the bottom of the drawer. But it is nice to get them to the hands of fans to enjoy the good parts of them. I would not consider reading this massive comic book a waste of my time. I actually enjoyed it. ...more
(4,4 of 5 for the finale which was over a top blast) Despite the rating, I consider the last book as great. I accepted turning the tide from sci-fi to (4,4 of 5 for the finale which was over a top blast) Despite the rating, I consider the last book as great. I accepted turning the tide from sci-fi to fantasy "free" so I wasn't bothered by any logic/science-based nonsense and just enjoyed the finale full of action and twists. Especially loved the rush of the main character to the generators, which has a brutal scenery and heavy atmosphere. I must say, even if it derailed from promising post-apo sci-fi, it was thrilling and enjoyable reading....more
(4,2 of 5 for a little bit of satisfaction and hope) Like the third book ended with a major and terrible cliffhanger and many outlooks went rather grim(4,2 of 5 for a little bit of satisfaction and hope) Like the third book ended with a major and terrible cliffhanger and many outlooks went rather grim, this part of the story finally brings a little solace. It's also thrilling and actionful. And with that end, this series could very easily finish, but I see how it felt kind of shoddy. So let's see what punches packs the last book....more
(4,2 of 5 for thrilling "spy action" from Russia and learning more about that connection) Kamchatka is good. It follows the sad destinies of a handful (4,2 of 5 for thrilling "spy action" from Russia and learning more about that connection) Kamchatka is good. It follows the sad destinies of a handful of people involved in events of ST on the Russian part. The art is great and the story is superbly thrilling. Great comics and a great addition to the show....more
(4,2 of 5 for 5 minutes of glory for Erica) Following up on D & D story, this one is about Erica making her way into the D&D game. It's a nice, lovely (4,2 of 5 for 5 minutes of glory for Erica) Following up on D & D story, this one is about Erica making her way into the D&D game. It's a nice, lovely "kid's adventure", sort of fable with a small lesson. And it works perfectly for the ninety-something pages - it feels just enough, which is surprisingly not a common achievement among comics creators....more
(4,5 of 5 for epic bittersweet finish) I really liked this finale. And the whole series too. It works best to read one volume followed closely by anoth(4,5 of 5 for epic bittersweet finish) I really liked this finale. And the whole series too. It works best to read one volume followed closely by another, I wish I had time to do that. But sweet, Orbital goes in the firm path of European sci-fi. Simple, rich, epic, thrilling and beautiful....more
(4,3 of 5 for a pitch of the grand finale of Orbital) I liked how things turned into this volume. The creators steered to the great epic finale but slo(4,3 of 5 for a pitch of the grand finale of Orbital) I liked how things turned into this volume. The creators steered to the great epic finale but slowed down a bit in expanding it and just focused to move forward and strengthen the bond between the reader and the main characters....more
(4,1 of 5 for Orbital going epic...) ... at least in events and discoveries. Once again, we got a nice epic climax, bigger than the previous one. I thi(4,1 of 5 for Orbital going epic...) ... at least in events and discoveries. Once again, we got a nice epic climax, bigger than the previous one. I think the author went a bit ballistic here - it felt like "let's flip the table and go Michael Bay now" than taking its "natural" path. But it was fun nonetheless. But now I feel more like "it should end soon". And Luckily, it will so let's go for the one before last....more
(4 of 5 for a nice Borne-like episode) At this point, there is very little to address except the story. Which I try to stay off most of the time. The s(4 of 5 for a nice Borne-like episode) At this point, there is very little to address except the story. Which I try to stay off most of the time. The story is still good and thrilling....more
(4,6 for a nice mix of artists and both topics more "Hellboy-ish" and "BPRD-ish") I admit - I don't like these big, open epics cataclysmic events. I di(4,6 for a nice mix of artists and both topics more "Hellboy-ish" and "BPRD-ish") I admit - I don't like these big, open epics cataclysmic events. I didn't like it back in the final frog days and sure I do not like it now. But here we are, and I know this is my personal dislike so I do not let it influence the rest of my opinion... ...because this book is great. We got Zinco and its plot, we got Fenix (which I detest very much and Arcudi likes to explore how much, but it's more the archetype/trope she's built on than based on the story itself, which is good). We got The Long Death, a very awaited story, the perfect end for one (well, more than one) line. We got Pickens County, excellent horror done very right with fitting art from Jason Latour. Great job indeed. We got J. H. O'Donnel, short but visually intriguing thanks to Max Fiumara, who also has a great Hellboy. And I loved Abyss of time. Awesome story with perfect art. Harren (who more resonate in Hellboy/Mignola's mood but still keeps me hinting at Guy Davies) did well on Long Death. But this, this is just a perfect fit. This one I will remember for quite a time. Of course, there is plenty of Tyler Crook in this book. It literally starts and ends with it. And he's great at his job on BPRD.
Reading this book was bliss. Well, the last 90 pages weren't that much, because they are just bonuses in form of sketches and pages (and a few covers, which I would love to have much more than any sketch). But luckily as with Mignolaverse is common (and not very common anywhere else), they have a sense and mostly they have notes. Interesting ones.
I look forward to the next one, but unlucky me, in reading order I skipped Hellboy Library 6 somehow and I do need to go back. And you can guess, I don't mind going back to that....more
(4,1 of 5 for this climactic episode) This reminds me of the pariah-heroic climax of modern sci-fi TV like Star Trek Discovery. Very engaging story wit(4,1 of 5 for this climactic episode) This reminds me of the pariah-heroic climax of modern sci-fi TV like Star Trek Discovery. Very engaging story with a very thrilling ending. And we're only half way trough. How this will continue? I look forward to the next book!...more
Stained (3,4 of 5 for this composite of other ideas which is fine to read) Even if I enjoyed reading it, this comic feels like when somebody does heavy Stained (3,4 of 5 for this composite of other ideas which is fine to read) Even if I enjoyed reading it, this comic feels like when somebody does heavy watching/reading and then, feeling inspired, starts to write his own comic. This is GitS Major, John Wick, and other already multiple used tropes from action-crime in quite a generic story. It's an easy read, and predictive, you can see how things are lined and not unexpected twists. The art is fine, maybe better than the story actually, which helped me to go through this comic....more
(3,8 of 5 for this simple but nice fun with various creators and various styles) I don't like Marvel/DC superhero series but I always try to read somet(3,8 of 5 for this simple but nice fun with various creators and various styles) I don't like Marvel/DC superhero series but I always try to read something, from time to time, which is a close thing or one-shots about my favourite characters. So this was an obvious choice, and it has a lot of my favourite creators (DWJ, Geoff and Stan, for start) and it is quite fun. I love Deadpool also because it's the character, who is expected to break the fourth wall, unlike other characters. And it brings me simple but nice fun, which the comic was basically about. Jaksemash. Good old time, yes, very nice. ...more
(4,2 z 5 za epický fantasy příběh s tengu a pár krátkých klasických Usagiho "setkání) Příběhy Usagiho v barvě, na kterou už jsem si docela zvykl, jsou (4,2 z 5 za epický fantasy příběh s tengu a pár krátkých klasických Usagiho "setkání) Příběhy Usagiho v barvě, na kterou už jsem si docela zvykl, jsou stále dobré. Válka tenguů je poměrně důležitý bod v Usagiho dobrodružství, i když chápu že její "fantasy" tón nemusí být všem po chuti. Stan se tu drží tradičních průběhů těchto hrdinných příběhů, takže zde opravdu není důmyslný děj, forma, protože jde o obsah - poselství. Další dva příběhy už jsou klasický "encounter" na Usagiho cestě, ať se jedná o dávného nepřítele nebo netušeného přítele. Obzvlášť ten druhý pak slibuje další zajímavá dobrodružství do budoucna....more
Dungeon monstres 3 (4,3 of 5 for wow, this is a surprising twist with two strong female characters) Well, maybe it's not the Dungeon universe who's exhaDungeon monstres 3 (4,3 of 5 for wow, this is a surprising twist with two strong female characters) Well, maybe it's not the Dungeon universe who's exhausted, maybe it's Trondheim and Sfar who are unable to figure out any fresh thing so they just attack the world with the exact same only from different directions over and over. Because what Nine and Killofer did with it, is exclusive. The first half is a story about Alexandra and it has so much Elektra: Assasin vibe. She's the pinpoint of this story, uncovering the character more from inside than in a descriptive way. We learn from her action, experience and choices in this pumped-up (fantasy) crime-thriller. The art is a bit messy for me, but it adds to the rushy chaotic feeling of the story. Nine does a great job to suck a reader in and involve his personal feelings in the story. On the other side, Killofer's story about the underwater kingdom brings nice art, but Tarantino style roughness and brutality. Murders, rapes, extortions, executions, scheming, it has it all. This is a very R rated thing. But it's really great - fresh, fun and kind of heavy. And it goes for it with a jump. A few pages and the characters are literally swimming in blood. AS Alexandra's story can be more like reading a book because scenes are blurry and uncomplete like when the images render the words you're reading and it's more about you being pulled in, story of the little "soldier of the accident" girl is like rough gangster Tarantino's movie or crime action straight to VHS movies. It doesn't hold back by any means. It repels you but same time keeps you interested. Maybe it's human nature, to be intrigued by this stuff, maybe the brain runs some routine like "Look. Don't look away. Just look. Maybe you can learn from this. From their mistakes. Learn something to keep us a little safer. So don't go. Look." This was excellent reading....more
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