New comic book Wednesday has come and gone. The dust at your local comic shop has settled. An eerie silence descends as you finish reading your last superhero book of the week. Now it's time for something a little more sinister. Welcome to Bagged and Boarded: comic reviews of the sick, spooky, twisted and terrifying!
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Bad Blood No. 2
The story of college student Trick, a cancer patient in remission, has just taken a turn for the bloody. After being bit by, and then poisoning, a vampire his friends fell to their fangs. Now he's out to find the blood suckers who killed his friends and make them pay. So it's time for a tour of Philadelphia's seedier bars with a vampire wannabe as his guide. Will he find what he's looking for in the city of brotherly love?
Bag it or board it up? I said it with Issue one and I'll say it again. This is one of the best comics being made right now. The idea, of a kid with cancer who's blood is acid to vampires, is unique enough. But the outlandish story is so filled with real, honest emotion that it's impossible not to care. Tyler Crook's illustrations in this book are some of the best of his career, and this is definitely worth a read.
Image may be NSFW.
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Apocalypse Al No. 1
Alison Carter is the type of private detective we love to read about. She saves the world from the hordes of evil and darkness. She carries a gun as she swims through the dream-scape. She deals with devils, zombies, psychos and sadists. And she's quirky and quick-witted while doing it. This first issue sets Al on the a new assignment into the heart of "Ultimate Darkness" itself.
Bag it or board it up? Even though a lot of the artwork involving the buxom Alison Carter is, well… gratuitous, and instills sexist ideals of the "adventuring woman" this comic still has a lot to offer. Alison Carter is a strong female protagonist, she's quick-witted and sharp-tongued in a way normally reserved for the Spider-Men of the world. She doesn't take any crap. She's not afraid to point out your stupidity. The writing of her character is great, but after the third close-up we get the point. That all being said, this is a fun romp through supernatural territory seldom seen.
Image may be NSFW.
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Baltimore: Chapel of Bones 2 of 2
'Baltimore' tells the tale of Henry Baltimore, a one-time solider during the great war, and now a one-legged, sword swinging, vampire hunter. He's traveled long and hard to find the vampire that ruined his life, and now, in an attic of a small tavern, he's found his quarry. In this epic final showdown we not only see the result of all Baltimore's hard work, we also see what lies ahead for the poor, run down hunter.
Bag it or board it up? Even if you've never read anything by comic author Mike Mignola, you should pick up issue one of two and this issue and read these two comics. A tightly wound, wonderful little store full of dark omens, vile creatures, and escalating danger. If you like this sort of thing (early twentieth century vampire hunters) you'll love 'Baltimore.' Check it out, it definitely deserves your attention.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Lobster Johnson: Get the Lobster 1 of 5
Another Mike Mignola creation graces comic book shelves this week. Moving on from Henry Baltimore's grim, plodding tales of vampires and long-lost loves, we get 'Lobster Johnson.' Think of Johnson like a goggle-clad 1930's Batman that shoots to kill. This bad-ass vigilante comic is full of explosions, gangsters, gumshoes and gunshots. This storyline we see two wrestlers who go on a killing spree, attracting the attention of the police and Lobster Johnson.
Bag it or board it up? Whoa, this is crazy even for 'Johnson' comics. Full of big personalities and a seedy, shady plot, this comic amps up the action. If you've read these comics before and they didn't appeal to you, it may be worth checking out this issue. It's so manic, so fast-paced, and so full of twists and turns that even the non-believer will be converted. And as for the believers? Hang on to your goggles!