Dudes and Dudettes, Bros and Broettes! Summer’s upon us and that means good and bad things to vibe over. Sun tanning at the beach and checking out the beach bunnies (good) while unfortunately dealing with triple digit heat and humidity (bad) but that’s life I suppose! So getcha beach towels and your sunscreen and head to the beach with some radical tunes to have a good time! In the mean time, here’s some reviews to check out my Dudes and Dudettes!
Warning: Potential Spoilers Ahead
Covery by Raid71
When I learned of this book courtesy of Matt’s promo work on Social Media in the lead up to the 4th issue’s successful Kickstarter, I got curious. Said curiousity got filled and I knew then and there I needed to check this title out and luckily… Mr. Garvey had thoughtfully included a print catch up tier on the 4th issue’s Kickstarter. Yay! Our man Jake Wilson is a man with nothing to lose and because of that, he’s come to a decision. One that normally, no one would make considering its Damnation but he’s willing to go early regardless. He’s also bringing a hammer with him too! These two things are what got me wanting to read ITAHTH and once I finally did… I didn’t want to stop until I got to the last page of the 4th issue.
Which has me wanting more considering what Matt’s seemingly got in mind! So yeah, I enjoyed the absolute shit (pardon my language) out of this story. I love that Matt doesn’t waste anything through out this series, he is straight (something I appreciate a great deal of) to the point from A to Z and Mulele Jarvis’ art with Fabi Marques’ colors captures it all perfectly. And yes, that includes the gory stuff, folks. He easily could’ve done the first issue as the origin story for our boy Jake Wilson to show us how and why he got to a point that he was willing to go to Hell early instead of just waiting for the Collection Agency to show up.
But Matt didn’t do that and again, I appreciate it as I feel it made this book all that much more enjoyable. Now, yeah, we do get a little here and there to show us the how and the why but all that’s spread through out the 4 issues. And it makes me wonder if Alison choosing to leave him made him ultimately regret who he chose to live in return for his Soul. Or any guilt he clearly felt just finally tipped over the edge and goes on a trip to Hell complete with a hammer. Now I know the premise of a man willingly going to Hell with a Hammer to beat the crap out of the Devil with is a bit silly and shouldn’t work but it does work.
Its not treated as crack or what have you. No, Matt writes the entire thing very well. Even showing us that the Angels can be a little disappointing themselves and treating curiousity like its a Redheaded stepchild. How that’ll play out in the future is something I’m curious to see and if whether or not Uriel will join Jake’s crusade considering the unfair way he found himself down there. I like that we even see a reunion between Jake and old friend Dave. Who isn’t necessarily too pleased to see Jake but is at least willing to help him out when he’s ripped apart numerous times in his quest to get to the Big D himself.
Even if it does probably give Dave a sense of enjoyment to use his know how on Jake in order to see him get ripped apart again and again after being put back together.
Jake’s fight with the Golgothan is something I did feel have an anticlimactic ending too but its amusing and a bit silly at the same time. But it is a helpful reminder that not every slobber knocker has to have some big ending as we’re typically used to seeing from Hollywood. There’s even a moment in this series (3rd issue) that I felt was particularly poignant and shows just how damn good of a writer Matt is.
We don’t know who or what is speaking with Jake in the Caverns of Desolateness but we can tell it clearly has an effect on our man. Especially with what he does next once he’s able to get to his final destination. But I will say that Mulele captures the expressions Jake shows damned well while the Voice is telling him things only meant for him to hear. Things we don’t get to see as its a silent scene but we still have an idea of what’s being said to have such an impact on our Hammer Man. That whole scene is just powerful to me and I’m curious to see how well it’d be adapted for a TV show or Movie.
We readers also get to see the culmination of everything Jake’s put himself through and Matt doesn’t disappoint where the rumble with the Devil’s concerned.
But I have to wonder if there’s more than we realize going on here or if what we see is exactly as it looks. Why the Angels choose the moment they do to make themselves known is another thing I’m curious about and if whether or not they will end up regretting coming down there! There’s no telling when Matt’ll be back to work on a continuation for ITAHTH but hot damn I look forward to the day that 5th issue will be out for the world to read!
Editor’s Note: Matt also currently has a Kickstarter going on right now called Kickstarting Your First Comic, a guide for those looking to start up their first Kickstarter for their comic! The project has 32 days to go with 3,110 already donated to the project’s 670 dollar goal! If you haven’t yet, make your pledge today!
I Took A Hammer To Hell (Story So Far)
Garvey Comics
Written by: Matt Garvey
Art by: Mulele Jarvis
Colors by: Fabi Marques
Variant Covers by: David Cousens and Mike Hartigan
Reviewer: Rob Wrecks
Summary: Jake sold his soul. But instead of waiting for Hell to collect, he tapes a giant hammer to his hand and storms the gates of the underworld. No begging. No running. No redemption. Just pure, hammer-wielding vengeance.
Shentu #2
Tortoise+Hare Comics
Written by: Allen Wu
Art by: Davi Hallyson
Letters by: Tomy Lynott
Cover by: Haining
Variant Cover by: Alexandra Bustos
Reviewer: Rob Wrecks
Summary: Beginning in ancient China, an immortal rabbit girl outlives her loved ones again and again on her centuries-long quest to recreate the elixir of life.
I was given the opportunity by one Allen Wu himself last November to check out the first two issues of his title, Shentu. Which centers on an Immortal Rabbit Woman with the titular name ‘Shentu’ as she travels thru Ancient China and witnesses the rise and fall of multiple generations thanks to said Immortality. Which, as we see in these two issues, when you have all the time in the world thanks in part to keeping a means of Immortality from a bad guy, the passage of time isn’t exactly something you pay attention too. Especially if you’re of a single minded focus like Shentu is where finding her old mentor Chang’e (Certified Moon Goddess I might add) after she was abducted by some punk named Kang.
Tho where Chang’e is at this point in time considering its been centuries… Is anyone’s guess but Shentu is still in search of her. Along with looking for ingredients to re-create that means of Immortality I mentioned earlier. Only Shentu plans more on using it for the healing properties it contains and quite a few are in desperate need of it that’s for darn sure!
Now when Allen sent his email to me and I read the info about it, I thought Shentu was gonna be an Anthropomorphic Rabbit Woman. But as I learned once I ‘opened’ the book up (yay digital!) and saw what was what, that line of thought wasn’t the case. As sure, she’s got Rabbit Ears but she’s basically a Human Woman in appearance. Now that kind of disappointed me a little but Allen’s writing and Davi Hallyson’s art/colors in these first two issues got me over that. Along with thinking that perhaps an Anthropomorphic Rabbit Woman in Ancient China probably wouldn’t go over well with the people of the time. Even if she is something of a healer and all that.
Apprentice and the Master!
Of course, I could always be wrong! The lack of T and A in the art is also really nice and appreciated as its not always needed. I’m also liking that even for an Immortal Rabbit like Shentu, even she can run into someone she likely never thought she would see again. Which… Is as joyful as it is bittersweet and if folks have read these two issues by this point, you know what I’m talking about.
And interestingly, she has another reunion with someone she wasn’t expecting either. Well… To a certain point anyway and it makes me wonder if things ultimately will be different or if the past will repeat itself in some way. I like that from the looks of things, this isn’t a mini-series as Allen has plans for quite a few issues in this world of his and the successful Kickstarter for the anthology Memories of Spring is one of those and takes place after the second issue. Which that and the issues after is something I’m looking forward to seeing more of when the time comes as I’d like to see where all he takes Shentu.
Even if it will be bittersweet considering the downside of Immortality and the rather limited lifespan of a Human being in comparison and if whether or not it’ll cause our gal to slip into madness.
Editor’s Note: Shentu is available in both print and digital format!
Hunters Of The Outer Realm #1
EXO Comics
Written by: C.J. Hudson
Art by: Collin Fogel
Letters by: Buddy Beaudion
Translations by: Dariru
Logo and Design by: Rob Jones
Reviewer: Rob Wrecks
Summary: When a crew of rogue planet raiders stumbles upon a nightmarish alien entity, reality itself twists against them—warping time, space, and their very sanity in a fight for survival. Follow Amaan, a poverty-stricken father and husband from 2251 Earth, who at the end of his ropes, joins forces with a band of illegal big game hunters looking for one last big score! All they need to do…is stay alive! But when a routine hunting expedition descends into chaos, Sarka’s raiders are forced to test their loyalties to survive the horrors of planet HERIO, with Amaan caught in the crossfire!
Sooooo let me start off by saying that I probably should’ve been in bed at the time of writing this a couple weeks back but some research and wanting to talk about Hunters Of The Outer Realm (HOTOR or Hunters) after reading it is pretty much taking the priority here. And wouldn’t be the first time I’ve stayed up later than I should when I have work the next morning. But anywho! C.J. Hudson (whose work thru BoB I’ve covered in the past) recently had some crowdfunding success with this first issue of HOTOR, which is a mix of Sci-Fi, Action, and Adventure goodness for fans of awesome stuff like Starship Troopers, Aliens, and a desire to be a big game hunter of alien creatures. Even if it is probably a little on the illegal side.
But our boy Amaan of 2251 Earth is willing to ignore that in order to provide for his family as they and others their time period are dealing with hard times. Something legendary Dusty Rhodes himself knew a thing or two about back in the day. Course, he probably never had to deal with a runaway pet Pig that oh so unhelpfully ruined a piece of equipment Amaan needed to bring home the bacon.
Hard Times!
Pun not intended there! Which… Leads our boy to making a decision to join a hunting crew with their sights set on another planet for their money making gains. Though I kinda think if Amaan knew how things were gonna go down, he might have decided not to sign up! Or he might have and just used that knowledge to his advantage. Who knows! Only C.J. does if he’s put any thought to that! Now, you would think hunting alien critters on another planet would be rather easy despite some dangers that would obviously be present, right? And well… If it was that easy, we wouldn’t have a story to read. Though Amaan and the crew he joined would likely say that they would’ve preferred things real easy!
I’d also like to think that this book serves as another reason for why greed is a very bad thing as it can unfortunately over ride your common sense. Something I’m sure Sarka will keep in mind if she survives this entire thing. Who… Weirdly enough for a hunter of exotic critters, has some thick hips and a fellow team mate has something of a similar design if I’m not mistaken. An odd design choice in my view from C.J. and artist Collin Fogel.
Amaan and Sarka!
As you’d think that would be something that would be more of a detriment in addition to the two’s other assets. Though I suppose they felt a little T and A was needed for whatever reason despite it not exactly being the greatest fit. But that, and one particular speech bubble being done in black and making it a little hard to read are my only complaints I have about this first issue. Now, while thinking on it, I imagine the gear Sarka and the fellow team mate are wearing could compensate for any issues their assets might cause them. Anything is possible in Sci-Fi after all! Or perhaps I’m just over thinking that whole thing.
A leading lady of Hunters!
I’m also rather curious about the very informed stranger our Hunting Heroes encounter and how much of a role he’s going to play in coming issues. Especially where the apparent very REAL danger that the Rozmer is.
Said Rozmer of course being what’s got our gal Sarka’s eyes seeing them dollar signs and ignoring all the danger signs that even Darkwing Duck himself would stay far away from. I imagine even the others on the team wouldn’t be all that thrilled with her behavior considering its some very dumb behavior that could get them all killed. Now what Amaan does around the end of this issue though… While its understandable to a point as he’s got a Hell of a reason to be freaked out of his mind after his experiences with the Rozmer, I can easily see his decision coming back to majorly bite him in the ass big time.
Momma never said there’d be days like this!
Unfortunately, while I am very eager to see where C.J. and his team are taking this series given the ending of the first issue, there doesn’t seem to be any news on when a Kickstarter for the second issue will happen. Likely either because work has yet to begin on the second issue or because of other work commitments he and his team have for the time being. But I am more than willing to wait centuries for the second issue!
Editer’s Note: And speaking of issues, the first issue is available right here!
Out Of Alcatraz #3
Oni Press
Written by: Christopher Cantwell
Illustrated and Lettered by: Tyler Crook
Reviewed by: Rob Wrecks
Summary: As the threat of discovery draws too close for comfort), the escaped convicts and their secretive handler are forced to pull an unplanned hit—or risk tipping off the Feds. Frank and Clarence are reluctant, while the mysterious woman orchestrating their escape is willing to do anything to preserve her own freedom . . . and even the best-laid plans begin to erupt into a smoldering inferno of blood and betrayal. . .
So its the good ol’ 1960s (and certain attitudes and the like of the era are NOT being sugar coated) and the Anglin boys (John and Clarence) and chum Frank Morris have successfully busted out of Alcatraz. Granted, there’s a hiccup or two along the way to bustin’ out the joint with an unexpected loss happening given the night these boys free themselves. But congrats! The boys minus one (2 actually) get themselves to land! And though the era isn’t that of our here modern day era of instant communication and the like, our Jail Birds have still got to be careful thanks to sudden fame!
Even if there is a belief by some that they didn’t make it. Which means not rocking the boat in one particular Lawman’s eyes.
As not rocking the boat means less of a spotlight on him and a fellow former Lawman and all the Hell that said spotlight could unleash on those two in particular. Now through out the first 3 issues (thank you Grim’s Fiction for introducing me to this book to begin with!) we see our Jail Birds being aided by a lady we don’t necessarily know much about but I’m going to call Ms. Wheels. Now its alluded too she’s of mixed race and that seems to be one of her reasons for being involved in helping our Jail Birds out.
Which involves a job by a mystery individual only she has contact with. What said job is however, is also a mystery but it does seem to involve quite a few years worth of time. Now… Through out this series so far, you would think the boys would be careful and let Ms. Wheels handle things. Sure, its understandable to want to be out and about after being locked up for some time but that’s why you ask the nice lady to help out so you don’t have to do it yourself and potentially complicate things. Because who needs complications, right!? Not this trio for sure! Unfortunately, a complication does happen and it involves greed as we see in the 3rd most recent issue.
Because if an old crusty white man can’t have it all to himself, then no one should. Gotta love it! One of the things I love about this book is the expressions on the characters faces. Tyler Crook does an amazing job with that through out this series and I am looking forward to more of that. I’m also liking how he keeps the coloring minimalistic as well as its only fitting for a story like this.
A story that Christopher Cantwell continues to draw me into as I eagerly look forward to seeing what he has in mind next for our characters. Even the Lawboys given the uhh… Little something they got on the side. Now its not illegal but given the time period it might as well be! Hence, why no need for a spotlight and why one of the men (good ol’ Bob) wants to run away and live in the middle of nowhere so he and Cy can live in peace and be themselves. Which… Is so sweet it could rot teeth! Which is why its important to take care of your teeth! Now, I’m liking the fact that our Jail Birds aren’t too keen to help out Mr. Greedy, sadly though, Ms. Wheels is of a different mind about the whole thing.
But its understandable given she’s not looking to get a spotlight on herself or the boys! Though what the consequences are going to be where Mr. Greedy’s request is anyone’s guess aside from Christopher and Tyler. I know one thing, its bound to be messy and serving to cause more problems! Not to mention the fact that someone else aside from the Lawmen are hunting our trio and what this individual intends to do once he catches up to them is anyone’s guess.
Something I’m looking forward to seeing along with everything else going on! If you’ve been sleeping on this story, now’s the time to wake up and grab yourself a copy!
Editor’s Note: The 4th issue is out this week on the 25th!
