Comic Review: Little Monsters #1 from Image Comics

Little Monsters #1

Published: March 9, 2022

Writer: Jeff Lemire

Artist: Dustin Nguyen

Series: Little Monsters

Diamond ID: JAN220067
Age Rating: M
Genre: horror

Image Comics
BUY Cover price: $3.99
They are the last children on Earth…who also happen to be vampires. For longer than they can remember, these child vampires have lived a life of eternal wonder amongst the ruins of humanity. But shocking events fracture the group and set them on a path of discovery that will shatter their innocence forever.

Color me curious, even though this comic is in black and white. I love the touch of red on each page as a visual reminder of what these kids are. Little Monsters issue #1 introduces us to 8 children living in the ruins of L.A. We don't know why the world was destroyed or how/why these kids are running around yet. And they don't seem to remember much either. Their existence is playing children's games and waiting for the Elder to come back.

Jeff Lemire describes it as "Lord Of The Flies meets child vampires." It is a character-driven story about what it would be like to be an eternal child. He says this is not a horror story. 

I'm looking forward to what "event" changes their lives and destroys their innocence. This appears to be a coming-of-age story but without the aging part. I'm expecting some pull-at-the-heartstrings moments as these kids venture into their unknown world.

4 "vampire" Sheep

SharonS

Comic Review: Bloodshot Reborn issue #17 & #18 from Valiant Comics

 

BLOODSHOT REBORN #17

Written by Jeff Lemire

Art by Mico Suayan 

$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+

September 28, 2016

Valiant Comics

Terror by twilight on BLOODSHOT ISLAND!

Trapped in a remote jungle paradise with no hope of escape, Bloodshot has discovered the secret behind the merciless technological monstrosity called Deathmate – and the truth has thrown his entire world into a tailspin of tragedy! But what revelations behind Project Rising Spirit’s horrific creation could bring even Bloodshot to his knees…and forever shatter the spirit of the man known as Ray Garrison?

New York Times best-selling writer Jeff Lemire (Moon Knight, Old Man Logan) and blockbuster artist Mico Suayan (BLOODSHOT REBORN) push their bloodstained rumble in the jungle past the point of no return with a shocking chapter that will leave the Valiant Universe reeling for years to come!

BLOODSHOT REBORN #18Written by Jeff Lemire
Art by Tomas Giorella$3.99 US | 32 pgs. | T+ 

Oct 5, 2016

Valiant Comics
“BLOODSHOT ISLAND” sails into the sunset with a sanguine-stained epilogue!

Ray Garrison and a battered team of survivors have made their escape from BLOODSHOT ISLAND…only to drift straight into shark-infested waters! Marooned in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with no defenses except the relentless will to survive, will the highly trained team of killers aboard this life raft band together…or throw each other to the prehistoric predators below? And, if they don’t kill each other first, will mother nature finish the job?’’

With “BLOODSHOT USA” on the horizon, it’s time to sink or swim as New York Times best-selling writer Jeff Lemire (Moon Knight) and rising star Tomas Giorello (Batman & Robin) toss Valiant’s band of nanite-fueled soldiers into the deep end!

Review

I love me some Bloodshot! He's a sexy "nanite -fueled" beast, their words (okay, I added the sexy beast part, but you can't tell me it isn't implied) The closest comparison I can think of for Valiant's Bloodshot character is a combination of Marvel's Deadpool (healing abilities) and The Winter Soldier (lab-created assassin) both also sexy beasts. Any way...There are lots of jumping in places for the Bloodshot series and if you want a run down of the universe then check out the Valiant Universe Handbook 2016. You can get caught up on ALL the awesome from Valiant. Don't even get me started on Ninjak...who is getting a live action show that will feature Bloodshot!

I've popped in and out of this series when I can. What got my attention was the awesome cover of issue #18. Bloodshot vs Sharks?! Sign my nanite-loving a** up! Issue #17 tells what Bloodshot is doing on an island and why he's being watched by those in charge of the Bloodshot program. At the end he meets up with other Bloodshots from different eras! Even a Bloodshot dog! I can't wait to find out his story. In issue #18 they are trying to get off the island on a raft and the typical male bonding goes on while they tell their stories, except the dog, who can't talk as far as I know. And of course there are sharks. And they aren't the apex predator in the Bloodshot world.

The comics are violent and mixed with some great snarky humor from our anti-hero. I love the art styles of all of Valiant's comics. In the case of Bloodshot there are rich saturated dark colors with heavy shading which fits the tone of the story.

I love me some Bloodshot! 

5 "nanite-fueled" Sheep

SharonS

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Valiant Entertainment is a leading character-based entertainment company that owns the largest independent superhero universe in comics. With more than 81 million issues sold and a library of over 2,000 characters, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Harbinger, Shadowman, Archer & Armstrong, and many more, Valiant is one of the most successful publishers in the history of the comic book medium. Today, the company’s characters continue to be forged in publishing, licensing, film, video games, and beyond. Valiant consistently produces some of the most critically acclaimed comics in the industry and has received numerous industry awards and accolades, including a Diamond Gem Award for Comic Book Publisher of the Year. In 2015, Valiant announced a multi-picture deal to bring Bloodshot and Harbinger to the big screen as feature films.

Comic Review: The Valiant #1 (of 4) [Valiant Next]

THE VALIANT #1 (of 4) [VALIANT NEXT]
Written by JEFF LEMIRE & MATT KINDT
Art & Cover by PAOLO RIVERA (OCT141678)
Interlocking Variant Cover by JEFF LEMIRE & MATT KINDT (OCT141679)
Variant Cover by FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA (OCT141680)
B&W Sketch Variant by PAOLO RIVERA (OCT141681)
Blank Cover also available (OCT141682)
$3.99 | 32 pages. | T+ | On sale DECEMBER 10 (FOC – 11/17/14)

Variant covers

A battle ten millennia in the making is about to begin…with an all-new, prestige format epic from New York Times best-selling writers Jeff Lemire (Green Arrow, Animal Man) & Matt Kindt (RAI, Mind MGMT) and Eisner Award-winning artist Paolo Rivera (Daredevil)!

The Eternal Warrior has protected the Earth for more than 10,000 years. A master of countless weapons and long forgotten martial arts, he is guided by the Geomancers – those who speak for the Earth. During his long watch, the Eternal Warrior has failed three times. Each time, the Geomancer was killed…and a new dark age for humanity began. Each time, he was unable to stop The Immortal Enemy – a monstrous force of nature. A civilization killer. A horror that appears differently each time it arrives…and whose seemingly only purpose is to bring disorder and darkness to the world. Now, the time has come for The Immortal Enemy to return once more. But, this time, the Eternal Warrior will be ready. This time, he has a force greater than any single warrior. This time, he has…THE VALIANT.

An entirely self-contained, new reader friendly comics event spotlighting Bloodshot, Eternal Warrior, Geomancer, and a cast of heroes and villains from across the Valiant Universe, THE VALIANT is a visionary new adventure from three of the greatest creative talents in comics today.

This trailer gives you a look at some of the artwork and characters

REVIEW

I love Valiant comics. I just discovered them about a year ago when I read Quantum and Woody (reviews) which I have gushed about many times already. I have never been a fan of the traditional superhero comics (you know the arachnid guy, that super guy and the bat guy). But Valiant’s superhero action comics are becoming favorites. But where to start? Lucky for me, and you, Valiant is having the ultimate cross over event to introduce new readers to their biggest heroes such as, Eternal Warrior, Bloodshot, and Geomancer as well as all their villains. This is the perfect time to learn all about the Valiant universe!

This is pretty epic as far a comic books go. I got a look at issue #1. We are introduced to the Eternal Warrior and learn about his past failures, the newest Geomancer, and Bloodshot. You get a peek at the cheeky Armstrong too. There is plenty of violence and bloodshed to make any horror, action, adventure lover happy. I look forward to meeting all the characters from the Valiant universe.

Personal aside: I am a fan of urban fantasy with a dose of romance (don’t worry, there is no romance in this comic). I appreciate a sexy ass warrior. Bloodshot and Eternal Warrior are nice to look at. The Geomancer is a female, and if I was a guy I would find her pretty hot. So even if you aren’t into superheroes you might be into these ;)

5 “Eternal” Sheep

SharonS

http://www.valiantentertainment.com/