Action Lab Entertainment Comics Coming April 2017

Action Lab comics are some of my favorites! They have something for everyone. Here is a sampling of what they offer...
The following titles will be available for purchase in April at comic shops everywhere!

ACTION LAB: DOG OF WONDER: VOLUME 2-WHERE MY DOGS AT?Writer(s): Vito Delsante and Scott Fogg
Artist Name(s): Reilly Leeds
Cover Artist(s): Jay Peteranetz
96 pgs./ E / FC $9.99

Action Lab’s adventure continues! After rescuing a falsely imprisoned dog in our last story arc, Percy and the Action Lab League set out to bring down a criminal dog racing ring! And not a hoax! Not an imaginary story! Percy’s secret is revealed and EVERYTHING CHANGES! Written by Scott Fogg and STRAY co-creator Vito Delsante with art by newcomer Reilly Leeds!! Collects issues 4 - 6!

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AMERIKARATE #2
Writer(s): Brockton McKinney, Corey Kalman
Artist Name(s): Devin Roth
Cover Artist(s): Devin Roth, Daniel Arruda Massa, April O’Neil 32 pgs./ M / FC $3.99 (reg.), $4.99 (var.)

Sam Kickwell has been thrown back into the high-stakes world of professional karating thanks to the ninja assassin who took his limbless brother’s life. But while he prepares for the fight of the century, he inadvertently comes kick-to-kick with FBI karate expert Cynthia Weaver. Will the two team-up to take down a megalomaniacal maniac…or will their sparks ignite a karate-fire that will consume them both?!

BLUE HOUR #5
Writer(s): Dino Caruso
Artist Name(s): Chad Cicconi
Cover Artist(s): Chad Cicconi
32 pgs./ T / FC $3.99
Blue Hour reaches its climactic conclusion, as open warfare breaks out between three factions among the human colonists and the Maasym. In a last desperate attempt to salvage the situation, Wardell is forced to make the ultimate choice to prevent genocide or extinction.

BRIGANDS VOL. 1
Writer(s): Ram V
Artist Name(s): Nick Barber, Alex Diotto, Jason Lewis, ROSH, Kel Nuttall
Cover Artist(s): Mukesh Singh
Collects BRIGANDS #1-5.
160 pgs./ T+ / FC $14.99
A rat-pack of medieval conmen, thieves, cut-throats, hasbeens and never-will-bes are set to carry out the heist of their lives. For some, it is a second chance at a better life. For others, it's the only chance they'll ever get. And in the treacherous world of BRIGANDS there are only two sureties to life; the steel in your hand and the promise of a dagger in your back.

DOLLFACE #4
Writer(s): Dan Mendoza & Bryan Seaton
Artist Name(s): Dan Mendoza
Cover Artist(s): Dan Mendoza (regular and Tattered & Torn variants), Bill McKay, Victoria Harris, Xenia32 pgs./ M / FC $3.99 (reg.), $4.99 (var.)

The tables have turned now on Dollface and the gang, as Zombie Tramp tries to take each one of them out. Are Lila and Ivan ready to deal with such a powerful witch this early in the game?

HERO CATS OF SKYWORLD PT. 1 (HERO CATS #16)
Writer(s): Kyle Puttkammer
Artist Name(s): Omaka Schultz
Cover Artist(s): Omaka Schultz
Inks: Omaka Schultz
Colors: Julie Barclay32 pgs./ E / FC $3.99

A new beginning! Bandit is transported to the Crow King's realm and it's a land of magic, dark spirits, and fairies.

Featuring new Hero Cats - Lancelot, Sapphire, Newton, and Madalyn. This is a perfect starting point for new readers.

HERO CATS VOL. 5
Writer(s): Kyle Puttkammer
Artist Name(s): Kyle Puttkammer (Pencils), Tracy Yardley (Pencils), Sey Viani (Pencils), Marcus Williams (Pencils), Sarah Elkins (Inks), Brandon Page (Inks),Sigi Ironmonger (Colors), George Gant (Colors)
Cover Artist(s): Jenny ParksCollects HERO CATS #13-15.
96 pgs./ E / FC $11.99

From the streets of Stellar City to the mountains of Mars, the Hero Cats prevail. This volume features a phenomenal tour of talented artists with new visions of familiar faces.

amazon link to Hero Cat 

INFINITE SEVEN #3
Writer(s): Dave Dwonch
Artist Name(s): Arturo Mesa (Pencils), Geraldo Filho (Colors)
Cover Artist(s): Arturo Mesa (Covers A, B, D, E), Josh Greathouse (Cover C)32 pgs./ T+ / FC $3.99 (reg.), $4.99 (var.)

Anthony has done the impossible by becoming the newest member of the Infinite Seven, Smash Brannagan. But can he survive his first mission? Training Day gets a new meaning as Anthony and Washington track the Sandsnake to Japan!

MIRACULOUS #12
Writer(s): Zag Entertainment
Artist Name(s): Zag Entertainment
Cover Artist(s): Zag Entertainment64 pgs./ E / FC $4.99

Arranged and Adapted by: Cheryl Black and Nicole D’Andria
Fred Haprele was supposed to play the part of a Mime at the premiere of a show, but his stand-in manages to have Fred miss the show. Betrayed, Fred gets akumatized and turns into Le Mime, determined to prevent the performance from happening.

MIRACULOUS VOL. 3 CLAWS OUT
Collects MIRACULOUS #7-9.
192 pgs./ E / FC $9.99

Ladybug and Cat Noir must battle against the Pharaoh, a super-villain with the powers of the gods of Ancient Egypt; Copycat, a Cat Noir lookalike who frames him for theft; and Timebreaker, who uses her powers of time travel to go back in time, which means double the Timebreaker and double the Ladybug! Will Ladybug and Cat Noir’s miraculouses finally fall into the hands of the nefarious Hawk Moth? There’s only one way to find out!

SPOTS ON, CLAWS OUT!

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PETER DAVID'S ARTFUL #5
Writer: Adapted by Nicole D’Andria from the Peter David novel
Artist Name: Laura Neubert
Cover Artist(s): Laura Neubert32 pgs./ A / FC $3.99 (reg.), $4.99 (var.)

Drina struggles to fight against her instincts. Meanwhile, Artful and Bram get into even more trouble! Who is friend and who is foe in the latest issue of legendary comic writer Peter David’s Artful?

SPENCER AND LOCKE #1
Writer(s): David Pepose
Artist Name(s): Jorge Santiago, Jr. (Pencils), Jasen Smith (Colors)
Cover Artist(s): Jorge Santiago, Jr. (Cover A); Maan House (Cover B); Joe Mulvey (Cover C)32 pgs./ T+ / FC $3.99 (reg.), $4.99 (var.)

When his grade-school sweetheart is found dead, there’s only one friend Detective Locke can trust to help solve her murder — his childhood imaginary panther, Spencer. But when they face a vicious crime syndicate and memories from Locke’s traumatic youth, can this unlikely pair survive long enough to find the truth?

THE CIRCLE #5
Writer: Damon Clark
Artist Name(s): Alyzia Zherno
Cover Artist(s): Alyzia Zherno (Cover A), Damien Worm (Cover B)32 pgs./ M / FC $3.99 (reg.), $4.99 (var.)

Christian has taken down two and has three to go to break the circle. This is it, his last chance. If he can’t finish the job, his soul will be damned forever.

TOMBOY VOL. 3
Writer(s): M. Goodwin
Artist Name(s): Michelle Wong
Cover Artist(s): M.GoodwinCollects issues #9-12 of the hit series.
128 pgs./ T+ / FC $14.99

Addison's hunt leads her ever closer to a confrontation with the notorious Irene Trent, and the truth behind her mysterious powers. Fate finally pulls the Brody family back together, but the curse of their bloodline guarantees there are no happily ever afters for monsters. The exciting and epic conclusion to the twelve issue series!

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VAMPBLADE SEASON 2 #2
Writer(s): Jason Martin
Artist Name(s): Winston Young
Cover Artist(s): Winston Young (cover A-B), Celor (cover C-D), Pow Rodrix (cover E-F)32 pgs./ M / FC $3.99 (reg.), $4.99 (var.)
Katie Carva is Vampblade, but now when she transforms, the blades are the ones in control… and the blades are really f$%#@d up! Consequently, so is Katie’s life!!

Features 3 covers (regular, artist, and 90s style), each with a risqué variant as well!

VORACIOUS: FEEDING TIME #5
Writer(s): Markisan Naso
Artist Name(s): Jason Muhr
Cover Artist(s): Jason Muhr (Cover A), Markisan Naso (Cover B)
32 pgs./ T+ / FC $3.99 (reg.), $4.99 (var.)
"If you haven’t read Voracious yet, you better get right on it. Incredible story with just as incredible illustration.” (Sci-Clops.com)

Gus Horncrasher is determined to find Owen at any cost, but first he has to go through Captain Jim. Back in Blackfossil, the Sheriff begins to unravel Nate’s secrets, Starlee prepares to leave town and Maribel’s first encounter with Tony is revealed, as the second volume of VORACIOUS concludes.

Featuring a “Dead Leaves” variant cover by VORACIOUS writer Markisan Naso! Limited to just 500 copies!

ZOMBIE TRAMP #3
Writer(s): Dan Mendoza
Artist Name(s): Marco Maccagni
Cover Artist(s): Dan Mendoza (cover A – regular, B), Marco Maccagni (cover C-D), Marcelo Trom (cover E-F)32 pgs./ M / FC $3.99 (reg.), $4.99 (var.)
Xula continues her tests and obstacles to prove her worthiness to Kaiju Queen. But will she accept her final challenge?

Features 3 regular and risqué variants, including a pair of covers by series creator Dan Mendoza (DollFace)!!

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Comic Review: Ehmm Theory Vol 2 issue #1

EHMM THEORY Vol.2 #1
Writer: Brockton McKinney
Artist Name: Larkin Ford
Cover Artist: Larkin Ford (reg), Jerry Gaylord (var) Action Lab: Danger Zone

FC/ 32 pgs./ Mature Readers 

$3.99 (reg.) $4.99 (var.)

Action Lab's underground hit series returns! Time-jumping assassin monkeys, an evil military

super-force, and paranormal ex-lovers plague Gabriel Ehmm and his blood-bound talking feline Mr.

Whispers in this eye-smashing, brain-messer of a sequel entitled ;Everything and Small Doses. Features

a variant cover by Jerry Gaylord, limited to 1,500 copies!

Holy flying kitty bombs! Gabe and his gang are back in volume 2 of Ehmm Theory. I love this comic series. We get more answers about Gabe’s mom, Veronica (the wolf girl) is being held captive, and we meet Badass Gabe and his partner Dr. (Muddaf**k) Whiskers who are ‘brain jumpers. There is a new threat, a monkey assassin named Mr. Everything. Just wish he would cover up his moose knuckle! (Am I allowed to say that on the blog?). Good times people, good times.

Ehmm Theory is full of action, foul language, violence and snarky dialogue. The guys responsible for this awesome, Brockton and Larkin, are local artists and I run into them at conventions around the area. They are just as much fun as their characters…but less violent. My last conversation with them was about “baby skeleton legs”…yeah, wondering when that will show up <G>.

reviews: Ehmm Theory Vol 1 (#1-4)

5 “lollipop eating” Sheep

Sharon Stogner

Comic Review: Vincent Price Presents: collected edition: Volume 6

Vincent Price Presents: collected edition: Volume 6
Release Date: 8/14/2013
writer: Chad Helder, Nick Lyons
artist: Bang Thai
Published by Blue Water Comics

Volume 6 of the graphic novel series Vincent Price Presents features classic gothic horror! One of classic Hollywood's most famous scary men, Vincent Price made a name for himself in classic mysteries and thrillers throughout the 1940s, 50s and 60s. The series will feature some of Price's films as well as developing new frightening ones with his estate. Welcome back to the macabre world of Vincent Price. Story include My Dame, Orok and more!

Vincent Price is my favorite horror actor from old films. He was a renaissance man. He acted, collected artwork, and had a recipe book out (my high school friend had this book). He enjoyed doing comedic roles as much as horror. His films included The Tower of London, The Invisible Man Returns, The Ten Commandments, House of Wax (1953), House on Haunted Hill (1958), The Fly (1958), The Tingler, The Comedy of Terrors, Edward Scissorhands, Peter Cottontail, The Great Mouse Detective, and more , many more, ending at the Heart of Justice. You can find out the other films and more at http://www.vincentprice.org/ .

So that there are a comic series attached to him and his estate, well, I gladly took to reviewing this comic and two others. This one contains two detective crossed with the supernatural stories, a twist on the werewolf tale, and a story that shows how dreams and reality can be one and the same sometimes.

The first two have a private detective, Peter Wood who resembles somewhat Price himself, hired to do investigations. The first one a man hires him to find his wife who had disappeared after they saw a movie at the cinema. The man stopped at the restroom while she waited for him outside. All the police found is a few spots of blood. The only clue P.I. Wood found is a coin with blood on it. From there he makes stops around town, then he checks out Romero Park. He finds her all right—no longer alive and just killed two people, eating them. He enclosed her in the trunk of his car and calls the husband. This where there is a twist to the zombie story. And as is quoted in the beginning, “the course to true love never did run smooth.”

The second story has P.I. Peter Wood involved again, this time the theme about what would happen if memories were lost. His client, Jack is a man who seems to forget quite easily. But there is a woman who keeps breaking into his house and he wants her caught. The police haven’t been much help, and he wants his house monitored closely and constantly. Wood stays the night, but the woman gets by him to call the old man by name and tell him she misses him. Then vanish. Though Wood wonders if the old man is losing it, he investigates to see if any enemies and discovered he’d been married. His wife died, but the daughter is alive. She looks like the picture the P.I, found in the house, too. He learns of what is truly haunting Jack. More than ghosts can haunt us.

The third story has Orok, a man of a primitive society who has a young daughter, Do. They live with their clan in a jungle or forest. One night a werewolf attacks them and steals the little girl away. Orok goes after her. Intermingling with his hunting the werewolf who has his child, is the one where his twin brother is attacked and killed by a werewolf and buried, But the werewolf awakens and digs its way out. An elder of the tribe calls his daughter from the belly of the moon. Her spirit will lead him to his twin, who he must slay. This story also has a twist to it. One I didn’t expect. But I admit the werewolf’s story told at the same time as Orok’s confused me. It could have been separated. But that is my only complaint.

The last tale, “The Hampster,” begins with three hamsters in a cage. A white hamster has a nightmare where he is a man killed by another man. He tries to explain this to the two others, Bernard and Ricky when he awakes. Tells them he is not really a hamster. The other two also say they are not. Becomes agitated when two young men enter the room they are in, telling Bernard and Ricky that is him and his killer. The teens call up Bloody Mary and will sacrifice a hamster in the microwave. This time though, the hamster convinces his human self to stop the other as he will grow up to be the Bloody Mary killer. He kills the killers, but ends up in prison. And like the other two, there is a twist ending.

Just be sure to read “Vincent Presents. Volume 6” in the light of day; it’s a nightmare of an anthology.

I give “Vincent Presents. Volume 6” 4 sheep.

Guest Reviewer:

Pamela K. Kinney Website Blog Facebook
aka Sapphire Phelan
Website Newsletter Facebook

Bluewater Productions brings a diverse library of titles and talent to the table. With stories that range from classic myths, science fiction and superheroes to Hollywood legends such as William Shatner, Roger Corman, Adam West, Julie Newmar, Ray Harryhausen and Vincent Price, Also reimagining classic titles like "Logan's Run", " SE Hinton's Puppy Sister", "Lionsgate's Leprechaun" and more. Bluewater is a fresh voice in comic publishing. We have now broken into biography comics with our titles FAME, FEMALE FORCE, 15 MINUTES and POLITICAL POWER.

Comic Review: The Killer Vol. 4: Unfair Competition

The Killer Vol. 4: Unfair Competition
Collected Edition Hardcover
Story by: Matz
Art by: Luc Jacamon
Format: 128 pages, full color, hardcover
List price: $19.95
Sale date: 17 July 2013
Archaia

After his misadventures in Venezuela, our Killer retires to Mexico, but his Colombian cartel friend Mariano and the Cuban agent Katia are not far behind. Soon he finds himself drawn back into the great geopolitical game between Cuba, Venezuela, and the United States, with oil revenues and political independence at stake. Even when he finds himself in unusual territory as the shadow owner of an oil company developing Cuba’s off-shore deposits, the need for his usual skill-set is never far away. 

One of the big advantages graphic novels have over the conventional novel is--you guessed it--the pictures. Add a blatant visual component to the storytelling and a whole new dimension opens up. Such is the case when I looked at the first panel of Unfair Competition, a vibrant portrait of one bustling street in Mexico City. The buildings, the cars, the people, and even the faraway vistas all presented one page at a time in such mesmerizing detail, you'd swear you're looking at freeze frames from a high-end animated film.

Despite having not read the first three volumes of this series, Matz uses dialogue to give a keen sense of his protagonist, Asesino, a professional killer who is world weary yet reticent in his attempts to step away from the life. Teaming up with two associates, a plan is laid out to exploit Cuba's new oil resources, as well as gaining a foothold in Mexico, all with the grand guise of going legit. Big oil is hardly legit it turns out though (no surprise there), and Asesino finds himself wishing for a simpler life, but ultimately drawn back into what he does best.

If not for the absolutely breathtaking artwork in this book, I would have probably stopped reading. Because that's what I did more than anything with this graphic novel: read. The dialogue is astonishingly long and drawn out, and for a thriller about a criminal enterprise, that's about 90% of the book: guys sitting around in pretty places and talking.Had this been a straight-up novel, I would have had no problem at all with dialogue bubbles taking up half of each panel, but this is a graphic novel and the wondrous illustrations are crowded out by what felt like intrusive and incessant jaw-jacking. The silver lining to it is that the dialogue is not the least bit hokey or cliched. The characters do come through with what they say, but it would have been nice if they shut up once in a while and got some dirt under their fingernails.

I'd recommend the book for the eye-candy alone, but if you have an aversion to comic books that feel like novels, then you may want to skip this one.

3 1/2 sheep

Guest Reviewer: Gef Fox
Wag The Fox