Comic Reviews: Harrow County issue #18 from Dark Horse Comics

Harrow County Issue #18

Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Carla Speed McNeil
Cover Artist: Tyler Crook
Genre: Fantasy, Horror
November 23, 2016
Dark Horse Comics
Format: FC, 32 pages; Ongoing
Price: $3.99
UPC: 7 61568 26606 1 01811
Emmy has just learned about the mysterious group of powerful beings that call themselves her family. But they’ve been around since before Harrow County ever existed. Through the eyes of a haint, masterfully illustrated by guest artists Carla Speed McNeil and Jenn Manley Lee, this issue explains the Abandoned’s past and reveals his connection with the family, including the enigmatic Amaryllis.
* Featuring special backup stories exclusive to the single issues!
* The second in a two-part story about the Abandoned.
“This is illustrated horror at its best. The world of Harrow County is dark, dense and deserves its status as a modern horror classic.”—Big Comic Page
In this issue, Emmy is told what happened when Malachi made Hester, thinking she would be as close to human and able to lead the family. Except she learns much more about who the beast haunt in the woods is and who she really is.

The Tales of Harrow County is Priscilla. And Priscilla isn’t human, but something much, much creepier, plus, this is obviously a first part of a continuing story for the next issue.

Delightfully eerie as always, Harrow County has never disappointed in being what a good Southern Gothic supernatural dark fantasy should be—nightmares and haints!

5 spooky Southern Gothic sheep.

Pamela Kinney

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: Fatale #18

Fatale #18
Image Comics
Story By: Ed Brubaker
Art By: Sean Phillips
Art By: Elizabeth Breitweiser
Cover By: Sean Phillips
Cover Price: $3.50
Digital Price: $2.99
Diamond ID: JUL130523
Published: November 6, 2013
NOMINATED FOR MORE 2013 EISNER AWARDS THAN ANY OTHER COMIC!

Everything goes wrong when Josephine appears in a Seattle band's music video, and her effect on those who desire her runs wild, as the most exciting arc of Fatale continues.

And remember, each issue of FATALE contains extra content, artwork and articles that are only available in the printed single issues.

Holy moly, this series is just bound and determined to find out how far down the rabbit hole goes.

Skip's dead. Jane killed him ... sort of. After Skip tried to force himself on her while the rest of the band was out, Jane worked whatever mojo she has in that noodle of hers and made Skip dunk his head in the toilet until he drowned himself. Eesh.

Now, when your drummer dies, you'd think that would be a sobering moment that might have you reexamining the choice you've made in life recently, but you're not smitten with Jane like these guys. Nope, they move the body to the basement and argue over how to dispose of it--and try to figure out how to keep people asking too many questions when they do their music video shoot the next day.

In all of this madness, Darcy is the only one thinking straight. Maybe Jane can only affect men. Whatever the case, her common sense approach to things inside that house is gonna get her killed, I can just feel it.

Aside from some panels that felt a little uneven compared to the rest, the artwork effectively captures the dark, twisting descent this rock band is taking. And when it comes time for the video shoot ... well, my oh my, you will just have to see that to believe it.

The serial killer cop, the horrifically scarred mob boss, and the double-crossed fugitive take a backseat in this issue, but I think things are gearing up for one helluva climax in the next couple of issues. And I ... can't ... wait.

Review: Fetale #15
Review: Fatale #16

Review: Fatale #17

4 1/2 Sheep

Gef Fox
Wag the Fox: Den For Dark Fiction