REVIEWS: TWILIGHT GUARDIAN, GHOSTBUSTERS INFESTATION, DEATH of ZORRO, SEAGHOST, and MORE…

TWILIGHT GUARDIAN #3
TOP COW
Writer: Troy Hickman
Art: Sid Kotian
Colors: Bill Farmer
Letters: Troy Peteri
REVIEWER: Sebastian Piccione

TWILIGHT GUARDIAN has quickly become one of my favorite monthly reads. The ONLY thing that I don’t like, is that there’s just one more issue.  What I’m hoping, is that it catches enough people’s eye, that they put out more. What I fear, is that it’s going to become another wonderful example of “One of the best/coolest books you’re not reading”.
Hickman continues to do what he does best, which is offer up a book that is both poignant and silly, and sometimes both at once. Lots of comics talk about their heroes being “flawed” which makes them relatable, but non more so than the TWILIGHT GUARDIAN. 
Kotian does a great job, not only of providing different art styles for the comics-within-a-comic sequences, but at showing the differences between how Pam sees herself, and the way she realy is. For example, there is a panel in which Pam imagines herself confronting The Dusk Devil, her arch-nemesis that she’s never met. it’s very dynamic and comic-booky.  There is another scene where Pam, as TWILIGHT GUARDIAN talks to some kids about the dangers of fireworks.  When a parent calls them in, she thinks “My work here is done,” but the look and stance of the father in the doorway CLEARLY reads he’s more concerned about masked, hooded strangers talking to his kids than he is about firework safety. In fact, the cell phone in his hand makes me think he at least considered calling the cops on her.
And, as always, the chapters of TWILIGHT GUARDIAN are broken up with scenes from the comics Pam reads before her patrols…only THIS time out, they are comics about her, pitches from the publisher who found her at last issue’s comic con. In the three versions we see, Hickman and Kotian get to have some fun with comic stereotypes. The first is the gritty, realistic, street vigilante approach; the second (and funniest) is the Angry, Drunken, British type; and finally the main-stream, super –heroic, mega-crossover-event.  Good stuff.
And then, We have a surprise ending with the return of someone from Pam’s past.
Twilight Guardian is a metacognitive story that works on so many levels, probably more level than even intended.  If you want to read a clever and thoughtful comic that is fun and original, and truly character driven, then look no further.
5 out of 5 Stars.
 

GHOSTBUSTERS: INFESTATION #1
IDW
Writer: Erik Burnham
Art: Kyle Hotz
Colors: Dan Brown
Letters: Chris Mowry
REVIEWER: Matman

When Infestation comes to your neighborhood…who you gonna call… Ghostbusters!”
‘Infestation’. The first ever crossover event from IDW is on! The zombie filled attack has raged its way through IDW’s top licenses (Star Trek, Transformers and G.I. Joe) and now makes its way to the land of the Ghostbusters! 
In the main ‘Infestation’ book, zombies have found portals to these other worlds and begun to just do their thing. The unfortunate has been that it seems the crossovers haven’t been that unique to their own worlds. What I mean is that the ‘Star Trek’ two parter didn’t seem unique to ‘Star Trek’. It felt like it could have been written for any space faring characters. Not being a reader of the regular ‘Ghostbusters’ series (but seeing the movie a million years ago) I was hoping for something unique… 
…and I found it!  
Other than the fact that the ‘Ghostbusters’ are the one group in the IDW – verse qualified to deal with zombies; this book was an incredibly fun read! We see the team finishing up another mission (in true form) and from out of the shadows comes a zombie. As they blast him his zombie goo splashes all over the place, it gets on an alley cat who now becomes a ferocious zom-cat and attacks the guys until he too is taken care of. When the team get back to analyze the goo, more zombies attack! The book concludes with a surprise ending…the return of someone (or thing) we all know and love. 
Writer Erik Burnham has a nice handle on the ‘Ghostbusters’. He has perfect witty dialogue that fits each character perfectly and has them handle (or not handle) situations like their film counterparts. My only complaint is the cat scene! Unless Erik can guarantee me no animals were harmed in the making of this comic, he and I may have a problem! That aside, I’m hoping we see more of Erik’s work at IDW. 
Artist Kyle Holt is the perfect choice for this book. His cartoony style is perfect for characters like these but when he needs too, can turn on the creepy and horror! He doesn’t add any weird panel layouts or unique tweaks, he just has the art tell the story! 
As part of the ‘Infestation’, ‘Ghostbusters: Infestation’# 1 is the crown jewel. It utilizes the event to tell a tale, but this book can stand on its own merit. Not many event book can do this… Marvel or DC included.
Matman Rating: 4.5 out 5 slimings!      
DARKWING DUCK  #10
Boom! Studios
Writer: Ian Brill
Artist: James Silvani
Colorist: Lisa Moore
Letterer: Deron Bennett
Editor: Christopher Burns
Reviewer: Robert McClelland

Let’s get dangerous! I swear I love writing these reviews! Great way to get back in touch with my child hood! This issue continues the current story arc with Steelbeak joining Darkwing in an attempt to stop the evil plans of F.O.W.L.’s High Command. And so far, it looks like they have gotten off to a rocky start of sorts! Both the dialogue and the art are something I like a lot. The writing really makes  you enjoy this. Even get a brief look into Launchpad’s reasons for why he enjoys what he does! Always nice to get a look into the minds of some of your favorite characters!
And it seems F.O.W.L’s plans with the big bad really has some strange effects! Along with some other interesting takes on things! Just want to say thank you to Sebastian for allowing me this opportunity to read and review this great comic in his place! I can see why he loves to review it himself! Darkwing Duck is pure awesome! No matter how old you are, or if it’s in cartoon or comic form! So if you’re ready to get dangerous, get out and find this issue and enjoy it!
5 out of 5 stars!

MICKEY MOUSE #306
Boom! Studios
Writer: Byron Erickson & Maya Astrup
Artist: Paco Rodriguez & Euclides Miyaura
Letters: Deron Bennett
Cover: Paco Rodriguez
Colors: Mike Cossin
Editor: Christopher Meyer
Reviewer: Robert McClelland

 Continuing the celebration of 70 years of Walt Disney Comics, comes an issue of Mickey Mouse with two stories! So not only do you get an adventure with everyone’s favorite Mouse, you get some Goofy too! The cover on this is excellent! Mickey looks mighty serious on it! Guess ya have to be when you gotta get back some stolen art! And have a cat for a partner! Loving that the art is old school. And the dialogue is easy to follow. Although a little surprised to see a word like ‘Hellion’ in a kids comic like Mickey Mouse! Will the Mouse and the Cat save the day? Read on and find out when this issue gets on the shelf!
And as for everybody’s favorite Goof, he sure does come up with an inventive way to use a year’s supply of his winnings! Course, unfortunately his dedication to his new inventive way puts him in a bit of danger! And his old buddy Mickey does what he can to try and get him in bed! You’ve got to admire Goofy’s thinking in a weird way! It is my hope that you will enjoy these stories as much as I have! Its great to see classics brought back to life!
I give this a 5 out of 5 stars! 

 
THE LAST PHANTOM #5
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
Writer: Scott Beatty
Art: Eduardo Ferigato
Colors: Vinicius Andrade
Letters: Simon Bowland
REVEIWER: Sebastian Piccione 

Kitt Walker trades his usual hunting grounds for the Concrete Jungle, as he takes the fight to Quisiling.  Beatty continues to make good use of the flashbacks, tying young Kitt’s training moments into specific actions in the present, as well as reminding us of the cruel irony that Kitt gave all this up so he could have the very family he picked up the mantle to avenge.
This issue features a repeated phrase that nicely reflects on the tone of this book, “I’m supposed to be the good guy.” Kitt practices this line in a mirror, and uses it later when a woman asks “Just who the hell are you?”.  Kitt wanted to be a good son, he wanted to be a good husband and a good father, now he wants to be the “good gu,” although the path to that end is paved in violence.  It’s almost as if he knows one or two wrong steps and he becomes The Punisher instead of The Phantom.
I’ve said before that it took three issues for THE LAST PHANTOM to grow on me, and issue 4 had me hooked. Well, issue 5 proves that that wasn’t a fluke, and that this series turning into something pretty cool.
4 out of 5 stars. 

 
THE LONE RANGER: THE DEATH OF ZORRO #1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
Writer: Andre Parks
Art: Esteve Polls
Letters: Simon Bowland
REVIEWER: Sebastian Piccione 

I went in thinking this would be kinda cool. Turns out that was an understatement! This book was so very well done. Andre parks really gets into these characters and makes them real. This isn’t just a crossover between to licensed properties, because they could do it. This is a an actually moving send-off of an icon.
This issue focuses mainly on  Zorro, giving him a powerful and noble death, that touches on everything the defines the character, rather than just killing him quickly to get the story rolling. Now, it’s true that we’ve seen the “old hero comes out of retirement for one last adventure” story before, and we’ve also seen the “Old hero dies, but inspires a new generation” thing, too.  Heck, that was the Antonio Banderas Zorro Movie. Both of them.
But this is different.
This isn’t a clichéd “I’m getting too old for this $#!T” story. While Don Diego does miss some of the adventure of his Zorro days, he doesn’t take the mask back up lightly. it’s not a mid-life crisis, it’s just a crisis. Innocents are dying, and there is no one else who can prevent it, so Zorro rides again.
And when that ride leads to the title of this book, you feel it. You really do.
And, when word of the incident reaches THE LONE RANGER & TONTO, you’re right there with them, routing them on to the scene, and hoping they’re not too late.
THE LONE RANGER: THE DEATH OF ZORRO is everything a good comic should be.
5 out of 5 stars. 

 
WARLORD OF MARS #5
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
Writer: Arvid Nelson
Art: Lui Antonio
Colors: Adriano Lucas
Letters: Troy Peteri
REVIEWER: Sebastian Piccione

Men are from Virginia, Women are From Mars. Yeah, you only THINK you have trouble figuring women out. John Carter has three Martian women he can’t quite understand, DEJAH THORIS, whom he finds intriguing, but every time he takes two steps forward, he trips over Mars Customs and falls three steps back; Sola, who has basically adopted him and is willing to risk her life for him; and Sarkoja who wants not just to kill him, but to see him suffer.
Kinda like High School, really.
I’m really digging WARLORD OF MARS and its spin-off, DEJA THORIS. The martian world of John Carter is much more interesting than I thought it would be.
Lui Antonio does a top-notch job on the art. It takes a truly talented artist to draw A human, a hot princess, muscle-bound multi-armed aliens, horse-lizards, and a…whatever Woola is, and make it all work. Antonio does this all and then some.
4 out of 5 Stars. 

THE SEA GHOST #1
NEMO PUBLISHING GROUP
Art & Story: Jay Piscopo
Pin-ups: Ramona Fradon, Danny Kelly, & Robert Caine Jeffcoat
REVIEWER: Sebastian Piccione

This is one of those special comics. The kind you find out about through various facebook posts, and it just looks so cool, that when you see it PREVIEWS, you check it off with your special orders. I’ve been excited about this character since before I knew there’d be a book. And to make things even better, it LIVED UP to each and every one of my pedestal-placed expectations!
This book reads like the best of the old Aquaman and SpaceGhost cartoons.  You can actually hear the voice overs and sound effects in your head as you read! Heck, even the caption bubbles ring with that old-school narrator voice.

No over rendered art, or decompressed story-telling. This book harkens back to when when comics and superheroes were fun. It isn’t silly or campy. It’s just a good, fun, romp. And getting a pin-up by legendary Aqua-artist, Ramona Fradon just makes it perfect.
In fact, it was so good that I’ve got to tell my LCS to go ahead and order me the two volumes of THE UNDERSEA ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN ELI, in which Sea Ghost first appears.
THE SEA GHOST is one of the best books I’ve read in some time.
5 out of 5 stars.

 
SOULED #1
COSMIC TIMES PRESENTS
Writer: Christopher Faulkner
Art: Zach Basset & James Whynot
Colors: Kevin Zeigler
REVIEWER: Sebastian Piccione

When young Adona gets bored on a cheap chartered space-flight to her new boarding school, she and her computer pal, Nimrod, go exploring. But, when they stumble on strange containers of humanoid cargo…CLASSIFIED cargo, things take a turn for the worse. When the ship comes under attack, and the crew need her computer savvy to try and save their collective behinds, though, that’s when things get REALLY complicated!
I liked this book a lot. It had that FIREFLY vibe that I really enjoyed. The pirate-cowboys-with-good-intentions-in-space vibe.  In this first issue, Faulkner manages to avoid the too-much-exposition pitfalls, and introduces to the players and set-up, while keeping the story moving. Things happen. I’m not telling you all of them, you’ll have to read it for yourself. The characters are solid, if somewhat archetypical. I mean, we have the young Captain, the old mentor, the Big Muscle who’s really a softy, the tough mechanic chick, and the plucky young gal and her techno-sidekick. Nothing we haven’t seen, but Faulkner makes them interesting and more than the wooden copies we’ve seen so many times.  
The artwork gets rough in places, but it generally meets the three “C”s, of Clean, Clear, and Consistent.
The only thing that really threw me a bit was the choice of fonts for Adona’s narration. It’s done in journal form, and I can see what they were going for, but the pseudo handwritten font just didn’t work for me. The girliness seemed to go against the character’s persona, and if she’s journaling blog-style on Nimrod, her A.I. Computer, then why would it look handwritten?  Fortunately, the device was dropped for regular word balloons after the first few pages, when Adona begins to interact with other characters.
Still, my one font issue aside, this is a good book, and worth checking out. I know I wanna see where it goes.
3 out of 5 Stars.