I've always been a big Valiant comics fan....and I instantly jumped at the opportunity to see their first theatrical offering "Bloodshot."  I didn't get to see it on the day it released, however I went to see it on the day after the greenest of beers, to find shortly after I returned home that schools would be physically shuttered for the remainder of the school year (and then worse.....). I thought my life would be tricky managing a work life balance of my spouse and I both working at home with three kids under the age of 5 (with our youngest being slightly over a year old).

That large challenge never allowed me to think about what other folks may be experiencing throughout their pandemic (aside from other parents of young kids, or my students...because thats who I had contact with throughout).

If I were entering the next defining phase of my life (from college to adulthood) I have no clue how I would have attempted to adjust......but "​DAY AND AGE: YEAR ONE" allows me to think down that road!

 Andrew's book offers the perfect weekly self reflection of the trials and tribulations of both the post-college experience as well as the hell of COVID-19 in creating different forms of isolation. From online dating mishaps, to cockroaches to your neighbors getting a dog, to the relation we all unhealthily developed with our AMAZON delivery person.  This slice of one person's life gives us an understanding of what we may have missed out on, but how the pandemic experience may have been more common for all of us than we may have thought.  

I never thought I could become both emotionally connected and a feeling of camaraderie with someone I've never met but only read their work faster than what I did with Andrew's work!  For the low low price of $6.99 you can go on the same rollercoaster I did, and I promise you, you'll love it!

In July, I was lucky enough to be asked to check out Marguerite vs the Occupation from Resistance Comics. A very interesting take on the French revolution.  Luzar (the writer) is at it with a NEW artist and the same creative team as the first book.  Therefore I knew if I loved Marguerite, I would fall in love with Odd Yarns!

Alright, after literally writing "Therefore I knew if I loved Marguerite, I would fall in love with Odd Yarns" above before I read the book, I'm now loudly laughing at a brewery (waiting on the dentist.....) I CANNOT THINK OF A BOOK MORE DIFFERENT FROM MARGUERITE AND IT IS BONKERS AF, AND I WANT IT TO BE MORE THAN A ONE SHOT.....

All I can say to summarize this....imagine if the guy from Short Circuit was creating the anti-MODOK ....put this whole scene in your head with shit going entirely wrong

This book is easly "what the fuck just happened..." "...on acid" for 22 pages, and I'm here for every single second of it!

For one reason or another, it is sometimes difficult for me to stay on top of different webtoons.  In fact, I've reviewed only ONE OTHER WEBTOON which eventually became its own published TPB on amazon.

This book however, is a traditional issue-length comic instead of the short strips like what you find in many webtoons.com productions.  It took me a minute to be able to get through all three issues, but needless to say....I'm hooked on.....

The creative team offered the following synopsis in their solicitation:
"In 1969, occult detective Paul Caine, suffering from psychic trauma after spending decades pushing his mind to its limits in pursuit of esoteric knowledge, uses a singular set of detection methods rooted in urban mysticism to investigate a dangerous new movement called the People’s Project, who work to exploit the harbor town of Fairhaven’s social unrest for its own ends."

Their target audience is: "fans of the crime genre, particularly those drawn to the work of Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka, both of whom often weave super or sci-fi elements into the crime genre, yet always keep it grounded in verisimilitude."

I believe they perfectly reach their target audience, with the stylistic influences they mention as well.  One of the reasons I thoroughly appreciate crime works is when there are solid nods to many of the pulp-origins of the genre.  Which I feel like thy do with their own brand of a private dick who uses any means necessary to dive into cases which have elements of an occult nature.  

In addition to appreciating the influences they gave a nod to, if you loved the AfterShock series Miskatonic, you will also enjoy this series.  I made it through all three issues at a relatively slow pace because I was so drawn into every intricate detail AND WHATEVER THE FUCK THE REEPY MACHINES WHICH KEEPED POPPING UP ARE!

Are we on the verge of socialists attempting to convert the masses by plugging them into the matrix?  What the hell was that prayer?  These folks may not believe that "religion is the opiate of the masses...." which could make their movement terrifying from a multiplicity of ideological angles.

In short, this may very well be one of the best comics on the market right now, that you've never heard of.  You should.  With 16 issues coming in the first "season" of this series, I can't wait to see each individual twist or turn the series takes, because I'm hooked and terrified now, and we are only in Issue #3!

​Again.....did I mention this book is free?  GO READ IT NOW!!!!!

I know I cannot be left alone in believing the best scene in the entire history of cinema is: 

Reading the first several pages of Mad Cave's upcoming offering Speed Republic made me lovingly think of this scene and several other post-apocalyptic rally races throughout the history of literature and film, which excites me!

I loved every heart-pounding second of this issue.  From the flamboyance of the Autocrat beginning the race to the illusion of safety, purge-like gangs of animal masked folks, and a twisted family history keeps the high-octane pace of this first issue alive and well.  I cannot wait to see how the race continues to add new layers throughout each issue.  

This is a creative team who absolutely sings a beautiful harmony like several of my other favorite mad cave creative pairings, and I would love to interview ANYONE from this team on Shop Talk!!!!

​You should definitely add this one to your pull, as I promise you will not. be disappointed!!!!!!!

Remember that time I poured out my heart and soul about the Robocop franchise when reviewing Mullet Cop?  Needless to say, if you're any kind of comic or artistic creator, and just email me with the phrase "robocop" and a copy of your book I'll read it =-)

This morning's first book offers "a brand new escapist cyberpunk comic book series for fans of both Robocop and The Expanse." With just THREE DAYS LEFT to meet it's goal, you can help make Lords of Iron #1 hit its goal.

Set several decades in the future, Lords of Iron finds humanity in a struggle for dominance of the solar system against a genetically engineered race of beings called “Vees” who have successfully colonized Venus and now seek control over the asteroid belt. Robotech meets The Expanse in this brand new cyberpunk comic book series, as we follow a squadron of Russian "Stellar Knights” who pilot power armor, as they seek to defend Earth’s smelting facility on Ceres.

Co-creator/writer Preston Poulton had the following to say about this coming release:

“I wanted a science fiction story that had the DNA of my World War 2 story, White Lily, about the two deadliest female fighter pilots who ever lived. So I’m bringing the same team over to Lords of Iron.” 

In checking out the preview pages both here and on their official kickstarter page this story screams many of my preferences.  I love the idea where there is an outright planetary challenge with a potential plea for mercy (thats why I'm digging Blue Flame right now), elements of faith with potential challengers who believe in science, winged beings and GIANT FING ROBOTS, I'm here for it!!!!!

Again, there are only THREE days left for them to reach their $3500 goal and they are only $280 away.  Help make this ROBO-COPIAN dream a reality for me!