Dealing with death is challenging.  Aside from the pain we internalize from losing someone we know or love, there are several other challenges that arise.  The constant asking of "are you ok?" Unsolicited thoughts or commentary of how to handle the pain.  Stories which come from folks with the best of intentions which may re-traumatize the person hurting the most. Finally, constant offers of help or assistance, which may be founded in the best of intentions, while others may have ulterior motives.

All of these and more are some of the challenges Myers faces in The Down River People.​

Myers has a strained relationship with his mother, because she left Myers and his father in the cold, with no reason or goodbye.  Yet, she shows up the day after the wake, with an offer to help run the bar...AND THE ANNOUNCEMENT HE HAS A HALF SISTER!

Myers eventually gives in to his mother's offer to help, and travels to meet her in her new home, a fishing retreat WHICH IS A FULL ON RELIGIOUS CULT! Everything from their first meeting at the retreat makes you hope that everything in Myers life is going to improve. But after a nice evening at the bar, Myers discovers that there may be more under the surface of what's happening at the church.....

I really enjoyed this graphic novel.  Normally, I can't read something that long in a single sitting.  However, the story and the art kept me leaning in and begging for more.  It also makes me want to buy the duo's previous work Long Walk to Valhalla. 

Witnessing how Myers handled everything going on around him, while still embracing the wisdom of his father was quite beautiful.  The way Fox illustrated some of the most intense moments of self discovery via the river was very powerful, and they are images which are burnt into my memory.  

The final item of note is how deeply personal this story was to Smith.  His one page letter at the conclusion of the story brought me to tears.  You can really feel how influential his father was on him, and made me aspire to have the same sort of impact on my children, my students, and the people around me.  

Also, I had no idea Adam is from KC, which fills me with hope that I can meet him when cons become a thing again, because when I pick my copy up, I'd love to get it signed!

This story will be easy to fall in love with, and I highly recommend picking it up at your LCS or ordering it, its a decision you won't regret!

If there is one title which rockets to the top of my reading pile every time it comes out, hands down, it is Something is Killing the Children.  It is actually the first book I ever reviewed on this very website!  Anywho, Something is Killing the Children is back in full force, and Issue 16, which begins Erica Slaughter's origin story shows us that for the creative team, the Archer's Peak saga is just the beginning of what they could do with this title!

The initial storyline had me constantly wondering two things:

• How did Erica Slaughter become vaulted into the world of monster hunting?
• What is that octopus, and why is it so creepy?

While we started getting some answers in the first 15 issues about the role of the Octopus stuffy, and eventually what's inside it.  Issue 16 gives us much, much more context as to how something got trapped in it AND why it's significant to Erica.  But that's just icing on the cake in comparison to the quick introduction we get to a young Erica Slaughter.

All I can say, without spoiling everything is I am in AWE of how great this book was to kick off the arc.  It started quickly and didn't let off.  I am super excited to see what it takes to be initiated into the House of Slaughter AND how Erica grows into her role, even if she has high levels of natural talent.  I love how the book transitions between horizontal and vertical pages (look at the preview images above), and it is easy to say I'm as excited seeing where this book will go after issue 16 with the exact same levels of excitement I had after reading issue 1!

Go pick this up wherever you can, because I think this will gain as much heat and attention as issue 1 did!!!

I am absolutely baffled at the opportunities I've gotten through the blog and youtube.  Not just the interviews, access to previews and the countless high quality friendships.  Some opportunities have given me a sense of self, or validation (although I'm still screaming into the void at the end of the day).  However, there is something quite cool in the works, and I'm proud to be part of it.  

Instead of some sort of senseless narrative, I'll just drop this trailer in here:

That's right.  YOU CAN GET YOUR OWN COMIC BOOK POSER EXCLUSIVE COVER!!!!!! But before I try to sell you on something with my name on it, let me sell you on how good this book is!

Tales told in technihorror (get it....technicolor vs technihorror!!) is a five story anthology which will release on a biennial schedule.  Issue one contains five very different stories, in different styles or genres of horror all by the same creative team. They are all very good.  Here's a tldr summary of each title for you:

In Cold Pursuit: The ocean is terrifying AF.
Imposter Syndrome: Yeah, you shouldn't try to colonize another planet.
Roots of Evil: Autumnal + Family Tree = I almost pooped my pants.
One Thousand Teeth: While the ocean may be terrifying AF, inland waterways are also terrifying.....
Unsafe: If you open a creepy door, bad things will happen

The final pages are a horror pin-up gallery, and it holds some of the most glorious cringeworthy art I have ever seen, and I'm here for it (as long as I don't look at it past my bedtime).  If you liked Electric Black, or are into titles from other publishers like Ice Cream Man, Haha, Silver Coin etc. (any sort of horror anthology) or any of the series which touches one of the five storylines above, this book is DOPE and should be read!

There are three amazing versions of the cover Nate Johnson did for us. The trade dress version of the cover is $20 and either of the virgin variants are $40 each.  There are two package bundles over at AMKM Comics: The Exclusive Set is a trade dress + virgin for $60, the Exclusive Tri-Set is all three of these covers for $85. There are also CGC/CBCS options if you are interested in getting graded books!

I think getting my branding on a book is super cool, and I'm excited for everyone to check this book, the creative team, and Nate's amazing covers out in person!!! I also want to give big ups to AMKM for doing the legwork and including me in the process, it has been very cool, and I can't wait to see what we do next!!!! 

 I'll be honest.  Eve #1 which was released last week (5.5.21) was not on my pull list, and I only picked it up after I saw a wave of amazing reviews across the internet.  Everyone was right, I was wrong to not add it, as Eve made my weekly top 5 video of last week's reads. The pull list situation has been rectified, and I've been lucky enough to get a small sneak peek of what Eve #2 looks like!

First, can we talk about how amazing these covers are?  The left is the Anindito cover (cover A) and I like the depiction of Wexler keeping watch over Eve (which we learn about throughout the end of issue 1).  I believe I'm in LOVE with that Dan Mora cover.  I'm not 100% sure what about it I love, but I just want to stare at that image all day.

In terms of the tiny information morsels we get from the preview pages, I absolutely love the use of Osiris as both the name of the project and as an allusion for the goals of the scientists.  While the goal of their research is planetary rebirth, will we learn what caused Earth's demise?  As we witness a test of Osiris finally bring some success, apparently there is more to restoring the planet than just using the scientific creation in the space station.

All of this information brings questions like: why is Eve crucial to planetary restoration? Once the rest of the scientists learn of the true complexity of the plan, what happens?  Finally, what threats will continue to serve as roadblocks for Eve and Wexler as they continue their quest to save the planet?

I'm expecting answers (or breadcrumbs) to some of these questions as the world of Eve is continuing to be built, but I have full faith in the amazing creative team that Issue 2 will be as excellent as the first.  You should most definitely attempt to snag a copy of Issue #1 before June 9, 2021 when issue 2 is shared with the world!

I on numerous occasions talk about how much I love Scout Comics on my youtube channel.  Frequently, I highlight the Scout Box (the best damn deal on the internet), and you constantly see me wearing a Scout Comics shirt (generic, or Murder Hobo, White Ash, Stabbity Bunny, or Mullet Cop!).  One of the things I've vowed to do more is write about Scout (and maybe I'll be as cool as my friends and get my own discount code!)

Our story focuses on Hellener Drake, who appears to be nothing more than a simple colonial ice miner.  However, we quickly learn the Ministry (the government) has other plans for him, in the form of becoming the Ministry's next Voyager.  Apparently not only does exploration run in Hellener's family, but it is also a piece of his past, where he was an academy drop-out.

After learning the heartbreaking tale of why Hellener dropped out, he is faced with the ultimate survival decision.  Does he become the next voyager with the hope of preserving humanity...or does he focus on self-preservation and not go out on a presumed suicide mission?

Yeah, I'm definitely intrigued by the premise of this book, and I'm glad I'll have it in my hands soon through my Scout Box subscription.  I think you all should pick this up because it creates a compelling narrative of survival while focusing on a family's loss.  The art is extremely engaging, and makes you feel for both Hellener and the Ministry.  The colors are mind blowing.  I truly believe that Cheng just put on a clinic for anyone else writing about Mars, by creating an amazing colors cape to depict the red planet in all of its glory.

Even if you can't get this preordered by the 19th through your LCS, don't worry.  Remember Scout has a 3-month delay between their first and second issues to ensure proper time to re-order before issue 2 drops, so use the diamond information below to hit up your LCS.  OR... When the listing goes live to order on the Scout Shop and use the code BURRITO (must be all caps) you can get 10% off of your order!  (Maybe I'll be cool enough for a scout code one day...)

But if you love stories of space and survival, this is the book for you!