GRIMM FAIRY TALES 2025 SWIMSUIT SPECIAL
The good folks at Zenescope take another opportunity to spotlight their creative teams with a brief preview of the new ongoing storyline featuring Father Time and the Emerald City. And then straight to the stunning pin-up art. With old favorites like Jyn Leonard, Keith Garvey, Renato Rei, Eric Basaldua, Jacob Bear and many others on art duty. And colors by the likes of Sanju Nivangune, Juan Manuel Rodriguez, Grostieta, Ceci De La Cruz and many others who seem to have access to an endless color pallet. Zenescope’s Swimsuit Specials are always worth checking out and remind readers of what talented artists can do with a pencil, ink pen, and access to colors beyond imagination. 8 out of 10 Grahams.
JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK TOMORROW SPECIAL #1 DC COMICS
Yet another one-shot prequel to another one of DC Comics’s ‘Next Big Thing’ events. While it is always nice to revisit with the various time travellers in the DC Universe, they are yet again being hunted down, only this time it’s not the Hank Hall Extant doing it. Various mysteries are introduced as Gold Beetle is glitching, a mysterious masked time traveller crashes into the Watchtower, and we get a return to the Vanishing Point. Problem is that all of this has been done before. Whether it was in the comics or on the old CW’s Legends of Tomorrow tv show. Which is dirrectly referenced with the appearance of Rip Hunter’s ship the Waverider. The team basically consists of all the time lost heroes from the highly confusing We Are Tomorrow storyline that just ended. And while it was nice to see Air Wave and Amazing Man interacting, And while we are talking about things appropriated from other sources, how about tall energy towers and shadow demons from the original Crisis mini-series? Or evil corrupted versions of heroes from the Legion’s Great Darkness Saga? And remember back in the good old days when Superboy and Supergirl could return to hang out in the 30th Century because of a time blockage? Well, you know what they say, everything old is new again. Unfortunately, I’m very old and I’m not a fan of remakes. By the way, can someone explain to me why evil Shadow Lass is wearing Ninja Turtle armor? 6 out of 10 Grahams.
GODZILLA VS BOSTON #1 IDW PUBLISHING
Even with cameos by Mothra, what I take to be Ebirah, and that bug-eyed version of Minya, I quickly hoped that Godzilla would just stomp on the city and move on. While we do get a few city references, they are really only relevant to people from Boston. And while there is the implication that these one-shots are connected from city to city, this idea that Godzilla is marching through America stomping on city after city is weak at best. And with him next appearing in Kansas City according to the next time ad, it seems more like Godzilla’s appearances are more like a travelling road show from back in the day. Some minor enjoyment but I’m not from Boston so … 5 out of 10 Grahams.
SANTOS SISTERS #9 AMERICAN NATURE
First off, let’s congradulate the folks behind the Santos Sisters for winning an Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series at SDCC this year! When I was handed the very first issue and asked to review it, I knew it was some good stuff. I am very happy that others agree! And issue 9 still proves this title deserves the attention! Especially with the first story as Alana comes to terms with wanting to stop being a super-hero and persue her childhood dreams. While humorous, it does address some very though provoking concepts. We’ve got more special ads, more appearances of the secondary cast and the first appearance of Jackie Stalegum, the Phantom of the Cardboard who delivers a message that I am in full agreement of! The Boozy Beez are back with some shenanigans and Gary Antzman has a run in with the Nature Ninjas! Everything you could want from a Santos Sister comic. 9 out of 10 Grahams.
