NOSFERATU NIGHTMARES #1 AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY
A very intriguing concept all inspired by the 1922 German expressionist film. The precurser to the Dracula we all know and love. Artist Emanuele Kuhoric definitely knows his black and white German art which makes this book fascinating to look at. But much like a silent film with title cards, the stories feel rushed, like there is more going on behind the dialog cards and we can’t see it. Even the best of the stories, S.A. Check’s Carpe Momentum ends too quickly as cinephile gets his hands on the cursed original 1922 film believed to have been destroyed. But its cursed so you can’t watch it. You know where we go from here. But within moments of the playing all heck breaks loose and then the story ends. It feels like there should be more to the story. A nice grouping of extremely short stories that gets a 7 out of 10 Grahams.
PUNCHLINE & THE VAUDE-VILLAINS VS VIOLANTE #1
The character of Violante has been running through the backrounds of the Hero Tomorrow universe for a while now. Whether it was in creator Ted Sikora’s Apama, Bloom, or Tap Dance Killer titles, this character has an interesting connection to the Hero Tomorrow universe. No Spoilers here but her connection to the universe is a significant one. And also explains why she’s going up against the Vaude-Villains. For the first of a two-part series, this one for sure is necessary for the backround of the Hero Tomorrow universe. Love, betrayal, possessions, undead, gun shot wounds of epic proportion, this has it all. The best part is in the intro letter from Sikora saying that they have picked up a new imprinter in Asylum Press! And with the artistic creative team of Donny Hadiwidjaja and Chis Arieswendha, this one puts a smile on my face. 9 out of 10 Grahams.
DETECTIVE COMICS #27 FACSIMILE EDITION DC COMICS
Where to start? A classic DC anthology title from 1939 that was about to explode as we first meet The Batman! And this is THE Batman. Bat chest symbol with no yellow oval around it. Utility belt with a big circular disc on the front. And everything is just pointy.Cowl, cape and don’t forget the purplish gloves. And while everyone and their mother can tell you about this first appearance, it is worth reminding people that this was an anthology title. Yes, Batman starred on the cover but he had plenty of company on the inside pages. Characters that would become rather iconic as well. Speed Saunders (who would later be revealed to be related to Hawkgirl. Spy, done by the team of Siegel and Shuster. The Crimson Avenger who would later join the Seven Soldiers of Victory. And, of course, Slam Bradley who would go on to interact with such characters as Black Canary and the Batman himself. But also gave an outlet for such others as Buck Marshall, Bruce Nelson, Doctor Fu Manchu, Flatfoot Flannigan, Cosmo, the Phantom of Disguise, and Plainclothes Pete. There is a reason it was called the Golden Age. 9 out of 10 Grahams.