Hey everyone. Welcome to Unleash the Fanboy’s Weekly Comic Reviews, I’m your host, Daniel Alvarez. Post Nor’Eastern, we’re back to okay weather for a change. We have some pretty interesting titles in our midst, including the next installment of Saga and the stellar beginning of Chasing the Dead. Let’s start out with some Elephants…

Elephantmen #44

After some rather complicated issues, Elephantmen #44 begins to put the pieces together, whilst still being vague and mysterious. Still, there’s a sense of things moving in this issue, even if it dialogue heavy.

For the full review, click  here.

3.5/5

Great Pacific #1

If Great Pacific can iron out some of its storytelling problems, it stands a chance of joining the long list of truly great books put out by Image, but issue #1 isn’t there.

For the full review, click here.

3/5

Hack/Slash #20

There’s a gathering storm on the horizon as villains unite and our heroes enter a rather dark place.  The partnership between Vlad and Cassie Hack has had its share of ups and downs and right now the duo is at a crossroads.  Are they friends?  Soon to be lovers?  Or a couple of monsters that just deserve each other?  I honestly don’t know where I’d put them but I’m certain that after this issue they’re going to need to be back-to-back in order to face down the threats ahead.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Hoax Hunters #5

After a pretty good warm-up arc, Hoax Hunters continues with a solid fifth installment. This one is a little different, more of a mystery and the main characters aside from Jack don’t really appear. Instead it focuses on the  story revolving around the Jersey Devil. It’s definitely a refreshing issue, a one-shot that a new reader can pick up and enjoy. Good characters, solid writing, and a demonic beast makes this issue a worthy pickup. (And for just $2.99, you can’t go wrong.)

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Saga #7

If there’s one title I always look forward to, its Saga. With Saga #7, I’m happy to say the series doesn’t disappoint. This might not be its strongest issues, buts its miles ahead of its competitors.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

 

Think Tank #4

When this comic book was first announced I honestly didn’t know what I was going to think about it.  The concept of a slacker scientist locked into a government think thank who wanted to sever his ties with them in order to pursue his own life ambitions was on face value intriguing, but could it work as a monthly book?  Four months and four issues in I can smile and happily report: yes, yes it does.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

The Boys #72

So, this is it – the final issue of The Boys. Its been a hell of a run, and the final issue isn’t what anyone would expect. Its.. calming and almost happy. This sounds bad, but there is a certain pleasing tone to it. For a series that’s always been somewhat aggressive to the nature of superheroes, its interesting to see The Boys #72 come to and understanding with both this and itself.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Damsels #3

Who knew that when you opened a comic book revolving around fairy tale creatures you’d be dealing with strikingly mature themes, such as discrimination?  It certainly wasn’t what I was expecting out of this release, but nonetheless this tale continues to prove its gumption even as it takes a few minor narrative missteps.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Dark Shadows / Vampirella #4

Who knew a mini-series involving both Dark Shadows and Vampirella would honestly be this much fun?  With the inclusion of some side characters and a striking foe to take down this brief saga is quickly proving its reason for existence with each passing page.  The creative team simply works splendidly together as they chart their course toward whatever conclusion next month’s release will bring.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Evil Ernie #2

This series continues to pick up speed, exploring our protagonist’s new powers as well as his past and why he is doing what he is doing. Just as the title of the issue says, this series is “Just warming up”.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Jennifer Blood: First Blood #2

Life is full of missed opportunities and if you’re a vengeful woman looking to settle a score you just have to bounce back and keep trying no matter what the cost.  Our heroine is gathering herself as she prepares to move onto the next phase of her bloody odyssey and the individual issue results are pretty stellar.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Lord of the Jungle #9

With a new arc for Tarzan, and one that isn’t about his origins, Lord Of The Jungle enters into uncertain waters. Whilst this is certainly a decent read, the question is whether its a Tarzan-story. In summary, however, it is a good read and the artwork maintains its decent standards. Whilst it may not be the most original piece of writing, it is interesting and fluid enough to warrant a decent read through.

For the full review, click here.

3/5

Red Sonja #71

It’s a somber and slow moving tale that’s slightly different from the usual fare associated with the She-Devil with a Sword.  Yes, this is still through and through a Red Sonja release that’s full of the usual adventure tropes, but it’s also an issue with a huge helping of emotional pathos that simply ebbs and flows within its pages.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Vampirella: The Red Room #4

Whenever a story line arrives at its ending it can be a really tricky thing to bring to fruition whether the creative team is competent or not.  In this case we have a skilled bunch behind this mini-series doing their best to tie-up their various plot threads even as the proverbial cracks in their work start to show.

For the full review, click here.

3/5

Witchblade: Demon Reborn #4

If you start off reading this mini-series assuming you’re going to get something that’s on equal footing with Witchblade: Demon you’re going to be a bit disappointed because at the end of the day they’re just two different beasts.  The original one-shot was short and sweet while this one lingered and offered further details on this monstrous man that was destined to be trapped in Hell.  The end result is a sturdy romp that doesn’t forge any new ground but will undoubtedly entertain fans if they’re looking for a bonus in the old Top Cow Universe.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Chasing the Dead #1

Based on the novel by Joe Schreiber, Chasing the Dead is a new mini-series from IDW. Judging from the title and cover, it looks to have some zombie action. Well that isn’t the case. (Or at least not yet.) Going into the first issue I didn’t know what to truly expect. Everything came out of right field in this intense thriller that puts all Lifetime movies to shame. Chasing the Dead #1 is one of the most intense comics I’ve ever read. It’s not because people die, cities explode, or a deadly fate has taken the planet, rather it is its realism that punches you in the gut. Taken? When a Stranger Calls? Add a bit of a supernatural element, and the bottom line is that you shouldn’t miss out.

For the full review, click here.

5/5

 

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #184

Picking things up a little, G.I Joe: A Real American Hero #184 serves an action packed issues that’s full of plenty of twists, mysterious and typical espionage that the series is known for. That being said, the rest of the issue is full of plot twists and revelations. Its very exciting and full of character, making the most of what the series can offer. All, in all, this is a fair read with plenty going for it.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Locke And Key Omega #1

It should come as no surprise that Hill is too subtle to throw us into deep water right off the bat. Rather, he jacks the tension up notch by notch by eschewing action almost entirely. There are a few things to keep an eye out for, particularly a certain team of paramedics, and a blink-and-you-miss-it, “Holy Crap!” detail in the last scene. If you haven’t hopped on the Locke & Key bandwagon yet, you still have time, but as the cover of this issue gleefully proclaims, “In 6 issues, it’s all over!”

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Star Trek The Next Generation Doctor Who Assimilation 2 #7

With one issue to go, things are certainly kicking into high gear with Star Trek/Doctor Who Assimilation 2 #7. Having spent several issues exploring back stories and developing strange alliances, now is the time that everything starts to put into place. This is a series that subtly rewards its fans for sticking with it to the end; a trend that doesn’t stop this issue either.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Executive Assistant: Assassins #5

The world of piracy in the modern era is a harsh one, as our protagonist learns first hand from her master.  She faces a crucial decision about her future, as the crew’s lives literally hang in the balance.  The end result is a very good comic book that will please series fans and may just make a good enough case to grow its own inherent audience.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Grimm Fairy Tales Myths & Legends #23

With powerful forces uniting to unleash an unspeakable terror to stop another monster our hero, Samantha Darren, is beleaguered but not quite beaten.  She stands firmly in her role as she musters up her strength and calls in some much needed reinforcements.  It’s a tough issue to read but it’s one that’s absolutely thrilling and entertaining.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Grimm Fairy Tales presents Bad Girls #4

Before I type anything else let me make one thing clear: this is a fun and epic comic book that will please fans and might just be good enough to attract new readers.  Yes I’ve heard and understand the complaints about the Grimm Fairy Tales line but when the right writer and artist take it on they use the established devices to deliver something truly special, an excellent romp.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

 

2000AD #1809

Another week, another issue of 2000 AD. This week, we have Judge Dredd, Low Life, ABC Warriors, Brass Sun and The Simping Detective, so lets take a closer look.

For the full review, click here.

4/5