Penny For Your Soul - Death #1
Writer:
Tom Hutchison
Artist:
J B Neto
What do I need to know about this title to get started?
Penny For Your Soul - Death #1, is the first issue of volume 3 of the Penny For Your Soul series. In short, hell (yes, the big place downstairs, fire, brimstone etc.) is currently capitalising on the opportunity to steal souls. And what better place to stage this heist than in Babylon (A Las Vegas-like city of sin). Agents of Lucifer lure the weak and vulnerable to enter into contracts to sell their souls in exchange for some cash and the promise of good times (as is the case for Patrick, this issue's first victim). The capturing of souls through a mechanism akin to a market transaction makes this story engaging and interesting.
What can I expect from this issue?
SPOILER ALERT!! - Don't read this if you plan on buying this issue!
A little bit about the quality of the book first. I am always impressed with the exceptional quality of Big Dog Ink's comic books. Readers that purchase BDI's books are rewarded with a high quality book (great paper stock and print quality). I love owning BDI's stuff. They are comic books you want to keep forever.
My favourite of BDI's stories to date is the Penny for Your Soul series. It is fun and perfect for more mature readers, but has a serious sub-text about human actions, consequences and morality generally. You become engaged in an imaginative story to which readers can relate. Of course if you find creative writing about sin, christian religious doctrines about heaven, hell and morality a bit offensive, you might want to steer clear of this title. But if you did steer clear for that reason alone, you would be missing out.
So we start by being introduced to Mary Magdalene who is now in charge of the third circle of hell. She is running the show and wants to do things a little differently. As part of this scene, we are introduced to a woman who is being mistreated (in so far as one could be mistreated in hell, but ignore that paradox for the moment). We may discover her significance in later issues but it might just have been a plot device to introduce us to Magdalene. Either way, it makes for a dramatic and intense opening to this issue. We are later taken to Babylon where Danica begins to discover irregularities between the number of souls that have been purchased through contract and those that are actually reaching hell (call it an accounting irregularity). Through Patrick (a random unsuspecting victim of his own weakness) we discover the cause of the shortfall of souls making it to hell....her name is Eve. I won't say anymore, you must read the first issue of this series. You won't be disappointed.
What did I like about this issue?
The story flowed through this issue perfectly. A real tribute to Hutchison's writing. Readers are given a glimpse of hell as it operates in the context of this story which is important for new readers that might be new to Penny For Your Soul. We are introduced to a new character called Eve and are given a glimpse of what motivates her. Each part of this story is well paced and provides just enough information to keep you wanting more. This is an extremely well written first issue. The art by Neto is dark. Characters are given very heavy shadowing which conveys the darkness that surrounds them. My only criticism would be that I have in the past liked the vibrant colours of the previous series. It would seem that this volume might be taking a different direction, which is okay, I still thought highly of the art in this issue. I love the way Eve has been drawn as well as the colours chosen for this character. She jumps right off the page (well done Oren Kramek on colours).
What did others think about this issue?
No reviews to recommend that you read just yet...sorry!
What do I give it?
Grade: A
This is a solid start to a favourite title of mine from Big Dog Ink. If you have enjoyed this title in previous series', you will enjoy this issue too.
Down the Rabbit Hole #3
Writers:
Raven Gregory
Pat Shand
Artists:
Gregbo Waston
Yusuf Idris
The story so far...
After the urges of a supernatural force drive Alice to attempt suicide, she is hospitalised for her perceived mental illness. Her family is left to function without her, leaving Lewis, Johnny, and Calie to venture down separate, dark paths. But during her stay at the hospital, Alice realises the truth - Wonderland is after her family and she is the only one who's aware of it. It's then that Alice makes the decision to protect her family at any cost necessary.
What can you expect from this issue?
This issue gets you inside Alice's mind. You are given insight into the Wonderland that she sees as she lives her everyday life. Alice returns home from hospital and from the moment she enters her home she is plunged into the horrors and torments of a Wonderland keen to get the better of her. She is introduced to the white rabbit upon her return home who taunts her and threatens her family. Alice's father comes to visit and presents her with a gift which is also an instrument of Wonderland's torment. Alice tries to rekindle romantic feelings with her husband to find that Wonderland will never leave her alone. Alice's emotional state is causing an emotional distance between her and her children. In the end, Alice may have been transported back to Wonderland, but I'll let you make that call. I'm still trying to figure it out!
What did I think of this issue?
The real stand out for me is the artwork. The reader is visually transported to this turbulent and colourfully brilliant Wonderland that is present within Alice's fragile mind. The art is just superb. Alice is drawn and coloured consistently throughout this issue. Every panel drawn conveys emotion which tells so much of Alice's journey. This is what comic books are about.
The writing by Gregory and Shand is good. Their writing is true to the chilling and shocking place Wonderland is for Alice. The writing succeeds in convincing the reader that Alice's family is in imminent threat from the perils of Wonderland.
This issue and the series so far is really providing amazing context to the Return to Wonderland series I read many years ago and thoroughly enjoyed. This series is about Alice (not Calie) and that makes this series so much more informative and enjoyable. Finally I get to read about Alice's struggle after returning from Wonderland.
What did others think of this issue?
There is just one review the I could find by Unleash the Fanboy...
Unleash the Fanboy Review
So what do I give this issue?
Grade: A
Alice is drawn so brilliantly in this issue that I had to give it top marks! Just check out how awesome this art is...
Kick-Ass 3 #2
Writer:
Mark Millar
Artist:
John Romita Jr.
Dave Lizewski always wanted to be a superhero. Now he's leading an entire superhero team.
What can you expect from this issue?
(Spoiler Alert...maybe!)
An awesome balance between action scenes and story development, with the scales slightly tipped toward story development. Kick-Ass is set upon by a bunch of muggers which I'll leave you to read about. This leads him to an introduction to someone significant in his life. We are later introduced to Rocco Genovese, a mob boss who is inwardly displeased with the actions of Chris Genovese (Red Mist). As Chris Genovese is being dealt with, his mother Angie Genovese takes an unexpected decision which does not generate the outcome that she had planned.
What did I think of this issue?
Trust me when I say that I have given away very little by what I have said above. This amazing comic book will have you pouring over the pages a second time to ensure you devour every part of this very cool story. Chris must pay for his actions and this is what is being worked through as part of this issue. Millar's writing is simply brilliant and engaging. He gets you deep into the mind of Angie Genovese and the decisions she is struggling with.
Millar of course does not let his fans down by bringing a fair amount of humour to this issue. When you read about the Batman: Year One speech scene of this issue you will be in stitches. It is brilliant. Millar is great at showing this bunch of wanna-be superheros as never being able to truly grapple with the real danger they face. Millar allows the reader to feel the good coming from Dave Lizewski's actions, but at the same time you constantly laugh through the stupidity of it all. This entire series is an amazing ride of shocking violence (sometime a bit confronting) and clever comedy.
John Romita Jnr never fails to impress. He draws the most intense action scenes (only a few in this issue though), but in this issue he demonstrates his skill with drawing characters grappling with a mix of emotions (Chris and Angie Genovese mostly). Facial expressions are accurate to the circumstance and a tribute to Romita's brilliant drawing style. His distinctive style is perfect for the Kick-Ass series.
Not much of Mindy in this issue, but she is in prison right now...I have no doubt we will see a lot more of her real soon.
What did others think?
Comic Vine gave this issue full marks as will I....here is what Comic Vine had to say...
Comic Vine Review
What do I give it?
Grade: A+
This is a great issue which forms part of a great series. I recall buying the very first issue and thinking that this series was going to impress and many years on I have not yet been disappointed. Top marks for this issue.
Enjoy.
My favourite of BDI's stories to date is the Penny for Your Soul series. It is fun and perfect for more mature readers, but has a serious sub-text about human actions, consequences and morality generally. You become engaged in an imaginative story to which readers can relate. Of course if you find creative writing about sin, christian religious doctrines about heaven, hell and morality a bit offensive, you might want to steer clear of this title. But if you did steer clear for that reason alone, you would be missing out.
