Die Kitty Die #2 (Chapterhouse)
This may have been a little less impressive than the first issue – which was one of my stand-out books of the year – but still delivered a solid read and worthy of any pull list.
The story format continues to delight as the reader is first given a “flashback” comic to our main character Kitty’s heyday in comics, which sets up the story to come in the rest of the issue. The writing in this issue was little more on the nose with its jokes and jabs at the overall comic industry. The language was also turned up a little more. That aspect – combined with a couple of drug references – took away from some of the light-heartedness, but still continued to charm and deliver laughs.
The art shone throughout the entire book. The flashback portion felt like an Archie book of the past, while the present story remained in that updated – yet classic – Archie feel. Art this well done really helps move the story at a fantastic pace and never get bogged down. There continued to be a little cheesecake to the art, but it added to the overall fun of the book without making it feel like staring into a 90s long box or a slightly creepy deviant art page.
The two-page spreads by J Bone are worth the price of admission alone.
Overall, this was still a treat to read and was easily the first book off my stack this week.
Ratings: 4 out of 5
Spell on Wheels #2 (Dark Horse)
Spell on Wheels is doing something very special and commendable.
It gives the reader a fun tale of strong independent women, while delivering a feminist message that is not meant to be beaten over anyone’s head.
These characters are real women – living in this current day and age – but just happen to be a bunch of spell casting witches looking to reclaim their stolen items.
The X-Men taught a lot of us that it is alright to be a little different when we were growing up. Spell on Wheels is teaching us all how to live a little bit better.
It’s a great message. A well written book and absolutely stunning cartooning.
I want more of this in comics and want to give those books to my nieces.
Ratings: 4.5 out of 5
Lady Killer 2 #3 (Dark Horse)
At one point, Dexter was the best television show out there. When the show was at its best, we knew who Dexter was and that was not going to change, but it was the pieces around our main character that made the show compelling and interesting.
While I enjoyed the first two issues of Lady Killer 2, it felt like perhaps this was just another romp in the world of this 60s mom serial murderer. It’s always a fun time, but nothing super compelling. Luckily, issue #3 added some new wrinkles and dropped in a little lurking mystery around some of our supporting characters. Those wrinkles made it feel like a whole new world while still keeping us connected to our main character, whom we have come to root for.
Michelle Madsen on art continues to kill on art duties and gives this book a distinct feel. The first two-page spread of this book is meant to be marveled and poured over.
Ratings: 4 out of 5