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Graphic Novel Review: Army of Darkness/Xena Warrior Princess: Forever and a Day by Scott Lobdell, art by Elliot Fernandez

Army of Darkness/Xena Warrior Princess: Forever and a Day by Scott Lobdell, art by Elliot Fernandez

Dynamite Entertainment, 2017

ISBN-13: 9781524103514

Available: Paperback, Kindle edition, and comiXology ebook

The Army of Darkness/Xena Warrior Princess: Forever and a Day storyline opens with Xena holding her wounded life companion, Gabrielle, after her army has been destroyed by the ultimate evil. The only recourse she has is to use a page from the Necronomicon that Ash gifted to her to use in a time of ultimate need. Ash heeds the call (I mean, he has no choice since the portal sucks him in, right?). Ash has to put aside his need for some sugar from fellow S-Mart employee Amber until he can solve Xena’s problem, especially when he discovers she doesn’t remember him—over and over again. The problem gets compounded every time Xena uses the sheet to call him back. Ash’s time travel disruptions are damaging the time loop and may destroy it altogether. What is causing the timeline to screw up, and can Xena finally get it together enough to trust this traveler from the future?

I’m a sucker for anything with Xena or Ash. Lobdell is able to keep the tone of the both Xena and Army of Darkness well throughout the entire run. Ash is still the womanizing, chainsaw-wielding fella, and Xena retains her edge and sharp wit. I loved seeing them take verbal potshots at each other. Gabrielle was definitely the voice of reason when they needed it. The artwork was fantastic, too. I read another review that said Xena was too cheesecake, but I really don’t see it.

If you enjoyed any of the other Army of Darkness crossovers, you should pick this up. I enjoyed the hell out of it. What more can I say? Hail to the King, Baby… Recommended.

Contains: some blood, and, of course, Deadites

 

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

 

Posted on April 26, 2018 by , Reply

Graphic Novel Review: Straitjacket by El Torres, art by Guillermo Sanna

Straitjacket TP

Straitjacket by El Torres, art by Guillermo Sanna

Amigo Comics, 2016

ISBN: 9788416486199

Available: Trade paperback (direct from Amigo Comics), comiXology ebook

As a child, Alexandra Wagner ritually murdered her twin brother, Alexander. She was subsequently institutionalized and believes she protects the real world against “The Outer Darkness”, with the help of her brother on the other side. The doctors and hospital orderlies don’t believe her, of course, chalking up her cryptic words and gestures as simply signs of her insanity. Who could believe the ravings of someone diagnosed with mental illness? Dr. T. certainly doesn’t until she attacks and kills another patient, and the orderly dispatched to restrain her swears she disappeared right in front of him. The good doctor returns home after a long day, only to find Alex waiting for him.

This is the second series I have read by El Torres. He is a great storyteller, weaving impossible stories where the supernatural intrudes in the real world in fascinating and disturbing ways. Sanna’s artwork adds the perfect horrific atmosphere for Alex’s story. The art is primarily black and white, with sprays of red to indicate certain things to the reader, like identifying which realm certain creatures or characters are in or setting the mood.

If you like horror that explores the concepts of death and madness, you need to pick up Straitjacket. Highly recommended.

Contains: blood, gore, madness, nudity

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

 

Posted on March 2, 2018 by , Reply

Graphic Novel Review: The Westwood Witches by El Torres, art by Abel Garcia

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The Westwood Witches by El Torres, art by Abel Garcia

Amigo Comics, 2015

ISBN: 9788416074761

Available: print, comiXology ebook

The Westwood Witches opens with a man running for his life. His pursuers, a coven of witches, punish him for his lack of neighborly respect. After they are finished with him, they use his near-dead body as a means to summon Baphomet.

The perspective then changes to a man sitting at his laptop displeased at what he as just written. Jack Kurtzberg, a successful author of a witch romance bestseller, hates his work. He’s on contract to write a sequel to his first book, but his writer’s block is preventing him from continuing, and the bills are piling up. After the untimely death of his brother, Jack and his wife, Susan, move to Jack’s childhood New England town. He soon discovers there is more to his friendly neighbors than meets the eye. The wives are particularly interested in what he is writing, especially when it comes to the history and mythology of the witches. When Jack discovers the truth about Westwood, after a Witches’ Sabbath gone wrong, he also solves a mystery from his childhood that affects the entire town.

El Torres expertly weaves a story of a struggling writer coming to terms with the death of his brother, the unraveling of the neighborhood, belief, and how the witches connect with the rest of Jack’s story. Garcia’s art lends the appropriate macabre, dark atmosphere. This is a must for readers who like some edge to their witches. Highly recommended.

This volume reprints issues 1-4.

Contains: blood, gore, nudity, sexual content

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

 

 

Posted on February 9, 2018 by , Reply
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