Graphic Breakdown: Happy Reading! Four Titles That Earn an ‘A’!

Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!

It’s Friday! Let’s go into the weekend happy by reading some comics!

The Black Hood Season Two #1   

Written by Duane Swierczynski
Illustrated by Greg Scott
Published by Dark Circle Comics

So, one of the best comic books to hit the stands in recent times is The Black Hood comicbook.

It’s an unrelenting, Dark noir about a guy named Greg who was a cop. He got hurt. He then becomes a drug addict and a vigilante at the same time.

And then it becomes REALLY dark.

The first season had some of the best writing in recent comic books. Swierczynski really is a master of the form. His stories have such a pace. I can’t even describe it. Just read it.

Starting off the issue, The Black Hood is no more.

Sure, there are rumors that he is still out there, blending in with the homeless population—and emerging only to stop a violent attack before vanishing again.

But the ruthless assassin known as The Nobody considers the Black Hood a loose end, and he’s willing to slaughter dozens to flush him out. How high must the body count rise before Greg steps forward to face an opponent he can’t possibly beat?

Greg Scott kills it on the art as well. I can’t wait to pick it up each month. This is on the top of my reading list month in and month out. Already I am dying for the next issue. Pick it up.

RATING: A

The Skeptics #1 

Written by Tini Howard
Illustrated by Devaki Neogi
Published by Black Mask Studios

This first issue was a pretty cool read. I was sucked in immediately to this premise and the writing and art followed through.

I am impressed enough to pick up the second issue. This is a book that deserves a chance.

The book takes place in the 1960s. The Russians have the A bomb, the H bomb, and now the most terrifying weapon of all: a pair of psychically superpowered young people.

Terrified and desperate, the US top brass scours from coast to coast in search of psychic Americans.

Enter Dr. Isobel Santaclara, an eccentric illusionist and grifter who has recruited two teenagers and trained them to trick the US government, the Russians, and the whole world into believing they are dangerous psychics.

This is a unique and cool book. The writing and art were both right up my alley. Original and smart, you need to read this. It’s comicbooks at its best.

RATING: A

Faith: Volume 2 #1-4   

Written by Jody Houser 
Illustrated by Pere Perez and Marguerite Sauvage
Published by Valiant Entertainment

Jody Houser is one of the best writers at Valiant Entertainment. They would be wise over there to have her write more of their books.  For now, she has taken Faith and turned her into a leading character. It’s pretty great.

Part of the reason it works so well is that Faith isn’t like anyone we have seen in comics before.  Joshua Dysart turned her character into more than a one more joke (as she was in the original Valiant Universe) and Houser picked up the ball and ran with it. The stories are a blast to read.

Not only are they fun, but there is a certain wiseness to this book. It’s smart as well as silly, joyful instead of angry, and just has some really great storytelling overall. The art has been consistently well done.

This is a great package overall and anyone looking into getting into the Valiant Universe this is a great place to start.

RATING: A

BURIED TREASURE

The Incal   

Written by Alejandro Jodorowsky
Illustrated by Moebius
Published by Humanoids Books

Ah. Alejandro Jodorowsky.

When his fabled film version of Dune fell apart, he incorporated some of the ideas into this book. And it’s both brilliant and out of its mind.

In honor of Dark Horse Comics releasing “The Moebius Library” I figured I would read this book. The very first collaboration between Jodorowsky and Moebius: The Incal.

The Incal isn’t a book you just read.

It’s a science fiction book you experience. A true classic in every sense of the world.

It’s ingenious. And it’s bonkers!

John Difool, a low-class detective in a degenerate dystopian world, finds his life turned upside down when he discovers an ancient, mystical artifact called “The Incal.”

Difool’s adventures will bring him into conflict with the galaxy’s greatest warrior, the Metabaron, and will pit him against the awesome powers of the Technopope. These encounters and many more make up a tale of comic and cosmic proportions that has Difool fighting for not only his very survival, but also the survival of the entire universe.

It’s a heck of a book. Jodorowsky really found his groove in comic books. And the artwork? It’s Moebius.

Genius in every sense of the word.

RATING: A+