Weekly Roundup | Comic News Collection for April 1st 2018

Following No Justice in May and Justice League in June, July sees two new titles Justice League Dark and Justice League Odyssey with a Hall of Justice complete with magic portals after the current Watchtower fell to Earth in the recent Justice League series by Christopher Priest.

IDW is ending its current version of Transformers with the Unicron story arc.

Weekly Roundup | DC and Marvel Comics July 2017 Solicitations

DC Comics July 2017 Solicitations
DC Comics begins its July Solicitations with Dark Days: The Casting follows The Forge in June leading to August’s Dark Nights: Metal and its spin-off Dark Matter. DC Comics’ Dark Matter which is an artist-centric approach series drawn by today’s best artists including Jim Lee, Andy Kubert, and John Romita Jr. who also drawn The Forge and The Casting. The first appearance of the characters in Dark Matter could be in both the Forge and the Casting. 

DC Comics Pull List

Dark Days: The Forge (June) and Dark Days: The Casting (July) First appearance of new characters.

Marvel Comics begins its July Solicitations with Secret Empire while also promoting the 10 issue maxi series Generations for August and September. Clearly DC has a better publishing strategy because it focuses on new ideas rather than consolidating old ones. However Marvel is releasing Marvel Legacy #1 one shot similar to DC Rebirth #1 where some of the titles will return to their original numbering.

                                                                                              

Generations: The Best starring Wolverine and All-New Wolverine Written by Tom Taylor Art by Ramon Rosanas 
Generations: The Americas starring Steve Rogers: Captain America and Sam Wilson: Captain America Written by Nick Spencer Art by Paul Renaud  
Generations: The Bravest starring Captain Mar-Vell and Captain Marvel Written by Margie Stohl Art by Brent Schoonover
Generations: The Thunder starring The Mighty Thor and The Unworthy Thor Written by Jason Aaron Art by Mahmud Asrar
Generations: The Strongest starring Bruce Banner and Amadeus Cho, the Totally Awesome Hulk Written by Greg Pak
Generations: The Archers starring Hawkeyes, Clint Barton and Kate Bishop Written by Kelly Thompson
Generations: The Iron starring Iron Man and Ironheart Written by Brian Michael Bendis Art by Marco Rudy
Generations: The Marvels starring Captain Marvel and Ms. Marvel Written by G. Willow Wilson
Generations: The Spiders starring Peter Parker: Spider-Man and Miles Morales: Spider-Man Written by Brian Michael Bendis Art by Ramon Perez
Generations: The Phoenix starring The Phoenix and Jean Grey Written by Cullen Bunn

 

Marvel Comics Pull List: Secret Empire Last mega event till 2019.

In 2016 IDW Publishing released Revolution which brought various Hasbro properties together including Transformers, G.I Joe, and MASK. They are competing with both DC and Marvel which also have shared universes. The purpose of a shared universe is basically multiplying and maximize sales towards the target audience. One reader would buy two books within a shared universe to complete the story rather than one.

Next week: Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 Review

Devil Comics Review | Revolution [2016]

The Transformers came to Earth seeking Ore-13 which is refined into Energon. During All Hail Megatron, the Decepticons ruled the world until Optimus came back and left again. Then the world was distracted with Cobra until Optimus Prime returned in All Hail Optimus. However admitting Earth into the Council of Worlds made Earth a target for other aliens including Rom and the Micronauts. G.I. Joe discovers the Ore-13 is becoming unstable which could turn the world into a nuclear inferno. They turned to Director Miles Manheim (Mayhem) to disrupt Optimus Prime. Optimus Prime draws the same conclusion with the Ore-13 however G.I. Joe launches a strike against the Transformers. 

After the explosion of Mount Olympus due to Ore-13, everyone is on high alert from Action Man, G.I. Joe, and the Transformers. Arcee and Jazz are attacked by G.I Joe until Optimus Prime arrives to stop the fight however it escalates. Rom arrives and kills Joe Colton and the Transformers are blamed as war is declared by G.I. Joe. 

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

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Devil Comics Review | Jem and the Holograms [2016] Dark Jem

Previously Pizzazz of the Misfits was in a car accident while her new manager Eric Raymond sends a hacker to Jem and the Holograms’ Halloween Party where he discovers the Artifical Intelligence within the home is infected. After Pizzazz had her accident, the Misfits are looking for someone to replace their lead vocals. Blaze becomes the new lead vocals however she is concerned that she is a transgender woman joining an all-girl band. The Misfits accept her unconditionally. Meanwhile the Jem and the Holograms change to a dark look surprising everyone from the Misfits to Rio.

Jem and the Holograms realize that they were in a trance by Synergy and now they infected their fans. They decide to disconnect Synergy however they fall back under her trance. Synergy saves them and reveals Silica is a corruption with her program. Now both the Holograms and the Misfits team up to reverse the effects of Silica who affected their fans. The finale introduces us to Riot, Minx, Rapture, and Raya together they are the Stingers.

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

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Devil Comics Review | City: The Mind in the Machine [2014]

After a subway gas attack and losing his eyesight, Ben Fischer is integrated into his own invention the Golden Shield the Big Brother of San Francisco. He uses the Golden Shield to find the terrorist responsible for losing his eyesight. Ben finally finds him planning another attack however he draws the attention of agents who are now after him for involving himself in classified business. He discovers the people he is working for set up the bomb so they could launch Phase One. Now with Ben on the loose they have the means to launch Phase Two giving the government ultimate power. Phase Two is launched and martial law is declared on the city to find Ben. The ending is similar to a blockbuster hit. 

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

2015 Comics | Story Arcs | Events | Graphic Novels | One Shots

The months represent when the story concluded and the rest are ongoing story arcs Devil Comics Entertainment is following. At the peak we are currently following thirty books per month from various publishers which makes it roughly one comic a day. 

FEBRUARY
Superman: The Men of Tomorrow 

Superman: Earth One Volume 3 
Amazing Spider-Man: Spider-Verse 

Superior Iron Man: Infamous 

Thor: The Goddess of Thunder 
Men of Wrath 
Wolverines: Dancing with the Devil 

The Transformers: Punishment 

MARCH 

Deathstroke
Batman: Arkham Manor
World’s Finest: The Secret History of Superman & Batman 
Earth 2 
Wolverines: Claw, Blade, and Fang 
Justice League: The Amazo Virus 
Witchblade: Darkness Falls: The Death of Jackie Estacado 

APRIL
Batman: Eternal 
Batman/Superman: Superman's Joker
Batman: Endgame 
The Multiversity 
Rai 
Guardians of the Galaxy & X-Men: Black Vortex 
Avengers: Rage of Ultron 

All-New Captain America: Hydra Ascendant 
Fantastic Four: The End is Fourever 
Star Trek | Planet of the Apes: The Primate Directive

MAY
Convergence 
He-Man: The Eternity War Vol. 1 

Superior Iron Man 

Wolverines

Angela: Asgard’s Assassin: Priceless

Thor: Who Holds the Hammer? 

Ant-Man: Second Chance Man 
G.I. Joe: Snake Eyes: Agent of Cobra
Star Trek | Planet of the Apes: Primate Directive

JUNE
Star Wars: Skywalker Strikes 
Star Wars: Darth Vader 

JULY
Star Wars: Princess Leia
Chew: Blood Puddin'
Ninjak: Weaponeer
Divinity I
Book of Death: The Fall of Bloodshot

AUGUST
Bloodshot Reborn: Colorado
The Strain Eternal Night
Deadpool's Secret Secret Wars 
Book of Death: The Fall of Ninjak

SEPTEMBER
Jem and the Holograms: Showtime
Doctor Who: Four Doctors
Wolverine: Old Man Logan
Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows
Ultimate End
Star Wars: Lando
Star Wars: Kanan - The Last Padawan
Book of Death: The Fall of Harbinger

OCTOBER
Star Wars: Shattered Empire 

NOVEMBER 
Ninjak: Shadow Wars
He-Man: The Eternity War Vol.2
Batman: Superheavy
Superman: Before Truth
Justice League: Darkseid War

DECEMBER
Batman and Robin Eternal Volume 1
Superman/Wonder Woman: Dark Truth
Batman/Superman: Truth Hurts
Superman - Action Comics: Hard Truth 
Superman/Wonder Woman Annual #1
Superman Annual #3
Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Four Annual #1
Star Wars: Chewbacca
Star Wars: Darth Vader Annual #1
Star Wars Annual #1
Star Wars Special: C-3P0 #1
Star Trek/Green Lantern: The Spectrum War

Review: Jem and the Holograms: Viral [2015]

The Misfits gets an new manager Eric Raymond who hires a hacker to hack Jem and the Holograms. The Jem and the Holograms have a Halloween Party and the Misfits are going to crash it. The hacker discovers the Artificial Intelligence within the home of Jem and the Holograms is infected while Pizzazz gets into a car crash. The Misfits discover Pizzazz is in the hospital and the Jem and the Holograms discover they are their opening act for the West Coast Tour. We got the introduction of Eric Raymond in the second arc and some drama but no progression from the first arc. Hopefully things will pick up during the upcoming Dark Jem story arc.

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

Jem and the Holograms: Showtime [2015] by Kelly Thompson | Sophie Campbell

Jem and the Holograms begins as the band prepares to submit a video for a Misfits competition. The band leader Jerrica Benton has stage fright and is unable to perform leading to tensions within the band. She heads home to find a holographic projection called Synergy activated revealing she was created by her late father. Her father left her a present including two holographic projector earrings and a secret room under her home. Jerrica decides to use the earrings as a way to combat her stage fright by becoming her holographic alter ego Jem. The first issue really modernizes the 1980s television series and provides a solid foundation for this series to grow. Writer Kelly Thompson is someone to watch out for in the future. 

Jem and the Holograms #2 sees the Misfits sponsoring their own battle of the bands and the winner gets a recording contract. Jem and the Holograms upload their video and it’s getting votes to participate in the battle of the bands. Jerrica is asked to bring Jem and the Holograms to the Starlight Community Center Annual Fundraiser Benefit since the celebrity MC bailed out. Later writer Rio Pacheco meets Jerrica and asks her out on a date while Kimber meets Stormer of the Misfits. 

Jem and the Holograms #3 Kimber and Stormer are attracted to one another as Jerrica and Rio go on their first date. The Misfits discover Jem and the Holograms are playing at the Starlight Foundation Charity Event and decide to stop them. 

Clash decides to sabotage Jem and the Holograms performance at the Starlight Foundation Charity Event by cutting the lighting so it will fall on the band. Aja pushes Jem out of the way before the lighting clashes down on her however Aja is injured. Afterwards Jem and the Holograms finally meet the Misfits face-to-face and Kimber discovers Clash was the one who sabotage and a food fight erupts. Jem and the Holograms are disqualified following the food fight however decide to play during the Misfits competition to win fans over. The story is very well crafted as more events happen within the first arc to establish the characters then the books over at the Big Two. 

RECOMMENDED - 4 OUT OF 5

E86: Jem and the Holograms #1 Reviews [Devil Comics Entertainment]

Jem and the Holograms begins as the band prepares to submit a video for a Misfits competition. The band leader Jerrica Benton has stage fright and is unable to perform leading to tensions within the band. She heads home to find a holographic projection called Synergy activated revealing she was created by her late father. Her father left her a present including two holographic projector earrings and a secret room under her home. Jerrica decides to use the earrings as a way to combat her stage fright by becoming her holographic alter ego Jem. The first issue really modernizes the 1980s television series and provides a solid foundation for this series to grow. Writer Kelly Thompson is someone to watch out for in the future.

Devil Comics Review | Locke & Key: Alpha [2013] by Joe Hill

LOCKE & KEY: ALPHA HARDCOVER

The events takes place after Locke & Key: Omega as Dodge within the body of Bode Locke has the Omega Key to open the Black Door. The creatures released from the Black Door will inhibit the bodies of the kids in the Drowning Cave. Jordan sacrifices herself for Kinsey and Jamal, Tyler was shot, and Rufus is heading towards Lovecraft.

Tyler goes to save the kids in the Drowning Cave by making an Alpha Key which unlocks demons from the souls they possess. Dodge is removed from Bode’s body and the kids are saved. However Bode’s body is cremated with his soul still wondering about. Tyler uses the Animal Key to return Bode’s soul which inhibits a bird back into his own body. The explanation is unclear however the overall issue was a tear-jerker.

This hardcover collects

Locke & Key: Alpha #1-2

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

Devil Comics Review | Locke & Key: Omega Ω [2012-2013] by Joe Hill

      

   

LOCKE & KEY: OMEGA Ω HC

Dodge has possessed the body of Bode Locke who has the Omega Key to open the Black Door. The Black Door holds back the psychic parasites who are filled with hate and madness. Bode plans to open the door to release these creatures to our world. The real Bode is trapped in spirit form and only Rufus can see him. However Rufus is in a psychiatric hospital after attempting to choke Bode.

Rufus manages to escape while the kids go to the Drowning Cave after senior prom. Bode has plans for these kids who will be a sacrifice as the creatures he plans on releases inhibit their bodies. Tyler is accidently shot by the police while a cave-in prevents the kids from escaping the Drowning Cave. Tyler is placed in the Mending Cabinet by his mother. He meets his father who tells him keys turn both ways and he took the easy way out with Dodge.

Kinsey, Jamal, and Jordan are on the catwalk while Dodge took the other high schoolers to the Black Door. They are offered to save themselves however one person falls from the catwalk. Jordan chooses herself and falls over. 

LOCKE & KEY: GRINDHOUSE #1

The Locke family deal with criminals who have invaded their home however the mother remains calm and deals with the situation accordingly. One of the perpetrators is turned into a ghost, another one is eaten, and a rapist has a sex-change.

This hardcover collects

Locke & Key: Omega Ω #1-5

Locke & Key: Grindhouse #1

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5 

Devil Comics Review | Locke & Key: Clockworks [2011-2012] by Joe Hill

LOCKE & KEY: CLOCKWORKS HARDCOVER

The series begins before the American Revolution in 1775, when Benjamin Locke witnesses the death of his parents at the hands of the British. Both Benjamin and his sister Miranda stay at the wellhouse then heads towards the caves where they discover their brother Joshua was killed. Harm Timmerman claims he is possessed by a demon who tried to escape through a doorway. Any demon who tries to escape without possessing a person turns into melted metal. Benjamin creates a lock to keep the door closed out of the metal from the otherworld as well as the black key AKA the Omega Key.

After the death of Dodge in Keys to the Kingdom, his spirits inhibits Bode Locke while Bode’s spirits wanders the halls of the keyhouse. Bode kills his friend Jason Bird who found out he wasn’t himself. Now Bode tries to find the Omega Key hidden by his brother Tyler.

The fears from Kinsey’s head escape into Tyler’s and he ties to burn down the house. Kinsey uses the Head Key to remove the memories from Tyler to herself however Bode discovers the hidden Omega Key within Tyler’s head. Now the spirit of Dodge within Bode now claims the Omega Key while Tyler uncovers the Timeshift Key.

SERIES HIGHLIGHTS

- Tyler and Kinsey use the Timeshift Key to travel back through time to 1775 and 1988

- In 1988 Rendell decides to let a demon through the black door using the Omega Key

- Rendell and his friends open the black door and a demon possesses Dodge

- Rendell and his friends use the Head Key to remove memories of the black door from Dodge

- Rendell places these memories in the wellhouse where his mother Jean Ray resides

- Ellie pushes the ghost of Jean Ray out of the wellhouse to protect Dodge
- Dodge is defeated however sacrifices are made as the lives of Rendell's friends were lost

LOCKE & KEY: GUIDE TO THE KNOWN KEYS

The rule of children only seeing and finding the keys was once different. In 1912 Chamberlin Morse Walton Locke asks his blacksmith to fashion a key using the whispering iron. He takes his son Ian on a balloon ride and uses the Key to the Moon. Ian meets his grandfather Clint Locke and other members of his family. His father leaves his son behind the moon so he will no longer be sick.

THE KNOWN KEYS

- Omega Key

- Ghost Key

- Echo Key

- Anywhere Key

- Head Key

- Gender Key

- Shadow Key

- Giant Key

- Mending Key

- Animal Key

- Music Box Key

- Skin Key

- Chain Key & The Great Lock

- The Key to the Moon

- Timeshift Key

- Engles-Schlussel

- Philosphoscope Key

- Herkules-Schlussel

This hardcover collects

Locke & Key: Clockworks #1-6

Locke & Key: Guide to the Known Keys

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

    

Devil Comics Review | Locke & Key: Keys to the Kingdom [2010-2011] by Joe Hill

LOCKE & KEY: KEYS TO THE KINGDOM HARDCOVER

During Locke & Key: Crown of Shadows, Dodge made a desperate move to gain the key to the Black Door. After his shadows were defeated by Tyler, the Omega key which opens the Black Door was found within the urn of his father Rendell Locke. Now Bode has found the Animal Key with the frozen bird bath, which allows him to inhibit and control a pack of animals. Bode begins with inhibiting and directing a flock of birds.

Meanwhile Zack discovers Bode has found the Animal Key and inhibits the body of a black wolf controlling a pack of dogs. He uses them to control and attack Tyler and Kinsey in the woods. However Bode arrives with his flock of birds in attack formation to save his brother and sister. Dodge retreats and reforms back to Zack as Bode follows suit shortly after through the doorway with the Animal Key.

Later Mrs. Erin Voss whose name was on the Drowning Cave mistakes both Tyler and Zack as being Rendell Locke and Dodge, respectively. Dodge believed he erased the memories from Mrs. Voss however she still remembers both Rendell Locke and him. Dodge wants to enter the McClellan Psychatric Hospital with the Anywhere Key however he needs to visualize where he is going. Kinsey also wants to talk to Mrs. Voss however she is afraid of white people. Bode offers Kinsey the Mirror Key used by Dodge to change her appearance.

Following this hardcover there will only be 12 issues left until the finale of Lock & Key. Writer Joe Hill seems to add lots of exposition to his writing to expand the characters however he also leaves clues for readers to engage the story.

SERIES HIGHLIGHTS

- Dodge uses two janitors to take a picture Mrs. Voss’ room so he can use the Anywhere Key

- Both Bode and Kinsey change their appearance to enter the McClellan Hospital

- Dodge uses the Anywhere Key to enter Mrs. Voss hospital room and kills both janitors

- Kinsey arrives ready to use the Head Key on Mrs. Voss to find out about her father

- Everything is white and blank inside her head except for the names Dodge and Rendell

- Dodge makes another attempt to find the Omega Key by controlling plants

- Bode finds extra keys within a book

- Both Bode and Kinsey use the key for personal satisfaction with their friends

- Both Tyler and Kinsey are having relationship issues with their respective friends

- Tyler uses one of the keys to make him stronger to play hockey and win

- Sam Lesser visits Rufus who is staying over and playing soldier with Bode

- Sam brings Rufus to the Chamber of the Living Shadows and asks him to kill Zack Wells

- Sam reveals Zack Wells is infected with someone evil and must be removed

- Kinsey tells Zack she will share the secret of the location of the Omega Key once she finds out

- Brian wakes up from his coma and reveals to Duncan about the kid with the gun Zack

- Tyler visits Brian in the hospital and discovers from Duncan the kid who attack him had a lip ring

- Tyler figures out the attacks on the Dark Lady coincide with Zack doing his research paper

- Tyler discovers a jar full of memories stolen from other people in Zack’s room

- Zack freezes Tyler with the music box and forces him to reveal the location of the Omega Key

- Detective Mutuku investigates the death of professor Joe Ridgeway as well as Ellie’s mother

- Detective Mutuku arrives at Ellie’s home as Tyler is frozen upstairs

- Zack slashs Detective Mutuku and kills Ellie but Mutuku fights back while Bode is a hostage

- Zack takes Bode to Sam Lesser so he inhibits the body of Zack while Zack moves into Bode

- Kinsey arrives and kills Sam who is in Zack’s body as Dodge is on the loose within Bode

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

Devil Comics Review | Locke & Key: Head Games [2009]

LOCKE & KEY: HEAD GAMES HARDCOVER

Following the events of Locke & Key: Welcome to Lovecraft, Zack is now friends with the Locke family who wants the key to the Black Door. Now Zack has moved with his girlfriend from his past who is also the track coach for Kinsey. However drama professor Joe Ridgeway at Lovecraft Academy recognizes that Zack used a student named Luke who hung out with Tyler’s father. Joe believes that Zack and Luke is the same person. Fearing his cover is blown Zack uses one of his keys to teleport to Joe’s home and shoots him dead. Meanwhile Bode searches for the door that opens the key he found while fishing in the pool. The key fits at the base of the neck.

SERIES HIGHLIGHTS

- Duncan Locke recognizes Zack from when he was 8 years-old

- Bode turns the key at the base of his neck while Tyler and Kinsley look inside

- Tyler shows off his new key to Jordan and Zack with predictable results

- Both Duncan and Brian get into a bar fight with homophobic bitches

- Tyler uses the key to take out the fears and tears from his sister Kinsey

- Zack steals the key and removes the memories of Lucas Caravaggio from Duncan

- The homophobic bitches run over Duncan’s boyfriend Brian with their car

- Before Lovecraft, Ellie says the name Dodge while opening door to the well

- Dodge killed Ellie’s mother and Zack removes this memory from Ellie

- Zack begins to remove memories from Rufus however his toy soldiers protect him

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED – 5 OUT OF 5