“Neelakshi: The Quest for Amrit Preview” By Ryan Foley Review

21-Page Preview! Neela, or Neil as she prefers to be called, is transported to the land of the demons where she is Neelakshi, the blue-eyed dark maiden of an ancient prophecy. Her quest is to obtain Amrit, the nectar of immortality and give it to the demons, who are not the evil creatures of myth. On the contrary, the demigods appear to lust for power more than the demons. Will Neelakshi obtain Amrit? And will she hand it over to the demons

Let me start this review by saying that this one is just a preview for the entire comic book. And I read it because I wanted to see if the full comic book was worth the money and time I would spend on it. And I’m gonna give you the answer for that at the end of this review.

This preview tries to introduce us to a rich, mythologically inspired world. But in doing so it struggles to make a strong first impression. Or even to make it memorable or interesting for people like me who’s this preview is first introduction to this comic book series.

This preview shows a promise and potential for this preview to could have been a good preview which would get me interested into continuing reading this series.

This preview feels rushed and somewhat confusing. At the same time this preview leaves key elements underdeveloped or unexplored which really annoyed me because I couldn’t get a clear picture if this series was good enough for me to get into.

The story in this preview tries to blend fantasy and adventure with cultural motifs, but the pacing hampers the build-up of tension and character depth.

At the same time the main character in this preview feels pretty underdeveloped. And the protagonist’s motivations are unclear.

The world-building in this preview is very weak. And I felt like this preview lacked a lot of context to fully engage me personally.

The artwork in this preview is competent but inconsistent, occasionally lacking the clarity and detail necessary to bring the narrative to life.

So will I buy and read the full version of this comic book ? I don’t think I will. The main reason behind this is how poorly this preview was very uninteresting for me personally.

I Give This Book 2 / 5

“Motorcycle Samurai: A Very White Bolt Christmas” By Chris Sheridan Review

On one dark and blustery night, the townspeople of Nowhere, nestled all snug in their beds, dream of soft fluffy things wrapped in bows. In this strange land, The Stranger, dressed all in red, comes calling with eight tiny minions in tow, The Stranger swoops to the rooftops, and readies to descend down the stove-pipes. But White Bolt, awake and at the ready, is perched to say, ‘Howdy’. In the vein as the holiday specials of childhood, Chris Sheridan, Top Shelf brings you this amazing Guided View Native title just in time for a long winter’s solstice in the high desert.

This comic book tries to give us a good blend of holiday themes with action-packed storytelling. But in reality this comic book falls short of delivering a memorable or engaging read which would have been good enough for me to give it a good rating.

This comic book has a concept that had potential for being quirky, fun and interesting. But the way it is presented to us feels uneven and lacks the depth needed to hold the interested of the reader. Which happened to be while reading this comic book.

The pacing in this comic book is pretty uneven and awkward. Some of the scenes in this comic book are dragging with no end without much purpose and others rushing past key moments that could have added emotional weight or humor. 

The characters in this comic book come across as one-dimensional, making it very hard for me to connect or care about their journey. Which for me means a low rating, because if I cant connect or care about the characters’s journey I wont like the comic book / book. 

The artwork is in my opinion the best part of this comic book, but in the end the artwork doesn’t add much to elevate the story. Which again isnt a good thing for me personally.

There’s a sense that the issue leans too heavily on novelty without developing a strong narrative or meaningful themes.

I Give This Book 2 / 5

“Oni Press Pride Spectacular” By Robert Rodi & Sophie Campbell Review

Oni Press presents the Oni Press Pride Spectacular, featuring previews of three LGBT-friendly Oni Press titles. The first is Merry Men, a historical retelling of the Robin Hood legend. Prince John has outlawed homosexuality in 13th century England. The second is Wet Moon, the graphic novel series by Jem and the Hologram artist Sophie Campbell! An unusually usual day-to-day story in the Deep Sout.And the third is a sneak peek of Katie O’Neill’s Princess Princess Ever After, available this September! 

I gotta be honest here and admit that this comic book is one of the worst comic books I’ve read so far in my life and thats saying something because I read quiet a few handful of very bad comic books in my time.

This comic book had the potential to be very good and enjoyable. But after all it wasn’t, because this comic book feels very disjointed and lacks the emotional resonance.

At the same time this comic book has a narrative lacks the cohesion necessary to engage us as readers in a way that would make us want more rather than closing this comic book as fast as possible.

The writing style in this comic book feels very superficial and cliché at times which made me really annoyed at times while reading this comic book.

The stories in this comic book are very rushed and underdeveloped, which leaves little room for character growth or genuine connection. Which in my opinion is never good thing.

The artwork in this comic book, is good enough for me but it lacks to compensate for the weak storytelling which this comic book gives us.

The visuals in this comic book do little to elevate the material or bring the characters to life in a compelling way.

I Give This Book 1 / 5

“Charismagic PRIMER Vol. 2018 #1” By Vince Hernandez Review

New readers and fans alike can find everything they need to know about Charismagic in this debut Charismagic Primer issue! Revisit volumes one, two and the The Death Princess mini-series, as well as key character highlights, hidden secrets of magic, a timeline of key moments to know for Volume 3 and so much more…All for less than a quarter! These Aspen Anniversary edition primer issues are the perfect compliment to discover more about Aspen’s upcoming slate of returning titles!

This comic book aims to introduces people like me who hasn’t read this series before, to this comic book series. I gotta admit that this comic book has a very unique blend of magic and charisma which really gave a lot of expectations for this comic book. 

In reality this comic book struggles a lot to deliver a compelling experience and a good story which would get people like me hocked into this comic book series which I never read before.

This comic book gives us a concept for this comic book which had a lot of potential to be very good and to get me very interested in this series. But the way this concept was presented to us, really falls flat due to uneven pacing and a lack of clear direction in the storytelling. 

At the same time the narrative which this comic book has feels very scattered and it makes it really for me difficult to fully engage with the characters in this comic book or story this comic book tries to give us.

The artwork in this comic book has some very good moments and has good visuals. But at the same time the artwork in this comic book lacks the polish and details which would have elevated the overall presentation if the details and the feeling of being polished was present in the artwork in this comic book.

Some panels in the artwork in this comic book feel very rushed and underdeveloped, which had pretty much distracted me from the immersion which the artwork tries to give us.

The dialogues in this comic book occasionally comes across as awkward or forced, which made the emotional part of this comic book diminishing in a way.

At the same time this comic book gives us glimpses of interesting ideas which the creators maybe had which could have been used to make this comic book better. But in reality this comic book doesn’t use does glimpses of interesting ideas it has, which really makes this comic book lose its potential that it had.

I Give This Book 2 / 5

“Faith: Warped Tour/Keep A Breast Special Edition” By Justine Prado & Clayton Henry & Kasia Nie Review

A brand-new, never-before-seen Faith story written by rising star Justine Prado (Finding Molly) with art by Valiant superstar Clayton Henry (ARCHER & ARMSTRONG) and Eisner Award nominee Kate Niemczyk (FAITH, Mockingbird). Get ready to meet Los Angeles’ leading superhero, Faith “Zephyr” Herbert, as she confronts the realities of breast cancer head-on in a special standalone story, created in collaboration with The Keep A Breast Foundation. Faith has saved her city from alien invaders and common criminals alike…but when a different, more personal kind of scourge hits close to home, can Faith show strength in the face of an all-too-common affliction that has affected millions of women and men around the world?

This comic book offers us a pretty decent and timely crossover that combines the vibrant energy of the Warped Tour with an important message about breast cancer awareness. Which a lot of young females like myself don’t really think about.

The story isn’t the best here, because it revolves around one thing only which is the breast cancer awareness, the only topic in this comic book is only breast cancer awareness and nothing else matters in this comic book.

The story captures the lighthearted spirit of Faith while weaving in moments of sincerity and purpose even thou the storyline in this comic book is very flat and boring in a way.

The art work in this comic book is clean and smooth, and is effectively reflecting the youthful and dynamic tone of the issue. Which made me give this comic book some extra points for doing.

The character designs and settings in this comic book feel authentic to the Warped Tour vibe, and the artwork supports the narrative well

While this comic book does a commendable job balancing entertainment and advocacy for breast cancer, the story as I’ve said above feels very rushed and could have used more depth or development to make a stronger impact which it could have if the creators gave this comic book more time and effort. 

I Give This Book 3 / 5

“Soulfire: Dying of the Light: Beginnings” By J.T. Krul & Michael Turner & Micah Gunnell Review

Soulfire expands its universe with this amazing introductory zero issue of Soulfire: Dying of the Light! From the creative mind of Michael Turner and scribe J.T. Krul, join in on the next exciting story in the acclaimed Soulfire mythos!

This comic book is my first entry into the Soulfire universe and I need to admit that this comic book is very good. And solely because of this comic book I will for sure continue reading this comic book series.

This comic book gives us masterfully combines epic fantasy with heartfelt storytelling which I liked a lot. Because I really love stories were the fantasy aspect of it and the plot of it is very well build like we get in this comic book.

The writing in this comic book does beautifully balances grand, mythic themes with intimate character moments, making the stakes feel both monumental and deeply personal. Which in a way made me love this comic book even more than I already did. 

The artwork in this comic book does shine throughout this comic book. At the same time the artwork is bringing an ethereal and dynamic quality to every page. Which sets the perfect tone and mode to the whole comic book, which had easily got me interested and obsessed with the universe in this comic book.

The visuals in this comic book does in a way elevate the narrative to a cinematic level which of course are vibrant, fluid, and full of life which made me give this comic book some extra points for having.

At the same time the world-building is lush and immersive, filled with magic, wonder, and danger that kept me fully engaged and interested in this comic book as I was reading it.

This comic book does perfectly captures the essence of the plot line, and at the same time it does deliver a story that is as emotionally resonant as it is visually stunning

I Give This Book 5 / 5

“The Hunters of Salamanstra #0” By John Joseco Review

In the Kingdom of Salamanstra, monsters are real, and hunting them is the world’s greatest thrill. One famous hunter, The White Wolf, is not afraid to risk her life for a cause she believes in. Adrien wants to help her fight, but he has a promise to keep. A promise that could ensure the survival of The White Wolf’s fight, should she fail.

I gotta admit here that this comic book, is an exceptional start to what promises to be a captivating series. And if this series is as good as this comic book then I will be a huge fan of this comic book series. 

In this comic book we get a richly detailed world filled with intrigue, mystery, and vibrant characters that had immediately drawn me into it. Which of course I gave this comic book some extra points for doing. 

The storytelling in this comic book is tight and immersive, balancing action, suspense, and character development with ease which really made me love this comic book so much more than I already did. 

The artwork in this comic book is nothing short of spectacular. Because every panel bursts with energy and detail, perfectly complementing the narrative’s adventurous tone which this comic book gives us.

The character designs in this comic book are unique and memorable, and the environments feel alive, enhancing the overall reading experience.

The characters in this comic book are very well created and they are very likable and relatable. Which made it easier for me to like this comic book because of the well created characters this comic book has.

I need to admit here that this comic book serves as a perfect introduction, setting the stage with just enough mystery to keep me at the very least hooked while providing satisfying moments that establish the stakes and tone of the story.

I Give This Book 5 / 5

“Paradox: Preview” By Christos Gage & Luis Henrique Ribeiro Review

Special 20-page Preview! Sean Nault is a homicide detective on an alternate Earth where technology is powered exclusively by magic. Sean investigates a baffling series of murders committed by a means he’s never seen the power of science. With the aid of Lenoir, a member of the ridiculed subculture of ‘pragmatists’ who believe science is more than the stuff of myths and children’s stories and the 130 year old sorcerer, Winston Churchill, Sean uncovers an apocalyptic plot that will lead him to another dimension! Soon to be a motion picture starring Kevin Sorbo and Chris Judge.

Let me start this review by saying that this one is just a preview for the entire comic book. And I read it because I wanted to see if the full comic book was worth the money and time I would spend on it. And I’m gonna give you the answer for that at the end of this review.

This preview is a very stunning introduction to the full version of this comic book, which immediately hooks us as readers with the amazing and clever storytelling and vibrant artwork.

The creators of this preview have crafted narrative that is both thought-provoking and fast-paced, blending complex ideas about time, reality, and consequence with relatable characters who feel authentic and engaging from the very first page.

The artwork in this comic book is a perfect match for the story’s tone, combining dynamic action sequences with detailed, expressive character work. Which made me give this comic book some extra points for doing. 

The artwork enhance the mood, making every panel visually striking and easy to follow. 

The pacing in this comic book is very good, which really surprised me a bit because a lot of the comic books ive read recently had very poor pacing. But this preview nails the pacing aspect of the plot line in this preview.

The thing which makes this preview shine is its balance of high-concept sci-fi elements with emotional depth. 

This preview left me eager for more in the full version of this preview. Because it is promising a storyline that might challenge some perceptions while delivering thrilling entertainment.

So will buy and read the full version of this comic book ? Yes I will. It might take some time for me to actually read the full version of this comic book because I have been way too optimistic when creating my TBR list for this year and I don’t know if I get the time to read the full version of this comic book this year. But I will read the full version of this comic book at some point in time.

I Give This Book 5 / 5

“Quantum and Woody! #0.0001½” By Daniel Kibblesmith & Kano Review

Don’t worry – it’s not really blank! (Well, kind of…) Before the world’s worst superheroes explode back into stores in December, get a “look” at the superpower mayhem that rising star Daniel Kibblesmith (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert) and eye-popping artist Kano (Daredevil) are cooking up right here – plus a special surprise guest appearance by Eisner Award-nominated artist Joe Eisma (Archie)!

I need to admit here that this comic book had a potential to bring a fresh and quirky twist to the beloved dysfunctional superhero duo. But unfortunately this comic book didnt use the potential it had.

This comic book starts very good and gives us a lot of expectations for it, but the deeper we get into this comic book the more the expectations begin to go out in the flames which really disappointed me a lot personally.

The writing of this comic book has a playful tone which paints this comic book is a good and fun way which made me give this comic book some extra points for doing.

The storyline of this comic book in a way lacks the sharp wit and engaging chemistry which would make this comic book actually good beyond only having a potential to have a good story.

The pacing in this comic book is pretty uneven, because some scenes in this comic book are dragging unnecessarily while others race by without enough development.

The artwork in this comic book is pretty vibrant and energetic. Which was the best aspect of this comic book in my opinion.

The artwork in this comic book, is capturing the chaotic spirit of the characters very well and which is the reason why I say that the artwork was the best aspect of this comic book. 

But there are times where the artwork struggles with clarity in action sequences, making it harder to follow the flow of the story.

This comic book, tries to be humanistic and funny at times. But the humor in this comic book feels very forced which makes the humor miss the mark of being funny and overall makes the humor very cringy.

I Give This Book 2 / 5

“Junior Braves of the Apocalypse Volume 1” By Greg Smith & Michael Tanner & Zach Lehner Review

The Junior Braves of Tribe 65 return from a camping trip to find swarms of bloodthirsty mutants have overrun their town, bringing death and destruction everywhere they go! With their families missing and their homes destroyed, these plucky kids must use all their scouting talents, combined smarts, and teamwork to survive the end of the world! 

The story in this comic book follows a group of young scouts returning from a camping trip to find their world transformed by an apocalyptic event. Which really got me very interested in it, because I found it to be very fun and interesting.

The concept of this comic book is interesting and engaging because it is combining the excitement of a survival tale with the charm of a coming-of-age story. Which if you know me, I always like the coming of age story if it is done right as it is in this comic book.

The narrative in this comic book is well-paced, because it is balancing action with emotional depth which this comic book has.

The characters in this comic book have distinct personalities and relatable struggles which made it very easy for me to like them. 

Each character in this comic book is developed with care, showcasing growth and resilience as they face the challenges of their new reality. The dynamics within the group add richness and depth to the story of this comic book.

The artwork in this comic book is vibrant and dynamic, perfectly capturing the intensity and emotion of the narrative. Which made me give this comic book extra points for.

The illustrations bring the world to life, enhancing both the thrilling and tender moments throughout the story.

This comic book gives us the themes of friendship, courage, and adaptability which are intricately woven into the narrative. These elements are thoughtfully explored, providing both entertainment and meaningful reflection on the strength found in unity and perseverance.

I Give This Book 5 / 5