Tag: 1 Star Reviews

Special 20-page Preview! Psychological horror is at the forefront with nods to the Twilight Zone and the horror magazines from days past. The book includes an all-new Koni Waves short story by series co-creator Mark Poulton with art by Jon Landry, as well as La Famiglia by Dead Men Tell No Tales creator Dwight MacPherson, The In-Between Space by Aaron Thomas Nelson and Bones by James Nadiger. The book was compiled using not only Arcana’s own talent, but talent taken straight from their message boards. Open calls were taken for submissions of stories anywhere from 6 to 20 pages long.

This comic book aims to deliver a chilling assortment of horror tales, but unfortunately, it falls short of its promise. Despite the ambition to capture the essence of fear and suspense, this comic book struggles with cohesion and impactful storytelling.

This comic book features contributions from various creators, each bringing their unique take on the horror genre. While this diversity could be a strength, the result is a disjointed collection of stories that lack a unifying theme or tone. The transitions between stories are abrupt, which has left me personally with a sense of fragmentation rather than a seamless experience.

One of the primary issues I personally had with this comic book is its inconsistency in narrative quality. Some stories attempt to delve into psychological horror, while others focus on supernatural elements. However, many entries lack depth and fail to engage me personally on an emotional level. The plots often feel rushed or underdeveloped, missing the opportunity to build tension or surprise effectively.

The character development is another area where this comic book falters in my opinion. The brevity of each story makes it difficult for characters to be fully realized, resulting in narratives that feel superficial. Without well-defined characters or motivations, it’s challenging for me personally to invest in their journeys or the stakes of the stories.

The dialogues across this comic book varies in effectiveness. While some stories manage to capture a sense of urgency or dread, others fall flat with clichéd or uninspired exchanges. This inconsistency further detracts from the overall impact of the anthology, which has left me personally with little to remember.

The artwork itself in this comic book is pretty uneven. Some illustrations succeed in creating a foreboding atmosphere, using shadow and contrast to enhance the horror elements. However, other stories suffer from lackluster visuals that fail to convey the intended mood. The inconsistency in art quality can be jarring, pulling me personally out of the immersive experience that horror relies on.

Despite its shortcomings, the concept behind this comic book holds potential. With a focus on varied horror themes, it has the opportunity to explore fear from multiple angles. Future comic books in this series could benefit from more cohesive storytelling, stronger character development, and consistent artistic quality.

I Give This Book 1 / 5

Mallory’s fiancé betrayed her and ran off with her money, but she still struggles to forget about him…no matter how far into debt he caused her to fall. But then Torr, one of her investors, reaches out to help her. In exchange for marrying him, Torr says he will pay off her debt. Mallory, feeling she has no choice, acquiesces. When they move to the Scottish highlands to live in a castle Torr inherited, Mallory decides she’s sick of being in a loveless marriage. So she makes a proposal in exchange for a divorce!

This comic book sets out to explore the intriguing concept of a marriage of convenience but ultimately falls short. Despite this comic book’s potential for drama and romance, this comic book struggles with pacing, character development, and narrative engagement.

The story in this comic book revolves around two individuals entering a marriage of convenience, a premise ripe with opportunities for emotional depth and conflict. However, the execution is lackluster, with a plot that feels predictable and lacking in originality. The narrative fails to delve into the complexities and nuances that such a relationship could explore, which has left me personally with a surface-level experience.

The protagonists are introduced with the potential to become compelling characters, but they remain underdeveloped throughout this comic book. Their motivations and backstories are either glossed over or inadequately explored, making it difficult for me personally to connect with their journey. The lack of character depth results in a story that feels more like a series of events rather than a cohesive narrative driven by genuine emotional stakes.

The dialogues in this comic book is another area where this comic book falters in my opinion. Conversations between characters are often stilted and fail to capture the emotional subtleties needed to bring the story to life. This lack of engaging dialogue contributes to a narrative that feels flat and uninspired, missing opportunities to explore the intricacies of the characters’ evolving relationship.

The artwork itself in this comic book, while competent, does little to enhance the storytelling. The illustrations lack the dynamic energy required to convey the emotional highs and lows of the narrative. Backgrounds are minimal, and the character designs, though visually appealing, do not compensate for the lack of expressiveness or detail that could elevate the story.

The use of shading and composition in the artwork is serviceable but unremarkable, failing to create an atmosphere that aligns with the romantic and dramatic themes of the story. A more dynamic visual approach could have added depth and nuance to the narrative, which had drawn me personally into the characters’ world.

One of the primary challenges I personally had with this comic book is its reliance on romance genre clichés without offering a fresh perspective or innovative twists. The story adheres too closely to familiar tropes, making it difficult for me personally to maintain interest in this comic book.

Despite these shortcomings, the concept behind this comic book holds promise. With a focus on romance, personal growth, and overcoming challenges, it has the potential to become an engaging series. Future comic books in this series would benefit from more complex character development, a deeper exploration of themes, and a more engaging narrative structure.

I Give This Book 1 / 5

What is this “Mission” and who is “her”? Penelope’s Adventure Club 4 promises to answer these questions plus more jokes, more dabbing, and even some TikTok references!! Fun for everyone! Penelope and Josh Rivera (now 10 and 13 years old) worked on PAC 4 during the summer of 2020 (coronavirus pandemic). They made sure to answer all the questions from PAC 3 in a fun and unique way. They hope to one day have this series printed and sold at Barnes & Noble. Penelope’s dream is to be an author and hopes that this comic will make other kids laugh, happy, and entertained.In addition, Penelope and Josh would like to use these books as a vehicle to help others. In 2019 the kids donated all the sales of their eBooks to Give Kids The World in Orlando, Florida (a nonprofit resort in Central Florida that provides week-long, cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families). In 2020, because of the coronavirus, we made their ebooks free to download so that kids can have something fun to read at home during the pandemic.

This comic book aims to continue the whimsical journeys of its young protagonist, but unfortunately. Despite its potential to charm young readers, the issue struggles with repetitive storytelling and insufficient character development.

The narrative in this comic book follows Penelope and her friends on yet another adventure, but the plot feels uninspired and predictable. There is a noticeable lack of creativity and excitement in the storyline, making it difficult for me personally to engage with this comic book. The repetitive nature of the plot leaves a sense of déjà vu, as it treads the same ground as previous comic books in this series without introducing fresh challenges or imaginative twists.

Penelope, the central character, remains static, showing little growth or evolution. Her adventures lack personal stakes, making it difficult for me personally to connect with her journey on an emotional level. The supporting characters, too, are underdeveloped, functioning more as background elements rather than dynamic participants in the narrative. This lack of character depth prevents the story from resonating or leaving a lasting impact.

The dialogues throughout this comic book are pretty simplistic and lacks the wit or charm needed to elevate the narrative. Interactions between characters often feel forced and uninspired, missing opportunities to inject humor or meaningful exchanges. This results in a monotonous storytelling experience, lacking memorable moments or engaging dialogue.

The artwork itself in this comic book also falls short of its potential. The illustrations remain basic, lacking the dynamic energy needed to bring Penelope’s adventures to life. Backgrounds are sparse, and the character designs lacks expression and detail. This results in a static visual presentation that fails to draw me personally into the world of Penelope’s adventures.

One of the main challenges I personally had with this comic book is its inability to innovate or build upon previous stories. The series seems caught in a cycle of repetition, with each issue offering similar plots and character interactions. This lack of growth and creativity makes it difficult for me personally to maintain interested in this comic book or this whole series in general over time.

Despite these shortcomings, the concept behind this comic book remains promising. With a focus on adventure, friendship, and discovery, it has the potential to be an engaging series for children. However, future comic books in this series need to focus on developing richer characters, crafting more engaging plots, and enhancing the visual storytelling.

I Give This Book 1 / 5

Are you ready? All 4 comics have led to this. With Penelope mad at her brother, will the kids and clothes ever find Hat? Get ready for the longest, funniest, most action, most referenced, most detailed Adventure Club ever!Penelope and Josh Rivera (now 11 and 14 years old) worked on PAC 5 during the summer of 2021. Very cool to see how their story and drawings have evolved over the years, starting from 2018. Their goal is to one day have this series printed and sold at Barnes & Noble. Penelope’s dream is to be an author and hopes that this comic will make other kids laugh and entertained.In 2019, the kids donated all the sales of their eBooks to Give Kids The World in Orlando, Florida (a nonprofit resort in Central Florida that provides week-long, cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families).

This comic book continues the saga of Penelope and her friends. Despite the potential this comic book has for engaging storytelling, this comic book struggles with repetitive plots and underdeveloped characters, failing to capture the magic that readers might hope for.

The narrative in this comic book follows Penelope on another escapade, but the storyline feels stale and predictable. The plot lacks innovation and depth, offering little in terms of new challenges or creative twists. This results in a narrative that seems to tread familiar ground without providing the excitement and engagement necessary to captivate me personally

Penelope, the central character, remains static, showing little growth or development. Her adventures lack personal stakes or emotional resonance, making it difficult for me personally to invest in her journey. The supporting characters, too, are underutilized, serving more as background elements than dynamic participants in the story. This absence of character development prevents the narrative from resonating on a deeper level.

The dialogues throughout this comic book is straightforward but uninspired. Conversations between characters often feel forced, missing opportunities to inject humor or meaningful exchanges that could add depth to the narrative. This results in a monotonous storytelling experience, with few moments that stand out or leave a lasting impression.

The artwork in this comic book continues to fall short. The illustrations are basic and lack the dynamic energy needed to bring the adventures to life. Backgrounds are sparse, and the character designs, while colorful, lack expression and detail. This results in a static visual presentation that fails to drawn me personally into the world of Penelope’s adventures.

One of the core challenges I had with this comic book is its inability to evolve or build upon previous installments. The series seems caught in a cycle of repetition, with each issue offering similar plots and character interactions. This lack of growth and creativity makes it difficult for me personally to maintain interest in this comic book or this series over time.

Despite these shortcomings, the concept behind this comic book remains promising. With a focus on adventure, friendship, and discovery, it has the potential to be an engaging series for children. However, future comic books in this series need to focus on developing richer characters, crafting more engaging plots, and enhancing the visual storytelling.

I Give This Book 1 / 5

Penelope and Josh are back with all new adventures! What happens when Penelope, Josh, and friends go back into the portal?? Adventure Club 2 promises to have more jokes, more action, and more dabbing!! Join the club!

This comic book attempts to continue the whimsical journey started in the first comic books in this series. At the same time this comic book struggles a lot with  repetitive storytelling and lacks the engaging elements necessary to capture my imaginations.

The story in this comic book follows Penelope and her friends as they embark on another adventure, but the narrative feels stagnant, offering little in terms of new experiences or creativity. The plot is predictable, lacking the excitement and innovation needed to make the adventure memorable. This results in a narrative that feels more like a rehash of previous stories rather than a fresh, captivating journey.

Penelope, the protagonist, remains underdeveloped. Her character shows minimal growth, making it difficult for me personally to connect with her journey. The supporting characters also lack depth, serving more as background figures than active participants in the story. This absence of character development prevents the narrative from resonating emotionally with readers.

The dialogues throughout this comic book are pretty simplistic and lacks the charm needed to elevate the story. Interactions between characters often feel forced, missing opportunities to inject humor or meaningful exchanges that could enhance the narrative. This results in a monotonous story, with little to engage me personally.

The artwork itself in this comic book continues to fall short of its potential. The illustrations are basic and lack the dynamic energy required to bring Penelope’s adventures to life. Backgrounds are sparse, and the character designs, while colorful, lack expression and detail. This results in a visual experience that feels static and uninspired.

One of the main issues I personally had with this comic book is its inability to innovate or build upon the first comic book in this series. The series seems stuck in a cycle of repetition, with each installment offering similar plots and character interactions. This lack of growth and creativity makes it difficult for me personally to maintain interest over time.

I Give This Book 1 / 5

Giant-sized Lori Lovecraft Collection. This trade paperback collects the short Into The Past, Back To The Garden,and VooDoo Mansion. At nineteen with her innocent beauty and body to die for, Lori Lovecraft had no shortage of offers on her quest for the Hollywood dream. But at thrity, without talent or clout she’s an aging has-been and the dream is turning into a nightmare. Her last chance is DAME IN DANGER, a no budget flick by cult director Derik VonVon, who’s looking to make a comeback himself. Unfortunately for Lori and co-star Allen Roberts, VonVon and his punk rock protege Natasha Reich have more devious plans. To escape this doom Lori has to seek the strength and knowledge from the one source she’s never had herself.

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 attempts to blend Hollywood glamour with supernatural intrigue, but unfortunately, it falls short in execution. Despite its intriguing premise, the comic struggles with narrative cohesion, character development, and overall engagement.

The story in this preview centers on Lori Lovecraft, a former starlet navigating a world filled with occult mysteries. While the idea of combining the glitz of Hollywood with supernatural elements is promising, the narrative lacks clarity and direction. The plot meanders without a clear focus, making it difficult for me personally to become invested in Lori’s journey or the challenges she faces.

The character development is notably weak in this preview, Lori, intended to be a charismatic and complex protagonist, comes across as one-dimensional. Her motivations are unclear, and her personality lacks depth, making it challenging for me personally to connect with her. The supporting characters fare no better, often serving as mere background figures without significant roles or development.

The artwork in this preview, while stylistically distinct, struggles to elevate the story. The illustrations capture the noir-inspired aesthetic the comic aims for, but they often lack consistency and detail. This inconsistency can make it difficult for me personally to follow the action or engage with the characters. Additionally, the art style might not appeal to everyone, as it fails to effectively convey the intended atmosphere or enhance the storytelling.

One of the primary issues I had with this preview is its pacing. The story moves erratically, with scenes that feel disjointed and transitions that lack fluidity. This uneven pacing disrupts the narrative flow, making it challenging for me personally to follow the plot or maintain interest. A more structured approach could have allowed for better exploration of the themes and characters.

The dialogues in this preview are often stilted and lacks nuance. Conversations feel forced and expository, serving more as a tool for delivering information than for developing characters or advancing the plot. More engaging and natural dialogue could have added layers to the narrative, making the characters more relatable and the story more compelling.

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 1 / 5

Penelope, Josh, and friends are back with even more adventures! With Shirt and Pants reunited, what will happen this time around? Will this be the kids last adventure or is it just the beginning? Join the club! Penelope and Josh Rivera (now 10 and 12 years old) wrote and drew PAC 3 during the coronavirus pandemic. These two teamed up again to tell a very creative story (Book 2 was a collaboration by this brother/sister duo. Book 1 was written and created by Penelope @ 8 years old). They hope to one day have this series printed and sold at Barnes & Noble. Penelope’s dream is to be an author and hopes that this comic will make other kids laugh, happy, and entertained.In addition, Penelope and Josh would like to use these books as a vehicle to help others. In 2019 the kids donated all the sales of their eBooks to Give Kids The World in Orlando, Florida (a nonprofit resort in Central Florida that provides week-long, cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families).

This comic book aims to captivate young readers with another installment of whimsical adventures. At the same time this comic book struggles a lot with repetitive storytelling and lacks the engaging elements necessary to hold my attention in this comic book. 

The story in this comic book follows Penelope and her friends as they embark on another adventure, but the narrative feels stagnant, offering little in terms of new experiences or insights. The plot is predictable, lacking the creativity and excitement needed to make the adventure memorable. This lack of innovation results in a narrative that feels more like a rehash of previous comic books in this series rather than a fresh journey.

Penelope, the protagonist, continues to be underdeveloped. Her character lacks depth and growth, making it difficult for me personally to connect with her journey. The supporting characters remain one-dimensional, serving as mere background figures rather than contributing meaningfully to the story. This lack of character development prevents the narrative from resonating emotionally with its audience.

The dialogues throughout this comic book continues to fall short of its potential. The illustrations are basic and lack the dynamic energy required to bring Penelope’s adventures to life. Backgrounds are sparse, and the lack of detail in character designs contributes to a static visual experience. This results in visuals that fail to drawn me personally into the world, leaving the adventures feeling uninspired and dull.

One of the core issues I had with this comic book is its inability to innovate or build upon previous stories. The series seems stuck in a cycle of repetition, with each installment offering similar plots and character interactions. This lack of growth and creativity makes it difficult for the series to maintain my interested in this comic book and this whole series over time.

Despite these shortcomings, the concept behind this comic book remains promising. With a focus on adventure, friendship, and discovery, it has the potential to be an engaging series for children. However, future comic books in this series need to focus on developing more complex characters, crafting engaging and varied plots, and enhancing the visual storytelling.

I Give This Book 1 / 5

All 5 comics have led to this epic finale. With Pants captured and Josh left behind, how will Penelope, Shirt, Shoes, and Hat rescue Pants from the Villainous Quartet and get back home? Get ready because this series finale promises to be the best adventure of them all!

This comic book continues the series with a promise of excitement and exploration. However this comic book struggles a lot with repetitive storytelling and lacks the character development necessary to engage me personally.

The story in this comic book attempts to follow Penelope and her friends on another adventure, aiming to captivate young readers with elements of fun and discovery. Despite the potential for creativity, the narrative feels stagnant, offering little in terms of new experiences or insights. The plot follows a predictable path, lacking the twists and turns that could make the adventure memorable.

Penelope, as the series’ protagonist, remains underdeveloped. Her character does not exhibit growth or depth, which makes it difficult for me personally to connect with her journey. The supporting characters, too, feel one-dimensional, serving more as background figures than active participants in the story. This lack of character depth prevents the narrative from resonating emotionally with readers.

The dialogues throughout this comic book  simplistic and lacks the charm needed to elevate the story. The interactions between characters are often flat and uninspired, missing opportunities to inject humor or meaningful exchanges. This results in a narrative that feels monotonous, with little to capture the interest of its audience.

The artwork itself in this comic book continues to fall short of its potential. The illustrations remain basic, missing the dynamic energy required to bring Penelope’s adventures to life. Backgrounds are sparse, and the lack of detail in character designs contributes to a static visual experience. The artwork fails to drawn me personally into the world, leaving the adventures feeling uninspired and dull.

One of the main issues I personally had with this comic book is its inability to innovate or build upon previous stories. The series seems stuck in a cycle of repetition, with each installment offering similar plots and character interactions. This lack of growth and creativity makes it difficult for me personally to maintain interested in this comic book or this series over time. 

Despite these shortcomings, the concept behind this comic book remains promising. With a focus on adventure, friendship, and discovery, it has the potential to be an engaging series for children. However, future installments comic books in this series need to focus on developing more complex characters, crafting engaging and varied plots, and enhancing the visual storytelling.

I Give This Book 1 / 5

Written and created by an 8 year old with the help of her 10 year old brother (writer/illustrator). This new series is a comic book for kids, written and drawn by kids. The first installment is 50 pages. 3 kids go into a portal that takes them to random places. Where do they end up? Who do they meet? What adventures do they come across? Penelope Rivera came up with the basis of this story in the 3rd grade and over the summer of 2018 had the ambitious idea to have it published and sold at Barnes & Noble. Her dream is to be an author when she grows up and hopes that this comic will make other kids laugh, happy, and entertained. In addition, Penelope and Josh would like to use this book as a vehicle to help others. In 2019, the kids donated a portion of the sales of their eBooks to Give Kids The World in Orlando, Florida (a nonprofit resort in Central Florida that provides week-long, cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families). In 2020, because of the coronavirus, a portion of the sales of this eBook will be donated to Clean the World.

This comic book attempts to launch a whimsical journey filled with exploration and discovery. Unfortunately this comic book struggles with narrative cohesion and character development, leaving much to be desired.

The story in this comic book follows Penelope and her friends as they embark on a series of adventures meant to captivate young readers. The premise holds promise, aiming to blend elements of friendship, curiosity, and excitement. However, the execution falls flat, with a narrative that lacks depth and fails to engage me personally effectively.

Penelope, the protagonist, is introduced with the potential to be a charming and relatable character. Yet, her development is minimal, leaving her motivations and personality underexplored. The supporting characters fare no better, often appearing as mere plot devices rather than well-rounded individuals. This lack of character depth makes it challenging for me personally to form an emotional connection with the story.

The dialogues throughout this comic book are pretty simplistic and, at times, uninspired. Conversations between characters often feel forced, missing opportunities to inject humor or meaningful interactions that could enhance the narrative. This contributes to a sense of monotony, as the story progresses without memorable moments or engaging exchanges.

The artwork itself in this comic book does little to elevate the storytelling. The illustrations are basic and lack the dynamic energy needed to capture the excitement of Penelope’s adventures. Backgrounds are often sparse, and the character designs, lack expression and detail. This results in a visual experience that feels static and unremarkable.

One of the core issues I had with this comic book is its inability to balance simplicity with engagement. While the story is straightforward and easy to follow, it lacks the creativity and excitement necessary to capture the imaginations of young readers. The adventures themselves are predictable, offering little in the way of surprise or innovation.

Despite these shortcomings, the concept behind this comic book remains intriguing to me personally. With a focus on adventure, friendship, and discovery, it holds the potential to become an engaging series for children. However, to realize this potential, future comic books in this series would need to focus on developing richer characters, crafting more engaging plots, and enhancing the visual presentation.

I Give This Book 1 / 5

Can Superman keep Smallville from going to the dogs? Acts of awesomeness are happening around town. People are being rescued, runaway tractors stopped, and fires extinguished. This is all in a day’s work for the hero known only as “Superman.” But who is he, really?

This comic book aims to introduce the iconic hero to a younger audience through a lighthearted and accessible narrative. At the same time this comic book struggles to balance simplicity with engagement, resulting in a narrative that falls flat.

The story in this comic book follows a young Clark Kent navigating life in Smallville, discovering his powers, and learning to balance his responsibilities. While the premise is promising for a children’s graphic novel, the execution lacks depth and excitement. The narrative is overly simplistic, providing little in terms of character development or plot progression. As a result, it fails to capture the imagination or interest of its intended audience.

The creators of this comic book attempt to infuse humor and charm into the story, but the dialogue often feels forced and lacks the wit needed to engage young readers. The interactions between characters are surface-level, missing opportunities to explore the themes of friendship, responsibility, and identity that could resonate with children.

The artwork itself in this comic book, while whimsical, doesn’t fully compensate for the narrative shortcomings. The illustrations we get in this comic book are characterized by a playful style suited to a younger audience, with exaggerated expressions and simplified designs. However, the visuals lack the dynamic energy needed to convey the excitement of Superman’s adventures, resulting in a static and uninspiring presentation.

One of the main challenges I had with this comic book is its inability to balance accessibility with engagement. While the narrative is easy to follow, it doesn’t offer enough substance or intrigue to hold the attention of young readers. The story quickly becomes predictable, with little in the way of surprises or memorable moments.

Despite these shortcomings, the concept behind this comic book of introducing Superman to a younger audience through relatable themes and settings remains a valuable endeavor. With more attention to character depth, engaging dialogue, and dynamic visuals, future comic books in this series could better capture the spirit of Superman while appealing to children.

I Give This Book 1 / 5