Check Out The New Predator

 

Predator #1 Cover A by Leinil Francis Yu

There's a new Predator in town, and she isn't what she appears. I've been eagerly awaiting this series for two years, and after the excruciating delay, the first issue doesn't disappoint. The story begins with a battle, then opens up to reveal the central character's backstory, and help you understand what drives her. 

 

The chronology summarizes the first and second movies, Predators, and Shane Black's latest film. Surprisingly, although Marvel has released a full year's worth of Alien (12 issues, 1 annual, and a one-shot sequel to Aliens), no mention is made of the Aliens Vs Predator films. But that particular match-up began in comics before it ventured onto the big screen, so if Marvel's efforts with both franchises prove successful, perhaps that's a possibility for the future.

 

 The first few pages are mostly action, so let's get into the battle. Enjoy!

 

 

 

After this first battle, you'll find more compelling art and plenty to read. The remainder of the issue intertwines the main character's backstory with her current desperate situation. It's not just exciting, but heartfelt too.

 

 

I heartily recommend Predator #1, which gives you more pages for $4.99, before the series reverts to its usual length and $3.99 price. If you enjoyed the movies, give Predator #1 a try. I did, which is why I'm recommending it to you.

Dragon Dave

P.S. This, and previews for many other great comics, can be found at Comiclist.com

Usagi Yojimbo Primer

 

Three years ago at Wondercon in Anaheim, California, my wife and I attended a panel hosted by IDW Comics. Of the upcoming series they presented, one that peaked our interest, and that we still read, is Usagi Yojimbo. It's an all-ages comic in which Stan Sakai reveals interesting aspects of Japanese heritage in his own unique way. 

Usagi Yojimbo goes back decades, and has been published by several companies. Lately, I've heard rumors on the Facebook group that Stan will be taking a break from the series after the next issue. I'm sure whatever stories he wants to tell will be interesting, and that he'll return to Usagi soon.

No matter where you start, Usagi Yojimbo is always easy to get into. You may not often visit a comic shop, or have any interest in purchasing this particular issue. Still, if you've never read Usagi, I urge you to check it out. Many collected editions are available. I think you'll find Usagi Yojimbo a refreshing change, and a rewarding read.

Here's the opening scene of the current issue, in which Komori Ninja interrogate two bandits. Enjoy!

 

Although my wife and I always purchase the standard cover by Stan Sakai, a higher-priced Retailer Incentive cover is available. I particularly like the standard cover of this issue. In the print copy, the blues really stand out. 

Incidentally, an Usagi Yojimbo action figure has recently become available. Here's a photo from the Facebook group, in which one fan showed off how much he's enjoying his. If you take up my suggestion, and decide you like Usagi Yojimbo, you may wish to join the group. Like everything associated with Stan Sakai, I've found it a lot of fun.

Dragon Dave

P.S. Previews for this and other current and upcoming issues can be found at Comiclist.com

First Look At Crashing #1

 

Crashing #1 Cover A by Morgan Beem

 

Matthew Klein, former Vice-President of Marketing at Valiant Comics, has written his own comic series! Along with It's Alive's upcoming Nervous Rex #1, the first of Matthew's five-issue series comes out in September. Overseeing the title is former Valiant editor Heather Antos, and the colorist and letterer also number as Valiant veterans. While I'm not on a reviewer for IDW, I didn't think they'd mind if I reprinted this press release, which I found on Comiclist.com. Enjoy!

IDW is excited to announce the launch of the five-part comic book miniseries Crashing, written by Matthew Klein and illustrated by Morgan Beem (Swamp Thing, Adventure Time, Wonder Woman Black and Gold). Part Nurse Jackie and part The Boys, Crashing #1 will premiere in September and will be the third title released in IDW’s upcoming slate of original comics debuting throughout 2022 and beyond.

Less than ten years into her rehabilitation, recovering addict Rose Osler is one of a handful of doctors in the United States who specialize in treating “Powered individuals,” human beings imbued with a range of incredible—and according to some, fundamentally dangerous—superhuman attributes. Amid a sudden, rising wave of violence and chaos apparently provoked by these Powered citizens, Rose struggles to balance the ghosts of her past with the mounting pressure of her professional responsibilities, all while fighting to hold her strained marriage together and avoid the lure of getting high.

 

Crashing #1 Cover B by Jorge Corona

 

“Crashing is a story about sacrifice, heroism, and self-care,” says Klein. “Over the pandemic, we saw such an increase in people needing help, falling into self-destructive behaviors, addiction, or alcoholism, it felt like there needed to be a story about a first responder who needs help but doesn’t know how to ask for it. Heroes need help, too. Whether they wear capes or stethoscopes, the responsibility of saving someone’s life can be overwhelming. We’ve all seen an extraordinary number of heroes step up on the frontlines of the pandemic. I wanted to explore a story about an everyday hero who wants to save everybody at the expense of herself and how dangerous that kind of self-neglect can be.”

“One of the things that really excites me about this project is that all our characters—and especially Rose, our main character—are flawed,” says Beem. “They all have a lot of strength but also a lot of genuine weaknesses. They make mistakes, sometimes huge ones, but they keep going. They learn to forgive others, and especially themselves. I love that because it’s something that I feel all of us can relate to.”

Crashing #1 Cover C by Liana Kangas

 

“I don’t think there’s a better time for stories like Crashing than this very moment,” says editor Heather Antos. “What Matthew, Morgan, colorist Triona Farrell, and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou have managed to capture in 22-page chapters is nothing short of an extraordinary display of humanity that will help a lot of people hopefully connect, grow, and heal. One of the greatest powers we all possess is the ability to reach out and connect with one another, but sometimes finding the strength to do so gets lost along the way. Joining Rose on her journey of self-growth while caught between powers quite beyond her has been a joy.”

Crashing #1 will be available with three variant covers for fans and retailers to enjoy, including Cover A by series illustrator Morgan Beem, Cover B by Jorge Corona, and Cover C by Liana Kangas.

For information on how to acquire copies of the Crashing comic books, please contact your local comic shop or visit www.comicshoplocator.com to find a store near you.

 

 

If you'd like to peek beneath the covers, head over to website The Mary Sue, which has an exclusive reveal of the first five pages of Crashing #1. 

Phew! My shift's finally over! See you later, folks: now it's time for me to crash!

Dragon Dave

Kevin J Anderson: Shambling Into Action

 

In Death Warmed Over, detective Dan Chambeaux takes on a number of investigations. Chief among these is protecting a Vampire from a group of supremacists-against-the-unnatural, and digging up dirt on the owner of a company that produces cosmetics for the undead by the man's estranged werewolf-wife. All the while, he searches for clues to the person or persons who poisoned his girlfriend Sheyenne, and gunned him down in the streets.

To the surprise of Robin, a big-hearted laywer who takes on most of her cases on a pro bono basis, Dan Chambeaux stumbled--or shambled--back into the office shortly after death. Assisted by Sheyenne, who also rose from the dead as a poltergeist, Robin and Dan will never be rich, but as they serve a variety of unnatural clients, their work will never be boring.

 

It's been eight years since I last read Death Warmed over, and I found the novel a welcome return. Kevin J. Anderson keeps Dan's life full of interest, and his writing his chock full of humor. The novel makes a light, fast read, and the perfect book for the beach.

Provided, that is, that you're not a vampire.

 

 

If you enjoy Death Warmed Over, there are seven other books in the series. Given how many cases Dan undertakes, I don't know how many investigations those eight books will cover, but I can guarantee that they'll be fun.

Dragon Dave

My Previous (and more extensive) Posts on Death Warmed Over 

Kevin J Anderson on Fighting For Others' Rights

Kevin J Anderson on Zombies And Ghosts