Dark Horse Presents! I always look forward to this comic review each month. We’ve got continuing stories, one shots, new series starting. A little something for everyone. Good stuff, good stuff.
Chapter 3 of Trekker: The Train to Avalon Bay portrays a more even handed version of Mercy than the last chapter did. We see a more compassionate side, at least briefly and he abilities are shown less as a Mary Sue and more as a gung-ho, cocky type, which makes her a more believable character. Much better, Ron Randell.
Chapter 1 of Nosferatu Wars is a medieval Vampire story thus far focused on two such creatures, Moria and Tarquin. I am not a big reader of vampire literature or comics, but Steve Niles (who also writes The Tale of the Golem) makes them much more human in personality; they are understanding and sympathetic. The art by menton8 is gorgeous, that alone makes me wish I had a full comic of just this story. Beautiful.
Chapter 2 of Underground expands, and it has just made me more and more curious about the setting. In the last issue, we learned that this subterranian culture has divided into gangs loosely based on past status. Gameboys are the main characters, but there are also Muscleboys, Loveboys and so on. But they all seem to be playing some competitive bloodsport, where teams earn points through killing. I would love a peak at the bigger picture on this one.
Chapter 1 of Juice Squeezers: Squish doesn’t really give a lot to tell. We meet a bunch of high school kids, they are in a “basket weaving” club, which is apparently a cover for a secret organization that does… well we’re not 100% sure yet. It’s an intro chapter. Its quality status is pending further investigation.
Chapter 4 of Nexus: Into the Past is a weird chapter. Our time traveling main character Hellpop finds himself and his quarry, John Clayborn, on the set of a talk show. Battle! I love a good fight scene and this one was certainly entertaining. It’s the most superhero-y thing that really comes into Dark Horse Presents (so I’m a bit of a sucker for this already), but this was a fantastic chapter. It feels like a conclusion, but it says to be continued. I hope it’s back next month and I don’t have to wait until December or something for the next installment.
Steggy Wilmot and Spimps is a one shot comic by Patrick Alexander. Back in Dark Horse Presents #22, he gave us the four page adventures of Villainman — it was cute, but silly. This comic was much the same way. Not bad, but I’m not too interested in seeing more things about Mr. Wilmot anytime soon. That said, I think these one shot comics are good format for his style. Funny, but not too long. Steggy and Villainman would be tedious after about 8 pages.
Chapter 6 of Crime Does not Pay: City of Roses is still the same uninteresting, crooked police drama as always. Drinking, drugs, murder, and that’s the cops. The part I really don’t understand about this series is that there is no overarching plot, no character development. I’m just not sure what to say about this series anymore.
Chapter 2 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Love vs. Life was pretty amusing. Billy’s grandmother turns her hippie van into a bad-ass zompire killing machine, which was awesome! Still not sure how I feel about zompires in the first place, but I think it’s better than the first chapter.
Chapter 6 of Alabaster: Boxcar Tales finally ties the last two chapters to the first three. We have the talking raven back and a brief appearance of Dancy Flannarion. Is she there the whole time, but not remembering who she is? I’m not really sure. At any rate, it’s finally connected to the original story. Now I just wanna know what’s going on.
Chapter 3 of Blackout is intriguing. We get a glimpse into Scott’s background and get to see an excellent fight scene, proving that this guy is clearly used to “thinking with portals.” We also get to see one of the rare occasions that a hero must look the repercussions of his actions in the face. I won’t spoil it, because it’s a good surprise, but it’s definitely worth reading this chapter. At this point, you could probably still come in cold and still understand what’s going on almost as well as other readers.
Brainbot Jr. is another one shot, this time a two page comic by Dara Naraghi. It’s strange, mostly because 2 pages almost seems too long. But it’s kinda cute. I’d love to see a web comic of it, as I want to see what’s next, but I think it works well in little bits like this. Very cool art by Tom Williams.
I pretty much always say that you should buy Dark Horse Presents issues, but really, why wouldn’t you? For $7.99 you get a look at a bunch of different writers and artists from Neil Gaiman to teenage girls (neither in this issue, but previous ones) and maybe fall in love with a new series before it becomes a stand alone comic (Amala’s Blade fans?).
Matthew Bryant, aka Baker Street Holmes, is an editor for the Red Shirt Crew and a master of many skills such as martial arts, cooking and interior design. He once killed a tiger with his bare hands, skinned it with his feet, cooked its meat and ate it on his new tiger skin rug (with rice, mixed peppers and naan bread)*. You can contact him on Twitter at @BStreetHolmes or email him at HMCrazySS@gmail.com.
*No tigers were harmed in the fabrication of this lie.
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