Greetings Fellow Comic Fans!
In my Comic Box Recap article series, I want to talk about each of the comics that I read from my subscriptions that week. I don’t always read all the comics I order, because I’m only collecting some of them. Others are ones I may have started reading, but lost interest in but I still order them. You never know when you may want to go back and revisit a series at a later date.
I apologize for how late this article is, but I left for Origins on Tuesday, June 11. The comics release on Wednesdays, and it would cost too much to have them over-nighted to me at Origins. I decided to wait until I returned and got some of my Origins content out.
*** SPOILER WARNING ***
Do not read any further if you are trying to avoid SPOILERS!
Albatross Funny Books
Grumble #7
Eddie kidnaps Jimmy with the help of Tala. I guess Sammy helped some, or at least he kept Joe busy long enough for those two to slip in and get Jimmy out. Sammy agreed to help as long as Eddie signed a contract with him. I find it hard to believe that Eddie actually signed a legit contract with Sammy though. I think Eddie has a ‘get outta Hell free’ card or something of the like up his sleeve. It’s possible Sammy could get killed by the bounty hunters in their attempts at capturing Eddie and Tala and that’ll get Eddie off the hook, supposedly. Those bounty hunters are still on Eddie’s trail and they have cute little spy bot things watching Eddie and Tala. I’m sure next issue will have some bounty hunter action – unless something else pops up!
This issue had lots of action in it: Eddie and Tala’s shenanigans; the FBI busting in on Joe’s operation; Sammy getting beat to the edge of oblivion; and the bounty hunters targeting Eddie and Tala. There’s so much going on, it’s easy to miss the little details in the background. There are hilariously named arcade games in many of the panels with Sammy and Joe. There’s even a prize toy that looks like Homer Simpson. I love the background detail throughout all the issues of Grumble.
I’m surprised that more folks aren’t talking about Grumble. I see a lot of talk about it, but not as much as I’d like. This book is one of the few with a interesting story that’s pretty original. Also, the art is killer!
IDW
Star Trek: Q Conflict #5
So, Amanda and the other Q (Q2) are keeping an eye on Q. I thought they were either doing that or Q was acting on their orders. It seems that the Q Continuum agreed with Q and went to war with the other god-like beings, in an attempt to put them in their place. But it looks like Q had other plans and so now the Continuum is watching Q and plans to shut him down if he oversteps too far.
But it’s Trelane that continues to prove how much of a child he is – much more than the other all mighty beings. He even mentions his parents (major kudos to the writers on that reference to the TOS episode). He wants a Borg Queen in his menagerie, just to say he had one for a while. Three of the four captains were outspoken against this challenge, and then Kirk speaks up. Many folks forget that Kirk never saw the Borg. I don’t know if the writers intended that moment to be as funny as I took it, but I was practically rolling with laughter.
There is a speech bubble from Picard that says, “And how will we make our way deep into the Delta Quadrant to even find one?” I really wish it was being said by Sisko who’s standing next to Picard. Picard already knows that Q can hurl them into the Delta Quadrant so I don’t feel like he should be the one asking this. But, I suppose he’s being rhetorical.
And – O M G – The Traveler and Wesley! I about fell off the couch when I saw Wesley pop out of the shadows. I kept saying, “Please be the Traveler, please be the Traveler.” Because that would have been the best possible thing to happen. It was never really explained, not in decent detail, as to what happened to Wes and the Traveler after Wes left with him in TNG. I was so excited to see them both! The Traveler will likely help Q2 and Amanda sort all of this out. I was trying to figure out how this was all going to end, and when Q poked the Prophets, I thought it would have something to do with them. And it may still involve them in the conclusion, but I have no clue how this will all sort itself out and I am on the edge of seat waiting for the next issue!
Image
Outer Darkness #7
I love this book so much. How is this book not more popular? It should be on the top sellers list. The story is amazing and has complimentary art. There are ghosts, demons, and exorcists… in space. The ship has a captain that’s hated by most of the crew, who all likely want him dead or to have the honor of killing him themselves. There are backstabbers, deceivers, and all kinds of things going on. The ship is powered by a GOD in a tank! They feed it living things to power it up. They bring people back from the dead by retrieving their souls and building them a replacement body. This world is rich with background and stories. The characters are deep with personalities and quirks all their own. The plots and events are well thought out and leave you wanting more, anxious to get that next issue.
What’s wrong with all you folks who aren’t reading this?! I don’t usually get all worked up over folks not reading a particular title, but this one is so good! It’s unique and different in a world of reused ideas and rewritten or rebooted characters and stories.
The crew of the Charon encountered a ghost house in this issue. You read that right – a GHOST HOUSE from Earth – in the middle of space. There is a deep story behind that house that could easily be a movie on its own. They even rescued a nun who had been trapped in the house since 1942. I hope she likes the 28th century. It’s almost like every issue is a round in a game of Russian Roulette. You never know when it’s going to go off or who it’ll hit. I’m just waiting for the issue where Rigg bites it. I feel like it’ll happen, but how and who gets to off him? Will Satalis get that honor? Maybe Agwe, who doesn’t act like he wants Rigg dead, but would probably open that door the very second opportunity knocks. But those folks will all have to survive the onslaught of crazy to get their chance. And who know? Maybe Rigg will be the sole survivor when this is all said and done.
Go buy the trade and start reading this title. I demand it.
Sector Zero #2
I got my copy of this issue and #3 late.
Sector Zero really scratches that 90’s itch for me. If you want to read a ‘new’ 90’s book, this is the title to grab. I like the characters in this book and the story is beginning to fall into place. The first issue was like an ‘origin story’ type book, except it’s for a group of folks that already have a history. We’re picking up with this group after things have fallen apart and been hastily duck taped back together. They picked up a new team member, Thom, last issue and he’s starting to fit in. He gets along well with Tesla, the alien. Sam seems like the reckless and brutish type, while Tina is the delicate and methodical type. I like those dynamics and they show those sides very clearly in this issue.
So the team has discovered a dried up, mummified merman… thing. Turns out, he was part of the team back in the 60’s and 70’s, which they discover after he re-hydrates himself. He meanders off and the team discovers a saber-tooth tiger wandering the desert. There’s a tussle with the tiger and it vanishes through a ring of fire, pulling Tina with it. The team decides to follow the only clue they have, from Sargasso the merman thing, which he provides when they return to base. Sam does the ‘hero’ thing and rushes off on his own.
We then get a flashback from Sam. The flashback is of his honeymoon with Tina which ends with her stepping on a landmine and him trying to save her. We know she lives, but she was saying something about her legs. Is she partially robotic? Did they restore her legs? I want to know what happened! After the flashback, we see Tina in a prehistoric world with a dwindling ring of fire in the grass around her.
There is a lot going on in the pasts of these characters and I definitely want to know more. But I also want to see where they go from here! Sector Zero is a super fun read. It has an X-Files and Supernatural vibe to it, which I thoroughly enjoy!
Sector Zero #3
I’m actually really surprised at how much I enjoy this book. I knew I’d like it, but I find it hard to put the book down until I’ve finished it. I read really slow, so it takes me a little bit to read a whole comic. I usually have to put it down, grab a refill on my tea, grab a snack, or take a restroom break part way through it – but not this book. The more I read, the more I like it. It’s getting very close to the point of me loving the book.
This issue shows us some of Sam’s dark side dealings and the lengths he’ll go for Tina. We also see Tesla get taken out of commission for most of the book, and it’s a good thing. If Tesla was up and conscience, there wouldn’t have been much excitement. That alien has the most incredible power. I’m sort of scared of what Tesla might be capable of. I’m liking Sargasso the more I see him. He’s a big brutish merman thing, but he’s got a dry sense of humor. I find that to be hilarious! Thom looks like he might be finding himself a little more and getting more comfortable being the bug.
And why am I not surprised that there is a cannibal Rat King in the sewers? And is Sam actually going to eat him?! I think he might continue to beat him until he gets the info he wants… but I wouldn’t be surprised if Sam took a huge bite out of him.
Unnatural #10
Color me, shocked!
Okay, before we get to that, we get more background with Leslie’s mother, Maxime. I love it. I wanted more and I got more – and still want more! Maxime is just selfish and insane, and I love her as a big baddie. I feel bad for Leslie, when she eventually learns that her mother is Glance. I bet she’s going to lose it and probably kill her own mother – or the Albino will do it. Carol is still being tortured by Maxime’s lackeys too. She’s going through some pretty intrusive events and she’s keeping it together pretty well. I have faith in her, even though I’m sure the other lackeys will catch her before she actually escapes, I think she’ll give them enough trouble to slow up Maxime’s plans just enough.
And I knew Leslie wasn’t dead at the end of the last issue. But the Albino definitely has more control than he should have. Leslie is trying so hard to keep him caged, but I don’t think she’s strong enough. Unless the death of her pet gives her the strength she needs. I couldn’t believe it – when Pif attacked Khal and Khal instinctively defended himself, he killed the pitiful little thing. I was floored! I didn’t expect that at all and that’s all we’re left with in that final panel is a dead dino pet. Shocked… utterly shocked. I just don’t know what to think. I expected Khal or Saya to die… not Pif.
Absolutely stellar book – writing and art both. The story is fantastic and keeps me guessing and even shocks me still, ten issues in!
Conclusion
Wow. What a week of books! And all of these were waiting for me when I got back from Origins. I wish I could have taken them with me, but I left a day too early for that. I couldn’t have asked for a better batch of books to read – quality and quantity!
What are you reading?
Is there a series I should be reading?
You can drop me a line here or find me on Facebook at Dice Dice Kitty!
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A good book is the best vacation!
Dice Dice Kitty 