Personally, I don’t get noir. I mean, I get noir, but I don’t understand why anyone in the twenty-first century still enjoys film or book noir, in which misogyny and frivolous women reside. Maybe it’s a girl thing, but hey, misogyny is kind of dumb if you ask me, not all women are fickle, and anybody who calls me a dame will promptly get punched in the face.

Anyway, Fogtown is a good example of what doesn’t work about noir, which is a tricky genre as it is.

Check out my full review over at OneMetal.

Vertigo Crime invites readers into the seedy underbelly of a 50s San Francisco with Fogtown, a noir-styled graphic novel told from the perspective of a private eye named Frank Grissel. The often drunk detective has more than a skeleton or two hidden in his closet.

Ancient Roman vampires, apocalyptic horsemen-gangsters from Mexico (or possibly hell), and soul-hungry demons—monsters are coming out the wazoo this week at Impulse Creations.

Below are a few teasers, but you can read the full reviews here.

“David Hine dumps in all the right ingredients for a classic Darkness tale, lets it simmer, and before readers can catch their breath, they’re peering over a heaving pot of perfectly seasoned hellfire-side cuisine.” - The Darkness: Four Horsemen #1

“Fans of vampire fiction like True Blood might relish another half-naked glimpse into the undead world, but for those of us without a fang fetish, Ides of Blood does introduce a somewhat different means of examining the same old corpses.” - Ides of Blood #1

“Demons are creepy. Demons illustrated by Alina Urusov are even creepier. Unfortunately, the goosebumps-inducing demon in Witchblade: Due Process only adds a margin of the oomph the one-shot sorely needs.” - Witchblade: Due Process

Like Charmed? This month’s Pull-O-Rama feature at Impulse Creations includes an early review of Charmed #1 from Zenescope Entertainment. You can enjoy a little B&R and new indie series goodness on the side, too.

“Dying for a old western style comic with the paranormal and supernatural flair of Hellboy and the detective storytelling of Sherlock Holmes? Hang up your coat and hat and call off the hounds because The Sixth Gun might be just the book readers have been craving.” - The Sixth Gun #1

“In the recently released Batman and Robin #13, the Dynamic Duo’s luck has run short. Not to mention the artwork will send a good chill or two up your spine.” - Batman and Robin #13

“Next week, Zenescope Entertainment channels the Power of Three into comic book form.” - Charmed #1

Bang, the world’s tearing itself apart. Bang, it never happened. That’s exactly the setup for Matt Kindt’s new graphic novel, Revolver. Read my review over at OneMetal.

“I lie down there; I wake up here.”

From Super Spy author and illustrator Matt Kindt’s imagination emerges Revolver, a new original graphic novel published by Vertigo. The mind-bend asks a difficult question: Is a life full of meaning worth sacrificing for one of shallow comfort? The answer comes easier than readers might think.

Meet Sam. Until a few minutes ago, Sam has never been in a fight, let alone killed another human being. Of course, only a few minutes ago, his luxuriously dull world existed free of terrorist-driven explosions, his superficial girlfriend waited just around the corner, and his biggest complaint was having to edit someone else’s party photos. At 11:11 every night, Sam finds himself walking through a different reality. The boss he once hated now spearheads an underground revolution in which he takes part: a newspaper called “Revolver,” bent on reporting the country’s turmoil that has made looting, savaging, and murder casual occurrences. Each time Sam wakes up, his dead-end job and materialistic obsessions seem pettier than ever before, and only Sam remembers the night’s change—or so he thought. Confused and troubled by the events unfolding around him, Sam seeks the one link between his two worlds: a man named P.K. Verve.

I’m on a roll this week! See what’s buzzing with the Blackest Night GN (hint: more than just flies). Check out my review in OneMetal’s hot ‘n fresh comics section.

Blackest Night devastated the DC Universe, assembling superheroes and villains in a massive showdown against the resurrected. Geoff Johns forefronts the event in which life and death are “overrated” … at least until the good guys pull the punches.

The day that Superman died has changed from one of mourning to remembrance, but as Coast City gathers to honor the heroes and innocents who have fallen, evil forces converge. The first of the Black Lanterns, Black Hand, has risen and stolen the buried skull of Bruce Wayne, whose remains Alfred Pennyworth buried alongside those of his parents. Hungry for flesh, black rings swarm momentarily unnoticed, latching onto deceased victims and their memories. As Black Hand’s army grows in number, the Justice League and the other six Lantern factions take heed, especially when the rings start claiming living hosts.

This book killed me inside. It sure was good, though … you just might want to cry for humanity when you’re finished.

Why is it so … you know? Visit OneMetal for the full review.

A God Somewhere tiptoes the boundary between Wildstorm, its actual publisher, and Vertigo, DC’s heavier and more mature back end of comic book titles. John Arcudi’s original graphic novel evolves from a simplistic, almost cliched tale of a man who wakes up with superpowers to an unrecognizable nightmare that ruins everything, and everyone, in its path.

The first chapter begins with a message of destruction, but the narrator’s warning only grazes the violence to ensue. Readers should brace themselves for a terrifying and gut-wrenching experience. Outlined with implications (unfulfilled love, a severed connection between brothers, racial indiscretions), the comic quickly takes a dramatic turn in exploiting them. When an unidentified explosion rips through Eric Forster’s apartment building, many are left dead or buried—except for a completely unscathed Eric. What’s more, he soon develops an omniscient mentality, knowing when and where others need his now superhuman assistance. The change rattles those close to him in different ways, but the initially pleasant book gradually falls into uncomfortable territory once Eric’s personality, intelligence, and world view show signs of tampering.

X-Files? Vampires? Yes, please! This Wednesday, July 14, you can have both thanks to Wildstorm’s line-up. And how is the crossover? Click the link and head over to OneMetal to find out for yourself!

The television phenomenon whose supernatural, paranormal, and extraterrestrial graces earned it nine long seasons, two movies, and more praise than one basement office can tuck away has met revival in the comics community. After Topps Comics provided fans three years of issues, which matched the second through fifth seasons, the X-Files packed up and transferred to its new home at Wildstorm (DC). Now a successful writer and a guitarist are bringing two horrific sci-fi wonders together on the page. 30 Days of Night co-sire Steve Niles and Adam Jones of Tool fame have partnered for the six-issue crossover X-Files/30 Days of Night, which premieres this Wednesday.

Wildstorm isn’t holding back in celebration, either. They’ve arranged a total of three distinctive covers to accompany the debut: The standard cover features the work of Andrea Sorrentino (God of War), the X-Files variant that of Tom Mandrake, and the 30 Days of Night that of Sam Kieth (The Maxx, Lobo). With Mandrake previously contributing visuals to The Spectre and Batman comics, the DC familiar is providing the main artwork for this latest X-Files mystery.

Wildstorm, the DC Comics property known for bringing video game icons to the comic book page, is adding the galactic Ratchet and Clank to their dossier this September.

After the defeat of Dr. Nefarious, the best pals zip off to the Solana galaxy for a quick vacation, but before they can enjoy some well-deserved shuteye, Qwark summons the heroes. The adventure pits Ratchet and his robot sidekick against a Markazian planet thief named Artemis Zogg. Writer T.J. Fixman and artist Adam Archer will be handling the six-issue limited series based on the popular Sony franchise.

[Via GameInformer]

Celebrate this Independence Day with Madame Xanadu, Robin, and … Fig. Kick back and enjoy the food and fireworks with a few graphic novel recommendations.

“A fascinating journey, Disenchanted retells world-shaping moments with Madame Xanadu and the Phantom Stranger hiding behind the curtains.” - Madame Xanadu Vol. 1: Disenchanted

“Writers Chuck Dixon and Scott Beatty polish off a short series of old-fashioned detective yarns … with a classic, moody Gotham City shade.” - Robin: Year One

“Creators Matthew Sturges and Bill Willingham … construct a house and story of gothic imagination.” - House of Mystery Vol. 1: Room & Boredom

Read the full reviews at Impulse Creations.

Got a case of the undead munchies? Looking to take a dip in the Lazarus Pit? What about partying with the mighty son of Olympus? Then check out the reviews in this month’s Pull-O-Rama.

“Chris Roberson’s new comic from Vertigo zaps a little freshness into that stale brain taste.” - iZombie #2

“Winick develops a powerful stand-alone issue, but not necessarily an important one so far.” - Red Hood: The Lost Days #1

“Bob Layton pens a lighthearted tale full of easygoing humor …” - Hercules: Twilight of a God #1

Read ‘em in full at Impulse Creations.

Caveman Batman! Pirate Batman? … Erm, Londoner/demon hunter (???) Batman? Find out whether Bruce Wayne’s trips through time will be the sticker price.

Batman: Return of Bruce Wayne #1 kick-starts the first of six trials Bruce Wayne must face before coming home to Gotham. Grant Morrison and Chris Sprouse’s Stone Age story, which was teased in previous Batman issues as Bruce Wayne painted familiar symbols on torch-lit walls, follows an amnesiac Bruce as he scrambles together pieces of his lost identity.

Read the full article at Impulse Creations.

Recently, Wildstorm released the first installment of a new, six-issue mini-series called Garrison (written by Jeff Mariotte). The comic unfolds in a futuristic America where surveillance monitors every sneeze and dressing room peep … then squashes it like Jack Bauer in the name of anti-terrorism and whatnot. Only this one guy (known only as “Garrison” … yeah, you didn’t suspect that one, I’m sure) is the anti-Bauer: a force that can evade even the best of what the government can throw at him in the way of cameras and agents.

It’s a pragmatic concept for our day and age, I’ll admit, but what can you really expect from Mariotte’s book?

Writers. We’re a twitchy bunch, for we routinely enjoy gulping enough coffee to float a small cow. Maybe (probably) a handful of us wish we were bad-ass cowboys who could smack you down with a cool-sounding “WHAMMM!” but at the least, we can add “self-reflective” to the minuscule list. But writer Jeff Mariotte, unfortunately, fits into a different niche (he hates coffee … and tea, the heathen). He instead prefers, like with his new mini-series Garrison, tossing together nonsensical plots and slapping on characters who look macho walking away from action movie explosions. Because, you know, “the world’s most dangerous man” needs snake tattoos and conveniently placed shadows more than he needs clever dialogue.

Read the entire review now at OneMetal.

If you haven’t played God of War III yet (*raises hand*), or perhaps desire a little more god with your war, then die-hard fans will surely be interested in Wildstorm’s freshly released God of War limited comic series. But take it from this oracle: You’ve been warned.

Wildstorm immortalizes Kratos, Sony’s hottest poster-child for blood splatter, in an all-new limited series. Of course, by the time you’ve finished scouring these makeshift Greek tales, you’ll gladly seek refuge in the underworld.

In my opinion, when video games leap into comics, the two mediums should overcome that troublesome gap as seamlessly as the creators can forge that metaphorical bridge. Unfortunately, regardless of the labor’s intensity, the fusion tends to meet a sloppy end, and for all its might God of War #1 crumbles just the same. All the Spartans and Olympian gods could not salvage this mutilated comic, which—despite its flattering outward appearance and fair storyline—suffers from wretched oversight. Whatever research writer Marv Wolfman tapped fails to nudge this premiere issue in any glorious direction, and Andrea Sorrentino’s visuals only rub those vulnerable edges raw.

When I said last time that it’s been a busy week, I really wasn’t kidding. Today I resigned from the Girls Entertainment Network, where I’ve been Comics Editor for almost two years. I’ll definitely miss the site and all the wonderful people who gave their endless support, patience, and friendship. If it wasn’t for them and the opportunity they provided, I wouldn’t have grown so much as  a writer.

But where one door closes, another opens, as they so often say. I’ve accepted a new position at OneMetal.com, where I’ll mostly be publishing comics-related news, reviews, and the like—but also some video games and movies stuff now and then, too. It’s a very cool site, and the staff has been extremely generous and kind in welcoming me aboard. If you wouldn’t mind taking a minute to leave a comment and pass along the link to my first article, that’d be awesome.

Additionally, you’ll be able to track everything I write for OneMetal on my shiny author page.

The review is of The Unwritten Vol. 1: Tommy Taylor and the Bogus Identity, which comes out in early January from Vertigo. It’s fantastic, folks, so I hope you decide to pick it up (1/6 at your LCS and 1/12 in book stores). It’s only $10, which is even better.

Gifts won’t be the only things exchanged in the final days of 2009. Resolutions are the primary commodity of every new year, and they come and go with whims and that vulnerable platter of cookies your aunt just set out on the kitchen table. Everyone makes game-changing plans, sacrificing the little moments that become lost in the shuffle. This winter, instead of quaking boots and shattering earths, why not sit down with an equally breathtaking graphic novel? Sounds good, right? You bet your red and green-colored socks it is.

DC’s Vertigo division is essentially the dirty closet of the comics world. And while their books won’t make you lift an eyebrow at scandalous art, they will fulfill the expectations of readers looking for comics with a little more substance and mature themes. In comic shops on January 6 (or January 12 for book store browsers), writer Mike Carey and artist Peter Gross’ collaboration, The Unwritten, will arrive in paperback form. The volume binds the first five issues of the series, and before you let out that sigh of disappointment, keep in mind that these issues are particularly meaty. You know, in that wholesome good way.

The previous issue shot off in a fresh direction. After the Harvey Dent fiasco of issue #691, Daniel’s new arc was a pleasant change as it spilled over with brainwashed False Faces, Black Mask and a jumble of fellow evil-doers like Fright and Doctor Death, the revival of the Falcone crime family … and even a, erm, Catwoman copycat. The alliteration might be a tad overwhelming, but the whole package was a decent read with steady footing.

Unfortunately, like all comics eventually do, that bright future crumbled with November’s #693.

So what do you need to know about the issue? Let me break it down into manageable chunks. Damian enjoys mutilating spaced-out False Faces. Dick Grayson loathes socialites. Fright pines over Black Mask, and it’s schemes ahoy for somebody with a dual-personality who relishes a good chess metaphor. Insert filler, filler, and more filler. A bomb goes off and Riddler cracks for no apparent reason, and Batman investigates dock-side homicides and the copycat (emphasis on the feline part). The bulk of the writing resembles soap opera fodder, and nothing worthwhile or terribly interesting happens.

But what could drag down a saucy kiss between Huntress and Dick Grayson? The book is sloppy. Not only does the art feel lazy at times (Doctor Singh is apparently blind, because he can’t see Tommy Elliot two feet in front of him), but after a few pages the story and action become confined to tight little boxes and posed stances. I mean, just check out that wink on “Bruce” aka Elliot. I’m pretty sure the woman in the background shares my chagrin.

One redeeming factor, though, can be attributed to the terse conversion between Elliot and Jeremiah Arkham. Elliot’s overbearing interest in the mechanics of the new asylum might be linked to Dick’s concern about Elliot’s real goal as Wayne’s doppelganger.

Recommendation: On this episode of The Bitter and the Brave, Helen locks lips with the dashing Dick Grayson and things heat up as Oracle gets the first-hand scoop. Plus, Dick looks like “Bruce” and Nigma looks like Elliot … you know, the real one.

Curious how the Bat-books stack up here on the blog? Look here.