Middlewest Book One (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Image Comics via Edelweiss. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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Title: Middlewest Book One
Author: Skottie Young 
Artists: Jorge Corona & Mike Huddleston
Upcoming Release Date: May 28, 2019


Synopsis: The lands between the coasts are vast, slow to change, and full of hidden magics. The town of Farmington has been destroyed sending an unwitting adventurer and his vulpine companion in search of answers to quell a coming storm that speaks his name. From author SKOTTIE YOUNG (I HATE FAIRYLAND, DEADPOOL) and artist JORGE CORONA (NO. 1 WITH A BULLET, FEATHERS, BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA: OLD MAN JACK) comes the tale of Abel, a young boy who must navigate an old land in order to reconcile his family's history.

Collects MIDDLEWEST #1-6

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Review: This book starts out with a boy and his paper route, but there's more to this world than there seems. There's differences from the expected. Weird pink tanks attached to every building. A talking fox. There is no info-dumping in this story. I have no idea what this world is, and I love it. It's definitely giving me Wizard of Oz vibes (there's even a reference to The Wiz). The back and forth dialogue between Abel and his fox companion is great. 

There's a lot of interesting dynamics in this book. Abel has some daddy issues. This story tackles topics like heritable aggression, the fear of becoming your own father. I'm excited to see where this story will go.

I give this book a 4/5. The artwork is captivating. The characters have depth. I'm looking forward to where this story is going.  


--PAUL

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 2016 Annual (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 2016 Annual
Contributors: Kyle Higgins, Rod Reis, Trey Moore, Terry Moore, James Kochalka, Ross Thibodeaux, Rob Guillory, Marguerite Bennett, Huang Danlan, Jorge Corona

Synopsis: Comics creators come together to celebrate their mutual love of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers! From short stories like “The Origin of Goldar” to “What Would Happen If Bulk and Skull Became Rangers?”, this oversized anthology collection features contributions from creators like Terry Moore (Strangers in Paradise), Rob Guillory (Chew), James Kochalka (Monkey vs Robot), and more!

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Review: It took me a year to get my hands on this, but I finally did! This is a collection of comic stories that all take place in the Power Rangers universe. They range in style from cartoony and comical to realistic and emotional.

My favorite story gives a glimpse into Goldar's backstory and how he came to be a general of Lord Zedd and Rita Repulsa. There's also a beautifully drawn story about Trini and Kimberly hosting a charity tea party before the crowd gets turned into cute and fluffy animals. The most outrageous and fun story though involves Bulk and Skull getting temporary Power Rangers powers. 

I am absolutely loving what BOOM! Studios is doing with the Power Rangers comics. I want to see more stories that delve into backstories or breath new life into smaller aspects of the Power Rangers world. I give this annual a 5/5.  


--PAUL

Teen Titans Go! Volume 1: Party, Party! by Sholly Fisch, Lea Hernandez, Jorge Corona, & Ben Bates - Ashley's Review

*I received this comic as an eARC from DC Entertainment/DC Comics on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Teen Titans Go! Volume 1: Party, Party! 
Contributors: Sholly Fisch, Lea Hernandez (Illustrator), Jorge Corona (Illustrator), and Ben Bates (Illustrator)
Publication Date: March 10, 2015

Synopsis: JUSTICE HAS NEVER BEEN THIS MUCH FUN!

Robin, Starfire, Cyborg, Raven, and Beast Boy are the Teen Titans the coolest teenage superhero team in the universe! Watch as they battle a pizza monster, a video game console that becomes alive, and a legion of incompetent super villains. The Teen Titans are always getting into crazy hijinks like destroying a superhero themed mini golf course, becoming CEOs of a Silicon Valley startup company, playing a deadly game of go fish, making intergalactic prank phone calls, or throwing a girls only superhero slumber party. Thru all the mayhem and zanynest these friends always come out victorious (most of the time.) 

TEEN TITANS GO! VOLUME 1: PARTY, PARTY! collects issues #1-6 of the fun filled series based on the hit cartoon show on Cartoon Network featuring work from an array of comic creators including Sholly Fisch, Lea Hernandez, Amy Wolfram, Jorge Corona, Ben Bates and many more!

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Review: I'm kind of familiar with the Teen Titans from the TV show that used to be on Cartoon Network before Teen Titans Go! I think that one was a little darker, and the animation was a little more harsh. But Teen Titans Go! is a lot of fun and I love that the illustrations in this comic match the new show so well! 

As far as the artwork goes, the colors are bright and fun and made me happy every time I sat down to read it. The illustrators capture the facial expressions of all of the characters perfectly. I could tell when Best Boy and Cyborg were about to do something that would get them in trouble, or when Starfire was confused, or when Raven was trying not to destroy the rest of the Teen Titans for being dumb and annoying. It added so much to this comic, since it allowed for fewer words. Just like a comic should be! 

All six stories are exactly what I hoped they would be, and even tough they could all stand alone, they go pretty well together as a whole too. They don't build off of each other or anything, except that you learn a little bit more about the personalities and the characteristics of each Teen Titan, and I thought it was neat to see them in different situations. Like who would have thought Raven would ever agree to an all-girls sleepover? I do think the prank calling one was my favorite though, mostly because I loved seeing how terrified Robin was of Batman and how they all managed to get themselves out of this predicament... this time. 

I would definitely recommend this volume to any fans of the Teen Titans! Even if you aren't really familiar with them, this would be a fun place to start. I think it's especially good for kids who like super heroes, and would be a great way to introduce them to comic books and graphic novels. It's not gory or scary or anything, and there are no big words that would be hard for kids to understand. It's still fun for grownups too, so it could be a great comic to read together! A 3/5. 


--Ashley