Shuffle Track #14

VIXENS. FEMME FATALES. MINXES. THE LADIES THAT MAKE LIFE WORTH LIVING.  There’s something alluring about a woman who can handle herself, whether she’s an ass-kicking superhero or an undead sorceress of unimaginable power.

In a world dominated by domineering dudes it’s refreshing to take a long look at the ladies who keep pace. There’s an old saying about how well-behaved woman rarely make history. Well I’m not sure if that’s completely true, but this week’s entries in the 3P definitely make a strong case.

Saddle up ladies (and gents) it’s a WICKEDLY WOMANLICIOUS TRIPLE PLAY!

You’re in the MIXX!

SUCK MY KISS

SOUL KISS  #1

Written:  STEVEN T. SEAGLE

Pencils: MARCO CINELLO

From:  IMAGE

Lillian is the type of girl that is a walking contradiction: She doesn’t eat meat, but she likes to wear leather, she knows what she wants but not quite sure how to get it, she’s beautiful and beguiling but piss her off and they’ll be hell to pay-literally. On a stretch of highway in the middle of nowhere Arizona, Lilli’s (call her Lillian and she’ll chop you in the kidneys thank you very much) car breaks down. With the hot desert sun beating down on her like BONHAM on a five piece she is rescued(?) by a horny old hick.

This guy just doesn’t take no for an answer and while Lilli struggles to keep him from taking what he wants in trade, she makes a deal of her own…with the *spoiler alert* DEVIL. That’s right, the hot one is there to help the hottie all she has to do is agree to his terms (although somebody really should of warned the poor girl that the ‘devil’s in the details’). Soon after she makes her contract with the Horned one her troubles disappear, like a bumpkin getting devoured by a swarm of pissed-off moths (oddly specific metaphor there ain’t it). Lilli wakes up safe and sound at her apartment, was the whole thing a dream?! Her boyfriend DAMON pays a little visit checking to see how his lady loves sojourn to the UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA went. It seems our little miss was supposed to go and interview for grad school, tired of her current nightmare as a production assistant (isn’t latte lassoing and starlet sitting the third ring of hell?).

Showing that you can keep a good girl down, Lilli admits that she chickened out and came running back home when her car broke down and well-he doesn’t need to EVERYTHING right? She gets his mind off of her woes with a heated liplock that oh I don’t know *spoiler double-tap* DEVOURS HIS SOUL IN A RAVENOUS SWARM OF DEMONIC MOTHS. Oh well, there’s plenty of fish in the see right? Will Lilli learn how to control her new killer kisser? Will she ever be able to break her pact with the Prince of Darkness? Read on dear reader and find out!

STEVEN T. SEAGLE  .. I MEAN WHAT MORE DO YOU HAVE TO SAY. The guy is writing dynamo, Ben 10 and the list goes on and on in every medium under the sun. In SK #1 he does his thing, with the flair that only MAN OF ACTION can muster. The narrative is snappy, and tight, which frames the dialogue which slink along the same well-beaten path. This is what SS does, he joins the exposition and the introspection into a rousing tale, with a good cliffhanger ending. The character of Lillian is three-dimensional, right from page one we understand who she is and what she’s about, but the pages afterward really sell the back story which is doled out with great timing.  

MARCO CINELLO is primarily known for his work on SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS along with his turn on another SEAGLE project, the kid’s book FRANKIE STEIN (which I regret not picking up at the EXPO when I had the chance). CINELLO dives into the mature reader pool with SOUL KISS #1 and he’s totally LOUGANISING it. His lines are sharp and quick, seeming to emanate from the words themselves. The sepia-tones in this book work for me at times, at some points they felt like storyboard sketches but it works for the story.

The panoramic panels are an interesting touch. I’m not sure when this came into vogue for comics, but I think it’s getting a bit overkill.  The long skinny panels allow for a nice scope of emotion and range, but after about the third page of pancakes I kinda want to see the boxes again. No worries, the boxes are here and put to good use, all in all great work.

SK  #1 is a good first issue. I wasn’t sure where the narrative was taking me, or why, but it was fun ride-a carnival coaster through supernaturally macabre. The artwork though not ground-breaking is frenetic and sketchy, full of motion and depth. The story is a hanger and while the set-up is quick the twist at the end still made me take pause-which is getting more rare for me these days (me JADED?!? Say it ain’t so). I do have to admit the *spoiler alert* mega moth swarm death is pretty cool and original. If this is any indication of where this series is headed, I’m gonna have to invest in some bug zappers and moth balls.  Solid.

8.3

REBEL YELL

BIRDS OF PREY #1

Writen: DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI

Pencils: JESUS SAIZ

From: DC

DINAH LANCE is a complicated bird. She’s a hero to many, as the BLACK CANARY, DL can really do some damage with her skull-shattering vocals and equally adept face-smashing skills. But, there is that pesky, MURDER RAP she’s got on her rap sheet, and it’s up to ace reporter CHARLIE KEEN to find out what she’s been up to. An anonymous tipster has lead our MR. KEEN to an old church, a place of reckoning and redemption, a rather fit choice considering it’s where he will meet his DOOM.

What’s this, it wouldn’t be a proper party if someone didn’t crash it and I mean literally CRASH—through a stone wall. Enter EV CAMPBELL, or as some in the underworld have come to know (and fear) her

Not so fast Kimo Sabe, BABS ain’t biting at the opportunity to go bad guy bashing with her old chum, but she does offer a solid alternate in her stead-oh, I think KATANA would do nicely don’t you? Flash forward to a hit squad of masked goons making trouble for BC and her cohorts, now I know why the caged bird sings…to EVEN THE ODDS! KEEN is swooped up from danger by the DELECTABLE DUO and finds out he’s been a pawn in a very elaborate game of chess.  He’s not the only player on the board being played, MS. LANCE’S ride is a little late picking her up-as STARLING rushes to make her connection, DINAH takes a second to unmask one of their unwelcomed guests…hmmm, a nobody, but this playa sneaks in a quite kiss before she turns down his dimmer switch.

What’s that he said about his kiss being a lethal weapon? Ah, probably nothing D, shrug it off. BLACK CANARY and STARLING don’t have time to mince words, they gotta get CHARLIE KEEN to the airport, time for this reporter to kill the story before his mysterious source edits him out of the picture FOR GOOD.  Will KEEN make his connecting flight to safety, or is one more move on this sinister chessboard? LITERACY is your friend!

DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI’s takeover for MARK ANDREYKO on the BOP reboot may have raised a few eyebrows, but the man has the credentials to put any and all criticisms on their can. DS pulls a pretty standard comic turn here, explosions, ass-kicking, exposition nicely spaced out over the pages. It’s all clockwork and it’s a fast read-all things I appreciate.

So far, the BOP ranks consist of two (BLACK CANARY and STARLING) but in this issue we see DINAH LANCE try to recruit BARBARA GORDON to take up the cause once more…instead BABS slips D another candidate, the lovely (and deadly) KATANA. WHAT?!?  JESUS SAIZ work here rivals that of anything he did on BATMAN B&B, his figures are spot on, SAIZ’s lady heroes can pack a punch. His faces are some of the best I’ve seen in a while, especially in these DC reboots which have been hit or miss. He’s a credit not only to DC or this series, but to the comics medium itself.

BOP #1 is a pretty good entry into the NEW 52 line-up. SWIERCZYNSKI’s writing on this is solid, he gets action and the narrative is tight. I was hoping for a little more bang for the buck seeing as this is the first of the launch but that’s okay-it had *spoiler alert* a human exploding in a fiery inferno at the end…so all forgiven.  SAIZ’s artwork is sharp, detailed and full of energy. I really enjoy his BLACK CANARY as well as his take on STARLING. The man knows how to throw down the lines and it helps drive the read. The cover shows KATANA and POISON IVY rounding out the BIRDS-whoa, I think this party is going to get interesting…all the best one’s start a little late you know. Good.

8.5

LIVING DEAD GIRL

LADY DEATH #14

Written: BRIAN PULIDO/MIKE WOLFER

Pencils: MARCELO MUELLER

From: Boundless

WAR IS HELL, especially when war breaks out in HELL!

As the tribes of the underworld draw closer to their rebellion to overthrow  THE DEATH QUEEN, HOPE (aka LADY DEATH) is ejected from their number-it seems this vixen of violence is fracturing the factions as the shaky alliance is pushed to its breaking point. Meanwhile back at the palace, a traitor has brought valuable intel that he hopes will buy him a little influence with the killer queen’s court-DEAD WRONG.

THE DEATH QUEEN decides that the time to go on the offensive is NOW. She enlists the hulking BEHEMOTH to get the job down with a little help from her captive dungeon chew toy SATASHA RAVENTHORNE. As LADY DEATH tried to rejoin the efforts of the rebel alliance, she causes yet another rift (she seems to have that effect on this crowd) which ends in the MIGHTY GORROS’ lieutenant losing his head (and a few of his arms) to the macabre mistress’ black blade. Dissention is inevitable as VALORA and the FALLEN try to maintain an uneasy peace, PRINCESS NOZYN and her XIRACAIN SWARM go it alone.

Soon, the party is over as each of the armies decide that it is better to face the queen solo. UH-OH…PARTY CRASHER!!! BEHEMOTH shows up to give them all a deadly preview of what’s in store for them-wiping out half of the rebellion in one shot. Not even the winged demon warrior AZLANDO or equally lethal SALACIA can stop the bloodhed.

Speaking of blood, it wouldn’t be war without the sanguine savagery of STIGMATA who tries to possess BEHEMOTH, but you can’t possess someone who’s ALREADY POSSESSED. Seems that the blood of SATASHA is powerful stuff, full of rage, fury, and I dunno, SUPER-INVICIBILITY. Will the remaining rebels survive the night? Will LADY DEATH return to the scene and deliver her brand of swift sword swinging justice? Will DEATH QUEEN claim an early victory? READ to SUCCEED.

BRIAN PULIDO and MIKE WOLFER tag team this reboot of the successful and iconic character LADY DEATH. A creation of PULIDO’s from his now equally iconic run at CHAOS COMIX (EVIL ERNIE, and DEAD KING come baaaaaack) this new arc serves her well.

WOLFER’S experience with the denizens of death (starting with his epic run with NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD) is as expansive as PULIDO’S-both have done their share of writing and pencils and this understanding only adds to their storytelling prowess.

The two seem to be quite aware of the forces at work in this series, it’s no easy feat taking a beloved franchise and breathing new life into it (DC’s jab at it with the NEW 52 is a textbook example) but the team manages it well.

(*Editor’s Note – This issue came with a slew of variant covers which I have included but what I loved about it was that they were all labeled i.e. “Art Deco Edition, Sultry Edition, Wraparound Editionand such. This was cool, collectible and classy. Click on the covers to examine them…Helpful DAMM*)

Everyone loves an epic battle, and everyone loves LADY DEATH, so this sandwich should fill your gullet with all the gorgeous gore you can handle. Smart move and I think this arc will prove to be quite successful. I would expect nothing less from these masters of horror.  MARCELO MUELLER has earned is illo stripes working on LADY DEATH almost exclusively and what a way to start!

His lines are strong in this issue, he handles the legendary lady with care as he swings the lead confidently. The action here is crisp, the only needle skip is a little panel-in-panel it is that happens midway through the book, throwing off the pace-which is critical if the payout is a DISMEMBORED  BODY. Still, a great entry into the LADY DEATH CANON and he now sits proudly with those who have known her wiles and wickedness.

LD #14 is the second leg of a brand new LADY DEATH story arc, under the BOUNDLESS banner. While readers who want to catch up (and if you love LD or PULIDO, you will) VOLUME ONE collecting the first 8 issues of this series is out and about.

Everything here feels familiar but fresh, which is quite the feat considering how long this beloved character has hallowed the halls of comicbookdom.

Talk about longevity! MUELLER’s art is top-notch, this quite the mantle being passed on and he wears it with swagger. PULIDO and WOLFER’s writing is on par with anything they’ve ever done and the arc has another satisfying tome under its belt. Rock.

9

The Mixx ReDuxx:

SOUL KISS  #1 (IMAGE):  8.3

BIRDS OF PREY #1: THE NEW 52 (DC): 8.5

LADY DEATH #14 (BOUNDLESS): 9

Until Next Time True Believers, Keep On Rockin’ In The Free World!

eXpect eXcellence. We are eXPress News on eXpertComics.com

©2012 eXpertComics.com | The MIXX| MJ Ramirez

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Tags:	Avatar Press, Batman, Birds of Prey, Boundless, Brian Pulido, DC: The New 52, Duane Swierczynski, eXpertcomics.com, Image Comics, Lady Death, Lady Death Black Canary, Marcelo Mueller, Mike Wolfer, Soul Kiss, Steven T Seagle, TheMixx

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Comments (1)

Dan Robertson

April 5th, 2012 @ 17:08 I didn’t realize Birds was this good, thanks for the heads up!

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