Comic Book Review: This Damned Band #6 - (2016)

Written by Paul Cornell
Art by Tony Parker
Colors by Lovern Kindzierski

The sixth and final issue of This Damned Band has the band playing a stadium show that looks to be their last.  The deal with the devil has been made but is there a way out for Mother Father?

This Damned Band was one of my most anticipated series of the year.  At Phoenix ComiCon 2015, I made it a priority to attend the Dark Horse panel.  The panel featured many known names in the comic book industry including Rafael Albuquerque, Alex de Campi along with the creators of This Damned Band; Paul Cornell and Tony Parker.

This Damned Band came from the mind of Paul Cornell and he was paired with the incredibly talented artist Tony Parker to tell this tale of sex, drugs, rock n roll and devil worship.  Hearing the passion and excitement in their voices as they talked about this comic book series made me want to read it right then and there.  But alas, it was not being released that day.

I was in my local comic shop the day before This Damned Band was released and was able to add it to my pull list.  I enjoyed every page.  The art is fantastic, the story is great and reading this book as a documentary being filmed in the 1970s was such a fun ride.

The final issue was absolutely incredible.  Paul Cornell concludes this story in a way that makes sense with the characters.  I say this, but it is not in a way that comes off as predictable.  I'm looking forward to getting all six issues and reading them all in one sitting in succession.

Tony Parker and Lover Kindzierski continue to wow the audience with eye popping visuals.  This Damned Band, as a series, has multiple artistic styles within each book.  Issue number six was great as our locations are on stage at the stadium and also a trip to Hell.  Hell had a fun yet eerie look.  I love the use of the different art styles to show what is going on within different realms.

This Damned Band is a true testament to what each of the people that worked on the book is capable of within their respective craft.

 Paul Cornell is an amazing writer.  From television to comic books, you know you will be reading or watching true quality.  If you see Cornell's name on the cover of a comic book, it's more than likely worth picking up.

Tony Parker is an artist that shows he is remarkably capable of many art styles.  He also shows such great detail panel after panel yet is capable of keeping the focus on the characters and their facial expressions.

Lovern Kindzierski puts together colors in a way that vibrant yet, when the mood calls, can feel dark.  It's a mix that can prove difficult but Kindzierski makes it look so effortless page after page.

This Damned Band is $3,99 per issue which I feel is a fair price.  I would recommend purchasing this series at your local comic book shop.  Waiting for the trade paperback isn't fair to yourself.  Plus, buying comic books is the best way to show support for artists and writers.  Comic book sales are one of, if not, the first metric a publisher will look at when looking to continue working with artists and writers.

What are your thoughts on This Damned Band?  What other comic book series' would you like Maskerpiece Theatre to review?  Please leave your comments below or contact @MaskedBlogster on Twitter.

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Comic Book Review: This Damned Band #5 - Dark Horse Comics (2015)

Written by Paul Cornell
Art by Tony Parker
Colors by Lover Kindzierski

The band is on their way to a huge stadium show in Texas.  The mystery of why so many groupies have left the band or have gone missing is still looming.  A lot is happening and a big reveal at he end!

This Damned Band is not written the way a lot of comic books are.  A documentary crew is following the exploits of the group as they go on tour, hang with groupies and do hallucinogenic drugs and seeing the devil.  Those sentences were just in case you haven't been keeping up on this series.  If you haven't, I recommend that you get yourself over to your local comic book shop and pick up these five issues before the sixth and final comic book comes out.

The characters are definitely on edge in this issue.  With the missing groupies, with the band playing what might be their final show together and with the potential sacrifice at this concert...  Okay, I might be giving too much away there.  Paul Cornell is building up something big with this issue, especially with the aforementioned reveal at the end of this issue.

How cool is the cover to this book?  Actually all covers have been awesome as they are reminiscent of rock concert posters.  I like how this particular cover prominently displays "This Damned Band" and includes the writer, artist and colorist as the opening act.  Ticket price is the cost of the comic book.

Tony Parker and Lovern Kindzierski are working like a super-team in this series.  Parker is putting so much into every panel yet making it look effortless.  There is so much detail in the backgrounds but none of it feels overly "busy."  This can be a tough task as you want detailed artwork but you also want the focus of the panel to be in the right place.  Tony Parker has been absolutely stellar in that department.  If that wasn't incredible enough, Lovern Kindzierski adds colors that work page after page.  The colors add a wonderful amount of detail to Parker's work.  Look at the paisley dress worn by the Alice.  Absolutely remarkable.

Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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You can also support our show by using our Amazon banners or donating on our Support Us page.

Comic Book Review: Sons of the Devil: Book 1 - Image Comics/OSSM Comics (2015)

Written by: Brian Buccellato

Art by: Toni Infante

This review isn't about one individual issue, but rather the new trade paperback that collects the first five issues of "Sons of the Devil."   The TPB is actually being released today, November 25th, 2015.  Even better than that, this first volume is only $9.99.  A pretty awesome value for sure, so let's get to the synopsis and review.

Travis grew up as an orphan, having anger management issues and not really knowing anything about where he was born or his parents.  He's about twenty six years old now and doing what he can to keep a job, girlfriend and overall out of trouble.  Trouble seems to find Travis however, and he is slowly learning his past as it seems his past is looking for him.

Brian Buccellato(Flash, Detective Comics, Justice League) is crafting a story that gets more and more intriguing with each chapter.  Each chapter, while focusing on present day Travis, includes a flashback and something that is going on in the darker reaches of one man's world.  There's always something to look forward to as each chapter ends in a way that makes you want to read next one.  The flashbacks to the commune from 1989 and the evil that is happening today that Travis is not yet aware of, truly make "Sons of the Devil" an intriguing story.  Be sure to pick up this TPB today and grab the rest of the comic books(issues 6 - current).

The art of Toni Infante looks remarkable with this story,  Infante captures facial expressions so well and the gritty feel to the line work is so fitting to Buccellato's creepy tale.  The colors are wonderfully blended into this story as well.  Travis' eye colors are important and the other colors do not take away from it.  

There are also bonus stories within the TPB of another character.  I won't get overly into it as I do not want to spoil too much "Sons of the Devil" but I will give a little:

"Parker"

Written by: Jennifer Young

Art by: Ryan Horvath

These stories offer more back story on a character that is introduced within "Sons of the Devil,"  It is fantastic that these stories are a part of the trade paperback, adding even more to the value of this book.  

"Sons of the Devil" is on my recommended reading list.  Whether horror is or is not your thing, "Sons of the Devil" is so well crafted that it's hard to put down.  There are characters that you are able to connect with right away.  You will also find out the characters have an intertwining relationship and it's incredibly well thought out.  To do what Buccellato has done in five chapters without it feeling forced, is truly masterful writing.

A big thank you goes out to Siike Donnelly for reaching out to us here at Maskerpiece Theatre and allowing us to preview "Sons of the Devil" and making it possible for this review to be available to everyone on the day it is released.   

You can read more of my blogs/reviews here on Maskerpiece Theatre and also on http://cinemaheadcheese.blogspot.com/

Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Comic Book Review - This Damned Band #3 - Dark Horse Comics

Written by: Paul Cornell

Art by Tony Parker

The band, Motherfather, is now in France set to record.  It's believed the house is haunted and there are many a strange things going on.  Drama ensues as there's a missing groupie and unfortunate deaths that occur.  If you haven't read issues one or two, don't start at three.  With that said, go out and buy them.  Paul Cornell is weaving a masterful tale of a band that has a documentary crew following them. 

This issue continues the story, now in France and there's plenty going on.  I'll attempt to stay as spoiler free as I can for this review.  I enjoyed seeing the unraveling of emotions from many of the characters.  Things are getting very close that proverbial breaking point within many of the relationships.  One of the children has become quite the artist with his chalk as well which brought upon some disturbing results.  Cryptic enough?  Go out and get this series!

This is where I'm going to get to Tony Parker's art.  This Damned Band is not only amazingly written, they also found the most complimentary artist for this series.  Parker is doing some incredible things with the backgrounds in This Damned Band.  He isn't taking it easy on himself by any means as he draws the many different rooms and corridors of this French mansion.  Every panel is taken care of with such artistic precision.  

If you haven't figured it out yet, I highly recommend This Damned Band.  

Let us know what you think in the comments below.

You can read more of my blogs here on Maskerpiece Theatre and also on CinemaHeadCheese.blogspot.com