Comic Book Review: Constantine the Hellblazer #7 (2015)

Written by James Tynion IV & Ming Doyle
Art by Riley Rossmo

The trees appear to be coming to life in the park, attacking and killing lovers who attempt to show physical affection in the bushes.  John Constantine is met by the Swamp Thing to find out why this is happening.

I was really excited to see the Swamp Thing on the seventh issue of Constantine the Hellblazer.  I know it's not the Swamp Thing I grew to truly enjoy when it was written by Alan Moore but it's still a lot of fun.  I also liked that this issue was able to tell the story within one issue but still was able to leave you with a cliffhanger and get you ready for the next issue.

Riley Rossmo works so well as the artist of Constantine the Hellblazer.  I was really excited to see his take on Swamp Thing and that definitely did not disappoint.  The final page of the book is such an eerie vision, you'll be ready for the next issue.

What are your thoughts on Constantine the Hellblazer?  Leave your comments below.

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Comic Book Review - Herald: Lovecraft & Tesla #3 - Action Lab Comics

Written by: John Reilly

Art by: Tom Rogers and Dexter Weeks 

Nikola Tesla and H.P. Lovecraft have broken into Athenaeum Library and have discovered there were others already there.  Cthulhu cultists looking for an original Necronomicon.  The cultists want to know why they are there and why it seems Lovecraft knows so much.

I love a good capture and escape type of story.  This is exactly that and I especially love it when science and a bit of creative trickery is used.  Lovecraft being questioned while Tesla, with one hand badly damaged, is attending to the wound of the professor who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Unfortunately for the cultists, Tesla was locked in a room full of chemicals and, well, you're going to have to read the book to see what he did.

If you're having difficulty finding the first three books of this series, they are also collected in a trade paperback.  You can pick it up for $11.99 or do what I did, and check your local library.  Just watch out for Cthulhu cultists!

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 - Constantine The Hellblazer #4 - DC Comics

Written by: Ming Doyle &James Tynion IV
Art by: Vanessa Del Rey & Chris Visions

John Constantine is drunk.  Really drunk.  He spends time within this comic book in a state of self-loathing due to the pain he has caused.  Flashbacks show his relationship with Georgie and his former lover Veronica.  By the end of the book, he calls out the ghost killer and something Constantine did not expect is revealed.

As stated in the synopsis, this is a very self-loathing version of John Constantine. Walking the streets, going to many of his past haunts(unintentional pun but I'll take it), and being the jerk he knows he can be.  We are given more flashbacks and you see why Constantine is drinking away his past regressions.  He feels responsible for the hurt in his friends' lives and also feels responsible for there demise as well.

There is a reveal at the end that pulls this story together.  I'd like to type more but I have issue number five waiting for me to read so I'm going to get to it!

Please leave your comments and let me know if you're reading this series and if you are enjoying it as well.

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

Comic Book Review - Constantine The Hellblazer #3 - DC Comics

Written by: Ming Doyle & James Tynion IV
Art by: Ming Doyle & Vanesa Del Rey

John Constantine heads back to England to seek the help of Georgie, an expert in the occult.  As with any John Constantine acquaintance or relationship, there is a past that he will likely need to address.  Georgie is on a case when Constantine arrives and he agrees to help out in hopes Georgie can help out with his Ghost Killer problem.

We have a couple different art styles within this store which I found to be pretty awesome.  The gritty look we have become accustomed to for present day and a bit more of a brighter and cleaner look for the flashbacks.  Constantine having to find some way to reconcile for his past is a mainstay in his books and this is done very well.  He wants to find this Ghost Killer but he now knows he can't do it alone.  Adding in the hunt for what Constantine thought was a succubus was a great way to show that he would help Georgie, but of course doing it his way.

Three issues in and this is a delightful series.  With a $2.99 price tag, it's worth picking up to see if it is something that works for you as well.  Please leave comments below and let me know what you think.

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

Comic Book Review - Contantine The Hellblazer #2 - DC Comics

Written by: Ming Doyle & James Tynion IV
Art by: Riley Rossmo

Ghosts are being killed and this time it's for good.  John Constantine looks to put a stop to this by gathering enough ghosts together and finding a "Thin" place so that he may conjure enough power to stop whatever is killing the ghosts.

I'm going to start off with the art in this book.  I love the gritty feel.  Sharp lines that go thick to thin make this so visually appealing to the type of book Constantine The Hellblazer is.  Dark backgrounds and the use of shadows is done so incredibly well.

As for the story, it has definitely got my interest.  I've been a big fan of John Constantine for a while and this feels like we are bringing him back to the type of character we are accustomed to.  The type of guy that will do anything and everything he feels is the right way to handle a situation, regardless of what anyone around him may say.  He also tends to get distracted if someone attractive is within his line of sight so that brings a bit of shallowness that contributes to the depth of his character.  That sentence makes sense in my head anyway.

So far, so good with this series.  I'm going to continue reading and hope to read your comments below.

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

Original Comic Book: Twisted Magic

"If the moral compass created by your past didn't exist, who would you become? If you had no one to tell you who you were, who would you think you are?"

The questions above are from writer Kalani Nazarro, the author of Twisted Magic.  These questions are the basis for the mysterious main character of this horror-fantasy comic.  

We were going for a new look with this comic book and we are hoping you enjoy it.  As the artist, I had a bit of difficulty finding the look that matched Kalani's vision.  The first page itself went through multiple looks.  He told me one day he wanted to get away from comic book panels and that's when the light bulb came on.  I drew the first page and sent it to him and at that point we were off and running.  

Please feel free to leave comments below or contact us on social media sites or email MaskedBlogster@gmail.com

If you do like it, please share it!  Thank you for reading!

Twisted Magic

Written by Kalani Nazarro

Art by Dalyn Viker