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 HEADS UP FOR THE WEEK OF: 041107

BOOK OF THE WEEK: FELL #8
Comic Review by: Mike Kurnat

Writer: WARREN ELLIS

Artist: BEN TEMPLESMITH

Publisher: Image Comics
MSRP: $2.99,

Alternate Reality Price: $1.69 (That's 15% OFF, All This Week!)
"The series has always done the layered story very well."
After a lackluster issue seven, admittedly so by Warren Ellis, Fell gets back on track as we follow the good detective during one of his nightly patrols. Anyone accustomed to the series already know that Snowtown is a messed up place that always feels like there is a full moon out. Well what happens when the moon is actually full, issue eight is the answer. The story is told in the form of notes that Detective Fell takes during his night and photographs taken at the various crime scenes. It starts with a murder in front of his friend Mayko’s bar and runs the gamut of arson, snake attacks and pimp bashings and ends up back in front of the bar. This book gets away from the normal style of the series having nine panels per page and goes with only three long panels per page until the actions change from photographs to live action at the end. The series has always done the layered story very well. There is the big story of why Fell is even in Snowtown, that I’m dying to know more about, and then the story that is encompassed in the single issue. I’ve always felt like this series was doing about everything a comic book series could do correctly. It tells a great story, throws in some subtle humor, has the perfectly fitting art style of Ben Templesmith and only cost two bucks. Only if the books could come out on schedule!! If you are not familiar with this series, and are age appropriate, check out the trade paperback coming out soon that collects the first eight stories. Warren Ellis always has interesting commentary and insight at the end of every issue and the TPB should be no exception.

KIDZ CORNER COMIC REVIEW:
 AMELIA RULES #17
a RENAISSANCE PRESS ongoing series
Comic Review by: Jim "Good Old JR" Rutkowski
Release Date: 041107

Ok. Plain and simple. Jimmy Gownley’s Amelia Rules is not only one of the finest children’s comics of all time. Not only is it one of the finest comics of all time. It is one of the best examples of children’s literature I have ever read. Gownley joins the ranks of Charles Schultz, Hank Ketcham, Hayao Miyazaki and J.K. Rowling in the ability to tap into the inner child that can be related to by any generation. Amelia is a rare thing in comics today. The kids in the book may be precocious but in a very realistic way. The stories are funny and touching without ever overdoing both qualities. The book centers on Amelia, a believable girl whose determination is inspiring. You will immediately recognize your own childhood in hers. Everything from the rigors of a game of freeze tag to the heartbreak and pain of parental divorce is explored here. These characters will take up permanent residence in your heart and you’ll find yourself immediately addicted. Gownley’s art talent is considerable. The art actually advances the story and enhances the mood. That’s enough yapping from me. Just buy this book. Open it and let it work its magic on you. Funny, smart, poignant and true: Amelia Rules is not just highly recommended but absolutely essential.
MSRP: $4.95, Alternate Reality Price: $4.20 (That's 15% OFF, All This Week!)
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MARVEL ROUND UP…
-The Amazing Spider-Girl #7
Not a badly written issue with the ramifications of Spider-Girl’s reveal of her identity to her parents make for some interesting reading. Pair that with LadyHawk looking for some revenge on the Hobgoblin for paralyzing her sister it makes for a good read. However, if you ever wanted an example of a male writer having troubles getting into the mind of their female character, there is some good evidence here.

-Ghost Rider #10
Jack O’Lantern makes an appearance in a small Illinois town where the Sheriff Harry is not amused by him, Ghost Rider or anything else for that matter. Jack O’Lantern raises an army of zombies to attack the town while Ghost Rider and Harry attempt to outwit him. I really enjoyed this issue, specifically when the zombies can’t figure out to walk around a wall and Jack O’Lantern is verbally upset with his decomposing army.

-New X-Men #37
The kids are around the fireplace telling stories and things are going well until Blindfold starts her story. Blindfold being a precog, the kids can’t tell if the story is something happening now or if it is just a story. Turns out she is having a vision that shows the children in danger. Some really cool full page frames illustrating Blindfold’s tale highlight the story.

-Wolverine Origins #13
A step in the right direction for the series that has Wolverine’s soon confront and attack his father while Wolvie tries to steel some c-synth from a bank vault. A couple interesting things happen in this story, one either Wolverine can’t detect the scent of his son or he doesn’t have one and two we get a name, Daken. The battle was good and I hope that this series continues on the up trend.

-Uncanny X-Men #485
Poorly written adventure that showcases the Shi’ar Empire crumbling after a wedding and a battle between siblings. Very trite from beginning to end and this story should be reserved for the Marvel historians because there are so many minor characters it’s hard to care for them.
IMAGE ROUND UP…
-Dynamo 5 #2
This series keeps getting better. The five try to take down Whiptail, think The Lizard, a former enemy of their father. The catch is the old Whiptail is in a nursing home with Alzheimer’s. They stake out new suspects in pairs and the team is starting to from bonds with each other and against Mrs. Warner, the team director if you will. Pick this one up, you’ll be happy you did.

-Frank Frazetta’s Death Dealer #1
A story of war a true myths that was quite captivating for a first issue. This issue tells the story of two warring countries and the Death Dealer that entered the battles and killed everyone, never picking a side. The Death Dealer is thought of to be a myth until the war heats back up and he makes his way back into the public eye. The book looks a lot like Pathfinder and fans of that book and movie should check this one out.

-The Nightly News #5
I would not classify this as a comic book. The beginning and the end of the issue attempt to be one but the whole middle is Michael Moore-esque preachy drivel about the evils of the media. Jonathan Hickman, creator, writer, artist, needs to get over himself. Sorry, I’ll move on.

-Madman #1
Don’t read this book. It goes through this long history of the main character, that makes little sense, than says that none of it really happened. What for issue two where something might actually happen.

"COMICBOOKMAN"		 Reviews are based on the Sneak Peek titles sent out by Marvel & Image (DC no longer sends them out). It's not everything that's shipping for the week, but it is a real good cross-section of this weeks releases.

All Books/Characters pictured herein are © Copyright 2007 by their respective owners. No rights given or implied by Alternate Reality, Incorporated.

Reviews © 2007 Alternate Reality, Inc.

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