Red Team #1 Dynamite Entertainment

A mini series written by Garth Ennis, told by one of the main protagonist, about a group of Cops who decide to take on criminals outside of the law.

A real good read and entertaining from the start to the last in no holds barred storytelling that comes with all of Ennis’ work.  Defiantly one for a mature reader as blood and sex all play part in a modern day tale.

This is a good series to start with for both Dynamite and Ennis as even the more collectable issues are still within a decent price range, but they are getting harder to find.

You can buy Red Team #1 from Boarder Comics

Check out Amazons Garth Ennis Page as well

Starblazer #105 The Conquerors of Earth

What doesn’t this comic have, It has time travel, battles, aliens and a world war 2 bomber plane.

A really fast paced quick and enjoyable read.  There is lots of scope for the story to be developed further, however the picture libraries were not designed for ongoing story lines, they were mostly created as 1 off stories with the only link being the title.

There is more than a reference to Wells and War of the worlds, however one of the characters talks about Lovecraft and that is how the story bridges into the pilots from another time surviving on a futuristic conquered Earth.

Starblazer have always been good reads, and the quality of story and art are always great.  Try something new and if you haven’t seen these comics before you get a lot for a relatively cheap price and I think if you like Sci Fi you wont be disappointed with this.

Buy Starblazer #105 from Boarder Comics

Or you can try Starblazer Adventures Game from Amazon

Brath #1 Crossgen Comics

This is a 5 star comic all the way, the story is brilliant the artwork is top notch and the worst shame is that it has fallen foul to the curse of Crossgen.  Why no other publisher has picked this title up and re-issued the original story line and then finished it is beyond me.  

This takes place in a fictitious world but mirrors our own with the empire playing the part of the Romans and Urelanders the Celts.  You see the world predominately through the Urelanders and their war chief Brath.  Written by Chuck Dixon it is in line with a lot of his work for Crossgen with work done on The Path and Way of the Rat and a good way from his work for DC.  

If you like your fantasy or ancient history then this is for you.  The battle scenes are immense and give you an epic movie feel.  The characters are well flushed out and rounded with flaws and traits, and if this series had been able to develop would defiantly be a must buy as there is clearly long legs to the tale. 

You can Buy Brath from Boarder Comics
Chuck Dixon has worked on a number of different genres and titles 
you can find GI Joe from 365Games which Chuck wrote

Tales of the Witchblade #6 Top Cow Image

Stand alone tales from the Witchblade.  This is set in the Roman Empire period in an occupied village where the locals are brutalised by the Roman conquerors.  This also reveals some of the history of the Witchblade and how she came into being from the Druids.

There is also a really good twist at the end of the book,  This was a real page turner to be fair.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and liked the historical aspect to it, but didn’t feel I missed out by not reading 170 other Witchblade issues.  

Have a try of this if you like a good fantasy historical read.

You can buy this comic from Boarder Comics
or get Witchblade Complete Collection DVD from Amazon

DC Vertigo Scarab #1

Scarab #1 

DC Vertigo

Looking at the cover I thought that this would be a good horror comic.  However after a few pages of background setting and what felt like too many flash backs or mind bends about a universe that was always there but unexplained, I gave up.  The story then became about a superhero, or what was once a superhero in the 40’s, but then again the explanation died off.  

In all honesty if I had known it was a ‘superhero’ title I would not have started it, as they do not interest me at all (apart from Deadpool).  Also I dislike the art house style that Vertigo tend towards their story telling.  I feel that it tries to be too clever and doesn’t pull it off.  However I am biased against superhero comics so if you like that genre, or like DC Vertigo then this could be well for you.  This is one of the reasons I have asked for people to send their reviews in as someone who likes this may feel more positive about it, as I couldn’t really forgive the horror overtures of the cover to find a man in a cape.

You can buy Scarab from my link.
Find DC Vertigo First Offences @ 365Games

Battlefields Dear Billy Series Dynamite Entertainment

Battlefields Dear Billy Series

Dynamite Entertainment

This series part of the Garth Ennis Battlefields Books is simply put amazing.  It is a story that will haunt you and live with you for a long time.  The entire Battlefields comics are where Garth shows his forte as a comic writer, but Dear Billy is set apart for it’s tale of the absolute horrors of war, not just the gore which some focus on.

Set around a nurse on the Pacific front of World War 2, it delves into the hatred war causes and it’s destruction on a personal level.  The action sequences are short as the story is about the medical staff dealing with the fallout of the battles, and I think writer and artist have done a brilliant job of balancing it right so not to distract from the story.

Defiantly a comic for mature adult audience, not for graphic nature but more for the understanding of what is going on.  You can see influences of Charlie’s War in this tale, but it is not a clone of that great work.  

You can Buy Dear Billy by clicking on the link 
Find more Garth Ennis Battlefields TPB Volumes @ 365Games

Commando Comic 1910 The Death Squad

Commando Comic 1910

The Death Squad

A German SS squad operating behind allied lines in WW2.  One of the best stories from this prolific producer of War comics.  This is the tale of a fanatical group dedicated to killing all that stood against them and a group of soldiers that hunted them down.

This is a perfect starter for someone to get into Commandos, or the dedicated collector.  I like this tale as it was more gritty and almost could have been written for the Fleetway War or Battle series which tended to be more bloody and gritty than Commando.

Buy The Death Squad here off Ebid.

The Sisterhood of Steel #1 Epic Marvel 1984

 I picked this up thinking it might be a run of the mill fantasy story from the 1980's which was why fantasy was so stale for ages.  However the story is well thought out and entertaining, a very good read, so much so that I am checking around for the rest of the books.
The art is of the time and typical Marvel, too bright or dark where colour was over used in place of quality, but it doesn't distract from the story.
The Tale set in a parallel world of a woman warrior clan, has hints of classic epic fantasy as well as leanings towards the Mabinogion, I get the feeling that the story could have come out of it with only slight reworking.
Note as well the series ended when censorship reared it's ugly head and the author refused to work with a dyed down version, maybe it's time for Avatar or Dynamite to look into the rights as would suit todays market.
If you like your fantasy then try it.

Buy The Sisterhood of Steel Bk1 from my Ebid store.