FCBD 2016 Review In Full (with Spoilers!!)
Free Comic Book Day 2016 is a merry Xmas for all comic fans around the world. Comic Shop Owners can order promotional comics, previews and even special introductory issues of the best publishers listed under Diamond Publications. Comic Shop owners with a great heart for the good cause are handing out these comics on this very special Saturday.
ComicsForSinners also has a big heart and will try to give a lowdown on all comics that will be available on this special day and would love to know what comics you have gotten on May 7, 2016!
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Action Lab: AWAKE #0
Awake has this animated look that makes you think of Avatar (not the blue species scify story but the one controling elements) at first glance but when reading about children with powers, a planet in despair and self-discovery you notice that this is more then that.
Action Lab made sure this ZERO issue is accessible for kids as well as adults, with an exciting story and clear artwork…
DC Comics: Suicide Squad #1
Great Ryan Benjamin cover to begin with! And the story is clearly focused on the elder teens rather then youngsters with all the torturing being done on the pages of this “final test” story. It is a story in which the Suicide Squad gets their final test and it is brutal and bloody. Fact of the matter? I think this goed well beyond any test I could come up with if I were part of some good-guy team, that is for sure.
But great reading material before the movie kicks in high gear, so as far as promotion goes: well done.
But I think showcasing Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner’s HARLEY QUINN would have been a more family-friendly introduction to comics.
Th3rdworld Studios: THE STUFF OF LEGEND
Now this is what you want in a FCBD-comic! This is new, exciting and sooooo ghastly good!
This is like a story of TOY STORY but more spooky. The toys of a boy come to live after their owner is taking away by dark tentacles and they will wage war to get their owner back.
The artwork is incredibly detailed, vivid, intense and done masterly!
Z2 Comics: COMICS LAB
An anthology! And a cool one!
– Hyper Force Neo: insane, off-key. My kids will love this
– Showside: a real 4th wall-breaking comic, part off-beat with odd art kids will love and part over-acting but with more comic-y art, with superheroes and silly banter 🙂
– Carver: just a big fight. Not sure what to think of it
– Indoctrination: a preview to a new series and if you like Ashley Wood or Ben Templesmith (but more crime noir then horror) you need to get hooked
– Legend: amazing artwork. So vivid and detailed! It showcases a new story “what if bio-warfare wiped out most of humanity and our domesticated animals are left in charge, ruling and rebuilding the world”. Now that IS intrigue! Artist Chris Koehler definitely has my attention!
– Sweetness: aliens come to Earth for our sugar. Watch how humans will react…
Black Mask: YOUNG TERRORISTS / WE CAN NEVER GO HOME
2-track story with WE CAN NEVER GO HOME starting out as a more regular story but with the introduction of a Bulletproof Girl it takes a mighty interesting leap out of the window.
YOUNG TERRORIST is a 3-part story with (I presume) one and the same female badass protagonist, during various phases of her life. First of all: the artwork by Amancay Naheulpan is just insanely detailed and among the finest I have ever seen. He should be on the DC or Marvel roster but I am happy to discover him right here. The story is tough, political, sadistic with a lot of mystery and some form of anarchy or rebellion attached to it. This is a must-have I fear!
Hide it for young kids though!
Titan Comics: ASSASSIN’S CREED
Two stories, twice the fun.
The story of Assassin’s Creed is well-known by now: set in a fictional era of real world events and following the centuries-old struggle between the Assassins, who fight for peace with free will, and the Templars, who desire peace through control and their indirect relation to an ancient species pre-dating humanity, whose society was destroyed.
In the Assassin’s story THE CHAIR we see just how important a chair is. The chair with which the Assassins can follow someone’s DNA back into history of their ancestors to find clues that can help them in the present day.
In the Templar’s story GREAT WALL tells of a Templar trying to make right on a moving train.
Both stories feel crucial, meaningful and are written as solid stories with just stunning art. If you like the games, these comics are a must-read. If you just like great comics, then also look no further!
CBLDF: HELP DEFEND COMICS
This is a comic, aimed at education. Ignorance is NOT bliss. Censoring for the wrong reasons is making people dumb, keeping your mind empty and keeping good ideas out. Bad words do not make for kids turning into monsters… comics are opinions, can educate, can make the world a better place.
Archie Comics: ARCHIE #1
If you know comics, you know about Archie Comics, about Betty, Archie, Jughead and all the good folks at Riverdale. You also know that those comics are old-school and just not happening to young folks anymore.
So they decided to start a new series ARCHIE as well as JUGHEAD with Mark Waid and Fiona Staples leading the way with a rejuvenated 4th wall breaking Archie comics. And it rocks. Intelligent dialogue, great art and a more NOW-feeling all together. In the first story Archie and Betty apparently have broken up. Nobody knows why, but a lot of good folks will try anything to get them back together.
The second story in this FCBD-setting is about Jughead, being a Jughead, even more then usual with the arrival of a new principal and the new rules at the high school cafeteria. Do not mess with Jug’s food-intake, everyone!
Titan Comics: DR WHO
If you know Dr Who or you do not, this is essential reading. 4 completely NEW stories, some cartoony, some at an uncanny art-level, all are just great reads. Action and comedy go hand in hand in these sci-fi tales.
My personal favourite is the 10th Doctor story, in which you can get a taste about the traveling vehicle of the Doctors and their companions, namely the TARDIS. A vessel of virtual infinity it can move from A to B but also can act like a Haunted Mansion.
Bongo Comics: free-for-all
Stories about Bart Simpson, his family and his friends. They never end well, but the also never start out well either! Totally off-beat yet charming, be it Homer saving the future of donuts, or Bart and his doctor-friend talking about the dangers of videogames for your fingers, or Bart making a vampire out of his principal!
For kids, these are must haves. For grownups… I think a lot of folks always will dig this insanity since it has this cult-status almost.
Valiant Entertainment: 4001AD Special
Valiant has characters that are off the charts, with talented writers and artists to back up the premise of each title.
With a prologue to a new inter-company crossover 4001AD with RAI, as well as astonishing previews to Bloodshot Island, Divinity, A&A and the sell-out hit FAITH, this FCBD-collection is just a thing you would want!
Gemstone Publishing: OVERSTREET’S COMIC BOOK MARKETPLACE
If you like to read articles about comics and this business we love: look no further!
In-depth articles about the Industry, about Star Trek, about Marvel’s Civil War (first, movie and second comic event), about the Hulk, cosplayers, Supergirl (comics, TV-series and more), Star Wars movie poster collecting, Wonder Woman at 75 and a focus on Paul Gulacy; comic artist hero.
Yup, this has a lot of just great articles.
Dynamite Entertainment: GRUMPY CAT
Somehow the image of a grumpy-looking cat, made the internet memes go haywire for a long time. Now comes the comic.
First story: Grumpy and Pokey are becoming vigilantes. Silly yet great and always very grumpy!
Then they go creative, then detectives, then go to a convention… and it remains silly, great and very grumpy.
And I kinda like it!
American Mythology: PINK PANTHER
The Pink Panther has had a musical theme everyone knows, comics and cartoons… We all know the Pink Panther. He sometimes speaks and sometimes will not. And we all love him, right?
This FCBD has one new modern story as well as a cool reprinted golden oldie.
Dark Horse: KORRA, TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, PLANTS vs ZOMBIES
Dark Horse equals quality and with these 3 franchises they can not go wrong. Aimed at teenagers but also enjoyable for older kids.
The Legend Of Korra: the story about how Korra found Naga and they became friends for life. Charming, funny and even regocnizable for parents!
How to Train Your Dragon: the art on this just amazed me. Doug Wheatley breathes talent and his influences must at least be partly Art Adams. That inking is just making the pencils perfect! About the story: campfire-tell-tale story, which is just plain fun reading. But as with the movies, also these comic book stories have an extra layer to them which make you enjoy it as grownup as well.
Plants VS Zombies: talking plants, intelligent yet dumb zombies, and humans that are stuck between. Odd mixture but a good writer somehow made this work.
Image Comics: CAMP MIDNIGHT
Steven T. Seagle and Jason Adam Katzenstein tell the tale of Skye, who has been sent to the wrong summer camp and now has to find out what it means to be ballsy and courageous, when facing the fact that she is the only human girl in Monster Camp.
The art reminds me off underground-art from Europe, which is really fun since I have been collecting comics (mostly Indy) most of my adult life.
IWD: ROM #0
This issue has TWO stories. So do not fret out about that one name on the cover.
ACTION MAN is the prologue about how the old makes way for the new and how Noble becomes the new Action Man, ready to save the world!
ROM is the prologue to the new series in which ROM is introduced as well as his enemies the Dire Wraiths and how the Wraiths have been on Earth for such a long time and how war is coming. A great prologue, with solid writing and solid art, will make revamping this old franchise a sweet treat!
Bruce Lee Entertainment: BRUCE LEE THE DRAGON RISES
Bruce Lee is back! And with him comes… amnesia!
Bruce Lee was apparently in a underground cryo-chamber for all this time, but an earthquake woke him up. And now he is out exploring the world as well as getting himself in heaps of trouble.
This #0 starts out ground running and does not let up until the final page! Go get it before it runs by you!
Dark Horse Comics: SERENITY & HELLBOY & ALIENS
in your face. Plain and simple! Dark Horse just brought out the big guns (aka franchises) and all rounds fired!
With SERENITY I have to wonder if I should have a bit of knowledge about this franchise beforehand. I never saw the TVseries or movie, so I have really no clue. But it read like a fun bedtime-story as intended.
With HELLBOY I just did not get the story, but sometimes it just might be like this.
With ALIENS it is just a full-on battle and especially with art like this, it is amazing to look at!
2000 AD
Seven short stories for the price of free! That’s some deal! If you are a 2000 AD fan, you need to try to get your mits on this.
Graphic India: Avatarex: Destroyer of Darkness
Grant Morrison, possibly the hardest working writer in comics next to Bendis brings us Avatarex: Destroyer of Darkness by Indian publisher Graphic India and art by Jeevan J. Kang. The art is more western than I’ve seen in some western comics and looks great. The issue is an intro somewhat similar to Thor’s origin,an arrogant god that needs to be humbled. I’d like to see how this continues. Added bonus is a script of the issue. Possibly filler but Morrison’s writing is always a joy to read so no problems there. The second part is “18 days” (again Morrison on writing duties and Mukesh Singh on art) a reimagining of the Mahabharata myth and follows the course of the climactic war that concludes the age of the gods and begins the age of man. Fantastic detailed art and recommended if you have any interest in Indian myths.
Awake
Loving this artwork. Quite cartoony, but in a good way. Anthropomorphic animals, humans and aliens all combined in one comic. Albeit one that for the rest is a bit confusing. It introduces several stories in one issue, maybe cutting one would have been better, or having more history with these comics. This would have raised the quality a bit more.
Marvel Comics: Civil War II
Creators:
Bendis, Chueng, Dell, Ponsors
War Machine! Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Thanos, chaos! Death?
Civil War II opens with James Rhodes (War Machine) arriving at the Triskellion, flirting / making out with Captain Marvel (with T’Challa trying his best not to throw up in the mask cause of all the flirting between those two). The Inhumans arrive with Ulysses, who can predict the future. (Remember all those teasers about someone being able to predict the future and what causes the second Civil War? Well, that’s the guy). All he wants is to control his new found powers, nothing more. He’s hit by a vision of Thanos and we turn to Project Pegasus where Thanos arrives.
Thanos is quite surprised the avengers are even there and opens fire. The battle rages on and when the dust settles, Thanos is defeated by Captain Marvel, She-Hulk is down for the count and well, as for the last person down, it seems that this might the death Marvel hinted at with all the Civil War promo’s.
The art is great, so is the writing. I’m not sure how long the on-off relationship of Colonel Rhodes and Captain Marvel has been going on but it works and they really do seem to care for each other.
Continued in Civil War II # 1
The second part of the Marvel FCBD issue is the debut of the All-New Wasp. Brought to us by Mark Waid and Alan Davis, and an all new Wasp design.
I’ve never been a fan of Davis artwork. It’s solid, no mistakes, Wasp’s suit design is great. I’m happy that he’s paired with a great writer like Waid as for some reason, it makes his work better than other stuff I’ve seen of him.
We start out with the All-New Wasp inside a computer, being attacked by it’s defense system. And getting his ass handed to her as her exit is blocked and she gets gassed.
Flashback to Pym’s house. A lady (looking very much like Janet van Dyne) knocks on his door at his empty house. Nadia (who seems to be Russian) realizes nobody is home and sits down on the steps to his house and opens up the news. Shockingly Hank has been killed by Ultron in the last attack. Just as shocking is that she then shrinks down to walk under the door and finds his workshop. She builds herself a Wasp costume. We come back to the present where she beats the defenses and we see what the computer looks like from the outside as it seemingly explodes.
Continued in All-New, All-Different Avengers #9
Benitez Productions: Lady Mechanika
Joe Benitez has a history of producing some fantastic art but this is one gorgeous cover. Full of detail and vibrant colors.the rest of the issue has it share of great detail as well, cementing Benitez’ spot at the top of best artists in the business.
Three short stories, with the last one having a steampunk bird that has more detail in its design than most comics have in a year. P.I. Lady Mechanika looks to be one of the better FCDB comics around, so best buy the book!
Top Shelf: March
Congressman John Lewis is an American Icon. He was a key figure in the civil rights movement and his commitment to justice and nonviolence has brought him all the way into congress. This is his story. If you like biographies (co-written with Andrew Aydin, art by Nate Powell) then this is for you.
Spectrum
Created by and written by PJ Haarsma and actor Alan Tudyk (Firefly, Con Man) tells a tale of humans encountering aliens, aliens being hunted by their own leading to massive amounts of dead humans. This is what happened next
It’s clear that Tudyk is still a massive Firefly fan as the main character (Captain Raaker) is modeled after Captain Mal. Which is never a bad thing 😉 Speaking of which, Nathan Fillion is part of the creative team. This fast paced sci-fi thrill ride will be coming to your store soon and if the free issue is anything to go by, and if you like sci-fi, you’ll love Spectrum.
Marvel Comics: Steve Rogers: Captain America
Steve is back. Rejuvinated during the events in Avengers: Standoff, Steve Rogers is back as Captain America and helped by Sharon Carter, and the Whisperer (aka Rick Jones, who leaked the secret documents that lead to Standoff. Cap is back, better than ever and ready to battle Hydra. New look, new shield, new (and old) enemies to battle.And the Red Skull??
Second part is part of the Dead no more storyline. Spidey, San Fran, Rhino, Fisk! Rhino has a master now? Wait, is that Gw…? Interesting…
Aspen Comics: Worlds of Aspen 2016
In the past, all Aspen comics had their own little universe to play in. Aspen Comics has now changed things up and combined it all into one universe.
Art is, as always, very much influenced by Mike Turner. Meaning it’s pretty damn good! And for new readers it has a who’s who of the Aspen Universe so that you have an idea of what is going on.
VIZ Media: One punch man
RvR: Bad art and terrible writing makes for a boring book. If you like One Punch man, by all means buy the book. Didn’t do anything for this reviewer.
RB: this is manga, like Dragonball Z and stuff. Big panels, lots of action. If you like this sort of stuff, do not wait and get it!
Udon: Streetfighter V
If you like the game, you’ll love the book. Charlie Nash is back from the dead, but on which side is he on?
New England Comics Press: The Tick
SPOON! If this doesn’t bring back memories, nothing will. The dimwitted hero is back with new adventures. As is his loving sidekick, Arthur. Crisp art and fun writing makes this comic a joy to read.
IDW Comics: Strawberry Shortcake
An advertisement brought to life in a comic book. Should satisfy the girls under 10.
Children’s Book Week: Science Comics
Great for kids.Aliens, science and funny events. What’s not to love.
Archie/Sega: Sonic
The Sonic comics have a history almost as long as the game itself. If you’re a fan of the games, the 90’s cartoon and the comics, then you’ll love this issue. Great art and a pretty awesome pinup complete this comic.
United Plankton Pictures: Spongebob
Just like the cartoon. And there’s nothing wrong with that!
Kodansha Comics: Attack on Titan
The global phenomena continues in comic form (notice I said comic, not manga). Recommended for fans of the original manga/anime.
BOOM Studios: BOOM 2016 Summer Blast
A collection of short previews for young and old.
Dynamite Entertainment: Bob’s Burgers
Exactly like the cartoon. You like the cartoon, grab this comic while it’s sizzling on the grill! And grab a burger while you’re at it, just make sure to clean your hands before handling the comic!
Devil’s Due: MIX TAPE 2016
A mixed badge of stories, so to each their own. A tad on the 16+ side but still great stories!
Mercy Sparx Year One: Mercy is loose as a young girl and woo the demon or man to cross her path.
Solid art and writing. Loving this one!
Badger: Battling Putin will make him loose bigtime or earn the title of Ruler Of All Russias.
Mucho action, in your face and MMA-style. And cool to see someone battle Putin like this!
Squarriors: when the ‘event’ happened mankind got extinct and mammals gained rational thoughts and thinking. Warrying factions under squirrels and hawks make for an amazing sight, especially with this stunning artwork.
Arcana: HOWARD LOVECRAFT AND THE FROZEN KINGDOM
When H.P. Lovecraft was a young lad, he was called simpley Howard Lovecraft…. and he had some odd friends. We adults would call them freaks, monsters and tentacled creeps but Howard just had a lot of fun with this odd assembly of friends.
In this story we see them have fun with snow, snowballs and snow creatures.
The art feels animated and in a good way and a great promise to the Animate Movie coming out this year!
Drawn & Quarterly: MOONCOP
This is just odd, almost European in style. Almost emotionless we see a regular day of a cop on the moon. The intrisic value of this minimilistic style works remarkably well, and is a treat to see what else is there to read in comics beyond superheroes in Marvel/DC Style!
Space Goat Productions: DARK LILY AND FRIENDS
Space Goat has been proving to be a force to be reckoned with and with this collection of stories they make sure on any promise they have made.
Dark Lily: the first appereance of Lily in comics and what a thrill it is. Lily is a young girl living in a castle on the Moon and is just a regular gal really. One that takes a trip via a moonbeam and ends up on Earth. Now what?
Monster Elementary: little monsters going to school… acting up just like real kids with parents parenting just like real parents. The situations they get in: those are really very different!
Rocket Queen: awesome art and this story begs to read more, especially with that America-Anima style of art, with some nice tight pencils and great coloring.
Mage Inc: art and story look cool but not sure if I am getting a proper intro with this.
Viz Media: POKÉMON
If you are 5-10 and like Pokemon, then this is just perfect for them.
Image Comics: ODDLY NORMAL #1
The first chapter to Otis Frampton’s story about a ordinary girl, who is treated like a freak at school and really has no friends. And her parents are also just really normal and ordinary and named her “Oddly Normal”. That is NOT a joke, mind you! But tell that to Oddly. Also ask her what happened when she got mad, made that horrible wish and then developed a headache… will all things remain ordinary and normal?
Hermes Press: THE PHANTOM
The guy in that purple uniform, living in the jungle on that magical island where lions and lambs play joyfully together. And which is his sanctuary from which he battles crime and injustice, leaving his skull-like mark on the faces he pounds.
Get a treat of some golden oldies while preparing for a new series coming this year!
Fantagraphics: LOVE AND ROCKETS
34 years and counting and the hit-series that is half done by Gilbert and the other half by Jaime Hernandez, featering myriads of characters all wrapped up in their relationships and thougths and angst and mysery and joy and of course adventures.
Read why this is a hit-series for 34 years and enjoy something else entirely in Black and White!
DC Comics: DC SUPERHERO GIRLS
All cute, all young and all in superhero-college preparing for their Final Test. The art is cheerful, saturated and fun and the story is meant to be for girls 5-13 I guess. A good move from DC Comics to make such a apointed comic for such a specific group of new comic book readers.
Scholastic: DREAMJUMPER
A kid who jumps into nightmares and dreams… a tad scary and a premise for some magical adventure is at hand.
This just might be that one hidden gem!
Oni Press: JUNIOR BRAVES OF THE APOCALYPSE
When a group of scouts come back from a camping trip, they discover that their village is overrun by mutants or zombies. And they need to use all their wits and their scout-skills to get out of this mess. Part GOONIES and part THE WALKING DEAD , this seems like one stunning adventure!
Mixed reviews by Ron van Rutten and Richard Boom.
About the Author
Richard Boom Richard is the driving force behind Comics for Sinners. His love and admiration for female comic book characters is virtually unparalleled, which immediately explains his biggest 'sin': his Hot Mummy fetish. This sketchbook theme is philogynistic in nature and even the source of his WIP comic book series "The Sisterhood".
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