This Week's Comic Book Picks (Week August 17th 2016)

Comics Books are released every Wednesday to the public to purchase and buy. There are so many comic book companies we can't review every single book that comes out. Starting today I will be giving you my top picks each week of comics that you should check out. 

IMAGE Comics

Demonic #1

Description: SERIES PREMIERE! Detective Scott Graves will do anything to protect his family… even bargain away his soul. Now, the only thing to fear isn’t New York’s worst criminals, but what's already raging inside of him. After all, what's the cost of your soul when it's already damaged? 

Mini Review: Demonic #1 is the standout book from Image Comics this week. Story by Christopher Sebela and artwork by Niko Walter and Dan Brown. This story griped me from the beginning with it's gritty artwork and compelling main lead in Scott Graves. Scott is not in the best state of mind. He had a terrible childhood which was hinted at but not explained. His daughter is dying and he is keeping secrets. However the most compelling aspect of his story is that he has a demonic entity that has been attached to him since he was kid. This demon has been watching Scott and waiting for the best moment to strike. This demon wants Scott and offers something that he might not be able to refuse. I like the realism of the demon and how seductive and cunning it is. The relationship of Scott and this demon will have you hook to see if Scott can defeat the beast within. 4.5 out of 5.

IDW Publishing

Powerpuff Girls #2

Description: A hotshot movie director claims that his new movie is so scary, even THE POWERPUFF GIRLS will be too chicken to watch it! Never ones to back down from a challenge, fall into his trap! Using his “movie magic,” he’ll turn the girls into actual chickens so he’ll be free to enact his evil plans! Can the ChickenPuff Girls save the day?!

Mini Review: The Powerpuff Girls #2 is fun for all ages. Parents this is a comic series for your kids to enjoy. The art is work is spot on with the look and feel of the original television show. The writing and dialogue can be a little cheesy and can fall a little flat with it's pop culture references.  However issue #2 has a great lesson for kids about peer pressure and not doing something because of pride. The girls are in fear of the city calling them chicken because they don't want to see a horror movie. Not to be viewed the superheroes who are afraid of something they take the challenge of seeing the film. They end up being part of master scheme by the one who offered them the challenge. The guys motivation is completely silly and makes no sense but for the kids it will be hilarious. 4 out 5 Stars.

Dark Horse Comics

Briggs Land #1

Description: Briggs Land, nearly a hundred square miles of rural wilderness, contains the largest anti government secessionist movement in the United States. When matriarch Grace Briggs wrests control of the operation from her incarcerated husband, she sparks a war within the community—and her immediate family—that threatens to bring the full power of the federal government down on their heads.

Mini Review: Briggs Land is Dark Horse Comics standout book this week. If there is any book to put on your must buy list it's this one. Briggs Land #1 introduces a compelling world of Grace Briggs and she is seeking control of her husband Jim Briggs empire. Jim is locked up in prison for life for an assassination attempt. However Jim still operates the land from prison.  Grace finally fed up with her husband and his lifestyle decides she will start making changes to Briggs Land. For the sake of spoilers I won't go into further details about the plot. Briggs Land #1 setups of this world very nicely. Each member of the Briggs family gets time to get their characters a solid introduction. The relationship between Grace and her family is very fun to read and the ending has me waiting for the next issue. Briggs Land has great artwork and coloring and a compelling story. 4.5 out of 5 Stars.

Marvel Comics

Civil War II: The Fallen #1

Description: s a giant falls, friends and enemies alike gather to mourn his passing. Amadeus Cho, Rick Jones, Betty Ross, Thunderbolt Ross, the Warbound and more. Can they all keep a level head - or will some of them get ANGRY? Plus, what secrets lie in the Last Will and Testament of Bruce Banner?

Mini Review: Out of all the books from Marvel this week Civil War: The Fallen #1 is the standout book. This book packs an emotional punch as we see the Marvel Universe (well most of them) mourning the lost of The Hulk from the actions of Hawkeye. The Fallen #1 has beautiful art work that really brings out the tone and emotion set out to the reader. Seeing how everyone close to Bruce Banner/The Hulk reacts to his death was a treat. Betty reaction, Tony Stark Reaction and the entire Hulk family are spot one. This is an emotional book and will string at the heart for some Hulk fans. Bruce last message his touching and humorous at the same time. Marvel fans this one is the one to put in the shopping bag. 4.5/5 Stars.

DC Comics

Suicide Squad Rebirth #1

Description: “The Black Vault” part one! When a mysterious and definitely super-important cosmic item falls out of the heavens and into enemy hands, America has only one option: Task Force X, Amanda Waller’s strike team of incarcerated super-criminals. A one-stop-shop for plausibly deniable espionage and ultra- violence, this “Suicide Squad” only handles missions they’re not expected to survive. An insane new era of SUICIDE SQUAD begins here with superstar artist Jim Lee and red-hot writer Rob Williams (UNFOLLOW, MARTIAN MANHUNTER).

Mini Review: While some of the DC arcs like Batman are wrapping up. New arcs such as Suicide Squad, Supergirl and Birds of Prey are just beginning. Out of the three new additions to the Rebirth line I found Suicide Squad the most enjoyable. The new rebirth doesn't really add anything you don't already know about the squad and we don't get much of a backstory except for Deadshot. However the art work by Jim Lee is spot on and once again beautiful to see. There are some chuckle moments with Harley but otherwise nothing really new under the sun. 3.5/5 Stars

DC Comics

New Graphic Novel From Dark Horse: HEART IN A BOX

Image Credit: Dark Horse Comics

Everyone experiences heartache, whether they be young or old, and an upcoming graphic novel is showing what happens when someone with that kind of heartache tries to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Heart In A Box is a new graphic novel Dark Horse is publishing by the upcoming co-writer of Marvel’s Captain Marvel & The Carol Corps, Kelly Thompson, and Hinges artist Meredith McClaren. Set for release on September 30, Heart In A Box follows a young woman who’s reeling after a heartbreaking relationship goes sour and finds a mysterious stranger with the ability to take all of it – the hurt and the heart – away. But when Emma finds that being heartless is a struggle in itself, she embarks on a road trip to assemble what she lost while dwelling on why she gave it away in the first place.