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Posted on July 20, 2022 by clay

How to Dive into KING IN BLACK

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Posted on April 14, 2021 by Daniel

As the King in Black has come to an end, the question arises, “What’s the reading order?”, and if you want that answer you can follow this link. The main objective of this article is to try to shed some light on the different levels of this summer Event, from MUST READ – all the way to a fun inconsequential TIE-IN. Hopefully this will help you decide how much to spend (or how much more to spend).

RECOMMENDED READING – This issues are suggested reading prior to King in Black
Venom by Donny Cates

MUST READ – These issues are all the Main Story and all are a big part of the King in Black
King in Black #1 – 5
Venom #31 – 34
Venom #200

TIE-IN SIDE STORY – These issues add depth to the world of King in Black and fill in a lot of the gaps that could not be covered in the main story. If you have a favorite character and did not see them enough on the main book, they may show up in one of these titles. These are the titles where you will see weird and fun team ups.
King in Black: Planet of the Symbiotes #1 – 3
King in Black: Thunderbolts #1 – 3

ONE SHOTS – These issues are Stand Alone stories about specific characters, these stories do not directly impact the main story but they can add depth to the arc of each of the specific characters.
King in Black: Immortal Hulk
King in Black: Iron Man/Doctor Doom
King in Black: Black Knight
King in Black: Captain America
King in Black: Marauders
King in Black: Black Panther
King In Black: Wiccan and Hulkling
King In Black: Ghost Rider

STAND ALONE STORY – These issues are very stand alone but tell a complete story. These stories focus on a specific group of individuals with a specific task or goal that in the larger scheme is inconsequential to the main story. This does not mean these titles are bad or not worth reading. These titles are for those looking for a complete picture. These stories also are enclosed so can be read without reading the main title. (although some knowledge of what the King in Black and Venom would be helpful.)
Symbiote Spider-Man: King in Black #1 – 5
King in Black: Namor #1 – 5
King In Black: Return of the Valkyries #1 – 4
King in Black: Gwenom Vs Carnage #1 – 3

OTHER TIE-IN – These are regular on going titles that took a small break to jump into a King In Black event. If you are a completionist, these Tie-Ins are for you
Atlantis Attacks #5
The Union #1 – 2
Black Cat #1 – 3
Spider-Woman #7 – 8
Guardians of the Galaxy #10
S.W.O.R.D. #2 – 4
Black Cat #2
Deadpool #10
Daredevil #26 – 27
Savage Avengers #17 – 18
Fantastic Four #29 – 30
Miles Morales: Spider-Man #23
Avengers #45

Written by Daniel co-host of the Next Issue Podcast
@eckospider on Twitter.
Find the bi- Weekly podcast @NextIssuePod anywhere podcasts are available.
Subscribe to our YOUTUBE page
Podcast available at Next Issue Podcast page

HOME #1 Advanced Review

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Posted on April 13, 2021 by Daniel

HOME #1 is a comic book published by Image Comics
Writer: Julio Anta
Artist: Anna Wieszczyk
Colorist: Bryan Valenza
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

Home #1 by Julio Anta, Anna Wieszczyk, tells a story about a young boy and his mother trekking to America seeking asylum. The first issue tells of their trip from their country of origin, all the way to the United States. Meanwhile the narration tells of the current events, the news and some of the policies that have led to the conflict and commentary in the work.

The opening concepts were a serious tone based on current and timely real life events. Empathy is developed through the dialogue as we get to know the characters further, with lines like ”Don’t be nervous. All you have to do is tell the truth. Tell the nice men what happened to us, and why we need to come live with your aunt…” all spoken in “Spanish” per the comic notes. There are many hardships and obstacles that the characters encounter, but the idea of these events mirroring the situation of people in our country adds an extra layer to this story.

The art along with the rapid paneling really sets the pacing of the story as most of the comic is related to the trip and not so much the destination. The art feels stylized but also hopeful. The colors change in darken as the story progresses relating to the reader the upcoming issues for our characters.

Hassan’s lettering is a real driver for the severity of events, the distinction in font color for the different languages emphasizes the separation between the characters and the real life implications in the world.

This book brings all the elements together to the conclusion of the initial arc for this first issue as we are left off with the twist of the story for characters going forward. This book was not an easy read, as it is very much reflecting the current times and real life issues but it accomplishes to inform and entertain with its story.

JULIO ANTA and ANNA WIESZCZYK debut with a deeply grounded and heartfelt five-issue series that explores the real-world implications of a migrant with extraordinary powers.
Release Date: April 14, 2021
Price: $3.99
Read It Digitally: Home #1 via comiXology

Rating 4/5

Dark Nights: Death Metal #7 Review

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Posted on January 5, 2021 by Daniel

Dark Nights: Death Metal #7 is a comic book published by DC Comics
Written by Scott Snyder
Art by Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion, Yanick Paquette & Bryan Hitch
Colors by FCO Plascencia, Nathan Fairbarn & Alex Sinclair
Letters by Tom Napolitano

***Dark Nights: Death Metal #7 cover by Capullo, Glapion & Plascencia***

AN ANTI-CRISIS, PART VII: A SLAP IN THE FACE
DC’s biggest, baddest battle for control of the Multiverse! The Darkest Knight is on the verge of ending this concert once and for all, but Wonder Woman stands ready to shred the Darkest Knight. This extra-sized finale issue includes not one but two mind-blowing epilogues that lead directly into the next phase of the DC Universe—and no fan will want to miss that!!

This will contain a bit of spoilers for anything prior to issue number seven. This issue is the culmination of the battle for the universe and the faith of everything going forward. We pick up with Wonder Woman fighting the Darkest Knight but she is not the only one, multiple battles take place across the battleground and although the story focuses on DC’s Trinity, there are many characters whose arcs come to a close in this last chapter. This battle will be settled here.

Scott Snyder‘s final symphony of Death Metal brings about the most epic fight in the history of the Multiverse. This issue is not only delivering a fantastic, bombastic story, but it’s rewarding long time readers of the comic books and those engulfed in DC continuity. This is a very emotional issue and it’s a roller coaster of a ride from the beginning, the pacing picks up as the issue ramps up to its crescendo, and the moment when you feel all is lost Snyder’s writing picks you back up and rallies back to continue the fight until we arrive at a moment of peace and serenity.

The team of Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion and FCO Plascencia is a well oiled machine and this may be their best collaboration in comics to date. There are so many individual characters and the level of detail in each of them is outstanding. The panel layouts of this book are one of the most impressive parts of the full composition, not only does Capullo and the team make the reader physically turn the book as he has done in the past, but the layouts illustrate multiple events happening at the same time but it allows the reader to be clear on what is happening on each page Plascencia colors are vibrant and elevate the art and the impact at the conclusion of the event the art becomes simple and very calming The two back of stories have completely different art in our teams and this helps understand that the world is now different moving forward

This whole issue is accented and rounded off by Tom Napolitano‘s lettering. The multiple styles portrayed for each of the universes and the different characters that inhabit this issue allow the reader to have a clear distinction on the difference between them.

Dark Nights: Death Metal #7 really feels like a combination of years of storytelling and hard work on behalf of the team and DC comics. The event as a whole is an impressive showcase of both talent and the depth of the DC Multiverse and although it may not be the most “first time reader friendly” book, it is an enjoyable ride that rocks everyone’s faces off.

If you’re interested in seeing How Deep to dive into the Tie-ins of this event check out our previous article

Dark Nights: Death Metal #7 is available January 5th wherever comics are sold.

Rating 5/5

Written by Daniel co-host of the Next Issue Podcast
@eckospider on Twitter.
Find the bi- Weekly podcast @NextIssuePod anywhere podcasts are available.
Podcast available at Next Issue Podcast page

Dark Nights: DEATH METAL – How far to Dive in?

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Posted on January 1, 2021 by Daniel

Reading time 3 minutes

Dark Nights: Death Metal is the Sequel to Dark Nights: Metal from 2017. This DC Comics event has shaped the DC Universe over the past few years and this current event promises to change it all forever.
The Main Issues of this event have been created by the team of Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion, FCO Plascencia and Tom Napolitano.

DC Comics Formally Announces Dark Nights: Death Metal - The Fanboy SEO — *Promotional Art by Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion & FCO Plascencia*

These comic book events can often times have alot of supplementary tie-in comics and series. This article is not about the reading order, for that I recommend checking out this article be the great folks at How to Love Comics.
This post is our way to help you decide how deep to dive into this event.
We read all the tie-ins so you don’t have to, unless you want to.

The Main Core of the Story.
These 7 issues are the main part of the story, there is enough here in these issues for complete story, no extra reading just pure DEATH METAL
Dark Nights: Death Metal issues 1 – 7

The Sounds of Death Metal!
The following issues are all one shots that although not immediately relevant to the main story, really allow the reader to understand certain events and references that the characters in the Main DEATH METAL title are experiencing. These titles could be seen as side quest that are consequential to the main story. None of these issues are an ongoing series but they directly affect our protagonists and antagonists.
Dark Nights: Death Metal – Legends of the Dark Knights
Dark Nights: Death Metal – Trinity Crisis
Dark Nights: Death Metal – Speed Metal
Dark Nights: Death Metal – Multiverse’s End
Dark Nights: Death Metal – Rise of the New God

The Coda of Doom
If you are in this deep and need more lets go on a SIDE QUEST
the issues below are part of an ongoing series and the events are directly related to DEATH METAL. The Events on this miniseries indirectly affect the characters and lead up to Death Metal issue #5
Justice League Issues 53 – 57 (2020) “DOOM METAL”
This story directly deals with the fate of the Legion of Doom during the Events of DEATH METAL. For a Full breakdown check out this article from DC Comics

Turn it up to ELEVEN, and ROCK OUT
This level for the true completionists. If you are into the deep cuts these issues are for you. This is where the creators explore the backgrounds and motivations of everyone involved in the story. Explore the dark multiverse at your leisure. Although these titles do not directly impact the main story they add depth and substance.
Dark Nights: Death Metal Guidebook
Dark Nights: Death Metal – Robin King
Dark Nights: Death Metal – Infinite Hours Exxxtreme!
Dark Nights: Death Metal – The Multiverse Who Laughs
Dark Nights: Death Metal – The Secret Origin
Dark Nights: Death Metal – The Last Stories of the DCU
Dark Nights: Death Metal – The Last 52: War of the Multiverses

Tie-in issues for big events are not for everyone, but this should help you decide how to spend your money and how deep to dive into Dark Nights: Death Metal
ROCK ON!!

Written by Daniel co-host of the Next Issue Podcast
@eckospider on Twitter.
Find the bi- Weekly podcast @NextIssuePod anywhere podcasts are available.
Podcast available at Next Issue Podcast page

101: Next Issue Podcast Investor Call 2020 – Part 1

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Posted on December 15, 2020 by clay

This episode is part 1 of our 2 part discussion

This week Clay, Kyle Josh and Daniel discuss all the announcements from the Disney investor call 2020

We hope everyone stays Safe and Healthy. Please WEAR A MASK & WASH YOUR HANDS!

SUBSCRIBE, RATE and REVIEW!

Thank you!

Clay: @Clay_Harrison
Kyle: @Kylepedia
Adrian: @Adrian_Harry
Daniel: @eckospider
Josh: @cosmosis

Taskmaster #1 Review

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Posted on November 11, 2020 by adrian

Early review of the upcoming comic Taskmaster by Jed MacKay, artist Alessandro Vitti, colorist Guru-eFX, and letterer Joe Caramagna.

I’ll be honest. I’ve never read a Taskmaster story. Not even once. I know who the character is and what his abilities are, but that is due to different video games and Marvel cartoons. I’ve never really read a Taskmaster story or arc involving the character.

For those of you that do not know much about him, Taskmaster is the alter ego of Tony Masters. He is a super villain, mercenary, and anti-hero. He first appeared in Avengers #195. He has the ability to mimic any persons movements, fighting styles and mannerisms which makes him a very formidable opponent.

Taskmaster #1 starts with him in the middle of doing odd jobs to make ends meet. In the middle of the job, he is suddenly attacked. With no weapons and no time to react he is forced to run. Only to be helped by an unlikely accomplice.

I think the premise that the writer sets up is pretty genius and lends to the situational humor I found throughout the book. We find out that Tony has been framed for something he didn’t do, and must now set out to clear his name or die. Writer Jed Mackay, builds an arc that looks to be part buddy cop, one part fugitive on the run and one part murder mystery.

Alessandro Vitti’s art is really well done. There was quite a bit of action in the pages and I think it was well handled. Also the supporting characters are all well known Marvel characters and are very well drawn with subtle nods to make them his own.

All in all, I very much liked this first issue and will put this on my pull list to see how this first story arc plays out.

Rating 3.5 / 5

Written by Adrian Harry co-host of the Next Issue Podcast
Find the bi- Weekly podcast @NextIssuePod anywhere podcasts are available.
Podcast available at Next Issue Podcast page

The Autumnal #1 Review

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Posted on September 22, 2020 by Daniel

The Autumnal #1 is a comic book published by Vault Comics. Written by NYT bestselling author Daniel Kraus (The Shape of Water, Trollhunters), art by Chris Shehan, colors by Jason Wordie and letters by Jim Campbell

In THE AUTUMNAL, is part of the NIGHTFALL Line, Vault‘s annual fall horror imprint. Every year as the weather turns brisk and autumn sets in, NIGHTFALL comes. As Vault continues its usual line, select new series introduced from September to December will bear the NIGHTFALL icon, promising genuine horror. Following the death of her estranged mother, Kat Somerville and her daughter, Sybil, flee a difficult life in Chicago for the quaint–and possibly pernicious–town of Comfort Notch, New Hampshire.

In this series premiere from Vault Comics NIGHTFALL line we catch up with Kat as her life is in a state of imbalance and disarray. At this very moment the death of Kat’s mother starts a series of events that take Kat and her daughter Sybil back home. The small town setting, along with the familiar story of having to go back to your roots set up the mystery in this issue. We find Kat and Sybil’s lives to be complicated and full of challenges. Each other is all they really have, and they have to take the chance to make this trip.

Chris Sheran brings this world to life as their art sets up the eerie slow burn of this story. The detailed facial expressions in the story fill the panels with the feelings of the protagonist. The backgrounds are filled with details about Kat and Sybil that inform the reader about their personalities. Wordie’s color palette is cool and muted initially and as the setting changes to the town of comfort Notch where the colors explode with lush vibrant autumn tones. Furthermore the panel work is very distinct, although mainly shaped like normal rectangular panels, the borders bleed into the story as conflict escalates and they provide a sense of uneasy and raise the tension.

Something is amiss in this small town and this first issue sets up the mystery of Autumn in the town of Comfort Notch. The future of Kat and Sybil remains a mystery. The book addresses personal trauma in the context of a horror story. The characters are likeable, approachable and sympathetic. All of these elements make this a very entertaining and engaging read.

THE AUTUMNAL #1 hits store shelves on September 23, 2020, and will launch with two variant covers, both by Nathan Gooden and Tim Daniel. Sold wherever comic books are found

Rating 4.5/5

Written by Daniel co-host of the Next Issue Podcast
@eckospider on Twitter.
Find the bi- Weekly podcast @NextIssuePod anywhere podcasts are available.
Podcast available at Next Issue Podcast page

LIVE Painting

Posted on December 22, 2022 by clay

Painting more random projects.

16: Next Issue Podcast | Warner Bros. Cancellation News

Posted on August 29, 2022 by clay

This week Clay Josh and Daniel discuss all the Warner Bros / Discovery Cancellations of HBOMax programming

You can watch this episode in FULL on our Youtube Channel and join us for our LIVE Recordings most Sundays 10AM CST

THE GEEK COLLECTIVE

We hope everyone stays Safe and Healthy. Please WEAR A MASK & WASH YOUR HANDS!

Check out our Youtube Channel

SUBSCRIBE, RATE and REVIEW!

Check out our PATREON for advanced videos and much more

Thank you!

Clay: @Clay_Harrison

Kyle: @Kylepedia

Adrian: @Adrian_Harry

Daniel: @eckospider

Josh: @cosmosis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

15: Next Issue Podcast | Polybag it MotherF! (Media discussion Part 2)

Posted on August 22, 2022 by clay

This week Clay Josh and Daniel discuss all the media they have been consuming!! This is PART 2 of the conversation.

You can watch this episode in FULL on our Youtube Channel and join us for our LIVE Recordings most Sundays 10AM CST

THE GEEK COLLECTIVE

We hope everyone stays Safe and Healthy. Please WEAR A MASK & WASH YOUR HANDS!

Check out our Youtube Channel

SUBSCRIBE, RATE and REVIEW!

Check out our PATREON for advanced videos and much more

Thank you!

Clay: @Clay_Harrison

Kyle: @Kylepedia

Adrian: @Adrian_Harry

Daniel: @eckospider

Josh: @cosmosis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

15: Next Issue Podcast | Welcome to the DREAMING (Media discussion Part 1)

Posted on August 15, 2022 by clay

This week Clay Josh and Daniel discuss all the media they have been consuming!! This is PART 1 of the conversation.

You can watch this episode in FULL on our Youtube Channel and join us for our LIVE Recordings most Sundays 10AM CST

THE GEEK COLLECTIVE

We hope everyone stays Safe and Healthy. Please WEAR A MASK & WASH YOUR HANDS!

Check out our Youtube Channel

SUBSCRIBE, RATE and REVIEW!

Check out our PATREON for advanced videos and much more

Thank you!

Clay: @Clay_Harrison

Kyle: @Kylepedia

Adrian: @Adrian_Harry

Daniel: @eckospider

Josh: @cosmosis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

14: Next Issue Podcast | San Diego ComicCon 2022 Recap

Posted on July 25, 2022 by clay

This week Clay Josh and Daniel recap all the great announcements from San Diego ComicCon 2022

You can watch this episode in FULL on our Youtube Channel and join us for our LIVE Recordings most Sundays 10AM CST

THE GEEK COLLECTIVE

We hope everyone stays Safe and Healthy. Please WEAR A MASK & WASH YOUR HANDS!

Check out our Youtube Channel

SUBSCRIBE, RATE and REVIEW!

Check out our PATREON for advanced videos and much more

Thank you!

Clay: @Clay_Harrison

Kyle: @Kylepedia

Adrian: @Adrian_Harry

Daniel: @eckospider

Josh: @cosmosis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

102: Next Issue Podcast Investor Call 2020 – Part 2

Posted on July 20, 2022 by clay

This week Clay, Kyle Josh and Daniel continue to discuss all the announcements from the Disney investor call 2020

We hope everyone stays Safe and Healthy. Please WEAR A MASK & WASH YOUR HANDS!

SUBSCRIBE, RATE and REVIEW!

Thank you!

Clay: @Clay_Harrison
Kyle: @Kylepedia
Adrian: @Adrian_Harry
Daniel: @eckospider
Josh: @cosmosis

93: Next Issue Halloween Special: The Blue Naked Guy

Posted on July 20, 2022 by clay

This week is our Spooky Halloween Special! Clay, Kyle, Josh and Daniel discuss our favorite Spooky Media across multiple platforms.

We hope everyone stays Safe and Healthy. Please WEAR A MASK & WASH YOUR HANDS!

Previously on Next Issue … [01:00 – 37:00]Comics Mentioned

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Vol. 1-6, (W) Masashi Kishimoto/Ukyo Kodachi (A)Mikio Ikemoto.
Legend of the Swamp Thing: Halloween Spectacular. Abbott (W) Saladin Ahmed (A) Sami Kivela (C) Jason Wordie.
Rorschach #1,
Strange Adventures #6
Kings Watch by Jeff Parker and Marc Laming,
Tomboy, Volume 1 by Mia Goodwin for Comic Book Club
Spiderwoman.
The Flash ongoing
Spider-Man 50
X-Men 1-11,
Avengers: Age of Knoshu ending #37

Main Topic [37:00 – 01:43:00]

The Halloween Episode

Daniel’s list

Comics:

WYTCHES – Scott Snyder, Jock, Matt Hollingsworth, Clem Robins
Robert Kirkman Comics – Marvel Zombies Vol. 1, The Walking Dead Outcast
Cullen Bunn Comics – The Empty Man, Bone Parish, Cold Spots, Dark Ark, Harrow County, Night of the Living Deadpool and (Return of),
Aliens: Dead Orbit by James Stokoe
James Tynion IV – Something is Killing The Children, the Woods, Memetic
Babyteeth – Donny Cates, Dee Cunife
Archie’ Horror verse – Afterlife, The Hunger, Vampironica
Uzumaki – Junji Ito
PTSD Radio – Masaaki Nakayama

Movies:

The Babadook (2014)
It Follows (2015)
Train to Busan (Busanhaeng) (2016)
Dawn of the Dead (2004)
The Conjuring (2013) and II

TV Shows:

Are you Afraid of the Dark?
The Twilight Zone
The Strain
MTV’s Fear

Clay’s List

Comics:

The Walking Dead series Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore
(AKA Comics) Year Zero: Volume 1 by Benjamin Percy, Ramon Rosanas, Lee Loughridge
30 Days of Nights series Steve Niles, Ben Templesmith
I am Legend adaptation by Steve Niles and Elman Brown
Rednecks Donny Cates and L. Estherren

TV shows – (Specific Episodes)

Dr Who – Blink
X-Files – Home S04E02
Twilight Zone – The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street S01E22
Black Mirror – Christmas episode 2014
Buffy – Hush S04S10
Masters of Horror – Cigarette Burns

Movies –

Chopping Mall
Halloween 3: Season of the Witch
Night of the Creeps
The Fog
The Mutilator (Fall Break) – Great Music Video

JOSH’S LIST

Comics:

Classic E.C. horror comics
Beasts of Burden by Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson
PTSD Radio by Masaaki Nakayama
Sandman: The Doll’s House by Neil Gaiman and Various Artists
Gideon Falls by Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino
Leviathan by Ian Edginton and D’Israeli

Movies:

The Haunting (1963)
Classic Universal Monster films (especially The Mummy)
The Color Out of Space with Nicholas Cage
Gothic
The Shining
Incubus (1966)
John Carpenter’s The Thing

TV:

Paranoia Agent
Twin Peaks (especially Season 3)
Lars Von Trier’s The Kingdom

Kyle’s List

Monster Squad
Gremlins 1 and 2

Recommendations [01:37:00 – End]

Josh: Eerie, Indiana on Amazon Prime

Clay: AWA Comics – AWA Studios (AWA standing for Artists, Writers & Artisans) is an American independent comic book publisher founded in November 2018 by Axel Alonso, Bill Jemas and Jonathan Perkins Miller.