Weekly Comic Reviews - 9 March 2016

Ratings out of 5 stars. Shipment was delayed to Saturday, 12 March. Comics couresy of Absolute Comics (Plaza Singapura).

Dr Strange #6

Story: Jason Aaron

Art: Chris Bachalo

Marvel

Dr Strange #1 was an impressive debut. The same creative team of Aaron and Bachalo continues and this issue marks the start of The Last Days of Magic crossover. The mysterious force known as the Empirikul have arrived on Earth to destroy all magic and mystical landmarks. Number one on their hit list is the Sorcerer Supreme. Others going down: Dr Voodoo, Scarlet Witch and Shaman, etc.

Bachalo’s art has evolved over the years. For this series, he has adapted a style that reminiscent of Frank Miller and Mike Mignola. There is a backup story in this issue drawn by Mike Deodato and the story will continue in the Dr Strange: Last Days of Magic one-shot and the regular Dr Strange series.

(3.5 stars)

Gutter Magic #3

Story: Rich Douek

Art: Brett Barkley

IDW

More steampunk adventures from the IDW stable. Gutter Magic by Rich Douek and Brett Barkley was created as part of the Comics Experience Creators Workshop. A rather interesting business and comic creation model – if Gutter Magic is anything to go by, this might be a viable way for new writers and artists to get noticed and published. Set in a world where World War II was fought with magic instead of technology, Cinder is the descendent of a powerful magical dynasty whose problem is he cannot cast a spell at all. Luckily he has a goblin sidekick, Blacktooth, who got his back and clean up his mess. In this issue, they fight a dragon and pirates. A four-issue mini series.

(3 stars)

Immortal Wings #2

Story: Carlo San Juan

Art: Rod Espinosa

Antarctic Press

Regular STGCC attendances will recognize Carlo San Juan, a Philippines medical doctor, who self-publishes his own comics and sells them at the Artists’ Alley. He has teamed up with fellow Philippines artist, Rod Espinosa, to do a book for Antarctic Press, Immortal Wings. It is a fantasy series in the vein of Heavy Metal stories which Carlo used to read. Blaze is a space bounty hunter with a heart whose partner is a teleporting dragon called Gruffyd. They were hired by the Galactic Shogunate to eliminate a threat to their empire… a rabbit. This part of the story is a bit cutesy as it incorporates the funny animals trope. Naturally, the bounty hunter and her dragon chose to save the rabbit and this second issue (released one month ago) reveals the true identity of Blaze.

A four-issue limited series that is worth checking out. Available through comixology. (that's where I bought the first two issues)

(3 stars)