Writer: James Tynion IV
Artists: Lisandro Estherren, Patricio Delpeche
Color Artist: Patricio Delpeche
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Text Page Designer (Thessaly Special): AndWorld Design

Reviewed by Steve J. Ray

Summary

The second volume of James Tynion IV’s take on The Sandman Universe, Nightmare Country: The Glass House is finally here!

This gorgeous hardcover edition includes all six chapters of The Glass House and the one-shot Thessaly special. The dust jacket art, featuring the Corinthian, and the main cover, with the King of Pain, are both by Reiko Murakami. Also collected are all the main and variant covers.

New York artist, Madison Flynn, has been murdered by the re-animated corpse of her best friend, Kelly (AKA “Kells”). Now, the reborn Corinthian, along with Madison’s spirit, are both on the trail of the deadly duo behind Kelly’s murder, Mr. Agony and Mr. Ecstasy.

The two rogue nightmares killed Madison, and others because they could see a new nightmare, The Smiling Man, during waking hours. More troubling still, this nightmare was seemingly not a creation of Dream. To add even more fuel to the fire, it seems that Agony and Ecstasy had been commissioned to commit these murders by Desire, Dream’s younger sibling and frequent adversary.

Madison has been granted new flesh by Death of The Endless, at her brother Dream’s behest. Neither one seems to know of Desire’s involvement at this moment in time.

Positives

Nightmare Country‘s back! Thankfully Lisandro Estherren, Patricio Delpeche, and Simon Bowland have returned, alongside James Tynion. This issue cleverly picks up exactly where volume one left off, adding new characters to the tale and, by the end of the book, bringing back yet another huge presence from Neil Gaiman’s original Sandman run. We also meet another old “friend” from the classic “The Doll’s House” saga, again.

There are still people out there who have also seen The Smiling Man, and we can only wonder how long it will be before Agony and Ecstasy will be on their trail. Add a whole ton of supernatural intrigue, clubs that no one should want to be a member of, and the return of Kells, and this is one super-loaded graphic novel!

It may be hard to believe, but the art and colors by Lisandro and Patricio have actually improved since volume one. This book looks amazing, and Madison’s new form made me very happy indeed. The nods to the first arc are wonderful, and the love for the entire Sandman Universe, as created by Neil Gaiman, is palpable.

Simon Bowland also continues to impress with his letters, particularly when they clearly differentiate humans from angels, demons, and Endless.

James Tynion is sick, twisted, and terrifying. Great work, sir… keep it up. The saga of Kels and Max is as dark a love story as I could ever dream of and features a set of circumstances beyond my wildest imaginings. How does he even think this stuff up? Kelly’s just the sweetest… entity/ghost/spirit and I’m sure the undead deserve love too, right? Of course, when her beau, Max, discovers who she was and what she did; cats, pigeons, cans, and worms will be all over the place.

Kelly’s one of the residents of “The King Of Pain”, a nightclub that links our plane to Hell itself. This is the place where the richest, and those in their employ, can cater to all their most twisted needs and desires… or should that be Desires? Of course, we now know that Agony and Ecstasy, the evil duo who killed Kelly and forced her to kill Madison, were working for Desire of The Endless, one of the younger siblings of Destiny, Death, and Dream.

The addition of Thessaly as a main character opens up a world of storytelling possibilities that this exceptional creative team is grasping with both hands and running with.

Never in my wildest imaginings could I ever have believed that love between an undead girl and a mortal man could feel beautiful and real, but Max and Kells are so brilliantly written and drawn that I can’t help but root for them. Thessaly has always been infuriating, and now that she knows who’s been pulling the strings, even hers (from waaay back in the original Sandman series) I know that sparks are going to fly. Will she and Daniel’Dream cross paths?

Seeing Azazel, The King Of Pain, Dream, and his siblings in this book always makes me happy, so this book ticked a lot of boxes.

The creeping horror continues to unnerve and disturb, in the most delicious and entertaining ways. Is the Corinthian going to revert to type? Is he really working with Madison and Dream, or with the demon Azazel? Knowing the mind of James Tynion, I think we’ll get an answer somewhere between those two extremes that will both surprise and delight us.

All the breadcrumbs James Tynion’s been dropping since Nightmare Country volume one are starting to bear fruit, including the huge bombshell that closed the story. Dream has become embroiled in the events occurring in this series, so I can’t wait to witness the fireworks when he discovers that, once again, one of his younger siblings is neck-deep in the whole mess. In fact, it looks like they’re the one who’s behind the whole scenario.

I’ve been following Dream and his siblings since day one, so seeing them honored and homaged in great new comics makes me very happy indeed.

The secret of the Smiling Man has haunted readers for close to two years now and the story of Madison Flynn has been a source of terror and delight the entire time. Seeing her, The Corinthian, Max, and Kells get swept upon by a wave of demons, serial killers and the whims of The Endless has made this series feel closer to Gaiman’s classic than any other spin-off/follow-up that’s come before.

The power that Dream displays in this collection is nothing short of awesome. The way he handles both his creations and his various enemies is unbelievable. Tynion’s take on Daniel is perfect; he’s got the will and determination of Morpheus, but an edge and confidence that the original Dream never possessed.

First, let me say straight off the bat, that Thessaly is a horrible person. However, she’s a fascinating, deep, and extremely complex character. I’ve followed her story since her first appearance in issue #32 of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman (1991). She’s gone from being a terrifying, bigoted, and ultra-powerful witch in “A Game Of You“, to Dream’s lover, magical avenger, and force of nature in her more recent appearances.

James Tynion has a real grasp on the character and is finally showing us her past in Nightmare Country: The Glass House. By doing so, he lets us see some of the moments that made and forged her. The brilliant part is that all of this fits in with what we’ve already seen of her over the decades, honoring what her creator has already told us about her while adding more flesh to the bones of her history. I must also laud the way James creates new side characters that I immediately fall in love with. They’re all so flawed, human, and real!

Maria Lovet is a wonderful artist who gives readers a Thessaly as great as the one drawn by her co-creator, the inimitable Colleen Doran. The art in the chapter starring Thessaly is gorgeous; simple, clean, atmospheric, and, dare I say it, magical. This great story works both as a follow-up to The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country #6 and as a chapter in the ongoing saga of Madison Flynn.

Yes, the writing, art, and Simon Bowland’s lettering in this book are (as always) first-rate, but I think I need to name guest creators AndWorld Design (AKA Deron Bennett) as the MVP of Thessaly’s tale.

I love experimental comics, and DC has been spoiling us recently with issues that tell a story as one continuous 20-page image, an entire story seen from one character’s POV, and the incomparable DC Black Label horror series, The Nice House On The Lake (also written by James Tynion). This chapter contains entire pages dedicated to text and art that are so seamlessly intertwined, that the reader’s left wondering whether the artist, colorist, or letterer was responsible for the final result. With this story, I finally have my answer.

The tale features several text pages, but they’re so lovely to look at that you’d be completely justified in calling them works of art. Some look like ancient scrolls, others like pages from a storybook, and yet others like a movie script (the scroll pages are featured below).

AndWorld didn’t just letter these pages. No. Just like the way they did in TNHOTL they imagined and executed the designs, created the textures, and provided the color. As usual, I’ve been left in awe. I cannot understand people who don’t see comics as true literature or art, because, for me, they’re the perfect marriage of both.

Negatives

How long until the final volume? Aaaaarrrrgggghhhh!

Verdict

The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House closes with style and power. James Tynion’s foray into Neil Gaiman’s world of dreams and nightmares has never disappointed, and with the final act of this incredible dark fantasy/horror coming in 2024, a clash between Dream and Desire (and possibly Despair too, if the cover for the final chapter’s anything to go by) is edging ever closer.

A war is coming, and I can’t wait. The final chapters of this tale are tantalizingly close, but still just beyond our reach. I will wait, however impatiently, as I know what’s coming will deliver a story for the ages. This book gives readers the perfect close to this arc while leaving us all begging for more. Like the winter season itself, the wait will be a long, cold one… but one I believe will ultimately be worth it.

I’ll see you all again in dreams.

Review Copy Courtesy of Penguin Random House. Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment.

The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House Collected Edition is available now from all good book and comic retailers: ISBN 9781779520722

The post Book Review: Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House – Collected Edition appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Bill Willingham
Art: Mark Buckingham and Steve Leialoha
Colors: Lee Loughridge
Letters: Todd Klein

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

In which we conclude the story of the Black Forest, knowing that stories never really end.

Positives

One of the qualities that has been with Fables since the beginning is as the summary from this issue states, “stories never really end.”  Fables #162 has that quality as it is the last of this 12-issue series and more likely than not, the last tale from Bill Willingham.  The denouement takes up most of the issue resetting things for the characters as well as giving glimpses of what’s to come for others.  For all those who enjoy character beats and relationships between the characters this is a great bit for the issue and feels perfect for a Fables finale.  It’s a combination of heartwarming and brutal honesty of life.

Mark Buckingham, Steve Leialoha and Lee Loughridge again provide visuals that are just as important to the feel of the Fables universe as Willingham’s words.  It’s hard to express the impact the art has on the overall experience of a Fables comic.  Additionally, Todd Klein’s letters are comforting and familiar and he excels at providing a look for voices when they are supposed to sound different- Bigby in wolf form, Tinkerbell, etc….

There are some surprises in the issue, Lady Greenjack’s arrow shot, the revelation about Tinkerbell and Peter Pan’s ultimate fate.  These are done well as they keep the readers’ interest despite the action ending fairly early on in the issue.  

Negatives

With all the controversy surround Fables in the last year, it’s no surprise that this is it for the series and as stated above, Willingham’s association with it.  When you get Fables #162, I recommend reading all 12 issues together.  It’s been almost two years since this series relaunched and indeed, the delays have been a drawback for the title.  There have been up to four month gaps between issues at times.  It’s not on the creative team, we know DC has delayed releasing the issues.

Cindy and Pinocchio’s storyline goes to a strange place, and it almost seems like it could’ve been the next storyline.  It’s an interesting take and it would’ve been nice to see it play out instead of just getting a “future recap.”  While the denouement provided a lot of good bits, there’s still a feeling of dissatisfaction in the end of the series.  It’s had long run overall and had many highpoints along the way.  Perhaps, Fables #150 was the perfect ending, and whether one likes “The Black Forest” or not, it doesn’t quite have the same “oomph” of the previous finale.

Verdict

Fables #162 ends not quite with a wimper, but certainly not the bang that one would hope for with the ending of such an impressive and lauded series.  That said, there’s a lot of good stuff in the issue that can be enjoyed.  A single read of all twelve issues will give the best experience for the reader and that may have to be good enough.

The post Review: Fables #162 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Bill Willingham
Art: Mark Buckingham and Steve Leialoha
Colors: Lee Loughridge
Letters: Todd Klein

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

In which the storm breaks, we catch up with Greenjack, discuss politics and a reckoning occurs.

Positives

Eleven chapters into “The Black Forest” and it’s still interesting to see Peter Pan played as the villain.  Geppetto was a surprise as the Adversary so it’s not completely a surprise.  One hopes that next issue’s finale will flesh out Peter’s turn to evil.  In Fables #161 we see Peter as an icon of villainy.  What’s his motivation, though?  Why is he so determined to kill and why is Tinkerbell enslaved to him?  This issue makes some of the action smaller and really focuses on Peter’s vile actions.

The other characters get attention as well and it certainly feels like Cindy, Bigby, Snow and the Wolf Pack and Greenjack will all come together to save the Black Forest.  Willingham sets the reader up for the finale as he moves all the pieces into place for the end in Fables #162.  Buckingham and Leialoha don’t miss a beat on the art, as usual.  It’s bittersweet knowing this is the final Fables tale.

Negatives

For the entirety of “The Black Forest” the single greatest drawback has been the delays.  It doesn’t really matter the reason, but it’s taken its toll on the series.  This is one of those series that will have to be revisited all at once with all the issues in hand for binging.  ‘

Verdict

If one were reading Fables #161 in a collection, there’s no way the reader couldn’t finish it out the last chapter.  This issue has that kind of narrative intensity.  It’s hard getting that feeling right at the outset since it’s been two and a half months since the last issue.  Do yourself a favor, when the final chapter comes out, get all your issues together and have a Fables-fest and read all 12 in one sitting. 

The post Review: Fables #161 appeared first on DC Comics News.

Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Lisandro Estherren
Color Artist: Patricio Delpeche
Letterer: Simon Bowland

Reviewed by Steve J. Ray

Summary

The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #6 closes the latest volume of the title with style, and power. James Tynion’s foray into Neil Gaiman’s world of dreams and nightmares has never disappointed, and with the final act of this incredible dark fantasy/horror coming in 2024, a clash between Dream and Desire (and possibly Despair too, if the cover for the issue’s anything to go by) is edging ever closer.

Positives

The secret of the Smiling Man has haunted readers for close to two years now and the story of Madison Flynn has been a source of terror and delight the entire time. Seeing her, The Corinthian, Max, and Kells get swept upon by a wave of demons, serial killers and the whims of The Endless has made this series feel closer to Gaiman’s classic than any other spin-off/follow-up that’s come before.

The power that Dream displays in this issue is nothing short of awesome. The way he handles both his creations and his various enemies is unbelievable. Tynion’s take on Daniel is perfect; he’s got the will and determination of Morpheus, but an edge and confidence that the original Dream never possessed.

The art, colors, and letters by Lisandro Estherren, Patricio Depeche, and Simon Bowland are a delight. Estherren’s pencils, painted over with water-color style hues make this series look and feel ethereal, and dream-like. Just like the Sandman books of the 90s, this series doesn’t conform or fit in with what fans may feel comics should look like.

Bowland’s letters are stunning. Just like the legendary Todd Klein, Bowland creates voices for his characters, making them all feel individual and unique. Believe me, comparing any letterer’s work to Klein’s is about the highest praise I can give.

Negatives

A war is coming, and I don’t want to wait. The final chapters of this tale are tantalizingly close, but still just beyond our reach. I will wait, however impatiently, as I know what’s coming will deliver a story for the ages.

Verdict

The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #6 gives readers the perfect close to this arc while leaving us all begging for more. Like the winter season itself, the wait will be a long, cold one… but one I believe will ultimately be worth it.

I’ll see you all again in dreams.

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment

The post Review: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #6 – Final Issue appeared first on DC Comics News.

Writer: Pornsak Pichetshote
Artists: Jeff Stokely, Craig Taillefer, Javier Rodríguez
Color Artist: Miquel Muerto
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

Reviewed By Steve J. Ray

Summary

The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives -Collected Edition is finally here, and Charles and Edwin are back! Who? You may ask. Worry not, dear reader, I’ll have you caught up before you can say, Thessaly.

Charles Rowland and Edwin Paine first appeared in the now-classic The Sandman #25 (April 1991). They were created by Neil Gaiman, Matt Wagner, and Malcolm Jones III during the brilliant “Season of Mists” story arc (Volume 4 of the Sandman graphic novels series, which is reprinted in Book Two of the lovely new set of collected editions).

This vintage tale saw Lucifer give up his throne and relinquish the key to the gates of hell. The underworld was then emptied and the dead once again roamed the Earth. Death of the Endless had a tough time rounding up the denizens of hell and both Charles and Edwin, rather than move on, decided to stay on Earth and solve supernatural crimes.

A lot more has happened in one-shots, crossovers, a mini-series, as well as in an ongoing Dead Boy Detectives series, over the years, but that’s all everyone needs to know, in a nutshell. Oh, and the characters have appeared in the HBO Max TV series Doom Patrol too.

Positives

If you’ve read The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country, you’ll know that it ended in a cliffhanger. This issue follows on directly, making the two stories almost feel like one. Another Sandman character, the witch Thessaly, made an appearance at the end of Nightmare Country, and she plays a part in this book, too.

Eisner Award-winning writer, Pornsak Pichetshote (The Good Asian, Infidel), has woven a tale of horror and dark magic that gripped me from page one. His use of Thai folklore and legend is fascinating and engaging. His resumé speaks for itself, as he’s written Swamp Thing stories for DC, TV’s Cloak & Dagger for Marvel, and many other horror comics and books. As a writer of Thai-American heritage, his insight into Asian supernatural lore is refreshing and intriguing.

In the story we meet three Thai ghosts; Melvin, a Snake Ghost, Jai, a Hollow-Backed Ghost, and Tanya, a Mother Ghost. Having died between the 1970s and the present the three were taken care of by the Thai “Ghost Doctor”, Dom. The main antagonist in the book is a fourth ghost, the deadly Krasue. This monster is a normal human woman by day, but at night her head and spine detach and fly around the city, hunting down helpless victims. I know… right?!?

Our heroes are also attacked by a horde of mutilated ghost babies (known as the Kumanthong), who are both stomach-churning and heartbreaking. Pornsak Pichetshote’s scripts are textured and his imagination is wonderful. Dead baby ghosts are terrifying, but the fact that they may also have feelings makes them all the more tragic.

Edwin and Charles have an unorthodox relationship, and we’ve seen that. The fact that these are ghosts with feelings and emotions elevates the intensity of events and makes the characters so much more relatable.

I’m totally into this mythology. Thai culture and spiritual beliefs are brand new to me and I find them fascinating. The way the new ghosts only appear at night makes Charles and Edwin’s work harder, and the book that much more fun to read. This adds a whole extra layer of tension and drama to the proceedings.

Pichetshote’s tale is part whodunnit, part thriller, and 100% horror. The best bit is, that while every cast member is dead, they’ve all got more spark, humanity, and personality than some folks that are still alive. The script is great fun to read and every character has their own strengths and characteristics, making them fascinating to follow.

The art by Jeff Stokely and Miquel Muerto (what a great name for a color artist working on a horror book) is lovely. The characters and colors are quite bright and punchy, and even though the visuals are quite simple-looking (in a good way), this makes the grotesquery of the gore and horror that much more powerful. This story’s brand new, yet it looks and feels like it would fit in my 1990s Sandman library effortlessly. Muertos’s lovely colors make the art shine and don’t overshadow or smother the subtle line work.

From chapter two onward, the creative team is joined by inker Craig Taillefer, who does what any great inker should do; finish the penciller’s art in a way that highlights both artists’ skills, but doesn’t wash away the penciller’s style. Yes, the visuals in this book are fairly cartoony in style, but the skill is in the storytelling, the characters’ faces, and the deep, rich backgrounds.

Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou had already impressed me with his excellent work on Sword Of Azrael, so I knew the lettering on this book would be great too. Yay, me… I was right! His ghost text, sound effects, and chapter headings are simply gorgeous. From little notepads showing us what the characters are thinking (nope I really don’t miss thought bubbles at all), to ghostly dream speak, and big loud, almost manga-style arguments between the characters. All of his work is stellar.

We have a guest artist drawing all but the final page of chapter four, the brilliant Javier Rodríguez. I’ve been following this artist’s work since the late 90s when he worked for the publisher Ediciones La Cúpula. He was one of many artists working on the wild and whacky title El Víbora, published in my native country of Spain between 1979 and 2005. American comics fans may primarily know him as a color artist, from titles such as Batgirl: Year One for DC, but this guy can draw! His work on this chapter is lovely, and I would dearly love to see even more of his art across DC in months and years to come.

This book raises so many fascinating questions. If ghosts are already dead, how can they be “killed”? Pornsak Pichetshote’s written one hell of a tale, not just because of the haunted goings on, but also because of all the wonderful semi-autobiographical touches he adds, due to being a Thai-American. Honestly, this book is great.

The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives isn’t just a horror story either, as we also get some amazing social commentary. Shootings in schools, bullying, racism; all these topics are handled in this book. The best thing is that Pichetshote’s not smacking us around the head with politics, he’s doing what all the best writers do and uses fiction to hold a cautionary mirror over fact. Why is it only children who seem to be capable of learning and wanting change? Have all adults truly just given up?

The fascinating glimpse into ghosts from across the globe, the re-introduction of three favorite characters from Neil Gaiman’s legendary Sandman series, and the horror and humor they all bring have been an absolute delight. I know that’s a weird thing to say about a horror comic, but it’s true.

Negatives

None. Whether you only know Charles and Edwin from this book, or if you’ve followed their adventures for decades, writer Pornsak Pichetshote has you covered. With every chapter, we learn more about our heroes.

Verdict

I’ve learned about new mythologies, felt scared, laughed, and had my heart broken. As a lifelong comics fan, this is the kind of series that proves the validity and power of the medium. It still upsets me when people put comics down, particularly when there are great stories like Dead Boy Detectives on the shelves.

The entire Sandman Universe has always been built on diversity and representation; both in its cast of characters and in the depth of stories it’s always told. The creative team behind Dead Boy Detectives is honoring that legacy and building on it beautifully.

Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives delivers everything I love about comics. Great characters, next-level threats, humor, scares, and thrills. The fact that it also educates while it entertains is a huge bonus. While this is a brilliant horror story, it also sheds light on life, love, and the problems faced by the children of immigrants.

This terrific book collects all six issues. It also presents the main and standard variant covers before each chapter, and has a nine-page gallery with all the other variant covers at the back of the book. For anyone wanting to know or read more about The Sandman Universe, there’s also a four-page reading guide.

The post Book Review: The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives – Collected Edition appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Bill Willingham
Art: Mark Buckingham and Steve Leialoha
Colors: Lee Loughridge
Letters: Todd Klein

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

“In which the storm breaks, politics are played at the highest levels, and the price of retirement is paid.”

Positives

As readers have come to expect, the art team of Buckingham, Leialoha and Loughridge continue to deliver wonderful visuals.  It’s hard to imagine other artists on this series.  There’s an incredible subtlety to the facial expressions as well as impactful dynamism in the action when Bigby takes on Pan.  

A few plot threads are brought to bare as Pan takes out his anger on the old Greenjack and Cindy (Cinderella) faces the consequences of not being political enough in her government role.  As Bigby enacts his ire on Pan, Snow White and the rest of the family have to contend with Tinkerbell.  While it’s not resolved in this issue, you can feel things building and that the entire Wolf Family is about to be unleashed.  Fables has had deaths in the past so it’s not a foregone conclusion that everyone will survive.  The deeper emotional and psychological aspects of Tinkerbell and Pan’s relationship continue to be provocative as Tink explains that she can’t control what she’s doing and she HAS to do what Pan wants.  Mind control? Servitude? Slavery?

Negatives

Delays are killing Fables.  It’s unclear what the reasons are, but with Bill Willingham’s announcement that he’s making Fables public domain, it would seem that it’s not due to missed deadlines by any of the creators.  Unfortunately, this also casts a pall on the remaining issues of “The Black Forest” arc.  It could be argued that Fables ended perfectly with #150 a few years ago.  Still, “The Black Forest” has been enjoyable, even if it will read better as a trade or a binge of floppies due to the delays.  Willingham, Buckingham, Leialoha, Loughridge and Klein continue to deliver this world effectively with excitement.  It’s very troubling to think this could be the last story arc from this creative team.

Verdict

Fables #160 brings some of the plot threads together as Pan’s villainy seems to hold no bounds.  Tink’s reluctance as his ally continues to be an interesting idea while also suggesting ideas of master and servant that will hopefully be explored in the final chapters of “The Black Forest.”  Additionally, as Cinderella is proved right, she suffers consequences of not being “political” which brings up another subtle commentary.  As always, the art team brings the world of Fables alive.

–

The post Review:: Fables #160 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Bill Willingham
Art: Mark Buckingham and Steve Leialoha
Colors: Lee Loughridge
Letters: Todd Klein

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

“In which we explore the philosophies of atrocity, a wolf, and a young woman, and a recently unboxed god try to work out who can piss farther than the next guy.”

Positives

Sometimes in a long story arc, a single issue can change everything and this is exactly what happens in Fables #159.  While last issue brought some things into focus, this issue feels like a huge jump from issue #157 which seemed to be meandering.  The stakes are now obvious and the villain seems to be completely revealed.  The next aspect that stands out is the somewhat meta aspect of the “contest” being for control of the Black Forest, the real life home to so many of the fairy tales that are the basis for Fables.  It’s a subtle, but clever nuance.

There’s a twist with Tinkerbell that feels right, even if it leaves Peter Pan feeling even more wrong.  This dichotomy should be enough to keep readers around just to find out what is going on and if there’s more to Peter.  We also get a quick trip to Fabletown to see Old King Cole and it’s a brief reminder of how things started way back in Fables #1.  While so much has changed, this is a gentle reminder of where it all began and it produces a comforting feeling of nostalgia for the history of this series.

It’s hard to imagine Fables without Mark Buckingham and Steve Leialoha.  While they weren’t the first art team on the series, there’s no doubt that they are THE art team for the series.  As usual the borders are a unique aspect of the title that Buckingham has developed.  Buckingham and Leialoha are like your your favorite character’s iconic costume.  One instantly falls right into the world of Fables with just a glimpse of the art.  The forest god is particularly imposing in this issue and there’s a complexity to Peter Pan that is revealed through his expressions as he gives Tinkerbell her orders.  Or, perhaps, it’s just the complexity that Buckingham and Leialoha capture of this hero turned villain in their depiction of  him.

Negatives

Like the other recent issues, it’s the time between issues that are the biggest drawback to Fables #159.  Also, this issue may not quite catch readers up as effectively as last issue did.

Verdict

The plot pieces seemingly all fall into place and this propels Fables #159 unlike any other issue since the relaunch that began with issue #151 over a year ago.  You can almost feel the bus speeding up!  The “contest” between the forest god, Bigby and Greenjack give some context to things and the mystery of Peter Pan and Tinkerbell deepens.  These central plotlines converge here to take us into the home stretch of a the arc with art that never falters from Buckingham and Leialoha.

The post Review: Fables #159 appeared first on DC Comics News.

Writer: James Tynion IV

Artist: Patricio Delpeche

Letterer: Simon Bowland

Reviewed by Steve J. Ray

The Glass House #2 – Summary

Welcome to The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #2.

Kelly has met the man of her dreams. They talk all night, he’s gentle understanding, and loves her, despite her scars. The trouble is, Kelly’s dead. Her scars were created by the hundreds of bullets that riddled her body, during the horrific chain of events where her corpse was animated, and she was forced to murder her best friend, Madison Flynn.

Positives

James Tynion is sick, twisted, and terrifying. Great work, sir… keep it up. This is as dark a love story as I could ever dream of and a set of circumstances beyond my wildest imaginings. How does he even think this stuff up? Kelly’s just the sweetest… entity/ghost/spirit and I’m sure the undead deserve love too, right? Of course, when her beau, Max, discovers who she was and what she did; cats, pigeons, cans, and worms will be all over the place.

Kelly’s one of the residents of “The King Of Pain”, a nightclub that links our plane to Hell itself. This is the place where the richest, and those in their employ, can cater to all their most twisted needs and desires… or should that be Desires? Of course, we now know that Agony and Ecstasy, the evil duo who killed Kelly and forced her to kill Madison, were working for Desire of The Endless, one of the younger siblings of Destiny, Death, and Dream.

The other huge twist from the last issue is that the club is seemingly run by the demon Azazel. This blew my mind, as this creature was imprisoned by Dream way back in chapter six of Neil Gaiman’s legendary “Season of Mists” story arc (The Sandman #27, June 1991). How did it escape and regain such a prominent seat of power on Earth? I feel that links to Desire, and the obvious one to The Corinthian mentioned in this issue, will answer at least part of that question.

Again, Simon Bowland’s lettering is exemplary. The conversation between Kelly and Max is a prime example of this, as is the wonderful new style of speech employed by Madison in her new feline form. I love this book!

Negatives

Now, this isn’t really a criticism, just an observation. You may have noticed that there’s one less name listed in the creator credits. That’s right, this issue is both drawn and colored by Patricio Delpeche. It looks great! Yes, the art style’s different from what we’ve become used to from Lisandro Estherren, but the fact that Patricio’s been coloring this series since day one means that the switch is far less jarring than it could’ve been. If anyone should be drawing this story, other than Lisandro, it’s Patricio.

Of course, I’m the kind of person who prefers the one tale/one artist formula, as a change in art styles can sometimes take a reader out of the story. Thankfully, while Patricio’s art is different from Lisandro’s, it works and flows, thanks to the fact that he knows what this series has, does, and should look like. Great work.

Verdict

Nightmare Country: The Glass House #2 is scary, deep, emotional, and an amazing work of horror fiction. I highly recommend this series and its companion titles, Nightmare Country Vol. One, and Dead Boy Detectives, to all fans of the genre.

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment

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Writer: Pornsak Pichetshote

Artists: Jeff Stokely, Craig Taillefer

Color Artist: Miquel Muerto

Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

Reviewed By Steve J. Ray

Summary

Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives #5 brings us more thrills, scares, and deeply philosophical viewpoints on the deaths and “lives” of ghosts.

While on a case in L.A., ghost detectives Edwin Paine and Charles Rowland befriended three Thai spirits, Melvin, Tanya, and Jai.

 

While investigating the impossibility of these Thai ghosts even existing in America, their human mentor, Dom, was killed. Now malevolent Thai spirits have infected Charles, leaving his ghost-form slowly deteriorating.

 

Believing their only hope of undoing both horrors to be finding out who’d summoned the many Thai ghosts, the gang finally stumbled upon he person responsible, only for another ghost to bite and “kill” Jai.

Positives

There are so many. Whether you only know Charles and Edwin from this issue and the four preceding ones, or if you’ve followed their adventures for decades, writer Pornsak Pichetshote has you covered. With every chapter, we learn more about our heroes. In this issue alone, another element from Charles’ past is revealed.

The visuals by Jeff Stokely, Craig Taillefer, Miquel Muerto, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou continue to impress as much as the script does. The Krasue are terrifying, just as the more heroic protagonists are far more sympathetic and lovable, both in the way they act and speak, as well as in how they’re portrayed by the artists. Hassan’s lettering and Miquel’s colors deserve extra special mentions this month, particularly on the pages where Melvin and Charles encounter these monsters.

Oh, and our friends finally come face-to-face with Thessaly!

Charles’ condition is definitely cause for concern and, knowing Thessaly, I still believe that any fixes she may have for it, and for solving the problem of impossible Thai ghosts existing in America, may be worse than the problems themselves.

Negatives

This superb series only has one issue left.

Verdict

Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives #5 delivers everything I love about comics. Great characters, next-level threats, humor, scares, and thrills. The fact that it also educates while it entertains is a huge bonus. While this is a brilliant horror series, it also sheds light on life, love, and the problems faced by the children of immigrants.

If you’ve been sleeping on this series, I highly recommend picking up the collected edition (out in November 2023).

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment

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[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Bill Willingham
Art: Mark Buckingham and Steve Leialoha
Colors: Lee Loughridge
Letters: Todd Klein

Reviewed by: Matthew Lloyd

Summary

In which a nesting doll is revealed, an aerial dogfight occurs, and too many pay the price for living in an interesting world.

Positives

With Fables #158, things become more clear, and what I mean is that we can clearly see that Peter Pan is up to no good!  Sure, it was obvious that was Tinkerbell since she first showed up in this series, but even now it’s hard to imagine Peter Pan as a villain.  He’s clearly doing villainous things as he kills the magical creatures in Black Forest and even attempts to kill Connor Wolf.  What’s not clear is how Peter Pan got this way.  He mentions Geppetto in a manner that signifies that he knows Geppetto was The Adversary.  Now, there’s no reason that this couldn’t be a fake Peter Pan, or someone in disguise, etc, but it’s even harder to believe villainy in Tinkerbell.  Could she be under someone else’s control? 

Positives Cont’d

In some ways it feels like there’s been a lot of set up for the first seven issues of “The Black Forest” arc.  Thankfully, a lot of it comes to a head in Fables #158 as a clear dividing line is established.  Green Jack’s sojourn into “our” world ended somewhat oddly last issue, and it seems to be pointless right now, but there’s always the chance things could develop as the arc concludes.  For now, it’s gratifying to see Bigby come face to face with Green Jack.

Connor’s fight with Peter Pan demonstrates how powerful the Wolf children are.  It was effective as it established some comparative power levels while not racing to the final showdown immediately.  The development at the end of this issue with the introduction of the “spirit of the Black Forest” also ups the ante, not only introducing another player, but expanding the scope of the story.  

Negatives

It’s a shame that the biggest negative for this issue and indeed, all the issues is the publication delays.  The creative team is doing an outstanding job on the execution and it’s unfortunate that there have been these delays.  It’s also not clear if this run of Fables ends with this story arc or if the series will continue on.  Some evidence seems to suggest it’s a 12-issue arc, while others don’t.  I do recommend a quick re-read of the previous issues to put one in the right mindset before reading Fables #158.

Verdict

Despite the two month wait since issue #157, Fables #158 does a solid job of catching the reader up on the state of events.  Furthermore, the issue is a pretty important plot mover.  There’s a culmination of plotlines that get the story to point where it feels like things are about to take off.  A refresher will do the reader some good as there’s a lot to consider concerning the ever expanding cast.  There’s just got to be more to Peter and Tinkerbell being villains, right?

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