All posts by La Cracha Handy

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About La Cracha Handy

My name is La Cracha Handy. I started blogging 7 years ago. I am currently building my brand as an independent author-publisher of nonfiction books on relationships and parenting. My first book, Leaving the Hidden Path: Motivational Guidance for Women with Young Children Considering Divorce, will be released in the spring of 2022. I am also a pop culture geek. I read and collect comic books, play Pokemon Go, and build model rockets. I love Star Trek: The Next Generation and Doctor Who. My name is prounced "Lacrisha."

Random and Not so Random Thoughts of a Comic Blogger

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Top 10 Best Comics of 2013

10.  Sex Criminals, Image Comics

9.  Afterlife With Archie, Archie Comics

8.  Hoax Hunters, Image Comics

7.  Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel

6.  Morning Glories, Image Comics

5.  Thor:  God of Thunder, Marvel

4.  Deadpool, Marvel

3.  Justice League Dark, DC Comics

2.  The Fearless Defenders , Marvel

1.  Superior Spider-Man, Marvel

Top 2 Comic Mini-Series of 2013

2.  Superior Carnage, Marvel

1.  Screwed, Zenescope

Worst Comic Book of 2013
You didn’t think I would really throw that out there like that did you?  However, I did read a comic last year that is perfect for this category.  I was speechless after reading it.  I had no idea what that story was about.  Not only do I not remember the name of the book or publisher, I don’t even know where it is.

Comics I’m Looking Forward to Reading in 2014
Cursed
Magneto
Ms. Marvel
Nameless
Night of the Living Deadpool
Paradigms
Restoration
She-Hulk
Southern Bastards
Superior Carnage Annual #1
The Wicked and the Divine
Wytches

The list will grow as I learn of more upcoming titles, so let me know if there’s any titles I need to add.

Luke Cage vs. Jack Lawson
A question popped into my mind the other day, as to who I like the best.  Luke Cage from Marvel Comics, or Jack Lawson from Image?  For those of you that don’t know Jack (no pun intended), he is a lead character in Hoax Hunters, written by Michael Moreci and Steve Seeley.  Chris DiBari is the artist.

Two handsome badass brothers.  In Mighty Avengers, Luke wants to settle down, be a hero-for-hire, so that he can be near his family.  On the other hand, Jack is full of attitude, and will stop at nothing to get what he wants.  Nothing.  Don’t believe me?  Read Hoax Hunters #13 that went on sale last week.

But it’s all fiction.  In reality, a brother with muscles and an attitude would rather hang with superheroes, kicking the s**t out of villains, than stay home with his wife (or girlfriend) and kids.  Anyway, I don’t care for Luke’s soft attitude.  Sorry Marvel, Image wins this round.

Deadpool’s Wedding
I plan to attend Deadpool’s wedding, in April, from the comfort of my home.  I don’t want to be anywhere near the Marvel Universe because of Deadpool.  What follows Deadpool?  Violence, bloodbaths, and chaos.

Who is the bride-to-be?  My husband think it’s Lady Death.  I don’t have any ideas of who, or what, it could be.  One thing for certain is that Deadpool #27 will be the first comic book I will be reading that day.

I tried a few times to count the 200+ characters on the cover, but I kept losing track.  I am going to keep trying until I succeed.  Maybe I’ll use Marvel’s character list as a guide.

I wonder if Scott Koblish and Val Staples have carpal tunnel now.

Superior Spider-Man
Are the rumors true?  Is Superior Spider-Man coming to an end?  Will Doc Ock no longer be in Peter Parker’s body?  Is Peter coming back?  If so, then my bank account will be $7.98 (+ tax) fatter every month.  Enough said.

Hoax Hunters #13 Review

Image Comics, , ,

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While a review copy of Hoax Hunters #13 quenched my thirst, I can’t wait until its release date of January 8, 2013.  Holding a print copy in my hands will provide instant gratification, especially with Christian Dibari (artist) and Mike Spicer (colorist) providing the visuals.

The season finale is here, and will leave you in a WTF moment.  And the ending is more dark and twisted than all the issues combined.

While fighting the demon, in an effort to secure the Book of All Futures, Regan makes the shocking discovery that she’s more powerful than she realizes.  Fearing that Regan’s connection to the book will be discovered, Donovan warns her that they must flee to safety.

Meanwhile, the moment we’ve been waiting for is here.  Or is it?  Up until now, Jack Lawson, the handsome team leader, has been a loyal member of the Hoax Hunters.  But throughout the series, he’s been harboring his own hidden agenda on the sly.  Jack has been searching for his father, who went missing years before.  Earlier in the series, Jack was supposed to have given Donovan a multiverse device.  But he gave Donovan a replica of the device instead.  He kept the original to aid in the search for his father.  Getting into a heated argument with his dad’s business partner, Borges, only escalated the situation.  But this time, Jack has gone way too far.

Once again, Moreci and Seeley produced another dark and twisted horror story.  Hoax Hunters is definitely one of the best horror comics on the market.  Myths are explored with sharp dialogue and great character interactions.  Regan is so powerful, it’s scary.  Although I don’t fully trust Donovan, he does appear to have some good in him.  Jack appears to have gone stone crazy, and Murder is, well Murder.  You can’t read an issue of Hoax Hunters and not mention Murder, the crow filled spacesuit.

Dibari and Spicer are to blame for the eye-popping visuals, especially the chupacabras.  I also like when Donovan changes from a fine-looking young man into a demonic beast.

Without giving any spoilers, I’m posting a couple of pages so you can get a taste of both dialogue and art.  So if you’re looking for spoilers, sorry but you’re reading the wrong blog.

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Now that Season 1 of Hoax Hunters is finished, the creative team is taking a break before Season 2.  If you want to read the first season in its entirety, then don’t pay outrageous prices on eBay.  Buy the trades or read them here.

If you’re a fan of horror, mythology, Mythbusters and X-Files, then Hoax Hunters, published by Image Comics, is a title you definitely should be reading.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I give this issue 5/5 stars.

Deadpool #21 Review

Marvel Comics, ,

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If you are looking for a jump-on point, then you will want to start with this issue.  Not only is this the beginning of a new arc, Deadpool vs. S.H.I.E.L.D., it’s also a continuation of the first story arc, Dead Presidents. Although I enjoyed the stories in between the two arcs, this is the storyline I’ve been impatiently waiting for.

In case you missed the first arc, the presidents were raised from their graves by Michael, a necromancer and former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent.  Returning with evil intentions, Deadpool contracted with S.H.I.E.L.D. for a large sum of money, to re-kill the presidents.  Although Agent Preston was killed by George Washington, Michael was able to transfer Preston’s spirit into Deadpool, where she currently resides in his head.  After Deadpool re-killed the presidents, Agent Gorman refused to pay him.

In the current issue, Deadpool and Agent Preston consulted with Dr. Strange, in hopes of restoring Preston’s spirit into a physical form.  Meanwhile, Agent Adsit, Preston’s partner, made a shocking discovery when he attempted to order a life model decoy (LMD) of Preston.  There is already a Preston LMD running around town, and it’s not a good thing.  Turns out Agent Gorman is a bad guy, and has ordered a 10 million dollar hit on Deadpool.

The story ends with Adsit and Agent Phil Coulson in a secret meeting.

If the above events are not enough to entice you to jump-on, then obviously you’re not a candidate for Deadpool readership.

Brian Posehn and Gerry Duggan are the creative writers.  This issue is packed with page turners, jokes, and of course, violence.  The best dialogue is between Deadpool and Agent Preston.  A mercenary with a mental disorder that has a sassy African-American woman stuck in his head.  The jokes are hilarious, but their friendship is worthy of envy.  Great character interactions, especially Agent Gorman and Preston’s LMD.  She’s dangerous, but funny.

Text is brought to life by Mike Hawthorne (artist) and Jordie Bellaire (colors).  Realistic characters and detailed facial expressions.  Agent Gorman scares me.  I especially like the panels with Deadpool’s thoughts, they reminds of The Three Stooges.  And seeing Preston’s spirit is very touching.  Awesome cover by Mark Brooks.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

Deadpool is one Marvel title I highly recommend.

Nova #11 Review

Marvel Comics, , , ,

nova11

If you haven’t already started reading Nova, now is the perfect time, but you will need to grab issue #10, the start of a new arc and writer.

Nova #11 is Gerry Duggan’s first full solo issue, after he debuted last issue with a back-up story.  I stopped reading Nova after the first arc, but upon learning that Duggan was taking over as writer, I made it a requirement to at least read the first story arc.  Duggan is the writer of one of my favorite Marvel titles, Deadpool.  Since Deadpool is nowhere near suitable for kids, I was curious as to how Duggan would handle Sam Alexander, a typical teenager with a powerful helmet.  Duggan is just as humorous on this title, as he is with Deadpool.

Sam Alexander is still that mouthy, full-of-attitude, impulsive teenager.  A mirror image of my tween son.

In the last issue, Sam appeared to have been going blind.  But in the current issue, Sam figures out what is really going on.  I must admit that it’s the perfect twist to begin a storyline.

Great artwork by Paco Medina (pencils), Juan Vlasco (inks), and David Curiel (colors).  Great facial expressions, and Sam’s little sister is a cutie pie.  I have no complaints at all in this area.

Nova #10 is the perfect jump-on point for new comic readers, or for those looking for a fun comic to read that’s suitable for all ages.  I plan to read this Marvel title, at least through the first story arc.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

If you’re a Nova fan, looking for new comics to read or a jump-on point, then I highly recommend this all-ages title.

Rover Red Charlie #1 Review

Avatar Press, , , ,

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A zombie plague has consumed New York City.  The city is literally burning to the ground, and the feeders (humans) are either killing each other or committing suicide.  Rover Red Charlie is a new mini series by Avatar Press.  This heartfelt tale follows three dogs, Rover, Red and Charlie, as they struggle to survive what appears to be the end of the world.

Garth Ennis is the writer of this captivating series.  Rover Red Charlie is not your average comic.  The story is written from the canines’ points of view, and it’s about survival, friendship and loyalty among three different breeds.  Strong, emotional dialogue that will nearly tempt you to jump inside the comic, and rescue all three canines.  I especially like Charlie, a service dog with strong leadership skills, and the feeder that sacrificed his life for Charlie was heartbreaking.

Michael Dipascale provided the outstanding artwork.  The feeders have detailed facial expressions, but it’s the canines that truly stands out among everything else.  They are all realistic looking and perfectly drawn.

Knowing that I’m always looking for new comics to read, and that I have a comic blog, one of the owners at the comic shop recommended Rover Red Charlie.  I quickly said, “Oh no” when I saw that Avatar Press was the publisher.  When I saw Ennis’ name on the cover, I said, “Oh heck no.  No thank you.”  That’s because whenever I see either name, I immediately associate them with Crossed.  I know that Avatar Press publishes comics that are beyond bizarre, so I didn’t want anything to do with Rover Red Charlie.  Later that day I realized my comic blog is about my honest reviews.  I like to read comics and share my opinions for those looking for new comics to read, or for readers who are looking for a jump-on point.  There’s a comic to suit everyone’s tastes, so for me to not read and share Rover Red Charlie would be discriminating.  I called the comic shop, asked to have the book placed into my box, and purchased it the next day.

I believe that Crossed is the only story that I’ve ever read by Ennis.  I was amazed with his writing in this book, and have decided to read more of his work.  I searched and learned that he’s written comics about a couple of characters I really like, so I’ll be Ebaying and Amazoning it pretty soon to find the books.

Although I was hooked by its debut issue, this title doesn’t fit my current personal taste.  But that doesn’t mean I won’t recommend other readers to give it a try.  It’s definitely worth reading.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I recommend this mini series, especially to readers that are dog lovers, and/or zombie fans.

This Bites

Not So Super Comics, , ,

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Jasper is just your average Joe Blow, who works at a record shop. But it doesn’t take long for him to undergo a disastrous life-changing experience. While at the supermarket, Jasper sensed that he was being watched. Instead of following his instincts and running, he continued going about his business. Well, not following his instincts caused him to get bitten by a vampire.

When Jasper went into work, his friend noticed he wasn’t looking too well. Jasper eventually confessed that he thought he’d been bitten by a vampire, and the poor guy freaked out. Fearing he would become Jasper’s next meal, he dismissed Jasper as his friend.

Jasper is determined to not turn into a vampire, because he’s a vegan! That’s right, Jasper is a vegan. All alone, Jasper turns to the only trustworthy person he knows, his grandmother! She’s feisty, aggressive, and is determined to help Jasper find a cure.

This Bites is a vampire comedy by Not So Super Comics. This indie comic is funny and will leave you looking forward to the next issue. We need to support our independent comics, just as much as we support the Big 2. Everyone can’t work for high-profile publishers, so we as readers need to support our indie comic creators. I read a variety of comics, indies included. Therefore I will continue to read, blog, purchase and whatever else I can do to help spread the word about indie titles. In addition, it’s good to take a break from mainstream comics, and read something other than superhero vs. super villain.

Jacques Nyemb is the writer of this hilarious script. This is the second comic I’ve read by Nyemb, and what I like about his writing style is that he gets straight to the point. His scripts are not too wordy, and they are very easy-to-follow. This fun comic will have you laughing from the 80’s style vampire to Jasper’s feisty grandmother.

Speaking of character styles and personalities, the story was brought to life by David Degrand. Great facial expressions, flawless flowing panels. Excellent visual storyteller.

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This Bites doesn’t fit my current personal taste, but that does not mean I’m not going to recommend it to those looking for new comics to read, or readers looking for a nontraditional vampire story.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I recommend this title, especially for readers who are looking for a fresh take on vampire stories, comedy style.