Image Round-Up - December 11th 2013

The Image Round Up column aims to get some words down on Image Comics book published for the week. This weeks reviews are handled by Ricardo Guajardo and Hansel Moreno. They'll be dropping non-spoilery reviews the day before the books are available so you can best make up your mind on what to buy tomorrow. We offer this service because Image has been putting out some amazing content lately and it will be nice to shine a light on every single title they produce. 

Hello folks! This week I'll be taking a look at Dead Body Road #1, Drumhellar #2 and Manifest Destiny #2.

This week Drumhellar #2  is the Book and Cover of the week!


The reviews are graded according to the following scale:

Must Read. -- Do not miss this hot piece of comic action!
Buy It. -- For memories sake.
Check It. -- This is a toss up. Up to you really.
Byrne It. (skim it on the rack). -- Look at it but don't leave with it.
Avoid It. -- Steer clear.

Dead Body Road #1

Written by Justin Jordan
Art by Matteo Scalera
Colors by Moreno Dinisio

Ricardo Guajardo: When I read the synopis of this comic, I knew I was heading to a take-no-prisioners type of storytelling by Justin Jordan. His brand of action, wonderfully drawn by Matteo Scalera, takes our main character Orson whose on vendetta-filled journey that might be his deathwish. Anymore info would  spoil the entire first issue and that would injustice to everyone.  

The intense panels that Scalera captures could have be imagined as a production storyboard in a live-action film. Colorist Moreno Dinisio paints the carnage tremendously well as there were certain scenes that compliment the rough yet stylish action.

Dead Body Road is a high octane comic that also lays down enough characterization to give personality to the characters as well. Sure, the dialogue can sometimes come across as cliche but I think with the talent involved its forgiving. If a reader wants a new comic to pick up that will bring fast and explosive scenes, they are not going to regret buying this title.

Verdict: Must Read

Drumhellar #2

Co Plotted by Riley Rossmo and Alex Link
Art by Riley Rossmo
Letters by Kelly Tindall

Hansel Moreno: Riley Rossmo loves the weird. Drumhellar is a mix of the magical, the strange and the oddballs that follow those paths. 

Alex Link and Riley are crafty ones. I still think of the coin flip ending they set up in Rebel Blood. Drumhellar is a little less ambiguous, but as the central characters are introduced and set into play I can't really identify who is doing evil for evil's sake or slightly murky deeds for the greater good.

Drum Hellar (the series lead) dabbles in the grey areas of both legalities and spirituality. He is a quirky, sarcastic sleuth who seems to think the best of people, werewolves and demons even when it is not in his best interest. The second issue carries on with the intentionally meandering pace of the first issue. Riley and Alex have a story to tell and they are in no hurry to rush us through the lush landscapes Riley is illustrating.

Yes. The art Ladies and Gentlemen. Riley is switching  his line work between the simple, messy and even brush work. He's throwing it all in together depending on the mood of the story. Excellent and wonderful to enjoy.

Verdict: Must Read

Manifest Destiny #2

Written by Chris Dingess
Art by Matthew Roberts
Colors by Owen Gieni

Ricardo Guajardo: After enjoying the first issue due to high suspense and tension between the characters, I was pleased those moments were increased tenfold. We find there is more questions than answers as we go along the journey to find out the type of surprises in store for the cast of characters. Writer Chris Dingess has really grabbed my attention in his storytelling by basing real life people and putting them in a fictional story and I can't get enough of it.

Matthew Roberts kicked it up a notch by bringing high levels of detail in his art once again after impressing me in the debut issue.  From the ghastly beasts to the crew that's exploring the new land, each design has a distinct look that give it's own identity. Even the colorist has done a great job enhancing the designs by Roberts, and I can't say enough how this comic delivered in all fronts. 

If you need more anymore convincing, it's possible this title isn't for you as I already given it enough praise. The creators have already validated themselves to being on the the Skybound imprint, which not many Image books can be in as it's originality can intrigue the most skeptic readers. Folks, look for it in the back issues, in my opinion it's going to be a hot comic in the next year. 


Verdict: Must Read

Again Time makes fools of us all. Especially those of us who love to nap. Please also consider the wonderful titles Alex + Ada #2, Three #3, The Walking Dead #118, Chew #38, Invincible #107, Lazarus #5 and the trades of Morning Glories Volume #6 and Sheltered Volume #1.

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