Comics: The Reaper ~ Book 3: To Kill A Reaper

BIC0052
Illustrated by: Vovoi Lim

Story by: Nald Tabuzo

Black Ink Comics
(4/5 ★★★★☆)

"Sometimes people get sick without apparent

reasons that lead them to death. The Morbus

class of reapers could be the explanation.

Firmus is one of them. He can make someone

severely ill by merely touching him or her.

He harvests souls that succumbed to diseases.

Firmus gave Mika an illness that will make

her live like a vegetable for the rest of her life.

Daniel has to kill the reaper to stop the curse

on her beloved girl."

If has been a while since I last bought a new material from Black Ink Comics (BIC). The third book of The Reaper series is the 1st for 2014 that I had gotten. It is to my delight that the problem that I had seen in the previous books of BIC was addressed. This is regarding how the text dialogues and narrations are placed in each page. This is a good sign that BIC is eager on improving the quality of material they are producing by also considering some inputs from their readers.

This 3rd book of The Reaper series gets back from the story of how Mika is continuously frightened to death by Noctis and Firmus. It is their way to get back to Daniel after interfering with their duties as a reaper. It had eventually led to Firmus making Mika severly ill. This book laid out for the start of a match between Daniel and the reaper responsible for Mika's sickness. The book ends with a surprising twist that involves Vi, a calamitas type of reaper.

The Reaper is a good story to follow among the BIC works. The writer continues to feed us interesting information on stories with regards to grim reapers. The new character introduced in this book will make one wonder on how that could affect Daniel in the story. This book also poses the questions if there is indeed a Calavaren Tower in Makati, how is it visible to other non-reapers and how does one access its 13th floor. There are still a lot of books left for this series that can tell more about the nature of reapers. I'd still give a thumbs up on this series.

"The happiness I saw in her eyes eventually helped ease my pain. As long as she was happy, I was happy. Love was that stupid." - Jake Imperial

More of Black Ink Comics can be seen at:

Twitter: @BlackInkComics

Facebook Page: "Black Ink Comics"

Comics: Afterlife with Archie ~ Issue 2: Dance of the Dead

Story by: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa

Illustrated by: Francesco Francavilla

Rated: Teen+, Violence and Mature Content

Archie Comics
(5/5 ★★★★★)

(Cover A by Francesco Francavilla)

"This Is How The End Of The World Begins..,

Turn out the lights, the party's over.

The zombie outbreak has reached the halls of

Riverdale High and the bodies are beginning

to pile up.. Can Archie, Betty & Veronica

escape the carnage and find a safe haven to

make humanity's last stand or will they,

too, join the ranks of the undead as

a truly eternal love triangle?"

Jughead down and a lot more to go. The previous issue was a fast and well packed story in the sense that the bestfriend of the leading character in a story is the first to turn into a zombie. Normally, in the routine way of story telling, that does not happen at the very start of the story. But it works perfectly in this comics.

In this 2nd issue, two perspectives of the zombie apocalypse in Riverdale are told. One takes place in Pop Tate's Diner, where Mr. Jones infect that area. On the other hand, the main event happens during the Halloween Party at Riverdale High. Another one from Archie's friends dies in this issue which was beautifully illustrated by the artist. After the death of that character "twice", chaos soon followed at the gym which lead to the search for a safety at the Lodge Mansion by the remaining group from Archie.

"I'm done playing Brokeback Riverdale with you." - Ginger

This is another good zombie apocalypse meets "a famous set of story" that is well crafted by the writer and the artist. Especially for the artist in creating the page that re-enacts Snow White's death with the scene only showing the apple rolling off her hands. What's more fun and enjoyable in this series is that there is an additional short story at the end which they called "From the Vault: Chilling Adventures In Sorcery." This was said to be formerly published under the title "Chilling Adventures In Sorcery." These short stories will be included starting with this issue and later on for the upcoming issues of Afterlife with Archie.

From The Vault: Chilling Adventures In Sorcery ~ Cat

Illustrated and Story by: Gray Morrow

The story was just okay. Although it would be recommended that this part to be read only if you are looking for something to do. Well this short story is just an add on for the Afterlife with Archie comic anyway.

Needless to say, this comic, Afterlife with Archie, is highly recommended due to the great story told by Aguirre-Sacasa and illustrations that were drawn remarkably by Francavilla. One can't just wait to find out who is still left alive by the time Sabrina is back in the story.

More of Afterlife with Archie can be seen at:

www.afterlifewitharchie.com

Events: National Book Store March 2014 Warehouse Sale

Its too bad that I only read the announcement yesterday (March 14, 2014) when National Book Store conducted its last day of its warehouse sale at Alabang Town Center.

Well its not too late for those who are living in the Visayas Islands, mainly in Bohol and Cebu. Since National Book Store will also be conducting their warehouse sale there. This promo will run for two days.

So to all the bookworms in Bohol and Cebu, who still haven't heard of this sale, be sure to be there early before the books you are looking for are gone.

More information about National Book Store can be seen at:
Facebook Page: "National Book Store"
http://www.nationalbookstore.com.ph

Comics: Ten Grand ~ Issue 4: A Hole In Heaven

Story by: J. Michael Straczynski

Illustrated by: Ben Templesmith

Rated: M / Mature

Joe's Comics

Image Comics
(5/5 ★★★★★)

(Cover A by Ben Templesmith)

"Angels can't enter hell unless a demon holds open the door, and demons can't enter heaven without an angel's say-so." - Joe Fitzgerald

Previously the story ends with a hole in heaven that led to Laura's capture and transfer of residence to hell. The one and secured place that Joe thought was safe for Laura has now been infiltrated. It is now up to him to find and rescue her from whoever is keeping her captive.

"The thing about denying someone their voice in this life is that it tends to come out in death." - Joe Fitzgerald

In this issue, Joe wakes up from a nightmare of something bad happening to Laura. After speaking to the soul of Julie, from one of his previous cases, he learns and gets the confirmation that not only Laura is missing but the angel whom he had made a deal with is also gone. With no time to spare, Joe goes to a place called "The Club" in which it is one of the places that has a doorway to where the planes of earth and hell nearly overlaps. Armed with objects he had gathered, he makes a move past entities that guard the gate to that doorway. Who knows how much time he has left in order to get Laura.

The story gets better as Joe moves on and crosses from our plane into that of hell. Both the art and story never fails us in this issue. This issue also tells of how strong our human determination is as we pursue the different trials in life that each one of us needs to conquer. This is still a great series that has an angels and demons themed love story.

"We're more RESILIENT. Takes a LOT to destroy a human spirit." - Joe Fitzgerald

More of Ten Grand can be seen at:

Joe's Comics: www.studiojms.com

Image Comics, Inc.: www.imagecomics.com

Comics: Purifying Element ~ Issue 2: Dark Lady 2

Illustration and Story by: Jake Vicente

Rated: OT / Older Teens Ages 16 +

Ink Jinks Comics
(4/5 ★★★★☆)

"The aswang dark lady still roams the street.

Preying on street children to feed on.

It's now up to Sean Razor and Kevin Wolf to hunt down this creature and end it's feast."

The story continues after the death of Al due to an aswang. This leaves his brother, Jeff, saved from nearly being killed.

Sean and Kevin finishes off the aswang that has been feeding upon the citizens of the town. In this issue, the writer had placed an interesting twist regarding the identity of the aswang. The story ends with the creature being killed. Sean and Kevin, then moves on to a new town after receiving a call that entails the need for them.

This has been a nice conclusion to the Dark Lady episode of Purifying Element, well that's what I think. The art is quite fine, but the most striking thing in this comic is the surprising twist in the identity of the aswang. It's a surprise as to how it has shielded itself from being suspected as an aswang. The creator of this comic is good in coming up with this kind of twists and this story is just one of those from Ink Jinks that are quite noticeable.

More of the creator's works can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Estranger"

www.tyrfryt.deviantart.com

More of Ink Jinks Comics can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Ink Jinks Comics"

Twitter: @inkjinks

www.inkjinks.deviantart.com

Comics: Mythspace: Lift Off ~ Issue 0

Story by: Paolo Chikiamco

Illustrated by: Koi Carreon
Mythspace
(5/5 ★★★★★)

"Nothing lasts forever, Iho.

So let lola have her hug, okay?" - Aling Nena

This comic attempts to present to us a different view on Philippine mythological creatures, such as the kapre and the tikbalang. It also shares some views regarding aliens.

The story centers around Ambrosio, a child that grew up with tales of mythological creatures that lives alongside with us in the universe. These were stories that his grandmother told him as he grew up. Stories he didn't believe in until he himself got abducted by these same creatures that was narrated by his grandmother. This story aims to tackle differently on familiar things that we had come to know as a child. Things such as our knowledge on our local mythological creatures are theorized to be aliens in this story. The author has really given us a different spectrum and wild idea of how aliens could look like.

The story and art are really nice. But the most catchy thing for me is the cover art of this comic. Overall, this is one of the few titles wherein it is an original concept that is good to follow. It was well written and the art was nicely drawn. The colors of the cover art was also nice. This is one of those comics that you should own especially if you have a fascination with stories that involves Philippine mythological creatures and/or aliens.

"You are wise to doubt the tales of your youth...

... but all myths, all monsters, are founded on truth."

Free Digital Copy:

Rocket Kapre: Mythspace 0.pdf
Gumroad: Mythspace: Lift Off #1

Storylark.ph: Mythspace: Lift Off #1: Lift Off

More of Mythspace can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Mythspace"

Twitter: @mythspace

The creators can be seen at:

Paolo Chikiamco

www.rocketkapre.com

Twitter: @anitero

Koi Carreon

www.electic-lights.blogspot.com

Events: Filbar's Marvel and DC January Sale!

Looks like there's another sale happening this first month of 2014.

Filbar does this by having 40% off on selected Marvel books and 20% off on DC Showcase Presents books. Well there's no time to loose to all Marvel and DC fans since this offer will be good until supplies last.

More information about Filbar's can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Filbar's"