CWR WEEKEND BLOG EXTRA

Welcome to the latest edition of the BLOG EXTRA. This week, two from our friends at Viper Comics, keeping it real down in Texas.

DEAD @ 17 #2 is written and drawn by Josh Howard, of course, and it kicks the plot into high gear. Against what I thought might happen, indeed young Asia does meet her maker after last issue’s car crash, and than makes her return as a cute, undead ass-kicker. Her first act: to make the man who caused the crash pay, for both her death and for beating up her mother. But bigger things are at work in the DEAD world, as a new series of demons is heading to Earth in the form of a meteor shower, and two sets of bad guys begin facing off for their respective masters. This incarnation of Howard’s universe feels a bit more wide-open, character-wise, and there’s a grander ambition to the story he seems to be telling. My one qualm with the book is that there are only eighteen story pages, the rest of the book filled with a page of letters, a page of picture of girls dressed as Asia and people with DEAD tattoos, and a lengthy preview of Howard’s other Viper series, THE BOOKS OF EVE. A bit more story content would go a long way towards enhancing your purchased value.

Jason Burns writes, and Ron Chan draws, A DUMMY’S GUIDE TO DANGER #3, the penultimate issue of the series. When last we left Alan and his dummy, Mr. Bloomberg, they were being arrested by LAPD for the serial murders taking place around the city. Now, their nemesis, Detective Boyd, has them right where he wants them: at his mercy. From beatings from one of the dead girl’s bodyguards to leaving the pair in the desert to die, it only gets worse for Sirois. But things really kick into gear when the killer invades their home and takes a horrific souvenir, leaving behind evidence that someone Alan cares for might just be involved in the crimes. Burns really ratchets up the pace and intensity here, bringing all his story elements together and putting the pieces in place for what promises to be a rousing conclusion. This has been a terrific series from page one, and might just be the best book Viper has produced in 2006. Definitely worth your time to seek out.

That’s it for this week. See you through the week for site updates, and back here next weekend for another edition of the BLOG EXTRA!

/Mason