#Craig A. Taillefer

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Join the shape-shifting Jink and the rambunctious Rebels as their search leads them across Abode and into the beyond in The Complete Elfquest Volume 8

Join the shape-shifting Jink and the rambunctious Rebels as their search leads them across Abode and into the beyond in The Complete Elfquest Volume 8 #comics #comicbooks

Dark Horse Comics presents The Complete Elfquest Volume Eight: FutureQuest the final volume in The Complete ElfQuest omnibus series, arriving in January 2025. At over 700 pages, this beautiful softcover volume collects ElfQuest’s Stargazer’s Hunt and FutureQuest story arcs, with brand new art and commentary by co-creators Wendy and Richard Pini. The Pinis are joined by writers John Ostrander,…

[whatthe-shea]

THE SANDMAN UNIVERSE: DEAD BOY DETECTIVES #3 aka we only do covers that go incredibly fucking hard.

In stores 2/28/23!

Script: Pornsak Pichetshote Pencils: Jeff Stokely Inks: Craig Taillefer and Jeff Stokely Colors: Miquel Muerto Letters: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou Main cover: Nimit Malavia (middle) Variant Cover: Alex Eckman-Lawn (bottom) Ratio Variant Cover: Jorge Fornes (top)

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Sandman Universe Deadboys Detectives #2 Writer: Pornsak Pichetshote Artist: Jeff Stokely Inks: Craig Taillefer Colors: Miquel Muerto Letter: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou Cover: Nimit Malavia

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REFRIGERATOR FULL OF HEADS no.5 (of 6) • cover art • Marcio Takara [Mar 2022]

Arlene is stranded without her partner and June Branch is trapped behind enemy lines, a prisoner of the bloodthirsty biker gang that’s been turning Brody Island upside down hunting for magical Viking artifacts. But now that Arlene knows the Axe of Yggdrasil isn’t the only weapon available, it just might spur her to get creative…

(W) Rio Youers (A) Tom Fowler, Craig Taillefer (CA) Marcio Takara

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"The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives" 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. [gallery columns="6" size="large" ids="172665,172666,172667,172664,172669,173030"] 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. [gallery columns="5" size="large" ids="173032,173033,173034,173029,173031"] 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. [gallery columns="6" size="large" ids="173839,173840,173841,173838,173844,173845"] 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. [gallery columns="6" size="large" ids="174175,174176,174177,174179,174174,174181"] 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. [gallery columns="6" size="large" ids="174584,174585,174586,174588,174583,174589"] 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. [gallery columns="6" size="large" ids="174984,174985,174986,174987,174988,174982"] 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. Paperback $19.99 Released on Nov 07, 2023 ISBN 9781779523297 Review Copy Courtesy of Penguin Random House. Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push();

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The Sandman Universe Dead Boy Detectives #4 Review

The Sandman Universe Dead Boy Detectives #4 DC Comics Written by Pornsak Pichetshote Art by Javier Rodriguez and Jeff Stokely Inks by Craig Taillefer Colors by Miquel Muerto Letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou The Rundown: The ghosts continue their investigation as Charles deals with the effects of his attack. The kids continue their investigation as the director recovers in the hospital.…

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Books Of Magic #19

by David Barnett, Tom Fowler, Craig A. Taillefer ,cover by  Kai Carpenter

DC

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BOOKS OF MAGIC #13 Exclusive Preview

BOOKS OF MAGIC #13 Exclusive Preview

by Leijah Petelka

ComicsVerse was lucky enough to get a exclusive look at BOOKS OF MAGIC #13! Are you looking for magic? Click here to check out the newest issue!

continue reading here: https://comicsverse.com/books-of-magic-13-exclusive-preview/

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tap tap TOMP TOMP

Books of Magic #20 A: Tom Fowler & Craig Taillefer L: Todd Klein C: Marissa Louise W: David Barnett

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Preview: Books of Magic #22

Books of Magic #22 preview. The powerful tome known as the Book of Possibilities has fallen into the hands of Tim's schoolmate Ellie...but what will she do with it? #comics #comicbooks

Books of Magic #22

David Barnett (A) Tom Fowler, Craig A. Taillefer (CA) Kai Carpenter In Shops: Aug 25, 2020 SRP: $3.99

The powerful tome known as the Book of Possibilities has fallen into the hands of Tim’s schoolmate Ellie…but what will she do with it? Only one thing is certain: she doesn’t seem eager to hand it over to Tim…

[re-readingcomics]

Comics Read 7/15-8/13/2020

I really haven’t been reading comics at all during this time. Part of me wants to blame being overwhelmed by most things. Including the fact that my to read pile keeps getting bigger and my rules like “start with what you’ve been reading the longest”  and “prioritize something that is wrapping up so you can feel good about moving on” no longer apply. 

And of course real world things keep happening.

I finally started reading comics again after the sad news about massive firings at DC. I know there are some people who have been considered bad  in fan communities, some deserving, but it does indicate something very bad about the corporate overloaded investment in continuing to publish comics. The fact that this issue has another charming, COVID safety PSA just feels poignant. 

So I finally got around to reading The Books of Magic #21. In my last post I mentioned that I read that the upcoming issue #23 would be its last, but I only saw that on one site. Do I guess I’m waiting for the next round of solicitations to come out to confirm is there is more of it or not. I’m guessing after the cut backs in staff it is cut this is quietly. That said I liked the issue. I was a little afraid that between the change in writers and the introduction fo Tim’s new friend/love interest Izzy, that earlier plot lines and characters were being abandoned. But here Tim’s classmates to Izzy is a driving part of the story so I feel assuaged.

The issue took a trip into The Dreaming so there was a definite connection to the larger “Sandman Universe” including both The Dead Boy Detectives and Destiny of the Endless showing up for the climaxes. And I didn’t hate it! 

It remind me how much I liked the Dead Boy Detectives short lived series (and was surprised to like it). Destiny’s appearance made me wish that artists took the opportunity to make him look like he could come from different cultures like they have with Dream, Death and Desire, but those were the characters whose original designs were most “of their time” so the mutability seems more necessary.

(Destruction is the Endless character that seems most difficult to redesign to fit in the eye of the beholder.) 

Also Tim met a version of Emily Dickinson in the Dreaming who helped explain the difference between her poems and the ones published. She also had her Dreamhearst version of Amherst which I found charming. As was the art! And so consistent, something that has been rare in this title 

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Sandman Universe Deadboys Detectives #4 Writer: Pornsak Pichetshote Artist: Jeff Stokely Inks: Craig Taillefer Colors: Miquel Muerto Letter: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou Cover: Nimit Malavia

[thenightling]

written by KAT HOWARD, DAVID BARNETT, and SIMON SPURRIER art by TOM FOWLER and CRAIG TAILLEFER cover by KAI CARPENTER ON SALE 2/16/21 $24.99 US | $33.99 CAN 248 PAGES | FC | TRADE PAPERBACK DC BLACK LABEL | AGES 17+ ISBN: 978-1-77950-300-8 John Constantine is back—and, unfortunately for Tim Hunter, he's convinced the only way the human race can survive is if Tim is taken off the board. But from where Tim's standing, he's the only one with the power to save us all. Who's right? Who's wrong? And is there room in London for the both of them? That's just the start of Tim's troubles—because his evil doppelgänger has been unleashed on the world! Collects Books of Magic #14-23.

Honestly, I’m tired of the one trick pony that is the writing of The Books of Magic. It made sense when Neil Gaiman wrote it that Mister E. THOUGHT he was a good guy but was actually a fanatical zealot.  But after the original four issue version of The Books of Magic it was like everyone missed the point.  And everyone wanted to do the angsty “Even the good guys want him because of his potential for evil.”   Yeah, no.   If you want to kill someone because he MIGHT go evil, you don’t get to count yourself as a good person . And I’m tired of this respective, angsty, “What if they’re right about me.  Wah, wah.”   broody, tortured... We get enough of that with Raven.   I don’t FEEL anything with this plot anymore other than mind disgust for the so-called heroes who have to be smeared and diminished as “Good guys” for the plot to even work.

The only thing I like is this cover.

    In my opinion, stick with the 30th anniversary edition of the one written by Neil Gaiman. The rest aren’t worth it. 

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Dead Boy Detectives #6 Writer: Pornsak Pichetshote Artists: Jeff Stokely, Craig Taillefer Color Artist: Miquel Muerto Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou Reviewed By Steve J. Ray Summary The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives #6 brings the series to a surprising, but hugely satisfying close. The immortal witch, Thessaly, has discovered the cause of the Thai ghost invasion and knows a way to end it. While that sounds like good news, one of the friendly spirits has already been destroyed and it seems like getting rid of the evil ones will also destroy Charles and Edwin's friends, Melvin and Tanya. [gallery columns="5" size="large" ids="174984,174985,174986,174987,174988"] Positives This finale had me on the edge of my seat throughout. Ever since Charles started rotting away and Jai was "killed" I've been expecting the worst. Even when Thessaly finally appeared I knew that, even though she's a capable and extremely powerful witch, her methods tend to suit her own needs and "the greater good", with little thought about anyone else, living or (un)dead, that doesn't fit in with her methods or ideals. I've learned about new mythologies, felt scares, laughed, and had my heart broken. As a huge 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. What I really liked was the fact the "villain" of the piece wasn't a foul demon, dark wizard, or megalomaniac bent on world domination, but a distraught and grieving father. On the opposite side of the coin, the "savior" of the piece was Thessaly, a character who's frequently as bad as everything she tries to fight. The writing's great, the art is quirky, horrific and fun, the colors add to the texture and atmosphere of the line art, and the letters help evoke and underline all the emotions from the writing and artwork. This is a collaborative medium and this creative team show how brilliantly teamwork can produce a brilliant final product from a diverse and talented group of creators. Oh... and look out for a fabulous little cameo from one of the Endless, near the end of the issue. [gallery size="large" type="single-slider" ids="174992,174991,174982"] Negatives As final chapters go, The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives #6 is about as good as it gets. I didn't expect it to end the way it did, have no issues with the conclusion; and, best of all, as all great stories tend to do, what was the conclusion to one tale is just the beginning of another. The Dead Boy Detectives will be back (although they may need to change their name), and Thessaly's role and connection to he larger, overall arc will continue, over in the pages of Nightmare Country. This entire team has created a memorable, fun, scary romp that has never ceased to delight. I have bought the individual issues, and would happily own a collected version too. Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push();

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The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives #6 Review

The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives #6 DC Comics Written by Pornsak Pichetshote Art by Jeff Stokely Inks by Craig Taillefer and Jeff Stokely Colors by Miquel Muerto Letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou The Rundown: In order to stop the attacks on their friends, Charles and Edwin are given a dangerous choice. After trying to draw some dangerous spirits away from their friends, Charles…

[hellyeahheroes]

BOOKS OF MAGIC #20 written by DAVID BARNETT art by TOM FOWLER and CRAIG TAILLEFER cover by KAI CARPENTER If Tim and his newfound crush wish to escape the pan-dimensional pandemonium of Festival, they’re going to have to reckon with the man who’s trying to turn it to his own purposes—and heal a psychic wound that was inflicted before Tim was even born! ON SALE 05.27.20 $3.99 US | 32 PAGES FC | DC BLACK LABEL AGES 17+