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       It's been an interesting few months for me in terms of comic reading. Once the issues finally started rolling in I've finally been getting stuff from more than just the usual comic publishers. It's been a great time to be a comic reader and it's not just because of Joker War, Empyre, or Death Metal. You would think I would have enough in my pull without taking a few risks, but holy crap on a cracker man! As a comic fan it's good to take risks and it's cool to feature those risks on a blog just like this. I should also run a few disclaimers because let's face it, this is a blog that often reviews comics, but I don't get paid to review anything and no one sends me free stuff. It would be nice if I got some freebies once in a while but I buy all of my stuff. Huge disclaimer which I think a lot of people already figured out by now is that some of the comics may not be kid friendly which is expected because my target readers are adult geeks like myself who enjoy comics. Remember the days when comics were geared toward children? We grew up and are still collecting and reading and most of us who are buying aren't reading comics for young readers so just keep that in mind with any review I write. 

      Stillwater #1 from Image is a new release and is the latest in a long line of horror comics. The concept isn't new, but it's a great beginning that has a Twilight Zone feel to it which isn't exactly a bad thing. It's a simple set up which features an unlikable guy who suddenly comes into an inheritance in a town called Stillwater which has a secret. No one in the town can die but why? See, that's the hook. The debut issue allows us to know some of the characters while setting up the story. It's a set up that gives a great cliff hanger and the art compliments the story well. As a debut issue it shows a lot of promise so it'll be interesting to see how it all develops. 

      If you've read my blog you should read my review of Bad Mother. This is one I was really excited about based on just the premise I read in one of my Previews Magazine, It's a gritty thriller that opens up with a crime gone wrong and then delves into something deeper and far more complex when a women's daughter goes missing. As a parent you would do anything to save your daughter and that's exactly what April is doing. The first issue sets things up nicely and in issue two things really start coming together and gives us a few surprises. AWA Upshot is one of those publishers that I've really come to enjoy and it proves that in order for a comic to be great, you don't need super heroes or villians. A great story is really all you need and Bad Mother provides that. 

         I'm not sure how long Aftershock comics has been around, but I do now they got my attention with Dead Day which is now up to issue 4 and man is it good. Stellar artwork and a story that isn't just about zombies. We've seen enough of those and not just in comics either. Dead Day is something else. It's a day in which the dead return to visit the living but this is also a tale of revenge as well. When I read issue one I was hooked and as the story moves along there's a lot going on under the surface. It takes something we're all familiar with and adds something unique. The writers do a great job of pulling you in which is how this is supposed to work, but too often, things get lost in translation. Happens all the time but Dead Day is a great example of things all lining up and working together. The art, the story telling and a side plot that keeps things from becoming stale are what makes this so good. If you haven't heard about this comic you have now so you should go and check it out. 

        I could keep going but let's go ahead and end this now. You can find all these comics at your local comic shop and I believe some you can order directly from the publishers themselves. Also included as a bonus are some websites for some of the publishers that way you too can discover a few titles on your own. 

AWA Upshot: https://awastudios.net/

Aftershcock Comics: https://aftershockcomics.com/