Ghost Tree #2 Review

Writer: Bobby Curnow

Artist: Simon Gane

Rating: 6 of 8

Ghost Tree #2

When you die, will you be happy with your life? Will it be a life well lived, or one filled with regrets? It makes sense that if you're happy with your life, you're more likely to be okay with it ending. In that case, you might be better able to move onto whatever afterlife awaits you. But if that's not the case, what happens then?

In shows like Bleach and Supernatural, you're likely to remain on the Earth as a spirit/ghost. That's what happens here, but it's relegated to one place: a forest in Japan. In the previous issue, Brandt returns to his childhood home and visits the ghost tree, fulfilling a promise he made to his grandfather, Jii-chan.

This isn't the only reason he's returned, as he tries to evade the trouble he's having in his marriage. This is alluded to in the previous issue, in a conversation he has with his cousin Mariko. Here, he goes into a bit more detail when he's talking to the spirit of former love, Arami. 

Interestingly for a story featuring ghosts, so far none of them are violent and only one was a bit vengeful. Instead, the threat seems to be a demon, with Brandt's grandfather telling him they're either ''fascinated or infuriated by the living''. In the 1st issue, we meet a green cloaked, white masked figure and learn here that it's a Zero, a ghost charged with keeping the realm free of demons. When Jii-chan says 'this realm', I believe he means specifically that forest, but it could also mean the realm of the living.

So far, this is a good series and never overwhelms you with information, either about Brandt's life, or the forest. It's got some stunning art, with a very Japanese feel and I feel at ease looking at it. The issue drags a bit when Brandt returns to his grandmother's house and I feel his conversation with Arami could've been a little shorter. Similar to Brandt, I was pulled more into the supernatural world and what his grandfather had to say. If any of this sounds intriguing to you, then feel free to approach the ghost tree - but don't go alone...

The Life and Death of Toyo Harada #3 Review

Writer: Joshua Dysart

Artists: Cafu + Adam Pollina

Rating: 8 of 8

The Life and Death of Toyo Harada #3

Some of the best parts of a story are the quieter moments. They act not only as a break from the action, but also as a chance to get to know our characters better. We get a few of those throughout the issue, but a definite highlight was the one between a younger Harada and a dying Albert Einstein. Only Einstein could see him and the conversation was mostly a mental one.

It reminded me of a conversation Dr Strange would have on the Astral Plane, where Strange's spirit could leave and move about freely. Einstein believed Harada was the Ferryman, bringing him onward from death, though he actually went there seeking help from the scientist in understanding who he was. 

Through the art, different feelings are evoked each time we see this conversation. When it's just beginning, Einstein's room is filled with pink and a lots of flowers, giving a feeling of spring, despite his oncoming death. After that, we see the duo high above doctors attending to the scientist. The perspective is well done, but I wouldn't look at it too long due to the feeling it gives.

Behind them, we see a variety of images from Einstein's life, which empty as they move on. Later, we see them when they were younger, going over their pasts. This eventually twists into something horrific, especially for Einstein. In the present, Toyo and his team have to deal with enemies from various countries, but the main threat is the inhuman scientist, Angela. She's aboard their vessel, which seems odd if she's a threat, though she does have a lab there.

Despite his suspicions about her and Ingrid's urging, Harada's unwilling to kill her. He says it's because 'there hasn't been a scientist with more to give' in human history, but it makes me wonder why he doesn't implement more preventative measures to stop her. That could be exactly what he's doing with robot Mech Major and Gravedog, who might not be fully human or machine.

I'm left curious how they're going to succeed next issue, especially how things end here. Overall, a very good issue and I have no significant issues with it. It flowed well and I was able to understand most of it. There were amazing visuals throughout and a great contrast between the past and the present in art alone. Neither overly complicated or simplistic. Definitely worth a read.

The Last Space Race #4 Review

Writer: Peter Calloway

Artist: Alex Shibao

Rating: 7 of 8

The Last Space Race #4

Humankind is drawn to the unknown. We wonder - are there more animals yet to be discovered? Is there more under the sea than we know? Space. When it comes to the unknown, there's few as compelling. That's still the case today, whether in real life, or in fiction.

In The Last Space Race, America's once more racing toward the stars. It centres around tech billionaire Sasha Balodis and the crew of an outer space platform. They're heading for somewhere called the Morningstar, though I'd got the impression it was the moon due to Roger's line about Sasha trying to get a line as good as Neil Armstrong's.

If there was something I'd really praise, it'd be the issue's accessibility. I haven't read the previous issues, but I was able to easily understand this one. I don't think you can expect writers to write each issue as if someone isn't up to date, but it's definitely a good thing when newcomers can understand. 

In a flashback to 1983, we see Sasha's father, who's like a mix of Cyclops' father and Star-Lord in appearance. Shibao did very well here, notably with the snow, which was very striking. Even though he and his family are escaping from Latvia, when his father says they're going to 'the free world', it made me think of people trying to get out of Russia, like in An American Tail. Calloway really made me worry for the trio, even if I knew Sasha'd be ok.

This was being told to a psychologist, who'd decide whether he was mentally fit for this mission. I was a bit taken aback when she told him she didn't care when it came to this story, though I can understand this due to the importance of him being open, so she knows if he's fit for this mission.

Shibao's art is outstanding, which we can see in many instances. The use of shadows and light in Baoldis' psychology session was very impressive, as was the reflection on his visor of the thrusters firing up. The ending is simply breathtaking, both in writing and art. I'm really left wondering where things are going to go next issue. All of this combined makes it a great cliffhanger. This is a terrific issue that I'd heartily recommend to anyone.

Fallen World #1 Review

Writer: Dan Abnett

Artist: Adam Pollina

Rating: 7 of 8

Fallen World #1

Sometimes you think of a government and its' leaders and you think 'it's not good enough'. You think 'Someone else would be better..maybe I would'. But then it could be a lot harder in practice than you might have thought. And when you're moving from a dictatorship to something more democratic, it can be an arduous transition.

This is definitely the case here, as cyborg samurai Rai frees New Japan from the seemingly benevolent Father, an AI ruling its' various sectors. The issue wisely shows the contrasting opinions of the people Rai leads. It could've easily just had everyone happy to be free, or angry to be without their previous leader, but including both is refreshing.

There would be people angry to be without their leader and the luxuries and comfort they gave them. A tyrant to some, a savior to others. Interestingly, we see Gilad from Incursion here. There, he's guarding a Geomancer named Tama, but here, it's Karana. I was intrigued to see someone from another comic here and wasn't expecting it.

Like Marvel or DC, Valiant does have a shared universe, so it does make sense to see both him and super soldier Bloodshot here. In the fallout of Rai's actions, many sectors of New Japan fell to Earth. Hearing the cries of the survivors, Bloodshot does his best to help those in need.

Earlier, I was confused as to how he was able to hear people so far away. I wasn't sure how he did it, or if the box on page 3 about 'his receptors, his communication links' explained it, but maybe it does. If it does, I'm not sure how it works, but maybe a Bloodshot comic explains it. I think when it comes to super powered characters like him, it could be helpful to have a short bio before the story.

Towards the end, we focus on Rai, Gilad and Karana, but I feel the ending isn't as strong as it might have been. The situation makes sense, but I feel ending the issue with the Church Fallen's* discovery would've made for a stronger ending.

The issue's consistently well drawn. The Church Fallen is very striking in their garb, resembling samurai. When we see Gilad and Karana atop a mountain peak, they spot smoke emanating from a fallen sector. The snow is so well done I'd almost feel cold looking at it, while the smoke's got a nice charcoal effect. Ultimately, it's a high quality issue. If you like the idea of a super soldier fighting dinosaurs, or a cyborg samurai trying to rebuild his society, give it a go.

* They're a Church that seems to be centred around the fall of New Japan and recovering their fallen ruler, Father.