Sunday, November 17, 2019

This Week In Comics: 11/20


Sorry if there are fewer reviews this week. I've seriously been trying to download review copies since Friday and it's not been going well. All I want for Christmas is a high-speed, stable internet connection.

Disclaimer: I received advance copies of all comics featured this week courtesy of their individual publishers.
Opinions are my own.


Money Shot #2 (Vault Comics)
Tim Seeley, Sarah Beattie, Rebekah Isaacs, Kurt Michael Russell, Crank!

When this series was first announced, I gave it a hard "Nope." There are some things I like reading about and some I don't and sex is one of those things I don't. But then I started hearing lots and LOTS of praise for Money Shot. So I gave it a look.

Money Shot is great and it's barely R-Rated. There are fewer topless ladies than you'd expect and most panels featuring nudity cut off just above the belt. In fact, I'd argue that a comic like this could actually be sexier.

Despite how it might look, Money Shot is a classic science fiction story with a bit more sideboob. The characters are interesting and the premise - scientists fucking aliens in the name of science - is unique and takes itself seriously.

This issue sees the XXX-plorers split up. Two are sent into an Attack of the Clones arena fight to the death, while the others seek a creature with a mythical orgasm. Their adventures on planet Dryreef aren't going too well.

As I said, this isn't space porn. It's a full-blown science fiction adventure story. There's some cool sciencey way to explain how they escape the arena deathtrap and there's some really cool worldbuilding lore about how a fish-planet became a desert.

And it looks like this is gonna have Arrow-style flashbacks each issue. This time around we see the XXX-plorers taking a course in Porn 101 - Mystery Science Theater style - followed by their plan to get to know the others on a professional level by taking turns in each other's pants.

Once again, not a lot of sex. In fact, this feels more like Astra Lost in Space or Dr. Stone. But with sex. It's a science fiction story about science. The science of sex. Sex with aliens. And it takes itself perfectly seriously without feeling like an immature Family Guy gag.

Money Shot is a perfectly fun story. It's weird and interesting and funny and there's a lot of really attractive people. It's definitely not for everyone, but if you think it might be for you then pick up the latest issue at your local comic shop. Or click here to pre-order the first trade paperback.


Middlewest Vol. 2 (Image Comics)
Skottie Young, Jean-Francois Beaulieu, Jorge Corona

I fell behind on Middlewest, but luckily the second trade paperback is out just in time to catch up before the third story arc begins.

While Middlewest initially had a bizarre mystique to it - some scenes felt like they could've been set in our modern world while other scenes highlighted more fantastical elements - this arc had no problem explaining some of the mysteries of the series.

We learn more about Abel's past and his family, more about his stormy powers, and see a lot more of the Middlewest than a traveling carnival ever could. We even get our first bit of info about the bright, pink liquid that seems to power all technology in the Middlewest. This arc is full of sweet, delicious worldbuilding.

While the first few issues seemed to downplay the robots and talking fox, the fantasy elements really picked up in this volume. Abel meets a weird forest dwelling tribe who introduce him to their god of sorts and then sends him on a good, old-fashioned quest. 

Middlewest might not look like an epic fantasy from it's first pages, but with each passing issue more and more of this mysterious world is uncovered. Because all of our characters live in this world, they never stop to explain what something is or how it works. This creates an organic fantasy where magic and technology are introduced to the reader in a natural manner.

You can pick up a copy of the second volume of Middlewest this Wednesday at your local comic shop, or click here to pre-order a copy. And if you want to start the journey from the beginning, click here to order the first volume.

What comics are you picking up this week? Let me know down in the comments below!