Easily my worst trait. So, keep that in mind as you read this.
I didn’t need any more convincing to check out Saint Seiya: Dark Wing, it’s already Saint Seiya, it’s going to be great.
As an aging anime nerd, I watched the original DIC dub of Saint Seiya when it came to the United States… about 20 years after the original production concluded. The aesthetic is immediately recognizable as an anime from the mid to late eighties. I found it fascinating to watch as a kid, and I was so surprised that this franchise is actually still going. Maybe not in a regulated production kind of way, but every few years, something new contributing to the universe shows up, like the awful movie adaptation from 2023.
I say this to give the series some context; it is very difficult to summarize this universe because it is so long-lived. The most concise way I can put it is this: the Saints are 5 chosen ones – boys who wear sacred armor that are based on constellations, sworn to defend the earth from being taken over by competing gods.
It’s… a lot. And if you’re also into Greek and Roman mythology… uh, you’ll recognize a lot of names, but this series is not based on any of those stories, it is not a re-telling of those legends; it’s more along the lines of appropriation than anything else. Personally, I enjoy the surrealism of it all.
Set in high school, students’ fates are revealed as chosen ones, sworn enemies, divine figures, and all in the service of the battle of the gods. Our protagonist, Soichiro, goes on a school trip to the Mediterranean, but the ship is attacked and sinks into the sea as he tries to save his crush. But Soichiro is revived as one of the dreaded Judges of the Underworld, under the command of Hades. He is pitted against his twin brother, Sojiro, who is reincarnated as the Gold Saint of Gemini.
Dark Wing consists of 4 volumes in total. It is not-quite-linear, relies on dream logic, and honestly, I appreciate its updated setting of the modern world. The linework is clean and detail-oriented when it is called for—these pages have some very elaborate backgrounds when the backgrounds actually show up. It is delightfully nostalgic to look at; fans of the old Gundam Wing manga will recognize these 90s pattern and texture overlays. And maybe the best part of it all is the re-working of popular 80s design elements into a more modern aesthetic (those feathered up-do’s, I mean…).
I do want to be clear: I loved this next installment of the series, but I am fairly certain that a newcomer to this franchise is not going to know what’s going on if this is the first Saint Seiya book they pick up. It’s a good read if you’re willing to just let the story happen, wash over you as the reader. The mythic themes of destiny and fate and rising to challenges never get old for me.
It pains me to say it, but I don’t think this spin-off makes for a great addition to your library collection. If you can link it to some of the more foundational works in the franchise, I think that would be best. But, on its own, even with all four volumes, I’m not sure this is the way to go.
Saint Seiya: Dark Wing Vol. 1 By Masami Kurumada and Kenji Saito Art by Shinshu Ueda Titan, 2025 ISBN: 9781787747180
NFNT Age Recommendation: Middle Grade (7-11), Teen (13-16) Creator Representation: Japanese, Character Representation: Japanese,
In a world where supernatural being and humans tensely live in proximity to each other, a turf war between organized families of demi humans is the spark that will trigger a much larger conflict to come.
Gran Familia is the first serialized story from creator Louis Yamani and Titan Comics. The book introduces us to Leo, the somewhat haphazard but sincere manager of Goodfellas Bistro. Along with fellow employees Rose and Zach, Leo seems committed to keeping his head down and his spirits up as he runs a business amidst the growing threat of demi human attacks on humans across the city.
Through genetic mutation, these demi humans take a variety of forms—vampires, werewolves, mermaids, and more. It’s a bit like folklore meets superheroes. And whispers that a new family of demi humans is making a power play in the city have everyone tense. However, it’s not until this new family attacks a friend of Leo’s that readers learn the bigger picture; Leo is a part of the Gran Familia, the most powerful of the demi human families, and is a powerful vampire in his own right. But when Leo steps in to punish the upstarts who hurt someone he cared about, it sets off a series of consequences involving law enforcement and local criminals, all of whom have their own interests as well as a score to settle with a member of the Gran Familia.
Yamani balances episodic storytelling with a larger narrative in a way that serves the story well. Each section of the book finds Leo and friends caught up in the circumstances of the humans and demi humans that live around them. With each new adventure (or misadventure) readers learn more about the characters and the world as Leo can’t seem to stop himself from helping those in need around him even as he balances his demi human and human lives. At the same time, members of human law enforcement are on a quest to eradicate all demi humans, regardless of who they are.
As Leo’s interventions gain attention from unfortunate places, the narrative ups the stakes toward the inevitable confrontations. Overall, the idea of supernatural beings living alongside humans is not fresh, but this manga never makes the concept feel stale either. Leo’s clumsy affects do feel a bit like other manga characters we’ve seen before, but when the mask comes off and he leaps into action, he proves himself a hero worth following. Overall, the writing delivers an entertaining and packed first volume while putting plenty of pieces in place for these characters and the larger world.
Yamani’s art as well, is excellent. Sometimes sparse and sometimes full of fine detail, the visuals shift well from mundane sequences to highly stylized moments of supernatural action. There are a few rough moments where the visual sequence is a little hard to follow, but for the vast majority of the volume, the imagery is a treat to behold. Beyond the cityscapes themselves, some of the high points visually are when Leo and the other demi humans unleash their powers, changing form and dashing across the page—each character with their own distinct abilities and presentation. From start to finish, there’s a great deal to enjoy in the artistic storytelling, and Yamani shifts layouts and tones enough to keep that journey interesting.
Titan lists the age for the title as 15+. There’s some stylized but occasionally intense violence, scattered language, occasional mild fanservice, and some non-detailed nudity in nonsexual contexts. It’s nothing most older teens can’t handle, but definitely worth being aware of for those on the edge of that age range. As a first volume, Gran Familia isn’t necessarily doing anything groundbreaking, but it’s a whole lot of fun that manages to put its own touch on this blend of supernatural action and mafia-esque crime thriller. There’s humor to balance the more intense moments and a distinct cast of characters that propel each episode of the story along in a way that still manages to feel cohesive. There’s plenty here to delight readers of supernatural action manga, and the story is engaging but straightforward enough that this could be an excellent entry point for readers without much manga experience. Simply put, I had a fun time diving into this world and I hope to be there to see what trouble Leo gets himself into next.
Gran Familia By Louis Yamani Titan, 2025 ISBN: 9781787747135
Steven Hollis left for Los Angeles with only a dream of becoming a screenwriter and a friend who wanted to act. Years later, Steven has a gambling problem, a drinking problem, and an eviction notice for his crummy apartment.
Thankfully, he also still has his friend Diedrich Ryan, who grew into one of the hottest actors in Hollywood. And despite his success and now speaking of himself in the third person, Diedrich has not forgotten the friend from high school who pushed him to apply to Julliard.
When Diedrich gets an invite to the bachelor party of wonderkid producer Benny Blevins, he’s all too happy to bring Steven as his “plus one.” It’s a golden opportunity for Steven to try and sell his screenplays to one of the most powerful players in Hollywood. Unfortunately for Steven, it is also a golden opportunity for crime boss Lucca Burlusconi.
Blevins, in addition to being a noteworthy producer, is also a notorious sexual predator. A gentleman gangster of the old school, Lucca Burlusconi would find this distasteful even if his own daughter were not one of Blevins’ victims. And while even his influence cannot touch Benny Blevins in Los Angeles, there is an unfortunate screenwriter who owes Lucca Burlusconi a lot of money. One who just got invited to a private party at a lavish mansion in Mexico City, where Benny Blevins will be celebrating his upcoming wedding.
Thus does Lucca Burlusconi’s problem of how to avenge his daughter become a problem for Steven Hollis to solve. It is only the start of Steven’s increasingly lengthy list of problems. One that will swiftly grow to accommodate fleeing the scene of a murder, evading a Mexican drug cartel, and somehow getting back to the United States without a passport. Compared to that, selling his screenplays while finding time to kill the man who can make his dream come true will be a cake walk.
Imagine The Hangover rewritten and directed by Quentin Tarantino, and you might wind up with something like The Loose End. There is an edge to Dave Dwonch’s writing that was clearly inspired by the indie heist movie boom of the 1990s. However, Dwonch parodies this aesthetic just as much as he homages it. This is particularly true in the second half of the story, as a group largely consisting of action movie stars enact increasingly outlandish plans they think will work because they saw it in a movie once. Ironically, their plans work just about as often as they do not, with one actor turning out to be an incredibly skilled sharpshooter despite only training in firearms to learn how to stand properly.
The artwork by Travis Hymel mirrors this tone. The style is reminiscent of many indie action comics of the time, and one could almost see this comic being done in black and white. But then we couldn’t have the colors off Geraldo Filho, which punctuates certain panels by rendering them with a single color. That, coupled with a shift between hot and cold colors, creates the feeling of a late 20th century grindhouse heist movie.
The Loose End is rated 15+ by Titan Comics and I consider that a fair ranking. There is considerable violence, drug use, and references to sex and sexual assault. Yet there is no nudity and no on-panel depiction of sexual assault. Surprisingly, there’s also no on-panel disrespect of women more extreme than Benny Blevins slapping the backside of one of the maids at the mansion he rented. Despite this, I would still recommend this one for an adult graphic novel collection, purely because older audiences are more likely to spot the references and tributes hidden throughout the comic.
The Loose End By Dave Dwonch Art by Travis Hymel Titan, 2025 ISBN: 9781787746442
Company Age Rating: 15+
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18)
It is the last days of the Roman Republic. The armies expanding into Gaul face increasing resistance from the Helvetii and Germanic tribes. The future of Rome itself is in question.
All of this is meaningless to Coax. He is Gallic, yet knows nothing of his tribe, for his parents were enslaved by Romans before he was born and died in the revolt led by Spartacus. He was content to be a slave himself, until an act of sacrilege destroyed his family. He freed himself and became a pirate, bleeding Rome as much as he could. And yet, while his thirst for the blood of Roman soldiers is great, he still ransoms one young officer who convinces Coax he is worth more alive than dead. Surprisingly, he proves to be right, and soon has the ransom Coax set.
Years later, Coax is in bondage again, captured and sentenced to slavery for his crimes. He seems sure to die in the arena as a gladiator, but for the intervention of a Roman officer. To his surprise, it is the officer he ransomed years before—a man named Gaius Julius Caesar. He offers Coax a choice – serve as his spy in those places where a Gaul can pass that a Roman cannot. In exchange, Caesar offers Coax his aid in finding those responsible for killing his daughter and driving his wife to end her life.
It is a devil’s bargain, though the two fighting men get along well enough despite their different stations. However, Coax is not under any delusions that he is anything but a weapon to Caesar. And though he does not realize it, his actions in the service of his savior may yet bring about the downfall of Rome.
I went into Caesar’s Spy with enthusiasm. Not out of any love for Roman history, but because of the pedigree of the creative team. I was familiar with Max Von Fafner’s work on various Conan the Barbarian books and loved what I had seen. I was less familiar with French writer Jean-Pierre Pecau, though I did enjoy his steampunk Sherlock Holmes story Moriarty: Clockwork Empire. Both are in fine form in Caesar’s Spy.
While it is tempting to call Coax a Conan substitute based on Max Von Fafner’s designs, Coax is a radically different character. He lacks Conan’s crude chivalry, though he does have a code of honor. He gives respect to those who respect him, even if they are Roman. He also takes offense at Caesar going against Coax’s word that a group of Helvetii refugees would be given safe passage. Not enough to stand against Caesar, who he honors as his commander. But enough to free the Helvetii princess Sanian, who is presented to him as a slave.
This goes on to form one of the main conflicts of the novel, with Sanian organizing her own campaign against Rome and Caesar. The irony is that she and Coax might have been allies, had it not been for Coax’s promise to Caesar and, later, Sanian’s rebellion killing one of the few men Coax calls friend. This is but one example of the emotional complexity of Jean-Pierre Pecau’s scripting. The story is also well-researched regarding Roman history during The First Triumvirate.
In terms of art, Caesar’s Spy is equally fantastic. As I said earlier, I’m a big fan of Max Von Fafner. His artwork is beautifully detailed and visceral, yet subtly streamlined. The action scenes are intense and the period costuming generally well depicted. The sole exception to this is some of the women’s clothing seems more like specialty lingerie than the sort of thing an Egytpian noblewoman would wear in her private chambers. In fairness, Von Fafner does not shy away from showing fit young men in equally revealing outfits.
On that note, Titan Comics rated Caesar’s Spy as 15+. Generally, I would agree with that assessment, but I would still classify this one as a graphic novel for adults. There is ample sexual content, brief nudity, and copious violence, though nothing I would classify as pornographic. The sexual acts are not depicted on the page, though we do see the characters naked before and after the acts. And yet, I would classify this as a work for adults because most teenagers are unlikely to appreciate the complex relationships and emotional depth of the characters.
Caesar’s Spy By Jean-Pierre Pecau Art by Max Von Fafner Titan, 2025 ISBN: 9781787746978
Company Age Rating: 15+
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18) Creator Representation: French, Serbian,
To know Chase Darrow is to love her. But to love Chase Darrow is certain death.
There is something about Chase that draws men to her like flies to honey. Although a more apt metaphor might be ‘like moths to a flame.’ One kiss of Chase’s lips draws the life out of a man, slowly aging him and eventually leaving him dead. Even the men around her she doesn’t kiss just love her and want to make her happy.
The problem is that there’s something within Chase that forces her to seek out company. She’s tried living alone without success. She’s tried throwing herself at bad men who deserve a bad death. She even tried romancing an older man who would be content to just have a beautiful trophy wife to look at. Unfortunately, nothing has worked. Eventually either she or they push for a kiss and the inevitable happens.
When Chase’s latest relationship ends with a dead billionaire, she finally gets the attention of the American government. Thinking she’s some natural-born superhuman, they dispatch their oldest and most powerful home-grown superhuman agent in turn – an invincible slab of testosterone simply known as “The Man.” He has a talent for killing and not much use for empathy. This sets up a long manhunt and a confrontation between the unrelenting and the irresistible. What will prove stronger? The Man’s ability to deal death or Chase’s tainted love?
Originally published as a four-issue miniseries by Vertigo Comics in 1990, Breathtaker is the definition of a cult classic comic. It was well-regarded upon release and saw a trade paperback collection in 1994. However, because it was intended to be a one-and-done story, it fell into obscurity compared to other mature readers’ titles of the age that were longer-running and sought out for film and television adaptations. This may be because Breathtaker is distinctly designed for the world of comics.
No less a luminary than Walt Simonson speaks on this point in the introduction to this hardcover collection. The way a train silhouette becomes a roof to the three panels under it showing a conversation on said train. The way a checkboard pattern sets up the layout of the room beyond. There are many visual tricks like this that might be replicated on film, but nowhere near as well. Marc Hempel and Mark Wheately crafted one heck of a visual extravaganza, with the writer painting several sequences that punctuate key moments of the story.
That story is what truly makes Breathtaker memorable beyond the outstanding visuals. While many comics have explored the idea of a superpower that is more curse than blessing, few have done it with the same political acumen. Beyond the psychological torment Chase experiences as a woman who just wants to be loved despite knowing she is literally poison, Breathtaker examines the paradoxical nature of sex and sexuality in American society and media. Women are encouraged to be sexy yet are looked down upon as harlots who seek to drag good men down. Likewise “The Man” is held up as the epitome of everything a man should be – a cinematic action hero in the flesh – despite being an unpleasant bore.
Breathtaker is rated M for readers 18 and up by Titan Comics and rightly so. With a plot based around love, death, sex, and power, this title requires a certain level of life experience to fully appreciate. Beyond that, it depicts numerous scenes of sexual content and aggressive violence that it should go without saying are not suitable for children.
Breathtaker Collection By Mark Wheatley Art by Marc Hempel, Mark Wheatley Titan, 2025 ISBN: 9781785867354
When last we left Lenore, the Cute Little Dead Girl, she and her friends were in dire circumstances. Well, as dire as they can be when you’re already dead and Hell has pretty much given up on reclaiming you.
Regardless, Pooty Applewater (the bucket-headed bounty hunter demon) accidentally awakened, killed, and resurrected a pickle hat, which turned into a murderous monster. Unfortunately, despite it wanting to kill Lenore, Pooty and their doll-friend Ragamuffin, Lenore forbid Pooty to kill the pickle hat. Again. Even though this left them trapped in their house and slowly starving to death. Or undeath. Or whatever.
Salvation seemed to arrive in the form of the Time Goats – a group of advanced goats from the future, who mastered the science of time travel. They came to stop Pooty from killing the pickle hat and bringing about the end of all reality. Or making sure he killed it, so the pickle hat didn’t destroy all reality. Instead, they became a meal for Lenore and her friends, which wound up scattering them across time.
Yeah. Eating cooked Time Goat makes you time travel. Who knew?!
Now Lenore and her friends are scattered across time and trying to make their way home. And this is where things start to get weird…
Those who are familiar with Lenore, the Cute Little Dead Girl and the comics of Roman Dirge will find more of the same wacky weirdness and oddball artwork in Lenore: The Time War. Those who are not familiar with Lenore, the Cute Little Dead Girl will soon grasp the core concept.
Despite picking up where the previous series ended, this book is fairly friendly to new readers thanks to Dirge satirizing comic book continuity with the character of Flashback Squirrel. This strange being happily explains everything at the start of each chapter, even as he fakes his own death to escape his secret families to indulge in sick, twisted activities. Yes, even more sick and twisted than the events of Lenore: The Time War.
Regardless, while Roman Dirge’s work is sure to appeal to those who like Tim Burton movies and other cute, Gothic and twisted things, there is another angle to be appreciated here. The time-travel based storyline offers a lot of humor for sci-fi fans. I can particularly see the quirky humor appealing to Doctor Who fans, particularly when Lenore starts dealing with various gods and a frenemy who hasn’t met them yet, but they know all too well.
Titan Comics rated this volume as appropriate for readers 15 and up. This made me quirk my head a bit, because the last Lenore volume I looked at was rated 18+. I would put this one in the Adult Graphic Novels collection for consistency. Beyond several jokes about cannibalism, there are also references to Thai sex tourism, marital infidelity, murder, mayhem, child abuse, child neglect, animal abuse, butt-wiping, and repeated violations of the space-time continuum.
It’s all in the name of good fun, however, for a given value of good fun. Just be forewarned that it is not appropriate for children and sensitive souls.
Lenore: The Time War By Roman Dirge Titan, 2025 ISBN: 9781787745421
Company Age Rating: 15+
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18)
What would you do if you had only six months to live?
This is the question facing everyone who contracts the G+ Virus. There is no cure. It is definitively lethal.
However, for some victims, it is also the best thing that ever happened to them. Because even as the G+ Virus overclocks the host body, it also allows people to briefly become more of what they are.
Creative people seem to become more creative, perhaps driven to make something that will outlive them. Even the baseline cases somehow become more physically capable.
A rare few, however, become something superhuman.
Death Sentence was an oddly prescient work. Originally published in 2014, it predates the many works of superhero fiction inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic. Of course, the idea of a disease bestowing superpowers is not entirely original. (George R. R. Martin’s Wild Cards is built around the same general premise.) What marks Death Sentence as unique is its distinctly British flavor and its tight characterization.
The first volume centers around a trio of newly infected G+ patients. Verity is an artist who accidentally kills the government agents sent to bring her in. Weasel is a rock star hoping for a comeback who becomes a fugitive after his powers accidentally kill a groupie. They become the unlikely heroes recruited to stop the third focus character, David “Monty” Montgomery – a comedian whose mind control powers allow him to turn all of London into a captive audience.
The second and third volumes explore the aftermath of the first, as the American and British governments attempt to exploit the most visible expression of superpowers in history. This leads to the introduction of new characters like Roots – a drug farmer who uses her powers to enhance her product and defend her neighborhood.
Writer Monty Nero does a fantastic job of building up the world and the characters. With subversive takes on politics and pop culture, Death Sentence invites comparison to the work of Alan Moore. This seems to be intentional, as Nero references Moore twice in the text. Once with the analogy “like Alan Moore on an acid trip,” and once more with the character of Creighton Baines, a comic writer whose creation is co-opted by masked protesters. (A clear reference to Anonymous and V for Vendetta.) However, while the influence is apparent, Nero still makes the story his own and goes beyond simply mimicking Moore.
The artwork is fantastic across the board, with each section of the story has a distinctive look. Mike Dowling draws the first volume with a gritty, dark aesthetic that evokes memories of classic Judge Dredd comics and the early years of Hellblazer. Martin Simmonds skews a bit more surreal in the second and third volume, as Verity begins to fully master her powers. And Nero takes over the art for the final three chapters of Volume 3, with more traditional comic art as the story skews into more traditional superhero fare.
Death Sentence: The Collected Edition is rated M for readers 18 and up and rightly so. This should be obvious given the back cover blurb screams “Sex, Superpowers, And Six Months To Live.” For those who need more detail, there is indeed explicit sexual content, outright nudity, and multiple acts of sexual violence. There is also physical violence in plenty, with considerable gore. There is also cursing, with liberal use of the F-dash-dash-dash-word. Needless to say, none of this is suitable for children. Adult audiences, however, looking for something in the same vein as The Boys but more dramatic, will be well served
Death Sentence: The Complete Collection By Monty Nero Art by Mike Dowling, Martin Simmonds, and Monty Nero Titan, 2025 ISBN: 9781787741461
Company Age Rating: M (18+)
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+) Creator Representation: Scottish, Character Representation: British, Bisexual,
Many young people know what they want to do with their lives from the very beginning. Ema Asano is one such person. Most of her classmates are focused on fashion and dating. But Ema cannot be bothered with such things. She dreams of following in the footsteps of her parents, who were both police officers before their deaths defending their community. Until such time as she can become a real cop, Ema roams the streets of Tokyo as a vigilante.
Ema’s diligence leads her into the bad part of town one night after her older sister, Yuko, goes missing. To her horror, she discovers that Yuko was lured there by one of her co-workers, Tamaki, who is a vampire in need of a meal. Ema is ready to call the authorities, but is stopped by another of Yuko’s co-workers, Taiga, who also a werewolf.
That encounter marks the night when Ema’s vigil becomes something else entirely. For there are monsters in the shadows besides vampires and werewolves. And Tamaki and Taiga, despite nominally being on opposite sides of an eternal war, find they have more in common with each other than their own kind. Thus forms an unusual team, as the trio work to put down those monsters who cannot control their urges to kill.
On the surface, there is little to distinguish Outsiders from other urban fantasy series. Indeed, creator Akira Kanou freely admits to having been inspired by the Twilight Saga. And there certainly are innumerable horror series built around the idea of a rivalry between werewolves and vampires. Despite this, Outsiders puts enough unique spins on its mythology to mark it as unique. It also boasts some twisted artwork with a far lighter and sketchier style than one would associate with a horror shojo.
Outsiders defies expectations in other ways as well. Usually, a novel of this sort would inevitably feature a love triangle between the teen heroine and the two dashing older men who barely look older than her. There is no such romance in Outsiders. While Ema does show some casual interest in wondering what dating a vampire or a werewolf would be like, her feelings are not reciprocated by Tamaki or Taiga. In fact, most of the romance in this first volume involves subtle hints of a growing attraction between the vampire and werewolf. All these twists help to make Outsiders into something unique that may appeal to fans of the genre looking for something different.
Outsiders Vol. 1 is rated 12+ by Titan Manga. I consider that to be a fair grade for the content. There is a fair bit of violence and bloodshed, but nothing inappropriate to a T-rated Manga. As noted, there is no sexual content or nudity. Indeed, there is barely any hit of romance and most of that confined to meaningful glances between the two male leads that the heroine presumes mean something more. The closest any of the characters come to impropriety is Tamaki undressing and dressing an unconscious Ema in clean clothes after her own clothing is torn while trying to save her sister. Even then, he is a perfect gentleman, and explains he only did this because he couldn’t well let Ema (who is immune to his hypnosis powers for some reason) run off into the night in a bedraggled state.
Outsiders Vol. 1 By Akira Kanou Titan, 2025 ISBN: 9781787745711
Company Age Rating: 12+
NFNT Age Recommendation: Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16) Creator Representation: Japanese, Character Representation: Japanese,
The character of John Law is an interesting footnote in the long career of comics legend Will Eisner. He was created in 1948 and was to headline a new comic book as part of Eisner’s independent imprint. Unfortunately, the early sales on his first two comics were not promising, and Eisner elected to stick to his more reliable (and profitable) work on The Spirit. To that end, he took the three John Law stories he had written and reworked them into stories for The Spirit.
At first glance, John Law would appear to be a knock-off of The Spirit. Both figures are brawny, wearing suits and fedoras. However, the characters are wildly different beyond John Law sporting an eyepatch instead of a mask and smoking a pipe while on the job. Whereas The Spirit was a superhero who worked outside the law, John Law was one of the few honest cops in the Crossroads City Police Department. Both men fought colorful criminals, but John Law also had to navigate the corruption of his fellow police officers.
Even so, it was only a twist of fate and a devout archivist that led to John Law seeing the light of day. Eclipse Comics editor Cat Yronwode stumbled across the original John Law proofs while organizing Will Eisner’s archives in 1983. With his permission, she published the three John Law stories as a one-shot comic.
That was all that existed until 2001, when Australian comic creator Gary Chaloner asked Eisner for permission to put his own spin on John Law. This led to a new John Law series, which was originally published as a web comic on the website Modern Tales. It was later published in print by IDW.
Chaloner went beyond writing new John Law tales. He began building a shared universe made up of other obscure Will Eisner creations. For instance, he tweaked John Law’s background a bit, giving him a lost love in the form of socialite Brenda Banks. This was the secret identity of one of Eisner’s detective heroines, Lady Luck. This was not entirely unprecedented, however, as Eisner had given John Law a kid sidekick in the form of another one of his less-popular comedy creations, Nubbin the Shoeshine Boy.
The Collected Will Eisner’s John Law contains all these stories, plus a new John Law story by Chaloner that gives him a new squad of young detectives to mentor. All of them are established Eisner creations and one of them establishes a connection between the worlds of John Law and The Spirit. That alone is enough to make this volume of interest to comics history buffs, and anyone who enjoys shared universes or Noir thrillers. Both Eisner and Chaloner are in fine form and Chaloner truly honors the legacy of his inspiration.
Titan Comics rates this volume 15+ for older teens and adults. I think that is a fair rating. While there’s little in the way of overt violence or bloodshed, one story does feature the shocking death of a child. There’s some suggested sex and teased nudity, including a bit of butt crack when John Law accidentally walks in on Brenda Banks as she’s toweling off after a shower. There’s also a bit of weird horror in some stories that may be a bit much for the easily spooked.
The Collected Will Eisner’s John Law By Will Eisner, Gary Chaloner Titan, 2025 ISBN: 9781787745353
Company Age Rating: 15+
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18) Creator Representation: Australian,
Noelani is angry. She was exiled years ago and now has been suddenly called back by her former lover, the queen Isadora, for her expert aid. The princess, who Noelani has often considered her own daughter, has disappeared on the night before her wedding. Although the king does not seem wise to Noelani’s former romance with his wife (he is portrayed as somewhat dopey), there are dangers all around in the kingdom, and Noelani has to find the princess or lose her life.
On her return to the kingdom of Patria Lupi, Noelani is not met with a welcome reception from everyone. She has enemies in Queen Isadora’s new guard, Benazir (her replacement) and in her former teacher, Father Werham. Seeing the queen again also reignites feelings she previously buried, drowning them in alcohol.
Besides her exile and a summoning that basically amounts to a kidnapping, Noelani has a lot to be angry about. Throughout the narrative are the flashbacks to Noelani’s young life as the “holy champion” knight, and these are some of the more captivating parts of the story. Torn from her home years prior, she endured harsh, sadistic training to become a knight (many reviews refer to this story as “Arthurian noir,” and I can see the parallel). Even in this female-dominated world, she suffered significant abuse and misogyny; of her cruel and barbaric teacher, Father Werham, she says “He took a kind and empathetic young girl and turned her into an engine of hate.” This backstory effectively lays the groundwork for Noelani’s complex character development.
The Cold Ever After defies easy categorization, blending elements of different genres: detective story, fantasy, horror, and romance. In a flashback to how they met, Noelani battles a dragon to save Isadora (I had never before considered the smell of a dragon, but this book took me there). And in the book’s conclusion, there is witchcraft, sacrifice, and a bit of good old-fashioned gore. Overall, there is a lot going on here, but it’s the mystery and nonstop action that will keep readers turning pages.
Artwork is generally stellar—colorful, believable/realistic facial expressions—but it can get a little confusing during action sequences. The colors are often more muted, and the images are less fleshed out when characters are in battle. This one is definitely for adults and it’s sure to satisfy someone seeking a sapphic fantasy novel that leans into the dark side. There is illustrated nudity and a lot of bloody violence, so proceed with caution.
The Cold Ever After By Jeremy Whitley Art by Megan Huang Titan, 2024 ISBN: 9781787741904
demi humans is the spark that will trigger a much larger conflict to come.
a gambling problem, a drinking problem, and an eviction notice for his crummy apartment.
tribes. The future of Rome itself is in question.
To know Chase Darrow is to love her. But to love Chase Darrow is certain death.
you’re already dead and Hell has pretty much given up on reclaiming you.
classmates are focused on fashion and dating. But Ema cannot be bothered with such things. She dreams of following in the footsteps of her parents, who were both police officers before their deaths defending their community. Until such time as she can become a real cop, Ema roams the streets of Tokyo as a vigilante.
headline a new comic book as part of Eisner’s independent imprint. Unfortunately, the early sales on his first two comics were not promising, and Eisner elected to stick to his more reliable (and profitable) work on The Spirit. To that end, he took the three John Law stories he had written and reworked them into stories for The Spirit.
expert aid. The princess, who Noelani has often considered her own daughter, has disappeared on the night before her wedding. Although the king does not seem wise to Noelani’s former romance with his wife (he is portrayed as somewhat dopey), there are dangers all around in the kingdom, and Noelani has to find the princess or lose her life.
