We’re back with another fresh take of Corey’s Comic Corner! October is here folks and that means I’ll be adding a few spooky movie reviews into the mix every week in October. In addition to comic reviews, I’m going to bring you a must watch horror movie from my long list of favorites and break down why I think it’s a horror classic that shouldn’t be missed. Picking just four or five movies will be tough but I guarantee they will leave you scared or at least scarred? Maybe both!

So grab your blanket, some popcorn and enjoy the show. Remember there are a bunch of great new horror comics being released this October for Halloween. If you are looking for ideas feel free to drop us a line or stop in POP ROC. We can order just about anything you come across. I will be posting a list of some of my favorites as well through-out the month.

This week I had the opportunity to read “Thor #27”, “Marvel Voices Comunidades #1”, “AXE AVENGERS #1” and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Armageddon Game #1”.

Thor #27

Published by Marvel

Written by Al Ewing and Donny Cates

Pencils by Salvador Larroca

Rate T for Teen

Available now!

In the aftermath of God of Hammers and Banner of War Odin’s spirit is now entombed in the hammer Mojorner and Thor is more powerful than ever. He’s a remorseful all-father after having destroyed the Bifrost while hulking out and now hears his father’s voice internally counseling him. Loki arrives to harass his brother over the prior events and is persuaded into helping Thor repair the Bifrost. When a portal is opened, what comes next will not only force Thor into a team-up with Venom but also test his might like never before.

This is a fresh jumping-on point for those looking to just get started with Thor but if you haven’t already been reading this volume which started with Jason Aaron at the helm you are definitely missing out. Since issue #1 the writing and penciling on this book has been nothing short of stellar and this next chapter looks to up the ante yet again. A team-up with Venom against the Cyborg Death Demon Darkoth who at this time, also appears to be attached to a symbiote! Ewing and Cates are already masters of writing Venom since they have both helmed the main series recently and while they are simply setting the table for the battle that lies ahead. You get the feeling that this could yet again be a storyline that has rippling effects on the marvel universe. I’m actually really excited to see what happens next and without giving to much away it seems like Thor may have finally met his match! If you are a fan of Aarons run thus far or what Ewing and Cates have been doing this is a great place to dive in. Definitely consider picking up the available trades as well!

A.X.E. Avengers #1

Published by Marvel

Written by Kieron Gillen

Pencils by Federico Vicentini

Rated T for Teen

Available now!

Another new comic sprouting from the Avengers, X-Men, Eternals central plot that’s been going on for a while now. This one shot focusing on a similar feeling but new Tony Stark’s story with a whole plethora of supporting cast. Tony’s inside a new suit but it’s not what you think! Will it help him be all that he can be and a key element in the war to save the world and Krakoa or will it actually cause Tony to mentally breakdown, failing his team and himself?

This is actually a great one shot by Gillen. It’s a last ditch effort by Tony Stark, various eternals and X-men. Many of which appear in flash-backs, visions and images brought forth by the very celestial god Stark helped create. At the heart of this story Tony Stark is battling himself and his past decisions. Like many Tony Stark stories before this one we see Tony Stark always being his own worst enemy. In this case it’s being used as a weapon against him and if he can’t come to grip with what he’s done and how he got to this moment the whole mission will fail. I really liked the way Tony was written here. He’s feeling hopeless and defeated but realizes at the end it’s these tests that have made him who he is and allowed him to be prepared for this very moment. While it’s more of a side story being a one shot it still gives you a good glimpse into Tony’s psyche and just how much he’s put himself through over the course of being an Avenger. The art is solid but the story is really the point here as the human element is what appears may finally be the answer to stopping the celestials. While I have found this AXE timeline overwhelming I’ve enjoyed some of these self contained one shots. If you have been reading the AXE books this isn’t a must have addition but it’s still worthy of a read in the greater scheme of things. Check it out!

Marvel Voices Comunidades #1

Published by Marvel

Written by various

Pencils by various

Rated T for Teen

Available now!

Continuing in the celebration of Latin & Latinx writers, artists and their stories, comes this anthology of stories from various corners of the Marvel universe. Seven stories including characters such as Spiderman, Miles Morales, Nova, White Tiger, Shark-Girl, America Chavez, and Namor as well as a brand new super-hero whom I don’t want to spoil! Each, with their own story starting here, and events that will continue or take shape in various books remaining in 2022 and beyond…..

I actually thought this was a great representation of the Latin and Latin X storytellers we have today. Many of which are just getting started but some who have already built a name for themselves. One of them being Edgar Delgado who’s been a more recent writer but has been popular for his covers and pencils prior. He does a great job on a short Spidey and Miles story that arguably was my second favorite story of this anthology. You can clearly see what these new writers and artists bring to the table almost immediately with their different styles of art and writing that makes each of these characters feel unique and new in almost every instance. My personal favorite story in this issue was “Secret Savior” which not only gave us our first appearance of a new super-hero but also drew upon some really fun and action packed fight scenes between White Tiger and Mister Fear. I thought this short story was fun, dark, drawn really cool and ultimately, just really shined. Honestly it was hard to find a story in this anthology that didn’t work and it served as a great introduction to some writers and artists who are doing some killer work for Marvel right now. Definitely worth a grab if not for the first appearance of a new character alone! One that I think we will also see make the jump to the movies before long. Check this out at POP ROC today! You won’t be disappointed.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Armageddon Game #1

Published by IDW

Written by Tom Waltz

Pencils by Vincenzo Federici

Rated T for Teen

Available now!

In this 8 part series written by long time TMNT writer Tom Waltz the team is up against their greatest challenge. Rat King’s trio of terror: LeatherKrang, Baxter Stockman, and Madame Null in a battle to save the world over various dimensions. Led by none other than Shredder, Yes, Shredder! The Turtles spread themselves thin across NYC and the multiverse in search of allies who will stand with them against their foes before they lose the city and potentially the war. The stakes are high and the enemy has already taken the first move.

Wow! There is a lot going on here. Turtles, mutants, villains, humans, etc. First off the colors and art is super cool. It’s drawn almost like two different styles have been weaved together and it makes this story as a whole easier to follow. The characters are detailed and the plot is rich with details and there’s a lot of different things happening at once. It’s almost overwhelming at first and you hope that 8 issues will be enough to flesh out the pacing of the book. With that being said there is a large sense of dread in these pages and the overall tone and heft of this mission is felt. Shredder as a leader figure of the turtles in this series is an interesting premise. While it’s clear to assume this will be no easy alliance it’s also one that is necessary. At times like this they say, “You keep your friends close, You keep your enemies closer”.

There is a sense of tension and anxiety from the start as the turtles and their allies are already behind as the enemy is already ready to strike and it makes you wonder if these Ninja’s in a half shell really have a shot to pull this off! Overall, while it’s a little bulky and it can get bogged down in details at times I think this is going to be a great series and I think now that the battlegrounds have been laid out and sides have been taken the pacing and action will pick up as we move forward. This book is a no-brainer purchase and series for die-hard TMNT fans but also a great 8 issue mini-series to dive in with and take the plunge. There’s 100+ issues of TMNT goodness coming together in these pages! Don’t miss it! Check this out and others at POP ROC today!

Lastly as promised I wanted to bring you my first must watch horror movie for our October

series.

It Follows

Directed and written by David Robert Mitchell

Released in 2014

Rated R

“It Follows” is a modern horror masterpiece. It’s one of the first horror movies over the past 10 years or more that has not only brought an original idea but also had the feel and of horror movies going back to the early 70’s and 80’s. The way it was shot and written, combined with the atmosphere and costume design, make it almost instantly feel like this movie was made decades prior. Not only does the movie feel like it was torn from a different time it brings the viewer back to a time when less was more and the story or plot device was what made a winning film. The film also serves as a unique form of birth control for our younger generation. You have to watch it to see what I mean but it’s a simple plot idea that works in spades! In short, If you sleep with someone, you may get more than you bargained for. What is meant to be a fatal STD in the form of a stalking figure who follows you slowly and methodically until it catches you. If you don’t manage to pass it on to someone else before it catches you…..You’re dead! A little gore. Some great jump scares and a cast of kids that are just credible enough to sell this crazy idea. There’s even a top notch soundtrack that’s scary enough and works brilliantly with this movie. Check it out! Watch with friends. Turn out the lights. You will be thinking about this flick long after!

That’s it for this week folks! Thanks for reading and be sure to check out some of the comics above in POP ROC or see what else is in stock this week. There are always new things popping up! If even for a great conversation and a coffee, we hope to see you soon! We’ll see ya next week for more reviews and Halloween goodness….

Corey Newell

“Just a guy who loves comics”

⁃ Independent blogger, Dad, Dork, Comic Nerd and Pop culture lover hailing from Spencerport,

NY