Richie Rich #5
Written by Buddy Scalera
Art by James Silvani
Colors by Dustin Evans
Letters by Deron Bennett
Edited by Arron Sparrow
Concept by Brent E. Erwin
Ape Entertainment/Kizoic
Release Date: June 6, 2012
Cover Price: $3.99

Starting with Richie Rich #5 this series goes monthly, and I have to say, the 10-year-old in me is really happy about it, and I think the 10-year-old in you will enjoy it just as much.

Writer Buddy Scalera gives us a great lead story in this issue, one that reminds me of the classic Richie Rich stories, but with a modern day twist. I have to admit, reading the series before I wasn’t totally digging the Jonny Quest take on Richie Rich that Ape Entertainment had going on. But, in this issue, Scalera returns Richie to his roots and tells a story that could only happen to “the poor little rich boy.” It’s a great parody of classic superhero comics, one that I think you’ll enjoy and find really charming. A couple of classic characters are introduced from the Richie Rich universe, and the whole story really comes off as the Richie Rich we all know and love.

This project has not been formally announced yet, but yesterday, finished pages from a Black Dynamite comic hit the internet.

For those not in the know, Black Dynamite is the mock blaxploitation, or moxploitation, film about a badass federal agent who wages war against “The Man” after his brother dies from overdosing on “smack.” Michael Jai White (Spawn, The Dark Knight) is the lead character Black Dynamite.

I LOVED the movie and thought that it was a perfect homage to the 70’s blaxploitation films and a witty satire at the same time. I am eagerly awaiting a formal announcement on this comic from Ape Entertainment. I will buy the singles and the trade. I want this hardcover on my shelf. I can’t wait to read Black Dynamite’s battles against “The Man” on a monthly basis.

Bizarre New World: Population Explosion
Written & Created by Skipper Martin
Pencils by Christopher Provencher
Colors by Wes Dzioba
Lettering by Ellen Everett
Cover Pencils by Tone Rodriguez
Ape Entertainment
Cover Price: $6.95; On-sale: now

By far, the coolest perk I’ve experienced with this whole “internet reviewer” gig was when creators actually started emailing me requests to review their comics. Me personally. When I got my very first such email, I was all at once shocked, nervous, and elated. I had finally arrived! Forget that I wasn’t making money doing it. Pfft. Who needed money? This was something MUCH more important”¦ MUCH more substantial.

People were giving me their comics.

How many years had I waited for that very thing to happen? To no longer have to go searching for the coolest stuff on the racks”¦ to actually have it come to me!

Well, come to me it has, folks. The first must-read book of 2008 just got dropped in my lap and I couldn’t be happier.