Comics
Review: ‘The Dark Tower: Battle Of Jericho Hill’ Issue #3
It is not a good day for Roland Deschain and his ka’tet. Nor is it a good day for any of those who still hold hope that Mid-World can be saved from the evils of John Farson, the Good Man. Last issue we were left with the horrifying vision of one of Farson’s hench-monsters killing Randolph’s wife and taking his son captive after the good guys had just scored a major victory on the Good Man. But now the tables have seemingly turned back in the direction of those who would wish to see the Tower crumble, and with a traitor seemingly in their midst it would not look as if things bode well for the Gunslinger.
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SPOILERS AHEAD
The issue picks up just a ‘fortnight’ after the events of issue #2 with Roland and his round-table of men posturing as to what their next course of action should be. There is still no clear cut plan, and it would seem all save for Roland are growing impatient. Thomas is of the opinion that the group should storm Gilead with guns ablazin’ and do things Rambo style. An obvious sign that there is a growing desperation within the ranks.
Meanwhile it is revealed that Randolph himself is the snitch and that he has made a deal with Farson. Things go sour though when he discovers that his wife is indeed dead, a punishment for his tardiness.
Everything is on point this issue, delivering what is possibly the best issue of the arc yet. The story itself is picking up a lot of steam here, and for the first time so far we have a clear idea of where the story is eventually going to lead us. Story wise the issue is completely solid with King/Furth/David bringing the Dark Tower faithful some solid motives along with some great allegory scenes with the showdown at the Amoco Pumps, which is the rendered beautifully by Lee & Isanove. The fight itself is depicted with many vivid, oversized panels as well as a fantastic centerfold of the insanity of the cults worship. If you think religious fanatics are crazy now just wait till you read this issue.
It is also of note that Aileen’s feelings for Roland become more evident in this issue, an undertone that will prove to become a bit of a player as the story unfolds. For those that have read the novels by King and kept up with the ongoing Marvel serial you surely know what I mean.
The issue ends with Randolph’s master plan finally starting to show its ugly face with poor Sheemie finding himself in the middle once again, setting down the last of the dominoes that will begin the battle between The Good Man John Farson and Roland Deschains doomed ka’tet within the next two issues.
When all is done and read “THE DARK TOWER: BATTLE OF JERICHO HILL” #3 is yet another great issue in what is probably the best arc of the series so far. Peter David and Robin Furth do another admirable job bringing readers King’s story in the illustrated world, and Jae Lee and Richard Isanove are simply unbeatable force collaboratively. For the folks at Marvel this is one ka’tet that they had best hope never looses any of its ranks.
4 Out of 5
NEXT ISSUE
THE DARK TOWER: BATTLE OF JERICHO HILL #4
COVERS BY: Steve Kurth
WRITTEN BY: Peter David & Robin Furth
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Richard Isanove & Jae Lee
INKS: Array
“The horn of Eld has fallen into the hands of Roland as the forces of the Good Man John Farson prepare for their great battle against the Affiliation. The mammoth conflict that will engulf a kingdom and will be known in Mid-World history as the Battle of Jericho Hill! You must not miss it!”
This is it readers, the epic battle of the hill that will go down infamously in Mid-World history as the day all hope was lost! Farsons plan is now in full motion, and with the revelation that Randolph is a dissenter, Roland and the gunslingers have no choice but to fight. The covers for this one are MIND BLOWING, featuring some of the best that the series has seen. This is one that is not to be missed!
On Sale February 24th From Marvel Comics! (MSRP-$3.99)
Comics
‘The Toxic Avenger’ Returns with Cover Artwork for First Issue of New Comic Book Series [Exclusive]
With a remake on the way and a new 4K restoration of the original classic now streaming, it’s a good time to be a fan of Troma’s The Toxic Avenger. Additionally, Matt Bors — the founder of The Nib and a political cartoonist who has twice been named a Pulitzer Prize finalist —and acclaimed artist Fred Harper (Snelson) are collaborating on an all-new 5-issue comic book series starring the satirical superhero of the Troma Films cult classic films!
TOXIC AVENGER #1 will land in stores on October 9, 2024.
While you wait, you can exclusively check out the issue #1 cover art from Fred Harper below, along with a set of emojis designed by Harper for the extremely online teens of Tromaville.
“The Toxic Avenger delivers what Troma fans want,” said AHOY Comics Editor-in-Chief Tom Peyer. “The series has violent action, gross mutations, bursting pustules, eye-popping visuals, and trenchant humor.”
“If there was ever a superhuman hero for these toxic, miserable times, Toxie is the one!” said Lloyd Kaufman. “Only AHOY Comics and Bors & Harper could pull this off…er…mop this up! Toxie and the Troma Team can’t wait ‘til you read -no, experience – the art and stories that the Toxic Avenger Comic Book will explode in your brain, your soul, and your heart. Above all, remember – Toxie loves you and so do I.”
“This series will combine elements of the original films with the Toxic Crusaders cartoon and characters in familiar ways, updated to tell a story of environmental devastation, corporate control, and social media mutation,” said Bors. “The Toxic Avenger is first and foremost an environmental satire, one about a small town and its unremarkable people trapped and transformed by circumstances they don’t control. The story Fred Harper and I are telling is about people frustrated by authorities telling them not to worry about their life, that things are fine, even as their dog mutates in front of their eyes. And at its core it is about a powerless boy, Melvin, who finds out he can be incredibly strong, hideously mutated, well-admired, and incredibly heroic… but still ultimately powerless over human behavior.”
In The Toxic Avenger, teenager Melvin Junko helps run his parent’s junkyard in Tromaville, a small town in New Jersey where nothing much ever happens — until an ill-timed train derailment of toxic waste transforms Melvin into a hideously deformed creature of superhuman size and strength: the Toxic Avenger!
Under a media blackout imposed by Biohazard Solutions (BS) and their PR-spewing Chairwoman Lindsay Flick, Melvin emerges as a hero fighting against BS and the mutated threats that keep popping up around Tromaville.
Eventually Melvin uncovers a vast conspiracy more far-reaching than he could have ever imagined — but he knows if everyone is simply made aware of the crisis, they’ll act to stop it. Right?
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