Wednesday, August 5, 2020

DIVERSIONS #2: LLOYD SMITH'S UNCANNY TALES


Blue Moon Comics' Diversions #2's arrival can only mean one thing: more varied stories to get one's adrenaline pumping, in a whooper of a sampler in which all ingredients were written by my good friend, Lloyd Smith.  


In the latest "Guns and Rosa", readers our given "Enough Rope" to hang on as our intrepid lady meets up with the jailed Ike Whiteowl. She'd like to kill him herself, but discovers he's been blamed for a murder he didn't commit. Does she let him perish, right the wrong or perhaps tackle both ends of the potential, grave game? The dilemma creates a razor-sharp set-up and finale, with powerful panels (and a crackling good cover) rendered by the amazing Joe Koziarski.


Enclosed as well is a nifty Night Spider yarn. For this ultra-tense chapter, Smith places our determined protagonist in a kidnapping case involving a corporate, computer whiz. The touchy conundrum is full of derring-do, dark, urban adventure and testosterone-fueled artwork by the super-talented JW. Erwin. 


Readers are also treated to an outlandish "Other Worlds" epic, headlined by the conquering Kra-Kaduum: a living, breathing weapon who acts on behalf of the terrible Zathosians, but what do they do when the brute turns on them? Greg Rieves's nimble artwork gives this calamitous yet breezy slice of science fiction the right tone as the titanic, eponymous invader initiates what's to be his final conquest. 


To give the sampler a heavy air of menace, "Mister Eeee's Vault of Shadows'"s entry, "Wayne's Shadow", proves a grim one through and through: a yarn that left a huge impression on me when I first digested it, but it seemed even more jolting the second time around.

The spooky story overflows with "Night Gallery" chills, thanks to its vengeful, astral-projection theme, and Ian Groff's artwork brings to mind the best of EC and Warren, allowing Smiths concept to shackle the senses for an infinity. 

To engage Lloyd Smith's newest, eclectic anthology, purchase Diversions #2 at 

4 comments:

  1. Many, many, many thanks, Michael! We so appreciate the support and the great review!

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    1. It's my utmost pleasure, Lloyd. I so adore Blue Moon Comics and your wonderful storytelling.

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  2. I really enjoyed reading this. Nice anthology, short concise stories that held my interest.

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    1. Thanks so much for the support and kind words! Hope you folks stick around because, as trite as it sounds, we really are just warming up!

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