Killer Queens #1
Dark Horse Comics 2021
Created & Written by David M. Booher
Illustrated by Claudia Balboni
Coloured by Harry Saxon
Lettered by Lucas Gattoni
They put the SASS in ASSASSIN! Meet Max and Alex. Reformed intergalactic assassins for hire. On the run. Also super gay. Their former boss—a fluffy monkey with a jetpack—is hot on their tail to take back his stolen ship. They gotta eat, so they take a mission from Alex's old flame. Your standard no-kill, casualty-free kidnapping recovery from a nearby moon. Only complication? Half the moon is ruled by a fascist dictator hostile to foreigners. They're the Killer Queens, so what could possibly go wrong?
There are a few things about this that I found kind of interesting, some were funny and others were downright absurd and all of these different aspects work together to really make this so much better than you would’ve thought possible. This pink dude in the opening gives a pudgepot like me hope that there’s someone out there for me too lol. Seriously the best thing about this issue for me is Bieti who steals every single scene that he’s a part of. So while our intrepid duo have decided to make a non-lethal living they’ve still got to stay one step ahead of their former boss which promises to make this a lot more complicated for the pair.
I am rather enjoying the way that this is being told. The story & plot development that we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is presented exceptionally well. The character development that we see through the dialogue, the character interaction as well as how they act and react to the situations and circumstances which they encounter brings us their base personalities out. The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages introducing the character, this story and the universe they inhabit I am looking forward to seeing just how these two make out, and not with half the universe either heh.
I like how we see this being structured and how the layers within the story emerge and grow. The layers within the story also do a marvellous job adding depth, dimension and complexity to what we see as well, more so with the introduction of each new character. The way everything works together to create the story’s ebb & flow as well as how it moves the story forward is achieved exceedingly well.
The interiors here are great. The linework is clean, crisp and strong and how we see the varying weights and techniques being utilised to create the detail work is rendered extremely well. I am a little sad that pinky didn’t have a hairy chest/belly but that’s just me. Backgrounds are utilised well and there are times it feels almost like Arnold’s Restaurant meets Star Wars and I think that combination for me is pretty spectacular. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a remarkably talented eye for storytelling. The colour work is gorgeously rendered. How the various hues and tones within the colours are being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work show a great understanding of how colour works.
It is nice to see a book like this on stands right now. It is a nice statement of how far we’ve come in society and a reminder of how much further we still have to go. I never would’ve dreamed of reading this type of story as a kid and as an older adult it's nice to have this around to show kids it’s okay to be who you are, unapologetically so. With some bold in your face writing and characterisation along with these great interiors the universe has two new stars on its horizon and there’s no stopping them now.
About the Creator
Steven Leitman
Just me talking about the comics I enjoy reading, ones that you might not know exist and spotlighting the indie creators that excite me.
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Book Review: "Human Monsters: A Horror Anthology" by Various Authors
Yes, it's horror again. I'm feeling kind of down and whenever I'm down I read horror because it makes me feel better. Have you heard about that study that states people who are in depression should watch and read horror in order to make themselves feel better? Yeah, I checked it out some time ago - you should too. Human Monsters is exactly what you think it is, it is about monsters who are human - those who lurk in the normal world, not in the shadows, not in the darkness - they stand right in front of us. They are us. Let's go through my favourite stories in the anthology...
By Annie Kapur22 days ago in Geeks
Federal Reinforcements and Rising Tension in Minneapolis
Tension in Minneapolis has risen sharply in recent days as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced plans to deploy hundreds more immigration officers to Minnesota following the fatal shooting of a local woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. The move comes amid nationwide protests and deepening polarization over federal immigration enforcement efforts. The decision to send additional officers was publicly confirmed by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who said the reinforcements are meant to “ensure the safety” of ICE and Border Patrol personnel already in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area. Officials noted that more than 2,000 federal officers have already been stationed in the region as part of what the administration describes as its largest immigration enforcement operation ever. What Sparked the Deployment? The deployment follows the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer during an enforcement action in south Minneapolis. Good, a mother of three, was struck and killed by gunfire as she sat in her vehicle. Federal authorities have characterized the incident as a defensive action, saying the driver’s conduct endangered officers. However, local political leaders and community members strongly dispute that narrative. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other officials have criticized federal accounts of what happened, pointing to bystander videos that they say contradict the claim that Good posed an active threat when she was shot. They have also condemned the broader federal immigration operation in the city, saying it has fostered fear and mistrust in local communities. The legal and investigative aftermath remains complicated. Minnesota authorities sought to investigate the shooting, but federal officials asserted exclusive jurisdiction, citing constitutional protections for federal officers. This has deepened frustration among state leaders who want greater transparency and local involvement in the inquiry. Protests and Public Reaction The shooting ignited protests in Minneapolis almost immediately and spurred demonstrations across the country. Over the weekend following the incident, more than 1,000 rallies were organized in cities nationwide, drawing tens of thousands of participants. Protesters have framed their actions as a call for accountability and change in how immigration policy is enforced. In Minneapolis, large crowds gathered near the site where Good was killed to march and call for an end to what they see as an aggressive federal presence. Many protesters have chanted slogans critical of ICE and the broader administration’s immigration agenda. Scenes from protests have been varied. In some locations, demonstrators have remained peaceful, holding signs and vigils in memory of Good. In others, confrontations between some protesters and law enforcement have occurred, with reports of officers deploying crowd control tactics. Supporters of the federal response argue that a strong enforcement posture is necessary to uphold U.S. immigration laws and to address alleged crime tied to illegal immigration. DHS officials also stressed that the officers being sent to Minnesota are there to protect their federal personnel and keep operations running despite protests. The Broader Context of Immigration Enforcement This episode is part of a much larger national debate over immigration policy and enforcement tactics. The Trump administration’s recent focus on interior enforcement — including deportations and raids — has been a defining pillar of its second term. Minneapolis, a city with a diverse population and sizable immigrant communities, has become a focal point for that strategy. Critics say that such heavy federal deployment in city neighborhoods undermines community trust and disproportionately affects non-violent immigrants and long-standing residents. Advocates for immigrant rights argue that punitive tactics fuel fear, discourage cooperation with local authorities, and erode civil liberties. Supporters counter that rigorous enforcement is essential for national security and upholding the rule of law. They argue that federal agents must be backed by sufficient resources, especially when facing hostile demonstrations or resistance. Voices from Minneapolis Local sentiment in Minneapolis remains deeply divided. Many residents expressed grief and shock over the death of Renee Good, while also expressing concern about the scale and nature of the federal response. A number of community members have organized vigils, public gatherings, and faith-based services to provide mutual support and to call for justice. Conversely, Minneapolis leaders have urged calm while also criticizing federal policies they claim escalate tensions. Mayor Frey has been vocal in his rejection of the federal narrative, insisting that the city deserves transparency and a fair process to understand what led to Good’s death. Looking Ahead As hundreds more immigration officers make their way to Minneapolis, the city and the nation find themselves at a critical juncture in the ongoing debate about immigration enforcement. The coming days will likely see continued protests, political clashes, and legal challenges as both sides defend their interpretations of events and advocate for their visions of public safety and justice. For now, Minneapolis stands on edge — a city caught between federal authority and local calls for accountability, grieving a woman’s death, and questioning how far immigration enforcement can go before it deepens divisions even further.
By Saboor Brohi 3 days ago in Geeks
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