DC COMICS – @DCComics
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
EDITOR: Mike Cotton; Marie Javins
COVER: Greg Capullo and FCO
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jim Cheung with Tomeu Morey; Alex Maleev; Stanley “Artgerm” Lau
32pp, Color, 0.25¢ U.S. (July 2019)
Rated “T” for “Teen”
DC Comics' “Year of the Villain” is a crossover comic book event that officially kicks off in July 2019 with Year of the Villain: The Offer. Although the beginnings of the event have already been hinted at in regular DC Comics titles like Action Comics, on May 1st, 2019, readers got a first look at “Year of the Villain” a specially priced comic book.
DC's Year of the Villain Special #1 is a .25¢ special preview comic book. It contains what are essentially the three opening or prologue chapters of “Year of the Villain.” They are “Doom,” “Leviathan,” and “Justice.” The final eight pages of this comic book comprise an article that offers text pieces, art, sketches, and a list of 20 individual comic book issues that lead up to the official beginning of “Year of the Villain.”
The following paragraphs include a brief synopsis and review of each of the three chapters offered in DC's Year of the Villain Special #1:
“Doom”
STORY: Scott Snyder
ART: Jim Cheung
COLOR: Tomeu Morey
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
EDITOR: Marie Javins
Amanda Blake Waller, the leader of multiple clandestine agencies, including “Task Force X” (a.k.a. The Suicide Squad), has arrived at the White House for a meeting with the President of the United States. What she finds instead is Lex Luthor and the Legion of Doom. Luthor has an offer to make Waller and every supervillain on Earth.
I wasn't planning on reading “Year of the Villain,” but this tense, exciting, eight-page piece got me interested in this event. I generally don't like comic book events, but... Plus, there is a shocking ending, and I rarely can resist the lovely art of Jim Cheung, in this case, expertly colored by the great Tomeu Morey.
“Leviathan”
STORY: Brian Michael Bendis
ART: Alex Maleev
COLORS: Alex Maleev
LETTERS: Josh Reed
EDITOR: Mike Cotton
Batgirl has arrived in Seattle to join Green Arrow in battling Merlyn. However, Merlyn is desperate to tell them something... until Leviathan arrives. Later, Robin (Damian Wayne) has a shocking question to ask his father, Batman.
This chapter does not start off that strongly; then, it explodes. Plus, the last panel with Damian offers an explosive surprise. Oh, and I can't resist the team of Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev.
“Justice”
STORY: James Tynion IV
ART: Francis Manapul
COLOR: Francis Manapul
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
EDITOR: Marie Javins
The Justice League is at the “Universe's End,” trying to save the Gorathian System from the void. With so much mind-bending rescues to make, Superman announces that it is time to make the League grow. Which heroes will get the call? Batman has a simple answer.
If you are still in doubt about “Year of the Villain,” this eight-page treat will put those doubts to rest. I think you will want to at least sample some more. Plus, this story offers lovely Francis Manapul art.
DC Insider: Year of the Villain
WRITER: Andrew Serwin
EDITOR: Mike Cotton
There is a lot of information here. The lists of pertinent comic books that readers will need to fully enjoy the beginnings of “Year of the Villain” will make preview comic book a must-have.
8 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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