Review: RETURN OF WOLVERINE #1

RETURN OF WOLVERINE No. 1 (OF 5)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Charles Soule
PENCILS: Steve McNiven
INKS: Jay Leisten
COLORS: Laura Martin
LETTERS: VC's Joe Sabino
EDITORS: Mark Paniccia and Jordan D. White
COVER:  Steve McNiven and Jay Leisten with Laura Martin
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: John Cassaday with Laura Martin; Steve McNiven and Jay Leisten with Laura Martin; Todd Nauck with Rachelle Rosenberg; Leinil Francis Yu with Sunny Gho
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (November 2018)

Parental advisory

Chapter One: “Hell”

Four years ago, Marvel Comics published Death of Wolverine.  Written by Charles Soule and drawn by Steven McNiven (pencils) and Jay Leisten (inks), the four-issue miniseries saw Wolverine a.k.a. Logan die as a result of injuries and loosing his supernatural healing factor that was a result of him being a mutant.  The most famous version of the Wolverine character:  the one who has been a member of the mutant X-Men and the one that made his first full appearance in The Incredible Hulk #181 (after having appeared in the last panel of #180), was dead.

Now after a year of Marvel teasing, Wolverine/Logan is returning in the five-issue comic book miniseries, Return of Wolverine.   The Death of Wolverine creative team of Soule, McNiven, and Leisten return for this resurrection event.  Laura Martin on colors and Joe Sabino on letters complete the creative team.

Return of Wolverine #1 (“Hell”) opens.  Wolverine awakens.  We know who he is, but he does not know who he is.  He is in some unknown location.  There is a saber-tooth tiger and a mammoth in cages near him.  A grievously wounded man tells Wolverine that he should be dead.  A woman who wants Wolverine to find her son tells him that he is a hero.  They both want Wolverine to find some organization called “Soteira” and a woman named “Persephone.”  They both want him to kill and destroy the woman and her organization respectively.  Still unsure of who is he or what happened or is happening, Wolverine figures, why not.  What else does he have to do?

Legendary comic book writer, Alan Moore, had a lot to say about DC Comics' announcement that it would produce prequel and sequel comic books based upon his and artist Dave Gibbons' also legendary, 12-issue comic book series, Watchmen.  As Moore has long disputed the contracts and rights issues between him and DC over Watchmen, he refused to participate in the eventual multi-comic book project, Before Watchmen (2012).

Moore described the comic book creators who signed on for the prequels as alternately “possibly halfway decent writers and artists” and people who don't even deserve the title of “creators.”  That irked some comics folks; I seem to remember Marvel Comics writer Jason Aaron being particularly miffed.  I think that Moore's comments can be accurately levied against quite a few comic book creators, past and present.

However, I think that it is not so much that comic book writers and artists are halfway decent; rather it is that they often produce halfway decent comic books, even when they are working on what is supposedly important, event comic books.

Return of Wolverine #1 is halfway decent.  I would say that the majority of the comic books written by Charles Soule that I have read I have really liked.  I halfway like Return of Wolverine #1, but not for the story, which. is halfway decent...   No., this is a poorly written comic book.  It is beneath a writer as highly-paid and as respected as Charles Soule is.  I hope future issues are better.

Meanwhile, I really like Steve McNiven and Jay Leisten's gorgeous artwork and goddess colorist Laura Martin's colors over those beautiful illustrations.  McNiven, Leisten, and Martin art recalls the art of Barry Windsor-Smith on the Wolverine origin story, “Weapon X,” which was originally published in Marvel Comics Presents #72 to 84 (cover dated:  March to September 1991).  Windsor-Smith infrequently produces comic book art; in fact, his last published comic book work may be the five-page section he drew for Wolverine #166 (cover dated:  September 2001).  So McNiven-Leisten-Martin's faux-Barry Windsor-Smith is the reason I will continue to read Return of Wolverine.

Thus, my grade for Return of Wolverine #1 is based on the art.  If it were based only on the story, it would get a failing grade.

5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 6, 2019

IMAGE COMICS

JAN190286    CEMETERY BEACH #7 (OF 7) CVR A HOWARD (MR)    $3.99
JAN190287    CEMETERY BEACH #7 (OF 7) CVR B IMPACT VAR (MR)    $3.99
DEC180150    CURSE WORDS TP VOL 04 QUEEN MARGARET (MR)    $16.99
NOV180124    DEADLY CLASS #37 CVR A CRAIG (MR)    $3.99
NOV180125    DEADLY CLASS #37 CVR B JOHNSON (MR)    $3.99
JAN190292    DIE #4 CVR A HANS (MR)    $3.99
JAN190293    DIE #4 CVR B WARD (MR)    $3.99
JAN190294    ECLIPSE #13    $3.99
JAN190312    GASOLINA #16 (MR)    $3.99
JAN190154    KILL 6 BILLION DEMONS TP VOL 03 (MR)    $16.99
DEC180088    LAST SIEGE TP    $19.99
DEC189161    MIDDLEWEST #1 4TH PTG (MR)    $3.99
JAN190355    PAPER GIRLS #26    $3.99
JAN190371    SELF MADE #4 (MR)    $3.99
JAN190385    UNNATURAL #8 (OF 12) CVR A ANDOLFO (MR)    $3.99
JAN190386    UNNATURAL #8 (OF 12) CVR B MADUREIRA (MR)    $3.99
DEC180293    VINDICATION #2 (OF 4) (MR)    $3.99
JAN190388    WALKING DEAD #189 (MR)    $3.99
NOV180204    WALKING DEAD PRINCESS AF (B&W BLOODY)    $25.00
NOV180203    WALKING DEAD PRINCESS AF (COLOR)    $25.00
JAN190186    WALKING DEAD TP VOL 31 (MR)    $16.99
JAN190247    WICKED & DIVINE TP VOL 08 OLD IS THE NEW NEW (MR)    $17.99
NOV180201    WITCHBLADE #12 CVR A INGRANATA (MR)    $3.99
NOV180202    WITCHBLADE #12 CVR B NURMALIZA (MR)    $3.99

I Reads You Juniors January 2019 - Update #101

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From Newsarama:  John Byrne will provide variant cover art for Detective Comics #999.

From GeeksWorldWide:  Warner Bros. is developing an animated feature film based on its late animated TV series, "Batman Beyond."

From THR:  Warner Bros. is staking out dates for upcoming its DC Comics films, including for Matt Reeves long-awaited, "The Batman."

From Variety:  Marvel Studios' Black Panther film will return to theaters, via AMC Theaters, from Feb. 1st to 7th, 2019 for free showings (at 250 participating AMC Theaters) to celebrate "Black History Month."

From TheGuardian:  Marvel Studios' "Black Panther" film wins the top award at the 25th Screen Actors Guild Awards.

From Newsarama:  Release dates for upcoming Marvel and DC Comics films.

From ComicBook:  "Black Panther" Wins SAG Award for Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble

From BleedingCool:  For final "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen," Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill do "2000 AD."

From Newsarama:  Apparently DC Entertainment was rebranded as simply "DC" this past September 2018.

From Newsarama:  See Brendan Fraser as "Robotman" in DC Universe's streaming series, "Doom Patrol."

From ComicsBeat:  The legendary and wildly popular manga creator, Rumiko Takahashi, has won the "Grand Prix" at the comics art festival, FIBD Angoulême.

From ComicsBeat:  Heidi MacDonald on the DC Comics organization.

From Deadline:  Wednesday, Jan 23rd was a day of layoffs for employees of DC Comics, BuzzFeed, and Verizon, with DC laying off seven, including two SVP and one VP.

From Crunchyroll:  Manga creator, Junji Ito ("Tomie"), is scheduled to appear at "Crunchyroll Expo 2019."

From BleedingCool:  Marvel has a new rating, "Ages 10+".

From BleedingCool:  Is there major management restructuring at DC Comics?

From Newsarama:  Writer Eve Ewing and artist Joey Vazquez will help Marvel Comics launch "Marvel Team-Up" in April 2019.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics offered fewer titles in January 2018 than it did in January 2017.

OSCARS - From Newsarama:  Marvel Studios' "Black Panther" film was nominated for seven Oscars at the 2019 / 91st Academy Awards, including in the "best picture" category.

OSCARS - From ComicBook:  "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" was nominated for an Oscar in the "best animated feature" category at the 91st Academy Awards.

From CBR:  CBR's Anthony Gramuglia offers 10 things to know about "Samurai 8," the new manga from Naruto creator, Masashi Kishimoto.

From Newsarama:  The great George Perez has retired from comic book work and private commissions.

From ANN:  The manga "Takane & Hana" will be a live-action series on Japanese television on Fuji TV's on-demand service.

From BlastingNews:  "One Piece" creator, Eiichiro Oda, reveals that the international hit manga is about 80 percent finished.

From ComicBook:  "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" wins the 2019  Producers Guild Award as the top animated film of 2018.

From BleedingCool:  Warren Ellis may be reviving his seminal superhero team, "The Authority," in his current DC Comics' project, "The Wild Storm."

From EW:  Rob Liefeld, creator of Deadpool, will introduce a new "X-Men" character, "Major X," in a new six-issue series for Marvel Comics, entitled "Major X."

From Newsarama:  DC Comics and Target department store chain have made a deal for DC to produce a standalone 100-page anthology, "DC Primal Age," to promote the "DC Primal Age" Funko toy line.

From Newsarama:  Vin Diesel introduces the "Valiant Era" with a photo from his film, "Bloodshot" (from Sony Pictures), based on the Valiant Comics.

From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics go to war in Upper Deck's "Pack Wars."

From THR:  Top selling comic books of 2018 revealed.

From Previews:  Collen Doran is writing and illustrating a graphic novel adaptation of Neil Gaiman's story, "Snow, Glass, Apples."

From THR:  This article mentions in passing that writer-director Christopher McQuarrie has turned down multiple offers from Warner Bros. to direct a DC Comics film.

From Variety:  See the first official trailer to Sony/Marvel's "Spider-Man: Far From Home."  Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) make appearances.

From Newsarama:  Michael Avon Oeming and Dan Berman's comic book, "Six," is being developed for TV by Amazon.

From Newsarama:  Less than five years after the last reboot, Paramount Pictures is developing another reboot of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."

From ComicBook:  Rumors abound about who Loki will be in the Disney+ streaming "Loki" series.

From Comicverse:  Seven Seas Entertainment announces it manga and novel releases for Fall 2019.

From BleedingCool:  I did not know that Glenn Fabry has tuberculosis, but he does and it is in remission.

MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:  Cartoonist, comic book creator and publisher, Batton Lash, has died at the age of 65, Saturday, January 12, 2019.  Lash is best known for his comic book, "Wolff & Byrd, Counselors of the Macabre."  He also produced a number of cartoon depictions of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama that relied on tired, racist iconography because, he admitted, he was jealous of the praise and adulation that Barack received, and that he (Lash) as a white guy loser did not.

From KJZZ:  The Mexico-based comic book themed restaurant, ComicX, has picked its first U.S. location, and it is Phoenix, Arizona.

From ChicagoSunTimes:  Chicago siblings are joining the Wu-Tang Clan's RZA to produce a digital comic book.

From BleedingCool:  Rumor has it that the proposed "Gambit," "X-Force," and "Multiple Man" films are dead.

From BleedingCool:  New and much talked about U.S. Congresswoman, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, quoted Alan Moore and "Watchmen's" Rorschach.

From Newsarama:  The fourth issue of BOOM! Studios' "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" reboot will introduce a "historic slayer."

From Newsarama:  Gerry Conway, the co-creator of Marvel Comics' "The Punisher" says that police officers should not be embracing and appropriating Punisher iconography - especially The Punisher's skull emblem.

MEMORIAM - From Newsarama:  British comic book artist, Ron Smith, died at the age of 94 or 95.  Smith is considered one of the iconic Judge Dredd artists.

From Newsarama:  Noted comic book writer and author, Brad Meltzer, has released a new book, "The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington."

From Deadline:  Grant Morrison's talks about his and Liam Sharp's "Green Lantern" revamp comic book, "The Green Lantern."

From Newsarama:  IDW has borrowed $28 million from its chairman and majority owner, Howard Jonas, to fund its TV and film division, IDW Entertainment.

From Newsarama: DC Comics is joining "comiXology Unlimited," "Kindle Unlimited," and "Amazon Prime."

From Newsarama:  DC Comics is developing the new "Amethyst" comic book series.  Some may remember the 1980s series.

From THR:  "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" wins "Best Animated Feature" at the 2019 Golden Globes.

From GoFundMe:  This is a campaign for a burial fund for late cartoonist, Barbara Shermund.

From Previews:  In late December 2018, CBS News spoke to comic book painter, Alex Ross.

From Newsarama:  Diamond Comics Distributors names its 2018 Diamond Gem Awards nominees.

From Vice:   January 1st, 2019 saw several works published in 1923 to fall into the public domain.

From BlastingNews:  Japan's "Weekly Shonen Jump" says that pirate manga, "One Piece," has reached 950 chapters.

From BleedingCool:  It's Alive to publish its first new comic book series, "Red Range: Pirates of Fireworld," a sequel to the graphic novel, "Red Range" by Joe. R. Lansdale.  Joe's son, Keith, is writing the new comic book.

From Newsarama: Black Panther's Letitia Wright has been nominated for the EE British Academy Film Awards' (BAFTA) EE Rising Star Award.

From TheOuterHaven:  Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of the manga, "Naruto," has a new manga, "Samurai 8: Hachimaruden," which will begin this Spring in "Weekly Shonen Jump."  He will write the series with Okuba Akira drawing it.

From ComicBook:  "Attack on Titan" creator, Hajime Isayama, has announced that he was married in 2018, but is keeping the name of his spouse private.

From ANN:  Japanese publishers reveal some print counts for manga and light-novel series.

From BleedingCool:  Rob Liefeld says he has a project at Marvel Comics due this year...

From BleedingCool:  Comic book writers Charles Soule and Scott Snyder are working on a creator-owned comic book together.

From Newsarama:  "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" crossess the $200 million dollar mark in global box office.

From FlickeringMyth:  DC Universe teases 2019 line-up with sizzle reel trailer

From MiamiHerald:  Leonard Pitts, Jr. offers this history of "Comicsgate."

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BEST COMICS OF 2018 Lists:

From EW:  "Entertainment Weekly's" best comics of 2018

From NPR:  Best books of 2018 (with a comic books and graphic novels section)

From PasteMagazine:  The 15 best sci-fi and fantasy comics of 2018

From TheVerge:   The 10 bests comics of 2018
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JANUARY 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Action Lab for Jan. 2019 
From BleedingCool:  Aspen Comics for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Black Mask for Jan. 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM Studios for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for 2019
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for Jan. 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for Jan. 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Papercutz for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for Jan. 2019

FEBRUARY 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Full DC Comics catalog
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock for Feb. 2019
From Newsarama:   BOOM! Studios for Feb. 2019
From AdventuresinPoorTaste:  Dark Horse Comics for February 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics solicitations for Feb. 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for Feb. 2019
From BleedingCool:  First Second for Feb. 2019
From Seibertron:  IDW Publishing for Feb. 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for Feb. 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for Feb. 2019

MARCH 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama: 01 First Second for March 2019
From Newsarama: Adhouse Books for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Alterna Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Avatar Press for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Avery Hill for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for March 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  Cave Pictures Publishing for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Devil's Due/1First Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertaiment for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  First Second for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Graphix for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Humanoids for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Impact Theory for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Force for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama: Oni Press for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Rebellion for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for March 2019

APRIL 2019 COMIC SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Aftershock Comics for 2019
From Newsarama:  Amigo Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for April 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Hero Tomorrow for April 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for April 2019
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama: Yen Press for April 2019

Review: CURSE WORDS #3

CURSE WORDS No. 3
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Charles Soule
ART: Ryan Browne
COLORS: Michael Garland with Ryan Browne and Michael Parkinson
LETTERS: Chris Crank
COVER: Ryan Browne
VARIANT COVERS: Paolo Rivera; Ryan Browne
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (March 2017)

Rated M / Mature

Curse Words is a new ongoing fantasy comic book series from Image Comics.  It is the creation of comic book writer Charles Soule (Twenty-Seven, Image Comics) and artist Ryan Browne (God Hates Astronauts, Image Comics).

Curse Words stars Wizord, a wizard from another world who appears one day in New York City, specifically Central Park.  Of course, the first people to encounter him end up in an unfortunate situation, but eventually Wizord is seen as the city's “sorcerous protector.”  A confrontation with a murderous rival, however, made Wizord do something terrible to the city, and now, he has to come up with an incredible fix-it.

Curse Words #3 opens on the Hole World where Ruby Stitch prepares for her assault on Wizord.  First, however, she has to complete a mission for her boss, Sizzajee.  Meanwhile, Wizord is drowning his trouble in alcohol at the local watering hole because he recently was stripped of his powers.  His familiar, Margaret the koala, has a plan, though...

Curse Words instantly impresses with its eye-popping art.  Still, I have been waiting for this series to fall on its visually striking face, and this issue, it finally did!  Naw, it didn't.  I just love this comic book even more.  Every page simply makes me want to hurry to the next page.  I am sure that some people see this on the shelves and think that it looks too weird.  Judge a book by its cover; weird is good , and Curse Words is a fantasy and magic comic book worth having.

I still think Curse Words could be a standout title.  It might already be...

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication and reprint rights and fees.

--------------------------------

Review CURSE WORDS #2

CURSE WORDS No. 2
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Charles Soule
ART: Ryan Browne
COLORS: Michael Garland with Ryan Browne and Michael Parkinson
LETTERS: Chris Crank
COVER: Ryan Browne
VARIANT COVERS: Chip Zdarsky; Ryan Browne
36pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2017)

Rated M / Mature

Curse Words is a new ongoing fantasy comic book series from Image Comics.  It is created by comic book writer Charles Soule, known for his work on Daredevil and Death of Wolverine (both from Marvel Comics), and artist Ryan Browne, known for his comic book, God Hates Astronauts (also published by Image Comics).

Curse Words stars Wizord, a wizard from another world who appears one day in New York City, specifically Central Park.  Of course, the first people to encounter him end up in an unfortunate situation, but eventually he is seen as the city's “sorcerous protector.”  A confrontation with a murderous rival, however, made Wizord do something terrible to the city, and now, he has to come up with an incredible fix-it.

As Curse Words #2 opens, Wizord is trying to do something for the people he... minimized.  He is determined to prove that he is not a monster, although his koala companion, Margaret, is dubious.  Meanwhile, back in the Hole World, old adversaries prepare to destroy Wizord.

Curse Words instantly impresses with its eye-popping art.  Visually and graphically, artist Ryan Browne makes Curse Words a thing of fiery comic book storytelling magic, with the help of those dazzling vivid colors by Michael Garland with Ryan Browne and Michael Parkinson.  It is hard to believe that someone would flip through this comic book and not try at least one issue.

The story by Charles Soule is a dark fantasy that is darker by the minute.  It threatens violence, but promises imagination and inventiveness in a way Garth Ellis did with Preacher.  I still think this series could be a standout.  We shall see...

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication and reprint rights and fees.

---------------------------

Review: CURSE WORDS #1

CURSE WORDS No. 1
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Charles Soule
ART: Ryan Browne
COLORS: Ryan Browne, Jordan Boyd, and Michael Parkinson
LETTERS: Chris Crank, Ryan Browne, and Shawn DePasquale
COVER: Ryan Browne
VARIANT COVERS: Skottie Young; Ryan Browne; Simon
36pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2017)

Rated M / Mature

Curse Words is a new ongoing fantasy comic book series from Image Comics.  It is the creation of bestselling comic book writer Charles Soule, known for his work on Daredevil and Death of Wolverine (both from Marvel Comics), and artist Ryan Browne, known for his comic book, God Hates Astronauts (also published by Image Comics).

Curse Words #1 introduces a world in which a wizard appears one day in New York City, specifically Central Park.  Of course, the first people to encounter him end up in an unfortunate situation.

His name is Wizord and he claims that he has come to Earth to protect the planet from dark magical forces that are bent on the world's destruction.  Well, that world falls in love with Wizord and his slick personality and eye-popping magic.  However, what the people of Earth don't know is Wizord's extremely dark past, and that evil is about to come calling.

Visually and graphically, the art of Ryan Browne makes Curse Words stand out.  I think the best choice that writer Charles Soule made is having Browne as his storytelling partner because his striking art makes this fantasy series truly different from anything else.  No one will look at Curse Words and say, “Eww, not another Vertigo dark fantasy comic book.”  Also, because the coloring is so cranked up, Curse Words looks as if it is taking place in a world riffing on a magical mind-altering substance.

It would be easy to say that Curse Words has potential, but the story has already met the potential promised by Browne's eye-catching cover composition.  I think this series could be a standout.  We shall see...

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication and reprint rights and fees.

---------------------

Review: DARTH VADER #1

DARTH VADER No. 1 (2017)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon. Visit the "Star Wars Central" review page here.]

STORY: Charles Soule
PENCILS: Giuseppe Camuncoli
INKS: Cam Smith
COLORS: David Curiel
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Jim Cheung with Matthew Wilson
VARIANT COVERS: John Tyler Christopher; Phil Noto; Mark Brooks; Adi Granov; Skottie Young; David Lopez; Rod Reis
44pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (August 2017)

Rated T

“The Chosen One” Part I

Of course, you know that The Walt Disney Company owns Marvel Comics, dear readers.  Shortly after acquiring Marvel Entertainment, Disney bought Lucasfilm, Ltd., the owner of all thing Star Wars.  Marvel Comics, the original home of Star Wars comics, is once again publishing Star Wars comics, and this time, these comic book are officially part of the Star Wars canon.

Two years ago, Marvel launched the comic book series, Darth Vader.  Written by Keiron Gillen and drawn by Salvador Larroca, the series was set immediately after the events depicted in the original 1977 film, Star Wars (or Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope).  In this comic book, we watched as Darth Vader was forced to work his way back into Emperor Palpatine good graces because the Emperor held Vader responsible for the destruction of his ultimate weapon, the Death Star, by the Rebel Alliance – as seen Star Wars.

Now, there is a new Darth Vader comic book series.  It is written by Charles Soule; drawn by Giuseppe Camuncoli (pencils) and Cam Smith (inks); colored by David Curiel; and lettered by Joe Caramagna.  This series is set after the events depicted in the 2005 film, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, although some of it recounts events that took place at the end of that film.

Darth Vader #1 opens as Anakin Skywalker awakens as the monster in a suit of cybernetic armor, Darth Vader.  He is filled with pain and rage over the death of his wife, Padmé Amidala.  After Emperor Palpatine brings his new dog, Vader, to heel, he begins the task of making the new Sith Lord prove that he can help him in the task of building and defending a Galactic Empire.  First task: Vader must build a lightsaber worthy of a Sith.

A Star Wars comic book has to be really bad or pretty average to get a grade of less than B+ from me.  I am a decades-long Star Wars fan and get a kick out of reading Star Wars comic books.  I am giving this new Darth Vader #1 a grade of B+, although I don't much care for Giuseppe Camuncoli's art.  This opening chapter is okay, but it does set up the possibility of some really exciting chapters to come.

So, go get this new Darth Vader #1, Star Wars fan.

B+

[This comic book includes the bonus story, “No Good Deed...” by Chris Eliopoulos with Jordie Bellaire.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

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Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 19, 2017

MARVEL COMICS

MAY170896    ALL NEW GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #6    $3.99
MAY170850    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN RENEW YOUR VOWS #9    $3.99
APR171158    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN TP VOL 06 WORLDWIDE    $19.99
MAY170878    AMERICA #5    $3.99
MAY170806    ASTONISHING X-MEN #1    $4.99
APR171142    A-Z MARVEL MONSTERS HC    $24.99
APR171143    BLACK EYED PEAS PRESENTS MASTERS SUN ZOMBIES CHRONICLES HC    $24.99
APR171167    CAPTAIN AMERICA AND THE AVENGERS COMP COLL TP    $34.99
MAY170868    DAREDEVIL #24    $3.99
APR171159    DAREDEVIL BACK IN BLACK TP VOL 04 IDENTITY    $17.99
APR171170    DEADPOOL CLASSIC TP VOL 18 DEADPOOL VS MARVEL    $39.99
MAY170823    DEADPOOL KILLS MARVEL UNIVERSE AGAIN #2    $3.99
MAY170824    DEADPOOL KILLS MARVEL UNIVERSE AGAIN #2 ESPIN VAR    $3.99
MAY170791    DOCTOR STRANGE #23 SE    $3.99
MAY178133    GENERATIONS FREE PREVIEWS SPOTLIGHT (BUNDLE OF 25)    $5.00
MAR178810    GLOW IN THE DARK COSMIC CUBE (BUNDLE OF 25)    $PI
MAY170832    INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #9    $3.99
MAY170875    LUKE CAGE #3    $3.99
MAY170826    MARVELS THOR RAGNAROK PRELUDE #2 (OF 4)    $3.99
MAY170827    MIGHTY THOR #21    $3.99
APR171141    MIGHTY THOR PREM HC VOL 03 ASGARD SHIAR WAR    $24.99
MAY170887    MONSTERS UNLEASHED #4    $3.99
MAY170858    MS MARVEL #20    $3.99
APR171160    MS MARVEL TP VOL 07 DAMAGE PER SECOND    $17.99
APR171156    PATSY WALKER AKA HELLCAT TP VOL 03 CARELESS WHISKERS    $15.99
MAY170840    PETER PARKER SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #2    $3.99
APR171161    PUNISHER TP VOL 02 END OF THE LINE    $17.99
MAY170856    ROYALS #5    $3.99
MAY170763    SECRET EMPIRE #6 (OF 10)    $4.99
MAY170766    SECRET EMPIRE #6 (OF 10) SORRENTINO HYDRA HEROES VAR    $4.99
MAY170775    SECRET EMPIRE BRAVE NEW WORLD #4 (OF 5) SE    $3.99
MAY170855    SPIDER-MAN 2099 #25    $4.99
APR171122    STAR WARS DARTH MAUL #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
MAY170934    STAR WARS POE DAMERON #17    $3.99
MAY170907    TOTALLY AWESOME HULK #21 WMD    $3.99
MAY170830    ULTIMATES 2 #9    $3.99
MAY170795    US AVENGERS #8 SE    $3.99
APR171146    US AVENGERS TP VOL 01 AMERICAN INTELLIGENCE MECHANICS    $17.99
MAY170804    X-MEN GOLD #8 SE    $3.99

Review: Star Wars: POE DAMERON #1

POE DAMERON No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon. And visit the "Star Wars Central" review page here.]

WRITER: Charles Soule; Chris Eliopoulos
ART: Phil Noto; Chris Eliopoulos
COLORS: Phil Noto; Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna; Chris Eliopoulos
COVER: Phil Noto
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (June 2016)

Rated “T”

Book I: Black Squadron, Part I

We first met X-wing fighter jockey Poe Dameron, in the recent film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.  Now, Poe returns in the new comic book miniseries, Poe Dameron.  It is written by Charles Soule; drawn and colored by Phil Noto; and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

Poe Dameron #1 (“Black Squadron,” Part I) opens 30 years after the Rebel Alliance defeated the Galactic Empire (as seen in Return of the Jedi), which was replaced by the New Republic.  However, a new military force, the First Order, is plotting to overthrow the New Republic.  To face this new threat, General Leia Organa founded the Resistance.

The First Order is also looking for Leia's brother, Luke Skywalker.  Now, General Organa has tasked the galaxy's best pilot, Poe Dameron, to find Lor San Tekka, an explorer who investigates Jedi ruins.  Tekka may know where Luke is, but finding him will put Poe and his droid, BB-8, in a place that is both strange and dangerous.

Marvel Comics is publishing about four to five Star Wars comic books every month, and for the most part, much of that output is high-quality.  I was excited to learn that Marvel would be publishing a comic book focusing on Poe Dameron, who is one of the characters of which I want to see more in future Star Wars films.  I am expecting a lot from this comic book because I hope that Charles Soule can deliver the same excitement and thrills he did in last year's five-issue miniseries, Lando, which depicted a tale of Lando Calrissian before he was a mining mogul.

Well, the first issue certainly delivers on action and intrigue.  I have to be honest:  one of the reasons I like this comic book is that it connects to The Force Awakens, taking place just before the events depicted in the film.  Soule fleshes out more of Poe's personality, and he also expands into the unknown that surrounds the world of The Force Awakens.  And I have to give artist Phil Noto credit; he has a photo-realistic touch when it comes to drawing Poe.  Here, Poe the comic book character strong resembles Oscar Isaac, the actor who portrays Poe in The Force Awakens.

As a bonus, there is an eight-page backup story starring BB-8, written and drawn by the underrated cartoonist Chris Eliopoulos, who is known for his work as a comic book letterer.  I loves me some BB-8, and I like what Eliopoulos does with the character.  Encore!

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

-----------------------

Review: DAREDEVIL #1

DAREDEVIL No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITERS: Charles Soule
ART: Ron Garney
COLORS: Matt Milla
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: Ron Garney with Matt Milla
VARIANT COVERS: Joe Quesada; John Tyler Christopher; Tim Sale with Dave Stewart; Larry Stroman and Tom Palmer with Rachelle Rosenberg; Alex Maleev (Hip Hop variant); Patrick “Rick” Lance photographed by Judy Stevens (Cosplay variant)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2016)

Daredevil is a Marvel Comics superhero created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Bill Everett.  The character first appeared in Daredevil #1 (cover dated: April 1964).  Jack Kirby contributed to Daredevil's creation, but to what extent is unknown.  In Daredevil #7, artist Wally Wood created the red uniform by which the character is known into modern times.  Daredevil is Matt Murdock, a vision-impaired attorney who was blinded as a child after being exposed to a radioactive substance.

Frank Miller had an influential run on the Daredevil comic book series, first as an artist and later as the writer and artist.  He made the character popular and also important in the Marvel Universe.  As part of the “All-New, All-Different Marvel,” the Daredevil comic book series is relaunched, and it seems (at least to me) to recall Frank Miller and even the work of those influenced by Miller.  Daredevil is written by Charles Soule; drawn by Ron Garney; colored by Matt Milla; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.

Daredevil #1 opens on the Manhattan Bridge in New York City, where Daredevil is rescuing Billy Li.  He is a witness in a case that Assistant District Attorney Matt Murdock of the New York County District Attorney's Office has put before a grand jury.  The target of that grand jury, the mysterious criminal Tenfingers, wants Li dead and has decided that maybe Murdock should also be killed.  Plus, Daredevil's apprentice, Blindspot, continues to learn.

The story by Charles Soule isn't bad, but it isn't anything special, at least not yet.  It simply takes the classic Daredevil paradigm that connects Matt Murdock's case to a bad guy that Daredevil is pursuing.  I guess this is how it should be, and if done right, can be entertaining.

What I do like is the drawing by Ron Garney and the coloring by Matt Milla.  This combination recalls the black and white, original art of Frank Miller and Klaus Janson and also the pencils, inks, and colors of Klaus Janson – all done by this creative duo during their glorious run on Daredevil.  Garney and Milla's work here also reminds me of Jim Lee's art on the first two issues of Deathblow (a 1990s Wildstorm title), which was – let's face it – a rip off of Frank Miller's art on Sin City.

Garney and Milla's jimmied negative space and faux toning simply looks right for Daredevil.  Like I said earlier, this isn't great, but it makes me want to keep reading for a bit.

B

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint or syndication rights and fees.

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 20, 2016

MARVEL COMICS

OCT158856     ALL NEW X-MEN #1 BAGLEY 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
OCT150983     ALL NEW X-MEN TP VOL 07 UTOPIANS     $19.99
OCT150981     ASM INHUMAN ALL NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA INHUMAN ERROR TP     $12.99
NOV150803     ASTONISHING ANT-MAN #4     $3.99
NOV150738     CAPTAIN MARVEL #1     $3.99
OCT158857     DAREDEVIL #1 GARNEY 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
NOV150904     DARK TOWER DRAWING OF THREE LADY OF SHADOWS #5 (MR)     $3.99
NOV150897     DEADPOOL #6     $3.99
OCT158858     DOCTOR STRANGE #3 BACHALO 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
NOV150812     DRAX #3     $3.99
NOV150853     HERCULES #3     $3.99
OCT158860     HOWARD THE DUCK #2 FOWLER GWENPOOL B&W 2ND PTG VAR     $4.99
OCT158859     HOWARD THE DUCK #2 QUINONES 2ND PTG VAR     $4.99
OCT158861     INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #4 MARQUEZ 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
OCT150994     MARVEL FRONTIER COMICS TP COMPLETE COLLECTION (MR)     $39.99
NOV150901     MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS ASSEMBLE SEASON TWO #15     $2.99
NOV150905     MAX RIDE #3 ULTIMATE FLIGHT     $3.99
NOV150824     MS MARVEL #3     $3.99
NOV150787     NEW AVENGERS #5     $3.99
NOV150848     PATSY WALKER AKA HELLCAT #2     $3.99
OCT150993     PUNISHER MAX TP VOL 01 COMPLETE COLLECTION (MR)     $34.99
NOV150763     SILVER SURFER #1     $3.99
NOV150920     STAR WARS #15     $3.99
OCT150988     STAR WARS TP LANDO     $16.99
NOV150857     STARBRAND AND NIGHTMASK #2     $3.99
NOV150816     STAR-LORD #3     $3.99
OCT150985     THOR TP VOL 01 GODDESS OF THUNDER     $19.99
OCT150995     THUNDERBOLTS CLASSIC TP VOL 01 NEW PTG     $34.99
NOV150863     TRUE BELIEVERS GROOVY DEADPOOL #1     $1.00
NOV150864     TRUE BELIEVERS MEATY DEADPOOL #1     $1.00
NOV150865     TRUE BELIEVERS WEDDING OF DEADPOOL #1     $1.00
NOV150818     UNCANNY INHUMANS #4     $3.99
OCT150772     UNCANNY X-MEN #2     $3.99
OCT150984     X-MEN TP VOL 01 INFERNO     $34.99

Review: Star Wars LANDO #5

LANDO No. 5
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Charles Soule
ART: Alex Maleev
COLORS: Paul Mounts
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Alex Maleev
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2015)

Rated T

“Part V”

Lando Calrissian, the first Star Wars character portrayed onscreen by a Black man (Oscar-nominated actor, Billy Dee Williams), got his first solo comic book series in the year 2015... yeah.  After a cumulative three decades of Star Wars comic books, no Lando, no Black man.  The title, launched early this past summer, was Lando, written by Charles Soule, drawn by Alex Maleev, colored by Paul Mounts, and lettered by Joe Caramagna.  You can't have everything, as they say; no African-American comics creators participated in Lando's creation.  Sigh.

Lando begins with gambler, hustler, ladies' man, businessman, etc., Lando Calrissian, trying to pay off a huge past debt.  Lando and his longtime cohort, Lobot, led a team of alien clone warriors, Aleksin and Pavol, and antiquity specialist, Sava Korin Pers, in the heist of “The Imperialis,” an Imperial Luxury yacht.  What they did not know is that the yacht is the personal property of Emperor Palpatine, and it contains a treasure horde of Jedi and Sith artifacts.  Meanwhile, the Emperor sends bounty hunter, Chanath Cha, to deal with the situation.  She has past with Lando and Lobot...

As Lando #5 (“Part V”) opens, Lando is trying to make a deal with Chanath, while she prepares to blow up the Imperialis.  He is desperate to help the grievously injured Lobot and also still salvage something from this heist.  Deals will be made, but the people who turn out to be loyal and those who turn out to be backstabbers will surprise Lando.

After reading Lando #1, I was pleased with the art by Alex Maleev.  I found that, in terms of design and graphic style, the comic book looked like The Empire Strikes Back.  For me, Alex Maleev's art on Lando recalled the work of legendary comic book artist, Al Williamson, who drew Marvel Comics' six-issue adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back (published in issues #39 to 44 of Marvel's original Star Wars comic book series).  Even colorist Paul Mounts seemed to have The Empire Strikes Back's color palette in mind as he colored Maleev's original art for Lando #1.  Nothing has changed.  To the end, Lando is still a great looking comic book.

As for Charles Soule's story and script for the first issue, I thought there was potential for an excellent Star Wars comic book.  Indeed, it has worked out that way.  In fact, the heist has many exciting twists and turns that had me eagerly awaiting each issue.  I always read Lando first on new comics day.

I think Soule also presented an exceptional character study of Lando, creating the complex and fascinating guy we've always known to be there behind what we were given in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi (1983).  Relatively speaking, there wasn't much depicted onscreen about his personality (beyond his guile and beguiling ways), nor was there much about his hopes, dreams, and inner demons.  Soule gave that to us with Lando.  I hope we get more.  No fan of Star Wars comic books should miss Lando.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

Review: LANDO #1

LANDO #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon. "Star Wars Central" page is here.]

WRITER: Charles Soule
ART: Alex Maleev
COLORS: Paul Mounts
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Alex Maleev with Edgard Delgado
VARIANT COVERS: Alex Ross; John Tyler; Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2015)

Rated T

“Part 1”

Lando Calrissian was the first Star Wars character portrayed onscreen by a Black man, Oscar-nominated actor, Billy Dee Williams.  [Of course, James Earl Jones first provided the voice of Darth Vader, while another actor wore the costume.]  Lando made his debut in The Empire Strikes Back (1980), the first sequel to Star Wars (1977).

Lando Calrissian gets his first solo comic book series with the recently launched title, Lando.  The comic book miniseries is written by Charles Soule, drawn by Alex Maleev, colored by Paul Mounts, and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

Lando #1 (“Part 1”) opens sometime after the events depicted in the original Star Wars film.  The story begins on the Imperial colony world, Castell, shortly after Lando has bedded Ssaria, an Imperial Moff.  Lando needs something from her to pay a debt to “Papa Toren,” some kind of crime boss, but things don't quite work out for Lando.  Lando convinces his partner, Lobot, to join him on another gambit.  He recruits the twin weirdos, Aleskin and Pavol, and Sava Korin Pers to steal something – something of which none of them understands the true value.

Not long after the release of The Empire Strikes Back, a trio of novels featuring Lando Calrissian were published [Lando Calrissian and the Mindharp of Sharu; Lando Calrissian and the Flamewind of Oseon; and Lando Calrissian and the Starcave of ThonBoka, all written by L. Neil Smith].  So it is strange that in the character's previous 34 years of existence no one thought to create even a Lando solo comic book miniseries, especially considering the almost uncountable number of Star Wars comic books that Dark Horse Comics published over a period of just over two decades.  Well, half a year before the release of the seventh Star Wars film (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), Marvel Comics is smart enough to give us a Lando comic book series, and it is quite good.

In terms of design and graphic style, Lando the comic book looks like The Empire Strikes Back.  In fact, in composition and rendering and in character design, Alex Maleev's work on Lando recalls the work of legendary comic book artist, Al Williamson.  It was Williamson who drew Marvel Comics' six-issue adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back, which was published in issues #39 to 44 (cover dated: September 1980 to February 1981) of Marvel's original Star Wars comic book series.  Even colorist Paul Mounts seems to have The Empire Strikes Back's color palette in mind as he colored Maleev's original art for Lando.

As for Charles Soule's story, this heist tale has potential.  It looks like a tale that could be filled with backstabbing and life-threatening situation.

However, Marvel Comics (like DC Comics) has been making a big deal about its recent moves towards diversity.  Apparently, diversity to Marvel means a few more comic books with “characters of color,” but not more Black creators producing those comic books, especially when it comes to writers.  It would have been nice if Marvel Comics had given an African-American writer a shot at writing a Lando Calrissian comic book.  It certainly would be something different, and perhaps more interesting.  What would be even more special and surprising would be if Marvel Comics knew more than two Black comic book writers to whom they could offer assignments or writing gigs.

Anyway, I'll give Lando a high grade for its lovely art.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

I Reads You Review: SECRET WARS #1

SECRET WARS #1 (OF 8)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Jonathan Hickman
ARTIST: Esad Ribic
COLORS: Ive Svorcina
LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos
COVER: Alex Ross
VARIANT COVERS: Simone Bianchi with Simone Peruzzi; Jim Cheung with Justin Ponsor; John Tyler Christopher; Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts; Butch Guice with Andy Troy; Esad Ribic; Skottie Young; Chip Zdarsky
56pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (July 2015)

Part 1: “End Times”

Almost four years ago, DC Comics re-launched its comic books line, an event called “The New 52.”  That's over, already.  Marvel Comics did semi-relaunches, under the banner “All-New.”  Well, now Marvel is going all in this fall when every comic book restarts with a #1 issue, in addition to the apparent debut of some new titles.

DC Comics heralded “The New 52,” with a five-issue miniseries and publishing event entitled “Flashpoint.”  Marvel's event herald is “Secret Wars.”  Yes, indeed, everything old is remade again, and Marvel's notorious 1984 twelve-issue comic book miniseries, Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars get a portion of its title re-purposed.  Worlds, universes, and even characters die in the eight-issue miniseries, Secret Wars, written by Jonathan Hickman, drawn by Esad Ribic, colored by Ive Svorcina, and lettered by Chris Eliopoulos, with painted covers by Alex Ross.

Secret Wars #1 (“End Times”) opens with Doctor Doom, Doctor Strange, and Molecule Man facing... “Beyond.”  The multiverse is dying, and there are only two universes left.  One is the universe of Earth-1610 (the Ultimate Universe), and the other is the universe of Earth-616 (the Marvel Universe).  One is invading the other; super-powered types will battle.  Super-powered types will die, and so will a universe... or two.

Reading Secret Wars #1 is only half as painful as reading Avengers & X-Men: Axis #1 was for me.  Secret Wars does have its moments in which I genuinely cared about the peril faced by the characters, at least some of them.  What I genuinely love about Secret Wars #1 is the beautiful art by Esad Ribic and Ive Svorcina.

I have always admired Ribic, even when he replaced my beloved Steve Rude on X-Men: Children of the Atom (way back in the 1990s).  Here, Ribic and Svorcina deliver some potent, striking images, and it is their storytelling that really makes this graphic narrative work, more so than Hickman's script.  Hickman puts a snide remark in Rocket Raccoon's mouth about those comic book from decades ago that had a one-dollar cover price.  Yeah, some did suck, but you usually got a complete story in a single issue.  Let's see current comics superstar Jonathan Hickman pull that off.

B+

[This book includes a preview of The Uncanny Inhumans #0” by Charles Soule, Steve McNiven, Jay Leisten, Justin Ponsor, and VC's Clayton Cowles.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux; support on Patreon.


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

Review: "The Uncanny Inhumans #0" Has Soule Power

THE UNCANNY INHUMANS #0

WRITER: Charles Soule
PENCILER: Steve McNiven
INKER: Jay Leisten
COLORIST: Justin Ponsor
LETTERER: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: Steven McNiven with  Justin Ponsor
VARIANT COVERS: Simone Bianchi; Jim Cheung; Jerome Opena; Siya Oum; Mike Perkins with Christian Ward

“Things to Come” Double-Page Spread by Brandon Peterson

“End Times”

Marvel has been pumping up the Inhumans for a while.  They have been popping up all over the Marvel Universe.  Inhumans and Ms. Marvel have been two good additions to the Marvel line-up of series.  Now, they give us The Uncanny Inhumans.  Everybody is “uncanny” these days.  I can't wait until the Uncanny Power Pack hits the stands.

Back to the reason for this review:  As an appetizer for the main course, The Uncanny Inhumans #0 left my mouth watering.  Charles Soule subtly foreshadows future conflicts that Black Bolt and the Inhumans will be facing.  Just in this issue, we get to see some street level crime, some royal family drama, father-son conflict, and an evil master of time.  Soule piqued my interest with each of these story lines.

With Black Bolt, a writer has to use other characters and events to direct us through the story line.  Even then, we can only assume what Black Bolt's intentions are in relation to the true direction of the story.  Medusa claims that she knows what Black Bolt is thinking, but who really knows.  Black Bolt is the biggest mystery in his own stories.  Soule uses this aspect of the character to build our anticipation of coming events.  Oh, yeah!  Black Bolt is an awesome “insert your own slang.”  Mine included a lot of profanity and bureaucrat was not one.

As a “0” issue, this has been one of the best reads in awhile, and Soule was effective in his use of what is basically a preview of things to come.  Most of the time, “0” issues are epic fails, and I don't like to waste energy on them.

“Evolution”
Writer: Ryan Stegman; Artist: Ryan Lee; Colors: James Campbell

Marvel was so kind as to give us a bonus feature in The Uncanny Inhumans #0.  Like we are willing to give $5 for anything they deem worthy.  This was a cool back-up featuring Iso and Flint.  We get good action, and the characters reach turning points in their lives.  This story added a different flavor to the issue.  The issue just keeps drawing you into the Inhuman universe.

This is the book for all comic book art aficionados.  Give all the artists who worked on this issue their credit.  You go through page after page of beautiful Steve McNiven art; then, BAM! you get hit with the Brandon Peterson spread.  This is the kind of art that makes you feel like you owe Marvel some money.  I wonder if Peterson saw McNiven's art before he did his spread and knew he had to turn up.  Wait.  I'm going back and look at this book again.

I rate this issue “Buy Your Own Copy” (#2 on the Al-o-Meter), and the art alone is worth every penny!

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

The text is copyright © 2015 Albert Avilla. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 7, 2015

MARVEL COMICS

NOV140846     ALL NEW X-FACTOR #19     $3.99
OCT140832     AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #12 SV     $3.99
OCT140932     AMAZING SPIDER-MAN TP VOL 02 SPIDER-VERSE PRELUDE     $17.99
NOV140777     ANGELA ASGARDS ASSASSIN #2     $3.99
NOV140725     ANT-MAN #1     $4.99
NOV140749     AVENGERS NO MORE BULLYING #1     $1.99
OCT140850     BUCKY BARNES WINTER SOLDIER #3     $3.99
OCT140914     DEATH OF WOLVERINE HC     $24.99
NOV140834     DEATH OF WOLVERINE WEAPON X PROGRAM #5     $3.99
NOV140824     HAWKEYE VS DEADPOOL #4     $3.99
NOV140818     HULK #10     $3.99
NOV140816     IRON FIST LIVING WEAPON #8     $3.99
NOV140798     LEGENDARY STAR LORD #7     $3.99
OCT140924     MARVEL SUPER HEROES SECRET WARS PROSE NOVEL HC     $24.99
NOV140756     MARVELS AVENGERS #2     $2.99
NOV140859     MEN OF WRATH BY AARON AND GARNEY #4 (MR)     $3.50
NOV140826     MIRACLEMAN #14 (MR)     $4.99
APR140745     MMW FANTASTIC FOUR HC VOL 01 NEW PTG     $49.99
NOV140774     OPERATION SIN #1     $3.99
NOV140817     PUNISHER #14     $3.99
OCT140931     PUNISHER TP VOL 02 BORDER CROSSING     $17.99
OCT140835     SPIDER-MAN 2099 #7 SV     $3.99
NOV140835     STORM #7     $3.99
NOV140732     UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #1     $3.99
OCT140916     UNCANNY AVENGERS PREM HC VOL 05 AXIS PRELUDE     $24.99
NOV140736     WOLVERINES #1     $3.99
NOV140833     X-MEN #23     $3.99

I Reads You Review: DEATH OF WOLVERINE #1

DEATH OF WOLVERINE #1 (OF 4)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER:  Charles Soule
PENCILS:  Steve McNiven
INKS:  Jay Leisten
COLORS:  Justin Ponsor
LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos
COVER:  Steve McNiven and Jay Leisten with Justin Ponsor
56pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (November 2014)

Rated T+

Part One: “The End”

Marvel Comics is killing Wolverine.  How long will he remain dead?  I guess that is not really the point.  I'm just supposed to enjoy the event miniseries in which Wolverine dies.  Entitled Death of Wolverine, it is written by Charles Soule, pencilled by Steve McNiven, inked by Jay Leisten, colored by Justin Ponsor, and lettered by Chris Eliopoulos.

Death of Wolverine #1 (“The End”) opens in the backwoods of British Columbia; the time is now.  Logan/Wolverine is dying because he has lost his healing factor.  Now, he cannot heal supernaturally fast after being injured in his frequent battles, fights, duels, etc., so it has taken a toll on his body.  Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four, of course) has told Logan that he can find a way to reactivate his healing factor, but it will take time.

Logan does not have that time.  People are coming after Wolverine to kill him.  In fact, here come some guys now.

I wanted to be cynical.  Killing Wolverine?  Ha!  He'll be back real soon.  Still, one look at that card stock cover for Death of Wolverine #1, with its snazzy graphic design and beautiful (of course) Steve McNiven art, and I was sold on this miniseries.  The story, by the impressive Charles Soule, is downbeat and downright depressing.  The wonderfully detailed line work and texture by McNiven, the precise and artful inking by Leisten, and the glorious hues of colorist Justice Ponsor make the story even more heartbreaking.  There is a real sense of finality to this tale... thus far.

Hey, the extras are cool!  I love the generous helping of McNiven sketchbook material.  Len Wein uses his interview to give props to the late Dave Cockrum.  Gotta love that.  Yeah... I didn't think that I would end up looking forward to the Death of Wolverine miniseries, but I am, even as I (surprisingly) dread the death of Wolverine.

A-

Death of Wolverine includes bonus material:

• sketches and other preliminary art for the series by Steve McNiven
• commentary by McNiven
• an interview with Wolverine co-creator Len Wein that includes art from The Incredible Hulk #181 (Wolverine's first full appearance)
• Death of Wolverine #1 – Director's Cut, which includes pages from the script for issue #1 with pencil, ink, and color versions of art from the first issue

----------------------------
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

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