Review: SPIDER-MAN: Life Story #2

SPIDER-MAN: LIFE STORY No. 2
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Chip Zdarsky
PENCILS: Mark Bagley
INKS: Drew Hennessy
COLORS: Frank D'Armata
LETTERS: Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Tom Brevoort
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Chip Zdarsky
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Michael Cho
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (June 2019)

Rated  “T”

Spider-Man created by Steve Ditko and Stan Lee

Spider-Man is a classic Marvel Comics superhero.  Over the years, readers followed the adventures of Spider-man and his secret identity, that of teenager and high school student, Peter Parker.

In 1962, in Amazing Fantasy #15 (cover dated: August 1962), 15-year-old Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider and became the Amazing Spider-Man.  Fifty-seven years have passed in the real world since that event.  What would have happened if the same amount of time passed for Peter as well?   Spider-Man: Life Story is a new comic book miniseries that tells the story of Peter Parker and Spider-Man in real time, depicting his life from beginning to end.  Spider-Man: Life Story is written by Chip Zdarsky; drawn by Mark Bagley (pencils) and Drew Hennessy (inks); colored by Frank D'Armata; and letterer Travis Lanham.  “Life Story” is set against the events of the decades through which Spider-Man has lived.

Spider-Man: Life Story #2 opens in sometime in the mid-1970s.  Peter Parker and his wife, Gwen Stacy, visit the grave of Eugene “Flash” Thompson.  Flash, Peter's high school rival and erstwhile friend, was killed in Vietnam War/Conflict.  Peter is in a constant state of existential crisis.  He believes that he and others with great powers should be using their talents and creations to make the world a better place.  Peter still believes that he should have played a part in Vietnam.  But not everyone is feeling Peter's feelings or worldview.  And an old enemy reaches out to touch Peter.

For the last two decades, especially since the beginning of Joe Quesada's reign as Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Comics (in the year 2000), Marvel has been rebooting, re-imagining, and re-purposing the fictional histories of its comic books.  Maybe, that is a way to introduce classic story lines, story arcs, characters, concepts, etc. to a new readers.  One could say that this also allows older (and old) readers to experience the stories of the past retold to one extent or another.

I don't see Spider-Man: Life Story as a swipe of the fictional history and mythology of Spider-Man.  Instead Chip Zdarsky is representing the conflicts and melodramas that The Amazing Spider-Man and other Spider-Man publications depicted as the life experiences of a character who is aging in “real time.”  These are no longer just the adventures and misadventures and trial and tribulations of a young man and his superhero alter-ego who has been (mostly) no older than his mid-20s for the better part of six decades and is often eternally on the edge of graduating high school.

I am loathe to discuss the Spider-Man moments that Zdarsky represents, but I can say that by the end of Spider-Man: Life Story #2, Peter is 30 or 31.  He no longer has the eternal optimism of youth that will allow him to overlook a clone of himself.  He isn't a teenager or a college student or mid-20s professional who can brush off Spider-Man's darkest moments when it is time for him to play civilian the day after.

Spider-Man: Life Story does not quite take the real world approach to superheroes the way Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen did.  Spider-Man: Life Story #2, however, does take the approach to time and tide – the outward flow of time – that Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross' Marvels does.  No matter how many fantastic things are occurring, the players in this story age.  And life takes its toll.

What Zdarsky and artist Mark Bagley are offering is a chance to see one of the greatest superheroes forced to face his trials as a maturing man and not as an eternal boy or boyish man.  Spider-Man: Life Story #2 tells me that this series is for real.

9 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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Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 4, 2019

MARVEL COMICS

OCT190926    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #35 2099    $3.99
OCT190928    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #35 ART ADAMS 8 PART CONNECTING VAR 2099    $3.99
OCT190927    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #35 JOHNSON 2020 VAR 2099    $3.99
JUL191087    ANNIHILATION OMNIBUS HC NEW PTG    $125.00
OCT190875    ANNIHILATION SCOURGE FANTASTIC FOUR #1    $4.99
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OCT190869    ANNIHILATION SCOURGE NOVA #1    $4.99
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OCT190970    DOCTOR DOOM #3 ZIRCHER 2020 VAR    $3.99
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JUN191032    IRON MAN HC MASK IN IRON MAN OMNIBUS    $75.00
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SEP191027    MARVEL GRAPHIC COMIC BOXES ANNIHILATION (BUNDLE OF 5) (Net)    $50.00
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SEP191014    SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN TP LO THIS MONSTER    $19.99
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OCT191077    STAR WARS #1 FACSIMILE EDITION    $3.99
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OCT190903    X-MEN #3 DX    $3.99

Review: SPIDER-MAN: Life Story #1

SPIDER-MAN: LIFE STORY No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Chip Zdarsky
PENCILS: Mark Bagley
INKS: John Dell
COLORS: Frank D'Armata
LETTERS: Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Tom Brevoort
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Chip Zdarsky
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Marcos Martin; Greg Smallwood; Skottie Young
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (May 2019)

Rated  “T”

Spider-Man created by Steve Ditko and Stan Lee

Spider-Man is the classic Marvel Comics superhero that readers first met in Amazing Fantasy #15 (cover dated: August 1962).  The Amazing Spider-Man #1 (cover date: March 1963) was the beginning of the first Spider-Man title, as we followed his adventures and his secret life as a teenager and high school student named Peter Parker.  Over the years, a legion of Spider-Man writers depicted Peter Parker graduating from high school, going to college, becoming a college graduate student, a working stiff, a freelancer, an employee, etc.

Spider-Man: Life Story is a new comic book miniseries tells the story of Peter Parker and Spider-Man in real time, depicting his life from beginning to end.  Spider-Man: Life Story is written by Chip Zdarsky; drawn by Mark Bagley (pencils) and John Dell (inker); colored by Frank D'Armata; and letterer Travis Lanham.  “Life Story” is set against the events of the decades through which Spider-Man has lived.  The conceit of this series is as follows (as described by Marvel Comics:

In 1962, in Amazing Fantasy #15, 15-year-old Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider and became the Amazing Spider-Man! Fifty-seven years have passed in the real world since that event - so what would have happened if the same amount of time passed for Peter as well?

Spider-Man: Life Story #1 opens in 1966, four years after the events depicted in Amazing Fantasy #15.  Peter has one left year in college, but that is not all that is on his mind.  He has money woes, and as more young men his age are drafted to serve in the Vietnam War, Peter starts to wonder if Spider-Man should also serve in the conflict.  As his old rival, Flash Thompson, prepares to leave for Vietnam, Peter really starts to weigh the question of where his responsibility truly lies.  Meanwhile, a dangerous foe reappears, threatening Spider-Man's secrets.

Spider-Man: Life Story #1 is just the kind of first issue with which a prestige or “high-end” miniseries should open.  This is the kind of wonderful read that will make readers come back for the second issue.  Simply put, it is quite well written by Chip Zdarsky, who is proving to be a writer with classic storytelling chops.  What I mean by that is that Zdarsky focuses on spinning comic book yarns (1) that are true to the core of the characters, (2) that have successful superhero action scenes, and (3) that also have a modern sensibility.  In this way, Zdarsky's Spider-Man: Life Story #1 reminds me of Brian Michael Bendis' Ultimate Spider-Man #1 (cover dated:  October 2000), a modern take on Spider-Man that had a classic Spider-Man sensibility.

Another reason that I am reminded of Ultimate Spider-Man is that the penciler of Spider-Man: Life Story #1 is Mark Bagley, who was the long-time artist on Ultimate Spider-Man, drawing just under 120 issues.  Bagley is a consummate superhero comic book artist, whose storytelling is straightforward.  His graphic style is not overly stylish, but, once again, his art looks like classic superhero comic book art from the 1960s and 1970s.

I thought I might like Spider-Man: Life Story #1, but I often only read the first issue of a miniseries even when I like it enough to be interested in future issues.  I plan to read more Spider-Man: Life Story, and I am eagerly awaiting that second issue.

8.5 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.

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

Review: DAREDEVIL #1

DAREDEVIL No. 1 (2019)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted in Patreon.]

STORY: Chip Zdarsky
ART: Marco Checchetto
COLORS: Sunny Gho
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
EDITOR: Devin Lewis
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Julian Totino Tedesco
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Alex Maleev; Joe Quesada; Skottie Young; Gabriele Dell'Otto
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (April 2019)

Daredevil created by Stan Lee and Bill Everett with Jack Kirby and Wally Wood

“Know Fear” Part 1

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).  Daredevil is Matt Murdock, a vision-impaired attorney who was blinded as a child after being exposed to a radioactive substance.  That substance enhanced his senses to a supernatural level and gave him a 360-degree radar sense.

Marvel Comics is giving Daredevil the comic book something of a reboot.  Daredevil 2019 is written by Chip Zdarsky; drawn by Marco Checchetto; colored by Sunny Gho; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.

Daredevil #1 opens in the wake of the events depicted at the end of writer Charles Soule's run on Daredevil and in the subsequent five-issue miniseries, Man Without Fear.  After recovering from grievous injuries and intense physical therapy, Matt Murdock returns to Hell's Kitchen.  As the story begins, Matt has already acted once as Daredevil (although apparently not in costume).  However, there is a new sheriff in town.

Straight outta Chicago comes Detective Cole North.  He has been tasked by New York City Mayor Wilson Fisk, formerly known as The Kingpin – the crime lord of New York City, to take down costumed superheroes in NYC.  When he dons the Daredevil costume for the first time in a long time, Matt may end up doing Detective Cole's work for him.

Daredevil #1 (2019) is quite a good start for the new series.  First, there is Julian Totino Tedesco's beautiful cover art.  Inside, Marco Checchetto offers his most disciplined compositions to date, with an emphasis on storytelling that makes the most of atmosphere and mood and characters' emotions.  Previously, Checchetto was good at these things, but his drawings seemed to emphasize style.  Sunny Gho's colors are beautiful and emphasize reds and blues to create a sort of rose-tinted Film-Noir look.  The artists' depiction of Daredevil's radar sense is also quite nice.

Writer Chip Zdarsky's storytelling here reminds me, in some ways, of writer Frank Miller and artist David Mazzuchelli's “Born Again” story arc in Daredevil (1964) #227-231.  It is also something of a spiritual heir to the last year of Frank Miller's original run on Daredevil as writer-artist/designer (with Klaus Janson as artist).  I don't know if Zdarsky's work on Daredevil will reach the great heights of Miller, but I like how Zdarsky emphasizes Matt's moral conflicts and his past, as well as emphasizing Wilson Fisk as being an existential threat to Matt Murdock-Daredevil.  Clayton Cowles lettering creates a nice rhythm for Zdarsky's script.

I was not looking forward to Daredevil (2019), but happenstance dropped a copy of Daredevil #1 (2019) in my lap.  I am glad I read it, and I am recommending it to Daredevil fans.

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 or syndication 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.

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

I Reads You Juniors March 2018 - Update #61

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From BleedingCool:  "The Amazing Spider-Man #798" speculator clown show continues.

From THR:  "Justice League: No Justice" is a four-issue, weekly comic book miniseries that will affect the direction of the DCU.

From CatholicUniverse:  Catholic comic book creators have started a Kickstarter to raise money for a 50-page, full-color, "pro-life" graphic novel.

From TheOuthousers:  Sherard Jackson talks about his webcomic, "Darbi."

From Syfy:  Jimmy Palmiotti talks about the Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign (which has already reached its goal) for a horror graphic novel, "Killing Time in America."

From Newsweek:  Marvel well begin publishing a "Fantastic Four" comic book again in August 2018 with writer Dan Slott and artist Sara Pichelli as the creative team.

From BleedingCool:  "Death of the Inhumans" in July.

From DCComicsBlog:  DC Comics signs Frank Miller to a five-project deal.

From BleedingCool:  Veteran comic book writer-artist William Messner-Loebs is currently homeless... and has one arm!

From BleedingCool:  Award-winning novelist Margaret Atwood and comic book artist unite for the comic book miniseries, "War Bears."

From BleedingCool:  Gail Simone talks about bringing together Tarzan and Red Sonja in a new comic book.

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #156 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #156 in French.

From PublishersWeekly:  DC Comics signs Frank Miller to an exclusive book deal that is part of a larger strategy to increase its presence in the bookstore market.

From BleedingCool:  Classic horror comics character, Swamp Thing, is getting a redesign for his appearance in the new "Justice League Dark" comic book series.

From BleedingCool:  Julie Benson and Shawna Benson will be the new writers on "Green Lantern" beginning with "Green Lantern Annual 2."

From BleedingCool:  Only the first issue of "DC Nation #0" will cost .25 cents.

From Vibe:  Comic Book Anthology "Puerto Rico Strong" To Donate Proceeds To Hurricane Maria Relief Efforts

From PBSNewsHour:  Opinion: Why ‘Black Panther’ and other comic books belong in the classroom

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press solicitations for June 2018

From ComicBookBin:  New web comic - Johnny Bullet episode #155 in English
From ComicBookBin:  New web comic - Johnny Bullet episode #155 in French

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing solicitations for June 2018

From ComicsBeat:  Your crash course guide to DC’s new SANDMAN UNIVERSE line

From BleedingCool:  Archie meets "Batman '66" in... what else... "Archie Meets Batman '66."

From MonkeysFightingRobots:  "Free Comic Book Day" is not free for the retailers that offer comic books.  Diamond Distributors is offering some relief on those costs for FCBD 2018.

From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics will publish comic books that tie-in with Pixar's upcoming 3D animated film, "The Incredible 2."

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics to translate and publish manga based on Batman and the Justice League.

From ComicBook:  The current "Marvel 2-in-One" will introduce new Fantastic Four costumes.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics has a plan to make retailers over-order on "A Fresh Start."

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics launches a new line of collections called "Essential Edition."

From Newsarama:  Anne McCaffrey's "Dragonriders of Pern" returns to comic books via Dabel Brothers this fall.  Eclipse Books previously adapted the fantasy novel series into comics in 1991.

From BlackEnterprise:  Jazmin Truesdale has created Aza Comics, an all-female superhero comic book universe.

From BleedingCool:  There will be a new "Hawkman" monthly comic book written by Robert Vendetti and drawn by Bryan Hitch. [Good luck with that. - Editor]

From BleedingCool:  Chip Zdarsky Goes Marvel Exclusive

From SanDiegoUnionTribune:  With 'Black Panther' and 'Black Lightning' emerging, the 'Encyclopedia of Black Comics' is here to help

From Ohio: 23-year-old Jimmy Scott was killed in 1966.  His family hung onto his collection of over 1100 comic books, many of them key Silver Age issues.  Jimmy's family recently sold the collection to a comic book store in Canal Fulton, Ohio.

From Brightly: 12 Things Parents and Educators Should Know About Manga for Middle Schoolers

From BleedingCool:  100 most ordered comic books and 100 top graphic novels for February 2018.

From TheHollywoodReporter:  DC Comics announces a new imprint, "Black Label."  It will place the best creators with established characters for out-of-continuity stories.  "Superman: Year One" written by Frank Miller and drawn by John Romita, Jr. was one of the first announced titles.

From Newsarama:  February 2018 comic book sales are down, but with a caveat.

From Comicsverse:  Princess Leia manga arrives on "Star Wars Day."

From BleedingCool: Rich Tommaso giving us a really "special edition" of Clover Honey."

From BleedingCool:  Netflix acquires Rob Liefeld's "Extreme Universe" of characters.

From BleedingCool:   Former Marvel Comics editor and writer is now an editor at Valiant Entertainment.

From BleedingCool:  Chris Ryall steps down as Editor-in-Chief as IDW Publishing.

From TheHollywoodReporter:  Brian Michael Bendis has announced two new titles from "Jinxworld" (his creator-owned imprint), including one that reunites him with his "Alias" cohort, Michael Gaydos.  Both will be published by Bendis' new home, DC Comics.

From ComicBook:  Marvel will reinvent the origins of Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers.

From BleedingCool:  Mark Buckingham is adapting four Neil Gaiman stories for a graphic novel anthology from Dark Horse Comics.

From BleedingCool:  Illustrator J. Scott Campbell is the latest comic book star to express concern over the recent turns of events concerning legendary comic book creator and editor, Stan Lee.

From TheGuardian:  "Neil Gaiman is to oversee a new line of comic books set in the world of the Sandman, continuing the adventures of some of his best-loved characters including Dream of the Endless and Lucien the librarian."

From WCET:  Comic book store, "Memory Lane Comics and Toys" in Wilmington, NC, sees uptick in business after release of 'Black Panther'

From TokyoReporter: Manga artist Nobuhiro Nishiwaki fined for possessing child pornography

From Asahi:  Mongolians irate over manga showing penis on Genghis Khan

From BleedingCool:  To help alleviate the risk retailers take, Dark Horse Comics is expanding "returnability" of new titles.

From JapanToday:  In 2017, online sales of manga surpassed print editions for the first time.

From TheAtlantic:  Ta-Nehisi Coates explains why he is writing Marvel Comics "Captain America," with his first issue appearing Summer 2018.

From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics Sends Care Packages to Comic Book Stores

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press is publishing a new edition of Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover's all-ages comic, "Banana Sundays."

From BleedingCool:  Diamond Brings Spinner Racks Back to Comic Stores


STAN LEE MELODRAMA:

From TheDailyMail:  Stan Lee fires manager and his nurse who gave him naked showers over 'plot to estrange him from his daughter and sole heir' as cops probe missing millions and he battles pneumonia

From TheDailyBeast: ‘Picked Apart by Vultures’: The Last Days of Stan Lee

Review: INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #593

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN No. 593
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Brian Michael Bendis
ART: Stefano Caselli; Alex Maleev
COLORS: Marte Gracia; Alex Maleev
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: Adi Granov
VARIANT COVERS: Alan Davis and Mark Farmer with Matt Yackey; John Tyler Christopher with Stefano Caselli and Marte Gracia; Mike McKone with Rachelle Rosenberg; Chip Zdarsky; Jack Kirby with Frank Giacola
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2017)

Rated “T+”

Iron Man created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Don Heck, and Jack Kirby

“The Search for Tony Stark” Part One

One could be forgiven for thinking that there was a new Iron Man #1 comic book of some type every year, and that would not be far from the truth.  I think that going back to 1999, there have been close to 10 Iron Man #1's of one type or another, if not more.

Thanks to Marvel Comics' new “Legacy” initiative, Iron Man goes back to its original numbering (plus several relaunch numbers) and the result is Invincible Iron Man #593.  The creative team behind the most recent Invincible Iron Man relaunch (which was just a year ago) remains for the “Legacy” launch.  That would be writer Brian Michael Bendis; artist Stefano Caselli; colorist Marte Gracia; and letterer Clayton Cowles, with International Iron Man and Infamous Iron Man artist/colorist, Alex Maleev joining the team.

With Tony Stark out of commission (following events depicted in Civil War II), Riri Williams, a teenage girl and genius, and Victor Von Doom, formerly the super-villain Doctor Doom, have taken on the mantle of Iron Man.  Riri does so as the armored hero, Ironheart.

As Invincible Iron Man #593 opens, Tony Stark's comatose body has disappeared.  Riri joins Amanda Armstrong (Tony's birth mother); Mary Jane Watson (chosen by Tony to run Stark Industries); and Friday (an artificial intelligence Tony created to help him) in the search for Tony Stark.  They better hurry!  Stark Industries' Board of Directors is making bold moves.  Meanwhile, the Infamous Iron Man Victor von Doom has to find some escaped prisoners.

I had high hopes for the 11-issue run of Invincible Iron Man starring Riri Williams, and writer Brian Michael Bendis delivered.  Riri is the most fascinating female character of color in superhero comic books since the X-Men's Storm, specifically during the first decade of Storm's existence as written by Chris Claremont.  Riri is a well-developed character, and would be fascinating even if she were not in a superhero comic book.  Her imagination and inquisitiveness are infectious; I want to learn with her and be by her side inventing stuff.

But many of the white dudes that read comics and control the means of production (allegedly) ain't having it.  It is time to bring the white Iron Man back.  Seriously, Brian Bendis writing about Riri the armored character “Ironheart” in Invincible Iron Man and about Victor von Doom trying to be good guy as Iron Man in Infamous Iron Man did some stellar work.  In my decades as a Marvel Comics reader, I have never read better Iron Man comic books than what Bendis wrote, and he was doing it twice a month.

Bendis recently announced that he has signed as an exclusive creator with DC Comics, leaving Marvel after nearly 20 years.  I don't know who will replace him on Iron Man, and I don't think the new writer (who will obviously be a white male) can match Bendis.  If he does, I doubt he can do it on two monthly books.

So this first issue of “The Search for Tony Stark,” which is probably Bendis' last Iron Man story arc (for a while at least), is a nice start, and the ending of this issue is quite intriguing.

A
8 out of 10

Thursday, December 21, 2017


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

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

Review: BLACK PANTHER #166

BLACK PANTHER No. 166
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Ta-Nehisi Coates
PENCILS: Leonard Kirk
INKS:  Leonard Kirk and Marc Deering
COLORS: Laura Martin
LETTERS: VC's Joe Sabino
COVER: Brian Stelfreeze
VARIANT COVERS: Jenny Frison; Ryan Sook; Chip Zdarsky; Mike McKone with Rachelle Rosenberg; Wes Craig with Tamra Bonvillain (based on the the Incredible Hulk #340 cover by Todd McFarlane and Bob Wiacek)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2017)

Black Panther created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

Rated “T”

“Avengers of the New World” Part 7

Black Panther is a Marvel Comics superhero.  He was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and first appeared in Fantastic Four #52 (cover dated: July 1966).  Black Panther was T'Challa, the king and protector of the (fictional) African nation of Wakanda.  Black Panther was also the first Black superhero is mainstream American comic books.

Ta-Nehisi Coates is an American writer and journalist.  This African-American commentator is also a national correspondent for The Atlantic, where he writes about cultural, political, and social issues, particularly as they regard to Black people in America.  Coates' second book, Between the World and Me (released in July 2015), won the 2015 National Book Award for Nonfiction.  In 2015, he was the recipient of a “Genius Grant” from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Black Panther and Ta-Nehisi Coates (with artist and designer Brian Stelfreeze) came together last year in a relaunch of the Black Panther comic book series.  Marvel Comics is in the middle of a new publishing initiative, “Legacy,” and that changes the issue numbering for Black Panther (and for a number of Marvel Comics' titles).  Coates now produces Black Panther with artists Leonard Kirk (pencils and inks) and Marc Deering (inks); colorist Laura Martin; and letterer Joe Sabino.

Black Panther #166 is the seventh chapter of the “Avengers of the New World” story arc.  The gods of Wakanda, “the Orisha,” have gone missing.  In their absence, mystical portals have been opening and releasing deadly creatures, monsters, and mutants.  A figure known as Ras the Exhorter tells the people of Wakanda that the Orisha are dead and leads them to believe in a new god, “Sefako.”  As Black Panther leads his allies to rescue Asira, an old friend, an old enemy steps forward to claim the prize he has sought since the time when T'Challa's father, T'Chaka was both the king and the Black Panther.

In his legendary 1980s run on DC Comics' Swamp Thing, Alan Moore created a personality for the title character and built a world of supporting characters, bit players, and an intriguing fictional mythology that allowed Moore to explore Swamp Thing's character and motivations.  The result was once-in-a-generation comic book storytelling.  Luckily, Alan Moore influenced generations of comic book writers who came after him.

Taking what the Black Panther writers and artists created before him, Ta-Nehisi Coates is building, issue by issue, a world of the Black Panther that is part of, but is also separate and distinct from the rest of the “Marvel Universe.”  Coates is doing what Alan Moore did with Swamp Thing – create a fictional comic book world that is wealthy with possibilities and does not really need the main universe.  As evident in Black Panther #166, Coates is still in the building process.  There is always some new element or page of Wakanda's history that comes to the fore.  For various reasons, some obvious, the American comic book world has not caught on to Black Panther the way it did Alan Moore's Swamp Thing.  And it should.

Coates collaborators have been stellar since the beginning of this series.  New series artist Leonard Kirk's art makes for quiet but powerful graphical storytelling – explosive in scenes when Klaw unleashes his power and powerfully dramatic when the story delves into the past.  As usual, colorist Laura Martin knows how to color every panel and every sequence in a way that propels the drama of the story.  Joe Sabino's matter-of-fact lettering does not call attention to itself, but, as it recedes into the background, it pulls you down, down, down into this exciting story.

I can't wait for the next issue.

[This comic book includes a three-page character overview written by Robbie Thompson; drawn by Wilfredo Torres; colored by Dan Brown; and lettered by Joe Sabino.]

A
9.5 out of 10

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


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

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#IReadsYOu Review: FALCON #1

FALCON No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Rodney Barnes
ART: Joshua Cassara
COLORS: Rachelle Rosenberg
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Jesus Saiz
VARIANT COVERS: Joshua Cassara with Rachelle Rosenberg; John Tyler Christopher with Jesús Saiz; Mike McKone with Rachelle Rosenberg; Alex Ross; Elizabeth Torque (after Ron Wilson and Mike Esposito); Chip Zdarsky
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2017)

Rated T+

Sam Wilson created by Stan Lee and Gene Colan; Falcon costumed designed by Alex Ross

“Take Flight” Part 1: “Bad Kid, Mad City”

“Steve [Rogers, Captain America] being a traitor validated every cynic who felt America was an idealized metaphor for the dominant culture's survival and the minority's suffering.” - Sam Wilson-The Falcon, (p. 15 of the book; p. 13 of the story)

As Marvel's new “Legacy” initiative begins, one of the new series is Falcon, a comic book starring classic Marvel Comics character, Sam Wilson a.k.a. The Falcon.  Wilson first appeared in Captain America #117 (cover date: September 1969).  Wilson uses mechanical wings to fly, and he has limited telepathic and empathic control over birds.

The new series is written by Rodney Barnes; drawn by Joshua Cassara; colored by Rachelle Rosenberg; and lettered by Joe Caramagna.  Barnes is a noted African-American television writer, having written for such diverse TV series as “Everybody Hates Chris,” “My Wife and Kids,” and the animated series, “The Boondocks.”

I hope that the above quote will, going forward, define Falcon, as the hero tries to prove that America is not a metaphor for white supremacy.  I do not believe that it is a metaphor for white supremacy, but that it is a country whose foundation is white supremacy.  This is not so much inherent as it is the result of the will of at least a third of America's white population that has racial animus towards African-Americans and, to varying degrees, other non-white populations.  Perhaps, Falcon will imagine an America that can move beyond its racism.

Falcon #1 (“Bad Kid, Mad City”) finds our titular hero headed for Chicago in hopes that he can broker a peace between the city's two largest gangs, the Southstone Rangers and the Spanish Kings.  After battling aliens, gods, and monsters, Falcon wants to address the needs of people like Sam Wilson.  Falcon has a protege to help him in his mission, Rayshaun Lucas a.k.a. the Patriot.  However, there are quite a few individuals and entities that do not want a cessation of gang hostilities, and they will do anything to not keep the peace.

I really enjoyed reading Falcon #1.  I liked its measured pace, and artist Joshua Cassara draws storytelling that offers violent action sequences and high tension, while holding firm to that measured pace of Barnes' storytelling, which is social, political, and philosophical.  As usual, Rachelle Rosenberg's coloring is pitch perfect, by turns striking and explosive and hot and dramatic.

It seems as if Barnes and Cassara are creating a superhero comic book that will be strikingly different from others.  They will give us hot superhero action, but the story will focus on a superhero who addresses the extraordinary needs of the ordinary people.  However, that hero will recognize that the ordinary needs of the people will need to be addressed by themselves and other ordinary people.  I look forward to more Falcon.

At the end of each Legacy first issue or Legacy first chapter, there is a three-page story that summarizes the history of that issue's lead character or characters.  Falcon's three-page summary is written by Robbie Thompson; drawn by Mark Bagley (pencils) and Andrew Hennessy (inks); colored by Israel Silva; and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

A
9 out of 10

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


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

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Review: SPIRITS OF VENGEANCE #1

SPIRITS OF VENGEANCE No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Victor Gischler
ART: David Baldeon
COLORS: Andres Mossa
LETTERS: VC's Cory Petit
COVER: Dan Mora with David Curiel
VARIANT COVERS: John Tyler Christopher; Ken Lashley with David Curiel; Mike McKone with Rachelle Rosenberg; Chip Zdarsky; Mark Texeira; Lenticular Variant based on Giant-Size X-Men #1 by Gil Kane and Dave Cockrum
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2017)

Rated T+

War at the Gates of Hell Part 1

Johnny Blaze – the second Ghost Rider.  Eric Brooks – Blade the vampire hunter.  Damian Hellstrom – a.k.a. Son of Satan a.k.a. “Hellstorm.”  Satana – Damian's sister and the daughter of Satan.  They are the stars of a new five-issue miniseries from Marvel Comics, entitled Spirits of Vengeance.

This comic book is written by Victor Gischler; drawn by David Baldeón; colored by Andres Mossa; and lettered by Cory Petit.  The series follows a mission to keep the balance the power in an ancient war from tipping to one side.

Spirits of Vengeance #1 finds Johnny Blaze, the second Ghost Rider and the first supernatural and first superhero Ghost Rider, stopped at a bar on Route 66.  Nursing a beer, Blaze gets a fiery visit from a winged being.  Left with an item wanted by dark forces, Blaze turns to Damian Hellstrom for help and information.  A dead angel, a silver bullet; and a kept promise – Blaze and Hellstrom will find themselves caught in a war between Heaven and Hell.  They will need some help.

Writer Victor Gischler is good with dark and edgy action, but he is also an imaginative writer, as seen in his miniseries, Sally of the Wasteland (Titan Comics, 2014).  Spirits of Vengeance #1 offers the dark and the inventive, and it is a shame that what was supposed to be a regular series is only a miniseries.  Gischler could have done something good with this, and I feel safe saying that after reading only the first issue of this series.

Of course, Gischler has an excellent collaborator and storyteller in artist David Baldeón.  The Spanish artist reminds me of artist Joe Madureira.  Here, Baldeón presents elastic and supple figure drawings that give the characters life and also give them distinct personalities – even the characters who are not around for long.  This is dynamic graphical storytelling, with an excellent sense of the dark and the supernatural.  And Baldeón simply makes Spirits of Vengeance look different from other Marvel titles.

Well, I'll enjoy this comic book while I can.

A
8 out of 10

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


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


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

I Reads You Juniors September 2017 - Update #50

Support Leroy on Patreon.

From Crunchyroll:  Seven Seas Entertainment continues to announced new manga licenses.

From ChristianPost:  In Japan, "scanners" of the manga "One Piece" have been arrested and charged with copyright infringement.

From SoraNews24:  There is a new manga trying to explain President of Russia, Vladimir Putin.

From BleedingCool:  Why can't Marvel keep politics out of its comics... and that is not quite what it seems.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics reveals more "Justice League" movie variant covers.

From BleedingCool:  The news and gossip site begins your "Marvel Legacy" spoilers.

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #136 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #136 in French.

From ComicBookBin:  Johnny Bullet episode #135 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  Johnny Bullet episode #135 in French.

From Crunchyroll:  For the 40th anniversary of the "Galaxy Express 999" manga, there will be a stage adaptation of the manga.

From TheNewPaper:  There is a new online course for budding anime and manga artists.

From THR:  IDW Publishing will publish a "Stretch Armstrong" related to a new Netflix animated series, "Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters."

From PreviewsWorld:  New Bernie Wrightson art book coming from Hermes Press.

From ComicBook:  Eiichiro Oda wants to end his "One Piece" manga as soon as possible.

From Newsarama:  The "Guardians of the Galaxy" manga makes its debut as digital comic on the "Manga Box" app.

From BleedingCool:  Mark Waid to attempt to have a "civil conversation" about diversity at Baltimore Comic Con 2017.

From BleedingCool:  Maybe Marvel's "Secret Empire" is not over.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics solicitations through Diamond Comics Distributors for December 2017.

From TheRiderNews:  "Superb" is a new superhero comic book in which the lead character has Down Syndrome.

From BleedingCool:  Adam Hughes will draw the main cover of the DC Comics/Archie Comics crossover, "Harley & Ivy Meet Betty & Veronica."

From BleedingCool:  "The Walking Dead #175" is a solo Negan issue.

From Forward:  This week sees the debut of an official comic book adaptation of "The Diary of Anne Frank."

From Forward:  Judith Jones, the editor who discovered Anne Franks' diary, died August 1, 2017.  She was 93.

From BleedingCool:  A surprise character from Deadpool's debut may return for Marvel Legacy.

From SoraNews24:  One Piece manga creator, Eiichiro Oda, claims that seven villains have forced him to extend the series far longer than he intended.

From Fansided:  Tony Moore, the original artist on "The Walking Dead" comic book, recreates an iconic Neegan scene that he was not around to draw.

From Crunchyroll:  Shuuichi Shigeno, the creator of the "Initial D" manga, launches a new manga, "MF Ghost."

From TheSignal:  The Santa Clarita Valley newspaper notices when a local guy creates his own comic book, "Zalaan Wars" by A.J. Wedding.

From BleedingCool:  Dennis O'Neil will return to writing Batman for the "DC Universe Holiday Special #1."

From ExpressUK:  Here is the new movie Hellboy.

From BleedingCool:  IDW is rebooting "30 Days of Night" with writer Steve Niles.  Ben Templesmith, the original series artist, will return as cover artist along with original series cover artist, Ashley Wood.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Two-in-One with Chip Zdarsky as writer and Jim Cheung as artist.

From BleedingCool:  IDW's Hasbro (GI Joe, Transformers) event title, "First Strike," will yield a new series, "Scarlett's Strike Force."

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #134 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #134 in French.

From TheWrap:  The influential comic book writer and editor Len Wein has died.  He was 69.  He co-created the character Wolverine with artist John Romita.  He revived the X-Men for Marvel Comics in the mid-1970s, launching the version of the team that became a multi-billion dollar franchise.  He co-created the character Swamp Thing with artist Berni Wrightson (who also died this year).  Wein edited writer Alan Moore's run on Swamp Thing and Moore and Dave Gibbons comic book, "Watchmen."

From PasteMagazine:  Warren Ellis and Bryan Hill talk to Paste about the upcoming "Michael Cray," comic book from DC Comics that is part of "Wildstorm" reboot.  Includes preview art.

From SouthEssexCollege:  This college is giving Warren Ellis an honorary doctorate.

From BleedingCool:  New speculation over future "Young Animal" comics from DC Comics.

From Negromancer:  At Rose City Comic Con, Image Comics announces a new comic book, "Bitter Root," from David Walker, Chuck Brown, and Sanford Greene

From BleedingCool:  "Guardians of the Galaxy" is now a manga, "Guardians of the Galaxy: Galaxy Rush."

From BleedingCool:  Arrests were made of people scanning and uploading pages of the "One Piece" manga.

From Slate:  Tom King would like to stay with Batman for 100 issues.  [If he maintains the quality of his writing, he can stay 300 issues. -Ed]

From BleacherReport:  A discussion of WWE comic books.

From BleedingCool:  Retailers will be able to sell the "Dark Knight III" hardcover early.

From WeGotThisCovered: Another article about Marvel Comics' woes, and "diversity characters" (meaning African-American characters) are blamed.

From BleedingCool:  The 2017 Joe Shuster Awards were announced on Friday, September 1, 2017.  First established is 2004, the Joe Shuster Awards serve to recognize the works of Canadians, published at home or abroad, for their outstanding achievements in the creation of comic books, graphic novels, and webcomics.  The awards are named after pioneering Canadian artist Joe Shuster, who created Superman with Jerry Siegel.

From StudyGroupComics:  Jim Rugg is on the "Process Party" podcast.

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #133 - in English - the pantomime story arc begins!
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #133 - in French

From BleedingCool:  Kirby Genesis, the creation of "Captain Victory and the Galactic Rangers" and "Silver Star."

From MangaTokyo:  Comparing the "Kuroko's Basketball" manga and anime.

From ICv2:  Geoff Johns reveals DC Comics' "Doomsday Clock #1" covers.

From YahooNews:  What does the return of the real Captain America mean for the future of Marvel Comics?

From NewRepublic:  August 28th, 2017 would have been Jack Kirby's 100th birthday.  Jeet Heer offers this profile, "Jack Kirby, the Unknown King."

From ComicsBulletin:  Top 10 thoughts on Jack Kirby.

Review: FIGHT CLUB 2 #1

FIGHT CLUB 2 #1
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

WRITER: Chuck Palahniuk
ART: Cameron Stewart
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Nate Piekos of Blambot
COVER:  David Mack
VARIANT COVERS: Lee Bermejo; Amanda Connor; Steve Lieber; Cameron Stewart; and Chip Zdarsky; Joëlle Jones; Paul Pope; Tim Seeley
EDITOR: Scott Allie
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2015)

The Tranquility Gambit #1: “Keep The Home Fires Burning”

Written by Chuck Palahniuk, the novel, Fight Club, was first published in 1996.  It was subsequently adapted into a film of the same title by director, David Fincher, that starred Brad Pitt and Edward Norton in the lead roles.  Released in 1999, the film was not a big box office smash, but it has since gained cult status and continued popularity.

Fight Club the novel follows an unnamed male protagonist, who is struggling with insomnia and is unhappy with his workaday life as an office drone.  The turning point in his life is when he meets a mysterious man named Tyler Durden, who has established an underground fighting club, which becomes a kind of radical psychotherapy for disaffected males who are unsatisfied with the modern, industrial, consumerist world.

Last year, Dark Horse Comics and Chuck Palahniuk announced that Fight Club was getting a sequel, but that sequel would not be a novel.  It would be a comic book, and thus, we now have Fight Club 2, which is written by Chuck Palahniuk, drawn by Cameron Stewart, colored by Dave Stewart, and lettered by Nate Piekos, with cover art by David Mack.

Fight Club 2 #1 (“Keep The Home Fires Burning”) reintroduces the unnamed protagonist of Fight Club, who now calls himself “Sebastian.”  A decade ago, he had an army of men ready to take down the modern world.  Now, Sebastian is surrounded by assorted pills and medications.  His wife, Marla Singer, once his co-revolutionary, is deeply unsatisfied with the suburban, TV Land life they lead.  Even their son, “Junior,” is now more interesting than his dad.  Marla just wants to fuck Tyler Durden again, and she just may get that chance...

I think I saw Fight Club the movie before I read the novel.  Both are good.  The film is a bracing, exhilarating trip through the dissatisfaction of the kind of Gen-X males that, having generously supped on the tit of White privilege, suddenly found themselves overfed and bored.  The book is nuanced, probing, thoughtful, and provocative.  It demands that its reader engage it, and each reader takes from the novel what he can understand or absorb.

Fight Club 2 retains the voice of the novel, which might seem obvious considering that the originator of Fight Club is also the writer of the comic book.  However, popular culture is littered with the disappointing or uneven results of creators returning to a creations some considerable time after they first began working on them.  Some of you, dear readers, will immediately think of the original Star Wars films and compare them to the “prequel trilogy.”  In comics, a good example would be Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again, which disappointed readers because it was so different from the original, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.  So the voice is not always the same when it should obviously be the same.

Discounting the film, there was more to say about Fight Club, and although this is only the first issue, Fight Club 2 seems as if it will be both a worthy successor to the original and also a solid narrative in its own right.  Artist Cameron Stewart captures the banality and the fragility of Sebastian's current life, as well as its surreal and unreal nature.  David Mack's cover art for this first issue evokes the sense that Tyler Durden is both alluring and dangerous. This cover alone should earn him an Eisner Award nomination in the “cover artist” category.

So after one issue, I heartily recommend Fight Club 2 #1, at least, to anyone who has ever read Fight Club the novel and/or seen the film.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux (This review first appeared on Patreon.)


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