Showing posts with label Dan Green. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dan Green. Show all posts

Thursday, August 31, 2023

I Reads You Juniors: August 2023 - Update #65

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

NEWS:

FANTAGRAPHICS - From TheNewYorker:  The great Francois Mouly and the great Daniel Clowes take a tour through Clowes' mind in conjunction with the impending release of Clowes' upcoming graphic novel, "Monica" (Oct. 3rd).

DARK HORSE - From ScreenRantMike Mignola's "Hellboy" takes on a giant robot version of himself in the three-issue miniseries, "Giant Robot Hellboy."  Written by Mignola with art by Duncan Fegredo, the series launches in October 2023.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  Writer-artist Sina Grace talks about his upcoming Superman young adult graphic novel, "Superman: The Harvests of Youth." It's set to be released Oct. 3rd.

From DCBlog:  Writer Tom King talks about his new series, "The Penguin," focusing on the legendary Batman villain.  "The Penguin #1" is now in stores.

IDW - From ComicsBeatHeidi MacDonald looks at the implosion of IDW Publishing's line of creator-owned comic books, "IDW Originals."

DC CINEMA - From CNet: Warner Bros.'s recent superhero film, "The Flash," starts streaming on Max during the early hours of Fri., Aug. 25th, tomorrow.

EN MEMORIAM - From CBR:  American comic book artist, Dan Green, has died at the age of 70 after a long illness.  Green is best known as the long-running inker on John Romita, Jr.'s pencil art on "Uncanny X-Men," beginning in 1983. He continues inking the series when Marc Silvestri became the series artist.  He would also ink Silverstri's art during a run on the "Wolverine" ongoing, and would return to ink Romita, Jr. on "Uncanny X-Men #300."  Green also used watercolors to paint the well-remembered 1986 Doctor Strange graphic novel, "Doctor Strange: Into Shamballa," which was written by J.M. DeMatteis.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From Variety:  Oscar-winner Taika Waititi directed "Thor: Ragnarok" (the third in the series) and "Thor: Love and Thunder" (the fourth), and he is letting fans know what he would do in a hypothetical "Thor 5."

BLUE BEETLE:

From Variety:  Warner Bros.'s DC Comics' film, "Blue Beetle" tops the 8/18 to 8/20/2023 weekend box office with an estimated take of 25.4 million dollars.

From Here:  A review of "Blue Beetle" by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You."

From DCBlog:  A look at the DC Comics' "Easter eggs" in "Blue Beetle."

From BleedingCool:  Which comic book creators were credited and which were not in the "Blue Beetle" end credits?

From GamesRadar:  The site has an interview with "Blue Beetle" director, Angel Manuel Soto, in which he says that DC Studios co-boss James Gunn did not have much say in the final cut of the film.

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

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:  "The Flash" starts streaming on Max Fri., Aug. 25th.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  Writer Joshua Williamson talks about the origins of the "Knight Terrors" event.

COMICS - From BlackScifi:  Writer Greg Anderson Elysee and artist David Brame have announced their new comic book series, "Hammer," with a preview of interior art and developmental sketches.

DC STUDIOS - From Variety:  Despite what actress Gal Gadot has said about developing "Wonder Woman 3," there are apparently no plans for such a film ... according to sources.

COMICS - From ComicsBeat:  "Heavy Metal" magazine may be dead, but that hasn't been officially confirmed.

EN MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:  Veteran comic book inker, John Floyd, died at the age of 61, Monday, July 10, 2023, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.  As a youngster, John published his own fanzine, and he would go on to graduate from The Kubert School.  He is best known for his working inking such comic book legends as artists, Barry Windsor-Smith and Denys Cowan.  He was the inker on "Batman: Gotham Knights" (2000-06) for its first 49 issues.  John was also a comic book artist, colorist, and letterer.  Floyd also worked in the film industry as a production and storyboard artist, contributing to such films as "Rambing Rose" (1991), "Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992), and Oscar-winning "Django Unchained" (2012).

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  Writer Tom Taylor and artist Nicola Scott talk about how DC's future is in the hands of the "Titans."

DC STUDIOS - From ComicBook:  Current cinematic "Wonder Woman," actress Gal Gadot, says she is developing "Wonder Woman 3" with DC Studios' co-bosses, James Gunn and Peter Safran.

SONY SPIDER-MAN U - From Newsarama:  "Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse," the third film in in Sony Pictures animated Miles Morales/Spider-Man film series, has been delayed indefinitely.

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

JULY 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze Publishing for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Band of Bards for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  CEX Publishing for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Fairsquare Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller Presents for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Extreme Venomverse" for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Summer of Symbiotes" for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "X-Men" for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Opus Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Sumerian Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  T-Pub for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Udon Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Webtoon Unscrolled for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Whatnot Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for July 2023

AUGUST 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Aardvard-Vanaheim for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze Publishing for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Black Mask Studios for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for August 2023
From BleedindCool:  CEX Publishing for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry Media for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller Presents for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics X-Men's "Fall of X" for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Fall of X" checklist and solicitations for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Summer of Symbiotes" for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Opus Comics from August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion Comics for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Seven Seas Entertainment for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Whatnot Publishing for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for August 2023

SEPTEMBER 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze Publishing for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  BOOM Studios for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics LLC for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  CEX Publishing for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  Opus Comics for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion/2000 AD for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  Seven Seas Entertainment for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  Sumerian Comics for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for September 2023

OCTOBER 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  Band of Bards for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  Fairquare Comics for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Transformers" title for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  Massive for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  Opus Comics for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  Seven Seas Entertainment for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Entertainment for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for October 2023
From BleedingCool:  Zenescape Entertainment for October 2023

NOVEMBER 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for November 2023
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' "Batman" titles for November 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry for November 2023
From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller Presents LLC for November 2023
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for November 2023
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for November 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for November 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "Avengers" for November 2023
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for November 2023
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for November 2023

DECEMBER 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "G.I. Joe" comics for December 2023

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Sunday, December 14, 2014

I Reads You Review: ANGELA: Asgard's Assassin #1

ANGELA: ASGARD'S ASSASIN #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITERS: Kieron Gillen; Marguerite Bennett and Kieron Gillen
PENCILS: Phil Jimenez; Stephanie Hans
INKS: Tom Palmer; Stephanie Hans
COLORS: Romulo Fajardo; Stephanie Hans
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: Stephanie Hans
VARIANT COVERS: Phil Jimenez and Dan Green with Frank D'armata; Joe Quesada; Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2015)

Rated “T+”

Angela created by Todd McFarlane and Neil Gaiman

Angela: Asgard's Assassin is a new comic book series launched as part of Marvel Comics' “Avengers NOW!” initiative.  The series features a character that was not originally a Marvel Comics character.

Angela is a comic book character created by writer Neil Gaiman and artist Todd McFarlane.  She first appeared in Spawn #9 (cover dated: March 1993) as a supporting character and adversary.  Published by Image Comics, Spawn was McFarlane's creator-owned series, and Angela was later the subject of a protracted legal battle between McFarlane and Gaiman.

Gaiman eventually won the rights to the character and transferred those rights to Marvel Comics.  Angela's Marvel debut was in the event miniseries, Age of Ultron (#10; cover dated: June 2013).  Angela's origin and purpose were changed from what they were in Spawn.  In the Marvel Universe, Angela was revealed to be Aldrif, the daughter of Odin (King of Asgard) and his wife, Frigga, which makes her the sister of Thor and Loki.  Once believed to have been murdered, Angela is now “the deadliest warrior in all the Ten Realms.”

Angela: Asgard's Assassin #1 finds Angela walking through the desert of Limbo, facing down hordes, and carrying... a baby?!  Plus, her partner, Sera, tells a tale of Angela's past.

Hmmm... Wow...  Over two decades later, Angela belongs to another publisher, yet the new publisher releases an Angela comic book that seems as if it were produced by the old publisher 20 years ago.  By that, I mean pretty art, underwhelming story.

Phil Jimenez and the great inker, Tom Palmer, deliver stellar art, creating a tale that looks like a bizarre melding of J.R.R. Tolkien and Robert E. Howard.  The gor-to-the-geous colors by Romulo Fajardo make the main story of Angela: Asgard's Assassin seem like a piece straight out of classic Heavy Metal.  However, the story does nothing for me, and I am not even interested in trying to talk about it.

The side story by writer Marguerite Bennett and artist Stephanie Hans is better.  It is a familiar story type, and with its pretty art, it also recalls Marvel's old Epic Magazine.  That said, I can't see myself reading future issues of Angela: Asgard's Assassin.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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


Friday, October 3, 2014

I Reads You Review: SPIDER MAN 2099 #1

SPIDER-MAN 2099 (2014) #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER:  Peter David
ARTIST: Will Sliney
COLORS: Antonio Fabela
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Simone Bianchi
VARIANT COVERS:  Rick Leonardi and Dan Green with Antonio Fabela; J. Scott Campbell with Nei Ruffino; J.G. Jones; and Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2014)

Spider-Man 2099 is a Marvel Comics superhero created by writer Peter David and art Rick Leonardi that first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #365 (cover dated: August 1992).  This character is, of course, based on the original Spider-Man created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.  This alternate Spider-Man character was created for Marvel Comics' “Marvel 2099” line of comic books.

Spider-Man of 2099 is Miguel O'Hara (the first Latino Spider-Man), a brilliant geneticist living in New York in the year 2099 A.D.  He was attempting to recreate the abilities of the original Spider-Man in other people, which led to the accident that caused half his DNA to be re-written with a spider's genetic code.  Miguel gained amazing powers and became Spider-Man of the year 2099.

He received his own series, Spider-Man 2099, which was set in a future dystopian America that was governed by corrupt mega-corporations.  Now, there is a new Spider-Man 2099 series, written by Peter David, drawn by Will Sliney; colored by Antonio Fabela, and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

Spider-Man 2099 #1 opens with some backstory, which tells readers that Miguel O'Hara.  Employed by mega-corp, Alchemax, he is the young genetics genius whose experiments turned him into the Spider-Man of the year 2099.  Miguel travels back to the present to save his father, Tyler Stone, the head of Alchemax in 2099, by saving the life of his grandfather, Tiberius Stone, in the present.

O'Hara finds himself stranded in 2014.  To protect his identity in the future, while living in the present, Miguel uses the name Mike O'Mara.  He sets about establishing his new life in the present, but something from the future has followed him.  Why does T.O.T.E.M. want to destroy Spider-Man 2099?

I had not planned on reviewing Spider-Man 2099 #1.  It was just another Marvel Comics, “All-New Marvel NOW!,” number-one issue that I was going to give a try.  I had the comic book for several weeks before I decided (as an afterthought) to read it.

I had forgotten how often I have enjoyed Peter David-written comic books, but Spider-Man 2099 #1 reminded me.  The story is simple and straight-forward in this first issue, but David wonderfully sets it up to launch a quality ongoing series.  While Will Sliney is not a spectacular artist, his compositions and storytelling capture the humor and action in David's script.  This looks to be a solid comic book, and not just another “acceptable” Spider-Man title.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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


Sunday, January 26, 2014

I Reads You Review: THE INCREDIBLE HULK AND WOLVERINE #1

THE INCREDIBLE HULK AND WOLVERINE #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITERS: Len Wein, Mary Jo Duffy
PENCILS: Herb Trimpe, Ken Landgraf
INKS: Jack Abel, George Perez
COLORS: Christie Scheele
LETTERS: Artie Simek, Michael Higgins
EDITOR: Roy Thomas, Jim Shooter
EIC: Jim Shooter
COVER: John Byrne and Jack Abel with George Roussos
48pp, Color, $2.00 (October 1986)

In the summer of 1986, Marvel Comics published The Incredible Hulk and Wolverine #1.  This was a one-shot, single-issue comic book that reprinted The Incredible Hulk #180 and #181 (cover-dated November 1974).  Issue #180 (cover-dated October 1974) contained the first appearance of Wolverine, as a cameo in the final panel of the last page.  Issue #181 features the first full appearance of Wolverine.  Of course, Wolverine is a member of the X-Men and one of Marvel Comics’ most popular characters.

The Incredible Hulk and Wolverine #1 also includes the short story, “Wolverine and Hercules,” which originally appeared in Marvel Treasury Edition #26 (1980).  “Wolverine: The Evolution of a Character” is an essay at the back of this comic book.  It is written by former Marvel writer and editor, Peter Sanderson, and details the creation of Wolverine and also provides a fictional biography of the character.  This text piece includes spot illustrations and other art drawn by John Romita, Paul Smith and Joe Rubinstein; John Byrne and Terry Austin; John Romita, Jr. and Dan Green; and Frank Miller and Joe Rubinstein.

The Incredible Hulk #180 finds the Hulk returning to Canada.  There, deep in the Canadian woods, the emerald behemoth finds himself caught in a conspiracy involving Marie Cartier and Georges Baptiste.  Marie’s brother, Paul Cartier, bears the curse that transforms him into “the hideous cannibal beast,” known as the Wendigo.

Marie has devised a plan to transfer the Wendigo’s form to the Hulk.  Events don’t follow her planning once Hulk and Wendigo engage in an epic battle.  Meanwhile, at a top secret Royal Canadian Air Force Tracking Installation, military authorities are not about to allow the Hulk to rampage through Canada again.  They’re sending something called “Weapon X” to take care of the green giant.

The Incredible Hulk #181 begins with Wolverine revealing himself to the Hulk and the Wendigo and launching himself into their battle.  This three-way fight devolves into a death match between the Hulk and the Wolverine.  Meanwhile, Georges Baptiste makes a fateful decision about him and Marie Cartier’s plan to save her brother from the curse of the Wendigo.

When The Incredible Hulk and Wolverine #1 arrived on newsstands and in comic book shops, it gave me a chance to read the story in which Wolverine made his first appearance, and I was ecstatic about that opportunity.  I would read the story again in a single-issue facsimile reprint of The Incredible Hulk #181.

I long ago lost or sold my original copy of The Incredible Hulk and Wolverine #1, but a recent at sale at super comics retailer Mile High Comics’ website allowed me to get another copy.  I had forgotten that even with a $2.00 cover price, The Incredible Hulk and Wolverine #1 was just a cheapie reprint.  At a time when comic book publishers, large and small, were moving to heavier and whiter paper stocks, Marvel Comics printed The Incredible Hulk and Wolverine #1 on newsprint.  The print quality ranges from mediocre to tolerable, and the colors don’t “pop” off the page the way they do today.  With newsprint, things like details, borders, and lettering can fade or even not fully print.

I think that at the time this was originally published Marvel Comics was printing anything that would help with their market share and that could make a lot of money with little investment.  The Hulk stories here were bought and paid for over a decade earlier, and who knows if the creators got any royalty payments from this reprinting.  Like I said, high return on low investment.

That aside, I like these old Hulk comics.  Writer Len Wein’s ability to create a compelling story out of monster comics and supernatural melodrama is a sign of the skill that made him a standout comic book creator and editor in the 1970s and 1980s.  Penciller Herb Trimpe, one of my favorites, mixes the dynamism and fury of Jack Kirby (who was obviously an influence on Trimpe) with the cartoon mysticism of Steve Ditko.  This is classic comic book art and graphical storytelling – monster comics and mystic mumbo-jumbo.

It is also fun to look at this early Wolverine-in-the-raw, which is practically nothing like what the character would become in the decades that followed his first appearance.  So I grade this comic book not on the cheap newsprint reproduction, but on the fun old comics.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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




Saturday, October 1, 2011

The New 52 Review: SUPERGIRL #1

SUPERGIRL #1
DC COMICS

WRITERS: Michael Green and Mike Johnson
PENCILS: Mahmud Asrar
INKS: Dan Green with Mahmud Asrar
COLORS: Dave McCaig
LETTERS: John J. Hill
COVER: Mahmud Asrar with Dave McCaig
32pp, Color, $2.99

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Supergirl is a female counterpart of Superman. The most familiar version of the character, Superman’s cousin, Kara Zor-El, was created by writer Otto Binder and designed by artist Al Plastino. She first appeared in Action Comics #252 (cover date May 1959), although there were two earlier versions of the character that appeared, first in 1949 and then in 1958.

In addition to appearing in various titles, Supergirl first had her own comic book series in the early 1970s and again in the early 1980s. With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” Supergirl has a new comic book series.

Supergirl #1 (“Last Daughter of Krypton”) finds Kara Zor-El in Siberia, Russia when she thinks she is still on Krypton, sleeping and experiencing a really strange dream. Suddenly, she’s fighting six massive suits of battle armor. She should have been killed early in the fight, but what are these amazing powers she suddenly has?

Like a 22-page battle manga, Supergirl throws a gigantic fight in readers’ faces. The art by Mahmud Asrar recalls the power and design of Jack Kirby. Asrar, who has drawn Star Wars comic books for Dark Horse Comics, however, already knows how to bring sci-fi tech and character drama together. He may be the one person in this creative team who really brings out the potential of the new Supergirl series.

A-

September 21st
BATMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batman-1.html
CATWOMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/catwoman-1.html
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/green-lantern-corps-1.html
NIGHTWING #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/nightwing-1.html
RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/red-hood-and-outlaws-1.html
WONDER WOMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/wonder-woman-1.html

Saturday, September 17, 2011

The New 52 Review: ANIMAL MAN #1

ANIMAL MAN #1
DC COMICS

STORY: Jeff Lemire
PENCILS: Travel Foreman
INKS: Travel Foreman, Dan Green
COLORS: Lovern Kindzierski
LETTERS: Jared K. Fletcher
COVER: Travel Foreman with Lovern Kindzierski
32pp, Color, $2.99

Animal Man is a DC Comics superhero character. Created by writer Dave Wood and artist Carmine Infantino, Bernhard “Buddy” Baker had the power to borrow the abilities of animals (like a bird’s ability to fly). Baker first appeared in Strange Adventures #180 (cover dated September 1965), and first appeared as Animal Man in Strange Adventures #190.

Animal Man starred in a comic book that ran for 89 issues from 1988 to 1995. The best known lot of that series was a 26-issue run written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Chas Truog. With DC Comics’ revamp of its superhero comics line, “The New 52,” Animal Man once again has his own comic book series, this written by Jeff Lemire and penciled by Travel Foreman.

As Animal Man #1 begins (The Hunt, Part One: “Warning from the Red”), Buddy is reading an interview he gave to a newspaper. He believes that his being an actor and also an animal rights activist and spokesman has been part of the natural progression of his life. Buddy is starting to miss being a superhero when he gets a chance to save the day in a horrible hostage situation. Being Animal Man again, however, leads to a strange situation with his daughter, a trip into The Red, and a meeting with his new adversaries.

I am an admirer of cartoonist Jeff Lemire’s work, in particular the Essex County Trilogy. Still, I had my doubts about him writing a superhero comic book, which Lemire blasted to bits. This new Animal Man is off to an exceptionally good start, mostly because it is so different. In the tradition of past Animal Man writers: Morrison, Peter Milligan, Tom Veitch, and Jamie Delano, Lemire uses the uniqueness of Animal Man’s power to explore themes and ideas not often explored in comic books (if at all).

I don’t want to spoil the goodness for you, dear readers, but Lemire borrows “the Red,” created by Jamie Delano during his Animal Man tenure. As off-the-wall as this comic book seems during its first half, the second half just blew up in my face. You can watch Lemire and Foreman coming together as a creative force with a unique vision and with a distinctive voice with which to proclaim that vision. I can’t wait for the second issue.

Artist Travel Foreman – I mean this honestly – is just taking superhero comics to someplace different. This is evident in the way Foreman executes a graphic narrative and in the way he designs and composes the art for a superhero comic book. Yes, I can’t wait for the second issue.

Note to self: stop babbling; just enjoy.

A

August 31st
FLASHPOINT #5
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/flashpoint-5.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/justice-league-1.html

September 7th
ACTION COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/action-comics-1.html
BATGIRL #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batgirl-1.html
BATWING #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batwing-1.html
DETECTIVE COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/detective-comics-1-2011.html
HAWK AND DOVE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/hawk-dove-1.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/justice-league-international-1.html
MEN OF WAR #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/men-of-war-1.html
STATIC SHOCK #1 2.99
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/static-shock-1.html
STORMWATCH #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/stormwatch-1.html