Review: STARBRAND AND NIGHTMASK #1

STARBRAND AND NIGHTMASK No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Greg Weisman
ART: Domo Stanton
COLORS: Jordan Boyd
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: Yasmine Putri
VARIANT COVERS:  Emanuela Lupacchino with Jason Keith; Skottie Young; Keron Grant (Hop Hop variant)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2016)

Rated T+

Eternity's Children; Chapter One: “Matriculation”

In 1986, Marvel Comics introduced the “New Universe,” a line of comic books set in a universe that was separate from the main “Marvel Universe.”  This universe was to feature super-powered individuals that skewed towards being more realistic than Marvel's main superhero characters.

One of the first New Universe comic books was Star Brand #1 (cover dated: October 1986), which was created by then Marvel Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter.  The “Star Brand” was a star-shaped tattoo-like mark that gave the one who boar the mark infinite, god-like powers, limited only by the wielder's imagination (a rift on a Green Lantern's “power ring”).  Kenneth “Ken” Connell, a mechanic from Pittsburgh, was the first to receive the Star Brand.

Debuting in the second month of the New Universe launch was Nightmask #1 (cover dated: November 1986), created by Archie Goodwin.  The first Nightmask was Keith Remsen, who had the power to enter people's dreams telepathically.

In 2006, Marvel Comics published a re-imagining of the New Universe, entitled newuniversal (February 2007), and it was designed by Warren Ellis.  The characters' powers were based on their possession of glyphs, which is what the “Starbrand” became.  The launch of the “All-New, All-Different Marvel” unites two characters from newuniversal, Starbrand and Nightmask, in a new comic book series.  Entitled Starbrand and Nightmask, the series is written by Greg Weisman; drawn by Domo Stanton; colored by Jordan Boyd; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.

Starbrand and Nightmask #1 (“Matriculation”) opens with Starbrand (Kevin Conner) and Nightmask (Adam) exiting “The Superflow” and returning to Earth, specifically China.  After a battle and an offer to join the New Avengers, Starbrand discovers that Nightmask has enrolled the two of them at Empire State University (E.S.U.).  They are now incoming freshmen Kevin Conner and Adam Blackveil.  Adam wants the both of them to have more interaction with humanity, but the superhero stuff will not go away just because they are now college students.

I didn't read newuniversal.  I don't think that I was visiting comic book shops very much around the time it was released.  I don't think that I will be reading Starbrand and Nightmask very much.  It is not a bad comic book, but it reads like one of those “Marvel Age” and “Marvel Adventure” comic books that Marvel started publishing in 2003.

Writer Greg Weisman offers a story that is appropriate for middle school readers.  As a writer-producer of animated television series, Weisman knows how to write juvenile action-adventure fantasy.  Starbrand and Nightmask #1 certainly has that antiseptic quality that meets the conservative standards of most animated content on American cable networks.

The art by Domo Stanton has a generic juvenile/young readers graphic novel quality.   Starbrand and Nightmask #1 is practically indistinguishable from the run-of-the-mill graphic novels from First Second or Scholastic.  Even the cover art Yasmine Putri has a golly-gee-whiz quality.  As I said, this isn't bad so much as it is unimaginative and doggedly harmless.  Good luck with this, Marvel

C+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Review: KANAN: The Last Padawan #6

KANAN: THE LAST PADAWAN No. 6
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

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

WRITER: Greg Weisman
ART: Jacopo Camagni
COLORS: David Curiel
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Pepe Larraz with David Curiel
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2015)

Rated T

Book 1, Epilogue: The Last Padawan

“Star Wars Rebels” is a 3D CGI animated television series that appears on the Disney XD cable network.  Produced by Lucasfilm and Lucasfilm Animation, “Rebel” is set 14 years after the film, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005), and five years before the events depicted in the original film, Star Wars (1977).

“Star Wars Rebels” takes place during an era when the Galactic Empire is securing its grip on the galaxy and features several new characters.  One of them is the former Jedi, Kanan Jarrus, who has spent years hiding his Force powers and lightsaber.  He is the star of the comic book series, Kanan: The Last Padawan.  The series is written by Greg Weisman (a former executive producer of “Star Wars Rebels”) drawn by Pepe Larraz, colored by David Curiel, and lettered by Joe Caramagna, with covers by Mark Brooks.

Kanan: The Last Padawan #6 leaves the past and opens sometime in the period in which “Star Wars Rebels” takes place.  Kanan Jarrus, the former Jedi Padawan, Caleb Dume, is now part of the motley crew of the freighter starship, “The Ghost.”  This six-person rebel cell is one of many small clusters of rebels fighting the Galactic Empire.  In addition to Kanan, there is the teenaged Ezra Bridger; the Twi'lek, Hera Syndulla; Mandalorian teen artist, Sabine Wren; Lasat honor guard, Zeb Orrelios; and astromech droid, C1-10P (aka “Chopper”).

As the story opens, Kanan returns to the planet, Kaller, where his life as a Jedi-in-training effectively ended.  The crew of the Ghost is on the planet to pick up supplies to help refugees.  However, upon arrival, Kanan and his rebel companions find the supply crates empty.  As they begin a search for these supplies, which they simply must have, Kanan fears that the ghosts of his past are beginning to catch up with his present.

Kanan: The Last Padawan #6 offers a change from the previous issues of the series, which all occurred in a time years before the events depicted in “Rebels.”  Also, Jacopo Camagni draws this issue, while series artist, Pepe Larraz, draws only this issue's cover.  Stylistically, it is not a big change, as the art in Kanan tends to stay close to the design and art direction of “Rebels.”

That is what Kanan: The Last Padawan tries to be – true to the animated series upon which it is based, and it succeeds at that.  Among Marvel's Star Wars comic book series, Kanan is almost the odd man out, as it is distinct, in a number of ways, from the other series.  However, that makes it a good tie-in comic book, giving readers two extra “Star Wars Rebels” stories per year.

I am curious to see where this series goes.  “Star Wars Rebels” has so much potential for delving into the years before the setting of the original Star Wars film trilogy, as well as offering some surprises.  Kanan: The Last Padawan reflects that, so I am in for the long haul.  It is not a great comic book, but it is a very good one.

B+

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: KANAN: The Last Padawan #1

KANAN: THE LAST PADAWAN #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

["Star Wars Central" review page is here.]

WRITER: Greg Weisman
ART: Pepe Larraz
COLORS: David Curiel
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Mark Brooks
VARIANT COVERS: Phil Noto, Kilian Plunkett; Lucasfilm Ltd.; Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2015)

Rated T

Book 1, Part 1: The Last Padawan

“Star Wars Rebels” is a recently launched 3D CGI animated television series.  It is produced by Lucasfilm and Lucasfilm Animation and is set in the Star Wars universe, of course.  “Rebels” is set 14 years after the film, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005), and five years before the events depicted in the original film, Star Wars (1977).  “Rebels” premiered on October 3, 2014 as a 44-minute, television film, entitled Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion on the Disney Channel.  “Rebels” premiered as a TV series on October 13, 2014 on Disney XD.

“Star Wars Rebels” takes place during an era when the Galactic Empire is securing its grip on the galaxy and features several new characters.  One of them is the former Jedi, Kanan Jarrus, who has spent years hiding his Force powers and lightsaber.  The fourth title in Marvel Comics' return to publishing Star Wars comic books returns to the time when Kanan was a Jedi Padawan (apprentice).

Entitled Kanan: The Last Padawan, this new series is written by Greg Weisman, a former executive producer of “Star Wars Rebels,” who also wrote several episodes of the series.  Kanan is drawn by Pepe Larraz, colored by David Curiel, and lettered by Joe Caramagna, with covers by Mark Brooks.

Kanan: The Last Padawan #1 opens 15 years before “Star Wars Rebels.”  Jedi Master Depa Billaba and her Padawan, Caleb Dume, are on the planet Kaller.  Master Billaba leads a contingent of the Grand Army of the Republic against Separatist droids.  The Jedi and the clone troops hope to chase the droids and their leader, General Kleeve, from the planet.  Don't expect the Kallerans to be grateful.  Meanwhile, there is darkness on the horizon.

First, I have to say, “Wow, who is Pepe Larraz?”  What a fantastic artist.  He reminds me of the art team of Stuart Immonen and Wade von Grawbadger.  With colorist David Curiel, Larraz captures the mercurial nature of Master Billaba and the wild and inquisitive nature of Caleb Dume.  Larraz's compositions capture the boundless potential of the young Padawan.  I also need to at least mention how good the cover art by Mark Brooks is.

As for the story, I found myself surprisingly intrigued.  I have not read many comic books written by Greg Weisman, but what I have read I've liked.  He makes the relationship between Master and Padawan seem genuine, balancing authority and obedience with camaraderie and patience.  I expected Kanan: The Last Padawan to be the least of the new Star Wars comic books, but Weisman is writing an intriguing story that demands to be read.

I can't wait for the next issue of Kanan: The Last Padawan.  Marvel Comics has delivered another winning Star Wars comic book.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 1, 2015

MARVEL COMICS

FEB150721     AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #17     $3.99
JAN150817     AVENGERS #43 TRO     $3.99
JAN150897     AVENGERS EVERYBODY WANTS RULE WORLD PROSE NOVEL HC     $24.99
FEB150693     AVENGERS MILLENNIUM #1     $3.99
DEC140948     AVENGERS RAGE OF ULTRON OGN HC     $24.99
JAN150896     AVENGERS SCARLET WITCH BY ABNETT AND LANNING TP     $24.99
FEB150697     AVENGERS ULTRON FOREVER #1     $4.99
FEB150734     CYCLOPS #12 BV     $3.99
FEB150818     DARK TOWER DRAWING THREE HOUSE CARDS #2 (MR)     $3.99
DEC148710     DARTH VADER #1 GRANOV 2ND PTG VAR     $4.99
DEC148711     DARTH VADER #2 GRANOV 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
FEB150777     GEORGE ROMEROS EMPIRE OF DEAD ACT THREE #1 Of(5)     $3.99
FEB150750     GUARDIANS OF GALAXY BEST STORY EVER #1     $3.99
FEB150751     GUARDIANS TEAM-UP #4     $3.99
FEB150816     IRON FIST LIVING WEAPON #11     $3.99
FEB150675     KANAN LAST PADAWAN #1     $3.99
APR140751     MMW AVENGERS HC VOL 01 NEW PTG     $49.99
APR140752     MMW INVINCIBLE IRON MAN HC VOL 01 NEW PTG     $49.99
DEC140963     ONCE UPON A TIME PREM HC OUT OF PAST     $24.99
FEB150805     OPERATION SIN #4     $3.99
FEB150808     PUNISHER #17     $3.99
FEB150825     RETURN OF LIVING DEADPOOL #3     $3.99
FEB150744     ROCKET RACCOON #10     $3.99
DEC148712     SPIDER-GWEN #1 RODRIGUEZ 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
FEB150731     SPIDER-GWEN #3     $3.99
DEC148713     STAR WARS #1 CASSADAY 4TH PTG VAR     $4.99
FEB150762     TRUE BELIEVERS AGE OF APOCALYPSE #1     $1.00
FEB150761     TRUE BELIEVERS MARVEL ZOMBIES #1     $1.00
JAN150809     UNCANNY AVENGERS #3     $3.99
FEB150664     UNCANNY INHUMANS #0     $4.99
JAN150892     WEIRDWORLD TP WARRIORS OF SHADOW REALM     $34.99
FEB150826     WOLVERINES #13     $3.99

I Reads You Review: Young Justice #20

YOUNG JUSTICE #20
DC COMICS

WRITER: Greg Weisman
ART: Christopher Jones
COLORS: Zac Atkinson
LETTERS: Dezi Sienty
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

Rated “E” for “Everyone”

Young Justice Invasion – Chapter One: “Wheelbarrow, Shoe, Thimble”

Young Justice is a spin-off comic book series based on “Young Justice,” the animated superhero television series currently airing on Cartoon Network. “Young Justice” the television series focuses on the lives and adventures of the sidekicks and protégés of some of DC Comics’ biggest superheroes, which includes such young heroes as Nightwing, Superboy, Wondergirl, and Robin, among many.

Young Justice #20 (“Wheelbarrow, Shoe, Thimble”) takes place in two different, but local time periods in the existence of Young Justice: “Yero Zero” and “Year Five,” specifically December 1st. In fact, this date is special because it is Dick Grayson’s birthday, and in both periods, various superheroes stop by to wish Robin (Year Zero) and Nightwing (Year Five) a happy birthday.

The team: Nightwing, Batgirl, Beast Boy, Bumble Bee, Lagoon Boy, Mal Duncan, Miss Martian, Superboy, Wolf, and Wonder Girl (with Robin called back to Gotham City) embarks on a mission to stop an assassination of a visiting foreign dignitary. The team splits in two, with Miss Martian leading the “Beta Team” to stop the assassination. Meanwhile, Nightwing takes “Alpha Team” to recruit the new Blue Beetle, Jaime Reyes, into Young Justice. But unknown players are about to enter this game.

Young Justice #20 is all over the place. There are a lot of characters and even several guest stars, which only makes everyone seem extraneous. Forget two time periods, this issue reads as if there were eight. Perhaps, writer Greg Weisman is just prepping and this is the calm before the multi-chapter storm. The art by Christopher Jones and colorist Zac Atkinson is still high-quality, though, especially that last page.

B

http://DCnation.com


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

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

I Reads You Review: YOUNG JUSTICE #18

YOUNG JUSTICE #18
DC COMICS

WRITER: Greg Weisman
ART: Christopher Jones
COLORS: Zac Atkinson
LETTERS: Dezi Sienty
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

Rated “E” for “Everyone”

Young Justice is the ongoing, spin-off comic book series of “Young Justice” an animated superhero television series currently airing on Cartoon Network. “Young Justice” the television series focuses on the lives and adventures of the sidekicks and protégés of some of DC Comics’ biggest superheroes, which includes such young heroes as Artemis (Green Arrow), Robin, and Aqualad, among others.

Young Justice #18 (“Monkey Business”) begins with a wrap up of the team’s recent (mis) adventures. That includes a case involving Red Tornado and also a mission in India with Captain Marvel acting as den-mother. Now, Batman sends Aqualad, Robin, Superboy (and his pet Wolf), Artemis, Kid Flash, and Miss Martian into darkest (imaginary) Africa – the nation of Bwunda.

There, in the Bwundan jungles, they will find the Brain and Monsieur Mallah’s latest Kobra-Venom operation. Although Young Justice recently shutdown the Brain’s last such operation, the villain has an ally this time around, Ultra-Humanite, and he’s calling on Grodd to deal with the children.

My reviews of Young Justice, issue numbers 16 and 17, praised the art by Christopher Jones. Jones is a classic comic book artist in that he understands the visual and graphical storytelling that brings superhero comic books to life. His page layouts and style capture the eye, and his compositions sell the drama and action of the story. After Jim Lee on Justice League, Christopher Jones is the best artist on a Justice League title.

Sans co-writer Kevin Hopps, Greg Weisman offers a story that is darker than the previous story arc. In “Monkey Business,” Weisman places the young heroes in what clearly reads like a convincing perilous situation. More so than in the previous issues, I want to come back for the second part of this.

Young Justice #18 has a 4-page preview of Green Lantern: The Animated Series #7 (the comic book adaptation of the similarly named Cartoon Network animated series).

WRITER: Ivan Cohen
ARTIST: Luciano Vecchio
COLORS: Gabe El Taeb
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte

The story features my favorite Green Lantern villain, the Tattooed Man, and I enjoyed reading the preview. I will try to find a copy of this issue.

A-

I Reads You Review: YOUNG JUSTICE #17

YOUNG JUSTICE #17
DC COMICS

WRITERS: Kevin Hopps and Greg Weisman
ART: Christopher Jones
COLORS: Zac Atkinson
LETTERS: Dezi Sienty
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

Rated “E” for “Everyone”

“Young Justice” is an animated superhero television series currently airing on Cartoon Network (after debuting in 2010). Although it shares a name with the comic book series, “Young Justice” (published by DC Comics in the late 1990s and early 2000s), the television series uses characters and situations from the entire DC Universe.

“Young Justice” focuses on the lives and adventures of the sidekicks and protégés of some of DC Comics’ biggest superheroes, which includes such young heroes as Artemis (Green Arrow), Robin, and Aqualad, among others. DC Comics is publishing a comic book adaptation of “Young Justice,” also entitled Young Justice.

Young Justice #17 (“Uncommon Denominators”) continues from #16. Batman and Robin, Flash and Kid Flash, and Green Arrow and Artemis take on Lord Naga-Naga also known as Kobra. Kobra, whose real name is Jeffrey Burr, has kidnapped his fraternal twin brother, Jason, in order to use him for a mystical rite that will create a giant cobra. While the adult heroes race off to stop the giant cobra from destroy Minneapolis, Robin, Kid Flash and Artemis take on Kobra Cultists and siblings, Mammoth and Shimmer. But Kobra’s dangerous mumbo-jumbo doesn’t stop with a giant cobra.

I can mostly say the same thing about Young Justice #17 that I said about issue #16. The art by Christopher Jones (pencils and inks) and Zac Atkinson (colors) is pretty. The compositions and page design are also good. The storytelling is excellent; it just makes my eyes want to follow the flow of the narrative and keep going back for second looks.

The story by Kevin Hopps and Greg Weismann, who are also writers on the “Young Justice” TV series, is the same as it was the last issue. It’s light on drama and emphasizes action and superhero fights. Nothing against Hobbs and Weismann, but this is a comic book and the storytelling strength is in the art… exceptionally so.

B+

I Reads You Review: Young Justice #16

"Christopher Jones Superstar"
YOUNG JUSTICE #16
DC COMICS

WRITERS: Kevin Hopps and Greg Weisman
ART: Christopher Jones
COLORS: Zac Atkinson
LETTERS: Dezi Sienty
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

Rated "E" for "Everyone"

“Young Justice” is an animated cable television series that debuted on Cartoon Network in 2010. Although it shares a name with the DC Comics comic book series that debuted in 1998, “Young Justice” the television series is really an adaptation of the entire DC Universe of characters.

The series focuses on the lives and adventures of the sidekicks and protégés of some of DC Comics’ biggest superheroes. Characters such as Superboy, Robin, Aqualad, and others try to prove themselves while dealing with adolescent issues. As it has done with other animated series based on its comic book titles, DC Comics is publishing a comic book adaptation of “Young Justice,” also entitled Young Justice.

Young Justice #16 (“Common Denominators”) finds three different hero-sidekick combinations dealing with unusual robberies. In Star City, Green Arrow and protégé, Artemis, take on a band of well-armed thieves in Star City World History Museum. The next day, Flash and Kid Flash race through Central City on a mission to capture escaped animals at Central City Zoo? The story moves four days forward to Gotham City. Batman and Robin find thieves in the Gotham City Observatory, but these thieves aren’t after something; they’re after someone.

The first thing about this issue of Young Justice that stands out to me is the art. Christopher Jones is a highly-skilled artist, showing flexibility when dealing with figure drawing and dexterity in the layout of his pages. His compositions are lively, and the backgrounds are simple, clean, and evocative. The color by Zac Atkinson makes the art even more energetic and even makes the drawings pop off the page. This is a good effect for scenes like the splash page (Page 2) and ¾ splash (Page 20).

The art by Jones and Atkinson is what really gives weight and depth to this story, which is written by Kevin Hopps and Greg Weismann, who are also writers on the “Young Justice” TV series. It is not that this is a bad story; it is just slight. This is the kind of story that can only exist as a full story when drawn by a comic book artist. In fact, if this story were drawn by an artist less talented than Christopher Jones, “Common Denominators” would not be much of a story. This is a comic book, and Jones’ kind of comic book art is what makes it fun to read.

B+

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