I Reads You Juniors: November 2023 - Update #48

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

NEWS:

DYNAMITE - From YouTube:  Dynamite offers a look at its new releases for the week of Nov. 29th, 2023 in this two minute-plus video.

DARK HORSE - From Deadline:  Dark Horse Entertainment is one of the production entities behind the film, "Kill Me," starring Charlie Day ("It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia") and written and directed by Peter Warren.

DC STUDIOS - From Variety:  Nicholas Hoult is final negotiations to play the villain "Lex Luthor" in director James Gunn's planned feature, "Superman: Legacy."  Hoult played "Hank McCoy/The Beast" in four of Fox's "X-Men" films, beginning with X-Men: First Class.

From Deadline:  Actor Skyler Gisondo has been cast as "Jimmy Olsen," The Daily Planet's cub reporter/photographer in James Gunn's film, "Superman: Legacy."

DC TV - From Variety:  "The Penguin" the streaming series spinning out of the 2022 hit, The Batman, will restart production after Thanksgiving.  Production had been halted by the SAG-AFTRA strike.  Collin Farrell will reprise his role from the film as "Oswald Cobblepot" a.k.a. "The Penguin."

MARVEL COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Writer Gail Simone and artist David Marquez may be the new creative team on Marvel's "X-Men" series.

SONY MARVEL U - From Variety:  Sony Pictures has released a trailer for its Marvel Universe film, "Madame Web," starring Dakota Johnson and Sydney Sweeney.  The film is currently slated for a Feb. 14th, 2024 release to theaters.

MARVEL COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Peter Parker and Miles Morales have been the stars of two "Spider-Men" series (2012, 2017).  Now, the duo returns in an all-new ongoing series, "Spectacular Spider-Men," from writer Greg Weisman and artist Humberto Ramos.  Series launches March 2023.

COMICS - From THR:  "Deadpool" filmmaker, Tim Miller, is part of a group attempting to turn the comic book series, "Alien Legion," into a science fiction franchise.  Alien Legion was originally published as a series of miniseries, a graphic novel, and spinoffs by Marvel Comics from 1984 to 1993.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Writer Benjamin Percy and artist Danny Kim will introduce a new Ghost Rider in "Ghost Rider #1," due March 2024 (article):

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Rumors suggest that DC Comics may be considering reviving its "Vertigo Comics" imprint.

THE MARVELS - From BoxOfficePro:  "The Marvels" tops the weekend box office with an estimated take of 47 million dollars.

From Here:  A review of "The Marvels" by Leroy Douresseaux.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics hints at something evil coming to "Dawn of DC," possibly a "Trinity of Evil."

DC COMICS - From ComicBook:  Writer Jason Aaron and artist Doug Mahnke take "Batman: Off-World." The mini-series begins Nov. 21st, and ComicBook.com has an exclusive preview of seven pages and six covers from the series.

COMICS TO FILM - From Deadline:  Apple will begin developing its first feature film based on Charles Schulz's legendary newspaper comic strip, "Peanuts," in 2024.  Canadian entertainment company, Wildbrain Studios, will handle the production.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  All the Spider-Man comic books and collection coming in 2023 and early 2024.

MARVEL - From Gizmodo:  Insomniac Games says that going forward Miles Morales will the Spider-Man in the Insomniac universe of Marvel Spider-Man games.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics announces the launch of "Compact Comics" priced at $9.99 for 12-issue trade paperback compilations.  The line will include reprints of such iconic titles as "Watchmen," and "All-Star Superman."  DC apparently believes that this manga-like format is new-reader-friendly, affordable and appealing to a wider audience.

COMICS - From Variety:  At Lucca Comics & Games 2023, Frank Miller talked about why he started his own publishing company. "It was time to be an adult."

From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller wins the prestigious Yellow Kid Master of Comics award at Lucca Comics & Games 2023.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  First look at THE Peach Momoko's "X-Men" art in "Ultimate Universe #1."

DC ANIMATION - From ComicBook:  Warner Bros.'s animated adaptation of the classic miniseries, "Crisis on Infinite Earths," will be entitled "Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths."  "Part One" (of Two?) arrives direct-to-video early in 2024.

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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:  Ablaze for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  Blackbox Comics for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  CEX Publishing for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  Clover Press for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' "Batman" titles for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  Dstlry for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller Presents LLC for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  Kodansha 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:  Opus Comics for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  Seven Seas Entertainment for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  Sumerian Comics for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  Udon Entertainment for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  Webtoon Unscrolled for November 2023

From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for November 2023

DECEMBER 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  Bleeding Moon Comics LLC for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  CEX for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  Dstlry for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for December 2023

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

From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "Spider-Man" and "Gang War" titles for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "Star Wars" titles for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  Massive for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  Opus Comics for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  Udon Entertainment Inc. for December 2023

From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for December 2023

JANUARY 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for January 2024

From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for January 2024

From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for January 2024

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for January 2024

From BleedingCool:  Band of Bards for January 2024

From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics LLC for January 2024

From BleedingCool:  BOOM Studios! for January 2024

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for January 2024

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for January 2024

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for January 2024

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for January 2024

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for January 2024

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics Energon Universe for January 2024

From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for January 2024

From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for January 2024

From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for January 2024

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for January 2024

From BleedingCool:  Massive/Whatnot for January 2024

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for January 2024

From BleedingCool:  Rebellion 2000 AD for January 2024

From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for January 2024

From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for January 2024

From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for January 2024

From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for January 2024

From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for January 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for February 2024

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for February 2024

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for February 2024

From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books for February 2024

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for February 2024

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for February 2024

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "X-Men" titles for February 2024

From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for February 2024

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for February 2024

MAY 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Free Comic Book Day 2024 for May 4, 2024

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#IReadsYou Review: BATTLE CHASERS ANTHOLOGY

BATTLE CHASERS ANTHOLOGY

IMAGE COMICS

STORY: Joe Madureira and Munier Sharrieff

PENCILS: Joe Madureira; Adam Warren

INKS: Tom McWeeney with Joe Madureira; Adam Warren

COLORS: Liquid!; Christian Lightner; Aron Lusen; Ryan Kinnaird

LETTERS: Richard Starkings & Comicraft

COVER: Joe Madureira with Grace Liu

ISBN:  978-1-5343-1522-8; paperback (September 25, 2019)

32pp, Colors, 24.99 U.S.

Rated “T/ Teen”

Battle Chasers created by Joe Madureira

Battle Chasers is an American fantasy comic book series created by artist Joe Madureira.  Launched in April 1998, the series was sporadically published for nine issues over a period of a little over three years.  Battle Chasers #1 to #4 (cover dated: April to October 1998) were published by Image Comics' studio, Wildstorm Productions, via its “Cliffhanger” imprint.  Issues #5 to 8 (cover dated: May 1999 to 2001) were published by DC Comics via Wildstorm Productions and its “Cliffhanger” imprint.  The series returned to Image Comics for Battle Chasers #9 (cover dated: September 2001).  Although there was some art produced for a Battle Chasers #10, the issue was never published.

Well, Battle Chasers #10 finally arrives June 14th, 2023 (at least 21 years late) albeit with new series artist.  So I decided to go back and reread the original run, and there is a handy way to do that.

Battle Chasers Anthology, originally published in September 2019, collects every Battle Chasers comics story.  That includes Battle Chasers #1 to 9; the eight-page story from Battle Chasers Prelude (cover dated: February 1998); the 10-page story published in Frank Frazetta Fantasy Illustrated (cover dated: Summer 1998); and the Joe Madureira-Adam Warren “Red Monika: Interlude” serial, which was originally published in Battle Chasers #6 and #9.

[This volumes also includes a 21-page sketchbook section; a 10-page pin-up and illustration gallery; and 27-page cover art gallery.]

Battle Chasers takes place in a “steampunk” nineteenth century-type fantasy world.  It focuses on five main characters.  The first is Gully, a ten-year-old girl who possesses a pair of magical gloves left behind by her father, the great warrior, Aramus, who disappeared.  Next is Garrison, a legendary swordsman and grieving widow; he has a powerful magical sword.  Knolan is a powerful 500-year-old wizard.  His companion is Calibretto, a towering “Wargolem,” who is also an outlaw and the last of his kind.

The four join forces to find Gully's father.  They must also stop four extremely powerful villains that were inadvertently released from imprisonment by the fifth main character, Red Monika, a rogue and a voluptuous bounty hunter.  Meanwhile, the legacy of Aramus, the machinations of King Vaneer of the Unified Territories, and the secrets of Knolan begin to poison everything and everyone around them.

THE LOWDOWN:  I was a huge fan of Joe Madureira a.k.a. “Joe Mad” in the 1990s.  I used to call him “the young master” because his talent, abilities, and art seemed to explode every few months into something even better and more beautiful.  I even collected multiple pages of Joe Mad's original art.

So I was ecstatic when his first creator-owned comic book, Battle Chasers, was announced in 1997.  I was so excited about Battle Chasers when it arrived in the spring of 1998 that I also bought one of the variant covers.  I enjoyed the series, but it was a bit hard to follow because … well, because Mad took two and a half years to deliver nine issues.  For instance, there was a 16-month delay between the publication of Battle Chasers #6 (August 1999, DC Comics) and #7 (January 2001, DC Comics).

In the end, Joe Mad abandoned the series to work in the video game industry and went on to co-found a video game company.  Eventually, he did return to Battle Chasers, and Battle Chasers Anthology was published in 2019.

It is through Battle Chasers Anthology that a reader can see how imaginative, inventive, and fun to read Battle Chasers was and is.  Having the series gathered in one book allows a reader to enjoy the series without waiting months or a year-and-half to read each chapter.  The story flows, so the overall narrative comes across as impressive and well-thought out, and except for some wonky names for people, places, and beings and some awkward dialogue, the script writing by Munier Sharrieff is really good.  Engaging plots, interesting character, and surprising cliffhangers make this an exciting and gripping read.  Battle Chasers is a wild gumbo of video games scenarios, Dungeons & Dragons, and anime and manga.  Still, it is original rather than being a pastiche, although on the surface, it might appear to be as such.

To that end, along with the end of his run on Marvel Comics' Uncanny X-Men, Battle Chasers is peak Joe Mad art.  His creature design for this series is still impressive, and there was nothing like it, at least in American comic books, back then.  Battle Chasers' character design is also quite good, simply because none of the lead characters or main supporting and guests character look remotely alike.

Like Tim Townsend did when he inked Joe Mad, Tom McWeeney uses his inks to control the wild energy and eccentricity that showed itself in Mad's comic book art after he left Battle Chasers.  In the 1990s, I thought that there were no better comic book colorists than Liquid Graphics a.k.a. Liquid!  Twenty years later, the studio's work on this comic book still looks amazing.  Even the lettering by Richard Starkings & Comicraft stands out as exceptional – even today.  I'm starting to believe that, in spite of their lateness, Battle Chasers and the other two original Cliffhanger titles were not only peak 1990s mainstream comic books but also a peak in mainstream comic books in general.

I wanted to read Battle Chasers Anthology just in case I decided to read the finally arrived Battle Chasers #10 (Image Comics).  I enjoyed this collection so much that I feel that I have to at least read this new issue.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of artist Joe Madureira and of his former comic book series, Battle Chasers, will want Battle Chasers Anthology.

A

[This volume includes an introduction by Jeph Loeb and an afterword by Joe Madureira.]

[MISC ART: Joe Madureira; Joe Madureira and Tom McWeeney with Liquid!, Joe Maduriera and Alex Garner; Joe Madureira and Vince Russell; Joe Madureira and Richard Starkings; Ed McGuiness and Liquid!; David Finch and Liquid!; Travis Charest and Richard Friend; Ed McGuiness and Jason Martin with Justin Ponsor; Travis Charest and Richard Friend with Liquid!; Joe Chiodo; Adam Warren with Liquid!; Humberto Ramos and Sandra Hope with Liquid!; J. Scott Campbell and Richard Friend with Liquid!.]

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

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The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: Henry and J.J. Abrams' SPIDER-MAN #1

SPIDER-MAN No. 1 (2019)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: J.J. Abrams and Henry Abrams
PENCILS: Sara Pichelli
INKS: Sara Pichelli with Elisabetta D'Amico
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
EDITOR: Nick Lowe
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Olivier Coipel with Dave Stewart
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Sara Pichelli with Dave Stewart; Chip Kidd; Ed McGuiness with Laura Martin; Humberto Ramos with Edgar Delgado; Jason Polan
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (November 2019)

Rated  “T”

Spider-Man created by Steve Ditko and Stan Lee

“Bloodline”

Spider-Man is the classic Marvel Comics superhero that debuted in Amazing Fantasy #15 (cover dated: August 1962).  Peter Parker, a high school student, was bitten by a radioactive spider.  That bite gave him strange powers, including the proportional speed and strength of a spider and his “spider-sense” a kind of internal warning beacon.  Parker donned what would become his trademark red and blue costume (that he made himself), and became the crime-fighting superhero, The Amazing Spider-Man.

Spider-Man publications have always attracted celebrated comic book creators who wanted to tell Spider-Man stories.  One of the most recent is acclaimed film director and Emmy-winning television producer, J.J. Abrams.  Abrams and his son, Henry Abrams, are the writers of a new five-issue comic book miniseries, entitled Spider-Man.  [When this series is collected in book form,“Spider-Man: Bloodline” might be the title.]  The series is drawn by modern Spider-Man superstar artist, Sara Pichelli, with Elisabetta D'Amico as an inking assistant.  The series colorist is Dave Stewart, and the letterer is Joe Caramagna.

Spider-Man #1 opens on what may be the worst day of Spider-Man's life.  His battle against a powerful villain named  “Cadaverous,” has left him grievously wounded.  For the hero, the day also turns stunningly, shockingly tragic.

Twelve years later, Peter Parker travels, practically non-stop, always working on another “assignment.”  Meanwhile, Peter's son, Ben, lives with Aunt May and struggles, not because he is a bullied wallflower – like the teenage version of his father.  Ben fights back, which drives a wedge between him and his father.  Now, Aunt May believes it is time for Ben to learn some secrets...

I am a huge fan of comic book artist Sara Pichelli, who is the artist most associated with Miles Morales, the Ultimate Spider-Man and the star of the Oscar-winning film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.  Here, Pichelli delivers some of her most beautiful illustrative work, and her storytelling is emotive, potent, dramatic, and lovingly mysterious.  Nailed it!

After Marvel announced that J.J. Abrams and Henry would be writing a special Spider-Man comic book, I came across the usual cacophony of negative commentary from the fan-resentment chorus.  However, the American comic book industry would be better off if more Hollywood types, that are quite skilled in the art of the story, wrote comic books.  Abrams excels at emotion, character drama, female characters, and family drama, especially when it comes to the dynamics between parent and child.  I don't know how much Henry is contributing to writing here, but it is good.  Nailed it!

Everyone who reads comic books on a regular basis knows that Dave Stewart is currently among the very best colorists in American comic books, if not the best.  I can say that here, Stewart “Nailed it!”  Letterer Joe Caramagna... captures the subtle and quiet atmosphere of this first chapter with his usual skill.  So he... Nailed it!, too.

I am happy that the Abrams' Spider-Man is one of those superstar-driven, event comic book publications that is actually, really damn good.  I am so ready for more.

10 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: SPIDEY #1

SPIDEY No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Robbie Thompson
ART: Nick Bradshaw
COLORS: Jim Campbell
LETTERS: Travis Lanham
COVER: Nick Bradshaw with Jim Campbell
VARIANT COVERS: Humberto Ramos with Edgar Delgado; Skottie Young; Gyimah Gariba (Hip Hop Variant)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2016)

Rated  “T”

Spider-Man created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko

The Spider-Man that readers first met in Amazing Fantasy #15 (cover dated: August 1962) and then, in The Amazing Spider-Man #1 (cover date: March 1963) was secretly 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.

If my memory is correct, Peter Parker was living on his own and might have been a grad student in the first Spider-Man comic books I ever read.  However, the first time I encountered Spider-Man in comics was a reprint of the story from Amazing Fantasy #15.  That was a seminal moment for me as a burgeoning comic book fan.  From that point on, I basically always favored the teenage Peter Parker, so the first time I saw an adult Parker, I found it odd.  It is not that I did not like a grown-up Parker; I simply preferred reading about a teen-aged Peter Parker being Spider-Man.

So my interest was piqued when I read that as part of the “All-New, All-Different Marvel,” Marvel Comics was going to launch a comic book that focused on the early days of Peter Parker's adventures as Spider-Man.  Entitled Spidey, this series is written by Robbie Thompson; drawn by Nick Bradshaw; colored by Jim Campbell; and lettered by Travis Lanham.

Spidey #1 finds Peter Parker having to be the Amazing Spider-Man on his way to class at Midtown High School.  It is the field trip to Oscorp that causes the real trouble when Doctor Otto Octavius crashes the party.

I tried to be a cynical old guy and not like Spidey #1, but it is the kind of throwback, retro Spider-Man comic book that I like to read on occasion.  In fact, I am ready for the second issue (which I think has been released as of this writing).  This is an action-adventure comic book that recalls classic Marvel, but without the storytelling density.  After all, early Marvel Comics squeezed an epic into practically each issue their most popular series.

Spidey writer Robbie Thompson offers something like a comic book version of the Saturday morning animated television series, “The Spectacular Spider-Man” (2008-2009).  Thompson pretty much sticks with standard characterization on all characters, including the supporting players, Gwen Stacy and Flash Thompson, so readers will recognize the characters they have come to love.  Thompson also manages two Spider-Man-in-action sequences, while offering the high school melodrama that is integral to any Spider-Man comic book

Artist Nick Bradshaw does his best Art Adams circa Monkeyman and O'Brien, but Adam's detailed style is made practical rather than stylish in Spidey.  Appearance aside, Bradshaw's storytelling is solid, balancing lite high school drama with explosive action.  And as every Spider-Man comic book artist should do, Bradshaw makes Spider-Man look good in action.  I don't know if Bradshaw will be remembered as a great Spider-Man artist, but he is starting off as an effective one.

So if readers are looking for a Spider-Man comic book for young readers, rather than complaining they can find Spidey.  It will entertainment them, also.

B+

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


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

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Review: THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN No. 1 / #802 (2018)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Nick Spencer
PENCILS: Ryan Ottley; Humberto Ramos
INKS: Cliff Rathburn; Victor Olazaba
COLORS: Marte Gracia; Edgar Delgado
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
EDITOR: Nick Lowe
COVER: Ryan Ottley with Laura Martin
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Shane Davis and Michelle Delecki with Morry Hollowell; John Romita, Sr. and Terry Austin with Jason Keith; Erik Larsen with Dean White (Remastered); Jim Cheung with Justin Ponser; Greg Land with Jason Keith
56pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (September 2018)

Rated  “T”

Spider-Man created by Steve Ditko and Stan Lee

“Back to Basics” Part One

Here we go.  Back in the summer, Marvel Comics published yet another The Amazing Spider-Man #1, but the publisher did not jettison its “Legacy” numbering.  So this new #1 comic book is also The Amazing Spider-Man #802.

It is a fresh start, of sorts, with a new creative team.  Nick Spencer is the new series writer.  The new art team is Ryan Ottley (pencils) and Cliff Rathburn (inks).  Laura Martin is on colors, and Joe Caramagna is on letters.

The Amazing Spider-Man #1 finds Peter Parker still trying to get his life back together in the wake of the crash and burn of his company, Parker Industries.  He shares an apartment with roommates, and he has reconnected with M.J. - Mary Jane Watson.  But something is wrong.  People are giving him the side eye, when they aren't being outright hostile and dismissive.  And he and the Avengers are in the middle of a massive alien invasion.  Is there a conspiracy against Peter Parker and Spider-Man?

I enjoyed Dan Slott's run on The Amazing Spider-Man.  Of course, I only experienced the second half of Slott's long tenure on the title, and I understand that some readers and fans were ready for Marvel to move on from him.

I don't know if readers are satisfied now, but I like this almost tripled-sized issue.  Without reverting Peter Parker to childhood, Spencer takes Peter Parker back to the days when he suffered the bane of a hero's existence – no good deed goes unpunished.  Indirectly and directly and by action and inaction, Parker and Spider-Man are causing trouble for the people for whom they care.  Obviously, there is a lot of dramatic tension and conflict.  Still, Spencer writes a light-hearted comic book with both wry humor and dark undertones.

Ryan Ottley, known for his long run on Robert Kirkman's Invincible (Image Comics), is the perfect Spider-Man comic book artist, for now.  He reminds me of Mark Bagley on Ultimate Spider-Man, and, at the time (late 2000), both that comic book and Bagley were much needed breaths of fresh air for the Spider-Man franchise.  Ottley recalls the past while being something different, essentially an indie superhero comic book artist taking on a venerable mainstream superhero franchise.  Ottley is back to basics without being retro.

Cliff Rathburn on inks accentuates the newness of Ottley's clean pencil art.  Laura Martin's colors seems out of place, too heavy for Ottley and Rathburn's illustrations.  There is nothing distinctive about Joe Caramagna's lettering.  At least, it seems that way to me.

Former Amazing Spider-Man series artist, Humberto Ramos, delivers a killer back-up story.  With his striking illustrative style, Ramos usually presents potent storytelling, and his tale enforces my belief that this Amazing relaunch could be something special... at least for awhile.

8 out of 10

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


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



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

Review: HOUSE OF X #1

HOUSE OF X No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jonathan Hickman
ART: Pepe Larraz
COLORS: Marte Gracia
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
EDITOR: Jordan D. White
EiC: Akria Yoshida a.k.a. “C.B. Cebuski”
COVER: Pepe Larraz with Marte Gracia
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Mark Brooks; Marco Checchetto; John Tyler Christopher; Dave Cockrum with Jesus Aburtov; Mike Huddleston; Joe Madureira with Peter Steigerwald; Phil Noto; Sara Pichelli with Dean White; Humberto Ramos with Edgar Delgado; Skottie Young
56pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (September 2019)

Rated T+

The X-Men created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

“The House That Xavier Built”

The X-Men are a Marvel Comics superhero team created by editor Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby.  The X-Men debuted in the comic book, The X-Men #1 (cover dated: September 1963), and the focus of that comic book was Professor Charles Xavier a/k/a “Professor X” and his small circle of students.  Each student had a unique power or ability granted to them because each student was a mutant, and each had a code name.  The students were Scott Summers (Cyclops), Jean Grey (Marvel Girl), Warren Worthington III (Angel), Henry “Hank” McCoy (Beast), and Bobby Drake (Iceman).

From time to time, the X-Men concept is changed in some way via a relaunch or revamp.  The most famous was the debut of the “new X-Men” in Giant-Size X-Men #1 (cover dated: May 1975).  Once consistently among the bestselling comic books in the United States (and often the bestselling comic book), the X-Men have fallen on hard times, especially over the last decade.  Part of the problem is that the editorial powers that be at Marvel Comics have spent much of the last two decades revamping, relaunching, remaking the X-Men, and especially involving the X-Men line of comic books in ultimately pointless title crossover events.

However, fans and readers have hope for this new X-Men thing.  The latest remodeling comes via a pair of six-issue miniseries, House of X and Powers of X, published biweekly on an alternating schedule.  The first to debut is House of X.  It is written by written Jonathan Hickman; drawn by Pepe Larraz; colored by Marte Gracia; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.

House of X #1 (“The House That Xavier Built”) opens on a world that has changed.  In the last half year, Professor Charles Xavier (a.k.a. “Professor X”) has been rolling out his master plan for mutant-kind.  Xavier wants to bring mutants out of the shadow of mankind and into the light once more.  On the island of Krakoa is a home for mutants only, a place where they can be safe.

As a gift to the ever-suspicious humanity, Xavier is offering miracle pharmaceuticals.  However, seeing Armageddon in this new world order, a secret organization of humans has activated the “Orchis protocols.”  Plus, the activities of Sabertooth and Mystique earn the attention of the Fantastic Four, and this issue story also stars Magneto, Cyclops, and Jean Grey to name a few.

“Did you honestly think we were going to sit around and take it forever?” is what Cyclops asks the Invisible Woman during a standoff between the X-Man and the Fantastic Four.  Fight the power, indeed, but this first chapter of House of X is as much about evolution as it is about self-defense.  In Jonathan Hickman's radical revamp of Marvel's X-Men franchise, the mutants of the Marvel Universe have more than a sanctuary; they have a home.  Apparently, they are going to spend their time in their new home being great and striving for greater – socially and scientifically, and that is making humans, especially certain human interests, suspicious and preparing for war.

I don't know where Hickman is taking Marvel's X-Men line, but, in House of X #1, he has created the kind of first issue that makes readers so curious that they just have to come back for more.  At the local comic shop I visit, all issues of House of X and Powers of X have been sellouts.

In this first issue, the art by Pepe Larraz is pretty, but the graphical storytelling does not come across as being as striking and as radical as Hickman's script is.  However, Marte Gracia's coloring is a glorious display, and Clayton Cowles' lettering keeps the shifting ground of House of X #1's story and book design coherent.

Will House of X #1 be a seminal moment in the history of X-Men comic books?  We will see, but it is a must-read for anyone who has ever been a fan of X-Men comic books.

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.


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

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 12, 2019

MARVEL COMICS

APR190906    AGE OF CONAN BELIT #4 (OF 5)    $3.99
APR190890    AGE OF X-MAN APOCALYPSE AND X-TRACTS #4 (OF 5)    $3.99
APR190892    AGE OF X-MAN MARVELOUS X-MEN #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
APR190821    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #23    $3.99
APR190822    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #23 ACUNA MARVELS 25TH TRIBUTE VAR    $3.99
APR190823    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #23 IMMONEN SPIDER-MAN BLUE RED SUIT VAR    $3.99
APR190762    ASGARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #10 WR    $3.99
MAR191014    AVENGERS TP NO ROAD HOME    $29.99
APR190749    CHAMPIONS #6 INHYUK LEE MARVELS 25TH TRIBUTE VAR WR    $3.99
APR190748    CHAMPIONS #6 WR    $3.99
MAR198942    FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #6 2ND PTG VAR    $3.99
APR190838    FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #7    $3.99
APR190766    GIANT MAN #3 (OF 3) WR    $3.99
DEC181029    HULK BY LOEB & MCGUINNESS OMNIBUS HC    $100.00
MAR191019    HULKVERINES TP    $15.99
APR190792    IMMORTAL HULK #19    $3.99
APR190794    IMMORTAL HULK #19 LUPACCHINO SPIDER-MAN ARMOR SUIT VAR    $3.99
APR190793    IMMORTAL HULK #19 SMALLWOOD MARVELS 25TH TRIBUTE VAR    $3.99
APR190803    INVADERS #6    $3.99
APR190874    IRONHEART #7    $3.99
APR190888    MAJOR X #5 (OF 6)    $3.99
MAR191011    MARVEL MONOGRAPH ART OF HUMBERTO RAMOS TP SPIDER-MAN    $19.99
APR190814    MARVEL TALES SPIDER-MAN #1    $7.99
DEC181027    MMW SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN HC VOL 02    $75.00
DEC181028    MMW SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN HC VOL 02 DM VAR ED 276    $75.00
APR190882    PUNISHER #12    $3.99
APR190783    SILVER SURFER BLACK #1 (OF 5)    $3.99
APR190788    SILVER SURFER BLACK #1 (OF 5) BLANK VAR    $3.99
APR190831    SPIDER-MAN LIFE STORY #4 (OF 6)    $4.99
MAR191033    SPIDER-MAN LOVES MARY JANE GN TP REAL THING    $12.99
MAR198943    STAR WARS AOR BOBA FETT #1 2ND PTG VAR    $3.99
MAR198944    STAR WARS AOR HAN SOLO #1 2ND PTG VAR    $3.99
FEB190987    STAR WARS LEGENDS EPIC COLLECTION REBELLION TP VOL 03    $39.99
APR190935    STAR WARS VADER DARK VISIONS #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
APR190767    SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #7 WR    $3.99
MAR198945    SYMBIOTE SPIDER-MAN #2 (OF 5) 2ND PTG VAR    $3.99
APR190828    SYMBIOTE SPIDER-MAN #3 (OF 5)    $3.99
APR190829    SYMBIOTE SPIDER-MAN #3 (OF 5) LIM VAR    $3.99
APR190809    TRUE BELIEVERS SINISTER SECRET SPIDER-MANS NEW COSTUME #1    $1.00
APR190808    TRUE BELIEVERS SPIDER-MAN MORBIUS #1    $1.00
APR190810    TRUE BELIEVERS SPIDER-MAN VS HULK #1    $1.00
APR190763    UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #45 WR    $3.99
APR190772    VENOM #15 BIANCHI MARVELS 25TH TRIBUTE VAR WR    $3.99
APR190771    VENOM #15 WR    $3.99
MAR198946    WAR OF REALMS #3 (OF 6) 2ND PTG FERREYRA VAR    $4.99
MAR198947    WAR OF REALMS JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #2 (OF 5) 2ND PTG VAR    $3.99
MAR198948    WAR OF REALMS NEW AGENTS OF ATLAS #1 (OF 4) 2ND PTG VAR    $3.99
APR190903    X-FORCE #9    $3.99

Review: FANTASTIC FOUR #1 Fascimile Edition

FANTASTIC FOUR #1 FACSIMILE EDITION (2018)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Stan Lee
PENCILS: Jack Kirby
INKS: George Klein (?); Sol Brodsky (?)
COLORS: Stan Goldberg
LETTERS: Artie Simek
EDITOR: Mark D. Beazley (collection editor)
COVER: Jack Kirby and George Klein with Stan Goldberg (?)
MISC. ART: John Buscema and Joe Sinnott; John Byrne and Terry Austin; John Byrne; Alex Ross; John Byrne with Gregory Wright; Scott Eaton with Richard Isanove; Eric Powell; Clayton Crain; Marcelo DiChiara; Ed McGuinness and Dexter Vines; Michael Wm Kaluta; Leinil Francis Yu; Arthur Adams with Justin Ponsor; Humberto Ramos with Edgar Delgado; Jack Kirby and George Klein with Dean White
48pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2018)

Fantastic Four created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee

Afterword by Dan Slott

“The Fantastic Four!”

The Fantastic Four #1 (cover dated: November 1961) is the comic book that basically started what we know of today as Marvel Comics and the “Marvel Universe” of superheroes, comic books, stories, and fictional mythologies.  This comic book only credits two of the creative team, Fantastic Four creators, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.  Lee wrote a two-page plot that Kirby drew, via pencil art, as a 25-page comic book story.  Lee, credited as the scriptwriter, wrote the exposition and dialogue for the 25 pages.  You can experience this history in Marvel Comics' recent release, Fantastic Four #1 Facsimile Edition.

Because comic books then did not provide contributor credits as they do today, there is some question as to the rest of the creative team of this first issue of The Fantastic Four (also known as “FF”).  George Klein and possibly Sol Brodsky provided inks over Kirby's pencils.  Stan Goldberg was the colorist, and Artie Simek was this comic book's letterer.

The Fantastic Four #1 (“The Fantastic Four!) opens in the FF's original home, Central City.  The ordinary citizens are in an uproar, as above them, someone has fired a flare gun that has unleashed a huge smoke cloud.  Like a silent beacon, the smoke is emblazoned with the words, “THE FANTASTIC FOUR!”  What does it all mean, the citizens of Central City wonder?

The one who fired the gun is Reed Richards a.k.a. “Mister Fantastic,” a scientific genius, who can stretch his body to incredible lengths and into endless shapes.  He is calling Susan “Sue” Storm a.k.a. “the Invisible Girl,” who can make herself invisible.  The call also goes out to Johnny Storm a.k.a. “the Human Torch,” Sue's younger brother, who can ignite his body with flames, generate more flames, and use the flames to give him the power of flight.  The final cast member is Ben Grimm a.k.a. “the Thing,” whose flesh has been turned stone-like, giving him tremendous superhuman strength, durability, and endurance.  Richards is the leader of this mysterious group, The Fantastic Four.  On the day of Reed's signal call, the team must save the planet from a strange underworld menace, and the world will never be the same.

The Fantastic Four, of course, is now simply known as Fantastic Four, a fantastic name either way one says it.  It is definitely one of the five most important individual issues of a comic book ever published, and there are several reasons why.  The modern language of superhero comic books and to a large extent, the graphical storytelling language of modern comic books is based on Jack Kirby's comic book storytelling, beginning with his illustrations and storytelling in Fantastic Four #1.

However, what I like about Fantastic Four #1 is its unabashed craziness.  Stan Lee does not pretend to be writing science fiction.  This landmark comic book is full of crazy, ridiculous, stupid, hair-brained, wild, weird, wonderful, wacky, surreal, and strange stuff, and sadly, in the intervening years, comic books have tried to become too smart.  It is as if comic books have been trying to make sense of the “wrongness” and “incorrectness” of Fantastic Four in the intervening decades since its release.  Comic books don't need to be literature to be taken seriously.  Comic book writers, artists, colorists, letterers, editors, publishers, etc. create storytelling that cannot be created in other mediums, and it is perfectly fine for the stories to be scientifically and practically non-nonsensical.

Fantastic Four #1 is like a B-movie or monster movie, but only in the most superficial ways.  The imagination and inventiveness unique to comic books is unique to comic books because comic books are not like other mediums.  A couple of times in the text pieces for Fantastic Four #1 Facsimile Edition, the word “crude” is used.  On the surface, the illustrations in this sixty-seven year-old comic book story may appear to be crude, but the graphics and the graphical storytelling are beautiful, almost beyond words.

The combination of imagination, the uniqueness of the comics medium, and the innate weirdness of comic books flowed (and still flows) through what Jack Kirby and Stan Lee created so long ago.  The Fantastic Four #1 is not quaint, charming, or crude; it was a new dawn, and it is still visionary.  I have been reading The Fantastic Four #1 in reprint form, on and off, for over 30 years, and I never stop being excited while reading it.  I really enjoyed Fantastic Four #1 Facsimile Edition.

[This comic book features previously published text pieces by Stan Lee, Tom DeFalco, and Walter Mosley.]


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


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

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for July 11, 2018

BOOM! STUDIOS

MAY181196    CODA #3 (OF 12) MAIN & MIX    $3.99
JAN181349    COMPLETE CRIMSON OMNIBUS HC    $125.00
JAN181350    COMPLETE CRIMSON OMNIBUS S&N ED HC    $PI
MAY181238    GARFIELD HOMECOMING #2    $3.99
MAR181247    GO GO POWER RANGERS TP VOL 01    $16.99
MAY181195    MECH CADET YU #10    $3.99
MAY181201    ROBOCOP CITIZENS ARREST #4    $3.99
MAY181202    ROBOCOP CITIZENS ARREST #4 SUBSCRIPTION RUBIN VAR    $3.99
MAY181180    RUINWORLD #1 (OF 5) CVR A LAUFMAN    $3.99
MAY181181    RUINWORLD #1 (OF 5) CVR B GALLOWAY VAR    $3.99
MAR181296    RUN WILD HC    $24.99
MAY181187    THRILLING ADV HOUR TP VOL 01 SPIRITED ROMANCE DISCOVER NOW (    $14.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 20, 2018

MARVEL COMICS

APR180766    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #801    $3.99
MAR188672    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #801 RAMOS CONNECTING VAR    $3.99
APR180764    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN RENEW YOUR VOWS #20    $3.99
MAR180995    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN WORLDWIDE TP VOL 08    $15.99
APR180712    ANT-MAN AND THE WASP #2 (OF 5)    $3.99
APR188213    AVENGERS #2 2ND PTG MCGUINNESS VAR    $3.99
APR180754    AVENGERS #3    $3.99
APR180774    BEN REILLY SCARLET SPIDER #20    $3.99
APR180819    CABLE #158    $3.99
APR180758    CAPTAIN AMERICA #704    $3.99
APR180759    CAPTAIN AMERICA #704 TEDESCO CONNECTING VAR    $3.99
APR180753    CHAMPIONS #21    $3.99
MAR181005    CHAMPIONS CLASSIC COMPLETE COLLECTION TP    $39.99
APR180800    DAREDEVIL #604    $3.99
APR180730    DOCTOR STRANGE #2    $3.99
MAR181000    DOCTOR STRANGE BY DONNY CATES TP VOL 01 GOD OF MAGIC    $15.99
APR188214    DOMINO #2 2ND PTG LAND VAR    $3.99
APR188215    HUNT FOR WOLVERINE CLAWS OF KILLER #1 (OF 4) 2ND PTG GUICE V    $3.99
APR180734    HUNT FOR WOLVERINE CLAWS OF KILLER #2 (OF 4)    $3.99
APR180735    HUNT FOR WOLVERINE CLAWS OF KILLER #2 (OF 4) SANDOVAL VAR    $3.99
APR180744    INFINITY COUNTDOWN BLACK WIDOW #1    $4.99
APR180746    INFINITY COUNTDOWN BLACK WIDOW #1 DEL MUNDO YOUNG GUNS VAR    $4.99
APR180745    INFINITY COUNTDOWN BLACK WIDOW #1 SEINKIEWICZ VAR    $4.99
APR180750    INFINITY COUNTDOWN CHAMPIONS #1 (OF 2)    $3.99
APR180751    INFINITY COUNTDOWN CHAMPIONS DEODATO VAR #1 (OF 2)    $3.99
APR180760    PETER PARKER SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #1    $4.99
APR180761    PETER PARKER SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #1 GARRON VAR    $4.99
APR180803    RUNAWAYS #10    $3.99
APR180765    SPIDER-GWEN #33    $3.99
APR180832    STAR WARS POE DAMERON #28    $3.99
APR180665    TONY STARK IRON MAN #1    $4.99
MAR188507    TONY STARK IRON MAN MINI COMIC (BUNDLE OF 25)    $PI
APR180782    TRUE BELIEVERS ANT-MAN INCREDIBLE SHRINKING DOOM #1    $1.00
APR180783    TRUE BELIEVERS SCOTT LANG ASTONISHING ANT-MAN #1    $1.00
MAR180998    UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL TP VOL 08 MY BEST FRIENDS SQUIRREL    $15.99
APR188091    VENOM #1 2ND PTG STEGMAN VAR    $4.99
DEC170943    VENOMNIBUS HC VOL 01    $100.00
APR180818    WEAPON H #4    $3.99
MAR180996    WEAPON X TP VOL 03 MODERN WARFARE    $15.99
MAR181003    WOLVERINE SAVAGE ORIGINS TP    $17.99
APR188216    X-MEN GOLD #26 2ND PTG MARQUEZ VAR    $3.99
APR188217    X-MEN GOLD #27 2ND PTG MARQUEZ VAR    $3.99
APR180810    X-MEN GOLD #30    $4.99
APR188264    X-MEN WEDDING SPECIAL #1 2ND PTG JS CAMPBELL VAR    $4.99

Review: CHAMPIONS #1

CHAMPIONS No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Mark Waid
PENCILS: Humberto Ramos
INKS: Victor Olazaba
COLORS: Edgar Delgado
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: Humberto Ramos with Edgar Delgado
VARIANT COVERS: Alex Ross; Mark Brooks; John Tyler Christopher; Jay Fosgitt; Rahzzah; Art Adams with Jason Keith; Mike Hawthorne with Matt Milla; Skottie Young
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (December 2016)

Rated T

Back in 1975, Marvel Comics introduced a new team of superheroes known as The Champions.  Marvel Comics' new publishing initiative, NOW!, offers a new version of that semi-classic.  Entitled Champions, it is created by writer Mark Waid and artist Humberto Ramos.  The comic book is written by Waid; drawn by Ramos (pencils) and Victor Olazaba (inks); colored by Edgar Delgado; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.

Champions #1 opens in the home of Kamala Khan a.k.a. Ms. Marvel.  The teen girl's life is in a state of flux.  Just five days ago, she quit the Avengers.  Now, she calls on two other former teen Avengers who quit the team before her, Spider-Man (Miles Morales) and Nova (Sam Alexander).  Kamala is going to try to convince her former teammates to start a new team, one that wants to “put the wold back together” whenever their superhero activities break it.  Can she convince them and maybe a few more young heroes to go along with that idea?

Sometime in the long-ago, I am sure that I read The Champions, either that or a comic book in which they appeared.  That is not important here because the new Champions are something different.  They want to fix the things that they break because they believe that the “grown up” or “older” superheroes are not concerned with damage control or the mess they leave behind, or are at least not as concerned as they should be.

I am curious to see where this goes.  When Mark Waid is good, he is quite good, and he starts good here.  I am a sucker for most anything drawn by Humberto Ramos and have been for over two decades.  I should be upfront with that.  I am partial to giving this creative team a shot, and I am willing to recommend the first issue, at least.  But I'm coming back for more and will review this series again, probably soon.

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


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

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

Review: EXTRAORDINARY X-MEN #1

EXTRAORDINARY X-MEN No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Jeff Lemire
PENCILS: Humberto Ramos
INKS: Victor Olazaba
COLORS: Edgar Delgado
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Humberto Ramos with Edgard Delgado
VARIANT COVERS: J. Scott Campbell with Nei Ruffino; Pascal Campion; Todd Nauck with Andy Troy; Sanford Greene (Hip Hop Variant); Amanda Lynne Shafter photographed by Judy Stephens (cosplay variant)
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (January 2016)

Rated T+

X-Men created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

Uncanny X-Men has been the flagship X-Men comic book for most of the past five decades, but it recently came to an end (for now?) with the publication of Uncanny X-Men #600.  The status changes as a result of the All-New, All-Different Marvel re-branding of Marvel Comics.  Now, the flagship X-Men title is Extraordinary X-Men.

This new series is written by Jeff Lemire; drawn by Humberto Ramos (pencils) and Victor Olazaba (inks); colored by Edgar Delgado; and lettered by Joe Caramagna.  The series finds the X-Men fighting to escape the threat of the Terrigen Mists which gives Inhumans their powers, but harms mutants.

Extraordinary X-Men #1 opens with Storm struggling with the weight of the task she finds before her.  She must fight to save mutantkind, which may be facing extinction because of the mass release of the Terrigen Mists.  Now, with her lieutenants, Iceman and Magik, at her side, Storm must gather a new team of X-Men to help the mutants now living in a place called “X-Haven.”  Not everyone, however, wants to join Storm's mission, even if they believe in it.

Upon first seeing a teaser about Extraordinary X-Men, I was dismissive of it.  Now, I cannot wait to read the second issue.  Marvel has found a way to make the X-Men interesting – by marking them destruction.  Their numbers are shrinking, and they may not be able to reproduce, which means extinction.  Having a streamlined X-team will give writer Jeff Lemire a chance to build the characters into this new paradigm of peril.  Lemire will also be able to tell fresh stories using classic or familiar personalities, but from a different point of setting or perspective.  Lemire's take on Storm reminds me of the boss-lady of Chris Claremont's run on Uncanny X-Men, and for me, that is a good thing.

In the meantime, Humberto Ramos' run as penciller on the 2014 relaunch of The Amazing Spider-Man reinvigorated my interest in Ramos (and Spider-Man, for that matter).  For a few years in the 1990s, Ramos was one of my favorite comic book artists.  Hey, in a way, these are the same old X-Men, but Ramos, both in terms of drawing style and graphical storytelling, makes everything seem fresh and new.  I think the possibilities are endless for Extraordinary X-Men, even if corporate demands mean the X-Men comic books won't stray too far from the familiar.

Still, I am excited, so I will recommend Extraordinary X-Men #1.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 27, 2016

MARVEL COMICS

NOV150948     A-FORCE PRESENTS TP VOL 03     $14.99
NOV150784     ALL NEW ALL DIFFERENT AVENGERS #4     $3.99
NOV150822     ALL NEW INHUMANS #3     $3.99
OCT158862     ALL NEW WOLVERINE #2 BENGAL 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
NOV158410     AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #6 ALEX ROSS 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
NOV150874     ANGELA QUEEN OF HEL #4     $3.99
NOV150937     ARMOR WARS WARZONES TP     $16.99
NOV150954     AVENGERS DEATH OF MOCKINGBIRD TP     $34.99
NOV150953     BLACK WIDOW ITSY BITSY SPIDER TP     $19.99
OCT158863     CARNAGE #2 DEL MUNDO 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
NOV150828     CARNAGE #4     $3.99
NOV150850     DAREDEVIL #3     $3.99
NOV150891     DEADPOOL AND CABLE SPLIT SECOND #2     $4.99
OCT158864     EXTRAORDINARY X-MEN #3 RAMOS 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
NOV150888     EXTRAORDINARY X-MEN #6     $3.99
NOV150925     GROOT PREM HC     $24.99
NOV150793     GUIDE TO MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE CA FIRST AVENGER     $3.99
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Review: THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2015) No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Dan Slott
PENCILS: Giuseppe Camuncoli
INKS: Cam Smith
COLORS: Marte Gracia
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Alex Ross
VARIANT COVERS: Mark Bagley; Giuseppe Camuncoli with Marte Gracia; J. Scott Campbell with Nei Ruffino; Andrew Hennessy with Nolan Woodard; Mike Del Mundo; Humberto Ramos with Edgar Delgado; Ryan Sook; Gameloft with Trevor Cook; Aaron Rivin photographed by Judy Stephens
68pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (December 2015)

Rated  “T”

Spider-Man created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko

There have been at least three prior series to start with the title, The Amazing Spider-Man, to say nothing of all the comics published as Spider-Man #1.  In fact, there was The Amazing Spider-Man #1 launched by writer Dan Slott and artist Humberto Ramos just last year.

With the arrival of the “All-New All-Different Marvel,” The Amazing Spider-Man starts over, again with writer Dan Slott; artists Giuseppe Camuncoli (pencils) and Cam Smith (inks); colorist Marte Gracia; letterer Joe Caramagna; and cover artist Alex Ross.

The Amazing Spider-Man #1 opens in Shanghia.  Why?  Because Spider-Man has gone global, that's why.  Spider-Man and Mockingbird are trying to receive the secure servers of Parker Industries (P.I.), which contain critical data concerning P.I.'s “Webware” Internet app/browser/provider.  An adversarial entity calling “The Zodiac” is the culprit, but another, far more dangerous villain is lurking in the shadows.

I totally dug The Amazing Spider-Man 2014, mainly when Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos were the creative team.  Yes, it is only one issue, but I am not as excited by The Amazing Spider-Man 2015.  Still, the last page will make sure I come back, and I must say that, in general, I find Dan Slott to be one of the best Spider-Man comic book writers that I have had the pleasure of reading.

B+

[This comic book includes previews of Spider-Man 2099 #1; Silk #1; Spider-Woman #1; Webwarriors #1; and Spider-Man #1]

[This comic book includes the bonus comic “The Spider's Corner with Petey P” by Anthony Holden with Jordie Bellaire.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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