Showing posts with label John Cassaday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Cassaday. Show all posts

Monday, June 1, 2020

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 3, 2020

MARVEL COMICS

JAN201059    AMAZING MARY JANE TP VOL 01 DOWN IN FLAMES UP IN SMOKE    $15.99
OCT191093    ASTONISHING X-MEN WHEDON CASSADAY OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 DM VAR N    $100.00
OCT191092    ASTONISHING X-MEN WHEDON CASSADAY OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 NEW PTG    $100.00
JAN201057    GHOST RIDER TP VOL 01 KING OF HELL    $15.99
JAN201070    MEPHISTO TP SPEAK OF THE DEVIL    $39.99
OCT191099    SENSATIONAL SHE-HULK BY BYRNE OMNIBUS HC    $125.00
OCT191100    SENSATIONAL SHE-HULK BY BYRNE OMNIBUS HC DM VAR    $125.00
JAN201078    SPIDER-MAN & VENOM DOUBLE TROUBLE GN TP    $12.99
NOV190977    STAR WARS DARTH VADER POSTER BOOK TP    $24.99
JAN201051    X-MEN BY JONATHAN HICKMAN TP VOL 01    $17.99

Thursday, July 4, 2019

Review: CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1 (2019) – Legacy #276
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jason Aaron
ART: Mahmud Asrar
COLORS: Matthew Wilson
LETTERS: VC's Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Mark Basso
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida
COVER: Esad Ribić
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Daniel Acuna; Mahmud Asrar with Matthew Wilson; John Cassaday with Laura Martin; John Tyler Christopher; Kirbi Fagan; Adi Granov; Greg Hildebrandt; Esad Ribic; Jesus Saiz; Bill Sienkewicz; Skottie Young; Gerardo Zaffino with Rain Beredo
48pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (March 2019)

Parental Advisory

Conan the Barbarian based on the “Conan” character created by Robert E. Howard

“The Life & Death of Conan” Part One: “The Weird of the Crimson Witch”

Conan the Cimmerian is a fictional “sword and sorcery” hero created by Robert E. Howard (REH).  Conan first appeared in the pulp fiction magazine, Weird Tales (1932).  Conan lived in Howard's fictional “Hyborian Age” and was a mercenary, outlaw, pirate, thief, warrior, and eventually a king, but because of his tribal origins, some characters that encountered him thought of Conan as a barbarian.

In 1970, Marvel Comics brought Conan to the world of comic books with the series, Conan the Barbarian.  It is doing so again, having recently published the first issue of a revival of Conan the Barbarian.  It is written by Jason Aaron; drawn by Mahmud Asrar; colored by Matthew Wilson; and lettered by VC's Travis Lanham.

Conan the Barbarian #1 (“The Weird of the Crimson Witch”) opens sometimes during Conan the Cimmerian's prime as “a thief, a reaver, and a slayer.”  In Zamora, the city of thieves, his brutal prowess in the fights pits of Maul has attracted the attention of a comely young woman.

Conan has always cheated death, continues to cheat death, and perhaps, he always will?  The more he cheats death, the more his blood becomes imbued with the power of “Death Magic.”  It is that magic that the Crimson Witch and her death god, Razazel, needs.  Does King Conan know that?

The new Conan the Barbarian is a comic book that I can keep reading... at least for awhile.  For one, I am a fan of artist Mahmud Asrar and have been since I started seeing his work eight years ago.  His elegant compositions are pleasing to the eye, and his figure drawing creates the illusion of powerful figures in motion.  There is also a sense of dynamism even in characters that are depicted as moving not at all or as moving very little.

Colorist Matthew Wilson, one of best colorists working in comic book today, takes Asrar's beautiful art to an edgier place.  The red, yellow, and orange hues make the bloody sequences even bloodier, and the color turns the Crimson Witch's magic into a thing that rages and pulses.

Jason Aaron's story is good, but it is not as passionate as Asrar-Wilson's art.  However, Aaron has created a menace (the Crimson Witch) that it actually and legitimately dangerous to Conan, throughout his life.  I like that Aaron is willing to depict Conan as a brutal killer (and that Asrar and Wilson draws that cleaving, hacking, slashing, and beheading with glee).  Speaking of glee, the villains are gleefully murderous, and that is a good thing.  I have to give letterer Travis Lanham credit; he makes Aaron's script read like true-blue, bloody mayhem Conan the Barbarian.

Conan the Barbarian #1 (2019) is a good first issue.  It isn't great, but it doesn't have to be.  I was certainly hopeful that I would have a reason to be a regular reader of Conan the Barbarian again (which I have not been since the Reagan era).

7 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Friday, April 5, 2019

Review: RETURN OF WOLVERINE #1

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

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

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

Parental advisory

Chapter One: “Hell”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

5 out of 10

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


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

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Monday, February 18, 2019

Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for February 20, 2019

DYNAMITE

DEC181133    BARBARELLA DEJAH THORIS #2 BARBARELLA VIRGIN COSPLAY VAR    $50.00
DEC181123    BARBARELLA DEJAH THORIS #2 CVR A BRAGA    $3.99
DEC181124    BARBARELLA DEJAH THORIS #2 CVR B HSIEH    $3.99
DEC181125    BARBARELLA DEJAH THORIS #2 CVR C BROXTON    $3.99
DEC181126    BARBARELLA DEJAH THORIS #2 CVR D GARCIA    $3.99
DEC181127    BARBARELLA DEJAH THORIS #2 CVR E COSPLAY    $3.99
DEC181115    CRACKDOWN #1 CVR A JAIME    $3.99
DEC181117    CRACKDOWN #1 RICARDO JAMIE VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
SEP181050    JAMES BOND 007 #1 ATLAS PAK SGN ED    $49.99
DEC181176    JAMES BOND 007 #4 CVR A JOHNSON    $3.99
DEC181177    JAMES BOND 007 #4 CVR B ROBSON    $3.99
DEC181178    JAMES BOND 007 #4 CVR C MOUSTAFA    $3.99
DEC181179    JAMES BOND 007 #4 CVR D MOONEY    $3.99
DEC181197    LONE RANGER VOL 3 #5 CVR A CASSADAY    $3.99
DEC181200    MARS ATTACKS #5 CVR A MARQUES    $3.99
DEC181201    MARS ATTACKS #5 CVR B COLEMAN    $3.99
DEC181202    MARS ATTACKS #5 CVR C MARRON    $3.99
DEC181203    MARS ATTACKS #5 CVR D HACK    $3.99
DEC181204    MARS ATTACKS #5 CVR E SCHWEIZER SUB VAR    $3.99
NOV181200    RAINBOW BRITE #4 CVR A GANUCHEAU    $3.99
NOV181201    RAINBOW BRITE #4 CVR B CLASSIC    $3.99
DEC181085    RED SONJA #1 AMANDA CONNER VIRGIN VAR    $50.00
DEC181087    RED SONJA #1 FRANK CHO VIRGIN VAR    $50.00
DEC181086    RED SONJA #1 JOSEPH LINSNER VIRGIN VAR    $50.00
DEC181222    TUROK #2 10 COPY SEARS B&W INCV    $PI
DEC181220    TUROK #2 CVR A SEARS    $3.99
DEC181221    TUROK #2 CVR B GUICE    $3.99

Monday, January 14, 2019

Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for January 16, 2019

DYNAMITE

JUN181070    AGENT 47 GN VOL 01 BIRTH OF HITMAN    $19.99
NOV181123    BATTLESTAR GALACTICA CLASSIC #3 CVR A RUDY    $3.99
NOV181124    BATTLESTAR GALACTICA CLASSIC #3 CVR B HDR    $3.99
AUG181229    ELVIRA MISTRESS OF DARK #4 CVR A LINSNER    $3.99
AUG181230    ELVIRA MISTRESS OF DARK #4 CVR B CERMAK    $3.99
AUG181231    ELVIRA MISTRESS OF DARK #4 CVR C HACK    $3.99
AUG181232    ELVIRA MISTRESS OF DARK #4 CVR D PHOTO SUB VAR    $3.99
NOV181165    JAMES BOND ORIGIN #5 CVR A CASSADAY    $3.99
NOV181166    JAMES BOND ORIGIN #5 CVR B MCKONE    $3.99
NOV181167    JAMES BOND ORIGIN #5 CVR C WALSH    $3.99
NOV181168    JAMES BOND ORIGIN #5 CVR D MOUSTAFA    $3.99
NOV181169    JAMES BOND ORIGIN #5 CVR E BOB Q    $3.99
OCT181181    SHERLOCK HOLMES VANISHING MAN TP    $17.99
OCT181187    SWASHBUCKLERS SAGA CONTINUES TP    $19.99
JUL181325    UNCANNY COLLECTORS SET TRADING CARDS    $19.99

Monday, November 12, 2018

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 14, 2018

MARVEL COMICS

SEP180914    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #9    $3.99
SEP180915    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #9 CRAIN UNCANNY X-MEN VAR    $3.99
AUG188290    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #9 WEIRINGO BLACK CAT VAR    $3.99
SEP180829    AVENGERS #10    $5.99
SEP180835    AVENGERS #10 DAVIS UNCANNY X-MEN VAR    $5.99
AUG188718    AVENGERS #10 FINCH VAR    $5.99
SEP180833    AVENGERS #10 LIM VAR    $5.99
SEP180857    BLACK ORDER #1 (OF 5)    $3.99
SEP180859    BLACK ORDER #1 (OF 5) CHRISTOPHER VAR    $3.99
MAY180956    BLACK PANTHER HC VOL 02 AVENGERS OF NEW WORLD    $34.99
SEP180899    CAPTAIN AMERICA #5    $3.99
SEP180900    CAPTAIN AMERICA #5 TORQUE UNCANNY X-MEN VAR    $3.99
SEP180951    COSMIC GHOST RIDER #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
SEP180954    COSMIC GHOST RIDER #5 (OF 5) LIM VAR    $3.99
SEP180952    COSMIC GHOST RIDER #5 (OF 5) SHAVRIN VAR    $3.99
SEP180953    COSMIC GHOST RIDER #5 (OF 5) SUPERLOG VAR    $3.99
SEP180943    DAREDEVIL #611    $3.99
MAY180959    DOCTOR STRANGE HC VOL 02    $34.99
SEP180972    DOMINO #8    $3.99
SEP180970    EXILES #10    $3.99
AUG180986    FANTASTIC FOUR #3    $3.99
AUG180989    FANTASTIC FOUR #3 JONG JU KIM MARVEL BATTLE LINES VAR    $3.99
SEP180868    INFINITY WARS INFINITY WARPS #1 (OF 2)    $3.99
SEP180869    INFINITY WARS INFINITY WARPS #1 (OF 2) KUBERT CONNECTING VAR    $3.99
AUG181010    LUKE CAGE MPGN TP EVERY MAN    $19.99
AUG181098    MARVEL KNIGHTS CAPTAIN AMERICA RIEBER CASSADAY TP NEW DEAL    $17.99
SEP180937    MARVELS CAPTAIN MARVEL PRELUDE #1    $3.99
AUG181078    MARVELS TP REMASTERED ED    $24.99
MAY180957    MMW MIGHTY THOR HC VOL 17    $75.00
MAY180958    MMW MIGHTY THOR HC VOL 17 DM VAR 267    $75.00
SEP180938    MS MARVEL #36    $3.99
SEP180889    PETER PARKER SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #312 SG    $3.99
AUG181086    PUNISHER WAR MACHINE TP VOL 02    $15.99
SEP180920    SPIDER-MAN DEADPOOL #41    $3.99
AUG181092    SPIDER-MAN SPIDER-VERSE GN TP FEARSOME FOES    $9.99
AUG181093    SPIDER-MAN SPIDER-VERSE GN TP MILES MORALES    $9.99
AUG181094    SPIDER-MAN SPIDER-VERSE GN TP SPIDER-GWEN    $9.99
AUG181095    SPIDER-MAN SPIDER-VERSE GN TP SPIDER-MEN    $9.99
SEP180984    STAR WARS DARTH VADER #23    $3.99
SEP180989    STAR WARS DOCTOR APHRA #26    $3.99
AUG181076    THANOS HC INFINITY CONFLICT OGN    $24.99
SEP180897    THOR #7    $3.99
SEP180898    THOR #7 LAND UNCANNY X-MEN VAR    $3.99
SEP180929    UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #38    $3.99
AUG181084    UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL TP VOL 09 SQUIRRELS FALL LIKE DOMIN    $15.99
SEP180791    UNCANNY X-MEN #1    $7.99
SEP180797    UNCANNY X-MEN #1 COCKRUM HIDDEN GEM WRAPAROUND VAR    $7.99
AUG188882    UNCANNY X-MEN #1 FINCH VAR    $7.99
SEP180801    UNCANNY X-MEN #1 LIEFELD VAR    $7.99
AUG188725    UNCANNY X-MEN #1 WILLIAMS VAR    $7.99
SEP180932    UNSTOPPABLE WASP #2    $3.99
SEP180887    VAULT OF SPIDERS #2 (OF 2) SG    $3.99
SEP180918    VENOM #8    $3.99
SEP180919    VENOM #8 JS CAMPBELL UNCANNY X-MEN VAR    $3.99
AUG189269    VENOM ANNUAL #1 2ND PTG STOKOE VAR    $4.99
AUG181100    X-MEN EPIC COLLECTION TP SENTINELS LIVE    $39.99

Monday, July 2, 2018

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 4, 2018

MARVEL COMICS

MAY180891    ANT-MAN AND THE WASP #3 (OF 5)    $3.99
MAY180908    ASTONISHING X-MEN #13    $3.99
MAY180910    ASTONISHING X-MEN #13 DEODATO VAR    $3.99
MAY180843    AVENGERS #4    $3.99
JAN181031    AVENGERS BY JONATHAN HICKMAN OMNIBUS HC VOL 02    $125.00
MAY180859    BEN REILLY SCARLET SPIDER #21    $3.99
MAY180773    CAPTAIN AMERICA #1    $4.99
APR188921    CAPTAIN AMERICA #1 CASSADAY VAR    $4.99
MAY180776    CAPTAIN AMERICA #1 HUGHES VAR    $4.99
MAR188799    CAPTAIN AMERICA #1 JUSKO VAR    $4.99
MAY180803    COSMIC GHOST RIDER #1 (OF 5)    $3.99
MAY180804    COSMIC GHOST RIDER #1 (OF 5) DEODATO VAR    $3.99
MAY181002    COSMIC GHOST RIDER #1 BY SHAW POSTER    $8.99
MAY180927    DEADPOOL #2    $3.99
MAY180815    DEATH OF INHUMANS #1 (OF 5)    $4.99
MAY180818    DEATH OF INHUMANS #1 (OF 5) DAUTERMAN YOUNG GUNS VAR    $4.99
MAY180817    DEATH OF INHUMANS #1 (OF 5) GARRON YOUNG GUNS VAR    $4.99
MAY180885    DOCTOR STRANGE #3    $3.99
APR180860    DOCTOR STRANGE DAMNATION TP    $34.99
JAN181033    DOCTOR STRANGE SORCERER SUPREME OMNIBUS HC VOL 02    $125.00
MAY181005    EXTERMINATION #1 POSTER    $8.99
MAY181003    FANTASTIC FOUR 2018 BY ALEX ROSS POSTER    $8.99
MAY181004    FANTASTIC FOUR 2018 BY RIBIC POSTER    $8.99
MAY180997    FANTASTIC FOUR BY JOHN BYRNE CLASSIC POSTER    $8.99
MAY180998    FANTASTIC FOUR BY PEREZ CLASSIC COVER POSTER    $8.99
MAY180999    FANTASTIC FOUR BY ROMITA CLASSIC POSTER    $8.99
APR180858    GENERATIONS TP    $34.99
MAY180841    HUNT FOR WOLVERINE WEAPON LOST #3 (OF 4)    $3.99
MAY180842    HUNT FOR WOLVERINE WEAPON LOST #3 (OF 4) SHALVEY VAR    $3.99
MAY180850    IMMORTAL HULK #2    $3.99
MAY180830    INFINITY COUNTDOWN CHAMPIONS #2 (OF 2)    $3.99
MAY181000    LIFE OF CAPTAIN MARVEL BY ARTGERM POSTER    $8.99
MAY180894    MARVEL RISING SQUIRREL GIRL MS MARVEL #1    $5.99
MAY180896    MARVEL RISING SQUIRREL GIRL MS MARVEL #1 ARTIST VAR    $5.99
MAY180895    MARVEL RISING SQUIRREL GIRL MS MARVEL #1 CONNECTING VAR    $5.99
MAR180986    MARVELS ANT-MAN AND WASP ART OF MOVIE HC    $50.00
APR180881    PUNISHER TP SHADOWMASTERS    $39.99
APR180862    ROGUE & GAMBIT TP RING OF FIRE    $15.99
MAY180863    SPIDER-MAN DEADPOOL #35    $3.99
DEC170945    SPIDER-MAN MILES MORALES TP VOL 04    $17.99
MAY180928    STAR WARS #50    $5.99
MAY180931    STAR WARS #50 DODSON VAR    $5.99
JAN181038    STAR WARS HC VOL 03    $34.99
MAY180948    STAR WARS LAST JEDI ADAPTATION #4 (OF 6)    $3.99
MAY180867    TRUE BELIEVERS FANTASTIC FOUR COMING OF GALACTUS #1    $1.00
MAY180868    TRUE BELIEVERS FANTASTIC FOUR WEDDING REED AND SUE #1    $1.00
MAY180916    WEAPON X #20    $3.99
MAY181001    X-23 #1 BY CHOI POSTER    $8.99
APR188848    X-MEN GOLD #28 2ND PTG BANDINI VAR    $3.99
MAY180906    X-MEN GOLD #31    $3.99

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Review: BLACK PANTHER AND THE CREW #1

BLACK PANTHER AND THE CREW No. 1 (2017)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Ta-Nehisi Coates
PENCILS: Butch Guice
INKS: Scott Hanna
COLORS: Dan Brown
LETTERS: VC's Joe Sabino
COVER: John Cassaday with Laura Martin
VARIANT COVERS: Rich Buckler; Jim Cheung with Jason Keith; John Tyler Christopher; Tom Palmer with Rachelle Rosenberg; Damian Scott with John Rauch
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2017)

Black Panther created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

Rated “T+”

“We are the Streets” Part 1 “Double Consciousness”

Although it was only published for seven issues in 2003, the comic book, The Crew, is apparently fondly remembered by some readers (myself among them) and comic book writers.  Written by Christopher Priest and drawn by Joe Bennett, The Crew featured four hardened heroes who band together to fight for an impoverished neighborhood.

The Crew is the inspiration for the latest expansion of Marvel Comics' Black Panther line of comic books, Black Panther and The Crew.  This new series is written Ta-Nehisi Coates; drawn by Butch Guice (pencils) and Scott Hanna (inks); colored by Dan Brown; and lettered by Joe Sabino.

Black Panther and The Crew #1 (“Double Consciousness”) opens in The Bronx in 1957 with a tale of Ezra Keith and his “crew.”  The story moves to present day Harlem for the funeral of Ezra, who was killed while in police custody.  Ezra's family has asked Misty Knight to investigate, but Knight is conflicted because of her ties to law enforcement.  However, Misty is forced to admit that something is officially wrong and unites with the X-Men's Storm to fight the forces arrayed against her.

Apparently, writer Yona Harvey will script every other issue of this series, which means she will write Black Panther and The Crew #2 with Ta-Nehisi Coates returning for the third issue.  I hope Harvey is as good as Coates is on this first issue, and I'm saying that considering that I did not expect much from the first issue.  But I'm impressed and look forward to more.

Black Panther and The Crew #1 reads like one of those crime comic books published by DC Comics' Vertigo imprint or Image Comics and written by someone like Ed Brubaker or Brian Azzarello.  Coates offers a sharply written urban drama that is complicated about complex matters.  Black people vs. cops – it is not so clear cut simply because there are so many players and groups of players involved with their own goals and motivations.

I like Butch Guice's pencil art; it is his storytelling that realizes Coates' script as a multi-layered, street-level superhero drama.  I have always thought that Guice's talent was underutilized, but here he gets to show the scope of his graphical storytelling abilities.  I highly recommend trying at least the first issue of Black Panther and The Crew.

A

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


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

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Friday, November 24, 2017

Review: REBORN #1

REBORN No. 1
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Mark Millar – @mrmarkmillar
PENCILS: Greg Capullo
INKS: Jonathan Glapion
COLORS: FCO Plascencia
LETTERS: Nate Piekos of Blambot
COVER: Greg Capullo and Jonathan Glapion with FCO Plascencia
VARIANT COVERS: Greg Capullo; Greg Capullo and Jonathan Glapion with FCO Plascencia; Jock; Frank Cho with Laura Martin; John Cassady with Paul Mounts; Todd McFarlane with FCO Plascencia
28pp, Color, $3.50 U.S. (November 2015)

Rated M / Mature

Reborn is a new comic book miniseries from Mark Millar and Greg Capullo.  An action-fantasy, Reborn is set in a world where people go to fight for survival... after they die!   Reborn is written by Millar; drawn by Capullo (pencils) and Jonathan Glapion (inks); colored by FCO Plascencia; and lettered by Nate Piekos.

Reborn #1 opens in Minneapolis, 2002, the scene of a tragedy.  In 2016, we meet Bonnie Black, a 78-year-old woman intimately connected to that tragedy.  She believes that she is very close to the end of her life, and that death will come like a light being switched off.  But there is another life waiting for her, and that life may not be lived in Heaven or Hell.

For me, Mark Millar's creator-owned miniseries are hit (Kick-Ass, Empress) or miss (Huck).  So far, I think Reborn is leaning towards hit.  Its central conceit – that people go somewhere after death where their past (the good, the bad, and the ugly) await them – is creepy, but intriguing.  I am sure that Millar has even crazier stuff to reveal beyond Reborn #1, so I am ready for more.

Artist Greg Capullo is good in his first substantial post-New 52 Batman work.  So he can draw something other than Batman!  He mixes real-world-styled compositions with video game faux-reality with ease, but his storytelling in the fantasy world is a bit muddled.  That can be fixed in future issues, which I intend to read... and maybe tell you about.

www.millarworld.tv

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

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Sunday, November 5, 2017

Review: GENERATIONS: Sam Wilson Captain America & Steve Rogers Captain America #1

GENERATIONS: SAM WILSON CAPTAIN AMERICA & STEVE ROGERS CAPTAIN AMERICA No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Nick Spencer
ART: Paul Renaud
COLORS: Laura Martin
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Paul Renaud
VARIANT COVERS: John Cassaday with Laura Martin; Paolo Rivera
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (November 2017)

Rated T+

Captain America and Steve Rogers created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby; Sam Wilson created by Stan Lee and Gene Colan

“The Americas”

The Marvel Comics event comic book, Generations, comes to an end with a tale of two Captain Americas.  A 10-issue anthology miniseries, published weekly, each issue is written and drawn by a different creative team, and each issue features a different team-up of a classic Marvel superhero with his or her modern-day counterpart.  The series is meant to unite the legacy of classic Marvel Comics superheroes with a new generation of heroes, as both the original characters and the new ones move into the future of Marvel Comics storytelling.

The tenth issue (by my account) is Generations: Sam Wilson Captain America & Steve Rogers Captain America, which brings together two versions of a classic Marvel Comics character, Captain America.  The first is the original Captain America, Steve Rogers.  Rogers first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 (cover date: March 1941).  The second is Sam Wilson who first appeared in Captain America #117 (cover date: September 1969), and who was originally the superhero, Falcon.  Wilson became Captain America and starred in the series, All-New Captain America #1 (2014).  This issue of Generations is written by Nick Spencer; drawn by Paul Renaud; colored by Laura Martin; and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

Generations: Sam Wilson Captain America & Steve Rogers Captain America #1 (“The Americas”) opens with Sam Wilson-Captain America being questioned by government agents about why a particular group of ten superheroes disappeared (including Wilson) during the “Battle of Washington” (as seen in the Secret Empire event).  Wilson disappeared and reappeared in the 1940s as the United States of America gears up to enter World War II.

Unlike the other nine heroes, Wilson spends a lifetime in the world to which he is transported.  When Wilson enters the war as an enlisted man, a special enlisted man, the “Man in the Air,” he meets his friend Steve Rogers, a young man trying to find his way as Captain America, so the question is will Sam Wilson also find his own path?

While reading the first nine issues of Generations, I found several that I liked and two that I called the best of the lot.  But Generations: Sam Wilson Captain America & Steve Rogers Captain America #1 takes the prize.  I wish Marvel would consider turning this into its own series; it could at least make an excellent, thought-provoking, twelve-issue series.

In this final issue of Generations, Nick Spencer delivers a Generations manifesto, which is this.  It is okay to have personal heroes and roles models.  It is okay to be inspired by someone's achievements.  Once you begin to take your own path, however, it is your own path, not your inspiration's path.  You don't have to live up to the legacy of another; make a legacy of your own that is worth living up to.

Artist Paul Renaud's compositions and art for this tenth Generations is both subtle and evocative.  He conveys a story that takes a trip down memory lane, but nevertheless reaches towards the future and its infinite possibilities.  Laura Martin's colors quietly amplifies the moods and emotions and summons the sense of each time period in which Sam Wilson travels.

Generations: Sam Wilson Captain America & Steve Rogers Captain America #1 brings Generations to a close on a high note that the earlier issues did not necessarily suggest.  As event miniseries go, this is one of those single issues that are worth remembering even when the overall event miniseries is only remembered for its central plot or concept.

A
9 out of 10

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


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

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


Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Review: GENERATIONS: Banner Hulk & Totally Awesome Hulk #1

GENERATIONS: BANNER HULK & TOTALLY AWESOME HULK No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Greg Pak
ARTIST: Matteo Buffagni
COLORS: Dono Sanchez-Almara
LETTERS: VC's Cory Petit
COVER: Jorge Molina
VARIANT COVERS: Matteo Buffagni; John Cassaday with Paul Mounts; Greg Horn; Dale Keown with Jason Keith; Francesco Mattina; Alex Ross; Joe Vriens; Mike McKone with Andy Troy
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (October 2017)

Rated T+

Hulk created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee

“The Strongest”

Generations is a ten-issue anthology, weekly comic book series published by Marvel Comics.  Each issue is written and drawn by a different creative team, and each issue will feature a different team-up of a classic Marvel superhero with his or her modern-day counterpart.  The series is meant to unite the legacy of classic Marvel Comics characters with the next generation of heroes as both move into the future of Marvel Comics storytelling.

The first issue is Generations: Banner Hulk & Totally Awesome Hulk which brings together the classic Hulk who is Bruce Banner and the new Totally Awesome Hulk, who is the genius Amadeus Cho.  This comic book is written by Greg Pak; drawn by Matteo Buffagni; colored by Dono Sanchez-Almara; and lettered by Cory Petit.

Generations: Banner Hulk & Totally Awesome Hulk #1 (“The Strongest”) opens as Amadeus Cho, the Hulk, lands in Death Valley.  He was just in Washington D.C., so why is he here?  It must be to meet that other Hulk, not but several yards from him and fighting a pitched battle against a heavily-armed military unit.  These soldiers are throwing everything at this Hulk, who turns out to be Banner Hulk, but isn't Bruce Banner dead?!

Halfway through Generations: Banner Hulk & Totally Awesome Hulk #1, I thought, “What's the point of this?”  Most of this comic book is one huge battle that occasionally shifts settings or adds a new player.  At some point in the story, the point Greg Pak is trying to make becomes clear.  There may be a new Hulk, but he can't escape the legacy of the original Hulk.

Bruce Banner has a message for Amadeus Cho, something along the lines of “Young blood, you don't know me, and you know the Hulk even less.”  Maybe, Marvel Comics is sticking by its new Totally Awesome Hulk.  [Cue the diversity complaints!]  Still, the classic Hulk's conflicts, motivations, dilemmas, trials and tribulations remain.  Amadeus Cho Hulk has 99 problems and the Hulk is all of them, or, at least, time will tell.

So Generations: Banner Hulk & Totally Awesome Hulk #1 is not a pointless event comic book, cynically meant to separate gullible fans from their money.  The fan can be a reader this time.  This is not a great comic book by any means, but it bridges the past and the future in a way that genuinely speaks to what is unique about our favorite incredible, rampaging, rage monster, the Hulk.

B+
7.5 out of 10

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


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

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



Monday, July 10, 2017

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 12, 2017

DC COMICS

MAY170196    ACTION COMICS #983    $2.99
MAY170197    ACTION COMICS #983 VAR ED    $2.99
MAY170358    AMERICAN WAY THOSE ABOVE AND BELOW #1 (OF 6) (MR)    $3.99
MAY170207    BATGIRL AND THE BIRDS OF PREY #12    $3.99
MAY170208    BATGIRL AND THE BIRDS OF PREY #12 VAR ED    $3.99
APR170420    BATMAN NOIR DARK VICTORY HC    $39.99
MAY170310    BUG THE ADVENTURES OF FORAGER #3 (OF 6) (MR)    $3.99
MAY170311    BUG THE ADVENTURES OF FORAGER #3 (OF 6) VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
APR170448    CLEAN ROOM TP VOL 03 WAITING FOR THE STARS (MR)    $16.99
APR170422    DARING ADVENTURES OF SUPERGIRL TP VOL 02    $29.99
MAY170193    DARK DAYS THE CASTING #1    $4.99
MAY170194    DARK DAYS THE CASTING #1 KUBERT VAR ED    $4.99
MAY170195    DARK DAYS THE CASTING #1 ROMITA VAR ED    $4.99
MAY178127    DARK DAYS THE FORGE #1 2ND PTG    $4.99
MAY170223    DETECTIVE COMICS #960    $2.99
MAY170224    DETECTIVE COMICS #960 VAR ED    $2.99
MAY170227    FLASH #26    $2.99
MAY170228    FLASH #26 VAR ED    $2.99
MAY170303    GOTHAM ACADEMY SECOND SEMESTER #11    $2.99
MAY170239    HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #24    $2.99
MAY170240    HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #24 VAR ED    $2.99
MAY170253    JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #10    $2.99
MAY170254    JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #10 VAR ED    $2.99
APR170416    JUSTICE LEAGUE REBIRTH DLX COLL HC BOOK 01    $34.99
APR170415    JUSTICE LEAGUE TP VOL 03 TIMELESS (REBIRTH)    $16.99
APR170430    MIDNIGHTER THE COMPLETE WILDSTORM SERIES TP    $39.99
MAY170257    NEW SUPER MAN #13    $3.99
MAY170258    NEW SUPER MAN #13 VAR ED    $3.99
APR170434    NIGHTWING TP VOL 06 TO SERVE AND PROTECT    $24.99
APR170433    PLANETARY TP BOOK 01    $29.99
MAY170263    RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #12    $3.99
MAY170264    RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #12 VAR ED    $3.99
MAY170304    SCOOBY APOCALYPSE #15    $3.99
MAY170305    SCOOBY APOCALYPSE #15 VAR ED    $3.99
MAY170309    SCOOBY DOO WHERE ARE YOU #83    $2.99
APR170410    SHADE THE CHANGING GIRL TP VOL 01 EARTH GIRL MADE EASY (MR)    $16.99
MAY170265    SUICIDE SQUAD #21    $2.99
MAY170266    SUICIDE SQUAD #21 VAR ED    $2.99
MAY170269    SUPERGIRL #11    $3.99
MAY170270    SUPERGIRL #11 VAR ED    $3.99
JAN170424    SUPERMAN ANIMATED SER SUPERMAN & LOIS LANE AF 2 PK    $55.00
MAY170277    SUPERWOMAN #12    $3.99
MAY170278    SUPERWOMAN #12 VAR ED    $3.99
MAR170431    TALES OF THE BATMAN GERRY CONWAY HC    $49.99
MAY170281    TITANS #13    $3.99
MAY170282    TITANS #13 VAR ED    $3.99
MAY170285    WONDER WOMAN #26    $2.99
MAY170286    WONDER WOMAN #26 VAR ED    $2.99

Thursday, May 4, 2017

Review: HAN SOLO #1

HAN SOLO No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

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

WRITER: Marjorie Liu
ART: Mark Brooks
COLORS: Sonia Oback
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Lee Bermejo
VARIANT COVERS: Mike Allred; John Cassaday; John Tyler Christopher; Scott Koblish; Pepe Larraz; Phil Noto
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2016)

Rated “T+”

“Part 1”

Everyone's favorite scruffy smuggler, Han Solo, now has his own comic book as part of Marvel Comics' recently launched line of Star Wars comic books.  A five-issue miniseries, Han Solo is written by Marjorie Liu; drawn by Mark Brooks; colored by Sonia Oback; and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

Han Solo #1 opens between the events depicted in the films, Star Wars (1977) and The Empire Strikes Back (1980).  Han Solo needs to take on some smuggling jobs in order to pay his debt to crime lord, Jabba the Hutt, but Han has been feeling kind of strange.  Every job offer seems wrong, so Chewbacca says that Han is spooked.  Then, Han gets a call from Princess Leia Organa, delivered in a most peculiar manner.  Her request involves “The Dragon Void Run,” a race Han Solo has always wanted to enter, just not like this.

I have to admit that I have not been crazy about all the new Star Wars comic books that Marvel Comics has released since the beginning of 2015.  The Chewbacca miniseries and that awful C-3PO one-shot come to mind.  However, Han Solo, judging from the first issue, seems like it will be a winner.

I think that this “new hope” begins with writer Marjorie Liu (Monstress), who captures the essence of Han Solo.  He is a loner, used to looking out for himself, but, in spite of his protestations, he knows what's right and wrong.  He balances a sense of justice or “moral compass” with the desire to survive and thrive.  He can look out for number one and also help his friends.  There is tension in this balance – an ebb and flow, a constant tug between me-first and taking-one-for-the-team.  When a writer can capture this furious conflict within Han Solo, she is halfway to writing an engaging, intriguing, and truly enjoyable Han Solo comic book.

Artist Mark Brooks strengthens this series' potential.  He fills the pages with evocative backgrounds that recall the original Star Wars film trilogy.  Brooks creates stylish space ships and an alien menagerie that gathers familiar Star Wars people and beings, but also adds some bits from his own imagination.  Sonia Oback gives Brooks' art a look similar to classic sci-fi film and science fiction art.

I pretended that I was not expecting a lot from this Han Solo miniseries, but I am expecting this to be really good.  So far, so good...

A

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


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

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Friday, March 10, 2017

Review: THE PUNISHER #1

THE PUNISHER (2016) No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Becky Cloonan
ART: Steve Dillon
COLORS: Frank Martin
LETTERS: VC's Cory Petit
COVER: Declan Shalvey with Jordie Bellaire
VARIANT COVERS: Alex Maleev; Tim Bradstreet; John Cassaday; John Tyler Christopher; Francesco Mattina; Todd Nauck with Rachelle Rosenberg; Phil Noto; Chris Samnee with Matthew Wilson; Christopher Stevens with Frank Martin; Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2016)

Parental Advisory – Not for Kids

The Punisher is a Marvel Comics vigilante and antihero.  The Punisher was created by writer Gerry Conway and artist John Romita, Sr. and made his first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 (cover-dated: February 1974).  The Punisher is Frank Castle, a man whose wife and children were killed during a mob shootout in New York City's Central Park.  That tragedy was the impetus for Castle's one-man war on crime, especially against organized criminals like the mob, street gangs, drug dealers, etc.

Over the last 30 years, Marvel has published numerous ongoing comic book series and miniseries starring The Punisher and even a few variations on the character.  Now, there is the launch of a new ongoing comic book series.  The Punisher is written by Becky Cloonan; drawn by Steve Dillon; colored by Frank Martin; and lettered by Cory Petit.

The Punisher #1 opens in the Brooklyn warehouse district.  There, the organization, Condor, prepares a major push for its news narcotic product, “EMC.”  However, in a nearby warehouse, the D.E.A. (Drug Enforcement Agency) watches and prepares for an early morning take down of Condor's operations.  Meanwhile, The Punisher plans to strike first.

After John Romita, who designed the character, of course, I consider Mike Zeck and Steve Dillon to be the iconic Punisher comic book artists.  I am reading this new Punisher comic book because Steve Dillon is drawing it.  His interpretation of The Punisher always came across to me as a rock-solid, relentless, machine-monster with some hellbent programming that directs him to kill mobsters and criminal scum wherever they are.

However, there is something else about this new series that intrigues me.  Becky Cloonan is writing The Punisher, and she may be the first woman to write an ongoing Punisher comic book.  I am curious to see where Cloonan takes this series, especially as she offers at least three supporting characters with the potential to capture her readers' imaginations.

So I'm down to give this fresh start of The Punisher a chance.  It could be the best Punisher in a long time.

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 or syndication rights and fees.

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

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Review: THE HELLBLAZER #2

THE HELLBLAZER #2
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITER: Simon Oliver
ARTIST: Moritat
COLORS: Andre Szymanowicz
LETTERS: Sal Cipriano
COVER: Moritat
VARIANT COVER: John Cassaday with Paul Mounts
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (November 2016)

Rated “T+” for “Teen Plus”

John Constantine created by Alan Moore, Steve Bissette, and John Totleben and Jamie Delano & John Ridgway

“The Poison Truth” Part 2

DC Comic's new publishing event/initiative (entitled “Rebirth”) offers the fourth John Constantine comic book series, The Hellblazer.  It is written by Simon Oliver; drawn by Moritat; colored by Andre Szymanowicz; and lettered by Sal Cipriano.

The Hellblazer #2 (“The Poison Truth” Part 2) opens with two old friends discussing the good, bad, and awful in the box of deplorable that is John Constantine.  Speaking of the devil, Constantine is being kicked out of his “temporary” shelter, but he has other things on his mind.  He is back in London, and his welcome-me-home gift to the city was bringing it to the edge of destruction.  So why hasn't anyone from the London Underworld contacted him any in manner?  He hopes to get answers from an old (old) friend, Clarice Sackville, but she is speaking the language of English romantic poets.

First, I have to admit that I was and still am a big fan of Constantine: The Hellblazer simply because the 13-issue series brought John back to form, but had him hell-raising and -blazing in the good old U.S. of A.  So, it is not as if The Hellblazer is the return to some lost form, but returning John to his original stomping grounds makes The Hellblazer quite formidable.

I did read the one-shot The Hellblazer: Rebirth, and I pretended to like it a lot more than I really did.  I did not read The Hellblazer #1, but even reading only issue #2, it is clear to me that this could be a damn good read.  I say that because The Hellblazer #2 is a damn fine read.  Writer John Oliver's script recalls the best years of John, and artist Moritat's eclectic line work and  Andre Szymanowicz's watercolor-like hues infuse the story with supernatural atmospherics.

I think The Hellblazer will cast some old black magic on comic book readers.

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


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

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Sunday, November 1, 2015

Review: STAR WARS #7

STAR WARS (2015) #7
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

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

STORY: Jason Aaron
ART: Simonepon Bianchi
COLORS: Justin Ponsor
LETTERS: VC's Chris Eliopoulos
COVER: John Cassaday with Laura Martin
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2015)

Rated T

Earlier this year, Marvel Comics began publishing Star Wars comic books again, for the first time since 1986.  They regained the license due to the fact that Lucasfilm, Ltd. (Star Wars' parent company) became part of The Walt Disney Company, which also owns Marvel Comics' parent (Marvel Entertainment).

As far as I am concerned, the return of Star Wars to Marvel has been a wild success.  Perhaps, it is my childhood association with Marvel Comics as the publisher of Star Wars comic books.  Still, the three ongoing series (Star Wars, Darth Vader, Kanan: The Last Padawan) and the, thus far, two miniseries (the completed Princess Leia and the just started Lando) are a blast to read.

Star Wars #7 offers a one-off tale after the conclusion of its opening story arc, which saw Luke Skywalker find the journal of his old mentor, the former Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan Kenobi.  In Star Wars (1977), the original film, Obi-Wan was known as “Old Ben Kenobi,” that “crazy old wizard,” who lived out in the desert.  We learn very little of Ben “Obi-Wan” Kenobi in the original Star Wars trilogy.  In the prequel trilogy that began with Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999), we learned much about Obi-Wan's latter days as a padawan and his time as a Jedi Master.

What is still mostly shrouded in mystery is the two decades Obi-Wan spent on the planet Tatooine as a Jedi-in-exile slash hermit.  Star Wars #7 brings to life an excerpt from Old Ben Kenobi's journal.  It tells that while he watched over the boy, Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan yearned for more.  He struggled because his training had taught him to be active, not just some guy sitting and waiting.  Now, his impatience may cost him in regards to his most important task.

I did not expect much from Star Wars #7, although I have thoroughly enjoyed the work of writer Jason Aaron on this series.  However, series artist John Cassaday was apparently only going to draw the first story arc, and he is a big reason that I have enjoyed this series so much.  I don't particularly care for the work of artist Simone Bianchi, who stepped in to draw this story.

I must admit to being pleasantly surprised by Star Wars #7.  Aaron's story of hope, redemption, and courage feels true to the spirit of classic Star Wars.  Bianchi's overly stylish compositions have a sensibility that is not foreign to classic Star Wars; the art even recalls the kind of adventure illustration that influenced George Lucas in creating Star Wars.  Besides, Star Wars #7 has a cover by John Cassaday and colorist Laura Martin, which pleases me.

I am hoping for more excerpts from Old Ben Kenobi's journal.  I have a new hope that there are some exciting adventures to be told.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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


Sunday, September 13, 2015

Review: Will Eisner's THE SPIRIT #1

WILL EISNER'S THE SPIRIT VOL. 1 #1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @dynamitecomics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Matt Wagner
ART: Dan Schkade
COLORS: Brennan Wagner
LETTERS: A Larger World Studios
COVER: Eric Powell
VARIANT COVERS: Matt Wagner with Brennan Wagner; Alex Ross; John Cassaday; Francesco Francavilla; Dan Schkade; Matt Wagner; Dennis Calero; Jenny Frison; Stephen Mooney
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2015)

Rated T+

The Spirit (a.k.a. Denny Colt) is the masked crime-fighting hero created by legendary cartoonist, the late Will Eisner.  The Spirit first appeared on June 2, 1940 as the main feature of what would come to be known as “The Spirit Section.”  This was a 16-page, tabloid-sized, newsprint comic book insert first distributed in the Sunday edition of Register and Tribune Syndicate newspapers.  “The Spirit Section” ended in 1952.  With only a few exceptions, Eisner did not produce new stories featuring The Spirit as a regular feature after 1952.

In the last two decades, Kitchen Sink, DC Comics, and IDW published comic book series featuring new Spirit stories created by other writers and artists.  Sometime in the last year, Dynamite Entertainment obtained the rights to produce new Spirit comic books.  July 2015 saw the debut of Will Eisner's The Spirit, written by Matt Wagner, drawn by Dan Schkade, colored by Brennan Wagner, and lettered by A Large World Studios, with covers by Eric Powell.

Will Eisner's The Spirit #1 opens some time in the 1940s, two years after the last sighting of The Spirit.  Central City Police Commissioner Eustace Dolan wonders about the fate of his loyal, crime-fighting friend, but he must focus on the city's politics, which are not necessarily playing in his favor.  Commissioner Dolan's daughter, Ellen Dolan, is busy with her role as a city councilman, and though she was romantically involved with The Spirit, she has moved on with her life.  She even has a new boyfriend, attorney Archibald “Archie” Shale.

The Spirit's former sidekick, Ebony White, is now part of “Strunk and White: Private Investigators.”  Ebony has grown bored of chasing people, and has decided that it is time to chase The Spirit.

There have been some good recent Spirit stories produced by creators other than Will Eisner; Alan Moore and Darwyn Cooke come to mind.  Even back in The Spirit's original run, the comic was produced by people other than Eisner.  I imagine that readers who are not familiar with Will Eisner won't know the difference between his Spirit and that of other creators, so I will partly review Will Eisner's The Spirit #1 in that context.

It is a decent comic book.  It has potential, but I wouldn't pay a cover price of $3.99 for it on a regular basis.  Series artist Dan Schkade draws so that his compositions try to capture the graphic style of a comic book from the 1940s.  However, his drawing, in terms of comic book art and storytelling, is raw, and the quality of his work says semi-pro webcomic.

Now, as a longtime fan of The Spirit, who has liked both Eisner and non-Eisner Spirit comics, I have to say that Will Eisner's The Spirit #1 simply does not live up to the best of either Eisner or non-Eisner Spirit.  The reality is that anyone who takes on The Spirit works in the shadow of Eisner, one of the greatest and most influential comic book artists and creators of all time.

So truthfully, Dynamite Entertainment needs to do better than Dan Schkade as the series artist.  Flashy cover artists cannot hide that this book does not even come close to living up to its pedigree.  [I must admit to loving Alex Ross' gorgeous “Subscription Cover” variant cover.]  I want this to be better, and I think writer Matt Wagner and artist Dan Schkade can do better.  They must.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

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Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 27, 2015

MARVEL COMICS

MAR150713     ALL NEW HAWKEYE #3     $3.99
MAR150812     ALL NEW INVADERS TP VOL 03 MARTIANS ARE COMING     $17.99
MAR150749     BIG THUNDER MOUNTAIN RAILROAD #3     $3.99
MAR150750     BIG THUNDER MOUNTAIN RAILROAD #3 CROSBY CONNECTING C     $3.99
MAR150739     BLACK WIDOW #18     $3.99
MAR150803     DEADPOOL CLASSIC TP VOL 11 MERC WITH MOUTH     $34.99
MAR150804     DEADPOOL TP VOL 08 ALL GOOD THINGS     $24.99
MAR150814     DEATHLOK TP VOL 01 CONTROL ALT DELETE     $16.99
DEC140960     GIANT SIZE X-MEN 40TH ANNIVERSARY HC     $39.99
MAR150802     GUARDIANS 3000 TP VOL 01 TIME AFTER TIME     $15.99
MAR150650     INFERNO #1 SWA     $3.99
MAR150652     INFINITY GAUNTLET #1 SWA     $3.99
MAR150627     INHUMANS ATTILAN RISING #1 SWA     $3.99
MAR150733     IRON FIST LIVING WEAPON #12     $3.99
MAR150751     MARVEL UNIVERSE ULT SPIDER-MAN WEB WARRIORS #7     $2.99
MAR150678     MODOK ASSASSIN #1 SWA     $3.99
MAR150818     NICK FURY CLASSIC TP VOL 03 AGENT OF SHIELD     $34.99
MAR150810     NIGHTCRAWLER TP VOL 02 REBORN     $16.99
MAR150748     NOVA #31     $3.99
MAR150656     OLD MAN LOGAN #1 SWA     $4.99
MAR150661     SECRET WARS 2099 #1 SWA     $3.99
MAR150641     SECRET WARS JOURNAL #1 SWA     $3.99
MAR150727     SHIELD #6     $3.99
MAR158210     STAR WARS #2 CASSADAY 4TH PTG VAR     $3.99
MAR150806     THANOS VS HULK TP     $16.99
MAR150694     UNCANNY AVENGERS ULTRON FOREVER #1     $4.99
MAR150663     WHERE MONSTERS DWELL #1 SWA     $3.99
MAR150816     WOLVERINES TP VOL 02 CLAW BLADE AND FANG     $15.99

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 15, 2015

MARVEL COMICS

JAN158268     ALL NEW HAWKEYE #1 PEREZ 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
FEB150695     AVENGERS MILLENNIUM #3     $3.99
FEB150771     BIG THUNDER MOUNTAIN RAILROAD #2     $3.99
FEB150772     BIG THUNDER MOUNTAIN RAILROAD #2 CROSBY CONNECTING B     $3.99
FEB150815     CAPTAIN AMERICA AND MIGHTY AVENGERS #7     $3.99
JAN150907     DEADPOOL CLASSIC COMPANION TP     $34.99
FEB150804     DEATHLOK #7     $3.99
JAN150901     FANTASTIC FOUR TP VOL 03 BACK IN BLUE     $14.99
FEB150738     LEGENDARY STAR LORD #11 BV     $3.99
FEB150814     LOKI AGENT OF ASGARD #13     $3.99
FEB150823     MAGNETO #17     $3.99
JAN150911     MARVEL UNIVERSE ALL NEW AVENGERS ASSEMBLE DIGEST TP VOL 01     $9.99
JAN150882     MEN OF WRATH TP (MR)     $14.99
NOV140866     MMW AVENGERS HC VOL 15     $75.00
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Sunday, March 8, 2015

I Reads You Review: PRINCESS LEIA #1

PRINCESS LEIA #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

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

WRITER: Mark Waid
PENCILS: Terry Dodson
INKS: Rachel Dodson
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson
VARIANT COVERS: Alex Ross; Mark Brooks; J. Scott Campbell; John Cassaday; John Tyler Christopher; Butch Guice; Gabriele Del'Otto; Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2015)

Rated T

Princess Leia: Part 1

The third title to come out of Marvel Comics' return to publishing Star Wars comic books is Princess Leia.  A five-issue miniseries, Princess Leia is written by Mark Waid, pencilled by Terry Dodson, inked by Rachel Dodson, colored by Jordie Bellaire, and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

Princess Leia #1 (“Part 1”) opens during what is the final scene in the original Star Wars (1977), the awarding of medals to Luke Skywalker and Han Solo.  The Rebel Alliance has just scored a major victor at the Battle of Yavin by destroying the evil Galactic Empire's ultimate weapon, the Death Star, but the rebels have little time to celebrate or to even mourn their dead.

Princess Leia Organa is ready to move on to the next stage in the battle against the Empire, so she is surprised to discover that her new role is to be a protected asset.  A contentious encounter with Evaan, a pilot who is also from Leia's now-destroyed home world of Alderaan, spurs Leia into action with a new mission.  Her fellow rebels, however, may not like Leia's new mission.

I must admit for the third time that I am pleasantly surprised by Marvel's new Star Wars comics.  Marvel's flagship Star Wars and the recently launched Darth Vader comic book surprised me by being more enjoyable than I expected, especially Darth Vader.  When writer Mark Waid is good, he is usually really good, and he seems ready to let Leia show herself in full bloom – without having to share the narrative with either Luke or Han.  The original Star Wars films only hinted at Leia's full capabilities as a rebel leader, as a warrior, as a woman, and as a bad-ass.  It looks like Waid is going to try to tap into every bit of her potential.

As for the art:  many readers of Star Wars comic books have probably wanted an Adam Hughes-drawn Star Wars comic book since the first time we ever saw Hughes draw a Star Wars illustration.  Terry Dodson has a drawing style that is clearly influenced by Hughes, so we finally have a Adam Hughes Star Wars comic book in Princess Leia, or as close as we are likely every going to get.  Some of Dodson's composition in this first issue is a bit awkward, but Terry and Rachel Dodson have captured the spirit of classic Star Wars.  So I have decided to follow where Waid and the Dodsons take me on this galactic adventure.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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