#IReadsYou Review: THE MADNESS #1

THE MADNESS #1 (OF 6)

AWA STUDIOS

STORY: J. Michael Straczynski

PENCILS: ACO

INKS: David Lorenzo

COLORS: Marcelo Maiolo

LETTERS: Sal Cipriano

COVER: ACO

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Brandon Peterson with Marcelo Maiolo; Dalibor Talajic

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2023)

Rated: “Mature”

The Madness is a new six-issue miniseries from AWA Studios.  It is written by J. Michael Straczynski; drawn by ACO (pencils) and David Lorenzo (inks); colored by Marcelo Maiolo; and lettered by Sal Cipriano.  The series follows a woman who uses her super-powers as a thief and her quest for revenge against a group of superheroes.

The Madness #1 introduces Sarah Ross a.k.a. “The Raven.”  She has super-powers:  flight, super speed, super strength, and invulnerability, but she can only use one at a time.  Sarah has been using her powers as a thief, stealing from the rich and giving it to herself.  She plans one more big score – the proverbial big score from which one can retire to a life of luxury for good.

However, Sarah's score means she has to steal from the wrong person.  And this man is the “wrong person” because Sarah's true mark is a highly-placed and powerful official.  Now, Sarah is a target, and the brutal consequences may drive her to utter madness.

THE LOWDOWN:  AWA Studios marketing recently began providing me with PDF review copies of their comic book publications.  The Madness #1 is the latest.

Writer J. Michael Straczynski is best known for his Hollywood work.  He has written for the screen for such films as Ninja Assassin (2009), Thor (2011), and World War Z (2013).  His best known television work is the TV series, “Babylon 5” (1993-98), which he created.  He also wrote for such TV series as CBS' mid-1980s' revival of “The Twilight Zone” and for “Murder, She Wrote,” to name two.

ACO is the pen name of Spanish comic book artist, Alex Cal Oliveira.  He has drawn Iron Man and Uncanny X-Men for Marvel Comics, to name a few, and he had a long stint on Wonder Woman for DC Comics.  I really liked ACO's inspired work on Marvel's 2017 Nick Fury comic book series.

Straczynski and ACO come together for The Madness, and I can call the first issue a shockingly good debut issue.  It is filled with a sense of mystery, a murderous conspiracy, shadowy government cabals, secretive and conniving superheroes, and the anticipation of death and destruction.  Straczynski lures in the readers and then, holds them hostage with high tension, from beginning to end.  ACO catches the script at its electric edges, creating the right angles with a captivating sense of graphic design.  ACO certainly creates the sense that something big is going to happen every page.

For what it presents, The Madness #1 is one of the few debut issues that reminds me of certain elements of Eclipse Comics' Miracleman #1 (cover dated: August 1985) and DC Comics' Watchmen #1 (cover dated: September 1986).  For me, those particular comic books seemed new and groundbreaking and also utterly familiar at the same time.  Am I comparing Straczynski and ACO to Alan Moore and Gary Leach and Alan David?  To Moore and Dave Gibbons?  Well, am I? 

I'm on Twitter a lot, and I always come across fans, commentators, creators, etc. complaining that DC Comics and (especially) Marvel are not producing great comic books.  Comic book publishers not named Marvel or DC, such as AWA Studios, are producing exceptional and entertaining comic books.  If you pass up The Madness #1, you really don't want to read great comic books.  

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans looking for excellence in superhero comic books will want to try The Madness.

A+

10 out of 10

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

THE MADNESS PAGE: https://awastudios.net/series/the-madness/

AWA Website: https://awastudios.net/

AWA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awastudiosofficial/

AWA Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWA_Studios

AWA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awastudiosofficial

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#IReadsYou Review: NOCTERRA #7

NOCTERRA #7
IMAGE COMICS/Best Jacket Press

STORY: Scott Snyder and Tony S. Daniel
PENCILS: Tony S. Daniel
INKS: Sandu Florea and Tony S. Daniel
COLORS: Marcelo Maiolo
LETTERS: Andworld Design
EDITOR: Will Dennis
COVER: Tony S. Daniel with Marcelo Maiolo
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jason Fabok with Brad Anderson; Dani with Brad Simpson; Tony S. Daniel and Marcelo Maiolo
28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (February 2022)

Rated “M/ Mature”

“Pedal to the Metal” Part One

Nocterra is a horror and science fiction comic book series from writer Scott Snyder and artist Tony S. Daniel.  Published by Image Comics, Nocterra is set on an Earth that has been experiencing an everlasting night, the “Big PM,” since the sky went dark and the world was plunged into an everlasting night over a decade ago.  Inker Sandu Florea, colorist Marcelo Maiolo, and letterer Andworld Design complete the series' creative current team.

In Nocterra, any living organisms left unlit in the dark for more than 10 hours start undergoing a biological transformation.  Soon, the living turn into monstrous versions of themselves, becoming something called a “Shade.”

Valentina “Val” Riggs – call sign “Sundog,” – was in the fifth grade the day the “Big PM” occurred.  Fourteen years later (“14 PM”), Val drives a big rig hauler, a heavily-illuminated 18-wheeler known as the “Sundog Convoy.”  A skilled “ferryman” Val transports people and goods along deadly unlit roads between the few remaining human outposts.  Aboard her rig is Bailey McCray, the rig's “bean counter,” and Emory “Em” Riggs, Val's brother who was cured of the Shade infection.

As Nocterra #7 opens, it is almost “14 PM,” fourteen years after the “Big PM.”  The Sundog leads a convoy of four rigs, including itself.  Their goal is Outpost 31, also known as the “Drive-in.”  They're hoping to get information on Bailey's late grandfather, August McCray, who may have been one of the people who helped bring the darkness, but who also claimed to have a way to bring back the light.

Meanwhile, Blacktop Bill meets some old friends.  Can Val and friends save the world?  And what dirty deals with they have to make to do it?

THE LOWDOWN:  After the sour taste that the Nocterra Blacktop Bill Special left in my imagination, I needed the the first chapter of the main series' second story arc, “Pedal to the Metal,” to bring back the good feelings this series gave me.  It did.

From the beginning of Nocterra, writer Scott Snyder has offered his readers a comic book series that reads like an old-fashioned pulp serial, complete with cliffhanger endings.  Nocterra is a mixed genre treat; sometimes it is like a penny dreadful and other times it is constantly dropping apocalyptic science fiction elements.

Now drawing with an inker (Sandu Florea) and with a new colorist Marcelo Maiolo, artist Tony S. Daniel electric storytelling is still … electric, moving swiftly from panel to panel.  Daniel builds up to an occasional big splash sequence that makes the story explode off the page while hitting the key points of the plot.  It makes for engaging and bracing comic book storytelling.

Nocterra is back.  And here, the dark is still good.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Scott Snyder and Tony S. Daniel will want to sample Nocterra.

A

★★★★+ out of 4 stars

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


https://twitter.com/Ssnyder1835
https://www.instagram.com/ssnyder1835/
https://twitter.com/TonyDanielx2
https://tonydaniel.bigcartel.com/
https://twitter.com/tomeu_morey
https://twitter.com/deronbennett
https://twitter.com/andworlddesign
https://twitter.com/ImageComics
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#IReadsYou Review: NOCTERRA Blacktop Bill Special

NOCTERRA BLACKTOP BILL SPECIAL
IMAGE COMICS/Best Jacket Press

STORY: Scott Snyder and Tony S. Daniel
PENCILS: Denys Cowan
INKS: Kent Williams
COLORS: Chris Sotomayor
LETTERS: Andworld Design
EDITOR: Will Dennis
COVER: Tony S. Daniel with Marcelo Maiolo
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Denys Cowan
28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (January 2022)

Rated “M/ Mature”

“Blacktop Bill Origins” Part One: “Hall of Mirrors”

Nocterra is a horror and science fiction comic book series from writer Scott Snyder and artist Tony S. Daniel.  Published by Image Comics, Nocterra is set on an Earth that has been experiencing an everlasting night, the “Big PM,” since the sky went dark and the world was plunged into an everlasting night over a decade ago.

Nocterra's most terrifying creature is “Blacktop Bill,” whose body is bonded with a matrix of carbon nanotubes.  His origin story is the subject of a new special one-shot comic book, Nocterra Blacktop Bill Special.  It is written by Snyder and Daniel; drawn by Denys Cowan (pencils) and Kent Williams (inks); colored by Chris Sotomayor; and lettered by Andworld Design.

Nocterra Blacktop Bill Special opens somewhere in Florida.  That is where we meet “Blacktop Bill,” the so-called “hitman of hitmen,” But when it comes to killing, for Bill, there is work and then, there are “passion kills.”  Was Nocterra's most terrifying creature a monster before the “Big PM?”

THE LOWDOWN:  In Nocterra #4, on page 13 of the story, Mother Hubbard (at the “Hub Cap”) and Bea Bellweather (in Luxville, Colorado) are having a conversation over a private channel.  Bellweather wants to know the history of Blacktop Bill, and Mother starts telling what he has heard...

Nocterra Blacktop Bill Special is that story, the origin of Blacktop Bill.  I am a fan of Nocterra, one of the best new comic books of 2021, and I am a longtime fan of Denys Cowan, the artist for this special.  Writer Scott Snyder offers what seems like a folk tale side-story to Nocterra, and Cowan's art has a surreal, freestyle quality.

Honestly, I enjoyed it only a little, but I expected more.  Maybe, that's the problem.  Considering that I like Nocterra and that I am a fan of Cowan, I expected something bigger … or perhaps, better...  However, I also see it as the first of something more to come – maybe, something bigger.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Scott Snyder and Tony S. Daniel's Nocterra will want Nocterra Blacktop Bill Special.

[This comic book contains a seven-page preview of the comic book series, “Monkey Meat,” by Juni Ba.]

B-

★★½ out of 4 stars

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


https://twitter.com/Ssnyder1835
https://tonydaniel.bigcartel.com/
https://twitter.com/andworlddesign
https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/


The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: NOCTERRA #6

NOCTERRA #6
IMAGE COMICS/Best Jacket Press

STORY: Scott Snyder
ART: Tony S. Daniel
COLORS: Tomeu Morey
LETTERS: Andworld Design
EDITOR: Will Dennis
COVER: Tony S. Daniel with Tomeu Morey
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Emanuela Lupacchino with Dave McCaig; Tony S. Daniel and Marcelo Maiolo
28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (August 2021)

Rated “M/ Mature”

“Full Throttle Dark” Part Six

Nocterra is a horror and science fiction comic book series from writer Scott Snyder and artist Tony S. Daniel.  Published by Image Comics, Nocterra is set on an Earth that has been experiencing an everlasting night, the “Big PM,” since the sky went dark and the world was plunged into an everlasting night over a decade ago.  Colorist Tomeu Morey and letterer Andworld Design complete the series' creative team.

In Nocterra, any living organisms left unlit in the dark for more than 10 hours start undergoing a biological transformation.  Soon, the living turn into monstrous versions of themselves, becoming something called a “Shade.”

Valentina “Val” Riggs – call sign “Sundog,” – was in the fifth grade the day the “Big PM” occurred.  Thirteen years later (“13 PM”), Val drives a big rig hauler, a heavily-illuminated 18-wheeler known as the “Sundog Convoy.”  A skilled “ferryman” Val transports people and goods along deadly unlit roads between the few remaining human outposts, and now she has her most dangerous haul – Bailey, a girl with a dangerous secret and her brother, Emory “Em” Riggs, who is becoming a Shade.

As Nocterra #6 opens, Val is back in those early days of sanctuary, when she saw the true killing ability of the “Smudges,” the name for a human Shade.  Val has found safety in the mysterious Sanctuary, having brought Bailey to Tiberius McCray, the leader of Sanctuary and the brother of her grandfather, Augustus McCray.

Now, however, the calm has given way to the storm, and Val is surrounded by shocking revelations.  She must prepare for both battle and for survival afterwards for herself, Bailey, and Emory.  Can she see past the darkness into the light?

THE LOWDOWN:  As I have written in some of my earlier reviews of Nocterra, I enjoy writer Scott Snyder's creator-owned series.  I have also told you, dear readers, that I am usually happy to read a comic book drawn by Tony S. Daniels, going back to his early days writing and drawing creator-owned titles at Image, such as The Tenth.  Nocterra has justified my devotion, and this sixth issue ends the series' first story arc with a tremendous payoff for readers who stuck around after the first issue.

Like issue #5, Nocterra #6 gets all thematic, and like the fifth issue, the sixth is the best of the series.  This new issue expands the world of Nocterra in one fell swoop, and the potential for this narrative's long haul excites me with the possibility of new places and so many new dangers.

I don't want to spoil anything, but Snyder, Tony Daniel, Tomeu Morey, and Andworld Design are doing some of their best work as a killer creative team of this amazing title.  Science fiction, dark fantasy, horror, family drama, action:  Nocterra is terribly good, dear readers, equally exiting and mysterious, at all times.  The trade collection for the first arc arrives in October, so take that chance to start at the beginning and then, run on up to catch up with us, the regulars of Nocterra.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Scott Snyder and Tony S. Daniel will want to sample Nocterra.

A

★★★★+ out of 4 stars

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


https://twitter.com/Ssnyder1835
https://www.instagram.com/ssnyder1835/
https://twitter.com/TonyDanielx2
https://tonydaniel.bigcartel.com/
https://twitter.com/tomeu_morey
https://twitter.com/deronbennett
https://twitter.com/andworlddesign
https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: NOCTERRA #5

NOCTERRA #5
IMAGE COMICS/Best Jacket Press

STORY: Scott Snyder
ART: Tony S. Daniel
COLORS: Tomeu Morey
LETTERS: Andworld Design
EDITOR: Will Dennis
COVER: Tony S. Daniels with Tomeu Morey
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Cary Nord; Francesco Francavilla; Tony S. Daniel and Marcelo Maiolo
28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (July 2021)

Rated “M/ Mature”

“Full Throttle Dark” Part Five

Nocterra is a horror and science fiction comic book series from writer Scott Snyder and artist Tony S. Daniel.  Published by Image Comics, Nocterra is set on an Earth that has been experiencing an everlasting night, the “Big PM,” since the sky went dark and the world was plunged into an everlasting night over a decade ago.  Colorist Tomeu Morey and letterer Andworld Design complete the series' creative team.

In Nocterra, any living organisms left unlit in the dark for more than 10 hours start undergoing a biological transformation.  Soon, the living turn into monstrous versions of themselves, becoming something called a “Shade.”

Valentina “Val” Riggs – call sign “Sundog,” – was in the fifth grade the day the “Big PM” occurred.  Thirteen years later (“13 PM”), Val drives a big rig hauler, a heavily-illuminated 18-wheeler known as the “Sundog Convoy.”  A skilled “ferryman” Val transports people and goods along deadly unlit roads between the few remaining human outposts, and now she has her most dangerous haul – Bailey, a girl with a dangerous secret and her brother, Emory “Em” Riggs, who is becoming a Shade.

As Nocterra #5 opens, Val remembers those early days of sanctuary, when there was hope to reverse her parents' transformations into “Smudges,” the name for a human Shade.  Now, Val has found safety in the mysterious Sanctuary, having brought Bailey to the her grandfather's brother, Tiberius McCray, the leader of Sanctuary.

Sanctuary is also the place where Val found that mysterious light, “the Lux,” that can reverse Em's transformation into a Smudge.  Now, Val has two choices:  keep herself and Em safe or take Sanctuary for granted and leave.  Val is leaning towards that latter, but is there truth and darkness even in this great light?

THE LOWDOWN:  As I have written in some of my earlier reviews of Nocterra, I enjoy writer Scott Snyder's creator-owned series.  I have also told you, dear readers, that I am usually happy to read a comic book drawn by Tony S. Daniel, going back to his early days writing and drawing creator-owned titles at Image, such as The Tenth.  Nocterra has justified my devotion, and this penultimate issue, #5, of the series' first story arc has made me determined to follow Nocterra's dark highways and byways wherever they might lead.

As a theme in Nocterra #5, Snyder presents the idea that nothing, even sanctuary, is enough for humans.  They will take the bad that is the best for which they can hope and do worse trying to get better instead – even if that will obviously lead to disaster.  Andworld Design's lettering pounds the reads with this issue's ominous mood and dark misgivings about humanity.

Daniels eschews kinetic action for two-fisted conspiratorial drama that carries readers to this issue's shocking cliffhanger.  Tomeu Morey's beautiful colors advances an array of moods and emotions, conveying darkness even in the blinding light of Lux.  So, dear readers, there is time to catch up before this debut story arc ends.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Scott Snyder and Tony S. Daniel will want to sample Nocterra.

A

[This comic book includes a preview of Ordinary Gods #1 by Kyle Higgins and Felipe Watanabe.]

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


https://twitter.com/Ssnyder1835
https://www.instagram.com/ssnyder1835/
https://twitter.com/TonyDanielx2
https://tonydaniel.bigcartel.com/
https://twitter.com/tomeu_morey
https://twitter.com/deronbennett
https://twitter.com/andworlddesign
https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: KING SPAWN #1

KING SPAWN #1
IMAGE COMICS

STORY: Sean Lewis; Todd McFarlane (additional dialogue and back-up stories)
PENCILS: Javi Fernandez (King Spawn); Stephen Segovia (Haunt); Marcio Takara (Nightmare); Philip Tan (The Hero); Brett Booth (Gunslinger)
INKS: Javi Fernandez; Adelso Corona; Daniel Henriques
COLORS: FCO Plascencia (King Spawn); Andrew Dalhouse; Marcelo Maiolo; Peter Steigerwald; Dave McCaig
LETTERS: Andworld Design (King Spawn): Tom Orzechowski
EDITOR: Thomas Healy
COVER:  Puppeteer Lee
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Todd McFarlane with FCO Plascencia; David Finch with FCO Plascencia; Sean Gordon Murphy; Brett Booth and Todd McFarlane with FCO Plascencia; Greg Capullo and Todd McFarlane with FCO Plascencia; Donny Cates and Todd McFarlane
56pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (August 2021)

Rated: “T/ Teen”

Spawn created by Todd McFarlane

Spawn is a superhero/antihero character that stars in the long-running comic book series, Spawn.  Created by writer-artist Todd McFarlane, Spawn first appeared in Spawn #1 (cover dated: May 1992).

Spawn was Albert Francis “Al” Simmons.  A career military man who becomes a highly capable assassin and dies a violent death.  He makes a deal with the devil, Malebolgia, in order to return to the living realm to see his wife one last time.  However, Al returns with almost no memories accept that his name is Al Simmons, and he learns that he is now a “Hellspawn” in service of Malebolgia.  Rebelling, Al Simmons, now “Spawn,” finds a new purpose in stopping evil.

Back in February (2021), Todd McFarlane announced his plans to build a larger, multi-character, interconnected, comic book universe based around his Spawn comic book – a “Spawn Universe.”  McFarlane also announced four new comic book titles coming out in 2021, with three of them continuing as regular monthly titles.  The first of the three titles, King Spawn, has arrived.

King Spawn is written by Sean Lewis; drawn by Javi Fernandez; colored by FCO Plascencia; lettered by Andworld Design.  King Spawn finds Spawn battling one of his old adversaries, but it is someone only Spawn knows that exists.

King Spawn #1 opens at an elementary school in Seattle, Washington.  There, a bombing kills sixteen people, including fourteen children aged five and six years old.  Spawn and Jessica Priest (She-Spawn) surreptitiously attend the funeral of one of the children, and Spawn, enraged, tells Priest that he knows who committed this crime and that he is going after them.

The suspects include a legendary angel, Metatron, and perhaps, an underground religious group, “Psalms 137.”  Or maybe, the people behind the bombing are fans...

THE LOWDOWN:  I read Spawn #1 back in 1992, and I had mixed feelings about it.  Yet I was a fan and followed the series for another five or six years.

2021 finds me reading my a Spawn title first-issue for the first time since I read Curse of the Spawn #1 back in 1996.  I like the main story in King Spawn #1.  In fact, Sean Lewis has written the best first issue for an ongoing Spawn comic that I have read to date.  His dialogue is sharp and natural-like, which I can't say for Spawn creator Todd McFarlane's dialogue and exposition, which often describes things that we can see in the art.  Lewis' script is lean and mean, and Lewis does something at which McFarlane is quite good – make the reader feel for the victims.

I've always preferred my Spawn comic books to be drawn by McFarlane, but as a businessman from the beginning of Spawn, he really could not commit to drawing Spawn on a regular basis past the first two years of the original series.  However, Javi Fernandez's art and storytelling shares a sensibility with McFarlane's art that will satisfy me.

So far, I find that King Spawn #1 is the closest to what I will get to those early days of Spawn.  Also, the ending makes me want to come back for more.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Spawn will want to read King Spawn.

[This comic book includes four back-up stories and “Spawning Ground” Presents “The Breakdown,” in which Todd McFarlane and Sean Lewis interview each other.]

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


https://twitter.com/Todd_McFarlane
https://mcfarlane.com/
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https://imagecomics.com/


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: PRODIGY #1

PRODIGY No. 1
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics @TheMagicOrder

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Mark Millar – @mrmarkmillar
ARTIST: Rafael Albuquerque
COLORS: Marcelo Maiolo
LETTERS: Peter Doherty
EDITOR: Rachel Fulton
COVER: Rafael Albuquerque
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Frank Quitely; Rafael Albuquerque
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2018)

Rated M / Mature

Prodigy is a new comic book miniseries created by Mark Millar and Rafael Albuquerque.  It is the second series (following The Magic Order) produced by Millar since he sold his company, Millarworld, to Netflix.  Prodigy focuses on the world's smartest man, who believes that he is the go-to guy when there is a global crisis to solve.

Prodigy #1 opens in 1993 at the end of the “Inter-School Polo Cup Final.”  Eleven-year-old Edison Crane is the star of the match, much to the ire of some of his teammates who are high school students of actual high school age.  How he deals with those violent, bitter teammates is a hint at what Edison will become – a man who will take on any problem or challenge on the road to becoming the world's smartest man running the world's most successful business.

But Edison Crane is not content because his brilliant mind needs constant challenge, so he becomes the go-to guy for governments around the world when they have a problem or crisis they cannot solve.  When strange cars containing crispy critters start popping up around the world, however, Edison may finally face something that will truly challenge him.

I am a fan of a number of Mark Millar's creator-owned comic book series, with Kick-Ass, Empress, and The Magic Order (also a Netflix title) being among my favorite.  I only read the first issue of the previous Millar-Albuquerque collaboration, Huck, which did not interest me enough to keep reading past the first issue.

Prodigy #1 is a teaser; the series' narrative really won't kick off until the second issue.  Millar uses this first issue to sell Edison Crane, who has a thoroughly unlikable personality, to his readers.  By the end of this issue, you might think Edison is a thoroughly intriguing character, dear readers; I did.  This first issue also has one killer scene, which concerns surgery.

Rafael Albuquerque continues to transform as a comic book artist, in terms of his draftsmanship and in terms of the flair in his illustrative style.  This stylishly-drawn first issue is among his best work, and Marcelo Maiolo's bright coloring makes this one gorgeously drawn comic book.

I am intrigued by this first issue, so I plan to keep reading Prodigy.  Of course, I recommend it to all loyal Mark Millar readers.

7.5 out of 10

http://www.millarworld.tv/
www.imagecomics.com

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


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

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

Review: JUSTICE LEAGUE #1

JUSTICE LEAGUE No. 1 (2018)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Scott Snyder
PENCILS: Jim Cheung
INKS: Mark Morales
COLORS: Tomeu Morey
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
EDITOR: Rebecca Taylor
COVER: Jim Cheung with Laura Martin
VARIANT COVER: Jim Lee and Scott Williams with Alex Sinclair
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (Early August 2018)

Rated “T+” for “Teen Plus”

“The Totality” Part One

The Justice League (also known as Justice League of America or JLA) is DC Comics' premiere superhero group.  Conceived by writer Gardner Fox and first drawn by artist Mike Sekowsky, the Justice League first appeared as a team in The Brave and the Bold #28 (cover dated:  March 1960).  The seven original members were Superman, Aquaman, Batman, Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, and Wonder Woman.  The team received its own book with the debut of Justice League of America #1 (cover dated: October 1960).

For the third time in seven years, Justice League debuts with a new first issue.  This new Justice League 2018 is written by Scott Snyder.  This debut issue is drawn by Jim Cheung (pencils) and Mark Morales (inks); colored by Tomeu Morey; and lettered by Tom Napolitano.

Justice League #1 opens with a comet of golden light streaking across space... and across several periods of time.  Next, there is a glimpse of the Justice League's “Hall of Justice.”  Then, we find Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Flash, Aquaman, and Hawkgirl lead fellow superheroes, including Cyborg and Mr. Terrific, into a fight against bands of Neanderthals that have been biologically and technologically advanced by Justice League supervillain, Vandal Savage.  However, the arrival of some familiar supervillains and arch-nemesis and of something wicked/mysterious this way comes makes a League victory seem Pyrrhic.

Since 1985, DC Comics turns to a cosmic event to either save itself financially or to simply increase sales with a high-profile publishing event.  And quite frankly, I am not interested in another Scott Snyder, time-spanning, multi-universal conspiracy.

But I enjoyed the art in Justice League #1.  I will read any comic book story drawn by Jim Cheung, whose pencils are nicely inked by Mark Morales in this issue.  Tomeu Morey, as usual, colors with the power of Shaka Zulu, turning in such beauty that I was willing to wade through a story in which I had no interest.  Letterer Tom Napolitano, for the umpteenth time, makes the unreadable quite readable.

I have to admit this:  I will keep reading Justice League (2018), if future art teams are as good as the one in Justice League #1.

5.5 out of 10

[This comic book includes a preview of Teen Titans #20 by Adam Glass, Bernard Chang, Marcelo Maiolo, and Rob Leigh.]

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: BATMAN BEYOND #1

BATMAN BEYOND No. 1 (2016)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Dan Jurgens
ART: Bernard Chang
COLORS: Marcelo Maiolo
LETTERS: Travis Lanham
COVER: Ryan Sook
VARIANT COVER: Martin Ansin
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (December 2016)

Rated “T” for Teen

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

“The Return” Part One: “Escaping the Grave”

The animated television series, “Batman Beyond,” debuted in January 1999.  Set in a futuristic Gotham City (Neo-Gotham), the series introduced a teen-aged Batman, Terry McGinnis, a 17-year-old high school student.  A reformed troublemaker, the athletic teen had a sense of personal justice, but circumstances lead him to steal the “Batsuit.”  Eventually, an elderly Bruce Wayne accepted Terry as the new Batman and guided the teen in his exploits.

This future Terry McGinnis-Batman crossed over into DC Comics and eventually became part of its mainstream universe (the DCU).  Although he was briefly replaced as future Batman by an older version of Tim Drake (the third teen to become Batman's sidekick and partner, Robin) McGinnis is back as Batman of the future in the Rebirth relaunch of the comic book series, Batman Beyond.  This new series is written by Dan Jurgens, drawn by Bernard Chang, colored by Marcelo Maiolo, and lettered by Travis Lanham.

Batman Beyond #1 (“Escaping the Grave”) opens in Jokerz Town.  This is a downtrodden neighborhood in Neo-Gotham ruled by a gang that calls itself the Jokerz.  Terry's friend, Dana Tan, is held prisoner by the leader of the Jokerz, Carter.  He is plotting to return life to the corpse of Batman's ultimate adversary, The Joker.  Terry is ready to take on the gang, but he is ready to be Batman again.

I plan on reading future issues of this incarnation of Batman Beyond because it is one of my review assignments for the @ComicBookBin.  DC Comics provides CBB with PDF copies-for-review of most of its titles.  On my own, I am not sure that I would be a regular reader of Batman Beyond; I tried to get into the 2015's DCYou relaunch of the series (which featured Tim Drake as Neo-Gotham's Batman), but it did not intrigue me enough to make the effort to find or buy issues, beyond the first issue, which I actually liked.

I am a little intrigued by this Jokerz story line, but the story does not grip me.  Writer Dan Jurgens' script is professionally competent, but lacks imagination, so the result is pedestrian work.  Bernard Chang's art and Marcelo Maillot's colors result in unattractive art, but competent storytelling.  Honestly, if this book does not improve, it will be little more than just more Batman product.

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: THE FLINTSTONES #1

THE FLINTSTONES No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComic

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Mark Russell
ARTIST: Steve Pugh
COLORS: Chris Chuckry
LETTERS: Dave Sharpe
COVER: Steve Pugh
VARIANT COVERS: Ivan Reis with Marcelo Maiolo; Walter Simonson with Steve Buccellato; Dustin Nguyen; Dan Hipp
40pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2016)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

“A Clean Slate”

The Flintstones is an animated, prime-time animated television series, produced by American animation studio, Hanna-Barbera Productions.  When it debuted on ABC September 30, 1960, it was the first American animated prime-time TV series.  A situation comedy, “The Flintstones” is an anachronistic and fantastic depiction of a working-class, Stone Age family, led by patriarch, Fred Flintstone, who has a wife, Wilma, and eventually a daughter, Pebbles.

The series juxtaposes what was then modern life (the late 1950s to mid-1960s) with a faux Stone Age setting.  Modern technology (such as cars and home appliances) have fanciful Stone Age versions, which sometimes involve animals and creatures that did not live in the Stone Age (like dinosaurs).

DC Comics has reinvented “The Flintstones” as part of its line of comic books that are reinvented and re-imagined versions of Hanna-Barber animated television series.  The Flintstones is written by Mark Russell; drawn by Steve Pugh, colored by Chris Chuckry, and lettered by Dave Sharpe.

The Flintstones #1 (“A Clean Slate”) is set 100,000 years ago in the town of Bedrock.  The story's focus is on Fred Flintstone, a brawny and muscular veteran of the “Paleolithic Wars.”  He is an employee of Slate's Quarry, where he has just been named “Employee of the Month.”  His boss, Mr. Slate, the owner of Slate's Quarry, has recently hired three male Neanderthals.  [Fred, Mr. Slate, and the people of Bedrock are Homo Sapiens.]  Mr. Slate wants Fred to train them, but each man has a different outlook on life, which may cause problems in their approach to dealing with the Neanderthals.

The inspiration for the 1960s TV series, “The Flintstones,” is the 1950s television comedy, “The Honeymooners.”  After reading The Flintstones #1, I believe the influence for the re-imagined Flintstones, at least in part, may be the 21st century television series, “Mad Men” (2007-2015), which is set during the early 1960s, when “The Flintstones” aired.  I also found a few scenes in this first issue that reminded me of similar scenes in the Oscar-winning film, The Best Years of Our Lives (1946).

I think “The Flintstones” comic book focuses on a military combat veteran trying to make his way in a post-war society in which there is a business boom and a rise in consumerism.  People are less about “us” and more about “me,” and I will paraphrase a character in this first issue.  People want others to do their killing and their dirty work.  In that vein, I think The Flintstones comic book also makes allusions to the post-war lives of Vietnam veterans (such as was done in the films, The Deer Hunter and Coming Home).  You can even throw in the veterans of the 21st century “Middle East” wars and the nebulous “(Global) War on Terror.”

I am intrigued because the writer of The Flintstones comic book is Mark Russell, the writer of the deadly sharp satirical comic book, Prez (2015), from DC Comics.  “The Flintstones” animated series was a comedy, but The Flintstones comic book re-imagining is like a period workplace and domestic drama.  I am comfortable with grading this first issue, and I want more.

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.

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

Review: DCYou "BATMAN BEYOND #1

BATMAN BEYOND (2015) #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally published on Patreon.]

STORY: Dan Jurgens
ART: Bernard Chang
COLORS: Marcelo Maiolo
LETTERS: Dave Sharpe
COVER: Bernard Chang with Marcelo Maiolo
VARIANT COVER: Kalman Andrasofszky
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (August 2015)

Rated “T” for Teen

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Fingerprint

“Brave New Worlds”

The animated television series, “Batman Beyond,” debuted in January 1999.  Set in a futuristic Gotham City (Neo-Gotham), the series introduced a teen-aged Batman, Terry McGinnis, a 17-year-old high school student.  A reformed troublemaker, the athletic teen had a sense of personal justice, and circumstances lead him to steal the “Batsuit.”  Eventually, the elderly Bruce Wayne accepted Terry as the new Batman and guided the teen in his exploits.

This future Terry McGinnis Batman crossed over into DC Comics and eventually became part of its mainstream universe (the DCU).  An older version of Tim Drake, the third teen to become Batman's sidekick and partner, Robin, has replaced McGinnis as the future Batman.  Drake is now the star of the “DCYou” relaunch of Batman Beyond.  This new Batman Beyond is written by Dan Jurgens, drawn by Bernard Chang, colored by Marcelo Maiolo, and lettered by Dave Sharpe.

Batman Beyond #1 (“Brave New Worlds”) presents THE definitive future of the DCU (according to DC Comics).  It is, however, different from the world of the original Batman Beyond.  Tim Drake is a future Batman without Bruce Wayne to guide him.  Drake fights to keep Neo-Gotham safe from Brother Eye, which destroyed the future.

Outside the safe confines of the city, Drake is about to meet a mysterious, but familiar ally who might be able to help Batman in the fight to raise humanity from an opponent that has already won.  Meanwhile, Terry McGinnis' younger brother, Matt, wonders if, under different circumstances, his older brother would have given him the Batsuit.

I had misgivings about this new Batman Beyond series; I don't know why.  However, the series is in safe hands with Dan Jurgens, who was one of the writers on The New 52: Future's End, the weekly event miniseries that was the precursor to this new Batman Beyond.  Artist Bernard Chang offers solid storytelling, eye-pleasing compositions, and sharp graphic design that looks even better with Marcelo Maiolo's coloring.  I think I will add Batman Beyond to my reading list.

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.

I Reads You Review: CONSTANTINE #2

CONSTANTINE #2
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITERS: Ray Fawkes and Jeff Lemire
ARTIST: Renato Guedes
COLORS: Marcelo Mailolo
LETTERS: Carlos M. Mangual
COVER: Juan Jose Ryp and Brett Smith
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (June 2013)

Rated T+ (Teen Plus)

The Spark and the Flame Part 2: “The Blind Man”

It has been a few months since I read Constantine #1, the re-launch of the long-running comic book series, Hellblazer.  I thought that first issue showed promise for the series and as a fresh start for title character, John Constantine.  Now, I’ve just read the second issue, and I am not so sure.

Constantine #2 is the second part of the opening story arc, “The Spark and the Flame.”  Issue #2 continues John Constantine’s search for Croydon’s Compass, a powerful tool of divination that, of course, has the potential for evil in the wrong hands.  Also looking for Croydon’s Compass is the Cult of the Cold Flame (or simply “Cold Flame”), a group of powerful malevolent magic-using types.

Croydon’s Compass has been broken into three parts.  John has the first part, the needle, and now, he has arrived in Myanmar to find the second piece, the dial.  Waiting for him is Mr. E. and The Spectre, who really wants to get his spectral hands of John.

Constantine #2 is a comic book full of characters trying to be clever, but they are neither particularly interesting nor especially boring.  Their cleverness simply registers nothing.  Even this chapter of “The Spark and the Flame” seems as if it is inconsequential to the larger narrative.  This is the first time I am really starting to wonder about the wisdom of ending Hellblazer in order to start Constantine.  Or maybe DC Comics just needs to cut back on the use of writer Jeff Lemire.

C

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

The New 52 Review: Constantine #1

CONSTANTINE #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITERS: Ray Fawkes and Jeff Lemire
ARTIST: Renato Guedes
COLORS: Marcelo Mailolo
LETTERER: Sal Cipriano
COVER: Ivan Reis and Joe Prado with Rod Reis
VARIANT COVER: Renato Guedes
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (May 2013)

Rated T+ (Teen Plus)

The Spark and the Flame Part 1: “The Price We Pay”

John Constantine: Hellblazer is dead? Long live Constantine?

After first appearing, in full, as a supporting character in The Saga of the Swamp Thing #37 (June 1985), John Constantine starred in his own comic book, Hellblazer. Twenty-six odd years later, that series came to an end with Hellblazer #300 (April 2013 cover date).

With Constantine #1 (May 2013 cover date), John Constantine is headed in a new direction. Once tempted by magic to the point of his near-destruction, Constantine seeks to “maintain balance and prevent anyone from becoming too powerful.” That is a direct quote taken from Constantine #1. The maintainer of balance: that’s John Constantine’s place in The New 52.

Constantine #1 opens in New York City where Constantine lives in a pet story, Dotty’s Pets. He already has a new mission – get Croydon’s Compass before his rivals, a group called “Cold Flame,” obtain it. You’d be surprised at the membership of Cold Flame, but I’ll say that Zatara is/was one of them. Dragging along a reluctant acquaintance, Chris, Constantine heads to Norway for a battle in which someone does pay a rather high price.

Same old John: knowing him always costs someone his or her life. What can I say about the new Constantine comic book? Well, the first issue lacks the occult detective, London-noir, street hustler, Richard Stark-vibe of Hellblazer. Constantine the comic book is colorful and slick, like the 2005 film, Constantine, but without Keanu Reeves’ sincere-thespian stiffness. Magic explodes as if it were a mutant power, with crackling bursts of energy. It’s a bit like Harry Potter without the wands.

Constantine is interesting. If you’re looking for the old thing – the way Hellblazer was – that’s gone. I like this new thing. I’m not in love with it, but I like it.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The New 52 Review: I, VAMPIRE #1

"Blood in, blood out"

I, VAMPIRE #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Joshua Hale Fialkov
ARTIST: Andrea Sorrentino
COLORS: Marcelo Maiolo
LETTERS: Pat Brosseau
32pp, Color, $2.99

I, Vampire is one of the comic books to come out of “The New 52,” DC Comics re-launch of its superhero line. I, Vampire is based upon I...Vampire, which was a 24-issue storyline that appeared in House of Mystery from 1981 to 1983.

Created by writer J.M. DeMatteis and artist Tom Sutton, the series focused on Lord Andrew Bennett, a vampire who vowed to only drink the blood of animals and bottled human blood. In 1591, Bennett turned his lover, Mary Seward, into a vampire, but she became corrupted by the power. Seward took the name Mary, Queen of Blood and created a group of vampires called The Blood Red Moon that was bent on taking over the world. I...Vampire followed Bennett into modern times as he tried to undo his mistake and take down Mary and The Blood Red Moon.

I don’t know how much of the original I...Vampire will carry over into the new version. I, Vampire #1 (“Tainted Love”) opens in Boston with a shirtless Andrew (why?) hunting new vampires – apparently the creation of his former lover, Mary. Meanwhile, the narrative flashbacks reveal an argument/discussion between Andrew and Mary.

In spite of the shirtless vampire males and the Goth-y vamp chicks (and all those lithe bodies), I, Vampire is not DC Comics’ Twilight thing. Actually, it may be the feuding vampire version of Marvel Comics’ mutant vs. mutant thing. I almost like artist Andrea Sorrentino’s Jae Lee impersonation, although I’d prefer a more traditional art style (like Tom Sutton’s).

I think writer Joshua Hale Fialkov could do something interesting with this, especially because it ties into the DCU proper rather than Vertigo.

B

September 28th
AQUAMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/aquaman-1.html
BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/batman-dark-knight-1.html
BLACKHAWKS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/blackhawks-1.html
FLASH #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/flash-1.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/justice-league-dark-1.html
SUPERMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/superman-1.html
TEEN TITANS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/teen-titans-1.html
VOODOO #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/voodoo-1.html

The New 52 Review: DEMON KNIGHTS #1

DEMON KNIGHTS #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Paul Cornell
PENCILS: Diogenes Neves
INKS: Oclair Albert
COLORS: Marcelo Maiolo
LETTERS: Jared K. Fletcher
COVER: Tony Daniel with Tomeu Morey
32pp, Color, $2.99

The Demon is a DC Comics character created by Jack Kirby, which first saw publication in The Demon #1 (cover date August 1972). This demon from Hell is bound to a human named Jason Blood, and despite his origins, the Demon usually sides with the good guys. With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” the Demon stars in a new series, the Dark Ages-set Demon Knights, which is essentially a team book.

As Demon Knights #1 (“Seven Against the Dark”) opens, it is the last night of Camelot. It is also a night of destiny, as Merlin binds Jason of Norwich to the demon Etrigan. Four centuries later – the Dark Ages, the Questing Queen and her horde of beasts march north, heading towards Alba Sarum. First, they must pass through the village of Little Spring. Meanwhile, Jason and Madame Xanadu are in Little Spring just trying to enjoy a pint – peacefully, but they have a date with destiny and are also joined by new companions.

I’ve wondered when I would find a Paul Cornell-written comic book that I would like, having hated his Captain Britain series, and after the re-launched Stormwatch, I thought that it would never happen. But I love me some Demon Knights. It is a slick, rowdy action fantasy dressed up like a pitch for a Hollywood blockbuster, but it is a highly enjoyable read. The art by Diogenes Neves, Oclair Albert (inks), and Marcelo Maiolo (colors) is pretty and best of all, looks just right for the concept and also the tone this series is trying to set.

I think I’ll try Demon Knights again. Fun comic books are sometimes hard to find.

A-

September 14th
BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batman-and-robin-1.html
BATWOMAN #1 2.99
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batwoman-1.html
FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF SHADE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/frankenstein-agent-of-shade-1.html
GREEN LANTERN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/green-lantern-1.html
LEGION LOST #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/legion-lost-1.html
RED LANTERNS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/red-lanterns-1.html
SUPERBOY #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/superboy-1.html