Showing posts with label Phil Jimenez. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Phil Jimenez. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Review: X-MEN: Red #1

X-MEN: RED No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Tom Taylor
ART: Mahmud Asrar
COLORS: Ive Svorcina
LETTERS: VC's Cory Petit
COVER: Travis Charest
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Mahmud Asrar with Ive Svorcina; John Tyler Christopher; Phil Jimenez; Phil Jimenez with Nolan Woodard; Rob Liefeld; Skottie Young; Pepe Larraz with Edgar Delgado
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (April 2018)

Rated T+

X-Men created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

“The Hate Machine” Part 1: “Heal the World”

Last year, Marvel Comics launched a publishing event, entitled “ResurrXion,” in an attempt to shoot new life in its moribund X-Men line of comic books.  This initiative involved the debut of several new X-Men comic book titles, including the color-coded X-Men: Blue and X-Men Gold.

Still trying to pump life into the X-Men, Marvel has launched a new X-Men color-coded comic book, entitled X-Men: Red.  It will feature an X-Men team led by the resurrected, original Jean Grey, also known at times as Marvel Girl and Phoenix/Dark Phoenix.  This new comic book is written by Tom Taylor; drawn by Mahmud Asrar; colored by Ive Svorcina; and lettered by Cory Petit.

X-Men: Red #1 (“Heal the World”) opens with Heather, a young mutant, being hounded by a mob of neighbors who want to kill her because she is a mutant.  Her rescuers are Jean Grey, Nightcrawler, Gentle, Namor, Trinary, Honey Badger, and Wolverine (Laura Kinney).  Two months earlier, Jean Grey, newly brought back to life, decides that in order to protect mutants from a world that still hates them, she will need to find a way to protect the entire world.  Of course, not everyone wants that.

Once upon a time, someone who thought they were being smart “man-splained” to me that corporations existed to provide goods and services.  I didn't say anything at the time, but I firmly believed that many corporations, if not most, existed first and foremost to make money for their major stockholders and chief executives, officers, and/or managers.  That includes corporations that own comic book publishers like Marvel Comics.

I imagine that in the early 1980s, the people that called the shots noticed how popular the Marvel Comics title, Uncanny X-Men, had become with readers and how its story of a band of mutants who fought for a world that hated and feared them really resonated with fans.  That love had turned Uncanny X-Men into the top-selling comic book, at least in North America.  So why make a lot of money from just one X-Men comic book title when Marvel could make a even more money with more X-Men publications?

First it was one graphic novel... or two, and then, an X-Men spin-off series and a miniseries featuring the most popular X-Men character (Wolverine).  What started as a few X-Men and X-Men-related spin-offs became a trickle, then a stream, and the stream became a deluge.  I think Marvel officially started ruining the X-Men, not when it became a franchise, but specifically when that franchise launched the comic book, X-Factor (cover dated: February 1986).

In the three decades plus since the debut of X-Factor #1, there have been many quality X-Men publications, but most X-Men comic books have been, to be generous, average at best.  The X-Men went from being something special into nothing more than a cynically exploited cash cow for whatever money-grubbing corporation or CEO that owned Marvel Comics at any given time.

Writer Tom Taylor tries to recall the halcyon pre-X-Factor days of Uncanny X-Men in X-Men: Red.  Writer Marc Guggenheim tries to recall the storytelling of the classic X-Men scribe, Chris Claremont (who is arguably still the best X-Men comic book writer ever) with X-Men: Gold, but the results are mixed.  I feel like being cynical and saying that it is too late to make X-Men great again, but Taylor seems to be on to something here.  I would like to see where this goes.

I do think that artist Mahmud Asrar is already delivering excellent work.  I don't need to wait and see with Asrar; I am already declaring his art and graphical storytelling here a winner.  I think Asrar's illustrations, which are beautifully colored by Ive Svorcina, make this issue's story, “Heal the World,” seem as if it is indeed part of a promising larger story.  I have considered Asrar a star-creator in the making since I first saw his art in The New 52 title, Supergirl (2011).

So I see red, X-Men: Red that is.  I will keep reading as long as Taylor and Asrar are making something that seems special like the Uncanny X-Men at its speak from mid-1970s to the mid-1980s.

8 out of 10

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


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

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Monday, February 11, 2019

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 13, 2019

DC COMICS

NOV180540    BATMAN THE CAPED CRUSADER TP VOL 02    $29.99
DEC180539    BATMAN WHO LAUGHS #3 (OF 6)    $4.99
DEC180540    BATMAN WHO LAUGHS #3 (OF 6) VAR ED    $4.99
JUL180809    DC DESIGNER SERIES NIGHTWING & BATGIRL BY SOOK STATUE    $250.00
DEC188129    DETECTIVE COMICS #994 2ND PTG    $3.99
DEC188130    DETECTIVE COMICS #995 2ND PTG    $3.99
DEC188131    DETECTIVE COMICS #996 2ND PTG    $3.99
DEC180551    DETECTIVE COMICS #998    $3.99
DEC180552    DETECTIVE COMICS #998 VAR ED    $3.99
DEC180556    ELECTRIC WARRIORS #4 (OF 6)    $3.99
DEC180514    FLASH #64 BLANK VAR ED THE PRICE    $3.99
DEC180512    FLASH #64 THE PRICE    $3.99
DEC180513    FLASH #64 VAR ED THE PRICE    $3.99
DEC180558    GODDESS MODE #3 (MR)    $3.99
DEC180563    HAWKMAN #9    $3.99
DEC180564    HAWKMAN #9 VAR ED    $3.99
DEC180569    HOUSE OF WHISPERS #6 (MR)    $3.99
DEC180574    JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #8    $3.99
DEC180575    JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #8 VAR ED    $3.99
OCT180598    MISTER MIRACLE TP (RES) (MR)    $24.99
NOV180562    NEIL GAIMANS & CHARLES VESS STARDUST TP NEW ED (MR)    $19.99
DEC180584    RED HOOD OUTLAW #31    $3.99
DEC180585    RED HOOD OUTLAW #31 VAR ED    $3.99
DEC180586    SCOOBY APOCALYPSE #34    $3.99
DEC180587    SCOOBY APOCALYPSE #34 VAR ED    $3.99
NOV180572    SUICIDE SQUAD HELL TO PAY TP    $14.99
DEC180594    SUPERGIRL #27    $3.99
DEC180595    SUPERGIRL #27 VAR ED    $3.99
DEC180596    SUPERMAN #8    $3.99
DEC180597    SUPERMAN #8 VAR ED    $3.99
DEC180601    TITANS #34    $3.99
DEC180602    TITANS #34 VAR ED    $3.99
NOV180578    TITANS TP VOL 05 THE SPARK    $19.99
NOV180580    TORSO TP NEW ED (MR)    $24.99
DEC180525    WONDER TWINS #1 (OF 6)    $3.99
DEC180526    WONDER TWINS #1 (OF 6) VAR ED    $3.99
DEC180606    WONDER WOMAN #64    $3.99
DEC180607    WONDER WOMAN #64 VAR ED    $3.99
AUG180663    WONDER WOMAN BY PHIL JIMINEZ OMNIBUS HC    $75.00

Sunday, December 14, 2014

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

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

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

Rated “T+”

Angela created by Todd McFarlane and Neil Gaiman

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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


Tuesday, July 8, 2014

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 9, 2014

DC COMICS
APR140289    AMERICAN VAMPIRE SECOND CYCLE #4 (MR)    $2.99
APR140292    ANIMAL MAN TP VOL 06 FLESH AND BLOOD (MR)    $24.99
MAY140249    BATGIRL #33    $2.99
APR140276    BATMAN BRUCE WAYNE FUGITIVE TP NEW ED    $29.99
MAY140226    BATMAN ETERNAL #14    $2.99
MAY140253    BIRDS OF PREY #33    $2.99
MAY140399    COFFIN HILL #9 (MR)    $2.99
MAY140202    CONSTANTINE #16    $2.99
MAY140240    DETECTIVE COMICS #33    $3.99
MAY140243    DETECTIVE COMICS #33 COMBO PACK    $4.99
MAY140404    FBP FEDERAL BUREAU OF PHYSICS #12 (MR)    $2.99
MAY140156    GRAYSON #1    $2.99
MAY140261    GREEN LANTERN CORPS #33 (UPRISING)    $2.99
MAY140197    INFINITY MAN AND THE FOREVER PEOPLE #2    $2.99
MAY140355    INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR TWO #7    $2.99
APR140266    JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA TP VOL 01 DANGEROUS (N52)    $16.99
MAY140169    JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #3    $3.99
MAY140172    JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #3 COMBO PACK    $4.99
MAY140182    NEW 52 FUTURES END #10 (WEEKLY)    $2.99
MAY140162    NEW SUICIDE SQUAD #1    $2.99
APR140258    NIGHTWING TP VOL 04 SECOND CITY (N52)    $14.99
MAY140406    ROYALS MASTERS OF WAR #6 (MR)    $2.99
MAY140390    SCOOBY DOO WHERE ARE YOU #47    $2.99
MAY140360    SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 LANTERN #4    $3.99
MAY140223    SUPERBOY #33    $2.99
MAY140216    SUPERMAN WONDER WOMAN #10    $3.99
MAY140218    SUPERMAN WONDER WOMAN #10 COMBO PACK    $4.99
APR140261    TALON TP VOL 02 THE FALL OF THE OWLS (N52)    $19.99
MAY140203    WORLDS FINEST #25    $2.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES


DEC130367    DC COMICS SUPER HEROES GREEN ARROW BUST    $49.95


Monday, October 21, 2013

Review: The DC Comics Guide to Creating Comics

THE DC COMICS GUIDE TO CREATING COMICS
WATSON-GUPTILL PUBLICATIONS/DC Comics – @CrownPublishing and @dccomics

WRITERS: Carl Potts
COVER:  Jim Lee, Bill Reinhold
ISBN: 978-0-385-34472-2; paperback (October 8, 2013)
192pp, Color, $24.99 U.S., $27.95 CAN

Forward by Jim Lee

Comic book writer, artist, and editor, Carl Potts joined Marvel Comics’ editorial staff in 1983.  Potts co-created Alien Legion, a comic book series published by Marvel’s Epic imprint, and he helped develop The Punisher as the character went from supporting/guest player to title character.

Potts may be best known for working with numerous comic book artists early in their career, including Jon Bogdanove, Whilce Portacio, and Scott Williams, among many.  Potts also helped Jim Lee and Art Adams break into the comics industry.  Potts’ work as an editor and his work with young comic book creators make him the perfect author for books about creating comics.

Potts is the author of The DC Comics Guide to Creating Comics: Inside the Art of Visual Storytelling, the latest book in the DC Comics Guide series.  The series previously focused on drawing comic books:  The DC Comics Guide to Pencilling Comics, The DC Comics Guide to Inking Comics (both authored by Klaus Janson), and The DC Comics Guide to Digitally Drawing Comics (by Freddie Williams II).

With such a pedigree and with so many accomplishments, it should be no surprise that The DC Comics Guide to Creating Comics is not a book for beginners.  It is not that this book is highly technical; it actually goes into great detail about the art and craft of creating comics.  It discusses everything from the goals and principles of “visual sequential storytelling” to how a creator can affect the comics reader’s experience.

To me, at least, the people who can get the most out of The DC Comics Guide to Creating Comics are writers and artists, especially the latter, who have created comics.  Those writers and artists who have some professional experience or who have produced comic books (even if they have had to self-publish) will get the most out of this because they already either already understand comics (either by theory or practice) or have attempted to make comics.

The DC Comics Guide to Creating Comics is generously illustrated book, but this is not about pretty pictures and slick comic book art.  It is about teaching and guiding.  Potts makes his points with covers, whole pages, thumbnails, pencils, inks, details from larger pieces, etc.  I think my favorite part of the book is Chapter Twelve: Watching the Pros Work.  Three artists:  Whilce Portacio, Bill Reinhold, and Phil Jimenez take the same three-page script and provide breakdowns or thumbnails and then, turn those into pencil art.  Seeing how three veteran artists interpret the same script in ways that are both graphically and visually similar and different is a joy for a comic book fan and will likely be of use to someone wanting to learn the DC Comics’ way of drawing comic books.

So readers wanting to learn more about creating superhero comic books will want The DC Comics Guide to Creating Comics: Inside the Art of Visual Storytelling.  Carl Potts is a good teacher, and this is one good looking book.

A-


An incomplete list of the artists and writers whose work appears in this volume:
Arthur Adams, Joe Bennett, W.H. Haden Blackman, Brett Booth, Doug Braithwaite, Rick Bryant, Greg Capullo, Nick Cardy, Tony Daniel, John Dell, Steve Ditko, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Dave Gibbons, Russ Heath, Adam Hughes, Klaus Janson, Phil Jimenez, Geoff Johns, J.G. Jones, Joe Kubert, Andy Lanning, Jim Lee, Francis Manapul, Mike Mignola, Grant Morrison, Kevin Nowlan, Yanick Paquette, George Perez, Whilce Portacio, E. Potts, Bill Reinhold, Ivan Reis, Eduardo Risso, Alex Ross, P. Craig Russell, Walter Simonson, Scott Snyder, Ryan Sook, Ardian Syaf, Bruce Timm, Alex Toth, J.H. Williams III, Scott Williams, and Jorge Zaffino

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux





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