Review: DARTH VADER #1

DARTH VADER No. 1 (2017)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

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

STORY: Charles Soule
PENCILS: Giuseppe Camuncoli
INKS: Cam Smith
COLORS: David Curiel
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Jim Cheung with Matthew Wilson
VARIANT COVERS: John Tyler Christopher; Phil Noto; Mark Brooks; Adi Granov; Skottie Young; David Lopez; Rod Reis
44pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (August 2017)

Rated T

“The Chosen One” Part I

Of course, you know that The Walt Disney Company owns Marvel Comics, dear readers.  Shortly after acquiring Marvel Entertainment, Disney bought Lucasfilm, Ltd., the owner of all thing Star Wars.  Marvel Comics, the original home of Star Wars comics, is once again publishing Star Wars comics, and this time, these comic book are officially part of the Star Wars canon.

Two years ago, Marvel launched the comic book series, Darth Vader.  Written by Keiron Gillen and drawn by Salvador Larroca, the series was set immediately after the events depicted in the original 1977 film, Star Wars (or Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope).  In this comic book, we watched as Darth Vader was forced to work his way back into Emperor Palpatine good graces because the Emperor held Vader responsible for the destruction of his ultimate weapon, the Death Star, by the Rebel Alliance – as seen Star Wars.

Now, there is a new Darth Vader comic book series.  It is written by Charles Soule; drawn by Giuseppe Camuncoli (pencils) and Cam Smith (inks); colored by David Curiel; and lettered by Joe Caramagna.  This series is set after the events depicted in the 2005 film, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, although some of it recounts events that took place at the end of that film.

Darth Vader #1 opens as Anakin Skywalker awakens as the monster in a suit of cybernetic armor, Darth Vader.  He is filled with pain and rage over the death of his wife, Padmé Amidala.  After Emperor Palpatine brings his new dog, Vader, to heel, he begins the task of making the new Sith Lord prove that he can help him in the task of building and defending a Galactic Empire.  First task: Vader must build a lightsaber worthy of a Sith.

A Star Wars comic book has to be really bad or pretty average to get a grade of less than B+ from me.  I am a decades-long Star Wars fan and get a kick out of reading Star Wars comic books.  I am giving this new Darth Vader #1 a grade of B+, although I don't much care for Giuseppe Camuncoli's art.  This opening chapter is okay, but it does set up the possibility of some really exciting chapters to come.

So, go get this new Darth Vader #1, Star Wars fan.

B+

[This comic book includes the bonus story, “No Good Deed...” by Chris Eliopoulos with Jordie Bellaire.]

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


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

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FARLAINE THE GOBLIN: Book 5 - The Vaultlands

FARLAINE THE GOBLIN #5
STUDIO FARLAINE – @TreeGoblin

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONIST: Pug Grumble (formerly “Anonymous”)
COVER: Pug Grumble
VARIANT COVER: Skottie Young
ISBN:  978-0-9890058-5-2; paperback (May 2017)
58pp, B&W; $5.00 U.S.

All-Ages

Book 5” “Farlaine in the Vaultlands”

Farlaine the Goblin is a series of graphic novels published by Studio Farlaine and written and drawn by the cartoonist who currently uses the name “Pug Grumble” (but was previously credited as “Anonymous”).  Mr. Grumble recently sent me a review copy of the the latest Farlaine edition.  [I first contacted Studio Farliane in 2015 and received review copies of two Farlaine the Goblin books, including the fourth book.]

Each comic book/graphic novel is published as a paperback (landscape dimensions 11.8” x 7.75”).  The story focuses on Farlaine the Goblin, a tree goblin and a shaman from the forest of Fin-Din.  He has spent years wandering the many Oddlands of Wug in search of a forest that he can call his own.  Farlaine has two companions.  The first is Ehrenwort, a tree he carries in a sack on his back; Farlaine also talks to Ehrenwort, whom he describes as his “Verdan.”  The second companion is a “Tink” from an earlier adventure in the “Tinklands.”  A rotund, mechanical fellow (think Star Wars' BB-8 with two wheels), he has been named Drowsy by Farlaine.

Farlaine the Goblin: Book 5, Vaultlands begins as Farlaine, Ehrenwort, and Drowsy leave the Twistlands behind.  Now, it is on to the next land as Farlaine continues his search for a forest.  Welcome to the Vaultlands!  The first person the trio meets is Jabs Jibber, Vaultlands realtor and guide, but he seems like scam artist.

Farlaine and friends discover a land full of... well, vaults.  There are vaults the size of post office boxes (and stacked like them, also) to ones that look like lock boxes.  The deeper they go into Vaultlands, the more diverse and stranger the vaults become, and farther still, they are older, larger, and more mysterious.  There is a treasure hunter to meet and also a creature with a taste for one of the crew, but will Farlaine finally find that forest?

After reading Farlaine the Goblin, Trade Paperback, Volume 1, which collects the first three graphic novels in the series, I was surprised that a comic of such high quality could not find a publisher, forcing the creator to self-publish it.  After reading the fifth issue, I am still surprised that Farlaine the Goblin is not a huge hit and a multiple Eisner Award nominee.

I wish I could say that the best thing about Farlaine the Goblin: Book 5, Vaultlands is the Uncle Scrooge reference, but the truth is that there are so many “best things” about this delightful edition of a fantastic series.  Farlaine is a fantasy adventure.  It is epic fantasy on a small, but no less engrossing scale.  Farlaine the Goblin is in the spirit of the Looney Tunes and Lewis Carroll, and Book 5, The Vaultlands epitomizes all of that.

The Vaultlands is funny and inventive, delightful and imaginative.  How the heck can a land full of vaults deliver so strongly as it does on whimsy and wonder?  Maybe, it is the magic of Pug's beautiful black and white art that recalls classic illustrated books for children from the 19th and early 20th centuries.  I could see Farlaine and company at Toad Hall.

I highly recommend Farlaine the Goblin: Book 5, Vaultlands and this series in general.

A+

www.farlaine.com
facebook.com/FarlianeTheGoblin
twitter.com/treegoblin

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.

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Review: NIGHTHAWK #1

NIGHTHAWK No. 1 (2016)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: David F. Walker
ARTIST: Ramon Villalobos
COLORS: Tamra Bonvillain
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz with Chris Sotomayor
VARIANT COVERS: Rafael Albuquerque; John Tyler Christopher; Bill Sienkiewicz; Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2016)

Parental Advisory

Nighthawk is a Marvel Comics character.  While there have been several versions of the character, the first Nighthawk was Kyle Richmond, initially a supervillain and also a member of the Squadron Supreme.  Richmond, as the original Nighthawk, debuted in The Avengers #69 (cover dated:  October 1969) with two other members of the Squadron Supreme.

The “All-New, All-Different Marvel” event offers a new ongoing Nighthawk comic book.  This series focuses on an African-American version of Kyle Richmond from Earth-31916, who also uses the identity of Raymond Kane.  Nighthawk is written by David F. Walker; drawn by Ramon Villalobos; colored by Tamra Bonvillian; and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

Nighthawk #1 opens in Chicago, Illinois which is both roiled by racial strife and rotten with political corruption.  The city's streets, neighborhoods, and districts are Nighthawk's stomping grounds.  In fact, we find him stomping on the “True Patriots,” a White supremacist gang that deals in guns and meth production.  Nighthawk uses his physical and mental skills to destroy them, will his partner, Tilda Johnson, as usual, helps with the robotics and technology Nighthawk uses.  Meanwhile, Kane faces a dirty offer from Dan Hanrahan; plus, a sinister figure returns.

Stunned.  I am truly stunned both by how much I like this comic book and by how good it is.  If DC Comics were not so afraid of letting African-American scribes write marquee titles, David F. Walker would be writing Batman now.  [Walker recently had a short stint as writer of the Cyborg comic book for DC.]  Although I am a fan of both Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz, I think the cover art they provided for Nighthawk #1 is kinda whack.  When I first saw the cover, I looked at this comic book with disdain.

But something made me buy it.  Maybe, it is the buy-the-first-issue fanboy gene that made me do it, but whomever or whatever I have to thank – thank you, bitches!  I think that Walker is going to tackle issues surrounding themes of anger, aggression, rage, violence, political corruption, and corporate depravity.  So that makes David F. Walker's Nighthawk a smart buy.  Besides, the covers are going to get better, aren't they?

As artist, I like the choice of Ramon Villalobos, whose work on last summer's E is for Extinction (a Secret Wars title) wowed me.  You know what?  I'm going to highly recommend this book to you, dear readers.

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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Review EMPRESS #1

EMPRESS No. 1
MARVEL COMICS/Icon – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Mark Millar – @mrmarkmillar
PENCILS: Stuart Immonen
INKS: Wade von Grawbadger
COLORS: Ive Svorcina
LETTERS: Peter Doherty
COVER: Stuart Immonen and Wade von Grawbadger with Dave McCaig
VARIANT COVERS: Stuart Immonen; Stuart Immonen with Dave McCaig; Skottie Young; Steve McNiven with Ive Scorvina; Sean Gordon Murphy with Marte Gracia
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2016)

Rated T+

Empress is a new comic book series created by writer Mark Millar and artist Stuart Immonen.  The series focuses on the wife of a ruthless galactic conqueror and her bid to escape with their children.  Empress will apparently be comprised of three six-issue story arcs.  Empress is written by Millar, drawn by Immonen (pencils) and Wade von Grawbadger (inks); colored by Ive Svorcina; and lettered by Peter Doherty.

Empress #1 opens on Earth 65 million years ago during the time of Earth's first rulers.  This is a civilization lost to us when people lived in gleaming cities at the same time dinosaurs still existed.  King Morax is the merciless ruler who executes his citizens with impunity.  His wife, Queen Emporia, has seen enough of her husband's monstrous ways.  She plots to take her three children:  a brash teenage daughter, Aine; a bookish 'tween son, Adam; and an infant son, Puck.  Loyal Captain Dane Havelock will pilot their escape ship, but even his skills may not be enough to keep them from the reach of King Morax.

In press interviews to promote Empress, Mark Millar said that he wanted to do a sci-fi comic book that was fun.  He wanted Empress to be more in line with the original Star Wars (1977) and not like Ridley Scott's Alien (1979), a dark and edgy tale that has been influential on modern science fiction films.  And yes, Empress is fun – very fun.

With its dinosaurs, gleaming cities, a merciless ruler, and interstellar travel, Empress recalls Alex Raymond's comic strip, Flash Gordon, and Edgar Rice Burroughs' seminal planetary romance, the Barsoom series (also known as John Carter of Mars).  Both Flash Gordon and John Carter were obviously influential on the space opera, Star Wars, which informs Empress to some extent.

At this early point in the narrative, the characters are largely unknown, but Millar gives us a clear, basic explanation of the lead characters' motivations.  What really thrills at this point is the sparkly art by Immonen, von Grawbadger, and Svorcina.  The graphical storytelling is clean, spectacular though not complex, and, quite frankly, pretty.

So, yeah, I'm recommending Empress.  I enjoyed this first issue more than I did the first issues of other recent Millar comics, Chrononauts and Huck.

A-

http://www.millarworld.tv/

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


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

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Review: THE 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.

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Review: THE UNSTOPPABLE WASP #1

THE UNSTOPPABLE WASP No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jeremy Whitley
ART: Elsa Charretier
COLORS: Megan Wilson
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Elsa Charretier with Nicolas Bannister
VARIANT COVERS: Elizabeth Torque; Nelson Blake II with Guru eFX; Skottie Young; John Tyler Christopher; Andy Park
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (March 2017)

Rated “T+”

The Wasp a.k.a. Janet van Dyne is a Marvel Comics female super hero. She was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and first appeared in Tales to Astonish #44 (cover dated:  June 1963).  The Wasp is usually depicted as having the ability to shrink to a height of several centimeters; fly by means of insectoid wings; and fire bio-electric energy blasts.  The Wasp is also a founding member of the Avengers and has been a leader of the team.

After Janet van Dyne, there is another version of The Wasp.  She is Hope Pym, also known as the Red Queen and the Wasp, and is the daughter of Hank Pym, the original Ant-Man.  Of course, Marvel has an alternate universe version of Hope Pym, and her name is Nadia, who is now in the main Marvel Universe.  She is the daughter of Hank Pym and Maria Trovaya.  Nadia is the star of the new Marvel comic book series, The Unstoppable Wasp.  It is written by Jeremy Whitley; drawn by Elsa Charretier; colored by Megan Wilson; and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

The Unstoppable Wasp #1 finds Nadia hanging with Ms. Marvel a.k.a. Kamala Khan.  It's time for Nadia to straighten out the affairs of her U.S. citizenship – remember that U.S. borders are closed to some.  We learn the story of the romance of Nadia's parents and her life in “The Red Room,” a secret facility in Russia that trained young girls to become weapons.  Then, it's time to meet a heroine/role model and villain/role model.

The Unstoppable Wasp is like many girl-hero comics that have emerged during the last few years (Batgirl, Moon Girl and Devil Dragon):  glib, snappy, snazzy, and fun-to-read.  In the case of Nadia-Wasp, it is her positivism and on-the-bright-side personality that makes her attractive.  In spite of my cranky, old-ass ways, I found myself liking her.  Page by page, writer Jeremy Whitley will not let you not like Nadia-Wasp, and he will make you want more of her, mainly because she seems to want more us – at least our positive side.

I love the retro-style art of artist Elsa Charretier.  With the coloring of Megan Wilson, the storytelling here graphically recalls early 1960s Marvel Comics and also (delightfully) Darwyn Cooke's interpretation of the Silver Age.  I won't grade this comic book just yet, but I hope to soon.  And yes, I will recommend this to young readers (especially girls) and to girl-hero lovers.

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


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

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Review: Ta-Nehisi Coates and Brian Stelfreeze's BLACK PANTHER #1

BLACK PANTHER #1 (2016)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Ta-Nehisi Coates
ART: Brian Stelfreeze
COLORS: Laura Martin
LETTERS: VC's Joe Sabino
COVER: Brian Stelfreeze
VARIANT COVER: Brian Stelfreeze; Olivier Coipel; Felipe Smith; Alex Ross; Skottie Young; Sanford Greene; Ryan Sook; Disney Interactive
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (June 2016)

Black Panther created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

Rated “T”

“A Nation Under Our Feet” Part 1

Ta-Nehisi Coates is an American writer and journalist.  This African-American commentator is also a national correspondent for The Atlantic, where he writes about cultural, political, and social issues, particularly as they regard to Black people in America.  Coates' second book, Between the World and Me (released in July 2015), won the 2015 National Book Award for Nonfiction.  In 2015, he was the recipient of a “Genius Grant” from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Brian Stelfreeze is an African-American comic book creator who has been writing, penciling, inking, coloring, and/or painting comic books for over three decades..  In the 1980s, he first gained notice for his stylized covers, particularly for his unique graphic interpretation of Batman.  Stelfreeze was the initial series artist on the DC Comics' Batman title, Batman: Shadow of the Bat, and also produced over 50 covers for that series.  Stelfreeze is one of the original members of Atlanta's Gaijin Studios.

Ta-Nehisi Coates is the writer and Brian Stelfreeze is the artist of the new Black Panther comic book series from Marvel Comics.  The other creative talent on the series include Laura Martin as color artist and Joe Sabino as letterer.

In the world of Black Panther, T'Challa is the warrior-priest-king of Wakanda, and he bears the ceremonial title of that position, Black Panther.  To the world outside Wakanda, Black Panther is a superhero, specifically an Avenger, and of late, a member of the Ultimates.  However, Wakanda has fallen on hard times during Black Panther's time away being a superhero.

Black Panther #1 (“A Nation Under Our Feet” Part 1) opens at “The Great Mound.”  Here, Black Panther is in the heat of a pitched battle with vibranium miners.  In “The Golden City,” capital of Wakanda, harsh justice is handed out.  At the Nigandan border region, an army gathers.  Sure, Wakanda has undergone a flood that killed thousands, a supervillain-led coup, and an invasion from beyond the stars, but there is more bad to come.

I have been an admirer of Ta-Nehisi Coates for the past few years, ever since I first saw him during an television appearance (on MSNBC, I think).  Since then, I have seen him speak on independent news series, “Democracy Now,” and I have read some of his work at The Atlantic's website.  Upon hearing that he was going to write a 12-issue run of Black Panther for Marvel Comics, I was excited, but I did not know what I could really expect; after all, Coates had no previous comic book writing experience.

That turns out to be a good thing.  His clean storytelling builds on the work of previous Black Panther writers, Christopher Priest and Reginald Hudlin.  He mines what for me has always been an obvious source of conflict-laden storytelling – how does a man be both a superhero and the king of a country with resources highly coveted by dangerous interests.  And, you know, I have to give Coates credit for writing a script that insists on giving readers the names of every important character with a speaking role in the first issue.  I am tired of reading vague, introductory first chapters and first issues in which the only characters that are recognizable are the ones wearing familiar costumes.

I have not followed Brian Stelfreeze very much, but I have admired some of his work.  One could make an argument that he is the star here.  His stylish art and vivid, energetic graphical storytelling are a delight.  His character, costume, and graphic design for this series is surprising, simply because I did not expect such a fresh approach that also retains classical Black Panther tropes.  Laura Martin's colors over Stelfreeze's stellar art create some of the most striking visuals that can be found in comic books at this moment.  Letter Joe Sabino and designer Manny Mederos also deserve a shout-out for making this Black Panther one of the best Marvel first issues that I have read in the last few years.

I cannot wait for the second issue of this new Black Panther.  It is more than I expected, although now I expect a lot.

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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Review: INTERNATIONAL IRON MAN #1

INTERNATIONAL IRON MAN No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Brian Michael Bendis
ART: Alex Maleev
COLORS: Paul Mounts
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: Mike Deodato with Frank Martin
VARIANT COVERS: Gabriele Dell'Otto; Marco D'Alfonso; Skottie Young; John Tyler Christopher
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2016)

Rated “T+”

I did not know that a few years ago it was revealed that Tony Stark was adopted as a baby by Howard and Maria Stark (in Iron Man #17 – 2013 series).  Tony's quest to uncover his legacy is at the heart of the new Iron Man comic book series, International Iron Man.  It is written by Brian Michael Bendis; drawn by Alex Maleev; colored by Paul Mounts; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.

Who is Tony Stark, really?  International Iron Man #1 begins the quest to discover the answer to that question.  The story opens with Iron Man in Sofia Bulgaria at the “Monument to the Soviet Army.”  He has just got his butt kicked.  His mind drifts back 20 years earlier when Tony was a student at the University of Cambridge.  That is where he met Cassandra Gillespie, a mysterious young woman from an even more mysterious family that is marked for death.

I have never been a big fan of Iron Man, not the way I heart for Spider-Man (Parker and Morales), Batman (and Robin), and certain X-Men.  One Iron Man book is enough for me, and that one is currently Invincible Iron Man, which is also written by Brian Michael Bendis.  I guess this is my way of saying that I did not feel particularly moved by this first issue of International Iron Man.

Bendis and Alex Maleev are remembered for their run on Daredevil last decade, so fans of that comic book may rejoice at the chance to see if this team can do for Iron Man what it did for that book.  I wouldn't know what they did, as I have never read a single issue of the Bendis-Maleev Daredevil.

So I'm coming from a place of ignorance in some ways.  Apparently, Doctor Doom will play a part in this series, and while traveling the globe, Iron Man will discover things about the Marvel Universe that he did not know existed.  I'm kinda intrigued.  I may keep reading International Iron Man, but I won't go out of my way.  So how is that for a review?

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


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

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Review: BLACK WIDOW #1

BLACK WIDOW No. 1 (2016)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITERS: Chris Samnee and Mark Waid
ART: Chris Samnee
COLORS: Matthew Wilson
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Chris Samnee with Matthew Wilson
VARIANT COVERS: John Tyler Christopher; Stephanie Hans; Tula Lotay; Phil Noto; Kevin Wada; Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2016)

Rated “T+”

Black Widow is a Marvel Comics female superhero.  She was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Don Rico, and artist Don Heck and first appeared in Tales of Suspense No. 52 (cover dated: April 1964).  When she was first introduced, Black Widow was Natasha Romanova, a Russian spy who did not wear a superhero costume.  She was an antagonist of Iron Man, but later defected to the United States, where she became an agent of the spy agency S.H.I.E.L.D., and a member of the Avengers, becoming, of course, a superhero.

The All-New, All-Different Marvel presents a new comic book featuring Ms. Romanova, entitled (of course), Black Widow.  The series is written by Chris Samnee and Mark Waid; drawn by Samnee; colored by Matthew Wilson; and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

Black Widow #1 opens with the title character fighting her way through an office section of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier.  Black Widow has gone rogue and is fighting former colleagues.  She is now S.H.I.E.L.D. public enemy #1.  Why?

I have never read a single issue of Mark Waid and Chris Samnee's Eisner Award-winning run on Daredevil, but I keep planning on doing so.  I did read their thrilling IDW Publishing miniseries, The Rocketeer: Cargo of Doom, which I quite enjoyed (Encore! Encore!).

I'm curious about Black Widow because I am a fan of actress Scarlett Johanson's portrayal of the character in several Marvel Studio films.  So now I'm all like, let's read some Black Widow comics.  Well, this new Black Widow #1 is comprised of a long action sequence.  It is neither imaginative nor thrilling.  At the end of the book, Waid, Samnee, and editor Jake Thomas swear that we are in for something really good.  Just wait until the next issue... or the one after that... or the one after that...  [Just wait for the trade!]

This first issue is but a taste... OK.  So I'll give Black Widow #1 a grade of “B-” with the hope of a better grade on layaway.

B-

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


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

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Review: STARBRAND AND NIGHTMASK #1

STARBRAND AND NIGHTMASK No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

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

Rated T+

Eternity's Children; Chapter One: “Matriculation”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

C+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Review: INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #1

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN (2015) No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Brian Michael Bendis
ART: David Marquez
COLORS: Justin Ponsor
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: David Marquez with Justin Ponsor
VARIANT COVERS: Adi Granov, Ryan Stegman with Richard Isanove; Sara Pichelli with Jason Keith; Mahmud Asrar with Sonia Oback; Valerio Schiti with Jason Keith; Nick Bradshaw with Paul Mounts; Bruce Timm; Skottie Young; Brian Stelfreeze; John Tyler Christopher; Yasmine Putri; Dale Oliver photographed by Judy Stephens
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2015)

Rated “T+”

I was very happy with the most recent “new” Iron Man comic book series, Superior Iron Man, that was launched in 2014 as part of Marvel Comics' “Avengers NOW!” initiative.  As part of the “All-New All-Different Marvel,” there is a new Iron Man comic book, and it is entitled Invincible Iron Man.  This new series is written by Brian Michael Bendis; drawn by David Marquez; colored by Justin Ponsor; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.

Bendis and Marquez were the creative team of the second Miles Morales Spider-Man comic book, and Invincible Iron Man was the title of an Iron Man (2008) comic book written by Matt Fraction and drawn by Salvador Larroca.  I loved me some Miles, but I did not read a single issue of the Fraction-Larroca Iron Man, although I still plan to do so.

Invincible Iron Man #1 opens with an former A.I.M. operative trying to make a deal with Madame Masque.  Meanwhile, Tony Stark is enjoying some shop time and finally finishes him newest armor, his best armor.  He will need this new suit as enemies old, new, and transformed step forward.

This breezy first issue of Invincible Iron Man makes it difficult to be particularly critical or adoring of it.  But I do like it, and will read future issues.  I enjoy the Bendis-Marquez team, and if this first issue is any indication, I will enjoy this duo again.  Still, I don't know if this Iron Man comic book will be a particularly memorable one, which is something I can say about Superior Iron Man.  Knowing Bendis, I should have an idea soon.

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.

Review: DOCTOR STRANGE #1

DOCTOR STRANGE (2015) No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Jason Aaron
PENCILS: Chris Bachalo
INKS: Tim Townsend, Al Vey, and Mark Irwin
COLORS: Chris Bachalo
LETTERS: VC's Cory Petit
COVER: Chris Bachalo and Tim Townsend
VARIANT COVERS: Neal Adams; John Tyler Christopher; Juan Doe; Eric Henderson; Dave Johnson; Kevin Nowlan; Jakub Rebelka; Skottie Young; Allen Lee Hansard with Mary Cahela and Judy Stephens
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (December 2015)

Rated T+

Doctor Strange created by Steve Ditko

“The Way of the Weird”

Doctor Strange is a Marvel Comics superhero character.  Doctor Strange first appeared in Strange Tales #110 (cover dated:  July 1963) and was created by artist Steve Ditko, although Marvel Comics also recognizes Stan Lee as the character's co-creator.

Doctor Stephen Vincent Strange is a brilliant, but egotistical neurosurgeon who only cares about using his career and talents to become wealthy.  A car accident severely damages his hands, ending his ability to perform surgery.  His pride causes him to lose everything, but his encounter with the Ancient One changes him.  Doctor Strange becomes the “Sorcerer Supreme,” the “Master of the Mystic Arts,” who is the primary protector of Earth against magical and mystical threats from wherever they may come.

As part of the “All-New All-Different Marvel” initiative, Marvel Comics is launching a new Doctor Strange comic book series.  The new series is written by Jason Aaron; drawn and colored by Chris Bachalo, with inking by Tim Townsend, Al Vey and Mark Irwin; and lettered by Cory Petit.

Doctor Strange #1 (“The Way of the Weird”) with Strange battling possession in the Netherworld.  After a day of battling soul-eaters and a psychic-leech, Strange sees a pattern.  Something bad is coming.  Plus, Strange meets Doctor Voodoo, Shaman, and the Scarlet Witch.

I am intrigued by some of the elements presented in this new series, but I don't know that this is a title that I would buy every month.  If you have ever seen Chris Bachalo's art, and you have because he has been a Marvel Comics stable pony for over a decade, then, this comic book will look familiar to you.  Maybe some of it looks like Bachalo's work on Neil Gaiman's Death comic book miniseries.  Anyway, I can't recommend this, not because it is bad, but because I don't see myself being a regular reader of this new Doctor Strange.  So why should I suggest that you be?

Now, there is also a five-age epilogue written by Aaron and drawn by the great Kevin Nowlan (who also draws one of this #1 issue's variant covers).  For a long time, Nolan has been known as a comic book artist's artist, and Nowlan's five pages are worth every penny of this book's cover price.  I will come back to this title if there is more Nowlan.

[This volume includes a bonus story written by Jason Aaron; drawn and colored by Kevin Nowlan; and lettered by VC's Cory Petit.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Review: CHEWBACCA #1

CHEWBACCA No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

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

WRITER: Gerry Duggan
ART: Phil Noto
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Phil Noto
VARIANT COVERS:  Ariel Olivetti; Gabriele Dell'Otto; Alex Ross; Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2015)

Rated T

“Part I”

Since Marvel Comics starting publishing Star Wars comic books again, they have already produced two character miniseries that each focus on a classic character from the original Star Wars movie trilogy.  The two series, Princess Leia and Lando, were both five-issue miniseries.

The latest one miniseries focuses on Han Solo's longtime friend and co-pilot, the Wookie, Chewbacca,  aka “Chewie.”  Entitled Chewbacca (of course), the five-issue miniseries is written by Gerry Duggan (Deadpool) and drawn and colored by Phil Noto (Black Widow), with letters by Joe Caramagna.

Chewbacca #1 (“Part 1”) is set directly after the events depicted in the original film, Star Wars (1977).  Chewie is on an important and personal secret mission when his spacecraft malfunctions, stranding him on the planet, Andelm-4.  He is trying to procure the “flight stabilizer” he needs for his ship, when he becomes ensnared in a young native girl's problem.  Her name is Zarro, and her father, Arrax, is in trouble with a powerful crime boss-type.  As Chewie and the Zarro come to an understanding, their problems are actually getting bigger.

A Chewbacca comic book can only work when a comic book writer understands how to take advantage of Chewie's expressive nature and also understand how to play a character that is like a force of nature.  The comic book artist will have to be able to depict Chewbacca's physicality in a way that expresses both the extremes and the ranges of his emotions.

After one issue, Gerry Duggan seems to be that writer, and Phil Noto seems to be that artist.  Noto's distinctive style correctly sets Chewbacca as distinct from the rest of Marvel's Star Wars titles without making it estranged from them.  Duggan offers up a playful and sly Chewie to balance the dangerous Wookie whose “heavy” and destructive side will be needed for him to be the hero.

I am as yet unsure about Zarro.  She could be an attractive heroine or an annoying spunky type or she could be the victim slash damsel.  I hope Duggan gives her fight.  It looks like Chewbacca will be another Star Wars character miniseries hit.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Review: CAPTAIN AMERICA: White #1

CAPTAIN AMERICA: WHITE No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jeph Loeb
ART: Tim Sale
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Comicraft's Richard Starkings
COVER: Tim Sale
VARIANT COVERS: Tim Sale; Skottie Young
60pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (November 2015)

Rated “T+”

Captain America created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby

“You Can't Take it With You”

Captain America is a Marvel comics superhero. He was created by cartoonists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby and first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 (cover dated:  March 1941), which was published by Timely Comics, a predecessor of Marvel Comics.  Captain America had a sidekick named James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes.  The original Bucky was created by Simon and Kirby and also first appeared in Captain America Comics #1.

Captain America: White is a five-issue miniseries written by Jeph Loeb and illustrated by Tim Sale.  The series follows the World War II-era adventures of Captain America and Bucky.  Captain America: White is part of Loeb and Sale's “Marvel Color” series, a group of comic book miniseries which present an intimate portrait of some of Marvel Comics' greatest characters during their early years.  Previous installments in this series include, Spider-Man: Blue, Daredevil: Yellow, and Hulk: Gray.

Captain America: White #1 (“You Can't Take it With You”) opens during Captain America's first meeting with the Avengers, after he was “defrosted,” which was originally depicted in The Avengers #4 (cover dated:  March 1964).  A conversation with Nick Fury, with whom Cap fought during WWII, turns his mind back to the war and to his partner, Bucky, believed to be dead.  The Captain remembers how, as Steve Rogers, he trained James Buchanan Barnes, which led to him being Captain America's partner, “Bucky.”  Captain America remembers that, as his bond with Bucky strengthened, he began to worry about the danger their missions posed for his dear, younger partner.

I did not know about Captain America: White until I saw a listing for it in the Diamond Distributors' new release list the week the first issue shipped.  I was even more surprised to discover that Captain America: White #1 reprinted the contents of Captain America: White #0, which I obviously also did not know existed.

Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale are fan favorite creators individually and as a team.  However, they are not favorites of your humble reviewer, dear readers.  Loeb has written a few comic books that I have enjoyed:  The Witching Hour (a prestige-format miniseries from DC Comics), Batman/The Spirit #1, and about half of Batman: Hush, to name a few others.  Other than those, I cannot see why Loeb is considered such a exceptional comic book writer.  There are some Tim Sale works that I have liked.

Captain America: White #1 and #0 (which is re-presented/reprinted in #1) are professional productions.  They are not bad, but they are not particularly good, although the creative team and staff's efforts to produce something exceptional is obvious.  What else could we expect of a comic book project that began development over seven years ago?  I can give credit for effort.

But... the story simply does not interest me that much, at this point.  I am curious about it, simply because Rogers' relationship and deep feelings and concern for Bucky seem weird and filled with sexual repression.  Tim Sale's composition, design, and graphic style here seems like a weird and desperate mimicry of Frank Miller and Klaus Janson's art for Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.  I do like Dave Stewart's gorgeous coloring.

Hmmm.  Will I read more Captain America: White?  I don't know.  I am curious.  Maybe, it will grow on me, and I'll have another thing to add to my short list of Loeb and Sale projects that I like.

C+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 14, 2015

IMAGE COMICS

AUG150508     ASTRONAUTS IN TROUBLE #5 (MR)     $2.99
AUG150593     COMICS ARE FOR EVERYBODY LG MENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150598     COMICS ARE FOR EVERYBODY LG WOMENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150592     COMICS ARE FOR EVERYBODY MED MENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150597     COMICS ARE FOR EVERYBODY MED WOMENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150591     COMICS ARE FOR EVERYBODY SM MENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150596     COMICS ARE FOR EVERYBODY SM WOMENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150594     COMICS ARE FOR EVERYBODY XL MENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150599     COMICS ARE FOR EVERYBODY XL WOMENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150595     COMICS ARE FOR EVERYBODY XXL MENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150600     COMICS ARE FOR EVERYBODY XXL WOMENS T/S     $24.99
JUL150529     COVENANT #4 CVR A LIEFELD (MR)     $2.99
JUL150530     COVENANT #4 CVR B HORAK (MR)     $2.99
AUG150573     DEADLY CLASS LG MENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150578     DEADLY CLASS LG WOMENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150572     DEADLY CLASS MED MENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150577     DEADLY CLASS MED WOMENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150571     DEADLY CLASS SM MENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150576     DEADLY CLASS SM WOMENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150574     DEADLY CLASS XL MENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150579     DEADLY CLASS XL WOMENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150575     DEADLY CLASS XXL MENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150580     DEADLY CLASS XXL WOMENS T/S     $24.99
MAR150526     DEATH VIGIL TP VOL 01     $24.99
MAY150536     EAST OF WEST #21     $3.50
AUG150510     FASTER THAN LIGHT #2 (MR)     $2.99
AUG150511     FUSE #15 (MR)     $3.99
AUG150474     I HATE FAIRYLAND #1 (MR)     $3.50
JUL150606     LOW #10 (MR)     $3.50
AUG150583     NAILBITER MURDER STORE LG MENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150588     NAILBITER MURDER STORE LG WOMENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150582     NAILBITER MURDER STORE MED MENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150587     NAILBITER MURDER STORE MED WOMENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150581     NAILBITER MURDER STORE SM MENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150586     NAILBITER MURDER STORE SM WOMENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150584     NAILBITER MURDER STORE XL MENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150589     NAILBITER MURDER STORE XL WOMENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150585     NAILBITER MURDER STORE XXL MENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150590     NAILBITER MURDER STORE XXL WOMENS T/S     $24.99
AUG150513     PHONOGRAM THE IMMATERIAL GIRL #3 (MR)     $3.99
JUL150639     ROCHE LIMIT CLANDESTINY #5     $3.50
AUG150514     SATELLITE SAM OMNIBUS DLX HC (MR)     $44.99
AUG150515     SAVIOR #7     $2.99
AUG150494     SECRET IDENTITIES TP VOL 01     $14.99
JUN150555     SEX CRIMINALS #13 (MR)     $3.50
JUN150579     SKULLKICKERS TREASURE TROVE HC VOL 03     $34.99
AUG150506     SWITCH #1 CVR A SEJIC     $3.99
AUG150519     WALKING DEAD #147 (MR)     $2.99
AUG150520     WAYWARD HC BOOK 01     $39.99
AUG150521     WICKED & DIVINE #15 CVR A MCKELVIE & WILSON (MR)     $3.50
AUG150522     WICKED & DIVINE #15 CVR B HANS (MR)     $3.50

Review: LANDO #1

LANDO #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

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

WRITER: Charles Soule
ART: Alex Maleev
COLORS: Paul Mounts
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Alex Maleev with Edgard Delgado
VARIANT COVERS: Alex Ross; John Tyler; Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2015)

Rated T

“Part 1”

Lando Calrissian was the first Star Wars character portrayed onscreen by a Black man, Oscar-nominated actor, Billy Dee Williams.  [Of course, James Earl Jones first provided the voice of Darth Vader, while another actor wore the costume.]  Lando made his debut in The Empire Strikes Back (1980), the first sequel to Star Wars (1977).

Lando Calrissian gets his first solo comic book series with the recently launched title, Lando.  The comic book miniseries is written by Charles Soule, drawn by Alex Maleev, colored by Paul Mounts, and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

Lando #1 (“Part 1”) opens sometime after the events depicted in the original Star Wars film.  The story begins on the Imperial colony world, Castell, shortly after Lando has bedded Ssaria, an Imperial Moff.  Lando needs something from her to pay a debt to “Papa Toren,” some kind of crime boss, but things don't quite work out for Lando.  Lando convinces his partner, Lobot, to join him on another gambit.  He recruits the twin weirdos, Aleskin and Pavol, and Sava Korin Pers to steal something – something of which none of them understands the true value.

Not long after the release of The Empire Strikes Back, a trio of novels featuring Lando Calrissian were published [Lando Calrissian and the Mindharp of Sharu; Lando Calrissian and the Flamewind of Oseon; and Lando Calrissian and the Starcave of ThonBoka, all written by L. Neil Smith].  So it is strange that in the character's previous 34 years of existence no one thought to create even a Lando solo comic book miniseries, especially considering the almost uncountable number of Star Wars comic books that Dark Horse Comics published over a period of just over two decades.  Well, half a year before the release of the seventh Star Wars film (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), Marvel Comics is smart enough to give us a Lando comic book series, and it is quite good.

In terms of design and graphic style, Lando the comic book looks like The Empire Strikes Back.  In fact, in composition and rendering and in character design, Alex Maleev's work on Lando recalls the work of legendary comic book artist, Al Williamson.  It was Williamson who drew Marvel Comics' six-issue adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back, which was published in issues #39 to 44 (cover dated: September 1980 to February 1981) of Marvel's original Star Wars comic book series.  Even colorist Paul Mounts seems to have The Empire Strikes Back's color palette in mind as he colored Maleev's original art for Lando.

As for Charles Soule's story, this heist tale has potential.  It looks like a tale that could be filled with backstabbing and life-threatening situation.

However, Marvel Comics (like DC Comics) has been making a big deal about its recent moves towards diversity.  Apparently, diversity to Marvel means a few more comic books with “characters of color,” but not more Black creators producing those comic books, especially when it comes to writers.  It would have been nice if Marvel Comics had given an African-American writer a shot at writing a Lando Calrissian comic book.  It certainly would be something different, and perhaps more interesting.  What would be even more special and surprising would be if Marvel Comics knew more than two Black comic book writers to whom they could offer assignments or writing gigs.

Anyway, I'll give Lando a high grade for its lovely art.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

I Reads You Review: SECRET WARS #1

SECRET WARS #1 (OF 8)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Jonathan Hickman
ARTIST: Esad Ribic
COLORS: Ive Svorcina
LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos
COVER: Alex Ross
VARIANT COVERS: Simone Bianchi with Simone Peruzzi; Jim Cheung with Justin Ponsor; John Tyler Christopher; Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts; Butch Guice with Andy Troy; Esad Ribic; Skottie Young; Chip Zdarsky
56pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (July 2015)

Part 1: “End Times”

Almost four years ago, DC Comics re-launched its comic books line, an event called “The New 52.”  That's over, already.  Marvel Comics did semi-relaunches, under the banner “All-New.”  Well, now Marvel is going all in this fall when every comic book restarts with a #1 issue, in addition to the apparent debut of some new titles.

DC Comics heralded “The New 52,” with a five-issue miniseries and publishing event entitled “Flashpoint.”  Marvel's event herald is “Secret Wars.”  Yes, indeed, everything old is remade again, and Marvel's notorious 1984 twelve-issue comic book miniseries, Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars get a portion of its title re-purposed.  Worlds, universes, and even characters die in the eight-issue miniseries, Secret Wars, written by Jonathan Hickman, drawn by Esad Ribic, colored by Ive Svorcina, and lettered by Chris Eliopoulos, with painted covers by Alex Ross.

Secret Wars #1 (“End Times”) opens with Doctor Doom, Doctor Strange, and Molecule Man facing... “Beyond.”  The multiverse is dying, and there are only two universes left.  One is the universe of Earth-1610 (the Ultimate Universe), and the other is the universe of Earth-616 (the Marvel Universe).  One is invading the other; super-powered types will battle.  Super-powered types will die, and so will a universe... or two.

Reading Secret Wars #1 is only half as painful as reading Avengers & X-Men: Axis #1 was for me.  Secret Wars does have its moments in which I genuinely cared about the peril faced by the characters, at least some of them.  What I genuinely love about Secret Wars #1 is the beautiful art by Esad Ribic and Ive Svorcina.

I have always admired Ribic, even when he replaced my beloved Steve Rude on X-Men: Children of the Atom (way back in the 1990s).  Here, Ribic and Svorcina deliver some potent, striking images, and it is their storytelling that really makes this graphic narrative work, more so than Hickman's script.  Hickman puts a snide remark in Rocket Raccoon's mouth about those comic book from decades ago that had a one-dollar cover price.  Yeah, some did suck, but you usually got a complete story in a single issue.  Let's see current comics superstar Jonathan Hickman pull that off.

B+

[This book includes a preview of The Uncanny Inhumans #0” by Charles Soule, Steve McNiven, Jay Leisten, Justin Ponsor, and VC's Clayton Cowles.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux; support on Patreon.


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

I Reads You Review: KANAN: The Last Padawan #1

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

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

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

Rated T

Book 1, Part 1: The Last Padawan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

I Reads You Review: S.H.I.E.L.D. #1

S.H.I.E.L.D #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Mark Waid
PENCILS: Carlos Pacheco
INKS: Mariano Taibo with Jason Pax
COLORS: Dono Almara
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Julian Totino Tedesco
VARIANT COVERS: Mahmud Asrar with Dono Almara; John Tyler Christopher; Mike Deodato with Edgar Delgado; David Marquez with Laura Martin; Steve McNiven with Marte Gracia; Sara Pichelli with Dono Almara; Valerio Schiti with Laura Martin; Ryan Stegman with Rom Fajardo; Skottie Young
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (January 2015)

Rated “T+”

S.H.I.E.L.D created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

“Perfect Bullets”

S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage, law-enforcement, and counter-terrorism agency that appears in Marvel Comics titles.  The agency often deals with paranormal and super-human threats.  This agency was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and first appeared in Strange Tales #135 (cover dated: August 1965).  The acronym, S.H.I.E.L.D., originally stood for “Supreme Headquarters, International Espionage, Law-Enforcement Division,” but  changed in 1991 to “Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistics Directorate.”

S.H.I.E.L.D. plays a prominent role in the films and television series (live-action and animated) that are part of the “Marvel Cinematic Universe.”  Currently, the S.H.I.E.L.D. acronym stands for “Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.”

S.H.I.E.L.D. is the star of an ABC television series, “Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”  On the last week of the 2014, Marvel Comics launched a new S.H.I.E.L.D. comic book series.  Mark Waid will write the series with the art provided by a rotating roster of popular comic book artists, beginning with the first issue's penciller, Carlos Pacheco.

S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 (“Perfect Bullets”) introduces Phil Coulson, the star of the ABC series.  This is his first day on the job as S.H.I.E.L.D. Special Ops Supreme Commander, and waiting for him is a full-on invasion of Earth.  It seems that the hordes of the “Norse World” (Thor's stomping grounds) have arrived on Earth to unleash some destruction.

Captain America, Iron Man, The Hulk, Black Knight, Blue Marvel, Hercules, Hyperion, Nova, Sunfire, Valkyrie, and The Vision have their hands full.  So it's up to Coulson to head to Sharzhad, a country beset by terrorists, and one of those terrorists may be the reason for the invasion.  Now, Coulson will need to align the “perfect bullets” to save the day.

I picked up a copy of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 because I knew a friend of mine would like to read it.  After reading it, he didn't seem impressed.  I'm not, either.

S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 isn't a bad read.  It's just nothing special or even worthy of much notice.  I have said this in other reviews I've written:  when Mark Waid is good, he's really good, but when he is not, he is mediocre.  I won't call him mediocre on S.H.I.E.L.D. #1, but he is in the sub-par zone.

S.H.I.E.L.D. is up to the third issue, as of the last time I looked.  I might try another issue, especially as characters from the ABC series will appear in the comic book.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

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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


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