The New 52 Review: RESURRECTION MAN #1

RESURRECTION MAN #1
DC COMICS

WRITERS: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
ART; Fernando Dagnino
COLORS: Santi Arcas
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVER: Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, and Rod Reis

Resurrection Man is a DC Comics superhero created by Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett and Jackson Guice. The character had a comic book series that ran for 27 issues from 1997 to 1999. Resurrection Man is attorney Mitchell “Mitch” Shelley, who became the unwilling test subject in a nanotechnology experiment. The result rendered him immortal in an unusual way. Mitchell could still be killed, but the death would last only a few seconds or a few minutes. Then, Mitchell would be reborn with a superpower influenced by the way he was last killed.

The character returns in Resurrection Man #1, part of DC Comics’ re-launch of its superhero comics line, “The New 52.” As the story (entitled “Pronounced Dead”) opens, Mitch has just come back to life, tasting everything metal in the morgue. Then, he’s off to Portland, Oregon on a flight where he meets Sue, who is not what she appears to be. Who are the Phantoms of the Afterlife, and why is Mitch’s soul so attractive to every entity from above and from below?

I remember Resurrection Man; I remember ignoring it. Now, the more I read about it the more it sounds like a really interesting concept, so I might go back-issue hunting. Meanwhile, this first issue of the new series is a very nice read. It seems more like a Vertigo title than a mainline DC Comics title, but DC’s superhero line really needs a horror comics side, so this will do.

I’m not familiar with the work of writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, but if first impressions are important, I’m impressed. Of course, artist Fernando Dagnino, whose style does much to make this look like a Vertigo comic book, contributes dark compositions which create the dark fantasy vibe that Resurrection Man #1 does so well.

B+

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
DEMON KNIGHTS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/demon-knights-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
MISTER TERRIFIC #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/mister-terrific-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

The New 52 Review: MISTER TERRIFIC #1

MISTER TERRIFIC #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Eric Wallace
PENCILS: Gianluca Gugliotta
INKS: Wayne Faucher
COLORS: Mike Atiyeh
LETTERS: Dave Sharpe
COVER: J.G. Jones with Lovern Kindzierski
32pp, Color, $2.99

Mister Terrific was a Golden Age comic book character that first appeared in Sensation Comics #1 (cover date January 1942). Created by Charles Resizenstein and Hal Sharpe, he was a superhero who mastered martial arts, had a photographic memory, and was an Olympic-level athlete, as well as being a self-made millionaire.

In Spectre #54 (Vol. 3, cover dated June 1997), a young African-American male character, Michael Holt, who has a talent for learning, became the new Mister Terrific. Holt has an Olympic gold medal, owns Holt Industries, and is the third smartest man on the planet.

Mister Terrific #1 (“Software Update”) opens to find the titular character in London, England taking on a rival tech CEO and his biomechanical battle armor. After some internal exposition gives us some background on Mr. Terrific, strange things begin to happen. An ordinary guy gains the intelligence of someone extraordinary. Why is this happening and to whom will it happen next?

I see Mister Terrific as a blend of elements from Batman, Blue Beetle, and Iron Man, which all began as comics about rich playboy-types who became costumed adventurers and then superheroes. A more recent comparison is Hardware of Milestone Media, a smart black guy superhero, and I’d say that reading this first issue of Mister Terrific reminds me of reading a Milestone comic book.

Mister Terrific may go the way of Milestone Comics. One of the stores where I occasionally shop still had several copies (although I don’t know what they began with), and this first issue is NOT of such overwhelming high-quality that readers will be demanding that it stick around, as they would for a more high profile title. Mister Terrific is not at all bad; it’s just a little above average, which can be lethal for a comic book in a tight economy. The ending is interesting enough to make me come back, though, and I am curious to see where writer Eric Wallace takes this series.

B

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
DEMON KNIGHTS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/demon-knights-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

Grand Guignol Orchestra: Stigmate

I read Grand Guignol Orchesta, Vol. 4 (Grand Guignol Orchestra)

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has FREE smart phone apps).

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

VIZ Media Continues to Dominate New York Times Bestseller List

VIZ MEDIA SWEEPS THE LATEST NEW YORK TIMES MANGA BESTSELLER LIST FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A MONTH

Latest NARUTO Edition Takes #1 Spot And Is Complemented By Other Top Manga Properties Including BLEACH, BLACK BIRD, BLUE EXORCIST, ULTIMO, DEATH NOTE And More!

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has swept the latest Top 10 on the New York Times Manga Bestseller list for the week of September 10th. This is the second time the company has dominated the list in less than a month; VIZ Media previously swept all Top 10 spots for the week of August 20th.

The top selling VIZ Media manga (graphic novel) titles included:

NARUTO Vol. 52
BLEACH Vol. 36
BLACK BIRD Vol. 10
DENGEKI DIASY Vol. 6
KIMI NO TODOKE: FROM ME TO YOU Vol. 10
LIBRARY WARS: LOVE & WAR Vol. 6
BLUE EXORCIST Vol. 1
BUTTERFLIES, FLOWERS Vol. 8
ULTIMO Vol. 6
DEATH NOTE BLACK EDITION Vol. 5

The New York Times Bestseller lists are an expanded version of those appearing in the September 25th, 2011 print edition of the Book Review, reflecting sales for the week ending September 10th, 2011. Rankings reflect weekly sales for books sold in both print and electronic formats.

“We’re very happy to see such a diverse roster of manga titles dominate the latest New York Times manga bestseller list for the second time in a month,” says Leyla Aker, Vice President, Publishing. “The titles range from science fiction to fantasy to romance to suspense, and are a good representation of the breadth of VIZ Media’s catalog. We look forward to continuing to offer fans the most extensive and varied manga catalog of any publisher in the industry!”

For more information on VIZ Media manga titles, please visit: http://www.viz.com/.


About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan. Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages. VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products. Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at http://www.viz.com/.

The New 52 Review: BATWOMAN #1

BATWOMAN #1
DC COMICS

WRITERS: J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman
ARTIST: J.H. Williams III
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Todd Klein
32pp, Color, $2.99

Hydrology Part 1: “Leaching”

Batwoman first appeared in Detective Comics #233 (cover July 1956) as the Bat-Woman. Created by Bob Kane and Sheldon Moldoff, Batwoman’s alter ego was Kathy Kane, and she was a crime-fighting rival to Batman. With the re-launch of DC Comics superhero line, “The New 52,” Batwoman gets a new comic book series, and while she is still secretly Kathy Kane, today’s Batwoman is different from the original Kane.

Batwoman #1 finds Kate is in the midst of relationship drama – a new girlfriend and the return of her hated father, Col. Jake Kane. She has her hands full with a strange ghostly villain, La Llorona, who is kidnapping children. Meanwhile, Batwoman takes on a partner/plebeian, Bette AKA Flamebird, but she doesn’t even know about the Department of Extranormal Operations and their new Gotham operation.

The last time I read Batwoman it was in Detective Comics #854, written by Greg Rucka and drawn by J.H. Williams III, and for me, it was a dull reading experience. I must commend co-writers W. Haden Blackman and Williams because this first issue of Batwoman is anything but dull. I counted four major subplots and three others that were introduced by hint. Every few pages, the story shifts to another scene, but because all these scenes either have interesting characters or involve intriguing subplots, the story flows quietly beautifully without a hitch.

Obviously, the beauty and “floetry” comes from J.H. Williams’ efficient visual storytelling, which is composed of his exquisite art. There is no doubt for me that Williams and colorist Dave Stewart are a match made in comic book heaven. For scenes involving Batwoman, the police, and the more fantastical elements of the story, Williams presents compositions that shimmer with light and stream across the pages, for which Stewart creates a smoky watercolor effect. Williams presents the character drama pages in a retro style that Stewart’s colors with an Art Deco effect.

Apparently, Williams will not be drawing all the issues of Batwoman, but I will certainly stay with this title as long as he and Stewart are doing this voodoo that they do so well.

A

September 14th
BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batman-and-robin-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

The New 52 Review: LEGION LOST #1

LEGION LOST #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Fabian Nicieza
ARTIST: Pete Woods
COLORS: Brad Anderson
LETTERS: Travis Lanham
32pp, Color, $2.99

Run from Tomorrow Part One: Present Tense

Legion Lost was a 12-issue comic book limited series starring members of the Legion of Super-Heroes (LoSH). Published by DC Comics (of course), the series focused on a group of Legionnaires banished to the far side of the universe.

With the re-launch of the DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” Legion Lost returns as a new ongoing comic book series with a new cast: Chameleon Girl, Dawnstar, Gates, Tellus, Timber Wolf, Tyroc, and Wildfire. To stop a terrorist act, they travel from the 30th (or 31st) century back to the 21st Century, but the rules of time traveling are changing in a post-Flashpoint DC Universe.

As Legion Lost #1 opens, seven members of the Legion of Super-Heroes (LoSH) arrive via a Time Bubble in Red Lake Falls, Minnesota – 21st century Earth. Their mission is to stop Alastor, a shape-shifting terrorist from Rimbor, from infecting Earth with a deadly virus. However, adjusting to a new Earth proves to be difficult for some of the Legion Lost, making a dangerous mission all the more perilous.

After one issue, Legion Lost seems as if it could offer an interesting spin on the team comic book. There is a lot of setup here, but writer Fabian Nicieza digs into the lynchpin of the central plotline – the threat of a pathogen, while offering nice character moments (such as Dawnstar’s troubles). I’ve never thought of Nicieza as a great comic book writer, but he’s good at writing fast-paced superhero comics.

The art by Pete Woods is all over the place, and sometimes it seems as if Woods believes he is supposed to churn out impressionistic drawings. Some of the visual storytelling is not clear and some of the character drawing is ugly. Brad Anderson’s coloring manages to save some of Woods’ worst moments, so Legion Lost may be worth a second or maybe even a third look.

B-


September 14th
BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batman-and-robin-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
RED LANTERNS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/red-lanterns-1.html
SUPERBOY #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/superboy-1.html