The New 52 Review: SUPERMAN #1

SUPERMAN #1
DC COMICS

SCRIPT/BREAKDOWNS: George Pérez
ARTIST: Jesús Merino
COLORS: Brian Buccellato
LETTERS: Carlos M. Mangual
COVER: George Pérez and Brian Buccellato
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

Superman first appeared in Action Comics #1 (cover date June 1938) and received his eponymous title with the debut of Superman #1 (cover date June 1939). In 1986, following a DC Comics line-wide re-launch, a second Superman #1 debuted (January 1987). With the current re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” a third Superman series begins.

As Superman #1 (“What Price Tomorrow?”) opens, the Daily Planet is undergoing changes that are cosmetic and substantive – both in major ways, and Clark Kent/Superman does not like it. The Planet has been merged with the Globe and both are part of the Planet Global Network (P.G.N.), with Lois Lane as a new boss. Clark doesn’t have much time to sulk about these developments because a gigantic alien being, seemingly made entirely of fire, is wrecking Metropolis.

It has been decades since I read George Pérez’s run on Wonder Woman as series writer/artist, which he did in the second half of the 1980s. Pérez was good at creating engaging ensemble drama and showed a talent for creating memorable supporting characters. With Superman, Pérez has several candidates for great supporting characters, including Morgan Edge, President and CEO of Galaxy Communications. It goes without saying that Pérez will have fun with Clark Kent and Lois Lane’s relationship. His dense storytelling brings a novelistic approach to comic book storytelling, so Superman will stand out from the rest of The New 52 because of that.

Series artist Jesús Merino’s art here reminds me of Jerry Ordway’s work on The Adventures of Superman back in the 1980s and 90s. Merino is delightfully old school, which means he can draw the characters and visually capture the details that bring out the rich storytelling in a dense script. Merino can do that in 22 pages, whereas many current artists would need 66 pages to come close to Merino.

A-

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

The New 52 Review: DEATHSTROKE #1

"The best at what he does... alone!"

DEATHSTROKE #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Kyle Higgins
PENCILS: Joe Bennett
INKS: Art Thibert
COLORS: Jason Wright
LETTERS: Travis Lanham
COVER: Simon Bisley
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

The DC Comics character known as Deathstroke first appeared in New Teen Titans #2 (cover date December 1980) and was originally introduced as “The Terminator.” Created by Marv Wolfman and George Perez, he was Slade Wilson, a mercenary who was completing the terms of a contract undertaken by his son, Ravager, to kill or capture the Teen Titans. The Terminator became Deathstroke the Terminator and eventually just Deathstroke, an assassin, mercenary, and anti-hero.

With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” Deathstroke gets another title series. Deathstroke #1 (“Back to Basics”) opens with Deathstroke in Moscow on an assignment to kill. However, offers for employment tend to come from people who want him to be a bodyguard, rather than a mercenary.

Suddenly, his “agent,” Christoph, finds him an assignment that promises to be difficult and dangerous. Deathstroke has been hired to kill German scientist and engineer turned arms dealer, Jeffrey Bode, but in order to take the job, Deathstroke has to accept assistance in the form of three young mercenaries. Does this sound like bad news? It’s worse than that.

A ruthless badass, Deathstroke has always been a cool character. One could even consider him the DCU’s Wolverine or Punisher. What Deathstroke hasn’t had that Wolverine and The Punisher have had is a bunch of hit comic book series, miniseries, graphic novels, etc. Well, Deathstroke has a killer of a first issue. If you’ve forgotten what a great anti-hero/villain Deathstroke can be and was (see the classic New Teen Titans and Tales of the Teen Titans) or if you never knew, then, be prepared to be thrilled.

Kyle Higgins has written an edgy superhero, crime comic in which the violence comes in sudden spurts and unexpected twists. It’s explosive and sometimes harshly matter-of-fact. The art by Joe Bennett (pencils) and Art Thibert (inks) features meaty compositions and sturdy and smooth inking. However, the storytelling is big like an action movie, but also brutally intimate, which lets the reader in close to Slade Wilson. That’s scary. Deathstroke is a man to avoid, unless you’re a reader looking for a good read about a dangerous man.

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
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
GRIFTER #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/grifter-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
RESURRECTION MAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/resurrection-man-1.html
SUICIDE SQUAD #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/suicide-squad-1.html
SUPERBOY #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/superboy-1.html

VIZManga.com and VIZ Manga App Have Fall Additions

VIZ MEDIA WELCOMES FALL WITH NEW DIGITAL RELEASES FOR VIZMANGA.COM AND THE VIZ MANGA APP FOR iPAD, iPHONE AND iPOD TOUCH

Latest October Update Features Additions To 16 Popular Series, Including BLEACH And ONE PIECE Digital “Speed Ups” And New Digital Debuts Ahead Of Print Counterparts

VIZ Media opens the Fall season with a bevy of new manga (graphic novels) titles that will be available on VIZManga.com and for digital download on the VIZ MANGA App for the Apple iPad™, iPhone™ and iPod™ touch.

October first half of the month updates are highlighted by new additions to 16 top VIZ Media manga series. The update includes the continuation of a manga “speed up” for BLEACH and ONE PIECE that will bring both series up to date with their North American print counterparts by December. Two other notable releases – NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN Vol. 5 and HYDE & CLOSER Vol. 6 – are also scheduled to launch digitally a day ahead of their print counterparts.

Additional new VIZ Media manga volumes launching include:

October 3rd:
BLEACH Vol. 26
DENGEKI DAISY Vol. 5
KEKKAISHI Vol. 14
NEON GENESIS EVANGELION Ch. 9
NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN Vol. 5 – Debuts A Day Ahead Of Print!
OISHINBO Vol. 3
ONE PIECE Vol. 46
OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB Vol. 11
RUROUNI KENSHIN Vol. 23

October 10th:
BAKUMAN Vol. 7
BLEACH Vol. 27
BLUE EXORCIST Vol. 4
FUSHIGI YUGI: GENBU KAIDEN Vol. 7
GRAND GUIGNOL ORCHESTRA Vol. 4
HYDE & CLOSER Vol. 6 – Debuts A Day Ahead Of Print!
NEON GENESIS EVANGELION Ch. 10
ONE PIECE Vol. 47
ROSARIO + VAMPIRE II Vol. 6
SATURN APARTMENTS Vol. 3

VIZ Media’s digital manga platforms allow for universal access to read manga from an iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and now, VIZManga.com for desktop/laptop computers and Android-powered devices with built-in web browsers. With one account, registered users may access their purchases across even more devices than ever.

The free VIZ Manga App continues to be the top app for reading manga on iOS devices and features a rapidly growing library of the most popular manga series in the world, currently offering over 40 series and 400+ volumes, with new additions and free Chapter 1 previews added weekly.

For more information, please visit VIZManga.com or www.VIZ.com/apps.

The New 52 Review: SUICIDE SQUAD #1

"Suicide solution?"

SUICIDE SQUAD #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Adam Glass
ARTISTS: Federico Dallocchio, Ransom Getty, and Scott Hanna
COLORS: Val Staples
LETTERS: Jared K. Fletcher
COVER: Ryan Benjamin
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

The DC Comics Universe has had two teams that have used the name, “Suicide Squad.” The first debuted in The Brave and the Bold #25 (cover date August/September 1959) and was created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Ross Andru.

The second Suicide Squad appeared in Legends #3 (cover date January 1987), the midpoint of the 1986 six-issue crossover miniseries. Created by John Ostrander, this was an anti-hero team of incarcerated super-villains that undertook high-risk, black ops missions in exchange for commuted prison sentences. With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” there is a new Suicide Squad comic book series.

Suicide Squad #1 (“Kicked in the Teeth”) opens with Deadshot being tortured. How did we get here? Deadshot was imprisoned in Belle Reve Penitentiary, a prison for metahumans and super-villains. He and six other inmates: Black Spider, El Diablo, Harley Quinn, King Shark, Voltaic, and Savant were offered the chance to see daylight by joining Task Force X. There first mission was to extract a rogue agent. Now, they awaken to find themselves prisoners in a dank basement, and their captors want information and are willing to kill to get it.

Although I’ve known of Suicide Squad, I have never made the effort to read it, although I was at times curious. I’m glad that I tried this new Suicide Squad title. It’s something different in superheroes, and not just because the heroes are really convicts. Writer Adam Glass takes his anti-hero protagonists and isn’t afraid to grind them up, lay bare their crimes and shames, and always have them on the ropes. If Glass keeps up this pace, he will have, in Suicide Squad, a comic book that people will have no excuse not to read – other than that they can’t afford to purchase it or don’t want to steal it.

By the way, Ryan Benjamin’s gorgeous cover looks dangerous and the interior art strikes the perfect tone for this nitty gritty team book.

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
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
GRIFTER #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/grifter-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
RESURRECTION MAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/resurrection-man-1.html
SUPERBOY #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/superboy-1.html

The New 52 Review: GRIFTER #1

GRIFTER #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Nathan Edmondson
PENCILS: CAFU
INKS: Jason Gorder
COLORS: Andrew Dalhouse
LETTERS: Wes Abbott
COVER: CAFU and Bit
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

Grifter was one of the superhero characters that debuted in WildC.A.T.s #1 (cover date August 1992), Image Comics founding partner Jim Lee’s first work published by the then newly-launched company. Created by Lee and Brandon Choi, Grifter is Cole Cash, an incredibly adept fighter who is an expert in hand-to-hand combat and with most weapons, especially guns. Grifter also has mental powers, which he rarely uses.

With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” Grifter is the star of a new solo comic book series. As Grifter #1 (“17 Minutes”) opens, Cole Cash has arrived at Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans for what should be an easy getaway from his most recent con. Then, why does he end up falling from the plane? Meanwhile, Cole’s brother, Max, gets a special assignment that will lead to an explosive family reunion.

First, I have to say that Grifter series artist, CAFU, has a drawing style that reminds me of the art of Paul Gulacy, which I consider a very good thing. CAFU has a good sense of both style and design in the way he poses figures and composes the content of a panel. His art both moves the story and also conveys a set of emotions and ideas within the panel.

Writer Nathan Edmondson has certainly presented a fast-moving story that grips you both with what it reveals and with the questions it raises. Still, I think CAFU brings a unique visual style and graphic narrative method that will make Grifter more than just another new series.

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
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
RESURRECTION MAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/resurrection-man-1.html
SUPERBOY #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/superboy-1.html

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The New 52 Review: VOODOO #1

"...the Voodoo she do...:

VOODOO #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Ron Marz
ART: Sami Basri
COLORS: Jessica Kholinne
LETTERS: Jared K. Fletcher
COVER: Sami Basri and Sunny Gho
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

Voodoo is a female superhero character created by Jim Lee and Brandon Choi. She first appeared in WildC.A.T.s #1 (cover date August 1992), which was published by Image Comics. Voodoo is an alien Daemonite; she lives as Priscilla Kitaen. An exotic dancer, she uses telepathy and shapeshifting to gain information on human and metahumans.

With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” Voodoo headlines her own self-titled comic book series. As Voodoo #1 (“Keeping Secrets”) opens, Voodoo is shaking her ass and working hard on a stripper pole at the Voodoo Lounge in New Orleans. Not only are horny men watching her, but also two special agents. One of them, Tyler Evans, decides to make a move on Voodoo, but she makes a bigger move on him.

The always reliable comic book scribe, Ron Marz, delivers on Voodoo #1. If I remember correctly, this is not the first time the character has had a solo series or miniseries, but Marz takes just 22 pages to maker her more interesting than she ever was as a Wildstorm pinup girl. Plus, Marz builds this story on a slow simmer until he finishes with a darn good explosive ending.

Marz’s clever script is turned into dazzling comic book art and graphic storytelling by Sami Basri (pencils/inks) and Jessica Kholinne (colors). Basri’s smooth line work shapes and forms tight compositions that offer superb figure drawing and simple but evocative backgrounds. Kholinne’s coloring gives depth and texture to the art, anchoring Basri’s slick line to the story and giving everything weight and substance.

I want another dance from Voodoo.

A-

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

Leroy Douresseaux on THE ART OF VAMPIRE KNIGHT: MATSURI HINO ILLUSTRATIONS

THE ART OF VAMPIRE KNIGHT: MATSURI HINO ILLUSTRATIONS
VIZ MEDIA

CARTOONIST: Matsuri Hino
TRANSLATION & ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Tetsuichiro Miyaki
ISBN: 978-1-4215-4005-4; hardcover; Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
94pp, Color, $24.99 U.S., $28.99 CAN, £16.99 UK

Matsuri Hino is a Japanese manga artist or mangaka. She made her debut in 1995 with a one-shot manga. Her first series, Captive Hearts, which began publication in 1999, was about a young man bound to a teenaged girl via a family curse. Hino is now most famous as the creator of Vampire Knight.

Vampire Knight is a popular shojo manga that first appeared in January 2005 in LaLa magazine, a Japanese manga publication. Vampire Knight became a media franchise with the publication of light novels, video games, and two 13-episode anime series, among other things.

VIZ Media is Vampire Knight’s English-language publisher, releasing the series in a graphic novel format, beginning in 2006. The company recently published the 13th English volume of Vampire Knight (October 4th). VIZ Media published an English-language edition of the Vampire Knight Official Fanbook, a guide to the manga that is filled with illustrations, trivia, and general information.

VIZ Media also recently published The Art of Vampire Knight: Matsuri Hino Illustrations. Originally published in Japan in 2010, this hardcover, full-color book is exactly what the title declares on the cover: the art of Vampire Knight as presented through illustrations by Hino depicting characters from the Vampire Knight manga.

Vampire Knight is set at the private boarding school, Cross Academy, where there are two classes – the Day Class and the Night Class. The Day Class students are humans. When they return to their dorms at twilight, the Day Class doesn’t know that the Night Class students that are on their way to school are actually vampires. Vampire Knight’s main character is Yuki Cross, the adopted daughter of Headmaster Kainen Cross. Yuki’s earliest memory is of being attacked by a vampire.

There are two co-leads. One is Zero Kiryu, a human suffering the curse of the vampire. Yuki and Zero are Guardians at Cross Academy; they patrol the hallways and school grounds to protect the students of the Day Class from the vampires. The other co-lead is Kaname Kuran, a pureblood vampire who is the leader of the Night Class. Yuki is attracted to Kaname, and the two actually have a connection revealed later in the series.

Quite a bit of the movie Underworld (2003) takes place at the mansion of a vampire coven. Most of the vampires in the film are sleek and sexy; hair is cool platinum blonde or dark and sexy dangerous. They lounge around their posh estate, with its Gothic flourishes, in icy luxury.

The Art of Vampire Knight is a catalog of similar images. There are vampires in tuxedos, Goth-Loli girls, Victorian fashions, Pre-Raphaelite touches, etc. Actually, much of what Matsuri Hino presents is a blending of many styles, but an artist must take her influences and create something that is uniquely her own, even with its familiar elements. Hino has certainly done that.

The two-page spread on pp 40-41 is oddly familiar, with its wings-as-drapery, but Hino fans know this can only be Hino. Illustration meets fashion design, and the art of Vampire Knight is born. Vampire Knight fans, get this book. Clutch it to your bosoms. You might even want to… get down with it… so to speak.

A