Thursday, October 13, 2011

The New 52 Review: THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1

"Can't keep a good birdman down"

THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Tony S. Daniel
ARTIST: Philip Tan
COLORS: Sunny Gho
LETTERS: Travis Lanham
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

Hawkman is a superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Dennis Neville. He first appeared in Flash Comics #1 (cover date January 1940), published by All-American Publications, which would eventually merge with the company that would become DC Comics.

There have been several incarnations of the character, but the original Hawkman was the alter ego of Carter Hall. Each version of Hawkman wears artificial wings that are attached to a harness made from the special Nth metal that allows flight. With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” Carter Hall and Hawkman return in a new series.

The Savage Hawkman #1 (Hawkman Rising”) opens with noted cryptologist Carter Hall determined to get rid of his Hawkman identity – with fiery results. Meanwhile, his employer, Professor Ziegler, has made another stunning discovery beneath the waters off the Bermuda coast. The Professor and his team have found more than just another alien ship; they’ve also found Morphicius.

Writer Tony S. Daniel, who is doing wonders with the re-launched Detective Comics, gives Hawkman a clean start and perhaps, a clean break from the past. A new reader could figure out what’s going on and maybe even start to be interested in Hawkman. There should be more here, in terms of story; as usual, this is like a tease in the writing-for-the-trade method of comic book publishing. Still, what is here is intriguing.

Philip Tan’s art is nice, but the star here is the coloring by Sunny Gho. Gho’s work is like a color version of ink wash. This reminds me of some of the comic art that appeared in Warren Publishing’s horror comics. The Savage Hawkman, at least at this point, has the look of a horror comic book and having a unique look is what a Hawkman comic book needs.

B

September 28th
AQUAMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/aquaman-1.html
BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/batman-dark-knight-1.html
BLACKHAWKS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/blackhawks-1.html
FLASH #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/flash-1.html
GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/green-lantern-new-guardians-1.html
I VAMPIRE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/i-vampire-1.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/justice-league-dark-1.html
SUPERMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/superman-1.html
TEEN TITANS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/teen-titans-1.html
VOODOO #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/voodoo-1.html

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

The New 52 Review: GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS #1

"Lord of the Rings"

GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Tony Bedard
PENCILS: Tyler Kirkham
INKS: Batt
COLORS: Nei Ruffino
LETTERS: Dave Sharpe
COVER: Tyler Kirkham, Batt, and Rod Reis
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

Kyle Rayner first appeared in Green Lantern (Vol. 3) #48 (cover date January 1994). He replaced Hal Jordan as the Green Lantern (of Sector 2814) and held that position until the events of the miniseries, Green Lantern: Rebirth. Now, Rayner returns to Green Lantern status – Green Lantern of Sector 2814.4. With “The New 52,” DC Comics’ re-launch of its superhero line, Rayner headlines Green Lantern: New Guardians.

As Green Lantern: New Guardians #1 (“Part One”) opens, something bad has happened on Oa, and the Guardian, Ganthet, plans on making something good come of it. He chooses down-on-his-luck commercial artist, Kyle Rayner, as the latest member of the Green Lantern Corps. Meanwhile, power rings that tap into different portions of the emotional spectrum are decommissioning and abandoning their owner/wearers. So who is the replacement wearer for all these rings?

Apparently, Green Lantern: New Guardians is a team book starring Kyle Rayner (the Green Lantern of Sector 2814.4?) and representatives of each of the Corps that tap into a particular portion of the emotional spectrum. I can see this becoming my favorite Green Lantern series, even as much as I (thus far) like Green Lantern Corps. Series writer Tony Bedard injects humor, giving the portion of the Green Lantern mythos that he will direct a tweak without tearing it down to build something new.

Unlike the artists of Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps, New Guardians artist Tyler Kirkham is not trying to emulate Brian Bolland. Kirkham honed his skill in a Michael Turner mini-factory, and while his style still shows the influence of the late Mr. Turner, Kirkham can draw and has an imaginative sense of composition. There are a few very nice splash pages and double-page spreads, and also a way-cool body shot of the Star Sapphire known as Fatality.

Green Lantern: New Guardians essentially says that when it comes to Green Lantern comic books, three’s company – not a crowd.

B+

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

Wedding March Story

I read March Story, Vol. 3

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.


The New 52 Review: I, VAMPIRE #1

"Blood in, blood out"

I, VAMPIRE #1
DC COMICS

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

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

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

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

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

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

B

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

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 12 2011

DC COMICS

JUN110343 100 BULLETS HC BOOK 01 (MR) $49.99

MAR110352 ABSOLUTE IDENTITY CRISIS HC $99.99

FEB110281 AME COMI HEROINE MINI FIGURES SER 3 PI

AUG110280 AMERICAN VAMPIRE SURVIVAL OT FITTEST #5 (OF 5) (MR) $2.99

JUL118234 BATGIRL #1 3RD PTG $2.99

AUG110195 BATGIRL #2 $2.99

JUL118220 BATMAN AND ROBIN #1 2ND PTG $2.99

AUG110194 BATMAN AND ROBIN #2 $2.99

JUN110266 BATMAN ARKHAM CITY HC $22.99

MAR110413 BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE CLIFF CHIANG $80.00

JUL110250 BATMAN LIFE AFTER DEATH TP $14.99

JUL118221 BATWOMAN #1 2ND PTG $2.99

AUG110196 BATWOMAN #2 $2.99

JUN110271 BIRDS OF PREY HC VOL 02 DEATH OF ORACLE $24.99

AUG110239 DC COMICS PRESENTS BATMAN BLINK #1 $7.99

AUG110237 DC COMICS PRESENTS JLA AGE OF WONDER #1 $7.99

JUL118222 DEATHSTROKE #1 2ND PTG $2.99

AUG110219 DEATHSTROKE #2 $2.99

JUL118223 DEMON KNIGHTS #1 2ND PTG $2.99

AUG110216 DEMON KNIGHTS #2 $2.99

JUL118224 FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF SHADE #1 2ND PTG $2.99

AUG110213 FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF SHADE #2 $2.99

JUL118225 GREEN LANTERN #1 2ND PTG $2.99

AUG110202 GREEN LANTERN #2 $2.99

JUL118226 GRIFTER #1 2ND PTG $2.99

AUG110218 GRIFTER #2 $2.99

MAR110409 HEROES OF THE DCU BLACK LANTERN NEKRON BUST $70.00

FEB110278 INDIGO LANTERN 1/4 SCALE POWER BATTERY & RING PROP $35.00

JUN110278 JUSTICE LEAGUE GENERATION LOST HC VOL 02 $39.99

JUL118227 LEGION LOST #1 2ND PTG $2.99

AUG110230 LEGION LOST #2 $2.99

JUL118228 MISTER TERRIFIC #1 2ND PTG $2.99

AUG110173 MISTER TERRIFIC #2 $2.99

AUG110176 MY GREATEST ADVENTURE #1 (OF 6) $3.99

AUG110285 NORTHLANDERS #45 (MR) $2.99

JUL118229 RESURRECTION MAN #1 2ND PTG $2.99

AUG110215 RESURRECTION MAN #2 $2.99

AUG110208 SHADE #1 (OF 12) $2.99

JUL118230 SUICIDE SQUAD #1 2ND PTG $2.99

AUG110221 SUICIDE SQUAD #2 $2.99

JUL118231 SUPERBOY #1 2ND PTG $2.99

AUG110183 SUPERBOY #2 $2.99

JUL110260 SUPERMAN MON EL TP VOL 02 MAN OF VALOR $17.99

JUL110259 SUPERMAN NIGHTWING AND FLAMEBIRD TP VOL 02 $17.99

AUG110290 UNEXPECTED #1 (MR) $7.99

AUG110292 UNWRITTEN #30 (MR) $2.99

JUL110263 VICTORIAN UNDEAD II TP SHERLOCK HOLMES VS DRACULA $14.99

MAY110280 WORLD OF WARCRAFT CURSE OF THE WORGEN HC $22.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 12 2011

MARVEL COMICS

AUG110620 ALL WINNERS SQUAD BAND OF HEROES #5 (OF 8) $2.99

AUG110634 ALPHA FLIGHT #5 $2.99

AUG110597 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #671 SPI $3.99

AUG110602 BLACK PANTHER MOST DANGEROUS MAN ALIVE #524 SPI $2.99

AUG110663 DAKEN DARK WOLVERINE #15 $2.99

AUG110716 DOCTOR STRANGE TP STRANGE TALES $29.99

AUG110571 FEAR ITSELF HULK VS DRACULA #3 (OF 3) FEAR $2.99

AUG110639 FF #10 $2.99

AUG110657 GENERATION HOPE #12 $2.99

AUG110581 GHOST RIDER #4 FEAR $2.99

AUG110722 INVADERS NOW TP $19.99

AUG110591 JOHN CARTER OF MARS WORLD OF MARS #1 (OF 5) $3.99

AUG110643 LEGION OF MONSTERS #1 (OF 4) $3.99

AUG110721 MARVEL FIRSTS 1960S TP $29.99

MAY110718 MMW INCREDIBLE HULK HC VOL 06 $59.99

MAY110719 MMW INCREDIBLE HULK HC VOL 06 DM VAR ED 167 $59.99

AUG110614 NEW AVENGERS #17 $3.99

AUG110704 NEW MUTANTS PREM HC UNFINISHED BUSINESS $19.99

AUG110711 NEW X-MEN BY GRANT MORRISON GN TP BOOK 06 $14.99

AUG110626 PUNISHER #4 $2.99

AUG110677 PUNISHERMAX #18 (MR) $3.99

AUG110705 PUNISHERMAX PREM HC FRANK $24.99

AUG110644 SHIELD #3 (OF 6) $2.99

AUG110679 STAND NIGHT HAS COME #3 (OF 6) $3.99

AUG110628 SUPER HEROES #19 $2.99

AUG110732 ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS BLADE VS AVENGERS TP $19.99

AUG110596 ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #3 $3.99

AUG110595 ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN #2 $3.99

AUG110671 UNCANNY X-FORCE #16 $3.99

AUG110731 WARRIORS THREE TP DOG DAY AFTERNOON $15.99

AUG110737 WOLVERINE AND X-MEN BY NICK BRADSHAW OVERSIZED POSTER $34.99

MAY110713 WOLVERINE BY JASON AARON OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 $99.99

AUG110670 X-MEN EVOLUTIONS #1 $3.99

AUG110658 X-MEN LEGACY #257 $2.99

AUG110707 X-MEN LEGACY LOST LEGIONS PREM HC $19.99

AUG110651 X-MEN REGENESIS #1 $3.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for October 12 2011

IDW PUBLISHING

AUG118097 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ONGOING #1 2ND $3.99

AUG118103 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ONGOING #2 2ND $3.99

AUG110382 BLOOM COUNTY COMPLETE LIBRARY HC VOL 05 $39.99

AUG110384 COMPLETE CHESTER GOULDS DICK TRACY HC VOL 12 $39.99

AUG110364 DEAD RISING ROAD TO FORTUNE #1 (OF 4) $3.99

JUN110468 EDGAR ALLAN POE THE RAVEN & OTHER STORIES HC (O/A) $16.99

AUG110320 GHOSTBUSTERS ONGOING #2 $3.99

AUG110338 GI JOE V2 ONGOING TP VOL 01 COBRA CIVIL WAR $17.99

JUL110382 INFESTATION OUTBREAK #4 (OF 4) $3.99

JUL110325 JOE HILL THE CAPE #2 (OF 4) $3.99

AUG110356 JURASSIC PARK DANGEROUS GAMES #2 (OF 5) $3.99

JUL110391 KEEP HC $24.99

JUN110465 LITTLE JACKIE LANTERN HC BOARD BOOK $7.99

AUG110398 RIP HAYWIRE TP $19.99

JUN110390 TRANSFORMERS CLASSICS UK TP VOL 01 $29.99

AUG110395 ZOMBIES VS ROBOTS UNDERCITY HC $24.99