I Reads You

Friday, October 14, 2011

VIZ Media Announces Weekly Digital Manga Magazine

VIZ MEDIA TO DEBUT WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA - NORTH AMERICA’S ONLY NEAR-SIMULTANEOUS DIGITAL MANGA MAGAZINE

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA Brings Fans The Most Popular Manga In The World Faster Than Ever Before

San Francisco, CA, October 14, 2011 – VIZ Media, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in the North America, announces the countdown to the launch of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA (WEEKLY SJ ALPHA), a weekly serial anthology of some of the most popular manga series in the world: BAKUMAN｡, BLEACH, NARUTO, NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN, ONE PIECE, and TORIKO. The first issue of WEEKLY SJ ALPHA goes on sale January 30, 2012, and will be available through VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga apps for iPhone™, iPod™ touch and iPad™.

Each new digital issue of WEEKLY SJ ALPHA brings manga fans in North America the latest chapters of their favorite series only two weeks after it debuts in Japan’s massively popular WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP Magazine. Currently, Japanese releases are often several months to years ahead of North American print titles; WEEKLY SJ ALPHA eliminates the delay in unprecedented fashion.

“Simultaneously publishing an official translation of the most popular comics magazine in the world has been a dream since manga publishing began in North America in the 1980s,” said Alvin Lu, Senior Vice President & General Manager. “This is how manga is meant to be read in English – weekly, current, authorized and on the go. Now with WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA, it’s about to happen for real.”

WEEKLY SJ ALPHA will be made available through an annual membership that provides access to 48 weekly issues for 52 weeks for just $25.99. Single issues of WEEKLY SJ ALPHA can be read for a four-week rental from the time the reader purchases it for only $0.99. Each issue, once received on one device, can be read on all other enabled devices through the easy-to-use integrated VIZ Manga app and website.

To prepare fans for the debut of WEEKLY SJ ALPHA, VIZ Media is also offering the SHONEN JUMP DIGITAL WARP, a limited collection of digital graphic novel speed-ups that will bring North American readers up-to-date with Japanese releases. In some cases, the digital speed-ups will jump ahead of the print releases in North America. The SHONEN JUMP DIGITAL WARP will begin with NARUTO Volume 53 (available now) and BLEACH Volume 49 (coming soon).

As more fans migrate to the digital WEEKLY SJ ALPHA edition, VIZ Media plans to phase out the print edition of SHONEN JUMP Magazine. The popular, one-of-a-kind monthly magazine led the rapid growth of the manga market for much of the last decade and was VIZ Media’s flagship publication since it launched in 2003. The farewell April 2012 issue hits newsstands March 2012.

For more information on WEEKLY SJ ALPHA and exclusive subscriber offers, please visit ShonenJump.viz.com or VIZManga.com.

The New 52 Review: DETECTIVE COMICS #2

DETECTIVE COMICS #2
DC COMICS

WRITER: Tony Salvador Daniel
PENCILS: Tony Salvador Daniel
INKS: Ryan Winn and Sandu Florea
COLORIST: Tomeu Morey
LETTERS: Jared K. Fletcher
COVER: Tony Salvador Daniel, Ryan Winn, and Tomeu Morey
32pp, Color, $2.99

The first issue of Detective Comics debuted with a March 1937 cover date, and two years later, the 27th issue (cover date May 1939) featured the debut of Batman/Bruce Wayne. Detective Comics would become the “DC” in DC Comics. In fact, DC Comics recently re-launched their superhero comic book line, “The New 52,” and that included a start-over for Detective Comics.

Detective Comics #2 (“Playtime’s Over”) opens with a meeting between Bruce Wayne and fellow CEO, Hugh Marder, before Bruce moves on to some playtime TV news vixen, Charlotte Rivers. Batman’s mind, however, is on the troubles at Arkham Asylum, particularly because someone released The Joker. Batman will get some answers but more questions when he runs into the Dollmaker and his motley gruesome crew.

After the talent and intensity writer/artist Tony Daniel showed in Detective Comics #1, I wondered if he could maintain that for a sustained period. There is only a slight letdown from #1 to #2, which is probably due to the fact that this issue’s hero/villain confrontation isn’t quite as powerful as the one between Batman and Joker in the first issue. Still, Detective Comics #2 is no slouch, as Daniel uses superhero conventions to write a story that is more of a dark crime thriller and horror story – think Chris Nolan’s Batman meets the Saw film franchise.

I still say that Daniel’s Detective Comics is the closest anyone has come to replicating the feel and tone of Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns and Batman: Year One. With a second issue down, Tony S. Daniel’s Detective Comics remains a winner.

A-

The New 52: The Complete Review List

Thursday, October 13, 2011

The New 52 Review: ALL STAR WESTERN #1

ALL STAR WESTERN #1
DC COMICS

WRITERS: Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
ARTIST: Moritat
COLORS: Gabriel Bautista
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
40pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

Jonah Hex is a Western comic book character who has appeared in multiple DC Comics publications, including his own series. Created by writer John Albano and artist Tony DeZuniga, Jonah Woodson Hex first appeared in advertisements for All-Star Western #10 which were published in various DC Comics titles with a November/December 1971 cover date.

Hex made his first appearance in a story in All-Star Western #10 (cover date February–March 1972). Hex is a bounty hunter whose face is horribly scarred on the right side, and while he is cynical with a surly personality, Hex lives by a personal code of honor to protect and avenge the innocent.

All-Star Western was the name of two comic book series published by DC Comics. Each series was a Western fiction omnibus featuring both continuing characters and backup features. The first series ran from 1951 to 1961, and the second from 1970 to 1972. A third volume of All-Star Western is part of “The New 52,” the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line. Jonah Hex also returns to the DCU, and he is the star of the new All Star Western.

All Star Western #1 opens in Gotham City of the 1880s. There is a killer loose – the Gotham Butcher. Doctor Amadeus Arkham is has been called to consult on a case that has thus far seen the gruesome murder of five prostitutes. Dr. Arkham has, in turn, called in Western bounty hunter, Jonah Hex, to help him in the apprehension of the Gotham Butcher, much to the chagrin of Police Chief John Cromwell. While their investigation takes them across the city, however, they find little info until they’re invited to a swanky party for Gotham’s power elite.

I first encountered Jimmy Palmiotti when he was Joe Quesada’s partner and inker. In recent years, I’ve read some comic books written by Palmiotti and his writing partner Justin Gray, which I’ve enjoyed (especially Time Bomb for Radical Publishing). As far as I’m concerned, Palmiotti could never ink again and I wouldn’t care if he continues to produce so many good comic books.

This Jonah Hex story is the anti-buddy movie the way the film Se7en was. Arkham and Hex may be working together, but they’re really not working together, at least not this early in the narrative. What makes this story so engaging is that Gray and Palmiotti carefully draw the characters, through their words and actions, which breathe life into many of this issue’s scenes. That makes everything seem more authentic. There are a few moments which are hackneyed and borrowed from other stories and even some moments that are corny who’s-toughest scenes.

As good as Gray and Palmiotti are, the star creator here is artist Moritat. Moritat is good with figure drawing and clothing, but he soars when depicting cityscapes, streets, neighborhoods, interiors, sets, various machines, and other background details. This issue opens with a fantastic splash page depicting a panorama of the Gotham train depot, with Gotham City in the background. This page recalls the opening cityscape shots in the film, Blade Runner, which is why I’d keep reading All Star Western just for Moritat.

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
FURY OF FIRESTORM #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/fury-of-firestorm-nuclear-men-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
SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/savage-hawkman-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

The New 52 Review: THE FURY OF FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MEN #1

"Two are better than one"

THE FURY OF FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MEN #1
DC COMICS

PLOT: Ethan Van Sciver and Gail Simone
SCRIPT: Gail Simone
ARTIST: Yildiray Cinar
COLORS: Steve Buccellato
LETTERS: Travis Lanham
COVER: Ethan Van Sciver with Hi-Fi
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

Firestorm is a superhero that was created by writer Gerry Conway and artist Al Milgrom and appears in comics published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in the short-lived series, Firestorm, The Nuclear Man #1 (cover date March 1978), and was the alter ego of two men, Ronnie Raymond and Martin Stein.

There was a second Firestorm series, Firestorm the Nuclear Man, and in issue #100 (cover date August 1990), Martin Stein became the sole identity behind Firestorm. In Firestorm #1 (cover date July 2004), the third series, African-American teenager, Jason Rusch, created by writer Dan Jolley and artist ChrisCross, became the new Firestorm. With the re-launch of the DC Comics superhero line, “The New 52,” a fourth Firestorm series arrives. This one stars Ronnie Raymond and Jason Rusch.

In The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men #1 (“God Particle”), two high school students, who think that they are each from a different side of the social divide (but really aren’t that far apart), are about to come together in an amazing way. Ronnie Raymond is the golden boy quarterback at Walton Mills High School; a full-ride college scholarship would help his mother, who is a single-parent. Jason Rusch works for the school newspaper and is also from a single-parent home, as he lives with his father.

Jason makes an enemy of Ronnie, but before they can settle their differences, an elite team of killers invades their school and starts killing people. Suddenly, Jason is forced to introduce Ronnie to the world of Firestorm.

Some of the characters in The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men #1 need a conflict resolution specialist; others just need a visit from the Navy SEALs. Seriously, this is such a conflict-driven comic book; some of the conflicts quite harrowing and others simply typical high school melodrama. Writing partners Ethan Van Sciver and Gail Simone are holding onto much of Firestorm’s past, as far as I can tell, but conflict and dramatic tension are the elements that will hold readers – not the mythos.

Series artist Yildiray Cinar, however, may be the one who leaves the most indelible mark on The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men. He has a traditional drawing style that would have fit in well with the first two Firestorm comic book series. Cinar apparently gets a kick out of drawing the Firestorms and it shows. Even colorist Steve Buccellato turns in his best work in this issue on the Firestorm pages, using fiery reds, oranges, and yellows that seem to burst off the page. The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men has the potential to be a top tier book about a second (or even third) tier character.

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
SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/savage-hawkman-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

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