I posted a review at the ComicBookBin, which is seeking donations. Follow me on Twitter or at Grumble.
Monday, March 9, 2015
Deadman Wonderland: Ninben
I read Deadman Wonderland, Vol. 7
I posted a review at the ComicBookBin, which is seeking donations. Follow me on Twitter or at Grumble.
I posted a review at the ComicBookBin, which is seeking donations. Follow me on Twitter or at Grumble.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
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.
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Review: NEON GENESIS EVANGELION Volume 14
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia
STORY/ART: Yoshiyuki Sadamoto
ORIGINAL CONCEPT: khara
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: John Werry, Evan Galloway
LETTERS: John Clark
ISBN: 978-1-4215-7835-4; paperback (February 2015); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK
Neon Genesis Evangelion is a long-running manga series that is tied to the beloved anime series of the same title. Written and drawn by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, the manga was initially released in 1994 (in Shonen Ace magazine) before the anime debuted (October 1995), but the anime ended 15 years before the manga finally concluded in 2013. VIZ Media recently published the 14th and final English-language graphic novel collection of Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Neon Genesis Evangelion is the story of humans at war with hostile beings called Angels. The human side of this conflict is led by the paramilitary organization, NERV. The Earth is defended by giant mecha called Evangelions (also known as “EVA” and “Evas”) that are piloted by teenagers. The lead character is Shinji Ikari (who is 14-years-old when the story begins); he is the pilot of EVA “Unit-01.”
Shinji's father, Gendo Ikari, NERV Supreme Commander, initiated the final phase of the Instrumentality Project. As Neon Genesis Evangelion, Vol. 14 (Chapters 91 to 95 to the Final Chapter) opens, things have not gone according to Gendo's plan. The Instrumentality Project reaches its apocalyptic conclusion.
Earth is now the “Sea of LCL,” as every human consciousness in the world has become one. It is a combined entity waiting to be reborn. In this, the source of life, Shinji and Rei Ayanami meet, and have a meeting of the minds and bodies. Shinji makes a decision about the future and about what it means to feel love and despair. Also, Yui and Gendo, Shinji's parents, reunite.
[This volume includes the extra chapter, “Eden in Summer.”]
The Neon Genesis Evangelion manga was my first experience with the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise. I read Volumes 12 and 13 of the manga, and I liked 12 more than I did 13. Neon Genesis Evangelion Volume 14 is the final volume of this series. Like Vol. 13, this final volume reminds me of Stanley Kubrick’s film, 2001: A Space Odyssey. I would like to think that Yoshiyuki Sadamoto would be the perfect comics creator to adapt 2001 into comics.
Neon Genesis Evangelion Volume 14 is one of the most beautifully drawn final volumes of a manga that I have ever read (and it may be the most). Without spoiling the story, I must say that I am quite happy with this ending. Part bittersweet and mostly lyrically beauty, it speaks truth about what what it means to live a life that involves living with other people. The same hand that can hurt can also love. I think I want to start anew and read Neon Genesis Evangelion all over again.
A
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux
The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.
Friday, March 6, 2015
Review: THE ADVENTURES OF NIKKI HARRIS THE CYBERMATION WITCH #6
CANDLE LIGHT PRESS/Warning Comics – @candlelightpres @attila71
CARTOONIST: Carter Allen – @attila71
28pp, Colors, $2.99 U.S. (2015)
“Attack of the Hunter”
Indie comic's top space opera heroine is back, bringing with her a unique, full-color blend of sci-fi and superhero humor. Nikki Harris the Cybermation Witch returns with a new issue of her comic book for the first time since 2013. This return, however, could mean the end for the woman who is the bane of every Voyd's existence.
As The Adventures of Nikki Harris the Cybermation Witch #6 (“Attack of the Hunter”) opens, Nikki returns to Earth. In her last adventure, she stopped Nautilie's machinations on the planet, Qua. There is no rest for the weary, however, as a mysterious nemesis has sought the services of an assassin to kill Nikki. Our heroine could use a break and a pick-me-up, but Tile the Hunter strikes hard at Nikki. And for the first time, Nikki looks like she may not come out on top.
After two years, The Adventures of Nikki Harris the Cybermation Witch the comic book makes a welcomed return. Writer-artist Carter Allen's digitally-produced, full color comic book is always a fun read. I wish it was published with more frequency. The series is ready to make its next big step into the consciousness of the comic book reading public.
One of the things about superhero comic books is that the reader wants to believe in the peril that his or her favorite hero faces is real, although we know that, in the end, the hero will survive. As I read issue six, I believed that Tile the Hunter could be the end of Nikki Harris. Bravo! I am glad that Tile is, one on one, more than a match for Nikki. After the first five issues, it is good to see that #6 is the beginning of a new and more dangerous era for Nikki.
Now, is a good time for new readers to start loving her. And Nikki will love you back... long time – in a comic book reading sort of way.
A
http://candlelightpress.tumblr.com/
www.nikkithewitch.com
www.warningcomics.com
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux
The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Food Wars: Resemblances
I read Food Wars!, Vol. 4: Shokugeki no Soma
I posted a review at the ComicBookBin, which is seeking donations. Follow me on Twitter or at Grumble.
I posted a review at the ComicBookBin, which is seeking donations. Follow me on Twitter or at Grumble.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
I Reads You Review: GOTHAM ACADEMY #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics
STORY: Becky Cloonan and Brenden Fletcher – @beckycloonan @BrendenFletcher
ART: Karl Kerschl – @karlkerschl
COLORS: Geyser with Dave McCaig
LETTERS: Steve Wands
COVER: Karl Kerschl
VARIANT COVER: Becky Cloonan
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (December 2014)
Rated “T” for “Teen”
“Welcome to Gotham Academy”
Gotham Academy is a recently launched DC Comics titled aimed at teen readers. The series is written by Becky Cloonan and Brendan Fletcher, drawn by Karl Kerschl, colored by Geyser (with Dave McCaig), and lettered by Steve Wands.
Gotham Academy #1 (“Welcome to Gotham Academy”) opens just outside the Headmaster's office of Gotham Academy. No one is really in trouble. Headmaster Hammer simply wants second year student, Olive Silverlock, to act as “nanny” (chaperon) to first-year student, Maps Mizoguchi. Maps just happens to be the younger sister of Olive's boyfriend (ex-boyfriend?), Kyle. Chaperoning the little sister is going to be the least of Olive's problems.
Let's be straight, dear reader. Gotham Academy is a girl's comic book, and that is a good thing. What writers Becky Cloonan and Brendan Fletcher have done is show that with imagination, the most traditional aspects and elements of DC Comics mythologies and properties can yield something for just about any reader. And that can be done without transforming the central property, in this case Batman, into something alien. Gotham Academy is simply a small country in the world of Batman. It is a boarding school story with elements of mystery and adventure, genres and sub-genres that are familiar to most people who have been regular readers throughout their lives.
So, Gotham Academy is for everyone – for everyone who wants it. In the meantime, with its female lead and mostly female supporting cast (so far), this comic book is aimed at teen girls, a demographic that producers of comic books in America should be trying to attract. Still, fans of everything Batman can find something to love about this enticing title.
Gotham Academy is an especially good read, and I certainly want to read more. Karl Kerschl's quirky graphic style, his energetic graphic design and layouts, and his sparkling graphical storytelling will hook readers into attending this boarding school. Like another famous boarding school, it has an alluring sense of mystery, wonder, and darkness about it.
A
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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