Review: STELLAR #1

STELLAR No. 1
IMAGE COMICS/Skybound – @ImageComics @Skybound

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Joseph Keatinge
ART: Bret Blevins
COLORS: Bret Blevins
LETTERS: Rus Wooton
EDITOR: Sean Mackiewicz
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2018)

Rated T / Teen Plus

Stellar created by Robert Kirkman and Marc Silvestri

Stellar is a new comic book series created by Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead) and Marc Silvestri (Uncanny X-Men, Cyberforce).  It is based on Pilot Season: Stellar (cover dated: July 2010), one of many one-shot comic books that Silvestri's company, Top Cow Productions, published under the title, Pilot Season, which introduced new comic book characters and concepts.

Stellar the comic book series focuses on a young woman who was an “ultimate weapon,” meant to end an intergalactic war, but who is now a bounty hunter.  Stellar is written by Joseph Keatinge; drawn and colored by Bret Blevins; and lettered by Rus Wooton.

Stellar #1 introduces a young woman known only as “Stellar.”  She is now a bounty hunter, scouring broken worlds for high-value bounties.  However, those worlds are broken partly because of her; Stellar was once a child transformed into the ultimate weapon, one that would end an intergalactic war.  Stellar searches for redemption, but her past has come back to fight her.

Stellar #1 has some striking graphics.  Bret Blevins (New Mutants; Sleepwalker) offers quirky illustrations, and his coloring ranges from radiant to muted and painterly.  Blevins work here makes me think of late 1970s and early 1980s Heavy Metal comics.  Rus Wooton's lettering itself has a illustrative quality.  Together, Blevins and Wooton present one impressive graphics package.

As for the story, I think of 1980s science fiction and fantasy comics published by independent comic book publishers, such as Alien Encounters (FantaCo Enterprises and Eclipse Comics), Dalgoda (Fantagraphics Books), and Alien Fire (Kitchen Sink Press), to name a few.  I am intrigued by Stellar #1, although I do not think that the narrative contents of this first issue are strong enough to make for an exceptional or particularly special first issue.

6 out of 10

[This comic book has a preview of Outpost Zero by Sean Kelley McKeever, Alexandre Tefenkgi, and Jean-Francois Beaulieu.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

-------------------------

Review: DOMINO #1

DOMINO No. 1 (2018)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Gail Simone
ART: David Baldéon
COLORS: Jesus Aburtov
LETTERS: Clayton Cowles
EDITOR: Chris Robinson
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida
COVER: Greg Land with Frank D'Armata
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Elsa Charretier with Matthew Wilson; David Baldéon with Jesus Aburtov; Pretend comic book artist-J. Scott Campbell with Sabine Rich; Rob Liefeld
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2018)

“Killer Instinct” Part One

Neena Thurman a.k.a. Domino is a Marvel Comics character.  The character was created by artist Rob Liefeld and writer Fabian Nicieza.  A version of Domino first appeared in New Mutants #98 (cover dated: February 1991); then, the “real” version of the character first appeared in X-Force #8 (cover dated: March 1992).  Domino is a mutant best known for her association with the team, X-Force.

Although Domino has been the title character in two miniseries, the character is finally the star of her own ongoing comic book series.  Entitled Domino, it is written by Gail Simone; drawn by David Baldéon; colored by Jesus Aburtov; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.

Domino #1 finds Domino and “Crazy” Inez Temple a.k.a. “Outlaw” in the Pacific Northwest.  They are supposedly here because they have been hired to take care of some mobsters, but this is really a setup for an attack on them.  And it's Neena Thurman's birthday...

I am a fan of Gail Simone, and I am currently enjoying her Image Comics series, Crosswind, and her current miniseries for Dynamite Entertainment, Red Sonja / Tarzan, both of which had excellent first issues.  Domino #1 is a mediocre first issue.

Simone has publicly stated that many comic books suffer from poor character development.  The problem with Domino #1 is that its title character is not much of a character.  Domino is at best a supporting character, but Marvel Comics has spent much of the last four decades publishing miniseries and regular series starring just about any character that shows any measurable popularity with fans.  So Domino #1 stars a character who, after more than a quarter century, is not much more than the sketch that first appeared in Rob Liefeld's sketchbook.  And Gail Simone, who is excellent at giving comic book characters character, may not be able to change that.

As for the graphics team, David Baldéon has been a rising star; Domino #1 is air turbulence for him, a step back from his excellent, hot wire art on the recent Spirits of Vengeance miniseries.  For colorist Jesus Aburtov and letterer Clayton Cowles, Domino #1 is an average output.  “Serviceable” is the word to describe Domino #1.  I do not hold out hope that the series will get better.

5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and  syndication rights and fees.

-------------------------

Review: DAYTIME SHOOTING STAR Volume 1

DAYTIME SHOOTING STAR, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Mika Yamamori
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
LETTERS: Inori Fukuda Trant
EDITOR: Nancy Thislethwaite
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0667-9; paperback (July 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Daytime Shooting Star is a shojo manga from creator Mika Yamamori.  The series was originally serialized in The Margaret, a Japanese manga magazine, from 2011 to 2014.  VIZ Media is publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a graphic novel series, entitled Daytime Shooting Star.

Daytime Shooting Star, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 7) introduces 15-year-old Suzume Yosano, a girl who lives in a small rural town that does not have convenience stores, cafés, or traffic lights.  When her parents suddenly announce that they are moving to Bangladesh, they also tell that Suzume that she will be moving to Tokyo to live with her uncle, Yukichi Kumamoto.

Not long after arriving in Tokyo, Suzume has a fainting spell.  She is rescued by a odd young man, who turns out to have a surprising connection to her uncle and to her high school.

In some ways, the Daytime Shooting Star manga is a typical high school shojo manga.  It is about a girl who falls in love, after all.

Daytime Shooting Star Graphic Novel Volume 1, however, strikes many odd and offbeat notes.  I don't want to spoil anything just yet, but Suzume's new Tokyo home offers surprising relationships.  Suzume even forces a taciturn boy to be her friend, and she also makes a “frenemy.” And there is a shocking confrontation.

Mika Yamamori's wide-open illustration style and pretty figure drawing (especially the nice-looking characters who have big eyes) are attractive on the page.  As far as the art goes, Daytime Shooting Star reminds me of Io Sakisaka's Ao Haru Ride.  As for the story, JN Productions throws down a tart translation that captures the narrative's edginess which bubbles beneath the surface.  I think shojo fans will latch onto this series, especially for its potential to surprise.

8 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

-------------------------

Review: HELLBOURNE #1

HELLBOURNE No. 1
APPROBATION COMICS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: B. Alex Thompson – @ApproBAT
ART: Rowel Roque and Jethro Morales
COLORS: Ronson Edulan
LETTERS: Krugos
EDITORS: John P. Ward and Denise Thompson
COVER: Jethro Morales with Alivón Ortíx
32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. / $1.99 U.S. comiXology; (2017; digital release date – June 14, 2017)

Rated: “M” for Mature / 17+ Only – comiXology rating

Hellbourne is an action and horror comic book series.  It is created by B. Alex Thompson and is published by his company, Approbation Comics.  The series focuses on the violence and chaos that ensue when demonic creatures emerge from a large hole in the middle of an urban highway.  The first issue is written by B. Alex Thompson; drawn by Rowel Roque and Jethro Morales; colored by Ronson Edulan; and lettered by Krugos.

Hellbourne #1 opens in an unnamed city, where, on a major highway, there is an enormous hole.  No one knows what caused this hole, but city workers investigating the hole become snacks for the creatures that emerge.  It seems that Earth is about to turned into Abaddon, the Tenth Circle of Hell.

Now, an angel and a demon, both leading their respective charges, find that being on Earth gives each of them that familiar feeling.  Even the U.S. Army has difficulty fighting this demonic invasion.  And how do Justin Foster and his younger sister, Amber, fit into all this?

First, I have to say that I really like the art team of Rowel Roque and Jethro Morales.  This duo's Hellbourne work is quite polished, and they could certainly draw for one of Diamond Distributors' premiere publishers.  Their storytelling here is good, and Ronson Edulan's pretty coloring creates shifting moods and changes in atmosphere that heighten the drama of the story.

I am intrigued by the premise B. Alex Thompson offers in Hellbourne.  However, as always, his vibrant character writing makes this worth reading.  Thompson has been writing bold, non-super-powered female characters for two decades, but because Thompson is not a fan-favorite comic book writer, he does not get credit for that.  Still, the proof is in his delicious flavors of Approbation pudding.

Well, Hellbourne is a good place to discover Thompson's engaging characters.  And there looks to be some excellent hell-born hellraisin' fun to be had with this series.

8.5 out of 10

Buy Hellbourne #1 at comiXology.

www.ApprobationComics.com
www.AlexThompsonWriter.com

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint or syndication rights and fees.

----------------------

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for August 7, 2019

BOOM! STUDIOS

MAY199123    ANGEL #2 2ND PTG    $3.99
JUN191267    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #7 CVR A MAIN ASPINALL    $3.99
JUN191268    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #7 CVR B WADA    $3.99
JUN191269    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #7 CVR C LIAO    $3.99
JUN191270    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #7 CVR D PREORDER CAREY VAR    $3.99
MAY199121    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #7 FOC MERCADO SLAYER VAR    $3.99
MAY199122    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #7 FOC MERCADO VAMP VAR    $3.99
JUN191304    GIANT DAYS #53    $3.99
APR191204    MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS SHATTERED GRID TP    $29.99
MAY199124    OVER GARDEN WALL SOULFUL SYMPHONIES #1 (OF 5) BLANK VAR    $3.99
JUN191276    OVER GARDEN WALL SOULFUL SYMPHONIES #1 (OF 5) CVR A YOUNG (C    $3.99
JUN191277    OVER GARDEN WALL SOULFUL SYMPHONIES #1 (OF 5) CVR B FULLERTO    $3.99
JUN191278    OVER GARDEN WALL SOULFUL SYMPHONIES #1 (OF 5) PREORDER PENA    $3.99
MAY199125    RONIN ISLAND #5 FOC ANKA VAR    $3.99
JUN191272    RONIN ISLAND #5 MAIN    $3.99
JUN191273    RONIN ISLAND #5 PREORDER YOUNG VAR    $3.99
APR191222    WOODS YEARBOOK ED TP VOL 02    $29.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 7, 2019

DARK HORSE COMICS

APR190292    ALIENS TP RESISTANCE    $17.99
JUN190273    BERSERKER UNBOUND #1 (OF 4) CVR A DEODATO    $3.99
JUN190274    BERSERKER UNBOUND #1 (OF 4) CVR B MIGNOLA    $3.99
APR190303    ISABELLAE HC VOL 01    $29.99
JUN198007    NO ONE LEFT TO FIGHT #1 (OF 5) 2ND PTG    $3.99
JUN190344    NO ONE LEFT TO FIGHT #2 (OF 5)    $3.99
APR190247    SNOW GLASS APPLES HC    $17.99
APR190305    SPIRITS OF DEAD TP SECOND EDITION    $19.99
NOV180215    TERMINATOR SECTOR WAR TP    $17.99
JUN190395    UMBRELLA ACADEMY PATCH CREST LOGO    $7.99
JUN190392    UMBRELLA ACADEMY PATCH KRAKEN SKULL LOGO    $6.99
JUN190393    UMBRELLA ACADEMY PATCH RUMOR R LOGO    $6.99
JUN190394    UMBRELLA ACADEMY PATCH UMBRELLA LOGO    $6.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 7, 2019

DC COMICS

MAY190475    AQUAMAN HC VOL 01 UNSPOKEN WATER    $24.99
JUN190478    BATMAN #76 CARD STOCK VAR ED YOTV DARK GIFTS    $4.99
JUN190477    BATMAN #76 YOTV DARK GIFTS    $3.99
JUN190483    BATMAN TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES III #4 (OF 6)    $3.99
JUN190484    BATMAN TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES III #4 (OF 6) VAR ED    $3.99
JUN190489    DCEASED #4 (OF 6)    $3.99
JUN190491    DCEASED #4 (OF 6) CARD STOCK HORROR VAR ED    $4.99
JUN190490    DCEASED #4 (OF 6) CARD STOCK VAR ED    $4.99
JUN190493    DEATHSTROKE #46 VAR ED YOTV DARK GIFTS    $3.99
JUN190492    DEATHSTROKE #46 YOTV DARK GIFTS    $3.99
JUN190499    DOOM PATROL WEIGHT OF THE WORLDS #2 (MR)    $3.99
JUN190500    DOOM PATROL WEIGHT OF THE WORLDS #2 VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
JUN190501    DREAMING #12 (MR)    $3.99
JUN190509    GREEN LANTERN #10    $3.99
JUN190510    GREEN LANTERN #10 CARD STOCK VAR ED    $4.99
JUN190512    HARLEY QUINN #64 VAR ED YOTV DARK GIFTS    $3.99
JUN190511    HARLEY QUINN #64 YOTV DARK GIFTS    $3.99
JUN190517    JUSTICE LEAGUE #29 VAR ED YOTV DARK GIFTS    $3.99
JUN190516    JUSTICE LEAGUE #29 YOTV DARK GIFTS    $3.99
MAY190492    JUSTICE THE DELUXE EDITION HC    $49.99
JUN190524    LOIS LANE #2 (OF 12)    $3.99
JUN190525    LOIS LANE #2 (OF 12) VAR ED    $3.99
MAY190503    SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP DOOMED TP    $12.99
JUN190462    SINESTRO YEAR OF THE VILLAIN #1    $4.99
JUN190555    SUPERMAN UP IN THE SKY #2 (OF 6)    $4.99
MAY190525    WONDER WOMAN BY GREG RUCKA TP VOL 03    $29.99