Saturday, September 7, 2019

Review: INCREDIBLES 2: Crisis in Mid-Life and Other Stories #1

INCREDIBLES 2: CRISIS IN MID-LIFE! & OTHER STORIES No. 1 (OF 3)
DARK HORSE COMICS/Disney Comics – @DarkHorseComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

SCRIPT: Christos Gage; Landry Q. Walker
LAYOUT: Emilio Urbano
PENCILS: Gurihiru; J. Bone; Andrea Greppi
INKS: Gurihiru; J. Bone; Roberta Zanotta
COLORS: Gurihiru; Dan Jackson; Angela Capolupo
LETTERS: Richard Starkings & Comicraft's Jimmy Betancourt; Chris Dickey
EDITOR: Freddye Miller
COVER: Gurihiru
VARIANT COVER: J. Bone with Dan Jackson
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2018)

Disney/Pixar's The Incredibles is a 2004 computer-animated film written and directed by Brad Bird.  The Oscar-winning film focuses on the Parr Family, a family blessed with super-powers, as they unite to face a vengeful foe.  This year saw the release of the long-awaited sequel film, Incredibles 2, also written and directed by Brad Bird.

The nominal head of the family is husband and father, Bob Parr, a.k.a. "Mr. Incredible," whose powers include “mega-strength and invulnerability.”  Wife and mother, Helen, a.k.a. “Elastigirl,” has the power to bend, stretch and twist into any form.  Eldest child and only daughter, Violet, has the power to become invisible and to create force fields.  Son and middle child, Dashiell, a.k.a. “Dash,” has the power of super-speed.  Baby and eventually toddler son, Jack-Jack Parr, is a polymorph and has an array of powers, some of which have not yet been revealed.

The Parrs are the superhero team, The Incredibles, with the parents portrayed as being middle-aged and having been superheroes since they were at least in their twenties.  Lucius Best, a.k.a. “Frozone,” is Bob's best friend and a superhero with the power to freeze water and ambient moisture in the air into various shapes and forms – from a small ball of ice to huge sheets of ice.

Dark Horse Comics published a four-issue comic book adaptation of the first film as The Incredibles (2004).  In 2009, BOOM! Studios published a four-issue miniseries, The Incredibles: Family Matters #0-3.  BOOM decided to make The Incredibles an ongoing series that began with the issue #4, and the series continued into 2010 before ending with issue #15.

The Incredibles return to comic books this year (2018) via Dark Horse Comics with the new three-issue miniseries, Incredibles 2: Crisis in Mid-Life! & Other Stories.  [This is not a comic book adaptation of the film, Incredibles 2.]   The main story, “Crisis in Mid-Life!” is written by Christos Gage; drawn and colored by Gurihiru; and lettered by Jimmy Betancourt.

Incredibles 2: Crisis in Mid-Life! & Other Stories #1 opens with Mr. Incredible receiving an honor he once did as a much younger superhero.  This time the ceremony ends with decidedly different results.  So now, it is time for a midlife crisis, but Bob Parr takes it in stride and initiates a plan to pass his super-heroing knowledge and skills onto the next generations – his kids Violet and Dash!

Also, Bob's silly bedtime story (with some fibbing) for Jack-Jack turns into the beginning of a true story for Violet and Dash in “Bedtime Story.”  “In a Relaxing Day at the Park,” Jack-Jack comes to the rescue of a fellow toddler who is in distress, while Papa Parr gets some rest.

The respective creative teams on the three stories in Incredibles 2: Crisis in Mid-Life! & Other Stories #1 do such good jobs that I hope publishing Incredibles comic books will be a long-term project for Dark Horse Comics.  Christos Cage captures the spirit of the Incredibles films and the personalities of the characters in his two stories (“Crisis in Mid-Life!” and “Bedtime Story”).  Landry Q. Walker reproduces the magic that is Jack-Jack in the vignette “A Relaxing Day at the Park.”

The artists and colorists each present their own unique take on the visual and graphical elements of the Incredibles, but stay true to the look of the films.  Letterers Jimmy Betancourt and Chris Dickey deliver fonts that recall the lettering in classic 1960s Marvel Comics titles.

I have been careful in this review to be vague about many details of the stories contained in the first issue, but trust me, dear readers, Incredibles 2: Crisis in Mid-Life! & Other Stories #1 is true Incredibles.  Hopefully, this comic book will become the standard of what it means to be a true Incredibles comic book.

9 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.

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Friday, September 6, 2019

Review: STAR WARS: Age of Rebellion - Lando Calrissian #1

STAR WARS: AGE OF REBELLION – LANDO CALRISSIAN No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Greg Pak
ART: Matteo Buffagni
COLORS: Tamra Bonvillain
LETTERS: VC's Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Mark Paniccia
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Terry Dodson with Rachel Dodson
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Mike McKone with Guru eFX; Nilo Rodis-Jamero (Concept Design Variant Artist)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2019)

Rated T

“Cloud City Blues”

Lando Calrissian is one of the most beloved characters in the Star Wars film series.  However, Lando had a controversial start in the 1980 film, The Empire Strikes Back (also known as Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back or simply, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back).

Marvel Comics is currently publishing a new Star Wars maxi-series project that comprises three books:  Star Wars: Age of Republic, Star Wars: Age of Rebellion, and Star Wars: Age of Resistance.  This project will span 30 issues in total (reportedly), with each issue spotlighting one hero or villain from one of three particular Star Wars eras:  Republic (prequel trilogy), Rebellion (original trilogy), and Resistance (sequel trilogy).

Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Lando Calrissian #1 is a new release in the Age of Rebellion series.  It is written by Greg Pak; drawn by Matteo Buffagni; colored by Tamra Bonvillain, and lettered by Travis Lanham.  The story finds Lando trying to take care of his money problems while dealing with his bad luck that often ruins his plans.

Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Lando Calrissian #1 (“Cloud City Blues”) opens on Cloud City, the gas mining facility that floats above the planet Bespin.  Former smuggler Lando Calrissian is now Cloud City's “Baron Administrator.”  Calrissian has a beautiful dream of a life of leisure and luxury and of being totally legitimate, but he has money problems.  Along with his cyborg aide, Lobot, Lando becomes involved in a scam that will gain him the fantastic wealth and the peace of mind that comes with it, except that his bad luck won't make it that easy.

Since Marvel Comics started publishing Star Wars comic books again (in 2015), the publisher has given us two Lando Calrissian miniseries and now this one-shot comic book.  Charles Soule and Alex Maleev's 2015 miniseries, Lando, remains one of Marvel's best Star Wars publications.  2018's Lando: Double or Nothing, a tie-in to the 2018 film, Solo: A Star Wars Story, is an average work with some entertaining moments.

Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Lando Calrissian #1 falls somewhere between.  As far as the story, “Cloud City Blues” is average like Lando: Double or Nothing.  It is filler material that finds the character to be in the same place, in the end, as he was in the beginning. The best writer Greg Pak seems able to do here is say that Lando is a rogue with a heart of gold and possessing some morals and ethics.  But I am always happy to see Lando's cyborg aide, Lobot, whose only film appearance was in The Empire Strikes Back.

On the art side, Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Lando Calrissian #1 is closer to Alex Maleev's fantastic work on the 2015 miniseries.  Artist Matteo Buffagni's clean line work and smooth brushstroke create comic book art that is classic cool science fiction.  As Maleev had colorist Paul Mounts, Buffagni also has a talented comic book colorist in Tamra Bonvillain.  Travis Lanham does fine lettering for this comic book, the same way he has been doing for other AOR titles.

So yes, I found things to like in Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Lando Calrissian #1.  As a Lando comic book, it, like Lando: Double or Nothing, is a missed opportunity.

6 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 reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Thursday, September 5, 2019

Review: CATWOMAN #1 (2018)

CATWOMAN No. 1 (2018)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Joelle Jones
ART: Joelle Jones
COLORS: Laura Allred
LETTERS: Josh Reed
EDITOR: Jamie S. Rich
COVER: Joelle Jones with Laura Allred
VARIANT COVER: Stanley “Artgerm” Lau
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (November 2016)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Batman created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane

“Copycats” Part 1

I will start off with a spoiler.  In case you, dear reader, did not know, Catwoman and Batman did not get married.  After 25 issues of filler stories about the complexities and weirdness of their engagement, Catwoman realized that if she married Bruce Wayne, he would stop being Batman.  And the world needs Batman.

Now, Catwoman has a new ongoing comic book series, and yes, dear reader, the first issue is worth your time and money.

Catwoman is a DC Comics villain/anti-heroine most commonly associated with the DC Comics superhero, Batman (in case you, dear reader, did not know). Catwoman was created by Batman's creators, writer Bill Finger and artist Bob Kane.  Catwoman made her debut under the name, “the Cat” in Batman #1 (cover dated: June 1940).  “The Cat” was really Selina Kyle, a Gotham City burglar, and she would go on to be Batman/Bruce Wayne's most enduring love interest.

The new Catwoman comic book is written and drawn by Joëlle Jones.  The creative team is filled out be colorist, Laura Allred, and letterer, Josh Reed.

Catwoman #1 opens with Selina Kyle enjoying time at the gambling table, while Catwoman shoots two police officers to death!  Suddenly a hunted woman, Selina discovers that she is wanted as both Catwoman and in her civilian identity.  Who is behind this?  Well, it isn't just one person...

I was cynical about Catwoman #1.  I have mixed feelings about Joëlle Jones.  I like some of her art.  I have no feelings about some of it.  And I think the rest is ugly.

However, I feel invigorated after reading Catwoman #1.  The story really takes off, and Jones tells a it in a graphical language that is like a cat bounding from one hot tin roof to another.  Jones plays off Catwoman's natural sultriness and sexiness, but presents her as a character always in motion.  The story moves in that manner.

Laura Allred's almost-flat coloring gives the illustrations a visual appearance that blends art deco and an urban grittiness that is not quite Film-Noir.  Josh Reed's lettering is solid, but not spectacular, which is a good thing.  He should not get in the way of these killer creative ladies, Jones and Allred.

8 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.

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Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Review: STAR WARS: Age of Rebellion - Han Solo #1

STAR WARS: AGE OF REBELLION – HAN SOLO No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Greg Pak
PENCILS: Chris Sprouse
INKS: Karl Story
COLORS: Tamra Bonvillain
LETTERS: VC's Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Mark Paniccia
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Terry Dodson with Rachel Dodson
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Gerald Parel; Mike McKone with Guru-eFX; Yasmine Putri; Ralph McQuarrie (Concept Design Variant Artist)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2019)

Rated T

“Running from the Rebellion”

Han Solo is one of the most beloved characters in the Star Wars film series.  Han Solo was the first ally farm boy, Luke Skywalker, and former Jedi Knight, Ben Kenobi, gathered as Luke answered the call to adventure in the original 1977 Star Wars film (also known as Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope or simply, Star Wars: A New Hope).

Marvel Comics is currently publishing a new Star Wars maxi-series project that comprises three series:  Star Wars: Age of Republic, Star Wars: Age of Rebellion, and Star Wars: Age of Resistance.  This project will span 30 issues in total (reportedly), with each issue spotlighting one hero or villain from one of three particular Star Wars eras:  Republic (prequel trilogy), Rebellion (original trilogy), and Resistance (sequel trilogy).  [The project is abbreviated as “Star Wars AOR.”]

Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Han Solo #1 is a recent release in the Age of Rebellion series.  It is written by Greg Pak; drawn by Chris Sprouse (pencils) and Karl Story (inks); colored by Tamra Bonvillain, and lettered by Travis Lanham.  “Running from the Rebellion” is set not long (apparently) after the events depicted in A New Hope.

Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Han Solo #1 (“Running from the Rebellion”) finds Han Solo and his Wookie friend, companion, and copilot, Chewbacca, counting the 17,000 in Imperial credits they have received as a payoff from the promise made to them by the “late” Ben Kenobi.  Now, Han has plans.  He is ready to move back to his life as a smuggler, which includes paying the crime lord Jabba the Hutt the money that he owes them.  Thus, Han is a bit perturbed when Luke Skywalker asks for one last favor, and Han gets pulled into a rebel mission that might wreck all his plans.

First, I have to say that I think that Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Han Sol #1 is, thus far, my favorite of the four comic books in the “AOR” line that I have read.  If I understand correctly, Marvel Comics' Star Wars comic books, as of 2015, are official Star Wars canon.  So this delightful story, “Running from the Rebellion,” explains how Han Solo became a member of the Rebel Alliance.  Or it at least explains why he is still stuck with the rebels at the beginning of The Empire Strikes Back (1980).

Greg Pak's script for this comic book is well written, and Pak can be hit or miss.  Unlike the recent AOR Princess Leia comic book, the art team of Chris Sprouse and Karl Story draws the entirety of “Running from the Rebellion,” and an entire issue of Chris Sprouse's pencils is always a good thing.  Tamra Bonvillain's gorgeous colors are perfect for a Star Wars comic book, especially for a Chris Sprouse-Karl Story drawn Star Wars comic book.  And, of course, I see you, Travis Lanham, with your always high-quality lettering.  It's all good.

I hope more AOR comics are like Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Han Solo #1.

8.5 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 reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Review: BATMAN: Damned #1

BATMAN: DAMNED No. 1
DC COMICS/DC Black Label – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Brian Azzarello
ART: Lee Bermejo
COLORS: Lee Bermejo
LETTERS: Jared K. Fletcher
EDITOR: Mark Doyle
COVER: Lee Bermejo
VARIANT COVER: Jim Lee with Alex Sinclair
48pp, Color, $6.99 U.S. (November 2018)

Mature Readers

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

Batman: Damned is a 2018-19 three-issue comic book miniseries written by Brian Azzarello and drawn by Lee Bermejo.  Published in an over-sized format, it is the inaugural series for DC Comics' new prestige and event publication imprint, “DC Black Label.”  Letterer Jared K. Fletcher is the other member of Damned's creative team.

Batman: Damned #1 opens in an ambulance where we find Batman on a stretcher.  He is dead or near death when he suddenly revives and makes his escape.  The Joker is dead, and maybe Batman finally killed him.  Or is it some sinister and thus far unknown force that done the deed?

The problem is that Batman can't remember, and what he does remember does not jibe with what information he can get.  John Constantine and Deadman aren't helping.  Now, Batman will have to go into the sordid and seedy underbelly of Gotham City to find the truth, and where he goes is dark... and maybe hot as hell.

I am a fan of artist Lee Bermejo.  I particularly like the way he draws Batman's costume, which remind me of the World War I army uniforms that British “dough boys” wore.  However, his art for Batman: Damned #1 looks like pieces for a portfolio or art exhibition as often as it looks like graphical storytelling.  It does not help story matters that Brian Azzarello's script reads like something composed by a kid in a high school creative writing program to accompany pieces in an art show.

No one seems like a reliable narrator in this first issue, especially John Constantine who, if not the narrator, provides voice over narration, one that reads as if this comic book were an episode of a true crime television series.  Honestly, the only interesting thing in Batman: Damned #1 are the four “shots” of Bruce Wayne's nicely shaped penis, which have caused quite a bit of consternation in various comic book corners of the Internet.

Once again, an event comic book does not live up to the hype, or, in this case, the hype delivers on controversy rather than on storytelling.  Even if he or she were talented, an unknown or novice writer could not get an editor to accept a script like the one for Batman: Damned #1.

Keep humpin' that chicken, DC Comics; maybe, you can keep manufacturing high first issue sales before readers catch on to the fact that they should not believe the hype.  Still, I hope the second and third issues of Batman: Damned (which will not make their original announced release dates) are 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.

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Monday, September 2, 2019

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for September 4, 2019

BOOM! STUDIOS

JUN199024    (USE JUL198620) ONCE & FUTURE #1 (OF 6) (3RD PTG)    $3.99
JUL191304    (USE JUL198621) SOMETHING IS KILLING CHILDREN #1 CVR A DELL    $3.99
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MAY199160    ANGEL #2 (3RD PTG)    $3.99
MAY191223    BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA LEGACY EDITION TP VOL 02    $29.99
MAY191234    BLACK BADGE HC VOL 02    $29.99
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JUL191312    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #8 CVR C MATTHEWS CONNECTING VAR    $3.99
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JUL191346    GIANT DAYS #54    $3.99
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JUN199012    SOMETHING IS KILLING CHILDREN #1 FOC FRISON VAR    $3.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 4, 2019

DARK HORSE COMICS

JUL190355    BERSERKER UNBOUND #2 (OF 4) CVR A DEODATO    $3.99
JUL190356    BERSERKER UNBOUND #2 (OF 4) CVR B SORRENTINO    $3.99
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APR190325    DISNEY PIXAR TOY STORY ADVENTURES TP VOL 02    $10.99
MAY190267    DISNEY STORIED PLACES HC    $24.99
MAY190274    DRAGON AGE LAST FLIGHT DELUXE EDITION HC    $29.99
JUL190345    EVERYTHING #1    $3.99
MAY190287    HELLBOY AND BPRD 1956 TP    $19.99
MAR190380    HELLBOY DELUXE FLASK SET    $34.99
DEC180425    HELLBOY MUG    $12.99
MAY190260    LIFEFORMED TP HEARTS AND MIND VOL 02    $12.99
JUL190384    NO ONE LEFT TO FIGHT #3 (OF 5)    $3.99
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NOV180282    UMBRELLA ACADEMY WHEN EVIL RAINS MUG    $12.99
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