Friday, April 19, 2019

Review: WILLIAM THE LAST #1

WILLIAM THE LAST No. 1
ANTARCTIC PRESS/GUARDIAN KNIGHT STUDIOS – @AntarcticPress

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONIST: Brian Shearer – @brian_shearer
24pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2018)

William the Last in a new comic book series created by Brian Shearer.  Shearer has drawn such comic books as Ghostbusters, Star Trek, and Transformers for IDW Publishing.  William the Last chronicles the adventures of an orphan whose name is forbidden word in a strange kingdom.

William the Last #1 introduces us to a boy named “William,” who lives on an island with his grandfather.  They seem to live in and around the area of a beach and small forest that gird the island's primary feature, a bulky cliff or mountain.  After his grandfather's death, William does as the old man once suggested, climb the cliff.  What he finds is a strange city, a mystery, and danger.

Brian Shearer writes, draws, colors, and letters William the Last, and he does all of that quite well.  William the Last #1 reminds me of Mouse Guard and Farlaine the Goblin, two independently published, fantasy comic book series that have the look and feel of classic children's fantasy fiction.  This first issue mainly introduces William and also what seems to be a primary supporting character and also a dangerous adversary.  There are not many details in this first, but it is still intriguing.

That is the nice thing about this first issue – the sense of anticipation.  From the first page, I felt the urge to hurry to the next page and then, turn to the next.  This suggests to me that William the Last has potential, and I like Shearer's illustrative style.  I must say also that Shearer's pretty coloring has a bright, attractive quality.

Interested readers (and there should be a lot of you... eventually ) will want to pre-order William the Last.  I get the feeling that many comic book shops won't carry “copies for the shelf” unless there is some level of pre-ordering on individual issues.  I had to back-order the copy I got.  We should pay attention; William the Last could come out of nowhere like Mouse Guard or Bone did, and then, some of you will be feeling left behind

7.5 out of 10

http://www.williamthelast.com/
http://brian-shearer.com/
https://www.facebook.com/BrianShearerArt/
https://www.instagram.com/brian_shearer/

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, April 17, 2019

Review: STAR WARS ADVENTURES: Tales from Vader's Castle #1

STAR WARS ADVENTURES: TALES FROM VADER'S CASTLE No. 1
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Cavan Scott
ART: Derek Charm; Chris Fenoglio
COLORS: Derek Charm; Chris Fenoglio
LETTERS: Robbie Robbins
EDITOR: Denton J. Tipton
COVER: Francesco Francavilla
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Chris Fenoglio; Francesco Francavilla; Derek Charm
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

“The Haunting of the Ghost”

Star Wars Adventures is an all-ages Star Wars comic book series from IDW Publishing.  The series is geared toward readers ages 7 to 10 and features one and two part stories that are not steeped in Star Wars continuity.  Star Wars Adventures features a rotating cast of characters, and the stories range from settings that take place before Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace all the way up to Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Episode VIII) and beyond.

There has already been one spin-off miniseries, Star Wars Adventures: Forces of Destiny, a five-issue miniseries published weekly in January 2018.  The second spin-off miniseries is entitled, Star Wars Adventures: Tales from Vader’s Castle.  This five-part comic book event will see a new issue in comic book stories every Wednesday in October 2018, of which there are five.  Fan-favorite Star Wars Adventures creators, writer Cavan Scott and artist Derek Charm, team up with a roster of guest artists for this special miniseries, which will explore the creepiest corners of the Star Wars universe just in time for Halloween.

Star Wars Adventures: Tales from Vader’s Castle #1 (“The Haunting of the Ghost”) opens with an adventure of Lina Graf that is recounted in her journal.  Graf, an ace pilot and engineer, is a commander in the Rebel Alliance and is captain of the freighter star ship, “The Auric.”  She and her crew:  Skritt the technician; Lieutenant Hudd; XM-G3, the former bodyguard droid; and CR-BR, a droid that has been Graf's life-long companion and is an intelligence specialist, are on the run from Imperial TIE fighters.

Graf is forced to land “The Auric” on the planet, Mustafar.  To lift everyone's spirits, CR-BR recounts a tale involving Kanan Jarrus, Captain Hera Syndulla, and the astromech droid, Chopper, aboard their star ship, “Ghost.”  Both Graf and company and Captain Syndulla and company may not escape from situations that are not only difficult, but are also both scary.

Star Wars Adventures: Tales from Vader’s Castle #1 has a framing sequence, which focuses on Lina Graf and her crew and that is written by Cavan Scott and drawn by Derek Charm.  This will apparently run through all five issues of Tales from Vader's Castle.  I am interested to see where this story goes, but it is only seven pages long – five to start the issue and two to finish.  So I cannot really grade it, but I can say that it has potential.

The main story stars characters from Disney XD's popular “Star Wars Rebels” series and is written by Scott and drawn and colored by Chris Fenoglio and lettered by Robbie Robbins.  It is a nice little story that stays true and consistent with the characters' television iterations.  This is certainly the kind of Star Wars comic book tale that I would have loved as a kid, and it is one of the better Star Wars Adventures stories that IDW has published over this first year or so of publishing all-ages Star Wars comic books.  I am surprised, but delighted, by how much drama and tension Scott and Fenoglio pack into 13 pages.

Chris Fenoglio holds his own as a Star Wars Adventures artist against the formidable Derek Charm, who seems to be the marquee Star Wars Adventures artist.  Robbie Robbins' lettering simply looks like perfect comic book lettering to me.  I hope Cavan Scott writes more stories set in the world of “Star Wars Rebels,” preferably with Chris Fenoglio as artist.

Star Wars Adventures: Tales from Vader’s Castle is a publishing mini-event that I can get behind.  I recommend it for young Star Wars comic book readers, and those young at heart... like me.

7.5 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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Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Review: THE MAGIC ORDER #1

THE MAGIC ORDER No. 1
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Mark Millar – @mrmarkmillar
ARTIST: Olivier Coipel
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Peter Doherty
EDITOR: Rachel Fulton
COVER: Oliver Coipel with Dave Stewart
VARIANT COVER: Adam Hughes
36pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 13, 2018 – Diamond ID: APR180455)

Rated M / Mature

The Magic Order is a new comic book series created by writer Mark Millar (Kick-Ass, Chrononauts) and artist Olivier Coipel (Thor).  It is also the first new and original comic book series created by Millar since he sold his organization, Millarworld, to Netflix in August of 2017.  The Magic Order focuses on the sorcerers, magicians, and wizards that protect humanity from darkness, a darkness that might end up destroying these protectors.

The Magic Order #1 introduces a world in which monsters do exist, but humanity does not see them.  Why?  “The Magic Order” is a group of five families of magicians that has protected humanity for generations, keeping people safe from monsters.  However, one of them, Edward “Big Eddie” Lisowski, has just been killed, and the killers may be other magic users.  Leonard Moonstone and his children:  Regan, Cordelia, and Gabriel will find themselves at the center of a mob war-like conflict against a force that is picking off wizards one by one.

There are Mark Millar written, creator-owned comic books that I really like (Kick-Ass, The Secret Service) and there are those that do not interest me enough to keep reading past a first issue (Huck).  The Magic Order is one of those that I like enough to keep reading past the first issue.  The best Millar comic books are crazy, sexy, cool, and The Magic Order is that.  It is really like a blend of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them with a Martin Scorsese mob film – leaning more towards Fantastic Beasts.

The more Olivier Coipel draws comic books, the more his illustrations come to resemble the work of comic book artist, Kevin Nowlan.  Honestly, I do not think that Coipel is the best choice for this series or even if he is an appropriate choice for this subject matter.  I am not saying that Coipel is a poor illustrator, quite the contrary.  He is quite talented, and his graphic storytelling here is good.  Maybe... I am not quite feeling Coipel or colorist Dave Stewart, for that matter, in this series.  And I am a big fan of Stewart.

Still, I am excited by Millar's premise, and I really enjoyed reading The Magic Order #1.  I'm ready for the next issue.

8 out of 10

http://www.millarworld.tv/
www.imagecomics.com

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, April 15, 2019

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for April 17, 2019

BOOM! STUDIOS

FEB191285    ADVENTURE TIME MARCY & SIMON #4 (OF 6) MAIN    $3.99
FEB191286    ADVENTURE TIME MARCY & SIMON #4 (OF 6) PREORDER MARCY    $3.99
FEB191287    ADVENTURE TIME MARCY & SIMON #4 (OF 6) PREORDER SIMON    $3.99
FEB191263    BLACK BADGE #9 MAIN & MIX    $3.99
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JAN199075    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #4 FOC SLAYER MERCADO VAR    $3.99
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FEB191246    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #4 PREORDER MANN VAR    $3.99
FEB198077    FIREFLY #4 (2ND PTG)    $3.99
DEC181360    GO GO POWER RANGERS TP VOL 03    $16.99
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DEC181352    SONS OF ANARCHY LEGACY ED TP VOL 02 (MR)    $29.99
DEC181386    STEVEN UNIVERSE ORIGINAL GN VOL 04 CAMP PINING PLAY    $14.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 17, 2019

DARK HORSE COMICS

DEC180415    BERSERK TP FLAME DRAGON KNIGHT    $14.99
FEB190276    BPRD DEVIL YOU KNOW #15    $3.99
FEB190354    CALAMITY KATE #2 CVR A HOWELL PINTO    $3.99
FEB190355    CALAMITY KATE #2 CVR B STOKOE    $3.99
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FEB190262    NEIL GAIMAN AMERICAN GODS MOMENT OF STORM #1 CVR B MACK (MR)    $3.99
DEC188010    WORLD OF TOM CLANCY DIVISION LTD ED HC    $99.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 17, 2019

DC COMICS

FEB190473    AMERICAN CARNAGE #6 (MR)    $3.99
FEB190474    AQUAMAN #47    $3.99
FEB190475    AQUAMAN #47 VAR ED    $3.99
FEB190480    BATMAN #69    $3.99
FEB190481    BATMAN #69 VAR ED    $3.99
JAN190663    BATMAN DETECTIVE REBIRTH DLX COLL HC BOOK 04    $34.99
SEP180539    BATMAN SUPERMAN SILVER AGE OMNIBUS HC VOL 02    $99.99
FEB198168    BATMAN WHO LAUGHS #1 (OF 6) FINAL PTG    $4.99
FEB198169    BATMAN WHO LAUGHS #2 (OF 6) FINAL PTG    $4.99
FEB198170    BATMAN WHO LAUGHS #3 (OF 6) FINAL PTG    $4.99
FEB190493    DAMAGE #16    $3.99
JAN190667    DAMAGE TP VOL 02 SCORCHED EARTH    $16.99
SEP180631    DC DESIGNER SERIES GREEN LANTERN BY IVAN REIS STATUE    $150.00
FEB198165    DOOMSDAY CLOCK #1 (OF 12) FINAL PTG    $4.99
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FEB198167    DOOMSDAY CLOCK #7 (OF 12) FINAL PTG    $4.99
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JAN190677    INJUSTICE VS MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE HC    $24.99
FEB190514    JUSTICE LEAGUE #22    $3.99
FEB190515    JUSTICE LEAGUE #22 VAR ED    $3.99
JAN190685    KAMANDI CHALLENGE TP    $24.99
FEB190520    LUCIFER #7 (MR)    $3.99
JAN190616    MAD MAGAZINE #7    $5.99
FEB190521    NAOMI #4    $3.99
FEB190522    NIGHTWING #59    $3.99
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FEB198174    SHAZAM #1 2ND PTG    $4.99
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FEB190467    TEEN TITANS #29 VAR ED TERMINUS AGENDA    $3.99
JAN190701    WONDER WOMAN TP VOL 08 DARK GODS    $16.99

Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors from April 17, 2019

DYNAMITE

FEB191113    JAMES BOND 007 #6 CVR A JOHNSON    $3.99
FEB191114    JAMES BOND 007 #6 CVR B SHALVEY    $3.99
FEB191115    JAMES BOND 007 #6 CVR C IENCO    $3.99
FEB191116    JAMES BOND 007 #6 CVR D MOONEY    $3.99
AUG181297    KISS DELUXE TRADING CARD FOIL PACK (Net)    $PI
FEB191151    PETER CANNON THUNDERBOLT #4 CVR A ANKA    $3.99
FEB191152    PETER CANNON THUNDERBOLT #4 CVR B GANUCHEAU    $3.99
FEB191153    PETER CANNON THUNDERBOLT #4 CVR C WIJINGAARD    $3.99
FEB191016    XENA WARRIOR PRINCESS #1 CVR A MACK    $3.99
FEB191017    XENA WARRIOR PRINCESS #1 CVR B LUPACCHINO    $3.99
FEB191018    XENA WARRIOR PRINCESS #1 CVR C HENDERSON    $3.99
FEB191019    XENA WARRIOR PRINCESS #1 CVR D GANUCHEAU    $3.99
FEB191020    XENA WARRIOR PRINCESS #1 CVR E ALLEN & MARTIN    $3.99