Yukarism: Who Were They?

I read Yukarism, Vol. 3

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.  Follow me on Twitter or at Grumble.  Support me on Patreon.

Review: EARTH 2: Society #1

EARTH 2: SOCIETY #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was first published on Patreon.]

WRITER: Daniel H. Wilson
ART: Jorge Jimenez
COLORS: John Rauch
LETTERS: Travis Lanham
COVER: Jorge Jimenez with John Rauch
VARIANT COVERS: Paulo Siquera and Cam Smith with Hi-Fi
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2015)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

“Planetfall”

Earth-Two began as a parallel universe to the mainstream DC Comics continuity.  Earth-Two first appeared in The Flash #123 (cover date: September 1961).  DC established Earth-Two during the 1960s as a way to explain how DC characters who had adventures in the 1940s could still be in their 30s in contemporary comics, with contemporary then being the 1960s.  Why was Batman still a young man in the 1960s when he had adventures in the 1940s?  Well, the Batman of the 1940s lived on Earth-Two.  The Batman of the 1960s lived on Earth-One, the modern or mainstream DC Universe.

Over the decades, the idea of Earth-Two changed.  Now, Earth-2 is about the world where the survivors of a war rebuild with the help of younger superheroes.  That is the setting of the new “DCYou” series, Earth 2: Society.  The series is written by Daniel H. Wilson (Earth 2: World's End), drawn by Jorge Jimenez (Earth 2: World's End, Arrow), colored by John Rauch, and lettered by Travis Lanham.

Earth 2: Society #1 (“Planetfall”) opens in New Gotham, the first city of Earth-2.  Batman is on the trail of Terry Sloan, a man of secrets pursued by many.  But it is an anxious time for the survivors of Earth-2’s war with Apokolips, who find themselves on a new world.  What are the intentions of Green Lantern, who seems different?  A flashback to “planetfall” may answer questions or simply raise more.

OK, my plan was to review all the new “DCYou” titles, but Earth-2: Society is the kind of comic book that makes me reconsider that.  Issue #1 is not bad, or particularly good, for that matter.  Perhaps, the point of the new “DCYou” is that not every book is created with “you” or me in mind.  That Earth-2: Society is not made for me is (if you will) no skin off my nose.

C

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

Rinne: Eat Eat Shrooms

I read RIN-NE, Vol. 18

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.  Follow me on Twitter or at Grumble.  Support me on Patreon.

Review: LANDO #1

LANDO #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon. "Star Wars Central" page is here.]

WRITER: Charles Soule
ART: Alex Maleev
COLORS: Paul Mounts
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Alex Maleev with Edgard Delgado
VARIANT COVERS: Alex Ross; John Tyler; Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2015)

Rated T

“Part 1”

Lando Calrissian was the first Star Wars character portrayed onscreen by a Black man, Oscar-nominated actor, Billy Dee Williams.  [Of course, James Earl Jones first provided the voice of Darth Vader, while another actor wore the costume.]  Lando made his debut in The Empire Strikes Back (1980), the first sequel to Star Wars (1977).

Lando Calrissian gets his first solo comic book series with the recently launched title, Lando.  The comic book miniseries is written by Charles Soule, drawn by Alex Maleev, colored by Paul Mounts, and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

Lando #1 (“Part 1”) opens sometime after the events depicted in the original Star Wars film.  The story begins on the Imperial colony world, Castell, shortly after Lando has bedded Ssaria, an Imperial Moff.  Lando needs something from her to pay a debt to “Papa Toren,” some kind of crime boss, but things don't quite work out for Lando.  Lando convinces his partner, Lobot, to join him on another gambit.  He recruits the twin weirdos, Aleskin and Pavol, and Sava Korin Pers to steal something – something of which none of them understands the true value.

Not long after the release of The Empire Strikes Back, a trio of novels featuring Lando Calrissian were published [Lando Calrissian and the Mindharp of Sharu; Lando Calrissian and the Flamewind of Oseon; and Lando Calrissian and the Starcave of ThonBoka, all written by L. Neil Smith].  So it is strange that in the character's previous 34 years of existence no one thought to create even a Lando solo comic book miniseries, especially considering the almost uncountable number of Star Wars comic books that Dark Horse Comics published over a period of just over two decades.  Well, half a year before the release of the seventh Star Wars film (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), Marvel Comics is smart enough to give us a Lando comic book series, and it is quite good.

In terms of design and graphic style, Lando the comic book looks like The Empire Strikes Back.  In fact, in composition and rendering and in character design, Alex Maleev's work on Lando recalls the work of legendary comic book artist, Al Williamson.  It was Williamson who drew Marvel Comics' six-issue adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back, which was published in issues #39 to 44 (cover dated: September 1980 to February 1981) of Marvel's original Star Wars comic book series.  Even colorist Paul Mounts seems to have The Empire Strikes Back's color palette in mind as he colored Maleev's original art for Lando.

As for Charles Soule's story, this heist tale has potential.  It looks like a tale that could be filled with backstabbing and life-threatening situation.

However, Marvel Comics (like DC Comics) has been making a big deal about its recent moves towards diversity.  Apparently, diversity to Marvel means a few more comic books with “characters of color,” but not more Black creators producing those comic books, especially when it comes to writers.  It would have been nice if Marvel Comics had given an African-American writer a shot at writing a Lando Calrissian comic book.  It certainly would be something different, and perhaps more interesting.  What would be even more special and surprising would be if Marvel Comics knew more than two Black comic book writers to whom they could offer assignments or writing gigs.

Anyway, I'll give Lando a high grade for its lovely art.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

Nisekoi: Shu's Crush

I read Nisekoi: False Love, Vol. 10

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.  Follow me on Twitter or at Grumble.  Support me on Patreon.

Comics Review: BLUBBER #1

BLUBBER #1
FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS – @fantagraphics

[This review first appeared on Patreon.]

CARTOONIST: Gilbert Hernandez
EDITOR: Eric Reynolds
COVER: Gilbert Hernandez with Paul Baresh
24pp, B&W, $3.99 U.S.

Gilbert Hernandez is the cartoonist, comic book creator, and graphic novelist best known for being one-half of the duo known as “Los Bros.” along with his brother, Jaime Hernandez.  Together, the two Eisner Award (Will Eisner Comics Industry Awards) winners have produced the seminal, alternative comic book series, Love and Rockets, for more than 30 years.  As a “solo act,” Gilbert (a.k.a. “Beto”) has also produced numerous original graphic novels and several comic book miniseries for publishers Dark Horse Comics, DC Comics, and Drawn & Quarterly, as well as for his original publisher Fantagraphics Books.

Fantagraphics recently published Blubber #1, what will hopefully be the start of a new series from Gilbert.  This black and white comic books contains a series of short stories and vignettes featuring a cast of misfits, monsters, and anthropomorphs.  These types of surreal and strange characters and stories have been a hallmark of Gibert's comix going back to the beginning of his public work.

In “Eyes of the Mau Guag,” readers get a look at a docile, dog-like creature whose like is marked by masturbation and victimization.  Penetration and eye-ball trauma mark the existence of the furry-type “Doogs.”  Also, see a different kind of hangover in “Las Vegas Lace.”

On first glance, Blubber #1 looks ridiculous.  It is like flipping through a self-published vanity comic book full of weirdness.  Reading it, however, gives a far different impression and experience.  Not far into reading it for the first time, I found myself fascinated.  I had to re-read some segments of this comic book because I could not get enough of it.  Even 26 pages of what could be described as Beto's kooky version of the “Wild Kingdom” was not enough for me.

Blubber #1 recalls the ethereal and beautiful explorations contained in Moebius' Une jeunesse heureuse (released as a small leather-bound notebook).  It also has a passing resemblance to the surreal pantomime comix of Jason (who is also published by Fantagraphics in America).  The phallus... ahem... comes in many shapes and sizes, generally as a saggy meat hose or as a gradually swelling tuber.  It's penetrative explorations can be creative or pleasurable, but are consistently dangerous slash destructive.  I'll say no more because you, dear reader, should pay to discover this comic book's wonders.

I hope that more of Beto's id explodes onto enough pages for there to be a second issue of Blubber.  This crazy little comic book proves once again that not only is Gilbert Hernandez the best American comic book writer of the last four decades; he is also one of its essential visionaries.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 26, 2015

DC COMICS

JUN150176     AQUAMAN #43     $3.99
JUN150241     BATGIRL #43     $2.99
JUN150249     BATMAN 66 #26     $2.99
JUN150247     BATMAN ARKHAM KNIGHT GENESIS #1     $2.99
JUN150182     CYBORG #2     $2.99
JUN150204     DEATHSTROKE #9     $2.99
MAY150262     EFFIGY TP VOL 01 IDLE WORSHIP (MR)     $14.99
JUN150188     FLASH #43     $3.99
MAY150246     GI ZOMBIE A STAR SPANGLED WAR STORY TP     $16.99
JUN150253     GOTHAM BY MIDNIGHT #8     $2.99
JUN150255     GRAYSON #11     $3.99
JUN150257     HARLEY QUINN #19     $3.99
JUN150273     HE MAN THE ETERNITY WAR #9     $2.99
JUN150203     JLA GODS AND MONSTERS #3     $3.99
JUN150196     JUSTICE LEAGUE 3001 #3     $2.99
MAY150242     JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK TP VOL 06 LOST IN FOREVER     $16.99
JUN150169     JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #3     $3.99
JUN150215     PREZ #3     $2.99
APR150324     SCALPED HC BOOK 02 DELUXE EDITION (MR)     $29.99
JUN150270     SINESTRO #14     $2.99
JUN150234     SUPERMAN #43     $3.99
DEC140428     SUPERMAN BATMAN MICHAEL TURNER GALLERY ED HC     $125.00
JUN150221     TEEN TITANS #11     $2.99
JUN150264     WE ARE ROBIN #3     $3.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES
FEB150308     BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE DARWYN COOKE 2ND ED     $89.95