Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Review: FUTURE QUEST #4

FUTURE QUEST No. 4
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jeff Parker – @JeffParker
ARTIST: Jeff Parker; Ron Randall; Evan “Doc” Shaner
COLORS: Hi-Fi
LETTERS: ALW Studios' Dave Lanphear
COVER: Evan “Doc”Shaner
VARIANT COVER: Paul Renaud
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2016)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

“How the Mighty Fall!”

Future Quest is a comic book series produced by DC Comics that re-imagines and re-interprets the classic sci-fi and superhero television series created by American animation studio, Hanna-Barbera.  Future Quest brings together the stars of the TV programs “Jonny Quest,” “Space Ghost,” “The Herculoids,” “Birdman,” “Frankenstein Jr.,” “The Galaxy Trio,” “The Impossibles,” and “Mightor.”

Future Quest is written by Jeff Parker; colored by Jordie Bellaire; and lettered by Dave LanphearEvan “Doc” Shaner is the series' lead artist, with artists Ron Randall and Steve Rude as frequent contributors.  So far, the main focus of Future Quest is the cast of “Jonny Quest” (referred to as “Team Quest”):  Jonny Quest; his adopted brother, Hadji; his father, Dr. Benton Quest; family bodyguard, Race Bannon; and, of course, Jonny's dog, Bandit.

Future Quest #4 (“How the Mighty Fall!”) opens on the world of Mightor as the hero faces the universal and time-line threat, Omnikron.  Meanwhile, Space Ghost sidekick, Jan, tries to remember her past, with some encouragement from Team Quest.  Two extra stories, “The Structure of Fear” and “Frankenstein Jr. Making Friends,” peak in on the evil Dr. Zin and the terror organization, F.E.A.R., and tells the origin story of Frankenstein Jr., respectively.

I eagerly tore through Future Quest #4 – another whirlwind reading tour of an issue of Future Quest.  I love this comic book because I love classic Hanna-Barbera sci-if/superhero series like “Space Ghost” and “Jonny Quest.”  I also love this series because writer Jeff Parker is gifted in his ability to create pop comics that recall the imaginative, weird, and escapist fun of comic books and TV cartoons past.  This issue, Parker even treats us to some of his comic book art with the story, “The Structure of Fear.”  I did not know that he could draw comics.

I must say that I think that Future Quest will read better, for many readers, in trade paperback form.  For various narrative and production reasons, Future Quest is told in chucks, interludes, chapters, flashbacks, back story, cutaways, etc.  It often seems that Future Quest can never give the reader enough of one thing because it has to jump over to another thing.

Still, Future Quest is DC Comics' best comic book right now.

A

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


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Review: TWILIGHT ZONE: THE SHADOW #4

TWILIGHT ZONE THE SHADOW, VOL. 1 No. 4
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @dynamitecomics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: David Avallone
ART: Dave Acosta
COLORS: Omi Remalante
LETTERS: Taylor Esposito
COVER: Francesco Francavilla
VARIANT COVER: Francesco Francavilla
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

Rated T+

Chapter Four: “Shadowboxing”

“The Twilight Zone” was an American television series that was broadcast on the CBS television network for five seasons from 1959 to 1964.  Created by writer-producer Rod Serling, “The Twilight Zone” employed an anthology format, with each episode being unrelated to any other episode of the series.  The series told stories in multiple genres, from drama, psychological thriller, and suspense to horror, fantasy, and science fiction.  Episodes often had a moral and/or an ending that presented a macabre resolution or an unexpected twist.

The Shadow began life as a mysterious radio narrator.  He debuted on July 31, 1930 as the host of the radio program, “Detective Story Hour,” which was designed to promote Detective Story Magazine from Street and Smith Publications.  Street and Smith hired writer Walter B. Gibson to create a character concept that fit The Shadow's name and voice and to also write a story featuring him.  The Shadow would go on to be one of the most famous fictional characters of the twentieth century, starring in a long-running pulp magazine series, comic books, and newspaper comic strips, as well as in films, movie serials, and television series.

Dynamite Entertainment brings the classic TV series and the pulp avenger together in the comic book crossover event, The Twilight Zone: The Shadow (or Twilight Zone The Shadow).  This four-issue miniseries is written by David Avallone; drawn by Dave Acosta; colored by Omi Remalante; and lettered by Taylor Esposito.

The Twilight Zone: The Shadow opens in October 1938 in Yaphank, New York.  It is 'round midnight at “Camp Siegfried,” an American Nazi camp.  The Shadow, with the assistance of Margo Lane and his driver, Moe “Shrevvy” Shrevnizt, launch a raid on the camp where The Shadow unleashes his full fury against the camp's American Nazis.  The Shadow and Margo are arguing about the crime fighter's lack of mercy and restraint when an explosion and mysterious chemical weapons attack interrupts them.

Kent Allard (a.k.a The Shadow) awakens in the body of his alter-ego, Lamont Cranston.  Allard does not know that his journey in The Twilight Zone is just beginning.  After seeing the world through Cranston's eyes, another jolt puts him the body of actor Preston Springs, the radio voice of The Shadow.  Then, Allard becomes a writer named Arthur who is tasked with creating The Shadow.

The Twilight Zone: The Shadow #4 (“Shadowboxing”) finds Kent Allard as The Shadow again, but back at Camp Siegfried in Yaphank, New York – as a prisoner.  Camp leader, Kreisleiter Wilhelm Penzler, announces that he plans on executing The Shadow at dawn.  Now, the only thing standing between Allard saving himself and his compatriots is a young American Nazi, Peter Dallenbach.  Through this young man, does The Twilight Zone have another lesson for Kent Allard, The Shadow?

In my review of The Twilight Zone: The Shadow #1, I wrote that this series had potential.  I thought that the first issue wasn't good, or bad, or even mediocre.  It was a still-developing dream, more so than it was a story, but that was in keeping with The Twilight Zone and it's dream-like aura.

Well, writer David Avallone delivers on that potential.  I did wonder if someone could really do something with a plot that brought together two fictional universes that are so different.  However, Avallone does what was obvious.  He uses The Twilight Zone to do what it does best – punish hubris, violence, arrogance, hate, etc.  Avallone has Kent Allard face himself and learn something without having to fundamentally change The Shadow, because in the end, he still is going to bust some caps in some Nazi (and criminal) ass.

Artist Dave Acosta delivers solid graphical storytelling throughout the four issues.  Acosta captures the character nuances of Avallone's script, and he is quite good at depicting the subtle shifts in emotion and attitude that convey much of the story.  This is most evident in the exchange between The Shadow and young Peter Dallenbach, in which Acosta sells the idea of the wayward youth's possible conversion from Nazi dupe to someone who is at least willing to think about what he is doing.

Honestly, I would like to see other properties crossover with The Twilight Zone.  Who knows?  The team of David Avallone and Dave Acosta might have another tale of The Shadow and The Twilight Zone in them.

B+

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


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Monday, June 12, 2017

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 14, 2017

DC COMICS

APR170262    ACTION COMICS #981    $2.99
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APR170275    BATGIRL AND THE BIRDS OF PREY #11    $3.99
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DEC160417    BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE NIGHTWING BY JIM LEE    $80.00
MAR170417    BATMAN DETECTIVE COMICS TP VOL 09 GORDON AT WAR    $16.99
MAR170416    BATWOMAN BY GREG RUCKA AND JH WILLIAMS III TP    $24.99
APR170399    BUG THE ADVENTURES OF FORAGER #2 (OF 6) (MR)    $3.99
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MAR170410    TEEN TITANS TP VOL 01 DAMIAN KNOWS BEST (REBIRTH)    $16.99
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APR170353    WONDER WOMAN #24    $2.99
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Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 14, 2017

MARVEL COMICS

APR171071    ALL NEW WOLVERINE #21    $3.99
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APR171014    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN RENEW YOUR VOWS #8    $3.99
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MAR160903    BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS CRIME NOIR OMNIBUS HC (MR)    $125.00
APR170953    CAPTAIN AMERICA SAM WILSON #23 SE    $3.99
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APR170978    DEFENDERS #1    $4.99
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APR171019    VENOM #151    $3.99
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APR171083    X-MEN BLUE #5    $3.99
APR170995    ZOMBIES ASSEMBLE #3 (OF 4)    $4.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for June 14, 2017

IDW PUBLISHING

MAR170547    24 LEGACY RULES OF ENGAGEMENT #2 (OF 5)    $3.99
MAR170548    24 LEGACY RULES OF ENGAGEMENT #2 (OF 5) SUBSCRIPTION VAR    $3.99
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APR170522    DONALD DUCK #21    $3.99
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APR170652    HELENA CRASH #4 (OF 4)    $3.99
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APR170602    TRANSFORMERS SALVATION    $7.99
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Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 14, 2017

DARK HORSE COMICS

FEB170070    ADVENTURES OF SUPERHERO GIRL HC EXPANDED ED    $16.99
APR170012    BRIGGS LAND LONE WOLVES #1    $3.99
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FEB170095    FATE ZERO TP VOL 05 (MR)    $11.99
FEB170083    FRIGATES OF EVE ONLINE CROSS SECTIONS HC    $29.99
MAR170098    GARY GIANNI MONSTERMEN & OTHER SCARY STORIES TP    $19.99
FEB170088    HALO LIBRARY ED HC VOL 02    $49.99
APR170078    HARROW COUNTY #24    $3.99
APR170026    NEIL GAIMAN AMERICAN GODS SHADOWS #4 (MR)    $3.99
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FEB170090    PLANTS VS ZOMBIES BATTLE EXTRAVAGONZO HC    $9.99
FEB170021    PREDATOR ORIGINAL COMICS SERIES 1989-1996 HC    $49.99
AUG160049    PREDATOR VS JUDGE DREDD VS ALIENS #4    $3.99
APR170079    SHADOWS ON THE GRAVE #5    $3.99
FEB170087    TOMB RAIDER ARCHIVES HC VOL 02    $39.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 14, 2017

IMAGE COMICS

APR170758    BIRTHRIGHT #25 (MR)    $2.99
APR170731    BITCH PLANET TRIPLE FEATURE #1 (MR)    $3.99
MAR178611    BITCH PLANET TRIPLE FEATURE #1 CVR B PRIDE MONTH VAR (MR)    $3.99
APR170759    BLACK CLOUD #3 (MR)    $3.99
APR170782    COPPERHEAD #14    $3.99
APR170811    GREEN VALLEY #9 (OF 9)    $3.99
APR170711    KILL THE MINOTAUR #1 (MR)    $3.99
MAR170763    MANIFEST DESTINY #29 (MR)    $2.99
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MAR170820    MOTOR CRUSH TP VOL 01    $9.99
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MAR178820    REGRESSION #1 2ND PTG (MR)    $3.99
APR170857    REGRESSION #2 (MR)    $3.99
MAR170832    ROCKSTARS TP VOL 01 NATIVITY IN BLACKLIGHT (MR)    $9.99
APR170860    ROSE #3 CVR A GUARA    $3.99
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APR170876    SHE WOLF TP VOL 02 (MR)    $12.99
APR170885    SONS OF THE DEVIL #13 (MR)    $3.99
APR170723    WINNEBAGO GRAVEYARD #1 (OF 4) CVR A SAMPSON    $3.99
APR170724    WINNEBAGO GRAVEYARD #1 (OF 4) CVR B CHEN    $3.99