Saturday, August 5, 2017

Review: BLACK PANTHER: World of Wakanda #1

BLACK PANTHER: WORLD OF WAKANDA No. 1 (2017)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Roxane Gay (with Ta-Nehisi Coates consultant)
ART: Alitha E. Martinez
COLORS: Rachel Rosenberg
LETTERS: VC's Joe Sabino
MISC. ART: Brian Stelfreeze
COVER: Afua Richardson
VARIANT COVER: Brian Stelfreeze; John Tyler Christopher; Natacha Bustos; Khoi Pham with Frank D'Armata; Skottie Young; Alitha E. Martinez with Rachelle Rosenberg
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (January 2017)

Black Panther created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

Rated “T”

“Dawn of the Midnight Angels” Part 1

A sure sign that Marvel Comics is already preparing for the February 2018 release of the Black Panther film from Marvel Studios is that Marvel doesn't think that one Black Panther comic book is enough.  We already have writer Ta-Nehisi Coates' ambitious Black Panther 12-issue series.

Now, we get Black Panther: World of Wakanda, which will explore Wakanda, the African kingdom which Black Panther/T'Challa rules.  The writer of World of Wakanda's main story is author and feminist, Roxane Gay (Bad Feminist).  The story is drawn by Alitha E. Martinez, who was part of the original art team of the Marvel Knight imprint's Black Panther Volume 2 (1998), which was written by Christopher Priest.  Rachel Rosenberg colors, and Joe Sabino letters.

Black Panther: World of Wakanda #1 (“Dawn of the Midnight Angels” Part 1) focuses on the “Dora Milaje” (“Adored Ones”), the female personal bodyguards of Black Panther and the royal family.  We see the first meeting between Captain Aneka and Ayo, the young woman who would become her lover and partner in revolution.

I would describe this opening chapter of “Dawn of the Midnight Angels” as not great, but good.  The characters and the character drama is intriguing, but the Sub-Mariner part of it bores me.  I think writer Roxane Gay is on to something with the dynamics between the leads.  The art by Alitha E. Martinez is a mixed bag – good storytelling but average quality on the composition.  That aside, I highly recommend this title to Black Panther fans.

“The People for the People”

STORY: Yona Harvey and Ta-Nehisi Coates
ART: Afua Richardson
COLORS: Tamra Bonvillain
LETTERS: VC's Joe Sabino

“The People for the People” is an origin story featuring another female character who is a thorn in Black Panther's side.  That would be Zenzi, leader of The People, the group currently trying to topple the Wakandan monarchy.  Written by Yona Harvey and Ta-Nehisi Coates, the story attempts to dispel some of the mystery around Zenzi, and this first chapter definitely makes her a character worth discovering.  The art by rising star Afua Richardson personifies how her stylish graphics and compositions add zest and energy and intrigue into the stories Richardson draws.  Encore

A-

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


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

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Thursday, August 3, 2017

Review: MAJOR DANJER AND HIS PLATOON OF DOOM

MAJOR DANJER AND HIS PLATOON OF DOOM
CANDLE LIGHT PRESS – @candlelightpres

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITERS: John Ira Thomas, Jared Donze, Michael Ayers, Carter Allen
PENCILS: Carter Allen – @attila71 with Michael Ayers
INKS: Carter Allen with Jeremy Smith
MISC. ART: Romeo Tanghal; Phil Hester
Hardcover
92pp, B&W, $15.00 U.S. (2016)

Candle Light Press' Fragmenta series is a line of paperback and hardcover books, picture books, and pamphlets.  Each entry in the line collects essays, scripts, art, and/or comics produced by the writers and artists of Candle Light Press (CLP).  Some of this material concerns early or uncompleted projects, while other material represents preliminary words and pictures for completed projects.

A hardcover book with black and white interiors, Major Danjer and His Platoon of Doom is the ninth entry in the Fragmenta series.  Like Fragmenta 7: Dan Callahan and the Sand Pirates, Major Danjer collects an uncompleted project, entitled (of course), Major Danjer and His Platoon of Doom.  A fanciful war comic in the vein of such classic war comics as Sgt. Rock, Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos, Blackhawk, and G.I. Combat, to name a few, Major Danger ran as serial in various 1990s CLP publications, including in the anthology, ED.

Major Danjer and His Platoon of Doom was created by CLP mainstays, writer John Ira Thomas and artist Carter Allen, with contributions from former CLP creators like Jared Donze and Micheal Ayers.  This collection contains six Major Danjer stories, with the sixth being unfinished.  This book includes an introduction by John Ira Thomas and essays by Thomas and Carter Allen.  There also about 20 pages of drawings, illustrations, and miscellania, much of it by the Allen.

Nazis, military strike teams, lost worlds, dinosaurs, and a giant “whark!”  Plus, meet those peculiar superheroes, “Glory Guard.”  It's all in Major Danjer and His Platoon of Doom.

I am a long time fan and admirer of the books and comics put out by CLP.  If pushed, I might say that CLP's award-winning horror graphic novel, Lost in the Wash, is my favorite CLP publication.  I have also long lusted and sought to plagiarize the brilliant Zoo Force/Not Zoo Force.  I get a kick out of Carter Allen's Nikki Harris Cybermation Witch comic book series.  A Tale of Shades and Angels by Thomas and artist Jeremy Smith should be as well known as Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming's Powers.

But I have to keep it real.  I love Major Danjer and His Platoon of Doom.  Part Doc Savage pulp fury and part Sgt. Fury savagery, Major Danjer is not a parody of war comics, nor does it mock them.  Carter and his co-writers and Carter Allen merely takes the weirdness that was the true spirit of those old-timey war comics and makes them comedy the way Mel Brooks made comedy out of Universal Pictures 1930 monster movies in Young Frankenstein.

At $15, Major Danjer and His Platoon of Doom is a steal for fans of war comics.  There is a Blackhawk homage in one of the stories that certainly justifies part of the cost.  I wish CLP had finished Major Danjer and His Platoon of Doom.  It seems like something that was mistakenly abandoned, but buying this book isn't a mistake.

A

http://candlelightpress.tumblr.com/
www.warningcomics.com

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


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

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Wednesday, August 2, 2017

#IReadsYou Review: BANKSHOT #1

BANKSHOT No. 1 (OF 5)
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Alex de Campi
ART: ChrisCross
COLORS: Snakebite Cortez
LETTERS: Alex de Campi
COVER: ChrisCross with Snakebite Cortez
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2017)

Bankshot is a new comic book series from writer Alex de Campi and artist ChrisCross.  Published by Dark Horse Comics, this five-issue miniseries focuses on an anti-hero who is a modern-day Robin Hood or a terrorist or both.  Snakebite Cortez is the series colorist and de Campi is the letterer.

Bankshot #1 opens at the J. Edgar Hoover Building in Washington D.C., the home of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  Some FBI agents have just gotten the worst of Marcus King, who might be a terrorist.  The truth of Marcus King is probably an origin story than began in North Africa.  Now, Marcus will have to deal with an adversary who knows what the truth about Marcus King is and where that truth is buried.

I like the cover for Bankshot #1, which is drawn by ChrisCross and colorist Snakebite Cortez, because it looks like it was drawn by longtime comic book artist Paul Gulacy, who can draw a nice cover for sure.  I also enjoyed reading this first issue, but so much of the plot and narrative remain hidden in the shadows of battle scenes and tense meetings.

In Alex de Campi I trust, however, because of her recent comic books like No Mercy (Image Comics) and her unexpectedly thrilling crossover hit, Archie vs. Predator (Dark Horse Comics).  I think the best is yet to come in Bankshot.  I am enjoying ChrisCross' art, but the art is also cluttered in many panels, which is (say it with me!) static in the line communication between the story and the reader.  I look forward to the next issue.

B+
7.5 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Monday, July 31, 2017

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 2, 2017

DC COMICS

JUN170343    BANE CONQUEST #4 (OF 12)    $3.99
JUN170252    BATMAN #28    $2.99
JUN170253    BATMAN #28 VAR ED    $2.99
MAY178717    BATMAN ELMER FUDD SPECIAL #1 2ND PTG    $4.99
JUN170260    CYBORG #15    $3.99
JUN170261    CYBORG #15 VAR ED    $3.99
JUN170347    DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #32    $3.99
FEB170343    DC COVER GIRLS ZATANNA STATUE    $100.00
JUN170262    DEATHSTROKE #22    $3.99
JUN170263    DEATHSTROKE #22 VAR ED    $3.99
JUN170417    EVERAFTER FROM THE PAGES OF FABLES #12 (MR)    $3.99
JUN170272    GREEN ARROW #28    $2.99
JUN170273    GREEN ARROW #28 VAR ED    $2.99
MAY170324    GREEN ARROW TP VOL 03 EMERALD OUTLAW (REBIRTH)    $16.99
JUN170277    GREEN LANTERNS #28    $2.99
JUN170278    GREEN LANTERNS #28 VAR ED    $2.99
MAY170341    HARLEYS LITTLE BLACK BOOK HC    $29.99
JUN170349    INJUSTICE 2 #7    $2.99
JUN170291    JUSTICE LEAGUE #26    $2.99
JUN170292    JUSTICE LEAGUE #26 VAR ED    $2.99
MAR170429    LEGION OF SUPER HEROES SILVER AGE OMNIBUS HC VOL 01    $75.00
JUN170370    NEW GODS SPECIAL #1    $4.99
MAY170347    NEWSBOY LEGION BY SIMON AND KIRBY HC VOL 02    $49.99
JUN170301    NIGHTWING #26    $2.99
JUN170302    NIGHTWING #26 VAR ED    $2.99
JUN170418    SAVAGE THINGS #6 (OF 8) (MR)    $3.99
JUN170368    SHADE THE CHANGING GIRL #11 (MR)    $3.99
JUN170369    SHADE THE CHANGING GIRL #11 VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
JUN170315    SUPERMAN #28    $2.99
JUN170316    SUPERMAN #28 VAR ED    $2.99
MAY170327    SUPERMAN TP VOL 03 MULTIPLICITY (REBIRTH)    $16.99
MAY170363    UNFOLLOW TP VOL 03 TURN IT OFF (MR)    $16.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 2, 2017

MARVEL COMICS

FEB170971    ALL NEW ALL DIFFERENT AVENGERS HC VOL 01 (RES)    $34.99
JUN170972    ALL NEW GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #7    $3.99
JUN170897    AVENGERS #10 SE    $3.99
JUN170943    BLACK BOLT #4    $3.99
FEB170976    BLACK PANTHER HC VOL 01 A NATION UNDER OUR FEET    $34.99
MAY170958    CAPTAIN AMERICA STEVE ROGERS TP VOL 03 EMPIRE BUILDING    $19.99
JUN170899    CHAMPIONS #11 SE    $3.99
APR171144    COLOR YOUR OWN MARVEL MASTERS TP    $9.99
JUN170852    GENERATIONS BANNER HULK & TOTALLY AWESOME HULK #1    $4.99
JUN170853    GENERATIONS BANNER HULK & TOTALLY AWESOME HULK #1 KEOWN VAR    $4.99
JUN170958    HAWKEYE #9    $3.99
JUN170951    IRON FIST #6    $3.99
JUN170954    JESSICA JONES #11    $3.99
JUN170955    JESSICA JONES #11 MR OZ VAR    $3.99
JUN170908    LOCKJAW DOG DAYS TP    $7.99
FEB170972    LOKI JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY BY KIERON GILLEN OMNIBUS HC    $100.00
JUN171025    MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS ULTRON REVOLUTION #12    $2.99
FEB170973    MARVEL UNIVERSE BY CHRIS CLAREMONT HC    $125.00
JUN170919    MARVELS THOR RAGNAROK PRELUDE #3 (OF 4)    $3.99
FEB170974    MMW SAVAGE SHE-HULK HC VOL 01    $75.00
FEB170975    MMW SAVAGE SHE-HULK HC VOL 01 DM VAR ED 246    $75.00
FEB170967    MONSTERS HC VOL 02 MARVEL MONSTERBUS BY LEE LIEBER KIRBY    $100.00
JUN170962    NICK FURY #5    $3.99
JUN170935    SPIDER-MAN #19    $3.99
JUN170938    SPIDER-MAN DEADPOOL #20    $3.99
JUN171023    STAR WARS DARTH VADER #4    $3.99
JUN171014    STAR WARS ROGUE ONE ADAPTATION #5 (OF 6)    $3.99
MAY170983    THOR EPIC COLLECTION TP IN MORTAL FLESH    $39.99
JUN171028    TRUE BELIEVERS KIRBY 100TH BLACK PANTHER #1    $1.00
JUN171029    TRUE BELIEVERS KIRBY 100TH CAPTAIN AMERICA LIVES AGAIN #1    $1.00
JUN170961    UNSTOPPABLE WASP #8    $3.99
JUN170971    VISION DIRECTORS CUT #3 (OF 6)    $6.99
JUN170987    X-MEN GOLD #9    $3.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 2, 2017

DARK HORSE COMICS

APR170089    BTVS SEASON 11 TP VOL 01 SPREAD OF EVIL    $19.99
APR170102    CONAN OMNIBUS TP VOL 03 ANCIENT GODS AND SORCERERS    $24.99
MAR170028    DOTA 2 COMIC COLLECTION HC    $24.99
FEB170103    GAME OF THRONES MAGNETIC BOOK MARK SET 3    $6.99
MAY170079    HALO UNSC VULTURE SHIP REPLICA LTD ED    $49.99
JAN170139    JERRY & JOKER ADVENTURES & COMIC ART HC    $34.99
JUN170028    LOBSTER JOHNSON MANGEKYO ONE SHOT    $3.99
JAN170175    MASS EFFECT ANDROMEDA TEMPEST SHIP REPLICA    $39.99
MAY170078    MASS EFFECT ANDROMEDA TEMPEST SHIP REPLICA SILVER LTD ED    $49.99
APR170082    MATT WAGNER GRENDEL TALES OMNIBUS TP VOL 01    $24.99
JUN170070    PREDATOR HUNTERS #4    $3.99
JUN170071    PREDATOR HUNTERS #4 VELASCO VAR    $3.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for August 2, 2017

IDW PUBLISHING

FEB170532    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ULT NEWSPAPER COMICS HC VOL 04 1983-1984    $49.99
JUL160591    ARCHANGEL #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
JUL160592    ARCHANGEL #5 (OF 5) SUBSCRIPTION VAR A    $3.99
JUL160593    ARCHANGEL #5 (OF 5) SUBSCRIPTION VAR B    $3.99
FEB170487    CINEGEEK HC    $14.99
MAY170440    GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #242 CVR A GALLANT    $3.99
MAY170441    GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #242 CVR B ROYLE    $3.99
APR170609    HASBRO HEROES SOURCEBOOK #2 (OF 3)    $4.99
APR170610    HASBRO HEROES SOURCEBOOK #2 (OF 3) SUBSCRIPTION VAR    $4.99
MAR170556    JACK KIRBY FANTASTIC FOUR WORLDS GREATEST ARTIST ED HC    $150.00
APR170604    REVOLUTIONARIES TP VOL 01 CRISIS INTERVENTION    $17.99
MAY170551    SKYLANDERS SPYRO & FRIENDS QUARTERLY FULL BLAST CVR A BALDEO    $4.99
MAY170552    SKYLANDERS SPYRO & FRIENDS QUARTERLY FULL BLAST CVR B LAWREN    $4.99
JUN170596    STAR TREK NEW VISIONS ALL THE AGES FROZEN    $7.99
MAY170469    STAR TREK WAYPOINT #6 CVR A HARDMAN    $3.99
MAY170470    STAR TREK WAYPOINT #6 CVR B WHALEN    $3.99
APR170634    SURFSIDE GIRLS GN VOL 01 SECRET OF DANGER POINT    $19.99
JUN170478    TMNT DIMENSION X #1 CVR A PITARRA    $3.99
JUN170479    TMNT DIMENSION X #1 CVR B TUNICA    $3.99
JUN170494    TMNT ONGOING #73 CVR A SMITH    $3.99
JUN170495    TMNT ONGOING #73 CVR B EASTMAN    $3.99
MAY170472    X-FILES ORIGINS II DOG DAYS OF SUMMER #2 (OF 4) CVR A    $3.99
MAY170473    X-FILES ORIGINS II DOG DAYS OF SUMMER #2 (OF 4) CVR B    $3.99