Wednesday, December 18, 2019

#IReadsYou Review: DOOMSDAY CLOCK #2

DOOMSDAY CLOCK No. 2 (OF 12)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Geoff Johns
ART: Gary Frank
COLORS: Brad Anderson
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVER: Gary Frank with Brad Anderson
VARIANT COVERS: Gary Frank with Brad Anderson
32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (February 2018)

Rated “T+” for Teen Plus

Watchmen created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons

“Places We Have Never Known”

Watchmen was a comic book written by Alan Moore and drawn by Dave Gibbons and published by DC Comics in 1986 and 1987 as a 12-issue maxiseries (a term DC still uses).  Doomsday Clock is a new 12-issue miniseries (or “maxiseries”) from DC Comics.  It is written by Geoff Johns; drawn by Gary Frank; colored by Brad Anderson; and lettered by Rob Leigh.  Doomsday Clock will introduce characters from Moore and Gibbons' Watchmen into the main DC Comics Universe.

Doomsday Clock #2 (“Places We Have Never Known”) opens on the world in which Watchmen is set, a world that is about to die.  Ozymandias, the man who betrayed the world because he schemed to bring about peace among nations and mankind, has a new scheme – to save the world... again!  But he needs to find Dr. Manhattan, whom he has tracked to another Earth, one similar to his own.  So Ozymandias, Rorschach, and the homicidal duo, the Marionette and the Mime, take a trip to that Earth.

Meanwhile, in Gotham City, Bruce Wayne is locked in a mortal struggle to keep Lex Luthor from taking over Wayne Enterprises.  Wayne and Luthor are the two smartest men in the world, so what will they think of of Ozymandias and Rorschach's wild tales from another world?

After thirty years of watching DC Comics fuck the Watchmen chicken real hard, I was skeptical about Doomsday Clock.  But I gots to keep it real.  I really like this, and I like Doomsday Clock #2, more than I liked the first issue, which I really enjoyed.

Between the Batman: Earth One series and this, Geoff Johns is writing some excellent comics featuring Batman, and this one is so delicious.  Rorschach vs. Batman; Ozymandias vs. Lex Luthor; the conniving and murderous Marionette and Mime; and a surprise pop-up hero/villain.  It is Geoff John's Christmas present to DC Comics fans.

As I wrote in my review of the first issue, Gary Frank is no Dave Gibbons, but Frank is quite good and his drawing style is similar to Gibbons.'  For all that he is stylish and skillful, Frank is a superb storyteller.  Practically every panel is a visually striking image, and every panel drives the story forward.  Wow, Frank's art could create a fanboy riot.

Now, I am not so sure that Geoff Johns and Gary Frank can not produce in Doomsday Clock something nearly as good as Watchmen.  Doomsday Clock may never be as memorable as Watchmen, but it could come close to being as good...

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 for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Tuesday, December 17, 2019

#IReadsYou Review: BLACK PANTHER #1 (Marvel Action)

BLACK PANTHER (MARVEL ACTION) No. 1
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing @ Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Kyle Baker
ART: Juan Samu
COLORS: David Garcia Cruz
LETTERS: Tom B. Long
EDITOR: Denton J. Tipton
COVER: Juan Samu with David Garcia Cruz
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Paulina Ganucheru; Elsa Charraetier with Sarah Stern; Gabriel Rodriguez with Nelson Daniel; Alex Milne with Paris Alleyne
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2019) – shipped April 3, 2019

Black Panther created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee

“The Little Things”

Marvel Action is a new line of comic books produced by IDW Publishing under license from Marvel Comics.  The titles in this line will feature Marvel Comics characters in comic books aimed at “middle grade readers” and “younger readers.”

The third release in this new line features Marvel Comics' most famous African character and the most famous Black comic book character in North America, Black Panther.  IDW's Black Panther (also known as Marvel Action: Black Panther) is written by Kyle Baker; drawn by Juan Samu; colored by David Garcia Cruz; and lettered by Tom B. Long.  This new Black Panther series is set in the technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda, where the Black Panther, a.k.a. King T’Challa is responsible for defending his people—and the world—from any threats.  He gets plenty of help—and sass—from his genius sister, Shuri.

Marvel Action: Black Panther #1 (“The Little Things”) opens in Wakanda's Western Forest where the people's idyllic existence is shattered by stampeding animals.  Meanwhile, T'Challa is giving a speech about the increase in vibranium production when a sudden violent storms shatters this rather sedate event.  Now, Black Panther and Shuri must solve the mystery of a weather system that seems to be specifically targeting Wakanda.

Now that I think about it, I wonder why Marvel Action: Black Panther is the first time that Kyle Baker, one of the best comic book creators of the last three decades, is working on a Black Panther comic book.  Baker has always been a straight-forward storyteller who is capable of both humor and pathos.  With Marvel Action: Black Panther, Baker creates a comic book that moves like a Saturday morning cartoon that is full of action and adventure – in addition to offering an exotic setting.  I think Baker's writing, already quite good, is going to get stronger with each issue.

Juan Samu's art for Black Panther has the illusion of appearing to be in motion.  The graphic design is splashy, and the story pops on the page.  David Garcia Cruz's coloring adds to the sense of motion and energy in this story.  Tom B. Long's lettering jumps off the page, also making this comic book seem even livelier with each page.

IDW Publishing is three for three.  Its Marvel Action Spider-Man, Avengers, and Black Panther titles are all winners – for readers young and young at heart.

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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Monday, December 16, 2019

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for December 18, 2019

BOOM! STUDIOS

OCT191399    ANGEL #8 CVR A MAIN PANOSIAN    $3.99
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JUN191288    ART & MANY MISTAKES ERIC POWELL HC    $49.99
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Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 18, 2019

DARK HORSE COMICS

OCT190348    COUNT CROWLEY RELUCTANT MONSTER HUNTER #3 (OF 4)    $3.99
SEP190282    CRITICAL ROLE VOX MACHINA ORIGINS SERIES II #4 (OF 6)    $3.99
AUG190322    DRIFTERS TP VOL 06    $14.99
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OCT190344    WITCHFINDER REIGN OF DARKNESS #2 (OF 5)    $3.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 18, 2019

DC COMICS

APR190524    ANIMAL MAN BY JEFF LEMIRE OMNIBUS HC    $99.99
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OCT190498    AQUAMAN #55 VAR ED    $3.99
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SEP190609    WATCHMEN COMPANION HC    $39.99
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Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for December 18, 2019

DYNAMITE

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AUG191230    VAMPIRELLA 50TH TRADING CARDS BOX (12 PACKS)  (MR)    $PI
AUG191229    VAMPIRELLA 50TH TRADING CARDS INDIVIDUAL FOIL PACK    $PI

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for December 18, 2019

IDW PUBLISHING

AUG190823    GEARS OF WAR OMNIBUS TP VOL 02    $24.99
SEP190667    GI JOE #3 EVENHUIS    $3.99
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MAR190636    MARVEL ACTION BLACK PANTHER TP BOOK 01 STORMY WEATHER    $9.99
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OCT190809    NARCOS #1 (OF 4) CVR A MALHOTRA (RES)    $3.99
MAR190743    NOCTURNE WALLED CITY TP VOL 02 TRILOGY    $39.99
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