MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
STORY: Zhou Liefen; Greg Pak
ART: Keng; Pop Mhan
COLORS: Keng; Federico Blee
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
EDITOR: Mark Paniccia
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Keng
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Artgerm; Mirka Andolfo; John Tyler Christopher
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (September 2019)
Rated “T+”
Aero created by Zhou Liefen and Keng
“Protector of the City” and “Aero & Wave: Origins & Destinies”
Last year came news that Marvel Entertainment had created two Chinese superheroes. They made their debut in webcomics that were published online on the website, NetEase (specifically 163.com), one of China's leading Internet technology companies.
According to reports, Marvel created the two heroes, “Aero” and “Sword Master,” to attract fans in China and across East Asia. Both heroes exist in the modern world, but their stories are also influenced by Chinese culture. Marvel was responsible for the character design and comics story lines, but the comic book art, environments, and adventures were conceived and produced by Chinese artists.
The hero Aero, who is a young woman named Lei Ling, lives in Shanghai. Ling is a “brilliant architect” and a “rising young elite.” As Aero, she has the ability to harness the power of the air, a power she uses to protect her city from enemies, including supernatural ones. She makes her U.S. debut in the new Marvel Comics title, Aero.
Aero #1 contains two stories. The first is the original Chinese comics story, “Protector of the City.” It is written by Zhou Liefen and drawn by artist Keng; the English adaptation is written by Greg Pak. “Protector of the City” opens with Aero on patrol in the sky above Shanghai. She discovers that one of the buildings she designed (as Lei Ling) is turning into a giant rock monster. Although she manages to defeat it, this is not the last such occurrence.
The second story is “Aero & Wave: Origins & Destines” Part One. It is an original English story written by Greg Pak; drawn by Pop Mhan; colored Federico Blee; and lettered by Joe Caramagna. The story opens on an island in the Philippine Sea. There, Aero finds Filipino superhero, “Wave,” a young woman named Pearl Pangan, in a state of distress. An outsider her entire life, Pearl, fought her way to the top and is now a member of the superhero collective, “Triumph Division.” However, she believes she has drawn her compatriots ire, so can Aero help the young hero before trouble arrives?
The few times that I have read Chinese comics (called “manhua”), I have liked them. I like them especially when they are published in color and printed on slick paper. [I also love to see manga (Japanese comics) and manhwa (Korean comics) in color on slick paper.] So I like seeing Aero in full-color. The story is not great, but it has an engaging vibe. “Protector of the City” has an odd quality, and I think it would seem less odd to me if I could read more than the 22 pages we get in this first issue. I am curious to read more.
“Aero & Wave: Origins & Destines” Part One is a traditional American comic book story, in rhythm and page design and in story, art, and graphical storytelling. I must admit to being intrigued by Wave and her problems. I look forward to more of this character. Generally, I have liked the work of both writer Greg Pak and artist Pop Mhan, and although I am not a super-fan of either one. Here, their professionalism and skills make good showings.
Colorist Federico Blee does really good work on “Aero & Wave: Origins & Destines.” His coloring, especially the blue and green hues, captures the sense of how much water and related themes play a part in this story. Joe Caramagna's traditional lettering style strikes the right tone for both stories because Caramagna's lettering is different for each story. The lettering is more traditional and sparse for “Protector of the City” and a bit more modern and crowded for “Aero & Wave: Origins & Destines.” So, overall, the production values of this comic book are good.
I don't think that Aero will catch on with American comic book readers, in general, but Aero #1 will catch the attention of readers open to different things. I am interested in this, and I will recommend that readers try Aero #1 to see if it is their cup of tea.
7 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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