#IReadsYou Review: UNCANNY INHUMANS #1

UNCANNY INHUMANS #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Charles Soule
PENCILS: Steve McNiven; Brandon Peterson
INKS: Jay Leisten; Brandon Peterson
COLORS: Sunny Cho; Nolan Woodard
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: Steve McNiven and Jay Leisten with Justin Ponsor
VARIANT COVERS: Jim Cheung with Justin Ponsor; Art Adams with Richard Isanove; Art Adams (Kirby Monster Variant); Skottie Young; Adi Granov; Damien Scott (Hop Hop variant); Kalel Sean costumed by Brian A. Parsley and photographed by Judy Stephens (cosplay variant)
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (December 2015)

Rated T+

Inhumans created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

The Inhumans are a race of super-humans in Marvel Comics.  Created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, they first appeared in Fantastic Four #45 (cover dated: December 1965).  The Inhumans are a strain of humanity that began with genetic manipulation by visitors to Earth from an alien civilization (the Kree), long ago in human prehistory.  Exposure to the mutagenic Terrigen Mist (a process known as Terrigenesis) reveals if a person is an Inhuman.

Little more than a B-list character group, the Inhumans are in ascendancy in the Marvel Universe, especially over the last four years.  In 2013, Marvel even launched a new comic book series, entitled Inhuman.  The launch of the “All-New, All-Different Marvel” sees the Inhumans continuing to rise to prominence.  The latest Inhuman comic book series is Uncanny Inhumans.  This series is written by Charles Soule; drawn by Steve McNiven (pencils) and Jay Leisten (inks), colored by Sunny Cho; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.

Uncanny Inhumans #1 opens the series with several sub-plots.  It is dough boys and dinosaurs when Triton and Reader (and his dog Forey) join Black Bolt in a time-traveling mission.  This trip, however, breaks a deal Black Bolt made with Kang the Conqueror, and the latter strikes back.  Also, Medusa and a group of new Inhumans (NuHumans) are engaged in a Central Park battle against the Chitauri.

Later, Medusa looks to the X-Man, Beast, to use his scientific knowledge to end the friction between mutants and Inhumans.  Plus, a visit from the Human Torch exacerbates marital discord.  Plus, in a bonus story, Frank, Flint, and Naja travel to Morocco to recover a lost Inhuman.

For a long time now, first issues of comic books that work on a five or six issue story arc are little more than introductions to the story and characters.  They are also often infuriatingly vague.  That is not the case with Uncanny Inhumans.  Writer Charles Soule has a way of making practically every page not only satisfying to read, but also intriguing enough to encourage the readers to come back for more.

The drama is convincing, and Soule gives the characters interesting personalities and/or engaging individual melodramas.  Medusa/Beast: I want more of that.  Black Bolt: it's all good.  I am not ashamed to say that Soule makes me feel like a fanboy about the titles he writers.

Of course, he has a great art team.  Steve McNiven has mastered making style work as high drama.  McNiven pencils are a series of flourishes and bells-and-whistles that come together to convey character, setting, plot, and drama.  In the back-up story, artist Brandon Peterson does something similar, but I'm not going to play that game of who is better – McNiven or Peterson.  I must admit, however, that I prefer Nolan Woodard's beautiful colors for Peterson's art, although I am not slighting Sunny Cho's excellent hues on the main story.

I'm ready for more Uncanny Inhumans, and if you listen to my recommendation and buy Uncanny Inhumans #1, you will be ready for more, also.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douesseaux 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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#IReadsYou Review: 2016 SPIDER-MAN #1 Was a Strong Debut

SPIDER-MAN No. 1 (2016)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Brian Michael Bendis
PENCILS: Sara Pichelli
INKS: Sara Pichelli with Gaetano Carlucci
COLORS: Justin Ponsor
LETTERS: VC’s Cory Petit
COVER: Sara Pichelli and Justin Ponsor
VARIANT COVERS: Mark Bagley and Dexter Vines with Andrew Crossley; Michael Cho; Skottie Young; Adi Granov (Hip-Hop variant)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (2016)

Rated T

In 2011, Marvel Comics and writer Brian Michael Bendis introduced a Black, Brooklyn teenager as the new Spider-Man.  Specifically, Miles Morales, of African-American and Latino heritage, was the new Ultimate Spider-Man, the friendly neighborhood wall-crawler and web-slinger of Marvel’s Ultimate line of comics (or universe).

Miles has starred in two comic books series, Ultimate Spider-Man (or Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man) and Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man.  As part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel, Miles gets a new comic book series, simply entitled Spider-Man.  It is written by Brian Michael Bendis; drawn by Sara Pichelli; colored by Justin Ponsor; and lettered by Cory Petit.

Spider-Man #1 opens with Spider-Man facing Blackheart – “Son of Mephisto” and “Prince of the Underworlds.”  Let's go back a bit.  At Brooklyn Visions Academy, Miles has failed with Julie, the gorgeous girl he wants to date.  He is also failing in school, which angers his mother (!), but does not really concern his father.  Back to Blackheart, who has killed several Avengers, so what's going on?

I really missed Sara Pichelli when she was not the artist on Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man, although David Marquez, the artist on that series, was quite good.  Still, only three pages into Spider-Man #1, and I was reminded of why Pichelli and colorist Justin Ponsor are such a damn good art team.

As for Brian Michael Bendis: the teen Spidey drama is as good as always; there aren't many pages of it, but Bendis does character drama in superhero comics better than it has ever been done – ever.  The action around Blackheart is hugely intriguing, so I have no complaints, just the need for more.

Of course, I am recommending this...

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 information on reprint or syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: X-FORCE #1

X-FORCE No. 1 (2020)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Benjamin Percy
ART: Joshua Cassara
COLORS: Dean White
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
EDITORS: Chris Robinson and Lauren Amaro
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Dustin Weaver
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Mark Bagley and John Dell with Israel Silva; Russell Dauterman with Matthew Wilson; Juan Jose Ryp with Jesus Aburtov; Adi Granov; Tom Muller; Todd McFarlane with Jason Keith
44pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (January 2020)

Parental Advisory

X-Men created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee; X-Force created by Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza

“Hunting Ground”

The X-Men are a Marvel Comics superhero team and franchise created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Jack Kirby.  In The X-Men #1 (cover dated: September 1963), readers were introduced to a group of characters that had unique powers and abilities because they were “mutants.”

Summer 2019, Marvel published writer Jonathan Hickman's revamp, reboot, and re-imagining of the X-Men comic book franchise via a pair of six-issue comic book miniseries, House of X and Powers of X (pronounced “Powers of Ten”).  October welcomed “Dawn of X,” the launch of six new X-Men titles, although all except one, bore titles that have been previously used.  The new series were Excalibur, Fallen Angels, Marauders, New Mutants, X-Men, and the subject of this review, X-Force.

This new X-Force comic book is written by Benjamin Percy; drawn by Joshua Cassara; colored by Dean White; and lettered by Joe Caramagna.  According to Marvel, the new X-Force team is the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the mutant world.  One-half is the “intelligence branch;” that would be the group of Beast, Jean Grey, and Sage.  The other half is “special ops,” with a unit composed of Wolverine, Kid Omega and Domino.

X-Force #1 (“Hunting Ground”) opens with a question.  What happened to Domino?  Meanwhile on Krakoa, the living island and mutant nation-state that is a home for all mutants, Wolverine is hunting for predators on an island where there should be none.  As he says, however, there is always a predator, and “...when you're safe, you're soft.”  Black Tom Cassidy feels something bad coming, even if Professor X says otherwise.  But this new mutant world would not need an “X-Force” in a perfect world, and this is not a perfect world...

The original X-Force team first appeared in New Mutants #100 (cover dated: April 1991) and was the creation of writer-illustrator Rob Liefeld and writer Fabian Nicieza.  The team's first leader was the mutant, Cable, and X-Force took a more militant and aggressive approach towards its enemies than did the X-Men did as a team.

In this first issue, writer Benjamin Percy takes that to heart, and his story makes X-Force #1 a potboiler from page one to the last.  I don't want to spoil anything, although as I write this review, X-Force #1 is about two months old.  Still, I do want to say that “Hunting Ground” offers surprises and thrills throughout.  Of the four “Dawn of X” first issues that I have read thus far, this one is easily the best.

Joshua Cassara's art is gritty and dark and his graphical storytelling has that sinister edge that reminds me of Grant Morrison's lovely science fiction-conspiracy comic book series, The Invisibles (DC Comics/Vertigo).  Dean White's coloring is correctly garish and gives this story a nightmarish and apocalyptic feel.  There is a disquieting mood in letterer Joe Caramagna's mostly quiet lettering for this first issue, which is just right.

I definitely plan to read more of this new X-Force, even if its just the first trade paperback collection.  I feel safe in recommending it to you, dear readers.

7.5 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and  syndication rights and fees.


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#IReadsYou Review: BLACK PANTHER VS. DEADPOOL #1

BLACK PANTHER VS. DEADPOOL #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Daniel Kibblesmith
ART: Ricardo López Ortiz
COLORS: Felipe Sobreiro
LETTERS: Joe Sabino
EDITOR: Wil Moss
COVER: Ryan Benjamin with Rain Beredo
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Adi Granov; Cully Hamner with Laura Martin
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2018)

“Parental Advisory”

Black Panther created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby; Deadpool created by Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza; Dora Milaje created by Christopher Priest and Mark Texeira

Part One: “A Small Misunderstanding”

Black Panther is a Marvel Comics superhero created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.  The character first appeared in Fantastic Four #52 (cover dated: July 1966).  Black Panther is T'Challa, the king and protector of the (fictional) African nation of Wakanda.  Black Panther was also the first Black superhero in mainstream American comic books.

Deadpool is a Marvel Comics anti-hero character.  He was created by artist-writer Rob Liefeld and writer Fabian Nicieza and first appeared in The New Mutants #98 (cover dated: February 1991).  Deadpool is Wade Winston Wilson, a disfigured and deeply mentally disturbed assassin-for-hire and mercenary with a superhuman physical prowess and an accelerated healing factor.  The character is depicted as joking constantly, being sarcastic, and having a tendency to engage in the literary device of “breaking the fourth wall” and speaking to readers.

Black Panther and Deadpool are two of Marvel Comics' hottest movie characters, with Black Panther appearing in a record-setting 2018 film that has Oscar buzz.  Deadpool appeared in two films, Deadpool (2016) and Deadpool 2 (2018), each of which grossed well over $700 million dollars in worldwide box office.  Black Panther vs. Deadpool is a new comic book miniseries bringing the two hot Marvel characters together.  It is written by Daniel Kibblesmith; drawn by Ricardo López Ortiz; colored by Felipe Sobreiro; and lettered by Joe Sabino.

Black Panther vs. Deadpool #1 (“A Small Misunderstanding”) opens in Wakanda where the citizens are celebrating “Ubusuku Bokufa,” the nation's “Night of the Dead” festival.  T'Challa/Black Panther and his sister, Shuri, are working on a new surgical method for humans that involves something called “star cells.”  Meanwhile, in the United States, Deadpool's battle with “The Wrecker” causes a beloved Marvel Comics character to end up near death.  The one thing that can save him, “Vibranium Therapy,” may be out of reach for Deadpool.

Deadpool goes to Wakanda with a plan, a crazy plan that involves working things out with Black Panther in a plan-of-action that follows the line of action in a superhero-crossover-comic-book.  But does Black Panther want to play with let alone help Deadpool?

I am not going to act as if Black Panther vs. Deadpool is a great comic book, but I expected it to be a disaster.  Yet it is not; there are a few good moments.  Black Panther vs. Deadpool #1 has a kind of Looney Tunes quality to it.  I can see comedy elements that remind me of Wile E. Coyote vs. Road Runner and Bugs Bunny vs. Elmer Fudd (or vs. Yosemite Sam).  Daniel Kibblesmith does not quite pull off the madcap humor of classic Warner Bros. cartoon shorts, but I think he has potential.

I like Ricardo López Ortiz's art here more than I did his run on the first arc of Mark Millar's recent Hit Girl revival (entitled Hit Girl in Columbia).  Ortiz's scratchy, impressionistic drawing style is not as effective at storytelling as it could be simply because there is too much clutter in the line work and inking.  And here, some of the art is just ugly or badly drawn.

Felipe Sobreiro cannot fix this with his coloring, and Ortiz's art even makes Joe Sabino's lettering look like clutter, and that should not be.  While I found some things to like, I am not sure that I will return for the second issue.  I can't see myself paying $3.99 for this, let alone playing $21+ (with tax) to read the entire miniseries.  Black Panther and Deadpool fans might find Black Panther vs. Deadpool worth the price and the effort, though.

5 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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Review: TONY STARK: IRON MAN #1

TONY STARK: IRON MAN No. 1 (Legacy #601)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Dan Slott
ART: Valerio Schiti
COLORS: Edgar Delgado
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
EDITOR: Tom Brevoort
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida
COVER: Alexander Lozano
VARIANT COVERS: David Aja; Alex Ross; Kaare Andrews; Adi Granov; Alexander Lozano and Valerio Schiti with Eber Evangelista
40pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2018)

Rated “T+”

Iron Man created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Don Heck, and Jack Kirby

Self-Made Man: Part One “What's the Big Idea?”

Iron Man is a Marvel Comics superhero that debuted in Tales of Suspense #39 (cover dated: March 1963).  Iron Man is the alter-ego of Tony Stark, a weapons manufacturer, industrialist, and wealthy, glamorous ladies' man.  After an accident, Stark builds a suit of armor to save his life, and with that armor, Stark becomes “Iron Man.”

In the midst of another restart event, Marvel Comics has launched a new Iron Man comic book.  It is entitled Tony Stark: Iron Man.  It written by Dan Slott; drawn by Valerio Schiti; colored by Edgar Delgado; and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

Tony Stark: Iron Man #1 (“What's the Big Idea?”) finds Tony reunited with a former rival, Andy Bhang, whom Tony wants to join the team of geniuses at “Stark Unlimited.”  However, the arrival of the legendary super-beast, Fin Fang Foom, will test Tony smarts, Iron Man's armor and tech, and Bhang's place among the “team Stark genius collection.”

Dan Slott was a writer on The Amazing Spider-Man comic book series beginning in 2008, and he became the series sole writer beginning in 2010.  Surfing the Internet, I often got the feeling that a lot of Spider-Man readers had enough of him; they thought he had been writing Amazing for too long.  After being a regular reader of The Amazing Spider-Man during my childhood, teen years, and young adulthood, I stopped being a regular reader in early 1990s.  I returned for a few years in the late 1990s and early 2000s.  I returned again as a regular reader about four years ago.

I like Dan Slott's The Amazing Spider-Man, which feels like classic ASM:  humor, action, cliffhanger thrills, and occasional heartbreaking and poignant stories, but he did recently exit the series after The Amazing Spider-Man #801.  Now, as the lead Iron Man writer, I think he will bring a similar tone to Tony Stark: Iron Man.  I am not crazy about that because I was perfectly happy with Brian Michael Bendis chronicling the adventures of the new Iron Man, Riri Williams/Iron Heart, in Invincible Iron Man and Victor Von Doom as Iron Man in Infamous Iron Man.

Even the artist Tony Stark: Iron Man, Valerio Schiti, reminds me of Stuart Immonen, who drew many issues of Slott's Amazing Spider-Man comic books over the last two years.  Tony Stark: Iron Man is not a bad comic book.  It is well written and well drawn, but I am not sure that I am ready for Dan Slott's “The Amazing Iron Man,” even if it is entitled Tony Stark: Iron Man, the way I was always down for Slott's The Amazing Spider-Man.

6 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 or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 28, 2019

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Review: MILES MORALES: Spider-Man #1

MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN No. 1 (2019)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Saladin Ahmed
ART: Javier Garrón
COLORS: David Curiel
LETTERS: VC’s Cory Petit
COVER: Brian Stelfreeze
EDITOR: Nick Lowe
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida
VARIANT COVERS: Marko Djurdjevic (Fantastic Four Villains Variant); Lee Garbett; Adi Granov
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2019)

Rated T

Spider-Man created by Steve Ditko and Stan Lee; Miles Morales created by Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli

Miles Morales is a Marvel Comics character who is one of the characters known as Spider-Man.  Miles Morales first appeared in the comic book Ultimate Fallout #4 (cover dated: August 2011) and existed in a universe different from the universe where the original Spider-Man lived.  Now, the Afro-Latino teenager, whose full name is Miles Gonzalo Morales, lives and works in the main Marvel Comics universe (the MCU) as Spider-Man.

Miles has a new ongoing comic book series, Miles Morales: Spider-Man (a continuation of the comic book title, Spider-Man).  This is a new direction for Miles Morales with a new creative team.  Miles Morales: Spider-Man is written by Saladin Ahmed; drawn by Javier Garrón; colored by David Curiel; and lettered by Cory Petit.

Miles Morales: Spider-Man #1 opens in the wake of the events depicted in the miniseries, Spider-Geddon.  Miles has recently begun a new school term, and is taking a class in which the instructor demands that Miles and his fellow classmates keep a journal.

Miles is struggling to balance school and his personal life with his activities as Spider-Man.  He is trying to maintain a relationship with Barbara, who is his girlfriend, although both seem to be reluctant to say that outright.  For all his struggles, however, Miles sees that there are those who are struggling more than he is, especially in an anti-immigrant political climate, and it is worse than Miles thinks.

Practically every Miles Morales comic book I ever read was written by Brian Michael Bendis, Miles' co-creator.  I am wary of reading Miles comic books not written by Bendis, but I thoroughly enjoyed the story Bryan Edward Hill wrote about Miles for the Spider-Man Annual #1 (2018).

After reading Miles Morales: Spider-Man #1, I am confident in new Miles writer, Saladin Ahmed.  I did not read Ahmed's Black Bolt series, which received quite a bit of acclaim and claimed a win at the 2018 Will Eisner Awards.  I like that Saladin's story and script are true to the personality Bendis fashioned for Miles, and I also like that Saladin is developing Miles personality and character as he continues to grow-up, going from young teen to older teen.  I am also happy that Ahmed is writing a story that tackles real world issues literally and metaphorically.

Artist Javier Garrón is the right choice to create the art and storytelling.  His compositions are strong, and his page and panel design recall the work of Spider-Man co-creator, the late Steve Ditko.  Ditko balanced the world of Peter Parker-Spider-Man by drawing an ordinary seeming everyday life for Parker.  When Parker became Spider-Man, Ditko added imaginative elements and inventive compositions that made the scenes feature Spider-Man seem to pop off the page.

Garrón's art is in a similar vein, and David Curiel's coloring of the art electrifies everything.  When a classic Spider-Man villain (who has a surprising reason for appearing) shows up, this story crackles and sparks with energy.  In fact, the splash page featuring Miles and that surprise villain is an example of how much power Garrón and Curiel's combined art has.

So I am ready for more Miles Morales: Spider-Man.  For now, at least, the post-Brian Michael Bendis Miles Morales has a bright future.

8 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 information on reprint or syndication rights and fees.

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

Review: CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1 (2019) – Legacy #276
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jason Aaron
ART: Mahmud Asrar
COLORS: Matthew Wilson
LETTERS: VC's Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Mark Basso
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida
COVER: Esad Ribić
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Daniel Acuna; Mahmud Asrar with Matthew Wilson; John Cassaday with Laura Martin; John Tyler Christopher; Kirbi Fagan; Adi Granov; Greg Hildebrandt; Esad Ribic; Jesus Saiz; Bill Sienkewicz; Skottie Young; Gerardo Zaffino with Rain Beredo
48pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (March 2019)

Parental Advisory

Conan the Barbarian based on the “Conan” character created by Robert E. Howard

“The Life & Death of Conan” Part One: “The Weird of the Crimson Witch”

Conan the Cimmerian is a fictional “sword and sorcery” hero created by Robert E. Howard (REH).  Conan first appeared in the pulp fiction magazine, Weird Tales (1932).  Conan lived in Howard's fictional “Hyborian Age” and was a mercenary, outlaw, pirate, thief, warrior, and eventually a king, but because of his tribal origins, some characters that encountered him thought of Conan as a barbarian.

In 1970, Marvel Comics brought Conan to the world of comic books with the series, Conan the Barbarian.  It is doing so again, having recently published the first issue of a revival of Conan the Barbarian.  It is written by Jason Aaron; drawn by Mahmud Asrar; colored by Matthew Wilson; and lettered by VC's Travis Lanham.

Conan the Barbarian #1 (“The Weird of the Crimson Witch”) opens sometimes during Conan the Cimmerian's prime as “a thief, a reaver, and a slayer.”  In Zamora, the city of thieves, his brutal prowess in the fights pits of Maul has attracted the attention of a comely young woman.

Conan has always cheated death, continues to cheat death, and perhaps, he always will?  The more he cheats death, the more his blood becomes imbued with the power of “Death Magic.”  It is that magic that the Crimson Witch and her death god, Razazel, needs.  Does King Conan know that?

The new Conan the Barbarian is a comic book that I can keep reading... at least for awhile.  For one, I am a fan of artist Mahmud Asrar and have been since I started seeing his work eight years ago.  His elegant compositions are pleasing to the eye, and his figure drawing creates the illusion of powerful figures in motion.  There is also a sense of dynamism even in characters that are depicted as moving not at all or as moving very little.

Colorist Matthew Wilson, one of best colorists working in comic book today, takes Asrar's beautiful art to an edgier place.  The red, yellow, and orange hues make the bloody sequences even bloodier, and the color turns the Crimson Witch's magic into a thing that rages and pulses.

Jason Aaron's story is good, but it is not as passionate as Asrar-Wilson's art.  However, Aaron has created a menace (the Crimson Witch) that it actually and legitimately dangerous to Conan, throughout his life.  I like that Aaron is willing to depict Conan as a brutal killer (and that Asrar and Wilson draws that cleaving, hacking, slashing, and beheading with glee).  Speaking of glee, the villains are gleefully murderous, and that is a good thing.  I have to give letterer Travis Lanham credit; he makes Aaron's script read like true-blue, bloody mayhem Conan the Barbarian.

Conan the Barbarian #1 (2019) is a good first issue.  It isn't great, but it doesn't have to be.  I was certainly hopeful that I would have a reason to be a regular reader of Conan the Barbarian again (which I have not been since the Reagan era).

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.

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

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for July 25, 2018

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

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Review: CAPTAIN AMERICA #695

CAPTAIN AMERICA No. 695
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Mark Waid
ART: Chris Samnee
COLORS: Matthew Wilson
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Chris Samnee with Matthew Wilson
VARIANT COVERS: Alex Ross (after John Romita, Jr. and Bob Layton); John Tyler Christopher with Ariel Olivetti; Adi Granov; Mike McKone with Rachelle Rosenberg; Jim Steranko
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2018)

Rated “T+”

Captain America created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby

“Home of the Brave” Part 1

Captain America is a Marvel Comics superhero. He was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby and first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 (cover dated:  March 1941), which was published by Timely Comics, a predecessor of Marvel Comics.  Captain America Comics was canceled in 1949, but there was a revival of the series from 1953 to 1954.  Captain America fully returned to modern comic books in The Avengers #4 (cover dated: March 1964).

Marvel Comics is in the middle of its “Legacy” event, returning many titles to its original numbering after a decade of relaunching a number of titles with new #1 issues – three, four, and even five or more times.  The ongoing Captain America comic book series has a new creative team for the Legacy launch.  The team of writer Mark Waid and artist Chris Samnee, the creative duo behind Marvel's critically acclaimed Daredevil relaunch (2012) several years ago, brings Captain America into the “Legacy era.”  Matthew Wilson is the colorist, and Joe Caramagna is the letterer.

Captain America #695 begins with a brief recount of how Steve Rogers became the “super solider,” Captain America; his exploits on the battlefields of World War II, and how he disappeared.  Then, we learn how Captain America became a legend and an inspiration to the town of Burlington, Nebraska after stopping a group of neo-Nazi, white supremacist-types, something he may have to do again.

I have said that when Mark Waid is good, he is really good.  [On the other hand, when he is not good, he can be an exceedingly, irritatingly pedestrian comic book storyteller.]  I am a huge fan of Chris Samnee's classic, cartoonists drawing style.  In Captain America #695, Waid is in top form, and Samnee hits the heights of throwback, Silver Age comics style.

Waid's script creates a standalone story that epitomizes what seems to be the essence of Captain America's mission and message: the strong protect the weak.  We look out for each other against those who would do harm, and every man, woman, and child (of at least a certain age) can lend a helping hand, if they choose.

I love Captain America #695.  It is a standalone treat, the kind of single-issue comic book that we need in between long story arcs and of which we don't get often enough.  I really like Waid's story.  I wish more comic book art looked like Chris Samnee's art.  If I were a comic book publisher, my comic books would look like Captain America #695.  If you have time to read only one comic book today, read Captain America #695.

[This comic book includes an “Legacy” character summary written by Robbie Thompson; drawn by Valero Schiti; colored by Frank D'Armata; and lettered by VC's Joe Caramagna.]

A+
10 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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Review: INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #593

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN No. 593
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Brian Michael Bendis
ART: Stefano Caselli; Alex Maleev
COLORS: Marte Gracia; Alex Maleev
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: Adi Granov
VARIANT COVERS: Alan Davis and Mark Farmer with Matt Yackey; John Tyler Christopher with Stefano Caselli and Marte Gracia; Mike McKone with Rachelle Rosenberg; Chip Zdarsky; Jack Kirby with Frank Giacola
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2017)

Rated “T+”

Iron Man created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Don Heck, and Jack Kirby

“The Search for Tony Stark” Part One

One could be forgiven for thinking that there was a new Iron Man #1 comic book of some type every year, and that would not be far from the truth.  I think that going back to 1999, there have been close to 10 Iron Man #1's of one type or another, if not more.

Thanks to Marvel Comics' new “Legacy” initiative, Iron Man goes back to its original numbering (plus several relaunch numbers) and the result is Invincible Iron Man #593.  The creative team behind the most recent Invincible Iron Man relaunch (which was just a year ago) remains for the “Legacy” launch.  That would be writer Brian Michael Bendis; artist Stefano Caselli; colorist Marte Gracia; and letterer Clayton Cowles, with International Iron Man and Infamous Iron Man artist/colorist, Alex Maleev joining the team.

With Tony Stark out of commission (following events depicted in Civil War II), Riri Williams, a teenage girl and genius, and Victor Von Doom, formerly the super-villain Doctor Doom, have taken on the mantle of Iron Man.  Riri does so as the armored hero, Ironheart.

As Invincible Iron Man #593 opens, Tony Stark's comatose body has disappeared.  Riri joins Amanda Armstrong (Tony's birth mother); Mary Jane Watson (chosen by Tony to run Stark Industries); and Friday (an artificial intelligence Tony created to help him) in the search for Tony Stark.  They better hurry!  Stark Industries' Board of Directors is making bold moves.  Meanwhile, the Infamous Iron Man Victor von Doom has to find some escaped prisoners.

I had high hopes for the 11-issue run of Invincible Iron Man starring Riri Williams, and writer Brian Michael Bendis delivered.  Riri is the most fascinating female character of color in superhero comic books since the X-Men's Storm, specifically during the first decade of Storm's existence as written by Chris Claremont.  Riri is a well-developed character, and would be fascinating even if she were not in a superhero comic book.  Her imagination and inquisitiveness are infectious; I want to learn with her and be by her side inventing stuff.

But many of the white dudes that read comics and control the means of production (allegedly) ain't having it.  It is time to bring the white Iron Man back.  Seriously, Brian Bendis writing about Riri the armored character “Ironheart” in Invincible Iron Man and about Victor von Doom trying to be good guy as Iron Man in Infamous Iron Man did some stellar work.  In my decades as a Marvel Comics reader, I have never read better Iron Man comic books than what Bendis wrote, and he was doing it twice a month.

Bendis recently announced that he has signed as an exclusive creator with DC Comics, leaving Marvel after nearly 20 years.  I don't know who will replace him on Iron Man, and I don't think the new writer (who will obviously be a white male) can match Bendis.  If he does, I doubt he can do it on two monthly books.

So this first issue of “The Search for Tony Stark,” which is probably Bendis' last Iron Man story arc (for a while at least), is a nice start, and the ending of this issue is quite intriguing.

A
8 out of 10

Thursday, December 21, 2017


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

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Review: DARTH VADER #1

DARTH VADER No. 1 (2017)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

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

STORY: Charles Soule
PENCILS: Giuseppe Camuncoli
INKS: Cam Smith
COLORS: David Curiel
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Jim Cheung with Matthew Wilson
VARIANT COVERS: John Tyler Christopher; Phil Noto; Mark Brooks; Adi Granov; Skottie Young; David Lopez; Rod Reis
44pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (August 2017)

Rated T

“The Chosen One” Part I

Of course, you know that The Walt Disney Company owns Marvel Comics, dear readers.  Shortly after acquiring Marvel Entertainment, Disney bought Lucasfilm, Ltd., the owner of all thing Star Wars.  Marvel Comics, the original home of Star Wars comics, is once again publishing Star Wars comics, and this time, these comic book are officially part of the Star Wars canon.

Two years ago, Marvel launched the comic book series, Darth Vader.  Written by Keiron Gillen and drawn by Salvador Larroca, the series was set immediately after the events depicted in the original 1977 film, Star Wars (or Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope).  In this comic book, we watched as Darth Vader was forced to work his way back into Emperor Palpatine good graces because the Emperor held Vader responsible for the destruction of his ultimate weapon, the Death Star, by the Rebel Alliance – as seen Star Wars.

Now, there is a new Darth Vader comic book series.  It is written by Charles Soule; drawn by Giuseppe Camuncoli (pencils) and Cam Smith (inks); colored by David Curiel; and lettered by Joe Caramagna.  This series is set after the events depicted in the 2005 film, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, although some of it recounts events that took place at the end of that film.

Darth Vader #1 opens as Anakin Skywalker awakens as the monster in a suit of cybernetic armor, Darth Vader.  He is filled with pain and rage over the death of his wife, Padmé Amidala.  After Emperor Palpatine brings his new dog, Vader, to heel, he begins the task of making the new Sith Lord prove that he can help him in the task of building and defending a Galactic Empire.  First task: Vader must build a lightsaber worthy of a Sith.

A Star Wars comic book has to be really bad or pretty average to get a grade of less than B+ from me.  I am a decades-long Star Wars fan and get a kick out of reading Star Wars comic books.  I am giving this new Darth Vader #1 a grade of B+, although I don't much care for Giuseppe Camuncoli's art.  This opening chapter is okay, but it does set up the possibility of some really exciting chapters to come.

So, go get this new Darth Vader #1, Star Wars fan.

B+

[This comic book includes the bonus story, “No Good Deed...” by Chris Eliopoulos with Jordie Bellaire.]

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


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

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Review: DARTH VADER #25

DARTH VADER No. 25
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

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

STORY: Keiron Gillen
ART: Salvador Larroca
COLORS: Edgar Delgado
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Juan Gimenez
VARIANT COVERS: Cliff Chiang; John Tyler Christopher; Michael Cho; Adi Granov; Greg Land; Salvador Larocca; Jamie McKelvie; Sara Pichelli; Joe Quesada; Chris Samnee; Kamome Shirahama
52pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (December 2016)

Rated T

Book IV, Part VI: “End of Games”

Of course you know that The Walt Disney Company owns Marvel Comics, dear readers.  Shortly after acquiring Marvel Entertainment, Disney bought Lucasfilm, Ltd., the owner of all thing Star Wars.  Just a (relatively) short time later, Dark Horse Comics lost the license to produce Star Wars comic books, which it had held for two decades.  It was obvious that Marvel would be the new home of Star Wars comics, and around the beginning of 2015, Marvel released the flagship title, Star Wars.

Shortly afterwards, Marvel began its second Star Wars series, Darth Vader.  Written by Keiron Gillen, drawn by Salvador Larroca, colored by Edgar Delgado, and lettered by Joe Caramagna, this series chronicled the quest of Star Wars' most (in)famous and beloved villain, Darth Vader, has he delved into his past and fought for his present in order to prepare for his future.

Basically, this is how Darth Vader the comic book worked.  Emperor Palpatine held Vader responsible for the destruction of his ultimate weapon, the Death Star, by the Rebel Alliance – as seen the original Star Wars from 1977 (also known as Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope).  Suddenly, the Emperor had appointed others in position of power that basically rivaled Vader's position of power and authority under the Emperor, and some of those rivals wanted to see Vader dead.

To defend himself, Vader essentially created his own secret Empire within the Emperor's Empire, from which he could defeat his adversaries and secure his position in the Empire.  Vader even learned that the young pilot who launched the torpedoes/missiles that destroyed the Death Star is Luke Skywalker, his son by his late wife from another life.  As the series progressed, Vader had much success, but some of his rivals prove to be formidable adversaries who could destroy him.

Now, the series comes to an end and wraps up its remaining story lines/threads in Darth Vader #25.  As the story begins, Darth Vader prepares for his final showdown with the one who has proven to be his most wily rival, Cylo, but the traitorous scientist has a fail safe that may give him victory over Vader.  Meanwhile, Vader's secret ally, Dr. Aphra, moves to protect herself from Vader – by seeking counsel with the Emperor!

After the first story arc of this series, entitled “Vader,” it was clear that Marvel's best Star Wars comic book was Darth Vader, which was saying a lot because the flagship Star Wars was also quite good.  I think series writer Kieron Gillen did a good job of connecting the past, which contained the wreckage resulting from the transformation of Annakin Skywalker into Darth Vader to the present, filled with Vader's problems and dilemmas.  Gillen gave his readers the chance to watch Vader discover some of the secrets of his past, which were not secret to readers, while also offering readers the opportunity to see how Vader “discovered” Luke Skywalker.

I can say that Gillen was good enough at what he did with Darth Vader that this series is worth preserving in trade paperback for future readers.  For the time being or until Star Wars is inevitably rebooted (probably sooner than we think), Gillen's Darth Vader is Star Wars storytelling for posterity.

And before we go, I must praise the stellar work of series artist, Salvador Larroca.  It is a shame that it seems easy to take Larroca for granted, but his work defined this series' sense of cloak and dagger and the title character's relentless aggression.

A

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


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

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

Review: INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #1

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN (2015) No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Brian Michael Bendis
ART: David Marquez
COLORS: Justin Ponsor
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: David Marquez with Justin Ponsor
VARIANT COVERS: Adi Granov, Ryan Stegman with Richard Isanove; Sara Pichelli with Jason Keith; Mahmud Asrar with Sonia Oback; Valerio Schiti with Jason Keith; Nick Bradshaw with Paul Mounts; Bruce Timm; Skottie Young; Brian Stelfreeze; John Tyler Christopher; Yasmine Putri; Dale Oliver photographed by Judy Stephens
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2015)

Rated “T+”

I was very happy with the most recent “new” Iron Man comic book series, Superior Iron Man, that was launched in 2014 as part of Marvel Comics' “Avengers NOW!” initiative.  As part of the “All-New All-Different Marvel,” there is a new Iron Man comic book, and it is entitled Invincible Iron Man.  This new series is written by Brian Michael Bendis; drawn by David Marquez; colored by Justin Ponsor; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.

Bendis and Marquez were the creative team of the second Miles Morales Spider-Man comic book, and Invincible Iron Man was the title of an Iron Man (2008) comic book written by Matt Fraction and drawn by Salvador Larroca.  I loved me some Miles, but I did not read a single issue of the Fraction-Larroca Iron Man, although I still plan to do so.

Invincible Iron Man #1 opens with an former A.I.M. operative trying to make a deal with Madame Masque.  Meanwhile, Tony Stark is enjoying some shop time and finally finishes him newest armor, his best armor.  He will need this new suit as enemies old, new, and transformed step forward.

This breezy first issue of Invincible Iron Man makes it difficult to be particularly critical or adoring of it.  But I do like it, and will read future issues.  I enjoy the Bendis-Marquez team, and if this first issue is any indication, I will enjoy this duo again.  Still, I don't know if this Iron Man comic book will be a particularly memorable one, which is something I can say about Superior Iron Man.  Knowing Bendis, I should have an idea soon.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 6, 2015

MARVEL COMICS
MAR150725     ALL NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA SPECIAL #1     $4.99
FEB150864     ALL NEW X-MEN TP VOL 05 ONE DOWN     $19.99
MAR150700     AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #18     $3.99
MAR150719     ANT-MAN #5     $3.99
MAR150690     AVENGERS VS #1     $5.99
DEC140966     CAPTAIN AMERICA RETURN OF WINTER SOLDIER OMNIBUS HC     $99.99
FEB158441     DARTH VADER #1 GRANOV 3RD PTG VAR     $4.99
FEB158445     DARTH VADER #2 GRANOV 3RD PTG VAR     $3.99
FEB150843     FIGMENT HC     $24.99
MAR150711     GEORGE ROMEROS EMPIRE OF DEAD ACT THREE #2     $3.99
DEC140958     GUARDIANS OF GALAXY HC VOL 01 MOVIE CVR     $34.99
MAR150744     GUARDIANS TEAM-UP #5     $3.99
MAR150755     HULK #16     $4.99
MAR150680     INHUMAN ANNUAL #1     $4.99
FEB158468     KANAN LAST PADAWAN #1 BROOKS 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
MAR150685     KANAN LAST PADAWAN #2     $3.99
APR140753     MMW DOCTOR STRANGE HC VOL 01 NEW PTG     $49.99
APR140754     MMW X-MEN HC VOL 01 NEW PTG     $49.99
MAR150738     OPERATION SIN #5     $3.99
FEB158442     PRINCESS LEIA #2 DODSON 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
MAR150732     PUNISHER #18     $3.99
MAR150773     RETURN OF LIVING DEADPOOL #4     $3.99
FEB150844     ROAD TO MARVELS AVENGERS AGE OF ULTRON ART SLIPCASE HC     $49.99
MAR150747     ROCKET RACCOON #11     $3.99
FEB150650     SECRET WARS #1     $4.99
FEB150858     SECRET WARS PRELUDE TP     $34.99
MAR150705     SPIDER-GWEN #4     $3.99
MAR150707     SPIDER-WOMAN #7     $3.99
FEB158443     STAR WARS #1 CASSADAY 5TH PTG VAR     $4.99
FEB158444     STAR WARS #3 CASSADAY 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
JAN150883     STAR WARS OGN HC EPISODE IV NEW HOPE     $24.99
MAR150721     UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #5     $3.99
MAR150774     WOLVERINES #17     $3.99

I Reads You Review: DARTH VADER #1

DARTH VADER #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

["Star Wars Central" review page is here.]

STORY: Keiron Gillen
ART: Salvador Larroca
COLORS: Edgar Delgado
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Adi Granov
VARIANT COVERS: Alex Ross, Simone Bianchi, Mark Brooks, J. Scott Campbell, John Cassaday, John Tyler Christopher, Adi Granov, Greg Horn, Greg Land, Salvador Larocca, Alex Maleev, Mike Del Mundo, Whilce Portacio, Mico Suayan, Skottie Young
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (April 2015)

Rated T

Book 1: Vader

Marvel Comics' new line of Star Wars comic books yields a second series.  Entitled Darth Vader, it is written by Keiron Gillen, drawn by Salvador Larroca, colored by Edgar Delgado, and lettered by Joe Caramagna.  Of course, this series focuses on the signature Star Wars villain, Darth Vader.

It might seem odd to that Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith, is so popular.  Throughout six Star Wars films, Vader, either as himself or as his original identity, Anakin Skywalker, has been portrayed as a killer, a mass murderer, a child killer, a war criminal, a torturer, a traitor, a liar, and as the lap dog of Emperor of the evil Galactic Empire.  While people would generally find anyone of the above descriptions repugnant, to say nothing of possessing more than one, Darth Vader is a fictional character is an escapist fantasy.  Instead of being repugnant, Vader is alluring

It is granted that countless people around the world take the Star Wars narrative seriously.  While Darth Vader may be like Adolf Hitler, he is not in actuality like Hitler.  So fans can love the fictional Vader, while hating even a fictional depiction of Hitler.  Got it?  We don't have to take Vader so seriously in order to find him a most delicious bad guy.

Darth Vader #1 (Book 1: Vader) opens after the events that took place on Cymoon (as seen in Marvel's recently launched Star Wars comic book series).  Vader is on the planet Tatooine to negotiate with Outer Rim crime lord, Jabba the Hutt.  The story then takes readers to the period shortly before Vader arrived on Tatooine.

We learn that the Emperor is exceedingly displeased at the Rebel Alliance's destruction of the Death Star and also with the Rebel attack on Cymoon.  The Emperor both blames Vader and tasks him with repairing the damage done to “his” empire by the recent setbacks.  Vader realizes that his position is now precarious, so how will he respond?

As I started reading Darth Vader #1, I did not expect much – I have to admit.  The art is good, but it is by Salvador Larroca, who is always good and has been for over a decade.  Just after the halfway point in this first issue, I started to understand that Darth Vader the comic book looks like it is going to be a character drama about and character study of Vader.  He will be neither the henchman/contagonist of the original Star Wars film trilogy nor the shallow and petulant youth of the Star Wars prequel trilogy.

Keiron Gillen will give Vader not only motivation, but also personality, including a sense of pride and an ability to be pricked and wounded emotionally and psychologically.  Vader will have to respond, to defend, and to protect himself in sometimes imaginative and sometimes foolish ways.  Larroca will bring that to life in vivid, potent, and eye-catching storytelling.

Could Darth Vader be the better Star Wars ongoing series?

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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