Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 7, 2018

IMAGE COMICS

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I Reads You Review: DEATHSTROKE #1

DEATHSTROKE #1 (2014)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITER/PENCILS: Tony S. Daniel
INKS: Sandu Florea
COLORS: Tomeu Morey
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVER: Tony S. Daniel and Sandu Florea with Tomeu Morey
VARIANT COVERS: Andrea Sorrentino; Kevin O'Neill
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (December 2014)

Rated “T+” (Teen Plus)

Deathstroke created by Marv Wolfman and George Perez

Deathstroke is a DC Comics character that first appeared in New Teen Titans #2 (cover date December 1980).  Created by Marv Wolfman and George Perez, Deathstroke was originally introduced as a character named “The Terminator.”  He was Slade Wilson, a mercenary who was completing the terms of a contract undertaken by his son, Ravager, to kill or capture the Teen Titans.  The Terminator became Deathstroke the Terminator and eventually just Deathstroke, an assassin, mercenary, and anti-hero.

With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, known as “The New 52,” Deathstroke received his second ongoing series, which ran for 20 issues.  In October of last year (December 2014 cover date), DC Comics debuted a new Deathstroke ongoing series.  It is written and pencilled by Tony S. Daniel, inked by Sandu Florea, colored by Tomeu Morey, and lettered by Rob Leigh.

Deathstroke #1 (“Gods of War”) opens with Deathstroke heading to Russia to complete a contract kill.  He meets his Russian contact, Angelica, for sex before going on a killing spree of associates of his target, a man called “Possum.”  But it's all a set-up.

I thought that The Punisher by Garth Ennis was the comic book with the most extreme depictions of violence ever published by one of the big two comic book companies – that I read, at least.  Deathstroke's pretty art, from pencils to compositions and from design to colors, is a flashy and explosive celebration of graphic violence in graphical storytelling.  I am not offended; I want more.

I am glad that I found a second printing of Deathstroke #1.  It seems like something I want to read, and my mind seems to love the eye-candy ferocity of the story.

[This comic book includes a preview of the Vertigo comic book series, Suiciders, from writer-artist, Lee Bermejo.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

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

The New 52 Review: I, VAMPIRE #1

"Blood in, blood out"

I, VAMPIRE #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Joshua Hale Fialkov
ARTIST: Andrea Sorrentino
COLORS: Marcelo Maiolo
LETTERS: Pat Brosseau
32pp, Color, $2.99

I, Vampire is one of the comic books to come out of “The New 52,” DC Comics re-launch of its superhero line. I, Vampire is based upon I...Vampire, which was a 24-issue storyline that appeared in House of Mystery from 1981 to 1983.

Created by writer J.M. DeMatteis and artist Tom Sutton, the series focused on Lord Andrew Bennett, a vampire who vowed to only drink the blood of animals and bottled human blood. In 1591, Bennett turned his lover, Mary Seward, into a vampire, but she became corrupted by the power. Seward took the name Mary, Queen of Blood and created a group of vampires called The Blood Red Moon that was bent on taking over the world. I...Vampire followed Bennett into modern times as he tried to undo his mistake and take down Mary and The Blood Red Moon.

I don’t know how much of the original I...Vampire will carry over into the new version. I, Vampire #1 (“Tainted Love”) opens in Boston with a shirtless Andrew (why?) hunting new vampires – apparently the creation of his former lover, Mary. Meanwhile, the narrative flashbacks reveal an argument/discussion between Andrew and Mary.

In spite of the shirtless vampire males and the Goth-y vamp chicks (and all those lithe bodies), I, Vampire is not DC Comics’ Twilight thing. Actually, it may be the feuding vampire version of Marvel Comics’ mutant vs. mutant thing. I almost like artist Andrea Sorrentino’s Jae Lee impersonation, although I’d prefer a more traditional art style (like Tom Sutton’s).

I think writer Joshua Hale Fialkov could do something interesting with this, especially because it ties into the DCU proper rather than Vertigo.

B

September 28th
AQUAMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/aquaman-1.html
BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/batman-dark-knight-1.html
BLACKHAWKS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/blackhawks-1.html
FLASH #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/flash-1.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/justice-league-dark-1.html
SUPERMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/superman-1.html
TEEN TITANS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/teen-titans-1.html
VOODOO #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/voodoo-1.html