Review: COSMIC SCOUNDRELS Trade Paperback

COSMIC SCOUNDRELS (TPB)
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Andy Suriano and Matt Chapman
SCRIPT: Matt Chapman
ART: Andy Suriano
COLORS: Andy Suriano with T Dang
LETTERS: Christa Miesner and Andy Suriano
COVER: George Caltsoudas
SERIES COVERS: Andy Suriano
MISC. ART: Andrew MacLean; Warwick Johnson Cadwell; Dan McDaid; Alexis Ziritt; Aaron Conley; Veronica Fish; Ron Salas; Tanner Johnson; Paul Maybury; Jake Wyatt with Rico Renzi; Paul Harmon; Derek Charm; Chris Schweizer; Rob Schrab; Terry and Rachel Dodson with Rico Renzi; Derek Hunter; Wilfredo Torres; Tony Fleecs; Michel Fiffe; Scott Kowalchuk; Kali Fontecchio; Jeffs Sims; Rico Renzi; Nick Dragotta; Andy Suriano
ISBN: 978-1-68405-024-6; paperback (December 2017)
144pp, Color, $19.99 U.S., $25.99 CAN (December 19, 2017)

Cosmic Scoundrels created by Andy Suriano and Matt Chapman

Cosmic Scoundrels is a five-issue miniseries published by IDW Publishing in 2017.  In December 2017, IDW collected Cosmic Scoundrels as a full-color trade paperback that reprints all five issues of the miniseries and reprints all of the miniseries' covers and variant covers.  There is also a 20-page dossier of characters, ships, planets, concepts, etc. used in the minseries and miscellany like faux-advertisements and comic strips.  Cosmic Scoundrels is written by Andy Suriano (story) and Matt Chapman (story and script).  It is drawn by Suriano; colored by Suriano and T Dang; and lettered by Christa Miesner and Suriano.

Cosmic Scoundrels was created by two veterans of American television animation, Andy Suriano and Matt Chapman.  Suriano is a character designer, storyboard artist, and concept designer who is known for his work on “Samurai Jack” (2001-2004) and “Star Wars: Clone Wars” (2003-2005), and Suriano is also an Emmy Award winner.  Chapman is an animation writer and voice actor for animated series, having worked on the Disney Channel's “Gravity Falls” (2012 to 2016) as both a writer and performer.

A sci-fi action-comedy, Cosmic Scoundrels focuses on Love Savage and Roshambo, two space-fairing scoundrels and thieves.  Love Savage, with his long blond hair, looks like a rock star and is indeed in a rock band.  Roshambo is the tough-guy, military type and sports a pair of powerful gauntlets on his wrists.  These two bachelor scalawags travel the spaceways aboard their ship, “the S.S. Fistpuncher,” and get a little mothering from the ship's artificial intelligence (A.I.), “Mrs. Billingsley.”

Trouble starts for the two when they rob the Dimetrotron Brothers of some supposedly valuable cargo.  What they find in one of the crates is a toddler with a huge electronic collar around his neck.  Alternately calling him, “Tad Jr.” and “Roshambo Jr.,” our scoundrels fight to keep the baby from the clutches of very powerful forces that insist on obtaining the child.  By the end of this adventure, many secrets will be revealed, and Love Savage and Roshambo will find themselves exposed.

You don't have to read many pages into Cosmic Scoundrels to see that it is a celebration of the spirit of animated television series.  Cosmic Scoundrels is basically the kind of Saturday morning cartoon we wish existed.  The story's vivid colors seems to emanate from a cathode ray tube, blasting electron beams from behind animation cels.

The lettering is like a cat on a hot tin roof which gives the story a wild and crazy vibe.  The narrative is kind of all over the place, but readers can use the protect-the-baby plot line as a kind of yellow brick road that will take you to the back-to-Kansas ending of the story.  Sometimes, the story is a little too wild and wooly, so focus on Cosmic Scoundrels' explosive graphics and graphical storytelling.

Cosmic Scoundrels does have a flavor that recalls films like The Fifth Element and Marvel Studios' Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, as well as the 1981 animated film, Heavy Metal.  Fans of anime and animation will feel the groove of “Cowboy Bebop,” “Futurama,” “Galaxy High,” and “Samurai Jack,” to name a few.  It is as fun to read Cosmic Scoundrels as it is to watch such animated series.  This comic book does have some story padding, and the lead characters, Love Savage and Roshambo, beg for some character development.  Hopefully, the Cosmic Scoundrels have a future that reveals more about them.

7 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.

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

I Reads You Review: SAMURAI JACK #20

SAMURAI JACK #20
IDW PUBLISHING with Cartoon Network – @IDWPublishing and @cartoonnetwork

WRITER: Jim Zub – @jimzub
ARTIST: Andy Suriano
COLORS: Josh Burcham
LETTERS: Shawn Lee
COVER A: Andy Suriano
VARIANT COVER: Andy Suriano
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2015)

Samurai Jack created by Genndy Tartakovsky

“Mako the Scribe”

"Samurai Jack" is an animated series that was originally broadcast on Cartoon Network from 2001 to 2004 for a total of 52 episodes.  This television series tells the story of a legendary samurai, known as “Jack,” who is transported to a dystopian, futuristic Earth ruled by the tyrannical, shape-shifting, demonic wizard, Aku.  Jack wanders this future, trying to find a method by which he can travel back in time to the era in which he belongs, Feudal Japan, where he plans to defeat Aku, another denizen of Japan’s past.

In the Fall of 2013, IDW Publishing brought Samurai Jack back to life as a new five-issue comic book miniseries written by Jim Zub and drawn by Andy Suriano.  [IDW had begun a partnership with Cartoon Network (CN) to produce original comic books based on CN’s animated properties.]

Zub and Suriano's Samurai Jack comic book was not merely an adaptation of the original animated series; that comic book WAS Samurai Jack.  The initial five-issue run was well-received enough that IDW made it an ongoing comic book series.  Now, however, Samurai Jack the comic book is ending with the publication of its twentieth issue.

Samurai Jack #20 (“Mako the Scribe”) opens in an indeterminate future of the future into which Aku transported Jack.  A wandering scribe named “Mako,” searches for the elusive truth about the one called “Jack.”  Mako says of himself, “I inscribe the words and deeds of important historical figures.”  He is having a difficult time finding little more than exaggerations and second-hand tales of his latest historical subject, Jack... until he meets LaMarr.  This is the first person whom Mako has encountered who seems to have actually met Jack.  Now, LaMarr is offering Mako a chance to meet his subject...

The original Star Wars (1977) would have been perfectly fine without a sequel.  The film's ending offered the first big victory of the small and vulnerable Rebel Alliance against the mighty and evil Galactic Empire.  As the credits rolled on the film, the audience could imagine that this battle of good versus evil would continue forever (or at least for a long time) because this battle is an eternal struggle.

When the immortal Aku flung the “foolish samurai warrior” into the future, this master of darkness made the samurai, who would become known as “Jack,” also an immortal.  Thus, Jack's struggle against Aku becomes an eternal one... or something like that.  We can assume that one day Jack will defeat Aku, but good may defeat evil, but it cannot destroy it.

Samurai Jack #20 is merely the end of this comic book iteration of “Samurai Jack.”  Perhaps, the current comic book market cannot support a long-running, ongoing Samurai Jack comic book.  Zub and Suriano proved that they can produce a high-quality comic book that is true to the original “Samurai Jack,” so I cannot imagine that IDW would just let Samurai Jack die as a comic book.  How can they when the comic book is so good?

In this last (not final?) issue, Zub and Suriano offer a beginning that pretends to be an ending.  Samurai Jack will be back.  Until then, dear reader, find the trade paperback collections and search the back issue bins, but read this series... or re-read it like me.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux - support on Patreon.


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

I Reads You Review: SAMURAI JACK #5

SAMURAI JACK #5
IDW PUBLISHING with Cartoon Network – @IDWPublishing and @cartoonnetwork

WRITER: Jim Zub – @jimzub
ARTIST: Andy Suriano – @wolfboy74
COLORS: Josh Burcham
LETTERS: Shawn Lee
COVER: Andy Suriano
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2014)

Samurai Jack created by Genndy Tartakovsky

“Samurai Jack and the Threads of Time” Part 5

IDW Publishing’s licensed Samurai Jack comic book series is a comic book adaptation of the Emmy-winning animated television series, Samurai Jack (2001-2004).  The series’ initial storyline, “The Threads of Time,” comes to a close

Written by Jim Zub and drawn by Andy Suriano, Samurai Jack was one of the best new comic book series of 2013.  What started out as a miniseries received the green light to become an ongoing series.  Hooray!

Like the animated series, Samurai Jack the comic book focuses on the samurai known as “Jack.”  Trapped on a dystopian, futuristic Earth, Jack fights an old enemy, the tyrannical, shape-shifting, demonic wizard named Aku.  Jack wanders this future, trying to find a method by which he can travel back in time to the era in which he belongs, Feudal Japan.  There, he can try to keep Aku from creating this troubled future.

Samurai Jack #5 finds Jack near the end of his journey to find the last of the Threads of Time.  Once in possession of all the strands, he can wind them into the Rope of Eons and therefore, rewind himself back to Feudal Japan.  Jack enters Aku’s fortress to find Aku in possession of the final Thread of Time.  Victory is in Jack’s grasp, but so is doom.

I have enjoyed reading the previous issues of Zub and Suriano’s Samurai Jack, and my determination to find and read every issue has been paid off with an excellent conclusion.  This final chapter in the opening story arc is a tour de force performance by Suriano and colorist, Josh Burcham.  Suriano’s art is kinetic, crackles with life, and practically stirs as if animated.  Burcham’s colors make the art pop off the page, bringing the graphics and story to life.  Samurai Jack the comic book is an outstanding pop confection, the kind of comic book that makes me keeping coming back for more.

A

www.jimzub.com
www.IDWPUBLISHING.com
youtube.com/idwpublishing
facebook.com/idwpublishing

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

I Reads You Review: SAMURAI JACK #4

SAMURAI JACK #4
IDW PUBLISHING with Cartoon Network – @IDWPublishing and @cartoonnetwork

WRITER: Jim Zub – @jimzub
ARTIST: Andy Suriano – @wolfboy74
COLORS: Josh Burcham
LETTERS: Shawn Lee
COVER: Andy Suriano
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2014)

Samurai Jack created by Genndy Tartakovsky

“Samurai Jack and the Threads of Time” Part 4

Samurai Jack, the comic book adaptation of the Emmy-winning animated television series, Samurai Jack (2001-2004), reaches the penultimate issue of “The Threads of Time” storyline.  The Samurai Jack five-issue comic book miniseries is written by Jim Zub and drawn by Andy Suriano.

As you now, Samurai Jack focuses on a samurai known as “Jack,” who is trapped in a dystopian, futuristic Earth.  It is ruled by an old enemy of Jack’s, a tyrannical, shape-shifting, demonic wizard named Aku.  Jack wanders this future, trying to find a method by which he can travel back in time to the era in which he belongs, Feudal Japan.  Then, he can try to keep Aku from creating this troubled future.

Samurai Jack #4 finds Jack continuing to search for the Threads of Time.  With them, he can wind into the Rope of Eons and therefore, rewind himself home.  He already has four strands.

Jack now travels through a remote area beset by a terribly frigid winter.  Jack arrives in a village searching for food and other provisions for his journey.  What he finds instead is a beaten populace that serves the needs of the vain and greedy, immortal Queen Krystle the Ageless.  And even Jack’s martial prowess may be no match for her power and her robotic army.

Once again, I am not surprised that I enjoyed reading Zub and Suriano’s Samurai Jack.  As I review this miniseries, I keep saying that this Samurai Jack comic book is not merely an adaptation of the cartoon; it is the real Jack.  This time, I also have to acknowledge the colors by Josh Burcham.  He brings this story to life as much as Zub and Suriano by creating mood and atmosphere.  Burcham also gives this story’s setting the sense of being a character.

I still hope this Samurai Jack miniseries turns into a Samurai Jack regular series.

A


www.jimzub.com
www.IDWPUBLISHING.com
youtube.com/idwpublishing
facebook.com/idwpublishing

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for February 26 2014

IDW PUBLISHING

DEC130381 GHOSTBUSTERS #13 $3.99
DEC130391 JUDGE DREDD #16 $3.99
DEC130443 MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDS FOREVER #2 $3.99
DEC130449 POWERPUFF GIRLS #6 $3.99
DEC130446 SAMURAI JACK #5 $3.99
DEC130448 SAMURAI JACK SPECIAL DIRECTORS CUT $7.99
DEC130431 STAR TREK KHAN #5 $3.99
DEC130435 STAR TREK ONGOING #30 $3.99
DEC130417 THUNDER AGENTS #6 $3.99
DEC130419 THUNDER AGENTS ONGOING TP VOL 01 $17.99
DEC130422 TMNT NEW ANIMATED ADVENTURES #8 $3.99
DEC130427 TMNT ONGOING #31 $3.99
DEC130429 TMNT UTROM EMPIRE #2 $3.99
DEC130407 TRANSFORMERS REGENERATION ONE #99 $3.99
DEC130386 WRAITH WELCOME TO CHRISTMASLAND #4 $3.99
DEC130375 X-FILES CONSPIRACY TRANSFORMERS #1 $3.99
DEC130483 ZOMBIES VS ROBOTS NO MANS LAND PROSE SC $19.99

I Reads You Review: SAMURAI JACK #3

SAMURAI JACK #3
IDW PUBLISHING with Cartoon Network – @IDWPublishing and @cartoonnetwork

WRITER: Jim Zub – @jimzub
ARTIST: Andy Suriano – @wolfboy74
COLORS: Josh Burcham
LETTERS: Shawn Lee
COVER: Andy Suriano
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2013)

Samurai Jack created by Genndy Tartakovsky

“Samurai Jack and the Threads of Time” Part 3

The Emmy-winning animated television series, Samurai Jack (2001-2004), focuses on a samurai known as “Jack,” who is trapped in a dystopian, futuristic Earth.  It is ruled by an old enemy of Jack’s, a tyrannical, shape-shifting, demonic wizard named Aku.  Jack wanders this future, trying to find a method by which he can travel back in time to the era in which he belongs, Feudal Japan, and keep Aku from creating this troubled future.

Samurai Jack returns in a new five-issue comic book miniseries from IDW Publishing, written by Jim Zub and drawn by Andy Suriano.  Samurai Jack #3 opens as Jack continues to search for the Threads of Time, which he can wind into the Rope of Eons and therefore, rewind himself home.  He already has three strands.

Jack enters the village of Grantus, a place straight out of Greek antiquity.  The villagers are not very friendly, but the village’s champion, Gloer the Great, can explain why.  Gloer is friendly and welcoming, but there is more to his story than Jack realizes.

Throughout my reviews of this miniseries, I have said that this Samurai Jack comic book is not merely an adaptation of the cartoon.  It IS Samurai Jack, simply because it captures the spirit, tone, and look of the cartoon.  Writer Jim Zub tells the kind of stories that could have been episodes of the cartoon, so much so that you would think he had been a writer on the series.

Artist Andy Suriano did work on the original Samurai Jack, as a character designer.  As a comic book artist, he brings Jack back to life, with graphics that pop off the page.  He makes the reader believe that Jack is animated again, his sword slashing across the comic book page.

I must admit that I am not too crazy about the twist or “shocking reveal” of this issue’s story, but I still enjoyed reading it.  That enjoyment is the reason why I hope this miniseries turns into a regular series.

A-

www.jimzub.com
www.IDWPUBLISHING.com
youtube.com/idwpublishing
facebook.com/idwpublishing

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

Review: SAMURAI JACK #2

SAMURAI JACK #2
IDW PUBLISHING with Cartoon Network – @IDWPublishing and @cartoonnetwork

WRITER: Jim Zub – @jimzub
ARTIST: Andy Suriano – @wolfboy74
COLORS: Josh Burcham
LETTERS: Shawn Lee
COVER: Andy Suriano
SUBSCRIPTION COVER: Genndy Tartakovsky
COVER RI: Riley Rossmo
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2013)

Samurai Jack created by Genndy Tartakovsky

“Samurai Jack and the Threads of Time” Part 2

There is a legendary samurai, known as “Jack,” who is transported to a dystopian, futuristic Earth.  It is ruled by an old enemy of Jack’s, a tyrannical, shape-shifting, demonic wizard named Aku.  Jack wanders this future, trying to find a method by which he can travel back in time to the era in which he belongs, Feudal Japan, and keep Aku from creating this troubled future.  This is the premise of the 2001-2004, Cartoon Network animated series, Samurai Jack.

Samurai Jack returns in a new five-issue comic book miniseries from IDW Publishing.  Written by Jim Zub and drawn by Andy Suriano, Samurai Jack is not merely an adaptation of the cartoon.  Because it captures the spirit and look of the original, this comic book IS Samurai Jack.  This series focuses on Jack’s quest to gather the Threads of Time, which he can wind into the Rope of Eons and therefore, rewind himself home.  He already has one thread.

As Samurai Jack #2 opens, Jack arrives in a small village where he believes he can find another of the Threads of Time.  What he finds is a place full of frightened villagers.  He discovers that the problem is the village’s so-called protectors, identical twin master martial artists who call themselves “Dis and Dat.”

As he did in the first issue, writer Jim Zub maintains the sparkling wit and sly humor that marked the Emmy-winning Samurai Jack television series.  Obviously, I’ve read a lot of comic books, and I can say that this is one that captures the feelings I got watching a favorite Saturday morning cartoon.  Zub is writing a story that is as true to its source material as the best comic book media tie-ins.

Artist Andy Suriano, a character designer on the original Samurai Jack cartoon, gives this comic book art and graphics that pop off the page.  With Josh Burcham’s colors, the art shimmers and glows, which makes reading the story feel like I’m watching a cartoon.

It’s obvious, isn’t it?  I love this comic book.  It’s one of the best new series of the year.  I hope it turns into a regular series.

A

www.jimzub.com
www.IDWPUBLISHING.com
youtube.com/idwpublishing
facebook.com/idwpublishing

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for October 23 2013

Digital Comics: Digital new releases available from your local comic book shop are marked below. [DIG] = Digital version available. [DIG/P+] = Print-Plus digital/print combo pack available. Click here for a complete list of this week's Digital New Releases. For more information, go to www.digitalcomicsreader.com.

IDW PUBLISHING

JUN130333 CROW CURARE #3 [DIG] $3.99
AUG130438 DOCTOR WHO OMNIBUS TP VOL 02 $29.99
AUG130433 DOCTOR WHO VOL 3 #14 $3.99
APR130387 FEVER RIDGE MACARTHUR JUNGLE WAR #4 [DIG/P+] $3.99
JUL130381 GI JOE AMERICAS ELITE DISAVOWED TP VOL 01 $24.99
AUG130493 HAUNTED HORROR #7 [DIG/P+] $3.99
AUG130440 JUDGE DREDD #12 [DIG/P+] $3.99
AUG130445 JUDGE DREDD YEAR ONE TP $17.99
AUG130381 MY LITTLE PONY TALES TP VOL 01 $19.99
AUG130460 OTHER DEAD #2 [DIG] $3.99
JUL130299 POWERPUFF GIRLS CLASSICS TP VOL 01 POWER PARTY $19.99
JUN130349 ROCKETEER SPIRIT PULP FRICTION #2 [DIG/P+] $3.99
AUG130368 SAMURAI JACK #1 [DIG/P+] $3.99
AUG130428 STAR TREK ONGOING #26 [DIG/P+] $3.99
AUG130432 STAR TREK TNG DOCTOR WHO ASSIMILATION COMPLETE HC $34.99
AUG130455 THUNDER AGENTS #3 [DIG] $3.99
AUG130468 TMNT NEW ANIMATED ADVENTURES #4 $3.99
AUG130467 TMNT ONGOING TP VOL 06 CITY FALL PT 1 $17.99
JUL130402 TRANSFORMERS LAST STAND OF THE WRECKERS HC RED LABEL ED PI
AUG130486 TRANSFORMERS REGENERATION ONE #95 [DIG/P+] $3.99
AUG130494 TRUE BLOOD HC VOL 06 HERE WE GO AGAIN $21.99
AUG130496 VITRIOL THE HUNTER TP $19.99
AUG138054 X-FILES SEASON 10 #1 4TH PTG $3.99
AUG138055 X-FILES SEASON 10 #2 4TH PTG $3.99
AUG138211 X-FILES SEASON 10 #3 2ND PTG $3.99
AUG130458 ZOMBIE WAR #1 [DIG] $3.99

Review: SAMURAI JACK #1

"Jack's Back!"
SAMURAI JACK #1
IDW PUBLISHING with Cartoon Network – @IDWPublishing and @cartoonnetwork

WRITER: Jim Zub – @jimzub
ARTIST: Andy Suriano
LETTERS: Shawn Lee
COVER A: Andy Suriano
COVER RI: Rob Guillory
SUBSCRIPTION COVER C and COVER RE – beguiling.com Exclusive: Genndy Tartakovsky
COVER RE – Awesome Con Exclusive: Bryan Turner
COVER RE – Emerald City Comicon Exclusive: Sean Galloway
COVER RE – Hastings Exclusive: Sergio Quijada
COVER RE – Phantom Comics Exclusive: Jim Zub
COVER RE – Newbury Comics Exclusive: Ethen Beavers
COVER RE – Rhode Island Comicon Exclusive: Craig Rousseau
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2013)

Samurai Jack created by Genndy Tartakovsky

“Samurai Jack and the Threads of Time”

I’m reading the first issue of the new Samurai Jack comic book from IDW Publishing.  The first time a villain appears in the story, I can hear the late, great Don Messick’s voice in my head as I read the villain’s dialogue.  Messick was a voice actor known for his association with television animation giant, Hanna-Barbera, performing on such series as Jonny Quest and The Huckleberry Hound Show, among many.  Although he died several years before Samurai Jack debuted on television, Messick, I think, would have fit in as a voice performer on the series.

Samurai Jack is an animated series originally broadcast on Cartoon Network from 2001 to 2004 for a total of 52 episodes.  This television series tells the story of a legendary samurai, known as “Jack,” who is transported to a dystopian, futuristic Earth ruled by the tyrannical, shape-shifting, demonic wizard Aku.  Jack wanders this future, trying to find a method by which he can travel back in time to the era in which he belongs, Feudal Japan, where he plans to defeat Aku, another denizen of Japan’s past.

Now, Samurai Jack returns as a new five-issue comic book miniseries from IDW Publishing.  IDW is partnering with Cartoon Network (CN) to produce original comic books based on CN’s animated properties.  Written by Jim Zub and drawn by Andy Suriano, Samurai Jack is not merely an adaptation of the series.  This comic book IS Samurai Jack.

As Samurai Jack #1 opens, Jack begins his latest quest to find a way back to Feudal Japan.  That involves a trip across a storm-swept, insect-infested desert to seek Soule the Seer.  From Soule, Jack learns of the Threads of Time.  If Jack can obtain these threads, he can rewind the Rope of Eons and therefore, rewind himself home.  But to get the first thread, this samurai must become a gladiator.

Of all the comic books that have debuted this year, Samurai Jack is the purest of them all.  It is so free of pretension, yet is still bright and imaginative.  It is so true to its source material, the Primetime Emmy-winning, Samurai Jack, that it does not seem like a mere licensed comic book, but rather a genuine continuation of the original story.

There are two things that really stand out about writer Jim Zub’s story.  First, Zub maintains the sparkling wit and smart humor that marked the television series.  Secondly, he gives Jack personality.  Thus, the character seems like a… well, a character and not just some corporate intellectual property doing the synergistic thing.  Instead, Jack is an approachable dude; sure he can kick some butt, but the character seems approachable.

Artist Andy Suriano, a character designer on the original Samurai Jack cartoon, transforms the graphic sensibilities of the animated series into the graphical storytelling aspects of a comic book.  Suriano does not draw everything in painstaking (and painful-to-look-at) detail.  The simple shapes and abstract features of cartooning figures, sets, and background details are just as effective at establishing plot, character, and setting as the pseudo-realism of much comic book art.

Reading this first issue reminds me of the fun I had watching cartoons.  That means Samurai Jack #1 is a success.  Zub, Suriano, and IDW do what Cartoon Network’s Time-Warner sister, DC Comics, could not do:  make a good Samurai Jack comic book.  Readers who want Cartoon Network comic books finally have one in Samurai Jack.

A

www.jimzub.com
www.IDWPUBLISHING.com
youtube.com/idwpublishing
facebook.com/idwpublishing

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

IDW, Jim Zub Revive "Samurai Jack"

Back From The Past, Samurai Jack!

The epic quest to return home continues with all-new comic books from IDW

San Diego, CA (July 26, 2013) - Battling against the forces of evil and the oddities of the future, Samurai Jack's stoic journey is not over yet, in fact, it's just beginning! The long wait is almost over as the fan-favorite series is set to make its IDW debut this October! Through a partnership with Cartoon Network Enterprises, IDW will create and distribute a series of comic books being released monthly.

A cult-classic and fan-favorite of the highest order, the popular and acclaimed animated series from Cartoon Network pitted a feudal Samurai known only as Jack against the ancient demon wizard, Aku. Displaced in time, Jack was made to traverse a strange landscape of the future to find his way back to his own time.

"Samurai Jack is an irresistible mix of high adventure, comedy and mythic storytelling," said series writer Jim Zub (Skullkickers) who will be joined by Andy Suriano (Character Designer on the original Samurai Jack television series) to lead Jack on his newest adventure!

Suriano's affinity for Jack will help shape his continuing adventure. He added, "returning to Samurai Jack is such a personal experience and labor of love for me. It's like stepping through a time portal back to characters I know as friends and a world that really launched my animation career."

The first five-issue arc will explore the secrets of the "Rope of Eons,"

In addition to the great talent already working on this book, the first arc features variant covers by the show's immensely talented creator, Genndy Tartakovsky! "As a Jack and Genndy fan I'm thrilled to be writing new stories that continue where the TV series left off. I'm channeling my inner samurai to deliver a fun action-packed ride each and every issue," said Zub.

Along with the high quality collections of existing material that IDW will be releasing, the new publishing series promises to take Jack back to the past in new and exciting ways!

About Cartoon Network Enterprises
Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) is responsible for building consumer products and merchandising programs for a wide range of brands by securing and supporting long-term licensing partnerships across all categories. As the global branding and merchandising arm of Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, the division manages the consumer product programs for the networks' award-winning original programming, brands and characters including Ben 10, Adventure Time, Regular Show, The Amazing World of Gumball, The Powerpuff Girls, Adult Swim and more. CNE also serves as the exclusive global licensing agent for LazyTown Entertainment and the PGA of America for the youth marketplace.

Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com) is consistently the #1 U.S. television network among boys 6-11. Currently seen in 99 million U.S. homes and 194 countries around the world, Cartoon Network is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for kids and families. In addition to Emmy-winning original programming and industry-leading digital apps and online games, Cartoon Network embraces key social issues affecting families with solution-oriented initiatives such as Stop Bullying: Speak Up and the Move It Movement.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.