#IReadsYou Review: NOCTERRA Blacktop Bill Special

NOCTERRA BLACKTOP BILL SPECIAL
IMAGE COMICS/Best Jacket Press

STORY: Scott Snyder and Tony S. Daniel
PENCILS: Denys Cowan
INKS: Kent Williams
COLORS: Chris Sotomayor
LETTERS: Andworld Design
EDITOR: Will Dennis
COVER: Tony S. Daniel with Marcelo Maiolo
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Denys Cowan
28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (January 2022)

Rated “M/ Mature”

“Blacktop Bill Origins” Part One: “Hall of Mirrors”

Nocterra is a horror and science fiction comic book series from writer Scott Snyder and artist Tony S. Daniel.  Published by Image Comics, Nocterra is set on an Earth that has been experiencing an everlasting night, the “Big PM,” since the sky went dark and the world was plunged into an everlasting night over a decade ago.

Nocterra's most terrifying creature is “Blacktop Bill,” whose body is bonded with a matrix of carbon nanotubes.  His origin story is the subject of a new special one-shot comic book, Nocterra Blacktop Bill Special.  It is written by Snyder and Daniel; drawn by Denys Cowan (pencils) and Kent Williams (inks); colored by Chris Sotomayor; and lettered by Andworld Design.

Nocterra Blacktop Bill Special opens somewhere in Florida.  That is where we meet “Blacktop Bill,” the so-called “hitman of hitmen,” But when it comes to killing, for Bill, there is work and then, there are “passion kills.”  Was Nocterra's most terrifying creature a monster before the “Big PM?”

THE LOWDOWN:  In Nocterra #4, on page 13 of the story, Mother Hubbard (at the “Hub Cap”) and Bea Bellweather (in Luxville, Colorado) are having a conversation over a private channel.  Bellweather wants to know the history of Blacktop Bill, and Mother starts telling what he has heard...

Nocterra Blacktop Bill Special is that story, the origin of Blacktop Bill.  I am a fan of Nocterra, one of the best new comic books of 2021, and I am a longtime fan of Denys Cowan, the artist for this special.  Writer Scott Snyder offers what seems like a folk tale side-story to Nocterra, and Cowan's art has a surreal, freestyle quality.

Honestly, I enjoyed it only a little, but I expected more.  Maybe, that's the problem.  Considering that I like Nocterra and that I am a fan of Cowan, I expected something bigger … or perhaps, better...  However, I also see it as the first of something more to come – maybe, something bigger.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Scott Snyder and Tony S. Daniel's Nocterra will want Nocterra Blacktop Bill Special.

[This comic book contains a seven-page preview of the comic book series, “Monkey Meat,” by Juni Ba.]

B-

★★½ out of 4 stars

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


https://twitter.com/Ssnyder1835
https://tonydaniel.bigcartel.com/
https://twitter.com/andworlddesign
https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/


The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: STATIC: Season One #1

STATIC (SEASON ONE) #1 (OF 6)
DC COMICS/Milestone Media

STORY: Vita Ayala
LAYOUTS: ChrisCross
FINISHES: Nikolas Draper-Ivey
COLORS: Nikolas Draper-Ivey
LETTERS: Andworld Design
EDITOR: Chris Conroy
PRODUCERS: Reginald Hudlin and Denys Cowan for Milestone Media
COVER: Khary Randolph with Emilio Lopez
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Shawn Martinbrough with Chris Sotomayor; Nikolas Draper-Ivey; Denys Cowan with Brad Anderson; Olivier Coipel with Brad Anderson
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S., (August 2021)

Rating: 13+

Milestone and Static created by Dwayne McDuffie, Denys Cowan, Michael Davis, and Derek T. Dingle

Episode One: Trial by Fire

Milestone Comics was the publishing division of Milestone Media, and its comic book titles were published and distributed by DC Comics.  Milestone was founded in 1993 by a coalition of African-American artists and writers, consisting of Dwayne McDuffie, Denys Cowan, Michael Davis, and Derek T. Dingle.  Milestone Media's founders believed that minorities were severely underrepresented in American comic books and wished to address this.  In 1993, Milestone Media launched its first four titles Icon, Blood Syndicate, Static, and Hardware, but DC Comics ceased publication of all Milestone Comics titles in 1997.

Static, Milestone's most popular superhero character, first appeared in Static #1 (cover dated: June 1993).  Static is Virgil Ovid Hawkins, an African-American teenage boy who is a member of a subspecies of humans with superhuman abilities known as “metahumans.”  Static's origin has changed since he first debuted, and now, he has gained his powers after an incident exposed him to a radioactive chemical, making Virgil capable of electromagnetic control and generation.

Both Milestone and Static are back with the launch of the new comic books series, Static (Season One), also known as Static: Season One.  The series is written by Vita Ayala; drawn by ChrisCross (layouts) and Nikolas Draper-Ivey (finishes); colored by Draper-Ivey; and lettered by Andworld Design.  The new comic book focuses on a bullied nerd who gains super-powers, only to discover that his enemy has also gained powers.

Static: Season One #1 (“Trial by Fire”) opens in Dakota City, USA in the aftermath of the “Big Bang.”  That incident happened at a “Black Lives Matter” rally that turned insane when the police released an experimental tear gas on the protesters.  Some people were maimed or died; others gained  stunning new abilities and powers.  Bullied nerd, 16-year-old Virgil Hawkins, gained powers.

Virgil has power inside him now, real power that he constantly hears and feels buzzing inside him.  He has the ability to channel and manipulate electromagnetic fields, but Virgil also has anger burning inside him.  One of his classmates, the bully Francis Stone, has already felt Virgil's power.  But Francis, who calls himself “Hotstreak,” also has power inside him, and he is ready for some payback.

THE LOWDOWN:  In the original 1990s Static, Virgil Ovid Hawkins was essentially a 1990s, African-American version of the early 1960s teenage Peter Parker/Spider-Man.  Like that classic character, Virgil/Static struggled at becoming a superhero and had to deal with what it did to his life.

Writer Vita Ayala and artists ChrisCross Nikolas Draper-Ivey present a Virgil Hawkins who is a Black teenager coming of age in this era of protests that was launched by the death of an African-American man, George Floyd, (May 25, 2020), murdered by the hands (and knee) of a White police officer.

Ayala presents Virgil as an African-American teen who may be bullied, but does not even understand the idea that he should defer, know his place, or be a second class citizen.  Will he fight back against those who attack him or turn the other cheek … or is there an entirely different path that others have not imagined?  After reading this first issue, I feel that Ayala is going to take us, dear readers, on a journey of questions and answers, but one also filled with superhero action.

The compositions and colors by Nikolas Draper-Ivey remind me of the quirky animation of the 2018 film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, crackling with eye-popping colors and striking graphics.  It is as if Nikolas wants us to feeling the shimmering, crackling, and buzzing inside Virgil.  ChrisCross (layouts) and Draper-Ivey move the story through this issue like an electric charge running along a line, and for the final page, Cross/Nikolas gives us a … static shock.  The drama, tension, and conflict practically bleed off the page.

I thought that I would like Static: Season One #1, but I am surprised by how much I like it.  By the end, I could have read another forty pages.  If Milestone fans were unsure about moving on, this first issue will make them happy for this re-imagining of a Black superhero for the BLM generation.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Milestone Comics will want Static Season One.

A

★★★★+ out of 4 stars

[This comic book has a tribute from Denys Cowan and Chris Conroy to the late comic book artist, John Paul Leon (1972-2021), who drew the first Static comic book.  This comic book also includes a “DC Nation” “Spotlight On” interview with Joshua Williamson about Infinite Frontier #1.]

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


https://twitter.com/definitelyvita
https://twitter.com/chryslus
https://twitter.com/NikDraperIvey
https://twitter.com/DakotaUniverse
http://milestone.media/
https://www.instagram.com/milestone.media/
https://www.dccomics.com/
https://twitter.com/DCComics
https://www.facebook.com/dccomics
https://www.youtube.com/user/DCEntertainmentTV
https://www.pinterest.com/dccomics/
https://www.periscope.tv/DCComics/1ZkKzezXwZdxv


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: STAR WARS #108

STAR WARS No. 108
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

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

STORY: Matthew Rosenberg
PENCILS: Giuseppe Camuncoli; Andrea Broccardo; Kerry Gammill; Jan Duursema; Stefano Landini; Luke Ross; Leonard Kirk
INKS: Cam Smith; Andrea Broccardo; Ze Carlos; Jan Duursema; Stefano Landini; Luke Ross; Leonard Kirk
COLORS: Chris Sotomayor
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: Walter Simonson with Antonio Fabela
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: John Tyler Christopher; Michael Golden; Carmine Infantino and Dan Green with Dean White
52pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (July 2019)

Rated “T”

Marvel Comics is in the middle of celebrating some kind of 80th anniversary or birthday.  Marvel is 80 when you count the debuts of Marvel's “predecessors,” Timely Comics (1939) and Atlas Comics (1951 to 1971).  The declaration, “80 Years,” is currently emblazoned on the Marvel logo.

As part of the celebration, Marvel has been publishing a series of one-shots that act as a brief continuation of odd, off-beat, and forgotten Marvel and Timely comics titles (such as the recent Ziggy Pig - Silly Seal Comics and Gunhawks one-shots).  One of those one-shots, Star Wars No. 108, is a continuation of Marvel's original Star Wars comic book series, which was published from 1977 to 1986 for a total of 107 issues, three annuals, and the Return of the Jedi miniseries, which was a comic book adaptation of the 1983 film.

Star Wars #108 is written by Matthew Rosenberg, who divides the story into eight chapters.  The team of Giuseppe Camuncoli and Cam Smith draws the first four pages of Chapter 1, with Andrea Broccardo drawing the rest.  Chapter 2 is drawn by the team of Kerry Gammill and Ze Carlos.  Chapter 3 is drawn by Broccardo.  Chapter 4 is drawn by Jan Duursema (who drew numerous Star Wars comic books for Dark Horse Comics).  Chapter 5 is drawn by Broccardo.  Chapter 6 is drawn by Stefano Landini.  Chapter 7 is drawn by Luke Ross (who has drawn several Star Wars comic books for Marvel).  Chapter 8 is drawn by Leonard Kirk.  The colorist for this comic book is Chris Sotomayor, and the letterer is Clayton Cowles.

Star Wars #108 is a sequel to “The Crimson Forever,” which was published in Star Wars #50 (cover dated: August 1981) and was written by late Archie Goodwin and drawn by the late Al Williamson and Walter Simonson.  The story also features the character Valance the Hunter, a character that originates in Marvel's original Star Wars comic book and not in the Star Wars films.  Valance was created by writer Goodwin and Simonson and first appeared in Star Wars #16 (cover dated: October 1978).  Simonson, with colorist Antonio Fabela, provides the main cover art for Star Wars #108.

Other Star Wars comics-only characters appear in #108.  First, they are the bounty hunters, Jaxxon (a rabbit-like humanoid) and the female, Amaiza Foxtrain, both of whom first appeared in Star Wars #8 (cover dated: February 1978) and who were created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Howard Chaykin.  Another is the lead villain of “The Crimson Forever,” the vengeful Domina Tagge, who first appeared in Star Wars #35 (cover dated: May 1980) and who was created by writer Archie Goodwin and artist Carmine Infantino.

Star Wars #108, entitled “Forever Crimson” opens some time after the events depicted in Return of the Jedi.  The story finds Domina Tagge again seeking to use the mysterious twin red jewels to avenge herself on both the Rebel Alliance (now known as the “Alliance of Free Planets”) and the remnants of the Galactic Empire.  When separated, the jewels create a deadly plague called “the Crimson Forever.”  Now, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, R2-D2, and C-3PO must stop Tagge.  Jaxxon and Amaiza Foxtrain are allies-of-sorts to Luke and company, but they have their own plans.  And Domina's actions have inadvertently served to revive Valance the Hunter, but whose side is he on?

First, let me say that I am disappointed and somewhat upset that Lando Calrissian does not appear in Star Wars #108, especially because he was directly involved in the original story, “The Crimson Forever.”  That aside, this is a really nice way to celebrate and to remember – even honor – Marvel's original Star Wars comic book series.  For many Star Wars fans (myself included, dear readers), Marvel's Star Wars was the only way we got a regular Star Wars fix during the three-year wait between the release of the original Star Wars films.  [No newspaper local to me carried the very good Star Wars newspaper comic strip that ran from 1979 to 1984.]

Writer Matthew Rosenberg was also someone who was a big fan of those early Marvel Star Wars comic books.  His love for them shows up in “Forever Crimson,” which is true in spirit, tone, and storytelling style to those old Star Wars comic books.  We would be so lucky if Rosenberg produced sequels to other Star Wars stories from those bygone days.

The artists turn in excellent work, and Giuseppe Camuncoli and Cam Smith expertly mimic Walt Simonson's graphic style in their four-page retelling of the story of Valance the Hunter.  Luke Ross delivers his usual stellar work, and Leonard Kirk's closing chapter, with its Art Adams and Mike Mignola-like flourishes, gives us award-worthy art.

Superstar colorist Chris Sotomayor displays his wicked skills coloring seven different artists or art teams in bright colors that recall old-school Marvel comic book coloring.  And superstar letterer Clayton Cowles helps to give each chapter its own tone and atmosphere.

I was quite excited when I first heard about Star Wars #108.  It surpasses my expectations, and it makes me anxious to go back and reread those old Star Wars comic books.  That is high praise indeed.

This issue also includes an afterword in which several people who worked on the original Star Wars comic books recount, to editor Mark Paniccia, their experiences working on the title, some taking a paragraph or more to tell their story.  These include Jo Duffy, Ron Frenz, David Michelinie, Tom Palmer, Louise Simonson, and Walter Simonson.

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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Review: SYMBIOTE SPIDER-MAN #1

SYMBIOTE SPIDER-MAN No. 1 (OF 5)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Peter David
PENCILS: Greg Land
INKS: Jay Leisten
COLORS: Frank D'Armata
LETTERS: VC's Joe Sabino
MISC. ART. Iban Coella with Frank D'Armata (flashback sequence)
EDITOR: Devin Lewis
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Greg Land with Frank D'Armata
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Artgerm; Ron Lim with Israel Silva; Nick Bradshaw with John Rauch; Skottie Young; Todd McFarlane with Jesus Aburtov; Alex Saviuk with Chris Sotomayor
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (May 2019)

Rated  “T”

Spider-Man created by Steve Ditko and Stan Lee

Spider-Man is the classic Marvel Comics superhero that readers first met in Amazing Fantasy #15 (cover dated: August 1962).  High school student Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider, which gave him the proportional speed and strength of a spider and other strangers powers, including a spider-sense that acted as a kind of internal warning beacon.  Parker donned what would become his trademark red and blue costume that he made himself, so he became the crime-fighting superhero, The Amazing Spider-Man.

In The Amazing Spider-Man #252 (cover dated: May 1984), Peter donned a new costume.  A sleek, all-black suit, except for the white spider design, the costume seemed to have a life of its own.  With a thought, the costume would slide onto Peter's body and it could also transform (or morph) into other clothing, including shoes.

In The Amazing Spider-Man #258 (November 1984), readers learned that Spider-Man's black costume was actually an “alien symbiote.”  It had an amorphous, liquid-like form, and it had also bonded with Spider-Man's body.  It turns out that Spider-Man had received the costume on an alien world, as seen in Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8 (cover dated: December 1984).

The five-issue miniseries Symbiote Spider-Man is set during the time period before Spider-Man discovered that his black costume was an alien entity.  The series is written by Peter David; drawn by Greg Land (pencils) and Jay Leisten (inks); colored by Frank D'Armata; and lettered by Joe Sabino.  The story pits Spider-Man against a classic villain, Mysterio.  [Mysterio actually did not meet Spider-Man in any of the comic books published during the 1984 to1988 original period of the black costume.]

Symbiote Spider-Man #1 opens at the end of an intense battle between Spider-Man and Mysterio.  Via flashback, we learn that Quentin Beck a.k.a. Mysterio has been looking to commit one big criminal score before retiring.  However, while robbing a bank, Mysterio witness a tragic outcome he did not expect.  Returning to the battle, Mysterio is seemingly defeated, but he has witnessed something that may finally give him an edge over Spider-Man.

I decided to try Symbiote Spider-Man #1 because I generally like the art of Greg Land.  In fact, as inked by Jay Leisten, Land's art in this first issue looks like the work of Terry Dodson.  Frank D'Armata heavily lays on his colors; it all looks a little too thick, except for the flashback drawn by Iban Coello where the colors look sharp.  Joe Sabino's lettering is nicely professional, so, in general this first issue is a good-looking comic book.

I have also enjoyed the work of writer Peter David, mostly because he is good at character drama.  Symbiote Spider-Man #1 strikes an odd note.  It is surprisingly melancholy, and a sense of grief hangs over the story.  The themes of loss – loss of life, losses in one's professional life, loss of respect, etc. – do not dominate this first issue, but they do seem as if they will be the dominate themes of this series.

I think Marvel Comics decided to release Symbiote Spider-Man because it was looking for a way to capitalize on Mysterio being the villain in Sony Pictures/Marvel Studios' summer film, Spider-Man: Far From Home.  Although this first issue is a nice read, I don't feel compelled to read the rest of the series, but the last page of this first issue does pique my interest.  I can say that Spider-Man comic book fans may want to try at least the first issue.

6 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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Review: THE DEMON: Hell is Earth #1

THE DEMON: HELL IS EARTH No. 1 (OF 6)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Andrew Constant
PENCILS: Brad Walker
INKS: Andrew Hennessy
COLORS: Chris Sotomayor
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
COVER: Brad Walker and Andrew Hennessy with Lee Loughridge
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (January 2018)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

The Demon created by Jack Kirby

“Hell is Earth” Part One

Etrigan the Demon is a DC Comics anti-hero/superhero.  The character was created by Jack Kirby and first appeared in The Demon #1 (cover dated: August 1972).  Etrigan is a demon from Hell, but he often finds himself allied to forces of good, for instance to Batman (when he was based in Gotham City).  Etrigan, also known as simply, “The Demon,” is bound to a human, Jason Blood, who recites an incantation when he wants to summon Etrigan to take his place.

Etrigan returns in a new six-issue miniseries, entitled The Demon: Hell is Earth.  It is written by Andrew Constant; drawn by Brad Walker (pencils) and Andrew Hennessy (inks) colored by Chris Sotomayor; and lettered by Tom Napolitano.

The Demon: Hell is Earth #1 finds Jason Blood living in a shack in Death Valley.  He has not freed Etrigan from inside himself “in a very long time.”  Troubling visions, however, are plaguing Blood, including a vision of Etrigan setting a child on fire.  Unbeknownst to Blood, that child is heading to Death Valley, and well as an old ally.  Meanwhile, a dark force launches its plans right at Etrigan.

I could be my cynical self, but I am shocked by how much I am liking The Demon: Hell is Earth #1.  Writer Andrew Constant offers a story that intrigues.  Often, these first issues, with their slow gathering of players and forces, do not interest me enough to keep reading past the first issue, but I am ready for the second issue of this series now!  Pencil artist Brad Walker offers a number of exciting pages, especially the powerful two-page reveal of Etrigan.  Inker Andrew Hennessy finishes Walker's pencils with sharp potent line work.

I think I am smitten with colorist Chris Sotomayor's riot of reds and oranges.  That makes the demonic and dark elements alight with hellish delight.  Tom Napolitano, an accomplished letterer, hits all the high notes or words, and his lettering here makes the dialogue snap and crackle.  The Demon: Hell is Earth #1 shows that comic books are a team effort and that a good team can turn a comic book that seems like just another thing into a thing worth reading.

7.5 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 or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Review: ELEKTRA #1

ELEKTRA No. 1 (2017)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Matt Owens
ART: Juann Cabal
COLORS: Antonio Fabela and Marcio Menyz
LETTERS: VC's Cory Petit
COVER: Elizabeth Torque
VARIANT COVERS: Marco Checchetto; Pasqual Ferry with Chris Sotomayor; Bill Sienkiewicz; Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (April 2017)

Rated T+

Elektra created by Frank Miller

“Always Bet on Red: Part 1”

Elektra (full name Elektra Natchios) is a Marvel Comics character.  Created by Frank Miller, Elektra first appeared in Daredevil #168 (cover dated:  January 1981).  She is a highly trained assassin and anti-hero who wields a pair of bladed sai, which are her trademark weapons.

The best Elektra stories are those written by Miller, which culminated in the death of Elektra in Daredevil #181 (cover dated:  April 1982).  Miller resurrected his most famous original character-creation in Daredevil #190 (cover dated:  January 1983) and also used the character in the long-in-gestation original graphic novel, Elektra Lives Again, which was finally published in 1990.

Frank Miller has long claimed that Marvel Comics promised not to use the character without his permission.  Beginning in 1994, however, Elektra began to make appearances in comic books not written by Miller, including starring in her own miniseries and ongoing series.  The latest is the ongoing comic book, Elektra.  It is written Matt Owens; drawn by Juann Cabal, colored by Antonio Febela and Marcio Menyz; and lettered by Cory Petit.

Elektra #1 finds the titular assassin in Las Vegas, staying at the Midway Casino.  This casino and hotel is secretly a place of debauchery and violence, if you can pay for it.  Elektra is ready to shed some blood of her own, but even she does not know the secret at the heart of this evil.

The art – compositions by Juann Cabal and colors by Antonio Fabela and Marcio Menyz – is quite pretty.  Cabal's precision pencil work – with its Frank Quitely quality – turns out to be perfect, at least for Matt Owen's take on Elektra.  Speaking of Owens, well, I can't hate on him.  I am actually intrigued by this first issue.  I hope the second issue hasn't sold out already.  I want to give this another try.

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 or syndication rights and fees.

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Review: HAWKEYE #1

HAWKEYE No. 1 (2017)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Kelly Thompson
ART: Leonardo Romero
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: VC's Joe Sabino
COVER: Julian Totino Tedesco
VARIANT COVERS: Marco Rudy; Marguerite Sauvage; Mike McKone with Chris Sotomayor; Leonardo Romero; David Aja
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2017)

Rated “T+”

Hawkeye/Clint Barton is a Marvel Comics superhero.  The character was created by Stan Lee and artist Don Heck and first appeared as a villain in Tales of Suspense #57 (cover dated: September 1964).  He later became a superhero and joined the Avengers in The Avengers #16 (cover dated:  May 1965), becoming one of the most prominent members of the team.

The latest character to wear the Hawkeye moniker is Katherine “Kate” Bishop.  This female Hawkeye first appeared in Young Avengers #1 (cover dated:  April, 2005) and was created by writer Allan Heinberg and artist Jim Cheung.  Kate headlines the new comic book, Hawkeye, that is part of Marvel Comics' new publishing initiative/event, NOW!  This new series is written by Kelly Thompson; drawn by Leonardo Romero; colored by Jordie Bellaire; and lettered by Joe Sabino.

Hawkeye #1 finds Kate Bishop trying to set up a private investigation service in Venice Beach, California.  So far, however, “Hawkeye Investigations” is simply attracting people with a grudge against the original Hawkeye, Clint Barton.  Then, a college student named Mikka comes to Kate for help with an Internet bully...

I was reluctant to read this new Hawkeye comic book.  Honestly, I have never been that interested in the character.  However, I found myself really enjoying Hawkeye #1.  It is like a blend of writer Matt Fraction and artist David Aja's Hawkeye comic book that was launched in 2012 and also DC Comics' Batgirl under the guidance of the creative team of Cameron Stewart, Brenden Fletcher and Babs Tarr (which began in 2014).

Artist Leonardo Romero's compositions and colorist Jordie Bellaire's hues recall David Aja's Hawkeye art and storytelling.  Kelly Thompson's script captures Batgirl's vibe and storytelling style, focusing on the adventures of a young woman who moves into a diverse neighborhood.  Here, the young woman, in this case, Kate, finds offbeat superheroing in Venice Beach.

In comic books featuring female superheroes, I like offbeat and urban.  I'm sure after a few more issues, I'll be seriously recommending this series, if the later issues are like this fresh first issue.

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: NIGHTHAWK #6

NIGHTHAWK No. 6 (2016)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: David F. Walker
ARTIST: Ramon Villalobos
COLORS: Tamra Bonvillain
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz with Chris Sotomayor
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2016)

Parental Advisory

Nighthawk is a Marvel Comics character.  While there have been several versions of the character, the first Nighthawk was Kyle Richmond, initially a supervillain and also a member of the Squadron Supreme.  Richmond, as the original Nighthawk, debuted in The Avengers #69 (cover dated:  October 1969) with two other members of the Squadron Supreme.

Marvel's 2015-debuting event/publishing initiative, “All-New, All-Different Marvel,” offered a new ongoing Nighthawk comic book.  This series focused on an African-American version of Kyle Richmond from Earth-31916, who also uses the identity of Raymond Kane.  Nighthawk was written by David F. Walker; drawn by Ramon Villalobos (except for issue #5); colored by Tamra Bonvillian; and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

The sales numbers on this Nighthawk series were apparently weak, and it was canceled after six issues, with the last issue being published about two months ago.  Nighthawk is set in Chicago, Illinois which is both roiled by racial strife and rotten with political corruption.  The city's streets, neighborhoods, and districts are Nighthawk's stomping grounds.  The first issue finds him stomping on the “True Patriots,” a White supremacist gang that deals in guns and meth production.  Nighthawk uses his physical and mental skills to destroy them, while his partner, Tilda Johnson, as usual, helps with the robotics and technology Nighthawk uses.

The series found Nighthawk trying to capture a serial killer called “The Revelator,” who is killing White people associated with the oppression of Black people in Chicago.  Nighthawk is also trying to discover the identity of the person who is using the True Patriots to flood Chicago with high-powered fire arms.  That would be powerful real estate mogul, Dan Hanrahan, who in turn uses Tom Dixon, a corrupt cop, as his go-between with the True Patriots.  However, Sherman Burrell, a good White cop, is trailing Dixon because he suspects that he is corrupt.

Nighthawk #6 finds Burrell fighting for his life after his final confrontation with Dixon.  Meanwhile, Nighthawk races to his final confrontation with The Revelator who believes that Nighthawk should be on his side.

I was truly stunned both by how much I liked Nighthawk #1 and by how high-quality it was.  I think that series writer David F. Walker is a fantastic emerging comic book talent.  I also think that if DC Comics were truly interested in African-American comic book writers, Walker would would be writing a few titles for them, even a Batman comic book.  [Walker recently had a short stint as writer of the Cyborg comic book for DC.]

To the end of Nighthawk, Walker does not disappoint.  He wraps up his six-issue Nighthawk series/arc with satisfying and tragic mayhem.  He also manages to make his readers realize how much potential this series had; if only it could have run for another six-issue arc.

As series artist, I liked Ramon Villalobos, whose work on Summer 2015's E is for Extinction (a Secret Wars title) wowed me.  He captured Walker's special mix of humor and the violence that made Nighthawk such an enthralling read.  In the end, I also learned to love the cover art by Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz (with colors by Chris Sotomayor), although I hated the first issue's cover

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 reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: SWAMP THING #1

SWAMP THING No. 1 (2016)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Len Wein
ART: Kelley Jones
COLORS: Michelle Madsen
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVER: Kelley Jones with Chris Sotomayor
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (March 2016)

Rated “T” for Teen

Swamp Thing created by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson

“The Dead Don't Sleep!”

Swamp Thing is a horror comic book character from DC Comics, of which there have been different versions.  Swamp Thing is a plant elemental and a sentient, walking mass of plant matter.  Created by writer Len Wein and artist Berni Wrightson, Swamp Thing first appeared in House of Secrets #92 (cover dated July 1971).

The best known version of Swamp Thing is Alec Holland (Swamp Thing #1, October/November 1972), a scientist who becomes Swamp Thing due to a complex process involving his death, a “bio-restorative formula,” and a bomb.  British comic book writer Alan Moore came to fame in the United States when he began writing the early 1980s Swamp Thing comic book, Saga of the Swamp Thing, with issue #20 (January 1984).  Moore re-invented the character with issue #21, and since then everyone who has written the Swamp Thing has worked in Moore's shadow...

That is except Len Wein, who is probably one of the most underrated writers and creators of comic books during the last five decades.  He is Swamp Thing's proud papa (or co-parent), defining the character with moody storytelling that blended EC Comics and weird fiction with a Gothic sensibility.  Everything done with Swamp Thing after him sprouted from the seeds Wein sowed.

Wein returned to Swamp Thing last year for a two-issue miniseries that was part of DC Comics' “Convergence” event.  Earlier this year, DC Comics published a six-issue miniseries, entitled Swamp Thing.  It was written by Wein; drawn by Kelley Jones; colored by Michelle Madsen; and lettered by Rob Leigh.

Swamp Thing #1 (“The Dead Don't Sleep!”) opens in the “Bayou Country” of Louisiana.  The Swamp Thing is doing his... swamp thing when The Phantom Stranger arrives to offer a few vague misgivings and omens and portents.  That conversation is interrupted by the clumsy arrival of Frank and Grace Wormwood, who are stumbling through the bayou because they are actually looking for the Swamp Thing.  They have come about their college student son, Lazlo, who is worse off than they could possible ever imagine.

I could call this Swamp Thing miniseries one of the best comics of 2016 after reading just one issue.  It's moody and suspenseful and downright scary, particularly because of the way the art brings Len Wein's story to life.  In artist, Kelley Jones, Len Wein has the perfect post-Berni Wrightson Swamp Thing collaborator.  For three decades, Jones has been doing the best Wrightson homage by creating his own unique style, which blends Wrightson's pen and ink influenced compositions with some graphical flourishes and graphic design sensibilities from Mike Mignola (Hellboy).

Jones' Swamp Thing is part muscular, hulking plant monster and part bodybuilder's physique.  In this static image, Jones infuses humor, sharp wit, and intelligence.  It's alive! for real.  The swamp setting is more expressionistic than representational, but that helps set the German expressionistic, Nosferatu-like atmosphere which turns the second half of this comic book into a fantastic horror comics pop confection.

Yeah, I'm recommending this.  Find the back issues or buy the trade paperback collection.  I can't wait to read more of Len Wein and Kelley Jones' fab return to Swamp Thing.

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 reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: NIGHTHAWK #1

NIGHTHAWK No. 1 (2016)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: David F. Walker
ARTIST: Ramon Villalobos
COLORS: Tamra Bonvillain
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz with Chris Sotomayor
VARIANT COVERS: Rafael Albuquerque; John Tyler Christopher; Bill Sienkiewicz; Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2016)

Parental Advisory

Nighthawk is a Marvel Comics character.  While there have been several versions of the character, the first Nighthawk was Kyle Richmond, initially a supervillain and also a member of the Squadron Supreme.  Richmond, as the original Nighthawk, debuted in The Avengers #69 (cover dated:  October 1969) with two other members of the Squadron Supreme.

The “All-New, All-Different Marvel” event offers a new ongoing Nighthawk comic book.  This series focuses on an African-American version of Kyle Richmond from Earth-31916, who also uses the identity of Raymond Kane.  Nighthawk is written by David F. Walker; drawn by Ramon Villalobos; colored by Tamra Bonvillian; and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

Nighthawk #1 opens in Chicago, Illinois which is both roiled by racial strife and rotten with political corruption.  The city's streets, neighborhoods, and districts are Nighthawk's stomping grounds.  In fact, we find him stomping on the “True Patriots,” a White supremacist gang that deals in guns and meth production.  Nighthawk uses his physical and mental skills to destroy them, will his partner, Tilda Johnson, as usual, helps with the robotics and technology Nighthawk uses.  Meanwhile, Kane faces a dirty offer from Dan Hanrahan; plus, a sinister figure returns.

Stunned.  I am truly stunned both by how much I like this comic book and by how good it is.  If DC Comics were not so afraid of letting African-American scribes write marquee titles, David F. Walker would be writing Batman now.  [Walker recently had a short stint as writer of the Cyborg comic book for DC.]  Although I am a fan of both Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz, I think the cover art they provided for Nighthawk #1 is kinda whack.  When I first saw the cover, I looked at this comic book with disdain.

But something made me buy it.  Maybe, it is the buy-the-first-issue fanboy gene that made me do it, but whomever or whatever I have to thank – thank you, bitches!  I think that Walker is going to tackle issues surrounding themes of anger, aggression, rage, violence, political corruption, and corporate depravity.  So that makes David F. Walker's Nighthawk a smart buy.  Besides, the covers are going to get better, aren't they?

As artist, I like the choice of Ramon Villalobos, whose work on last summer's E is for Extinction (a Secret Wars title) wowed me.  You know what?  I'm going to highly recommend this book to you, dear readers.

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 reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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I Reads You Review: CAPTAIN AMERICA & THE MIGHTY AVENGERS #1

CAPTAIN AMERICA & THE MIGHTY AVENGERS #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Al Ewing
ART: Luke Ross
COLORS: Rachelle Rosenberg
LETTERS: VC's Cory Petit
COVER: Luke Ross
VARIANT COVERS: Ryan Benjamin; Ulises Farinas with Ryan Hill; Skottie Young; Mike Grell with Chris Sotomayor
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2015)

Rated “T+”

Captain America created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby; The Avengers created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

As part of its “Avenger NOW!” initiative, Marvel Comics is debuting some new titles and relaunching others.  Captain America & The Mighty Avengers is a re-launch of the recent The Mighty Avengers, and it arrived at the same time as All-New Captain America.  Written by Al Ewing (who wrote the previous Mighty Avengers series), drawn by Luke Ross, colored by Rachelle Rosenberg, and lettered by Cory Petit, this series finds the new-look Captain America (Sam Wilson a.k.a. The Falcon) as the leader of The Mighty Avengers.

Captain America & The Mighty Avengers #1 (“We Take Care Of Our Own”) opens with Captain America in action, and he ain't playin' at all, girl.  Meanwhile, the Amazing Spider-Man is trying to make up with the Mighty Avengers for the actions of the Superior Spider-Man, but is Luke Cage buyin' Amazing's story.

I read the first issue of The Mighty Avengers #1 sometime ago, and was not interested enough to read past the first issue.  It was not a bad comic book, but I simply could not find a reason to keep reading, beyond mild curiosity.  And comic books are too expensive, or at least they are too expensive for a “mild curiosity” purchase.

Now, Captain America & The Mighty Avengers #1 opens in the aftermath of Avengers & X-Men: Axis, which saw some personality changes among the super-powered set.  So some of our favorite superheroes, particularly The Avengers, are acting in strange ways or sport darker persona.  The good thing about this new title is that “dark” and “menacing” do not result in a “grim and gritty” comic book.  Captain America & The Mighty Avengers #1 is a fun read.  Heck, I might read more... because fun can make sticker shock go away.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

I Reads You Review: CYCLOPS #1

CYCLOPS (2014) #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Greg Rucka
ARTIST: Russell Dauterman
COLORS: Chris Sotomayor
LETTERS: VC’s Joe Caramagna
COVER: Alexander Lozano
VARIANT COVERS: Greg Land; Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2014)

Rated T+

Marvel Comics’ “All-New Marvel Now!” initiative is offering a seemingly endless onslaught on new series.  This includes the launch of some X-Men solo comic book series featuring some of the most popular and iconic X-Men.  One of the X-Men getting his own comic book series is Cyclops, one of the original X-Men.  In fact, the star of the new comic book is a 16-year-old Cyclops… Let me explain.

All-New X-Men, written by Brian Michael Bendis, was one of the titles that came out of the original Marvel NOW publishing initiative back in autumn of 2012.  In this new X-Men comic book series, the modern, blue, furry Beast went back in time and met the original teen X-Men:  Cyclops (Scott Summers), Marvel Girl (Jean Grey), the Beast (Hank McCoy), Angel (Warren Worthington III), and Iceman (Bobby Drake), at a time when they’d only been the X-Men for a short time.  Grown-up Beast convinced teen Beast and his teammates to return with him to the present to see what had become of their dreams in a world that is our present and their future.  It wasn’t pretty.

Springing out of “The Trial of Jean Grey” event, Cyclops #1 finds 16-year old Scott Summers/Cyclops in outer space.  He is with the band of space pirates known as the “Starjammers.”  They are led by Scott’s once thought-to-be-dead father, Christopher Summers, now known as Corsair.  And the reunited father and son are about to embark on an epic father-son journey across the space ways.

The Starjammers were created by Dave Cockrum and first appeared in X-Men #107 (cover dated: October 1977).  The Starjammers were straight out of that venerable science fiction subgenre, space opera.  Comic books are no stranger to space opera, as many comic book companies in the 1940s and 50s used space flight to take human characters to strange worlds where they met even stranger beings.  Two of the best examples of space opera in comics may be Planet Comics, a science fiction comic book series published by Fiction House from 1940 to 1953, and also Weird Fantasy, which was published by EC Comics from 1950 to 1953.

This new Cyclops comic book is not hokey like some old science fiction comic books, but it might owe something to Star Wars, a film that has space opera elements and is considered by some to be space opera.  With that in mind, I think Cyclops could be a good thing.

What I am loving about Cyclops #1 right now is the art by Russell Dauterman (pencils and inks) and Chris Sotomayor (colors).  It is perfect for this juvenile space opera, and it looks so unique and different, as if Cyclops #1 was a slice of a European comics graphic album.  I want to see where writer Greg Rucka takes this, so I hope Cyclops runs for at least 12 issues.

A-

Reviwed by Leroy Douresseaux


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