#IReadsYou Review: JAMES BOND: Agent of SPECTRE #5

JAMES BOND: AGENT OF SPECTRE #5
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Christos Gage
ART: Luca Casalanguida
COLORS: Heather Moore
LETTERS: Simon Bowland
EDITOR: Matt Idelson
COVER: Luca Casalanguida
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Luca Casalanguida
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2021)

Rated T+

Based on the characters and stories created by Ian Fleming

“James Bond” is a fictional British Secret Service agent created by Ian Fleming, a British writer and novelist.  Fleming introduced James Bond in the 1953 novel, Casino Royale, and featured the character in 12 novels and two short-story collections.  Of course, most people know Bond because of Eon Productions' long-running James Bond-007 film series, which began with the 1962 film, Dr. No.

Over the past 50+ years, Bond has made sporadic appearances in comic books, but Dynamite Entertainment has been steadily publishing James Bond comic books since early 2016.  Their latest James Bond comic book is the five-issue miniseries, James Bond: Agent of SPECTRE.  It is written by Christos Gage; drawn by Luca Casalanguida; colored by Heather Moore; and lettered by Simon Bowland.   The series finds James Bond taking sides in a civil war within SPECTRE, the international criminal organization that has long been Bond's enemy.

Titania Jones, an upstart American member of SPECTRE, is attempting a coup, threatening to depose its longtime leader, the criminal mastermind, Ernst Stavro Blofeld.  Titania is on guard against Blofeld's men, so to take her out, Blofeld recruits a wild card, James Bond!  With Blofeld threatening the life of his friend, CIA operative, Felix Leiter, as leverage, Bond agrees.  However, Bond has a plan to use this internal strife to bring SPECTRE down once and for all.  Will he succeed, or is this a dark path from which even 007 cannot return?

James Bond: Agent of SPECTRE #5 opens on the Island of Meraki, Greece.  It is the location of the ancestral home of Blofeld, and it is the site of the final showdown between Blofeld, 007, and Titania Jones, the would-be new leader of SPECTRE.  This “SPECTRE Civil War” reaches its explosive conclusion, but who will come out on top, the established Blofeld or the upstart Titania?  And will 007 survive this struggle, and can he use it to bring SPECTRE down from within?

THE LOWDOWN:  The only Dynamite James Bond comic book series I have read is Warren Ellis' twelve-issue run, James Bond, Vol. 1 (2016-17), which is comprised of two story arcs, “Vargr” and “Eidolon.”  Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department recently began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of the first batch is the fifth and final issue of James Bond: Agent of SPECTRE.

James Bond: Agent of SPECTRE #5 is the first issue of the series that I have read.  I used the Diamond Comic Distributors' “Previews” listings to get the lowdown on the previous four issues of the series.  I figured out enough about the story line to say that writer Christos Gage has brought James Bond: Agent of SPECTRE #5 to a satisfying conclusion.  Gage also sets up some interesting threads for future James Bond comic books.

The art team of Luca Casalanguida and colorist Heather Moore are good, but Casalanguida's compositions are a little too impressionistic for this story.  I do like Casalanguida's interpretation of James Bond as a burly, brawny, meaty man who can throw his fists around.  Moore's coloring tends towards the garish a few times.  Simon Bowland's solid lettering keeps the art and graphical storytelling from being too off the wall.

I can say that James Bond: Agent of SPECTRE #5 suggests to me that this series might make for a fun read as a trade paperback.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of James Bond comic books will want to try James Bond: Agent of SPECTRE.

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


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#IReadsYou Review: NYX #2

NYX #2
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Christos Gage
ART: Marc Borstel
COLORS: Jordi Escuin Llorach
LETTERS: Taylor Esposito
EDITOR: Matt Idelson
COVER: Rose Besch
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Rose Besch; Fernando Dagnino; Greebo Vigonte; Giuseppe Matteoni, Jamie Biggs; K Dani; Mel Rubi; P Dani
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2021)

Rated T+

Nyx created by Tom Sniegoski and Ed McGuinness

“Tales to Admonish”

Nyx is a Vampirella comic book character.  She is the daughter of Chaos the Mad God and a human woman, making Nyx half-demon and half-human, but she needs to feed on human life force in order to live.  Nyx was created by writer Tom Sniegoski and artist Ed McGuinness and first appeared in Harris Comics' Vengeance of Vampirella #23 (cover dated: February 1996).  She is a longtime enemy and sometimes friend of Vampirella.

The character now has her own solo comic book series, entitled Nyx.  It is written by Christos Gage; drawn by Marc Borstel; colored by Jordi Escuin Llorach; and lettered by Taylor Esposito.  The series finds Nyx dealing with her emerging human side, although her demon side is still powerful and hungry for human life force.

Nyx #2 (“Tales to Admonish”) opens in the realm of the Mad God Chaos.  You see, Nyx has journeyed to the realm of her father, the Mad God Chaos, to demand answers about herself and her bloodline.  And things go about what one would expect.  Father and daughter talk the only way they know how – a full on battle.

During the battle, however, Chaos offers shocking revelations that Nyx could never uncover on her own.  Still, all she really wants is to find happiness.  Can dear old dad help with that?

THE LOWDOWN:  Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department recently began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Nyx #2, the second issue of the series that I have read.

Nyx #1 was a powerful first issue, and Nyx #2 also has power.  Writer Christos Gage offers a twist with some epic family dysfunction.  Marc Borstel's art gives the battle to readers as if it were glorious superhero fight comics.  Jordi Escuin Llorach's colors pump up the testosterone, and Taylor Esposito's loud lettering completes the explosive effect of reading this issue.

I highly recommended the first issue, dear readers, but I must admit that I am still surprised.  This comic book is actually quite good.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Vampirella comic books will want to try Nyx.

A

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


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

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#IReadsYou Review: NYX #1

NYX #1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Christos Gage
ART: Marc Borstel
COLORS: Jordi Escuin Llorach
LETTERS: Taylor Esposito
EDITOR: Matt Idelson
COVER: Lucio Parrillo
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Rose Besch; Fernando Dagnino; Greebo Vigonte; Ken Haeser; Lucio Parrillo
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2021)

Rated T+

Nyx created by Tom Sniegoski and Ed McGuinness

“Woman on Fire”

Nyx is a Vampirella comic book character.  She is the daughter of Chaos the Mad God and a human woman, making Nyx half-demon and half-human, but she needs to feed on human life force in order to live.  Nyx was created by writer Tom Sniegoski and artist Ed McGuinness and first appeared in Harris Comics' Vengeance of Vampirella #23 (cover dated: February 1996).  She is a longtime enemy and sometimes friend of Vampirella.

The character now has her own solo comic book series, entitled Nyx.  It is written by Christos Gage; drawn by Marc Borstel; colored by Jordi Escuin Llorach; and lettered by Taylor Esposito.  The series finds Nyx dealing with her emerging human side, although her demon side is still powerful and hungry for human life force.

Nyx #1 (“Woman on Fire”) opens in Gainesville, Georgia, where members of the Gulf Cartel are completing a drug deal.  Enter Nyx, weak and famished.  The gangsters think she is vulnerable, but they are about to discover that there is more to this woman than meets the yes … and she's hungry.

Later, Nyx relishes in the things she likes about the human world, vices and pleasures of the flesh.  But a chance meeting at a club offers Nyx an opportunity at a place in the world … and maybe love.  Everything can turn out right, if dear old Dad's world doesn't intrude...

THE LOWDOWN:  Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department recently began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Nyx #1.

Nyx #1 is a powerful first issue.  Writer Christos Gage uses the action to inform new readers about Nyx – her powers and her hungers, as well as to recap her origin.  There are a lot of good set pieces here, and they help to establish the series' themes going forward, and the story has a captivating quality that works on me.

Marc Borstel's art is also quite good, with an emphasis on tight figure drawing – both human and demon.  Borstel's storytelling is clear, and under Jordi Escuin Llorach's colors, it is also pleasing to the eye, especially Nyx's figure.  Taylor Esposito's efficient lettering moves the story easily through its wild shifts in tone – from violence to lust, human and demon style.

I highly recommend this first issue, dear readers, simply because it is so good.  It might also make you horny for more Nyx.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Vampirella comic books will want to try Nyx.

A

★★★★ out of 4 stars

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


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

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Review: INCREDIBLES 2: Crisis in Mid-Life and Other Stories #1

INCREDIBLES 2: CRISIS IN MID-LIFE! & OTHER STORIES No. 1 (OF 3)
DARK HORSE COMICS/Disney Comics – @DarkHorseComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

SCRIPT: Christos Gage; Landry Q. Walker
LAYOUT: Emilio Urbano
PENCILS: Gurihiru; J. Bone; Andrea Greppi
INKS: Gurihiru; J. Bone; Roberta Zanotta
COLORS: Gurihiru; Dan Jackson; Angela Capolupo
LETTERS: Richard Starkings & Comicraft's Jimmy Betancourt; Chris Dickey
EDITOR: Freddye Miller
COVER: Gurihiru
VARIANT COVER: J. Bone with Dan Jackson
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2018)

Disney/Pixar's The Incredibles is a 2004 computer-animated film written and directed by Brad Bird.  The Oscar-winning film focuses on the Parr Family, a family blessed with super-powers, as they unite to face a vengeful foe.  This year saw the release of the long-awaited sequel film, Incredibles 2, also written and directed by Brad Bird.

The nominal head of the family is husband and father, Bob Parr, a.k.a. "Mr. Incredible," whose powers include “mega-strength and invulnerability.”  Wife and mother, Helen, a.k.a. “Elastigirl,” has the power to bend, stretch and twist into any form.  Eldest child and only daughter, Violet, has the power to become invisible and to create force fields.  Son and middle child, Dashiell, a.k.a. “Dash,” has the power of super-speed.  Baby and eventually toddler son, Jack-Jack Parr, is a polymorph and has an array of powers, some of which have not yet been revealed.

The Parrs are the superhero team, The Incredibles, with the parents portrayed as being middle-aged and having been superheroes since they were at least in their twenties.  Lucius Best, a.k.a. “Frozone,” is Bob's best friend and a superhero with the power to freeze water and ambient moisture in the air into various shapes and forms – from a small ball of ice to huge sheets of ice.

Dark Horse Comics published a four-issue comic book adaptation of the first film as The Incredibles (2004).  In 2009, BOOM! Studios published a four-issue miniseries, The Incredibles: Family Matters #0-3.  BOOM decided to make The Incredibles an ongoing series that began with the issue #4, and the series continued into 2010 before ending with issue #15.

The Incredibles return to comic books this year (2018) via Dark Horse Comics with the new three-issue miniseries, Incredibles 2: Crisis in Mid-Life! & Other Stories.  [This is not a comic book adaptation of the film, Incredibles 2.]   The main story, “Crisis in Mid-Life!” is written by Christos Gage; drawn and colored by Gurihiru; and lettered by Jimmy Betancourt.

Incredibles 2: Crisis in Mid-Life! & Other Stories #1 opens with Mr. Incredible receiving an honor he once did as a much younger superhero.  This time the ceremony ends with decidedly different results.  So now, it is time for a midlife crisis, but Bob Parr takes it in stride and initiates a plan to pass his super-heroing knowledge and skills onto the next generations – his kids Violet and Dash!

Also, Bob's silly bedtime story (with some fibbing) for Jack-Jack turns into the beginning of a true story for Violet and Dash in “Bedtime Story.”  “In a Relaxing Day at the Park,” Jack-Jack comes to the rescue of a fellow toddler who is in distress, while Papa Parr gets some rest.

The respective creative teams on the three stories in Incredibles 2: Crisis in Mid-Life! & Other Stories #1 do such good jobs that I hope publishing Incredibles comic books will be a long-term project for Dark Horse Comics.  Christos Cage captures the spirit of the Incredibles films and the personalities of the characters in his two stories (“Crisis in Mid-Life!” and “Bedtime Story”).  Landry Q. Walker reproduces the magic that is Jack-Jack in the vignette “A Relaxing Day at the Park.”

The artists and colorists each present their own unique take on the visual and graphical elements of the Incredibles, but stay true to the look of the films.  Letterers Jimmy Betancourt and Chris Dickey deliver fonts that recall the lettering in classic 1960s Marvel Comics titles.

I have been careful in this review to be vague about many details of the stories contained in the first issue, but trust me, dear readers, Incredibles 2: Crisis in Mid-Life! & Other Stories #1 is true Incredibles.  Hopefully, this comic book will become the standard of what it means to be a true Incredibles comic book.

9 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.

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

Review: SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #1

SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN No. 1 (2019)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Christos Gage
PENCILS: Mike Hawthorne
INKS: Wade von Grawbadger
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
EDITOR: Nick Lowe
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida
COVER: Travis Charest
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Mike Hawthorne with Jordie Bellaire; Marko Djurdjević (Fantastic Four Villain Variant Cover);
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2019)

Rated  “T”

Spider-Man created by Steve Ditko and Stan Lee

The Superior Spider-Man was a  Marvel Comics superhero comic book series featuring an alternate version of Spider-Man.  Cover dated between January 2013 and June 2014, the series featured Otto Octavius a.k.a. Spider-Man villain “Doctor Octopus” in the role of Spider-Man.

The series returns as Superior Spider-Man.  It is written by Christos Gage; drawn by Mike Hawthorne (pencils) and Wade von Grawbadger (inks); colored by Jordie Bellaire; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.  Once again, Otto Octavius is in a new body and is a “superior” Spider-Man.

Superior Spider-Man #1 opens in San Francisco, the city that Otto Octavius-The Superior Spider-Man has chosen to protect and to improve.  After dealing (successfully) with Stilt-Man, Otto heads to Horizon University where he will adopt his identity as Professor Elliot Tolliver and deliver “a crucial, end-of-term lecture.”  Then, it is off to more villain fighting, but Otto/Elliot/Superior is about to discover that someone from his past has joined the faculty of Horizon.  That person is ready to reveal the true face of the Superior Spider-Man to the authorities.

I was cynical.  I was ready to hate Superior Spider-Man #1.  In fact, I only bought this comic book to give to a friend who reads any Spider-Man comic book put in front of him.  I am not over-awed by writer Christos Gage's script, but it is good.  I am not crazy about the art team of Make Hawthorne and Wade von Grawbadger, but the storytelling is good.  Jordie Bellaire delivers her usually solid colors, and Clayton Cowles delivers his solid lettering.

But there is something about this comic book that demands I read one or two more issues.  I enjoyed the first issue enough to maybe read more.  So I will say to you, dear reader, maybe you should try at least Superior Spider-Man #1.

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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Dark Horse Galloping Towards 2014 Wizard World Portland Comic Con

Award-Winning Publisher Dark Horse Will Have Big Presence At Wizard World Portland Comic Con, January 24-26

The Premier Publisher Will Create Giveaways For Attendees, Host Booth And Programming Panels At Oregon Convention Center

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dark Horse, bridging the gap between the best licensed and original comics work from the industry’s top talent, will make their debut at Wizard World Portland Comic Con, January 24-26 at the Oregon Convention Center. The Oregon-based Premier Publisher, which produces such notable titles as Tomb Raider, Mass Effect, Halo, Terminator, Serenity, Star Wars, Hellboy, and Conan, will be appearing at Portland Comic Con for the first time.

Located in nearby Milwaukie, Ore., Dark Horse will feature several of its top creators signing at its booth including Christos Gage (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Eric Powell (The Goon) and more! Dark Horse will host three panels throughout the show, with details to be announced shortly!

Additionally, fans will enjoy special exclusive items produced by Dark Horse and available for the first time at Wizard World Portland Comic Con! Visitors to the Dark Horse booth (#201) can check out new and classic offerings as well as giveaways throughout the event.

“Dark Horse is one of the premier publishers in the industry today,” said John Macaluso, Wizard World CEO. “What makes them unique is many of their properties, including Hellboy, have been seen on the big screen. And knowing that Hellboy's Ron Perlman is attending, and Dark Horse is located in Portland, there are so many synergies that make this work. It is exciting for the fans, vendors, and everyone involved.”

“After Wizard World's impressive first year in Portland, we knew Dark Horse would enthusiastically join the 2014 line up of exhibitors," said Dark Horse president and publisher, Mike Richardson. "We've got one of our biggest years yet coming in 2014, and what better place to kick it off than right here in our own backyard.”

Norman Reedus of “The Walking Dead,” “Star Trek's” “Captain Kirk” William Shatner, WWE® Superstar CM Punk® and Eisner Award Hall of Famer Stan Lee are among the top celebrities scheduled to attend Wizard World Portland Comic Con. The standout roster will also include Ron Perlman of Hellboy, Robert Englund (“Freddy Kruger” of A Nightmare on Elm Street), Bruce Campbell of Evil Dead, pop culture icons Billy Dee Williams (The Empire Strikes Back, Brian's Song) and Adam West (“Batman”) Nicholas Brendan (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and many others.

It is the first of 16 events currently scheduled in the 2014 series produced by Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) and will also feature a top-drawer collection of well-known artists and writers and a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions. Wizard World Portland Comic Con show hours are Friday, Jan. 24, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 25, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 26, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For more on the 2014 Wizard World Portland Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-portland.html.

About Dark Horse
Founded by Mike Richardson in 1986, behind the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals, Dark Horse Comics (www.darkhorse.com) has grown to become the third-largest comics publisher in the United States and is acclaimed internationally for the quality and diversity of its line. By attracting the top talent in the field, Dark Horse Comics continues to change the shape of the industry and grow its brand throughout the world.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

Wizard World 2014 Schedule

January 24-26 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con
February 7-9 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con
March 7-9 – Wizard World Sacramento Comic Con
March 28-30 – Wizard World Louisville Comic Con
April 4-6 – Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con
May 2-4 – Wizard World Minneapolis Comic Con
May 30-June 1 – Wizard World Atlanta Comic Con
June 19-22 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
August 1-3 – Wizard World San Antonio Comic Con
August 21-24 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
September 12-14 – Wizard World Richmond Comic Con
September 26-28 – Wizard World Nashville Comic Con
October 2-4 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
October 31-November 2 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
November 7-9 – Wizard World Tulsa Comic Con
November 21-23 – Wizard World Reno Comic Con

I Reads You Review: ANGEL AND FAITH #1

ANGEL & FAITH #1
DARK HORSE COMICS

WRITER: Christos Gage
ART: Rebekah Isaacs
COLORS: Dan Jackson
LETTERS: Jimmy Betancourt
COVER: Steve Morris (alternative cover by Jo Chen and 25th anniversary cover by Georges Jeanty, Dexter Vines, and JD Mettler)
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

Angel & Faith is a new comic book series that ties into Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine, and both reportedly will run for 25 issues. Angel and Faith are characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the television series created by Joss Whedon. Angel (portrayed by actor David Boreanaz) is a vampire whose soul was restored as punishment for his crimes. Faith Lehane (played by Eliza Dishku) is a Slayer, a girl endowed with supernatural abilities who battles evil creatures like vampires and demons.

Angel & Faith #1 (“Live Through This” Part One) opens after the events of Twilight, which saw Angel kill the Watcher, Rupert Giles. Now, with access to the Watcher files, Angel is picking up Giles’ old cases with rebel Slayer, Faith, along for the fun. Meanwhile, two figures from Angel’s Twilight past, Nash and Pearl, are looking for some serious payback.

You don’t have to be familiar with the recent Buffy or Angel spin-off comic book series to enjoy or understand Angel & Faith, although knowing even a little about the two characters helps. First, I should say that I enjoyed reading this… for the most part. The art by Rebekah Isaacs is well-drawn and the storytelling is good. The writing by Christos Gage is technically good. Why technically?

Like most comic books published over the last decade (and longer for some publishers), Angel & Faith #1 is the first chapter in a serialized “graphic novel” or story arc that will eventually be published in a trade paperback edition. This first issue hops around from one subplot to the next, and there are multiple points of view or narrators. There is so much exposition and dialogue that one could see this as an illustrated short story or chapter of an illustrated novel more so than it is a comic book. Still, I must emphasis that this is a good comic book, but it’s like reading a part of a story instead of being a story.

B