#IReadsYou Movie Review: LOGAN

Logan (2017)

Running time:  137 minutes (2 hours, 17 minutes)

MPAA – PG-13 for strong brutal violence and language throughout, and for brief nudity

DIRECTOR:  James Mangold

WRITERS:  James Mangold & Scott Frank and Michael Green; from a story by James Mangold (based on the characters and stories appearing in Marvel Comics)

PRODUCERS:  Simon Kinberg, Hutch Parker, and Lauren Shuler Donner

CINEMATOGRAHER: John Mathieson (D.o.P.)

EDITORS:  Michael McCusker and Dirk Westervelt

COMPOSER:  Marco Beltrami

Academy Award nominee

SUPERHERO/ACTION/DRAMA

Starring:  Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Richard E. Grant, Eriq La Salle, Elise Neal, Quincy Fouse, Jason Genao, and Bryant Tardy

Logan is a 2017 American drama, action film and superhero movie from director James Mangold.  Starring Hugh Jackman in the title role, it is the tenth film in 20th Century Fox's X-Men movie franchise and is also the third entry in the Wolverine film series.  Logan is based on the Marvel Comics character, Logan/Wolverine, that was created by writer Len Wein and artists John Romita and Herb Trimpe and first fully appeared in the comic book, The Incredible Hulk #181 (cover dated: November 1974).  Logan the movie focuses on a legendary mutant trying to save a mutant child from the evil people determined to capture her.

Logan opens in the year 2029.  Mutants are nearly extinct, and no new mutants have been born in 24 years.  The aging and ailing Logan (Hugh Jackman) works as a limousine driver in El Paso, Texas.  Once upon a time, he was known as “Wolverine,” and he was a member of the legendary band of mutants, the “X-Men.”  Now, he and the elderly founder of the X-Men, Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), live in hiding. Xavier suffers from a degenerative brain condition, and he sometimes has telepathic seizures that render anyone in the vicinity virtually helpless.  A mutant known as “Caliban” (Stephen Merchant) helps Logan care for Charles.

Logan has plans for escape, but a complication arrives in the form of a small girl named Laura (Dafne Keen), also known as test subject “X23.”  She is a mutant and her abilities are remarkably similar to those of Wolverine's.  However, she is being hunted by Donald Pierce (Boyd Holbrook) and his band of killers, the “Reavers.”  They are in service of the research institute, Alkali Transigen, and the scientists there want her back no matter what it costs in terms of lives.  Will Logan become the hero Wolverine, again, and help Laura get to a place called “Eden?”  Or will he run away from his fate, again?

Having seen the first two Wolverine films, X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) and The Wolverine (2013), I did not go to the theater to see Logan when it was originally released in 2017.  [In my defense, I was knee deep in catastrophic family drama at the time.]  With the impending release of the upcoming Marvel Studios film, Deadpool & Wolverine, I decided it was time.

My was I missing an excellent film.  Logan is by far the best of the Wolverine films, and at the time of its release, it was the best X-Men since 2011's X-Men: First Class.  Truthfully, Logan would end up being the last really good X-Men film produced by 20th Century Fox.

Logan, which was rated “R” by the MPAA, is one of the most violent superhero films that I've ever seen.  Logan, Laura, and a surprise character called “X24” disembowel, dismember, behead, eviscerate, stab, and chop up what seems like a small town's worth of deserving men of various stripes.  Although I can sometimes be a prude about what I see as gratuitous violence in cinema, I love the brutal violence of Logan.  In fact, all the action scenes in Logan are brilliant, from the standoffs to the fights and car chases.

However, director James Mangold, a filmmaker with a hugely diverse filmography, makes Logan turn on dramatic storytelling and performances.  It is obvious that Hugh Jackman as Logan and Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier would give fine performances.  Still, actor and comedian, Stephen Merchant, is simply wonderful in the important supporting role of Caliban, bringing pathos and depth to a role that could have ended up being an extraneous freak character.

Boyd Holbrook also brings range and a variety of moods to Donald Pierce, another character that could have been a generic mercenary type.  Dafne Keen matches the rage and range of Jackman as Logan.  Laura could have been lost in the hurricane that is Logan/Wolverine's story in this film, but Keen makes Laura a force of her own.  Also, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Eriq La Salle makes the most of his short time on screen as Will Munson.

Logan is a mournful film.  It really is not a sequel to the earlier Wolverine films so much as it is the completion of Logan/Wolverine's tragic, but heroic story arc that buttressed the earlier films.  Logan is both an ending and a beginning, and I wish that the care and effort put into this film had been put into some of the other X-Men films.

A

★★★★ out of 4 stars

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

NOTES:

The mock X-Men comic books that appear in this film were produced by writer Joe Quesada and artist Dan Panosian.

The text is copyright © 2024 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site or blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1 (2023)

TITAN COMICS/Heroic Signatures

STORY: Jim Zub

ART: Roberto de la Torre

COLORS: José Villarrubia

LETTERS: Richard Starkings of Comicraft

EDITOR: Phoebe Hedges

COVER: Dan Panosian

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Roberto de la Torre; Artgerm; Patch Zircher; Mike Mignola; E.M. Gist, Dan Panosian; Jae Lee; Colleen Doran; Chris Jones; Dave Wilkins; Mark Schultz; Junggeon Yoon; Ian Nicholls; Eric Ray; Jay Anacleto; Chris Ehnot

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2023)

Suggested for mature readers

“Bound in Black Stone” Part I: “Scourge of the Dead”

Conan the Cimmerian was born in the pulp fiction of Robert E. Howard (REH), first appearing in the magazine, Weird Tales (1932).  In 1970, Marvel Comics brought Conan to the world of comic books via the title, Conan the Barbarian. With only a few pauses, Conan comic books have been published for the better part of five decades.

Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures are the new producers of Conan comic books, and they start with a new Conan the Barbarian series.  It is written by Jim Zub; drawn by Roberto de la Torre; colored by José Villarrubia; and lettered by Richard Starkings.  The new series finds Conan returned to his homeland of Cimmeria just when it faces a terrible new threat.

Conan the Barbarian #1 (“Scourge of the Dead”) opens in Northern Aquilonia, specifically at the outpost known as “Hauler's Roam.”  Recently arrived, Conan the Cimmerian is the closest that he has been to his homeland of Cimmeria in eight years.  But first, he must extricate himself from “the Bleeders,” the band of mercenaries of which he has been a part.

A weary Conan has returned to his homeland to seek rest and solitude, but a mysterious scout, Brissa, rides into Haurler's Roam” with a warning of an imminent threat on the march from the Pictish wilderness.  Will Conan and his new ally be able to hold off this new horde of invaders?

THE LOWDOWN:  Titan Comics has been providing me with PDF copies of their publications for review for several years now.  Their debut Conan title, Conan the Barbarian #1, is the latest.

When Marvel Comics resumed publishing Conan the Barbarian comic books in 2019 – for the first time since the late 1990s – I was somewhat exited.  I read a few issue, and while they did recall some of the best of classic Marvel Conan for me, I saw no reason to keep reading past the first six months of the revival.

Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures' debut Conan the Barbarian #1 seems a bit edgier than Marvel Comics' 2019 Conan the Barbarian... at least, in hindsight to me.  Part of it may be that writer Jim Zub's introductory story fits itself in with some of the literary Conan chronologies.  For instance, “Scourge of the Dead” references the “Sack of Venarium,” also known as the “Battle of Venarium,” which is depicted in the 2003 Conan novel, Conan of Venarium, written by Harry Turtledove.

Conan is apparently 14 or 15 at the time of the battle, but Zub may be setting his age at 16.  Eight years later, this story, “Scourge of the Dead” begins, and Zub references Conan's “twenty-four summers.”  In an interview, Zub said that this story takes place after the original Robert E. Howard Conan short story, “The Frost-Giant's Daughter.”  In some Conan chronologies, Conan is almost 30 at this point.

That said, by firmly planting Conan in a literary tradition, Zub makes this story feel like something substantial in the catalog of Conan fiction and storytelling.  This is something more than just another licensed comic book tie-in.  Also, having Conan face a seemingly unstoppable horde of ravenous killers also gives the story a kick.

The art and storytelling by artist Roberto de la Torre is what really sells Zub's script.  De la Torre's art here resembles of mix of the late John Buscema's Conan the Barbarian comic books and the late Joe Kubert's Tor comics.  De la Torre makes me feel the blood, violence, and the heat of bone-breaking, and he creates a sense of foreboding and then, terror when the horde strikes.

The art looks even more gorgeous under the colors of José Villarubia, one of the best and most skilled comic book colorists working in American comic books over the last three decades.  Richard Starkings' lettering is the cherry on top of this excellent graphics package.

Will I lose interest in this new series?  There is a good chance that I will, eventually, but I may stick around for longer than I did with the Marvel relaunch.  This new series is not standard Conan the Barbarian, and I like Conan enough to have watched three Conan films:  Conan the Barbarian (1982), Conan the Destroyer (1984), and Conan the Barbarian (2011), many times.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Conan comic books will want to try Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures' Conan the Barbarian.

[This comic book includes the essay, “Robert E. Howard and His Ages Undreamed Of,” by Jeffrey Shanks.]

A

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

https://titan-comics.com/

https://twitter.com/ComicsTitan

https://www.instagram.com/titancomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ComicsTitan

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: BLACK TAPE #4

BLACK TAPE #4 (OF 4)

AWA STUDIOS

STORY: Dan Panosian

ART: Dalibor Talajić

COLORS: Ive Svorcina

LETTERS: Steve Wands

COVER: Dan Panosian

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Cary Nord; Chris Ferguson; Dan Panosian (B&W)

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2023)

Rated: “Teen+”

Black Tape is a four-issue comic book miniseries from writer Dan Panosian and artist Dalibor Talajić.  Published by AWA Studios, the miniseries follows the widow of a rock'n'roll god who is dealing with her grief, even as dark forces conspire to obtain her late husband's last album, which supposedly has special powers.  Colorist Ive Svorcina and letterer Steve Wands complete the series creative team.

In Black Tape, Jack King, one of the most influential rock 'n roll musicians of all time, suddenly dies on stage.  Jack's mysterious death causes his widow, Cindy, both to grapple with grief and to ask some very important questions.  For instance, was his death an accident or was it something far more sinister?  And now, malevolent people are seeking the master tapes for the album Jack produced shortly before his death.  Entitled “Black Tape,” it just might open a doorway to hell.

It is a dark and stormy night when Black Tape #4 opens.  The acolytes of Jack King have gathered at the home he shared with his widow, Cindy.  One of the acolytes, Frank, is spoiling for a fight with Cindy's friend, Cody.  Soon, the “Black Tape” will be played, and Cindy will be sacrificed as part of a ritual – to open up a portal for Satan!  Of course, nothing will go as expected.

THE LOWDOWN:  AWA Studios' marketing recently began providing me with PDF review copies of their comic book publications.  One of PDFs received is Black Tape #4, the second issue of the series that I have read.

I have not read the first two issues of Black Tape, but AWA Studios' marketing department has written up some perfectly detailed and aptly intriguing summaries for them.  I can say that the publisher knows how to sell the book.  I find myself intrigued by what I have read.

Writer Dan Panosian, who is also a hugely talented illustrator and comic book artist, has cast a devilish spell with Black Tape.  In turn, Dalibor Talajić has transformed Panosian's story into powerful comic book and graphical storytelling.  Black Tape looks and feels hoary and diabolical, and Ive Svorcina's colors creates a sense of shifting realities and nightmares.  The cherry on top is Steve Wands' patient and matter-of-fact lettering,  This resulted in a powerful penultimate chapter.

That said, Black Tape #4 is a bit of a letdown.  It takes the easy way out.  It can't go all the way in on the Apocalypse, nor can it play happy ending.  This final issue is more like the end of the first chapter and the beginning of what will come next.  That is not necessarily a bad thing, but it cheats the great ending that I know Panosian and Talajić could have delivered.  Still, Black Tape will make a … helluva read in trade paperback form.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:   Fans of fiction about people who sell their souls to the Devil and the subsequent consequences will want some Black Tape.

A-

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

AWA Website: https://awastudios.net/

AWA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awastudiosofficial/

AWA Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWA_Studios

AWA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awastudiosofficial

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

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Titan Comics Returns "CONAN THE BARBARIAN" to Comic Books Shops on August 2nd

"Conan the Barbarian #1 COVER D." "Retro Theme" variant cover art by Patch Zircher.

ROBERT E. HOWARD'S LEGENDARY CONAN IS BACK IN A NEW TALE OF BRAVERY AND HEROISM! CONAN THE BARBARIAN FCBD EDITION LEADS INTO THE DEBUT ISSUE

Years after the battle of Venarium, a weary CONAN returns to his homeland to seek rest and solitude. However, a mysterious scout rides in to warn the Cimmerians of an imminent threat on the march from the Pictish wilderness. Will CONAN and his new ally be able to hold off this new horde of invaders?

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1 (ONGOING):

Writer: JIM ZUB

Artist: ROBERTO DE LA TORRE

Colorist: JOSÉ VILLARRUBIA

Letterer: RICHARD STARKINGS OF COMICRAFT

Publishers: HEROIC SIGNATURES & TITAN COMICS

FC, 32pp, $3.99, On sale: August 2, 2023

Issue #1 covers:

MAY231133 COVER A: DAN PANOSIAN

MAY231134 COVER B: ROBERTO DE LA TORRE

MAY231135 COVER C: ARTGERM

MAY231136 COVER D: PATCH ZIRCHER RETRO THEME

MAY231137 COVER E: MIKE MIGNOLA

MAY231138 COVER F: E.M. GIST

MAY231139 COVER G: WRAPAROUND HYBORIAN AGE MAP

MAY231140 COVER H: COLORED BLANK SKETCH

MAY231141 COVER I: FOIL CONAN MOVIE NOVEL REPLICA VIRGIN 

MAY231142 COVER J: 1:10 INCENTIVE: ROBERTO DE LA TORRE VIRGIN B&W INKS

MAY231143 COVER K: 1:25 INCENTIVE: DAN PANOSIAN VIRGIN B&W INKS

MAY231144 COVER L: 1:50 INCENTIVE: MIKE MIGNOLA VIRGIN B&W INKS

MAY231145 COVER M: 1:100 INCENTIVE: ARTGERM VIRGIN B&W INKS

APR238820 FOC JAE LEE VIRGIN

APR238821 FOC MIKE MIGNOLA VIRGIN

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

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#IReadsYou Review: BLACK TAPE #3

BLACK TAPE #3 (OF 4)

AWA STUDIOS

STORY: Dan Panosian

ART: Dalibor Talajić

COLORS: Ive Svorcina

LETTERS: Steve Wands

COVER: Dan Panosian

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Dave Johnson; Chris Ferguson; Dan Panosian (B&W)

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (April 2023)

Rated: “Teen+”

Black Tape is a four-issue comic book miniseries from writer Dan Panosian and artist Dalibor Talajić.  Published by AWA Studios, the miniseries follows the widow of a rock'n'roll god who is dealing with her grief, even as dark forces conspire to obtain her late husband's last album, which supposedly has special powers.  Colorist Ive Svorcina and letterer Steve Wands complete the series creative team.

In Black Tape, Jack King, one of the most influential rock 'n roll musicians of all time, suddenly dies on stage.  Jack's mysterious death causes his widow, Cindy, both to grapple with grief and to ask some very important questions.  For instance, was his death an accident or was it something far more sinister?  And now, malevolent people are seeking the master tapes for the album Jack produced shortly before his death.  Entitled “Black Tape,” it just might open a doorway to hell.

As Black Tape #3 opens, Cindy is searching the home she shared with Jack.  With her friend, Deveney, by her side, she hopes to find answers.  Instead, what she finds should not only worry her, but also should make her run away.  But Cindy won't leave, and the party is about to begin.

THE LOWDOWN:  AWA Studios' marketing recently began providing me with PDF review copies of their comic book publications.  The third PDF received is Black Tape #3.

I have not read the first two issues of Black Tape, but AWA Studios' marketing department has written up some perfectly detailed and aptly intriguing summaries for them.  The publisher certainly knows how to sell Black Tape, and after having just finished my first and only issue, Black Tape #3, I find myself really into the narrative.

Writer Dan Panosian, who is also a hugely talented illustrator and comic book artist, has cast a devilish spell with Black Tape.  In turn, Dalibor Talajić has transformed Panosian's story into powerful comic book and graphical storytelling.  Black Tape looks and feels hoary and diabolical, and Ive Svorcina's colors creates a sense of shifting realities and nightmares.  The cherry on top is Steve Wands' patient and matter-of-fact lettering, which carries this penultimate chapter to its shocking end.

I look forward to the fourth and final issue of this series.  Although I have only read one issue, I think Black Tape will make a … helluva read in trade paperback form.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of fiction about people who sell their souls to the Devil and the subsequent consequences will want some Black Tape.

A-

★★★½ out of 4 stars

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

AWA Website: https://awastudios.net/

AWA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awastudiosofficial/

AWA Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWA_Studios

AWA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awastudiosofficial

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

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#IReadsYou Review: DEEP BEYOND #2

DEEP BEYOND #2 (OF 12)
IMAGE COMICS/Arancia Studio

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Mirka Andolfo and David Goy
ART: Andrea Broccardo
COLORS: Barbara Nosenzo
LETTERS: Fabio Amelia
DESIGN: Fabrizio Verrocchi
EDITOR: Rossano Bruno
COVER:  Andrea Broccardo with Andrea Meloni
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Mirka Andolfo; Dan Panosian; Marco Checchetto
28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (March 2021)

Rated “T+/Teen Plus”

Deep Beyond created by Mirka Andolfo, David Goy, Andrea Broccardo, and Barbara Nosenzo

Deep Beyond is a new twelve-issue comic book miniseries from writers Mirka Andolfo and David Goy and artist Andrea Broccardo.  Published by Image Comics, Deep Beyond is a science fiction comic book that follows a small group of people trying to discover what is hidden in an abyss.  Colorist Barbara Nosenzo and letterer Fabio Amelia complete the creative team.

It is the year 2085 on Earth.  The planet has been devastated by the dire consequences of the “millennium bug” (December 31st, 2000?).  A small number of people, mostly talented scientists, work to ensure the survival of mankind.  Now, Jolene leads a mission to rescue one of those scientists, her twin sister, Pamela Bell, and Pamela's colleague and ex-lover, Dr. Paul Bailey, has joined the mission.  What the survivors don't know is that there is something worse in the deep beyond.

As Deep Beyond #2 opens, Jolene and Paul are on the run from a marine monster.  Luckily, Jolene's compatriots come to the rescue, only to find themselves in peril from this seemingly unbeatable beast of many tentacles.

Now, on to getting equipped for the rescue of Pamela Bell.  Will the equipment work?  And do the rescuers know that someone powerful is willing to kill them to stop them?

THE LOWDOWN:  Thanks to a PDF copy for review of Deep Beyond #1, I had my first Mirka experience.  I had seen writer-artist Mirka Andolfo's name around for the past several years, but I had not read any of her work, including her other Image Comics series, Mercy.

Andolfo does not draw Deep Beyond.  The art team is comprised of illustrator Andrea Broccardo (Star Wars: Doctor Aphra) and colorist Barbara Nosenzo, and this artist-colorist team is delivering some absolutely gorgeous work on Deep Beyond.  In the first issue, their work bares the naked truth about Deep Beyond's dystopian future:  things are really, f*****g screwed up.  Broccardo creates the bleakness and Nosenzo's colors create the terror, but in this second issue, the team draws exciting action scenes with beautiful illustrations and vivid colors.  It's a dark future, from an eye candy point of view.

Co-writers Andolfo and David Goy threw a lot of narrative curve balls at the readers in the first issue.  In Deep Beyond #2, the writers offer straightforward action and provide more insight into the characters.  Yes, the story is still unclear about all the adversaries and about what awaits the rescue mission, but Andolfo and Goy are good at keeping us intrigued.  I think I want more, dear readers, and maybe you will to.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mirka Andolfo will want to go Deep Beyond.

8 out of 10

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


https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/
https://twitter.com/Mirkand
https://www.mirkaandolfo.com/
https://twitter.com/aranciastudio
https://aranciastudio.com/


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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Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 4, 2017

IMAGE COMICS

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JUL170861    POSTAL #23 (MR)    $3.99
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JUL170866    RINGSIDE #12 (MR)    $3.99
AUG170716    ROCKET GIRL #10    $3.99
AUG170587    SLOTS #1 CVR A PANOSIAN (MR)    $3.99
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JUL170911    STRAY BULLETS SUNSHINE & ROSES #28 (MR)    $3.99
AUG170744    WALKING DEAD #172 (MR)    $2.99
JUL170766    WALKING DEAD HERES NEGAN HC (MR)    $19.99
AUG170601    WARFRAME #1    $3.99

Review: SCOOBY APOCALYPSE #1

SCOOBY APOCALYPSE No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComic

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

PLOT/BREAKDOWNS:  Keith Giffen
DIALOGUE: J.M. DeMatteis
ARTIST: Howard Porter
COLORS: Hi-Fi
LETTERS: Nick J. Napolitano; Travis Lanham
COVER: Jim Lee with Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVERS: Howard Porter with Hi-Fi;Dan Panosian; Neal Adams with Alex Sinclair; Joelle Jones with Nick Filardi; Ben Caldwell
40pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2016)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

“Waiting for the End of the World”

Based on a concept by Jim Lee; Scooby-Doo created by Joe Ruby and Ken Spears and Iwao Takamoto

Scooby-Doo is a media franchise that began with the animated, Saturday-morning, television series, “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!” in 1969, which was produced by American animation studio, Hanna-Barbera Production.  The series featured four teenagers:  Fred Jones, Daphne Blake, Velma Dinkley, and Norville "Shaggy" Rogers and Scooby-Doo, a talking Great Dane-ish dog.  Together, they solved mysteries involving supernatural creatures that usually turned out to be frauds.

That first series basically gave birth to numerous follow-up Scooby-Doo animated cartoon series that used the original as a pattern to one extent or another.  DC Comics recently launched a Scooby-Doo comic book that takes the characters introduced in “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!” but largely reinvents the character relationships, personalities, histories, and their mission.  Entitled Scooby Apocalypse, the new comic book is based on a concept created by Jim Lee.  The comic book is written by Keith Giffen (plot) and J.M. DeMatteis (dialogue); drawn by Howard Porter; colored by Hi-Fi; and lettered by Nick J. Napolitano.

Scooby Apocalypse #1 (“Waiting for the End of the World”) finds Daphne and Fred at “The Blazing Man Festival.”  Daphne is the host of a once-popular television series, “Daphne Blake's Mysterious Mysteries.”  She hopes that an informant that she is supposed to meet at the festival will provide the lead to a story that will return the show to the big time.  Fred, her long-suffering cameraman, thinks that he and Daphne should move on to bigger things.

Nearby is Shaggy, a dog-trainer at a secret facility, and his trainee, Scooby-Doo.  A misunderstanding forces an encounter between Shaggy and Scooby and Fred and Daphne.  Now, both parties are about to hear an amazing story from Dr. Velma Dinkley who works for a secret government program, the Elysium Project.  What she tells them will change their lives.

I would not call myself a Scooby-Doo purist, but I probably am.  I am not crazy about anything that strays too far from “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!” (1969-1970) and the follow-up series, “The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries” (1972-1973)  Thus, I am inclined to not like Scooby Apocalypse, and I had planned on not reading it.  However, word that some of the early issues were selling-out in various places piqued my interests.  I picked up some copies at a my local comic shop and turned to eBay for the ones I could not find there.

After reading the first ten pages, I was disgusted and even insulted, as a Scooby-Doo fan.  Then, I found myself intrigued by the goings-on inside the Project Elysium facility, and then, I bought in to this comic book.

I'd be lying if I called it great, but I really want to see where this goes.  I have the first four issues, and I think that will be enough to decide if I want to keep reading.  Honestly, I would recommend this first issue to any adult who is or was a fan of Scooby-Doo, reading it as a lark or out of curiosity.  Considering the creative team behind this, Scooby Apocalypse could be good.  The bonus story, “When Shaggy Met Scooby!” about the first meeting between fiction's greediest boy-and-his-dog combo is a novel spin on the classic animated cartoon comedy duo.

I'll review a future issue, dear reader, and I promise to keep it real, one way or the other.

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.

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

Review: JAMES BOND Volume 1 #1

JAMES BOND, VOL. 1 No. 1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @dynamitecomics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Warren Ellis
ART: Jason Masters
COLORS: Guy Major
LETTERS: Simon Bowland
COVER: Dom Reardon
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Francesco Francavilla; Steven Mooney; Dan Panosian; Gabriel Hardman with Jordan Boyd; Glenn Fabry; Jock; Gabriel Hardman; Joe Jusko; Aaron Campbell; Timothy Lim; Dennis Calero; Robert Hack; Ben Oliver; Jason Masters
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

Rated T+

“Vargr”

“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 the long-running James Bond-007 film series, which began with the 1962 film, Dr. No.

After Fleming's death, a number of authors continued to produce James Bond novels, including the recently released Trigger Warning from author Anthony Horowitz.  Over the past 50+ years, Bond has made sporadic appearances in comic books.  The latest James Bond comic book appears courtesy of Dynamite Entertainment.

James Bond, Volume 1 is written by Warren Ellis, drawn by Jason Masters, colored by Guy Major, and lettered by Simon Bowland.  The first story arc is entitled is entitled “Vargr.”  According to Ellis, this James Bond comic book series will feature a James Bond that skews closer to the character that appeared in Ian Fleming's writing than in the film series.

James Bond, Volume 1, #1 opens in Helsinki, Finland.  There, James Bond-007 is settling a matter concerning 008.  Back in London at MI6 headquarters, M (Bond's immediate superior) informs Bond that he must take on a larger workload.  That will take him to Berlin and into danger.

When actor Daniel Craig was cast as James Bond around a decade ago, it was announced that the James Bond film series would return to the idea that 007 was a blunt instrument used by the British Secret Service.  That was evident in most of Craig's first outing as Bond, 2006's Casino Royale, although the film ultimately returned to the action movie theatrics that have defined the series for most of its existence.

In 22 pages, writer Warren Ellis makes it clear that the James Bond of “Vargr” is not only a blunt instrument, but also is a man who can be both suave and ordinary-like, as necessary.  This Bond is also classic and cool, like Sean Connery operating with a jazzy soundtrack in the background.  There is, however, also a touch of the edginess found in Richard Stark's Parker.

Jason Masters' art and graphical storytelling deglazes any cinematic sheen from both the subject and the story.  With Guy Major's colors, Masters' art does not seek to make this a matter-of-fact Bond, but rather it emphasizes the story and genre as much as it does the famous character.

I highly recommend this to fans of James Bond and to those who have been waiting for a James Bond comic book.  I must also note that not only is Moneypenny a Black character (as she is in the current films), but so is M.  I'll be waiting in Berlin...

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

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

Review: MARTIAN MANHUNTER #1

MARTIAN MANHUNTER #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Rob Williams
PENCILS: Eddy Barrows
INKS: Eber Ferreira
COLORS: Gabe Eltaeb
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
COVER: Dan Panosian
VARIANT COVER: Eric Canete
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (August 2015)

Rated “T+” for “Teen Plus”

“Weapon!”

The Martian Manhunter a.k.a. J'onn J'onzz is a DC Comics superhero.  This sci-fi hero was created by writer Joseph Samachson and artist Joe Certa and first appeared in Detective Comics #225 (cover dated: November 1955).  J'onn, a native of Mars, is also one of the seven original members of the Justice League of America.

Now, with the advent of the “DCYou” publishing event, J'onn J'onzz has a new ongoing comic book series.  Martian Manhunter is written by Rob Williams, drawn by Eddy Barrows (pencils) and Eber Ferreira (inks), colored by Gabe Eltaeb, and lettered by Tom Napolitano.

Martian Manhunter #1 (“Weapon!”) opens with a prologue wherein a group of children visit a strange man named Mr. Biscuits.  Meanwhile, the Martian Manhunter is trying to save an airliner from crashing, all the while unleashing a psychic call for help.  At the Justice League Watchtower, Superman, Flash, and Cyborg are having a little difficulty believing what they are witnessing, while war zones erupt and terrorists unleash multiple attacks.  An alien invasion begins.

Martian Manhunter #1 is another of those DCYou launches that I avoided reading even though it was in my reading slush pile.  I regret that now, as the second issue has already arrived in comic book shops, and I might not be able to get a copy.  Obviously, I enjoyed reading this first issue, and it could be the start of a tremendously good title.

I might be wrong.  Perhaps, I should wait to read another issue, but it seems to me, after only one reading, that series writer Rob Williams has unleashed something big.  If the rest of this story arc is as good as the opening chapter, it will be the kind of big, event story that should launch something.  You know:  the way Flashpoint launched The New 52.

I love, and I do mean love, the art by the team of Eddy Barrows and Eber Ferreira.  It is old-fashioned and textured, not relying on the colorist to provide texture, such as “feathering.”  Still, colorist Gabe Eltaeb manages to shine anyway, with a color palette that establishes a dark mood, the sense of a world under siege by things not of this world.

Wow!  I want more Martian Manhunter.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

I Reads You Review: CHRONONAUTS #1

CHRONONAUTS #1
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

WRITER: Mark Millar – @mrmarkmillar
ARTIST: Sean Gordon Murphy – @Sean_G_Murphy
COLORS: Matt Hollingsworth
LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos
COVER: Sean Gordon Murphy with Matt Hollingsworth
VARIANT COVERS: Matteo Scalera with Matt Hollingsworth; Declan Shalvey with Jordie Bellaire; Dan Panosian; Fiona Staples; Ryan Ottley with Kelsey Shannon; Fabio Moon; Chris Weston
28pp, Color, $3.50 U.S. (March 2015)

Rated M / Mature

Chrononauts is a new comic book series created by writer Mark Millar (Kick-Ass, The Secret Service) and artist Sean Gordon Murphy (Punk Rock Jesus).  The series focuses on the world's first time travelers and the problems they encounter.

Chrononauts #1 introduces Corbin Quinn.  He is the star scientist in NASA's Temporal-Observation Program.  After testing several “temporal vehicle” prototypes, Quinn and his partner, Dr. Danny Reilly, are ready for their first manned-mission through time with the help of their “chrono-suits.”  Something goes wrong; some always goes wrong, and it is usually not so easy to fix.

Like much of Mark Millar's creator-owned comics outside of Marvel Comics, Chrononauts is the usual, glossy, high-concept piece featuring people who know a lot, but don't realize how much they don't know.  Chrononauts lacks the gall of Kick-Ass and the gleeful maliciousness of Nemesis; plus, it seems like a shiny makeover of the late Michael Crichton's1999 novel Timeline that was adapted into a 2003 film of the same title.

I suspect Millar will offer more surprises in the second issue, so I will give it a try (if I can find a second issue).  Sean Murphy is a good comics storyteller, but nothing he does here really piques my interest.  Murphy is the series co-creator, but virtually any veteran comic book artist could have drawn Chrononauts.  Maybe, Murphy will also surprise in the second issue.

http://www.millarworld.tv/

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux on Patreon.


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

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 11, 2015

DC COMICS

JAN150291     ACTION COMICS #40     $3.99
JAN150355     ARROW SEASON 2.5 #6     $2.99
JAN150398     ASTRO CITY #21     $3.99
NOV140331     ASTRO CITY PRIVATE LIVES HC     $24.99
DEC140407     ASTRO CITY VICTORY TP     $16.99
JAN150229     BATMAN ARKHAM KNIGHT #1     $3.99
DEC140388     BATMAN BEYOND JUSTICE LORDS BEYOND TP     $16.99
JAN150301     BATMAN ETERNAL #49     $2.99
JAN150394     COFFIN HILL #16 (MR)     $2.99
JAN150264     CONSTANTINE #23     $2.99
JAN150311     DETECTIVE COMICS ENDGAME #1     $2.99
JAN150244     EARTH 2 WORLDS END #23     $2.99
JAN150395     FABLES THE WOLF AMONG US #3 (MR)     $3.99
JAN150401     FBP FEDERAL BUREAU OF PHYSICS #19 (MR)     $2.99
JAN150345     GREEN LANTERN CORPS #40 (NOTE PRICE)     $3.99
JAN150357     INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR THREE #11     $2.99
DEC148490     IZOMBIE #1 SPECIAL ED (MR)     $1.00
DEC140382     JUSTICE LEAGUE TP VOL 05 FOREVER HEROES (N52)     $14.99
JAN150254     JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #10     $3.99
JAN150269     KLARION #6     $2.99
JAN150354     MORTAL KOMBAT X #4 (MR)     $3.99
DEC148482     MULTIVERSITY GUIDEBOOK #1 2ND PTG     $7.99
JAN150224     NEW 52 FUTURES END #45 (WEEKLY)     $2.99
JAN150274     NEW SUICIDE SQUAD #8     $2.99
JAN150389     SCOOBY DOO WHERE ARE YOU #55     $2.99
JAN150362     SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 CONTINUITY #4     $3.99
DEC148491     SUPERMAN #38 2ND PTG     $4.99
DEC140398     TINY TITANS RETURN TO THE TREEHOUSE TP     $12.99
JAN150299     WORLDS FINEST #32     $2.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES
SEP140354     BATMAN ARKHAM KNIGHT BATMAN STATUE     $124.95
JUN140334     BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE BY BOLLAND 2ND ED     $79.95

I Reads You Review: CONAN RED SONJA #1

CONAN RED SONJA #1 (OF 4)
DARK HORSE COMICS/DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @DarkHorseComics and @dynamitecomics

WRITER: Gail Simone and Jim Zub
ARTIST: Dan Panosian
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
COVER: Dan Panosian
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2015)

Part 1 of 4: The Age of Innocence

Conan the Cimmerian (also Conan the Barbarian) was born in the pulp fiction of Robert E. Howard, first appearing in magazine, Weird Tales (1932).  Marvel Comics brought Conan to comic books in 1970, with the long running series, Conan the Barbarian.  In Conan the Barbarian #23 (cover dated February 1973), writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith created a high fantasy sword and sorcery heroine.  She was named Red Sonja and was loosely based on “Red Sonya of Rogatino,” a female character that appeared in the 1934 short story, “The Shadow of the Vulture,” written by Robert E. Howard.

Conan and Red Sonja are reunited in comic books again in Dark Horse Comics' new four-issue miniseries, Conan Red Sonja.  This series is written by Gail Simone and Jim Zub, drawn by Dan Panosian, colored by Dave Stewart, and lettered by Richard Starkings & Comicraft.

Conan Red Sonja #1 (“The Age of Innocence”) opens when Manus Drath arrives on the Barachan Isles, off the coast of Zingara.  He has brought with him a container of mysterious seeds for an unwary farmer to plant.  Meanwhile, in the city of Enshophur, in the country of Koth, Conan and Red Sonja find themselves after the same prize.  Their quest will take each into royal chambers, where they will learn that not everything is what it is supposed to be.

I have not read very many comic books written by Gail Simone, but what I have read, I have enjoyed.  I only discovered the work of writer Jim Zub within the last two years and have found great pleasure in his recently launched creator-owned series, Wayward (Image Comics).  Thus, I am not surprised that the Simone-Zub union would create such a hugely enjoyable series as Conan Red Sonja.

Conan Red Sonja captures the spirit of a Conan adventure as well as any Conan comic book ever has.  It is brawny and pulpy and has a humorous streak that cuts across most of the first issue.  Red Sonja's sly wit is the perfect foil for Conan's murderous sense of humor.  What makes their union so special is the reality that these two cannot trust each other long enough for them to take on a long campaign together.  It will be interesting to see how this duo comes together at just the right time to take on the darkness that is ahead of them because of their actions in this first issue.

Dan Panosian's art tells a lean and mean story, and Panosian captures how quickly our barbarian heroes can change fate with the sharp edge of their swords.  Panosian sets the mood; this first issue is just the beginning – the introduction and set-up.  The real pain is yet to come, and the art portends in all the right places while offering up the Hyborian version of a heist story.

Conan Red Sonja #1 makes me want to keep reading.  I hope that the rest of this series lives up to my high expectations.

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: HARLEY QUINN #0

HARLEY QUINN #0
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITERS: Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
ART:  Amanda Conner, Becky Cloonan, Tony S. Daniel, Sandu Florea, Stephane Roux, Dan Panosian, Walter Simonson, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Bruce Timm, Charlie Adlard, Adam Hughes, Art Baltazar, Tradd Moore, Dave Johnson, Jeremy Roberts, Sam Keith, Darwyn Cooke, Chad Hardin
COLORS: Paul Mounts, Tomeu Morey, John Kalisz, Lovern Kindzierski, Alex Sinclair, Lee Loughridge, Dave Stewart, Alex Sollazzo
LETTERS: John J. Hill
COVER: Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts
VARIANT COVER: Stephane Roux
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (May 2014 – second printing)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Harley Quinn created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm

DC Comics began publishing a new Harley Quinn comic book series by writers Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti and artists Chad Hardin (pencils and inks) and Alex Sinclair (colors) at the turn of the year.  As a tie-in to the new series, DC published Harley Quinn #0, which was also written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti.

Harley Quinn #0 is essentially a stand-alone, anthology comic book.  This issue has a single narrative, which basically breaks the fourth wall, allowing Harley Quinn and Connor and Palmiotti to interact.  The two sides are arguing about the type of artists that should draw Quinn and her adventures.  The anthology part is that 17 artists draw at least one page of the 20 pages of story in Harley Quinn #0.  Amanda Conner draws the opening two pages, and Chad Hardin, the artist of the new ongoing Harley Quinn series, draws the three pages that end the story.  That leaves 15 pages for the 15 other artists.

I am a fan of many of the artists contributing to Harley Quinn #0, and some of them are familiar to me, but only in passing.  I grabbed a second printing of Harley Quinn #0 as soon as I read the names of the artists listed on the cover.  I was most looking forward to seeing art by Jim Lee and Bruce Timm, but was somewhat disappointed by their contributions.  The best page is by Walter Simonson – transposing his classic version of Manhunter onto Harley Quinn.

The biggest surprises for me were Stephane Roux, Dan Panosian, and Jeremy Roberts, and Tradd Moore’s page makes me want to see more of his work.  Of course, I am always happy to see anything by the genius named Darwyn Cooke.  I have one question for Harley: can we do this again?

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Review: Uncanny #1

UNCANNY #1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @dynamitecomics

WRITER: Andy Diggle
ARTIST: Aaron Campbell
COLORS: Bill Crabtree
LETTERS: Simon Bowland
COVERS: Jock (A), Sean Phillips (B), Dan Panosian (subscription cover)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

Rated T+

Season of Hungry Ghosts, Part One

Dynamite Entertainment launched its “Crime Line” with the comic book series, Red Team, from writer Garth Ennis. The second title in this new line is Uncanny. Written by Andy Diggle (Action Comics) and drawn by artist Aaron Campbell (The Shadow), Uncanny blends the supernatural (the lead character’s paranormal abilities) into a realistic genre (the fast-paced crime thriller).

Uncanny #1 introduces Weaver, a man born with an uncanny ability that allows him to steal other people’s skills. He can absorb their memories, abilities, and expertise and turn them into his own, but for only a short time. Weaver is a professional gambler, con-man, and thief-for-hire, and he prefers to look out for “Number One,” himself. When he tries to use his abilities at a casino card table in Hong Kong, he finds trouble that he did not expect. His only luck may be in the form of a mysterious young woman named Maggie.

After one issue, I’m not ready to pass complete judgment on Uncanny, but it is not bad at all. Uncanny #1 is a good read, slick and polished in its script. It reminds me of one of those espionage television series that were so popular and prevalent in the 1960s. Add some of Richard Stark’s Parker to that and you have Uncanny and its star, Weaver.

The art by Aaron Campbell yields good, if not spectacular graphical storytelling. Honestly, the art won’t “wow” you with prettiness or striking page design, but it is good, clear storytelling. So it would be a crime for readers who don’t mind some paranormal in their crime fiction not to try Uncanny.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux