#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"


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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"


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#IReadsYou Review: STATIC #1

STATIC #1
DC COMICS/Milestone Comics

STORY: Dwayne McDuffie and Robert L. Washington, III
PENCILS: John Paul Leon
INKS: Steve Mitchell
COLORS: Noelle C. Giddings
LETTERS: Steve Haynie
EDITOR: Dwayne McDuffie
COVER: Denys Cowan and Jimmy Palmiotti with Noelle C. Giddings
32pp, Color, $2.95 US, $3.95 CAN, 1.20 UK£ (June 1993)

“Trial by Fire” Chapter One: “Burning Sensation”

Introduced in the spring of 1993, Static was one of the early comic book series created by Milestone Media and published through DC Comics.  Milestone Media was a comic book imprint and media company established with the intention presenting more minority characters in American Comics.  Although the Milestone Media stopped producing comics in 1997, Static was reworked as the WB animated series, “Static Shock,” which ran for four seasons from 2000 to 2004.

Static #1 (“Burning Sensation”) opens in the Sadler neighborhood of the city of Dakota, specifically in a teen hangout called Akkad’s Arcade.  Frieda Goren, a high school girl, arrives at the hangout to meet a friend when she suddenly encounters representatives of someone else who wants to meet her.  Known as the “5 Alarm Crew,” these ruffians are practically kidnapping Frieda to take her to their leader, someone named “Hotstreak,” whether she wants an audience with him or not.

By the second page (a splash page), our hero, Static, makes his first appearance, and six and half pages of witty banter and an electric light show later, it’s clear that this new superhero, the first African-American solo teen superhero, is a winner even if his own book doesn’t last over the long haul (which sadly it didn’t).  Static’s powers clearly have something to do with electricity, and his personality is equally stimulating  After he dispatches the 5 Alarm Crew, Static offers to take Frieda home, an indication that she is not just a damsel in distress plot device which allows writers Dwayne McDuffie and Robert L. Washington to introduce their hero.

After reluctantly leaving Frieda, who was standoffish with him although he saved her, Static finds a secluded alley where he returns to his civilian persona, a black teenager named Virgil Ovid Hawkins.  Virgil’s thoughts are still on Frieda, further indication of her importance.  Virgil returns home (apparently a brownstone similar to the family home on “The Cosby Show”) so McDuffie and Washington can reveal Static’s private life and family.  We meet Virgil’s mother and his sister, Sharon, with whom he, of course, spars, as li’l sis has some issue with Virgil hangin’ with white girl.  Virgil races upstairs just in time to answer the phone call from Frieda, who tells him about her adventures at Akkad’s.  The scene closes as the conversation evolves into the usual teen concerns.

The next morning, a breakfast conversation with his mother reveals that Virgil does indeed have a father, who works odd hours at a hospital.  (The African-American father was virtually extinct in pop culture at the time this comic was published, and remains on the endangered species list as of this writing.)

When the story moves to the hallways of the school Virgil attends, Ernest Hemingway High School, McDuffie and Washington introduce Virgil’s pals.  One of them, Richard Stone, would later be revealed as gay, but even now there seems to be some latent tension regarding Richard’s perceived sexual orientation.

Besides Frieda, Virgil’s most interesting friend is Larry, who has something of a thuggish vibe.  Later, while in class, the 5 Alarm Crew returns, and this time they manage to snatch Frieda.  This comes totally out of left field: Larry apparently offers to draw a concealed firearm to put a stop to the 5 Alarm boys, but Virgil has already slipped away to don his super suit.

Meanwhile, in a playground at a local elementary school, Static meets the 5 Alarm Crew’s master, Hotstreak, and here, McDuffie and Washington offer the biggest surprise and delight, which they’ve been saving for the very end of the first issue.  Hotstreak kicks Static’s butt all over the yard, and Static apparently has some kind of psychological block that prohibits him from going whole hog on Hotstreak, who is nevertheless a capable super badass.  And Frieda removes Static’s mask, revealing Virgil to her…

Overall, Static #1 is an impressive first issue.  To begin with, the art team of John Paul Leon on pencils and Steve Mitchell on inks creates a lovely style that has a jazzy vibe.  Although the coloring is modest, the art feels young, hip, and most important urban.  Visually, Leon and Mitchell construct an urban landscape by designing backgrounds and sets out of simple shapes and forms and get the same effect as artists that create urban environments by using heavy inking or intricate detail in drawing the sets.  Best of all, Leon and Mitchell capture the cast’s diversity; this is true melting pot and not something that looks like a Norman Rockwell painting of a Rotary Club meeting.

I have nothing but praise for McDuffie and Washington.  Static is a witty teen superhero, a sassy, brash kid bouncing off walls.  Read it, and recognize the fun of those early Spider-Man comic books.  But Static has an edge.  It’s in the rhythm of the authentic urban language – referencing hip hop without trying to replicate it (unlike the horrid “hip” dialogue in the original Gen13 comics).  Underlying it all is the feeling of life on the streets of Dakota being, at the very least, a little dangerous.  Reading this, I thought that some of these characters have to be ready to kill or be killed – anytime and anywhere.

It’s on.

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

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#28DaysofBlack Review: HARDWARE: The Man in the Machine - no text

HARDWARE: THE MAN IN THE MACHINE
MILESTONE MEDIA/DC COMICS

WRITER: Dwayne McDuffie
PENCILS: Denys Cowan; J.J. Birch (issue #8)
INKS: Jimmy Palmiotti; Mike Manley; Joe Brozowski; Joe James; Jason Minor
COLORS: Noelle Giddings
LETTERS: Janice Chiang; Steve Haynie; Steve Dutro
COVER: Denys Cowan and Jimmy Palmiotti
EDITOR: Bob Joy
ISBN: 978-1-4012-2598-8; paperback (March 30, 2021)
192pp, Color, $19.99 U.S., $24.99 CAN

Hardware created by Dwayne McDuffie; Derek Dingle; Denys Cowan, and Michael Davis

Milestone Comics was the publishing division of Milestone Media and was 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, the subject of this review.  DC Comics ceased publication of Milestone titles in 1997.

Hardware was created by the late Dwayne McDuffie; Derek Dingle; Denys Cowan, and Michael Davis.  The first seven issues of Hardware were written by McDuffie and drawn by Cowan (pencil art) and a rotating group of inkers:  Jimmy Palmiotti; Mike Manley; Joe Brozowski; and Joe James; colored by Noelle Giddings; and lettered by Janice Chiang, Steve Haynie, and Steve Dutro.  The eighth issue featured the art team of J.J. Birch (pencils) and Jason Minor (inks).

In 2010, DC Comics published the trade paperback Hardware: The Man in the Machine, which collected Hardware #1 to #8 (April 1993 to October 1993).  Like all Milestone titles, Hardware was set in the Milestone Universe, called the “Dakotaverse.”

Hardware #1 (“Angry Black Man”) introduces Curtis “Curt” Metcalf, a genius inventor.  He uses a special suit of armor (the “Hardware shell”) and a variety of high-tech gadgets to fight his employer, respected businessman, Edwin Alva.

Metcalf was a working class child prodigy and inventor who was discovered at age 12 by Alva.  With the blessing of Metcalf's parents, Alva enrolled Metcalf in “A Better Chance,” which was “a program intended to get minority students into elite prep schools.”  Metcalf proved to be much smarter than all the other prep school students and graduated at age 14.  With Alva paying his college tuition, Metcalf earned the first of his seven college degrees at age 15.  In exchange, after graduation, Metcalf began working in Alva Industries' “Inspiration Factory,” where the employees created high-tech gadgets by the hundreds.  However, it was Metcalf's inventions that made Alva many millions of dollars.  After a few years, Metcalf approached Alva about getting a share of the profits from his inventions.  Alva not only declines, but he also tells Metcalf that he is a mere employee, a “cog in the machine,” Alva's machine.

Metcalf begins secretly using Alva resources to create the hardware, software, and technology that becomes Hardware.  Metcalf also discovers that Alva is secretly a powerful crime boss.  Metcalf as Hardware begins his war against Alva, destroying Alva's criminal machine one piece at a time.  However, Hardware also rings up a high body county, so will he lose his soul in his personal war against his boss?

THE LOWDOWN:  When the discussion of black superheroes pops up, it often turns to the question of whether actual African-Americans as writers would tell better stories about Black superheroes than writers who are white.  Of course, some always say skin color doesn’t really matter, but they’re always white, speaking from the perspective of advantage and of white privilege.

A white man can certainly write really good comic books featuring African-American characters.  In the 1970’s, Marv Wolfman and Chris Claremont wrote excellent darkly comic and bloody horrific stories featuring Marvel Comics’ vampire hunter, Blade.  But there’s just something about a writer who has lived as a black man in America writing stories about a fictional character that is not just a black superhero, but also a black person living in America.

But sometimes, being a black writer spinning a narrative about a black character does matter.  Witness the short-lived, mid-1990’s comic book series, Hardware.  Hardware was the first comic book published by Milestone Media.  Milestone was an imprint of DC Comics that sought to publish superhero comic books featuring a more diverse cast in terms of skin color and ethnicity, in particularly African-Americans.  In the case of Dwayne McDuffie, who died in 2011, Hardware’s scribe and co-creator, the title had a storyteller who certainly understood what it was to be a talented African-American who repeatedly bangs his head against the glass ceiling of white privilege, of white supremacy, and of white racism.

What McDuffie gave Hardware was the sense of being more than just a fictional character with a skin color default setting (as many, if not most, white comic book characters are).  McDuffie made the character, in a sense, an idealized version of a black man struggling to prove that he can be and is exceptional in spite of what others may expect of him based on his skin color.

It is not impossible for a white man to write a title like Hardware.  Still, there is something that rings true and feels genuine about the African-American experience in McDuffie’s work on Hardware.  From the opening scene in which a young Curt Metcalf studies the parakeet that will not stop banging its head against the glass window for freedom to the scene of an adult Metcalf learning to check his rage and see the bigger picture of his revenge, McDuffie was likely writing what he knew, but regardless, it reads like the truth.  That is what made McDuffie not just a really good black writer of comic books, but an exceptional comic book writer when compared to just about any other comic book scribe.

Hardware is not perfect.  The character blends Marvel's Iron Man with DC Comics' Batman, but the storytelling and graphic design seem to owe a lot to the big guns and high-tech gadget superheroes that defined most of the early Image Comics superhero titles of the 1990s.  The issues that make up Hardware: The Man in the Machine focus on Curt Metcalf's violent, ruthless, and gory war of revenge.  Hardware is indeed an “angry black man,” and that makes the series mostly stuck in violent mode early on.  Hardware is not Dwayne McDuffie's best work, but it is unique.  Also, there is the chance to enjoy the inventive designs and imaginative compositions of another under-appreciated black comic book creator, the great artist, Denys Cowan.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Milestone Comics will want to read Hardware: The Man in the Machine.

B+
7 out of 10

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


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My "Spider-Man: Far From Home" review is here.

From Newsarama:  Director Ava DuVernay confirms that Darkseid and "the Furies" will appear in her "New Gods" film.

From ComicBook:  Hiram Garcia, producer of the "Black Adam" movie, offers updates on the development of the film featuring the Shazam villain.

From ComicBook:  "Batman" film producer talks about the impact of Stan Lee on the franchise.

From BleedingCool:  Jonah Weiland, the founder of ComicBookResources (CBR), is reportedly going to be the Vice President of Marketing and Creative Services for DC Comics...

From BleedingCool:  Joe and Anthony Russo of "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Avengers: Endgame" will apparently adapt 1980s, First Comics title, "Grimjack," (writer John Ostrander and artist Tim Truman) for the screen.

From Newsarama:  Netflix has ordered more episodes of "Lucifer" (based on the DC Comics series).  Season 5 will run 16 episodes instead of 10.

From Deadline:  Executive producer Daniel Lindelof says that his HBO "Watchmen" series confronts White Supremacy but offers no grandiose solutions.  He also says "Fuck you" to Alan Moore.

From Newsarama:  Here is a "first-look" preview of all four issues of "Chrononauts: Futureshock."

From ScreenRant:  Guillermo del Toro wanted to turn his script for the unproduced "Hellboy 3" into a comic book, but Mike Mignola said no because...

From BloodyDisgusting:  Acclaimed horror movie director, Alexandre Aja ("Crawl") has signed on to diret and executive produce a TV series adaptation of Junji Ito's legendary horror manga, "Tomie," for the Quibi streaming service.

From ComicsBeat:  Who do comic book editors do?  Well, at Comic-Con International 2019, editors explained.

From Newsarama:  All four issues of the upcoming miniseries, "Chrononauts: Futureshock" (Image/Netflix), the sequel to Mark Millar's hit, "Chrononauts," will be released simultaneously on October 30th, 2019.

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From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing will collect Steve Ditko's complete "Mr. A" comics in hardcover volumes beginning in 2020.  This article also includes a fascinating question and answer session with IDW editor Scott Dunbier and one of Ditko's nephews, Mark Ditko.

From BleedingCool:  More about IDW's artist editions and art book releases via editor Scott Dunbier, including more on Steve Ditko's estate.
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From BleedingCool:  DC Comics will collect Garth Ennis' run on "Hellblazer" in one omnibus edition in April 2020.

From Newsarama:  Tom King, Mitch Gerads, and Evan Shaner will producer a "Strange Adventures" comic book starring Adam Strange.

From TheGuardian:  Apparently, it is official.  Alan Moore has retired from comic books.

SDCC - From Newsarama:  The "Harley Quinn" animated series for "DC Universe" has a first trailer.

SDCC - From Newsarama:  Two-time, Oscar-winning actor Mahershala Ali has been cast as Marvel Studios' vampire-hunting character, Blade.

SDCC - From THR:  Marvel Comics announces the relaunch of the X-Men franchise with six new titles: "X-Men," "Excalibur," "Marauders," "New Mutants," "Fallen Angels," and "X-Force."

SDCC - From THR:  The 2019 Will Eisner Award winners have been announced.  Writer Tom King wins in four of the five categories in which he was nominated.

SDCC - From Newsarama:  Miracleman returns in "Marvel Comics #1000" in a one-page story by Neil Gaiman and Mark Buckingham.

SDCC - From Newsarama:  DC Comics has aligned its imprints... again... adding a new one, "DC Graphic Novels for Young Adults" (which will encompass the former "DC Ink" line).  So the revised line of imprints are as follows:  "DC Graphic Novels for Kids," "DC Graphic Novels for Young Adults," "DC" (also known as DC Universe), and "DC Black Label."

SDCC - From THR:   Brandon Routh, how played Superman in the 2006 film, "Superman Returns," will reprise that role in The CW's "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover in December 2019 and January 2020.

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  Jonathan Hickman talks X-Men at Comic-Con 2019 via video

SDCC - From CBR:  Announced at a Comic-Con press event, comiXology has announced another of its "Originals" program, "Afterlift" by writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Jason Loo.

From Deadline:  Ed Brubaker has signed a multi-year deal with Legendary Entertainment Television to develop his creator-owned comic book series for television.

From Deadline:  The upcoming seventh season will be the final season for the ABC TV series, "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."

From Newsarama:  Random House reveals its 2020 releases under its graphic novel imprint, "Random House Graphic."

From EW:  Jonathan Hickman says that Marvel Comics should not be taking its storytelling cues from Marvel Studios.

From Newsarama:  DC will launch a new Birds of Prey ongoing series this October from writer Brian Azzarello and artists Emanuela Lupacchino, Ray McCarthy, and Trish Mulhivill.

From Newsarama:  Bill Jemas and Axel Alonso have hired ReedPOP's Gabe Yocum as its Sales Director for their new comic publishing start-up Artists, Writers, and Artisans (AWA)

From Newsarama:  "The Authority" creators, writer Warren Ellis and artist Bryan Hitch, are reuniting for a 12-issue Batman comic books series, "The Batman's Grave."

From HypeBeast:  13 years after it ended, the infamous manga, "Death Note" is coming back for a one-off, reuniting the manga’s original author and illustrator, Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata.  Now, they are giving fans a look at a storyboard for the upcoming 87-page story.

From TheGeekHerald:  The latest "My Hero Academia" spinoff manga debuts this month in Japan.  "My Hero Academia: Team Up Mission" will debut in "Saiko Jump" on or around July 25th.

From CincyJungle:  NFL running back, Rodney Anderson (Cincinnati Bengals), is openly a fan of comic books and science fiction.  He is apparently part of a wave of young NFL players willing to be open.

From Wired:  Former Marvel EiC and current CCO, Joe Quesada, will be the star of "Storyboards," which will pair him with "visionary" people to find out how they do their best work.  Hugh Jackman of the "Wolverine" and "X-Men" movies will be the guest on the debut episode of this Disney+ streaming service series.

From Deadline:  WTG Enterprises is producing an animated series based on the long-running Underground Comix titles, "The Faburlous Furry Freak Brothers," created by Gilbert Shelton.  The plan is for eight 22-minute episodes to debut early in 2020, but there is currently no distributor.

From FlickeringMyth:  Actress Olivia Munn, who played Psylocke in the film, "X-Men: Apocalypse" (2016), said that she found director Bryan Singer and writer Simon Kinberg's lack of knowledge of the X-Men mythos very frustrating.

From ComicBookMovie:  There are new characater posters for the film, "The Kitchen," which is based on the 2014 DC Comics/Vertigo miniseries.

From ComicBookMovie:  Producer Amy Pascal says that there is no timetable for the sequel to 2018's hit film, "Venom."

From TheBeat:  An analysis of June 2019 comic book and graphic novel sales.

From Newsarama:  John Carpenter will help the Joker get his swagger back in "The Joker: The Year of the Villain #1."

From Newsarama:  What is known about the return of Marvel's "Ultimate Universe."

From Newsarama:  Here is the first trailer for the new "Lupin III" film.

From Newsarama:  Mike Allred previews his David Bowie biographical original graphic novel, "Bowie: Stardust, Rayguns & Moonage Daydreams," produced with writer Steve Horton and colorist Laura Allred.

From PW:  HarperCollins is announcing a new graphic novel imprint, HarperAlley, which will be headed by Andrew Arnold, formerly of FirstSecond.

From io9:  Jeff Lemire is writing two "DC Black Label."  The first is "Joker: Killer Smile," which will be drawn by Andrea Sorrentino.  The next is "The Question: The Deaths of Vic Sage," which will be drawn by Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz.

From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing announces its plans for San Diego Comic Con 2019.

From BleedingCool:  If you like Ed Piskor's "X-Men: Grand Design," prepare for Tom Scoli's "Fantastic Four: Grand Design."

From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics announces a new comic book from writer Peter Milligan and artist Mike Allred, the creators of X-Statix.  "X-Cellent" debuts in 2020.

From Newsarama:  John Costantine/Hellblazer gets another relaunch with "The Sandman Universe Presents Hellblazer #1" in October.

From Newsarama:  Todd Phillips says that the Joker's origin in his upcoming film, "The Joker," is not from the comic books.

From Seibertron:  Someone found an Amazon listing for VIZ Media's "Transformers: The Manga" collection.

From TimesofSanDiego:  The evolution of San Diego Comic Con International.

From CBR:  DC Comics has apparently made a deal to produce original comic books based upon two anime films from American-anime studio, Rooster Teeth.  Expect (mediocre) RWBY and gen:LOCK comic books beginning in August 2019.

From BleedingCool:  It's Alive! next project is an omnibus collecting the work of cartoonist and comic book creator, Jeff Nicholson.  Nicholson's "Father & Son Omnibus: Reality Soldiers" is set to be released on September 25th and currently available for preorder now.

From Madison:  Anne Elizabeth Moore, former writer for "The Onion," is writing a book about alternative and indie cartoonist and comic book creator, Julie Ducet.

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From ThePlaylist:  While throwing shade at Warner Bros., Oscar-winning screenwriter turned film director, Christopher McQuarrie, says that he wanted to make interconnected "Green Lantern Corps" and "Superman" movies.

From Newsarama:  In the wake of news that MAD Magazines will no longer feature new content comes word that DC Comics has laid off MAD senior editor Dan Telfer has been laid off.

From BleedingCool:  William Messner-Loebs contributes to "Kiss: The End #3."  Loebs, a popular comic book creator, artist, and writer doing the 1980s and 1990s, has struggled to find work most of this century and has been in financial dire straits several times.

From THR:  Katsuhiro Otomo announced at Anime Expo that he will direct a third anime project that will continue the universe of his legendary Akira, which he began as manga before turning into an animated feature film.  He also announced that there will be a "Complete Works" collection of his manga.

From CBR:  Why isn't there a Stan Lee cameo in "Spider-Man: Far From Home?"   The filmmakers were concerned about his health.

From TheComicsBeat:  MAD Magazine #9 will be the last one distributed to newstands.  #10 will be the last one to feature new content.  With #10, MAD will only be available through the direct comics market and digitally.

From TheComicsBeat:   Matt Groening is launching a new company, Babber Books.  Groening was one of the founders of Bongo Comics.  Bongo primarily published comic books based on Fox's "The Simpsons," animated TV series, which Groening created.

From Newsarama:   The classic Italian comics, "Diabolik," is about to get another film adaptation.  The previous film adaptation appeared in 1968, six years after "Diabolik" debuted in Italy.

From Newsarama:  AMC reassures fans that "The Walking Dead" TV series and films are not ending although the comic book, the inspired them, is.

From Newsarama:  Warner Bros.' proposed "Flash" film will have a new director and writer.

From Deadline:  The Syfy TV series, "Wynonna Earp," which is based on a comic book, is seeing its fourth season delayed until 2020, due to financing issues.

From Newsarama:  "Marvel Zombies" will return in October.

From Newsarama:  "The Walking Dead" comic book series is to end with issue #193, which is due in stores, Wed., July 3rd,2019

From ComicBook:   George Perez talks about what he did not like about working on The New 52 "Superman" comic books series.

From Newsarama:  Netflix orders TV series based on "The Sandman" comic book.

From YahooNews:  Canadian cartoonist Michael de Adder says he was fired from his freelance contract for a Donald Trump political cartoon he drew.

From BookRiot:  Seven comic books written by novelists you love.

From THR:   "Daphne Byrne" is a new comic book, part of DC Comics and Joe Hill's recently announced "Hill House Comics." It is the work of comics newcomer and playwright Laura Marks and veteran artist Kelley Jones.


JULY 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  July 2019 comics solicitations for all publishers on one page.
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Action Lab Entertainment for July 2019
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Albatross Funnybooks for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Alterna Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  American Mythology for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Hero Tomorrow for July 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Nobrow Press for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Papercutz for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for July 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZMedia for July 2019

AUGUST 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  August 2019 comics solicitations for all publishers on one page.
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Action Lab Entertainment for August 2019
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Avatar Press for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for August 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Humanoids for August 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for August 2019
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Red 5 Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Yen Press for August 2019

SEPTEMBER 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  September 2019 comics solicitations for 24 publishers on one page
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Drawn & Quarterly for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Humanoids for September 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Insight for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for September 2019

OCTOBER 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for October 2019
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for October 2019
From BleedingCool:  Albatross Funnybooks for October 2019
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for October 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for October 2019
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for October 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for October 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for October 2019
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for October 2019
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for October 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for October 2019 
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for October 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Comics for October 2019
From Newsarama:  A Wave Blue World for October 2019
From Newsarama:  Yen Press for October 2019

HALLOWEEN COMICFEST 2019:
From Newsarama:  28 comic book titles for the industry's fall event taking place Saturday, October 26, 2019 at participating comic shops worldwide.

DC's HILL HOUSE COMICS Debut Solicitations:
From Newsarama:  These are the solicitations for DC Comics' "Hill House Comics" group overseen by Joe Hill.  The line is scheduled to kick off October 30, 2019 with "Basketful of Heads #1."

NOVEMBER 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  DC Comics advanced solicitations for November 2019 ( for acetate covers)

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Review: BLACK LIGHTNING/HONG KONG PHOOEY Special #1

BLACK LIGHTNING/HONG KONG PHOOEY SPECIAL No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Bryan Hill
PENCILS: Denys Cowan
INKS: Bill Sienkiewicz
COLORS: Jeromy Cox
LETTERS: Janice Chiang
EDITOR: Jim Chadwick
COVER: Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz with Jeromy Cox
VARIANT COVER: Chris Cross with Gabe Eltaeb
48pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (July 2018)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Black Lightning created by Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden

“Revenge of the God Fist”

Black Lightning is a DC Comics superhero.  Created by writer Tony Isabella and artist Trevor Von Eeden, the character first appeared in the comic book, Black Lightning #1 (cover dated:  April 1977).  Black Lightning is the civilian, Jefferson Pierce, an African-American school teacher who originally obtains electrical or lightning-based power via technology.  [His origin has since been changed.]  Black Lightning was DC Comics third African-American character, and the first one to star in his own comic book series.

“Hong Kong Phooey” was a half-hour, Saturday morning animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions. It was broadcast on ABC from September 7, 1974, to December 21, 1974.  The main character was Hong Kong Phooey, an anthropomorphic dog character who fought crime as a martial-arts hero.  He had a secret identity, a clumsy and mild-mannered janitor named Penrod “Henry” Pooch also known as “Penry.”  Hong Kong Phooey and Penry had a pet/sidekick, a striped cat named “Spot,” who was sly and talented.

DC Comics has been re-imagining Hanna-Barbera characters in ongoing comic book series, miniseries, and one-shots and specials since early 2016.  Black Lightning and a re-imagined Hong Kong Phooey are united in the one-shot comic book, Black Lightning/Hong Kong Phooey Special.  It is written by Bryan Hill; drawn by Denys Cowan (pencils) and Bill Sienkiewicz (inks); colored by Jeromy Cox; and lettered by Janice Chiang.

Black Lightning/Hong Kong Phooey Special #1 (“Revenge of the God Fist”) opens in Metropolis in the year 1976.  Here, we find Black Lightning getting beaten up by the supervillain team-up of Professor Presto, Bronze Tiger, and Cheshire.  [Professor Preston a.k.a. “The Malevolent Magician” was a villain that appeared in the original “Hong Kong Phooey” TV series.]

Later, Black Lightning's civilian alter-ego, Jefferson Pierce, is summoned by an old acquaintance, Penry.  When he returned from Vietnam, Penry, the kung fu master who is an anthropomorphic dog, opened his own inner city detective agency.  Penry tells Jefferson a tale of the darkest kind of “wushu magic.”  Generations ago, a monk bound a demon and forced it to teach him the most powerful wushu technique, “the Way of the God Fist” (or “God Fist” for short).  Although he realized how dangerous the God Fist was, the monk did not want it to die with him.  So he made a scroll with the secrets of the God Fist written on it, and he divided that scroll into three sections.  Penry inherited one third of the scroll.

Presto wants to revive the scroll and already has two sections of it, and now, he makes his move against Penry.  Bronze Tiger and Cheshire even attack Rosemary, a friend of Penry's who teaches kung fu.  [Rosemary was a character and friend of Penry in the original animated series.]  Now, Penry leads Black Lightning and Rosemary in a bid to stop Presto from gaining the God Fist and using it to destroy the world.

I have enjoyed some of DC Comics re-imaginings of classic characters from Hanna-Barber animated TV series from the period of the late 1950s to the 1970s.  I really like this re-imagining of “Hong Kong Phooey” via Black Lightning/Hong Kong Phooey Special #1.  I credit some of the success of this comic book to writer Bryan Edward Hill.  I enjoyed his standalone Miles Morales' Spider-Man Annual #1 (2016).  [In fact, I was shocked how much I liked it.]

It is not so much that Black Lightning/Hong Kong Phooey Special #1 features a great story as it is that the story is inventively conceived and executed.  I would go so far as to say that this comic book presents the groundwork for what could be a cool Black Lightning comic book miniseries or series, written by Bryan Edward Hill, of course.

I am also a big fan of both pencil artist Denys Cowan and inker Bill Seinkiewicz.  Separately, Cowan and Seinkiewicz are great artists; together, they make a cool art team.  I like the gritty style they have concocted for this story, which is the perfect visual mood for this 1970s-era kung fu tale.  Colorist Jeromy Cox brings some needed brightness to this story, and veteran letterer, Janice Chiang, perfectly paces this story with her smallish lettering and balloons that somehow make an impact without being obtrusive and showy.

BACKUP STORY:  The Funky Phantom in “Spectre of the Gun”

STORY: Jeff Parker
ART: Scott Kolins
COLORS: Tony Avina
LETTERS: Janice Chiang
EDITOR: Jim Chadwick

The Funky Phantom was a Saturday morning cartoon that was televised on ABC from September 1971 to September 1972.  Produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions, this “Scooby-Doo” knock-off featured three teenagers and their dog who solved mystery with a ghost and his cat.  The ghost was an American patriot named Jonathan Wellington "Mudsy" Muddlemore who died inside a grandfather clock where he was trapped during the American Revolutionary War.

Black Lightning/Hong Kong Phooey Special #1 contains a backup story, “Spectre of the Gun,” a re-imagining of “The Funky Phantom.”  Written by Jeff Parker and drawn by Scott Kolins, this story only uses Jonathan Muddlemore.  The story opens at some kind of gun rights slash Second Amendment rally.  The grandfather clock containing Muddlemore's skeleton is on stage, and Jason Blood (also known as “The Demon”), summons Mudsy's spirit from the skeleton.  So how will this former American rebel, soldier, and patriot react to this new world of modern gun rights?  Hilarity ensues.

There is nothing special about Kolins art or Tony Avina's coloring of it.  Even Janice Chiang's lettering does not stand out.  None of it is bad work; it just is not particularly special.

However, Jeff Parker's story is an excellent bit of satire, and I must commend Parker for the intensity in which he skewers gun rights extremists.  His disdain for people who insist that the United States Constitution grants them the right to posses military-style weapons is also admirable and brave.  Among comic book fandom is a strain of reactionary and right-wing extremism, sexism, and racism that has been vocal enough to scare some comic book creators and to even get a few creators dismissed from assignments (Chuck Wendig, to name one).

I am a fan of Jeff Parker and have immensely enjoyed quite a bit of his work.  “Spectre of the Gun” is the cherry on top of Black Lightning/Hong Kong Phooey Special #1's chocolate, kung fu ice cream sundae.  I wish DC Comics could serve up another sundae of this type.

9 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: BITTER ROOT #1

BITTER ROOT No. 1 (OF 5)
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: David F. Walker and Chuck Brown
ART: Sanford Greene
COLORS: Rico Renzi and Sanford Greene
LETTERS: Clayton Cowles
EDITOR: Heather Antos
COVER: Sanford Greene with Jarreau Wimberly
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Mike Mignola; Denys Cowan and Don Hudson with Rico Renzi; Brittney Williams; Sanford Greene with Jarreau Wimberly
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2018)

Rated M/Mature

Bitter Root created by David F. Walker, Chuck Brown, and Sanford Greene

Bitter Root is a new comic book miniseries from Image Comics.  It is created by writers David F. Walker and Chuck Brown and artist Sanford Greene.  It follows a family of monster fighters who are based in 1920s Harlem.  The rest of the creative team is composed of Rico Renzi who colors the book with Sanford Greene and Clayton Cowles who provides lettering.

Bitter Root #1 opens in New York City of the 1920s.  The Harlem Renaissance is in full swing, and at one of Harlem's hottest spots, “Sweet Pickin,” people are shaking their tail feathers.  But all is not well.  Supernatural forces are threatening humanity, and only the Sangerye Family can save New York and the world from the demon... the monster... the “Jinoo.”

Ma Etta does the root work to create the curing serum.  Blink assists her, but the young woman wants to be out in the field fighting monsters with the boys.  The burly and loquacious Berg puts young Cullen through his paces.  The family, however, is not as large in number as it used to be, worn down by tragedy and conflict.  They must heal and recover or watch the world be destroyed.

Black science fiction and fantasy – in film and television, in prose, and in comic books – is in full bloom.  Comic books like Black Panther, House of Whispers, and Jook Joint provide a regular and consistent view of black and brown faces in speculative and fantastic fiction.  Writer David F. Walker has been at the forefront of “Black Comics” thanks to his work on titles like Cyborg, Luke Cage, and Nighthawk, to name a few.

Walker and co-writer Chuck Brown, in Bitter Root, deliver a concept with quite a bit of potential.  Even after one issue, it seems that five issues will not be enough to contain what they have created.  I like the idea of hate being a thing that creates monsters, but Bitter Root seems to want to explore evil in ways that are layered if not complex.  Plus, there are the dynamics of the Sangerye Family.  They are four strong individuals, each one truly unique from the others, and all with glorious black and brown faces.

As an comic book artist and illustrator, Sanford Greene is bold and dynamic.  The influence and manga and anime on Greene's graphical storytelling is evident, even in Bitter Root.  Characters emote with kinetic ferocity and the suggestion of figures in motion here makes the characters move like a cat on a hot tin roof.  Green's storytelling is alive and hypnotic.  Is it okay to say that this is like crack for the comic book readers' eyes.  Greene's coloring, done with Rico Renzi, is equally heady and kinetic.

The ever reliable letterer, Clayton Cowles, also goes shaka zulu with his lettering.  A nervy story needs nervy lettering in order to be a nervy read, and Cowles work here is quite nervy.  Bitter Root keeps the black gold flowing in our “Golden Age” of “Black Comics.”  I recommend it and can't wait for the second issue.

9 out of 10

[This comic book includes text pieces by David F. Walker and Chuck Brown (“Bitter Truths: That ain't nothing but the Devil!”); Toni Morrison (excerpt from Beloved); and John Jennings (“Deep Roots / Rich Soil: Race, Horror and the Ethnogothic”).]

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.

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Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 28, 2018

MARVEL COMICS

DEC170906    ALL NEW WOLVERINE #31 LEG    $3.99
DEC178244    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #794 2ND PTG IMMONEN VAR LEG WW    $3.99
DEC170874    AMERICA #12 LEG    $3.99
DEC178158    AVENGERS #677 2ND PTG LARRAZ VAR LEG    $3.99
DEC178159    AVENGERS #678 2ND PTG LARRAZ VAR LEG    $3.99
DEC170807    AVENGERS #682 LEG    $3.99
NOV171078    AVENGERS ACADEMY TP VOL 01 COMPLETE COLLECTION    $34.99
DEC170857    BLACK PANTHER #170 LEG WW    $3.99
NOV171077    CAPTAIN AMERICA TP ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN AMERICA    $34.99
DEC170819    CAPTAIN MARVEL #129 LEG    $3.99
DEC170818    CHAMPIONS #17 LEG    $3.99
DEC170911    DESPICABLE DEADPOOL #295 LEG    $3.99
NOV171066    DESPICABLE DEADPOOL TP VOL 01 DEADPOOL KILLS CABLE    $17.99
DEC170799    DOCTOR STRANGE #386 LEG    $3.99
DEC170867    GWENPOOL #25 BARTEL VAR  LEG    $3.99
DEC170865    GWENPOOL #25 LEG    $3.99
DEC170866    GWENPOOL #25 SHIRAHAMA VAR  LEG    $3.99
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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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