Showing posts with label Freddie Wlliams II. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Freddie Wlliams II. Show all posts

Sunday, June 30, 2024

I Reads You Juniors: June 2024 - UPDATE #42

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

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NEWS:

DC STUDIOS/SUPERMAN - From WorldofReel:  Photos from the Cleveland, Ohio set of DC Studios' 2025 "Superman" film reveal actor David Corenswet in costume both as "Clark Kent" and as "Superman."

From CBR:  Photos from the Cleveland set of DC Studios' "Superman" (2025) reveal actor Frank Grillo as "Rick Flag Sr." The character will also appear in the planned animated series, "Creature Commandos."

COMICS TO FILM - From Deadline:  Actor-producer Don Cheadle's production company is developing the comic book, "Mindset," as a television series.  Published by Vault Comics, the series is written by Zack Kaplan and drawn by John J. Pearson.

DC STUDIOS - From Variety:  HBO has greenlit "Lanterns," an eight-episode TV series based on DC Comics' "Green Lantern" franchise. It is the first live-action series produced by DC Studios.

From Deadline:  "Guardians of the Galaxy" star, Pom Klementieff says that she has been talking to former "GotG" director, James Gunn, about playing one specific character in the new DC cinematic universe.

DC TV - From YouTube:  There is a second official teaser trailer for the HBO Max series, "The Penguin," which is a spinoff of the 2022 film, "The Batman."  Starring Colin Farrell, the series is due in September.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  Writer Donovan Morgan Grant looks back at the DC Comics' career of the late comic book artist, Mark D. Bright, who died March 27, 2024.

MARVEL - From BleedingCoolMarvel has a new "Marvel Comics" logo.

DC COMICS - From YouTubeMetaQuest releases a story trailer for its highly anticipated game, "Batman: Arkham Shadow," which is scheduled for a Fall 2024 release.

From YouTubeDC Comics has released a "comic trailer" for its upcoming event, "Absolute Power."

COMICS TO TV - From Deadline:  Here is some info on "The Boys" release schedule.

From Deadline:  Amazon's "The Boys" is about to begin its fourth season.  At the same time comes the announcement that the fifth season will be the series' last.  "The Boys" is an adaptation of Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson's long-running comic book of the same title.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  Writer Mark Russell visits his first DC work, the miniseries, "Prez," which is being repackaged in a new edition.

From DCBlogNgozi Ukazu, author of the DC YA graphic novel, "Barda," talks about how Jack Kirby and his character, "Big Barda," changed her life.

BOOKS - From BleedingCool:  This September, Union Square and Company will publish "Pay the Piper," a half-finished novel that was famed horror director, George A. Romero's ("Night of the Living Dead") final work.  Author Daniel Kraus finished the novel, so the author credits include Romero and Kraus.

MANGA - From ComicsBeatVIZ Media announces 27 new manga publishing licenses, including "The Climber," with art by Shinichi Sakamoto.

DARK HORSE/IDW - From CBRDark Horse Comics, in collaboration with Mattel, Nickelodeon and IDW, has announced an epic new crossover series that sees the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles meet up with He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.  Entitled "Masters of the Universe/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles of Grayskull," the series is written by Tim Seeley and is drawn by Freddie E. Williams II. The first issue arrives September 25th, 2024.

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MAY 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Free Comic Book Day 2024 for May 4, 2024
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics LLC for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' Amanda Waller for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' "House of Brainiac" for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Spawn" for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Blood Hunt" crossovers for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "X-Men" for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Massive for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion/2000AD for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for May 2024

JUNE 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Band of Bards for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' "Absolute Power" for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Batman Family" for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dren Productions for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Energon Universe" for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics Todd McFarlane titles for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainement for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Blood Hunt" for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Penthouse for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000AD for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for June 2024

JULY 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Black Mask Studios for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Absolute Power" with Wonder Woman, Superman, and Batman for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Absolute Power" with Green Arrow & Green Lantern for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Batman" titles for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Energon Universe" titles for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Ghost Machine" titles for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Massive-Verse" titles for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics Todd McFarlane's Spawn titles for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  IPI Comics for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Magma Comix for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "James Cameron's 'Aliens' vs Marvel's Avengers" for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Ultimate Comics" for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Udon Entertainment for July 2024

AUGUST 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Addiction Comics for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Bad Egg LLC for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Blackbox Comics for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Absolute Power" titles for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Energon Universe" titles for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics' "Ghost Machine" titles for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics Todd McFarlane titles for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Konkret Comics for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Magma Comix for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Ultimate Comics" titles for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Venom War" titles for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Seven Seas Entertainment for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  SHP for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Udon Studios for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for August 2024
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for August 2024

SEPTEMBER 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for September 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for September 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for September 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "Infinity Watch" Annuals for September 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics' Ghost Machine for September 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics' "Massive-Verse" for September 2024


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Thursday, March 28, 2019

Review: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES Universe, Volume 1

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES UNIVERSE, VOLUME 1: THE WAR TO COME
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

LETTERS: Shawn Lee; Chris Mowry
EDITORS: Bobby Curnow (series); Justin Eisinger and Alonzo Simon (collection)
COVER: Freddie E. Williams II
MISC. ART: Ben Bishop; Freddie E. Williams II; Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird; Kevin Eastman with Tomi Varga; Antonio Fuso; Damian Couceiro; Agustin Graham Nakamura; Eddie Nunez; Ian Chase Nichols; Dan Duncan; Tess Fowler with Tamra Bonvillain; Sajao Shah; Johnnie Christmas with Tamra Bonvillain
ISBN: 978-1-63140-874-8; paperback; 6 5/8 x 10 3/16 (May 2, 2017)
120pp, Color, $19.99 U.S., $25.99 CAN

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (also known as TMNT and Ninja Turtles or sometimes as “the Turtles”) are a media empire that began with characters created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird for the comic book, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (cover dated: May 1984).  Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael are four teenage anthropomorphic turtles who walk and talk like humans).  IDW Publishing has held the license to produce Turtles comic books since 2011 and has essentially rebooted the Turtles comic book universe.

Launched in August 2016, the comic book series, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe, explores characters and story-lines that are pivotal to the IDW TMNT universe.  The first trade collection of the series is entitled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe, Volume 1: The War to Come.  It reprints Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #1-5.

The opening story arc of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe, Volume 1: The War to Come is “The War to Come” (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #1-4).  The Ninja Turtles are facing increasing threats against their existence.  An organization called the “Earth Protection Force” (EPF) is determined to wipe mutants from the world.  Led by Agent Bishop, the EPF launch an attack on the Turtles and others it considers mutants and freaks.

The Turtles find a reluctant ally in a murderous scorpion-like mutant named Zodi.  Meanwhile, Turtle ally, April O'Neil, goes to her former boss, the mad scientist and Turtle adversary, Baxter Stockman, who is also reluctant to help them.  However, the full-on assault of the EPF may force some to become the saviors of those who would be their enemies.

This trade paperback contains two stand-alone tales.  In the story, “Inside Out” (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #4), Leonardo fights the Foot Clan, Utroms, Koya, the Rat King, and his own fear.  In the story “Urban Legends” ( Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #5), two mutants, Hob and Leatherhead, raid a dog-fighting tournament, but being on the same side does not mean being on the same side.

First, let me say that the two short stories, “Inside Out” and “Urban Legends,” are not particularly special.  “Urban Legends” is the better of the two, but “Inside Out” features the art team of Kevin Eastman (layouts) and Bill Sienkiewicz (pencils and inks), which is something of a big deal... at least, for me.

The main story, “The War to Come,” is a really good story.  From the start, the stakes feel high, and the Ninja Turtles are very much in peril.  The EPF is a collection of mean, murdering bastards, and the Turtles allies are questionable, at best, so the story is edgy and intense.  Writer Paul Allor also plays up the conflict within the Turtles as a group, so the readers get complications on top of the threat to the heroes.  That certainly makes for a riveting read.

The art team of Damian Couceiro (pencils-inks) and Ronda Pattison (colors) is gritty and reflects the stinginess of hope for salvation that Allor depicts in the story.  I would say that “The War to Come” is the kind of story TMNT fans will want to read, and it alone makes Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe, Volume 1: The War to Come a worthwhile purchase.

I must say that I am surprised.  When IDW sent me a review copy of this book a while back, I did not expect much upon first glance.

B+
7 out of 10

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The stories reprinted in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe, Volume 1: The War to Come
“The War to Come” (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #1-4)
STORY: Paul Allor
ART: Damian Couceiro
COLORS: Ronda Pattison

“Inside Out” (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #4)
STORY: Kevin Eastman, Bobby Curnow, and Tom Waltz
SCRIPT: Tom Waltz
LAYOUTS: Kevin Eastman
ART: Bill Sienkiewicz
COLORS: Tomi Varga

“Urban Legends” (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe#5)
STORY: Chris Mowry
ART: Michael Dialynas
COLORS: Tomi Varga

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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Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Review: BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II #1

BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II No. 1 (OF 6)
DC COMICS/IDW Publishing – @DCComics @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: James Tynion IV
ART: Freddie E. Williams II
COLORS: Jeremy Colwell
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
COVER: Freddie E. Williams II with Jeremy Colwell
VARIANT COVER: Kevin Eastman with Tomi Varga
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2018)

Rated “T”

“A Knight in New York”

Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (also known as TMNT and Ninja Turtles) are a media empire, including animated and live-action films and television.  The Ninja Turtles began as four fictional characters that first appeared in a comic book created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird.  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (cover dated: May 1984), which was published by Eastman and Laird's Mirage Studios, gave birth to a comic book series that led to the TMNT media empire

The Ninja Turtles are teenage anthropomorphic turtles, meaning they walk and talk like humans.  Each turtle is named for an Italian Renaissance artist: Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael.  The Turtles were adopted by an anthropomorphic rat, Master Splinter, who was their sensei and who trained them in the art of ninjutsu.  The Turtles live in the sewers of New York City and battle every kind of bad guy, from petty criminals and overlord-mastermind types to alien invaders and mutated creatures.

Since late 2015, DC Comics and IDW Publishing have united to publish the two crossover comic book miniseries teaming Batman with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  DC comics began with the six-issue miniseries, Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  DC recently began publishing a sequel six-issue miniseries, Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II.  It is written by James Tynion IV; drawn by Freddie E. Williams II; colored by Jeremy Colwell; and lettered by Tom Napolitano, the creative team behind the first series.

Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #1 (“A Knight in New York”) explodes in the subway tunnels of New York City.  The Ninja Turtles are pursuing the “Ninja Elite,” a... splinter faction of the Foot Clan.  In the wake of the death of the Foot Clan's founder and master, Shredder, the Ninja Elite want control of the Clan, even if it means killing Shredder's daughter, Karai.

Meanwhile, in Gotham City, Batman and Robin (Damien) are tracking ninja belonging to Ra's al-Ghul's The League of Assassins.  What they find instead is Bane, but inter-dimensional technology is about to gather heroes from two different worlds to stop a criminal conspiracy on two different worlds.

When I first heard about DC Comics and IDW Publishing's first Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book back in 2015, I wanted to read it, although I was (and still am) cynical about crossover comic books.  Ultimately, I was pleasantly surprised by Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 all the way to the sixth issue finale; I wanted a sequel.  [I only read the first issue of the IDW-published Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures.]

With good reason, I am cynical about sequels, but I am, once again, pleasantly surprised.  Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #1 promises more fun.  Writer James Tynion IV delivers a story that hits Batman and Ninja Turtle wheelhouse favorites with wild abandon, and there are some interesting subplots.  In fact, it is all so enjoyable that I am already, in typical fanboy fashion, hoping that there is a second sequel.

As I wrote in my previous reviews of the first miniseries, I like that artist Freddie Williams II's illustrations recall the visual and graphic presentation of the early TMNT comic books from Mirage Publishing in the 1980s.  Williams' take on Batman is edgy and different; it is as if Williams were drawing Batman for those old science fiction comic book magazines like Heavy Metal and Epic Illustrated.  This art is pulpy and futuristic at the same time.

Of course, I am ready for the second issue of Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II, and I recommend it to fans of the first series.  I think all Batman and TMNT comic books should try at least one issue of this new series.

8 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Review BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #1

BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES No. 1 (OF 6)
DC COMICS/IDW Publishing – @DCComics @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted in Patreon.]

SCRIPT: James Tynion IV
ART: Freddie E. Williams II
COLORS: Jeremy Colwell
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
COVER: Freddie E. Williams II
VARIANT COVER: Kevin Eastman with Tomi Varga
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2016)

Rated “T”

“Knights in a Half Shell”

Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (also known as TMNT and Ninja Turtles) are a group of fictional characters that first appeared in comic books.  Created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles debuted in the comic book, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (cover dated: May 1984), which was published by Eastman and Laird's Mirage Studios.

The Ninja Turtles are teenage anthropomorphic turtles, meaning they walk and talk like humans.  Each turtle is named for an Italian Renaissance artist: Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael.  The Turtles were adopted by an anthropomorphic rat, Splinter, who was their sensei and who trained them in the art of ninjutsu.  The Turtles live in the sewers of New York City and battle every bad guy from petty criminals and overlord-mastermind types to alien invaders and mutated creatures.

Marvel and DC Comics no longer publish comic books featuring both their characters uniting for adventure and battle.  However, over the past several years, DC and IDW Publishing have published cross over comic books that featured DC's characters playing with characters for which IDW has the license to publish comics.  An example is the recent comic book miniseries that brought the worlds of Star Trek and Green Lantern together.  The two publishers have come together again for Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, a six-issue miniseries written by James Tynion IV; drawn by Freddie E. Williams II; colored by Jeremy Colwell; and lettered by Tom Napolitano.

Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (“Knights in a Half Shell”) finds Gotham in the midst of a strange crime wave.  Several research labs have been attacked, and the only things the intruders have stolen is experimental military-grade technology.  Witness claim that the attackers are monsters, something like “turtles.”  Batman's own investigation leads him to believe that some of the attackers are trained in ninjutsu.  Batman and those witnesses are closer to the truth than they imagine.

I wanted to be cynical about the first issue of Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but I can't.  I had thought that this crossover comic book would be silly, but instead, it's simply fun to read.  Thanks to the art of Freddie E. Williams II, Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 looks like the early TMNT comic books that Mirage Studios published back in the mid-1980s.  Williams presents a Batman that looks like the Dark Knight of DC's “The New 52,” but he also looks like he belongs in the funky world of TMNT.  Stylistically, Batman and TMNT don't seem strange together.

Writer James Tynion IV makes every word count, moving the story forward and whetting our appetites for more.  He seems dead serious about taking this miniseries seriously, but that doesn't mean he does not realize how much fun it is in bringing Batman and the Ninja Turtles together.  This is a good, old-fashioned fun-to-read comic book.  Did I mention fun?  As I write this, the second issue of Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is available, and I'm ready for it.

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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Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Review: HE-MAN THUNDERCATS #1

HE-MAN THUNDERCATS No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Rob David and Lloyd Goldfine
ART: Freddie E. Williams II
COLORS: Jeremy Colwell
LETTERS: Deron Bennett
COVERS: Freddie E. Williams II
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2016)

Rated “T” for Teen

“Swords and Omens”

Masters of the Universe (MOTU) is a media franchise that began as an action figures line created by toy giant, Mattel.  MOTU is also often known as “He-Man” after the franchise's lead character and hero, He-Man/Prince Adam.  MOTU is set on the planet Eternia, a world that mixes medieval sword and sorcery with science fiction technology.  The premise of the story revolves around the conflict between He-Man and the evil Skeletor.

ThunderCats began as an animated television series created by Tobin “Ted” Wolf.  The show was an American production, but the animation for the show was done in Japan.  The series focuses on a group of cat-like humanoid aliens, the “Thunder Cats,” who, led by their young king, Lion-o, protects the world known as “Third Earth,” from the evil and powerful Mumm-ra.

These two decades-old media franchises come together in the new DC Comics miniseries, He-Man ThunderCats.  This comic book is written by Rob David and Lloyd Goldfine; drawn by Freddie E. Williams II; colored by Jeremy Colwell; and lettered by Deron Bennett.

As He-Man ThunderCats #1 (“Swords and Omens”) opens, Mumm-ra's punk ass has just lost to Lion-o... again.  Even a being who holds sway over death, however, must serve someone, and Mumm-ra's “benefactors,” the Ancient Spirits of Evil, want results.  What they want is on the magical planet of Eternia.  The method by which they send Mumm-ra to obtain it will force two groups of heroes together in order to save two worlds.

He-Man ThunderCats #1 does not necessarily start with a bang.  I was also put off by how much comedy plays on the Eternia end of the story because I had forgotten how much humor was a part of the “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe” animated series.  The first two-thirds of this comic book has a jarring tone, but writer Rob David and Lloyd Goldfine bring everything crashing together by the end.  Suddenly, it is serious; lives are on the line; and everything is at stake.

I was a fan of artist Freddie E. Williams II's work on the recent crossover comic book miniseries, Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  In the first issue of He-Man ThunderCats, I am impressed by his ability to juggle big action scenes with the large number of characters he must depict.  I don't know if Williams can match his Batman/TMNT work, but I am curious to see where this goes.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Monday, October 3, 2011

The New 52 Review: CAPTAIN ATOM #1

"Chase Manhattan"

CAPTAIN ATOM #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: J.T. Krul
ARTIST: Freddie Williams II
COLORS: Jose Villarrubia
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVER: Stanley “Artgerm” Lau
32pp, Color, $2.99

Captain Atom is a comic book superhero created by writer Joe Gill and artist/co-writer Steve Ditko. Captain Atom first appeared in Space Adventures #33 (March 1960) from Charlton Comics. He was Allen Adam, a military official caught in a scientific experiment and “atomized.” Allen acquired superhuman strength and endurance and the ability to fly and to project energy blasts, and he could also reform his body.

The character was later acquired by DC Comics and inserted into the DC Universe that came into being after Crisis on Infinite Earths. His civilian identity became Air Force pilot Nathaniel Adam, who had the same powers as the earlier Captain Atom. With the re-launch of the DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” Captain Atom is back in a new comic book series.

As Captain Atom #1 (“Evolution of the Species”) opens, Captain Atom is in Chicago taking on what looks to be a four-story tall suit of battle armor. Suddenly, his powers do something quite shocking – something that shocks even the good Captain. Back at the Kansas-based Continuum, Atom learns some surprising/troubling news about himself and his new powers. Captain Atom is not, however, the only thing evolving.

Readers who dig into details and study comic book history know that Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon’s classic comic book series, Watchmen, began as a project to revive some of the Charlton Comics characters to which DC Comics had then recently obtained ownership. Eventually, the main cast of Watchmen was based upon some Charlton superheroes. Watchmen’s usually-naked, blue-skinned, godlike Dr. Manhattan was based upon Captain Atom.

The bosses at DC Comics really haven’t made it a secret that they want sequels and prequels to Watchmen. Captain Atom, with his blue-skin and Ken® doll anatomically incomplete nakedness, is now like a version of Dr. Manhattan that DC can more freely play with for the time being. And the way writer J.T. Krul plays with Captain Atom, judging by the first issue, could be interesting, and I’m certainly curious about the direction of this series.

Meanwhile, the art by Freddie Williams II (pencils/inks) and the always-interesting Jose Villarrubia (colors) has an odd, but catchy quality. I’d like to see this book continue just to get more of their art… or they could get another assignment.

B

September 21st
BATMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batman-1.html
BIRDS OF PREY #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/birds-of-prey-1.html
BLUE BEETLE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/blue-beetle-1.html
CATWOMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/catwoman-1.html
DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/dc-comics-presents-1.html
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/green-lantern-corps-1.html
LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/legion-of-super-heroes-1.html
NIGHTWING #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/nightwing-1.html
RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/red-hood-and-outlaws-1.html
SUPERGIRL #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/supergirl-1.html
WONDER WOMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/wonder-woman-1.html