Review: Star Wars: MACE WINDU #1

STAR WARS: MACE WINDU No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

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

STORY: Matt Owens
PENCILS: Denys Cowan
INKS: Roberto Poggi
COLORS: Guru-eFX
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Jesus Saiz
VARIANT COVERS: Russell Dauterman; Rahzzah; Javier Rodriguez
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2017)

Rated “T+”

“Book 1, Part 1”

The Jedi Knight and Jedi Council member, Mace Windu, was introduced in the film, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999).  Although, Windu has appeared in numerous Star Wars novels, even being the lead character in one, he has never headlined his own comic book series.

That changes with the new five-issue comic book miniseries, Star Wars: Mace Windu (which is apparently also known as Star Wars: Jedi of the Republic – Mace Windu).  The series is written by Matt Owens; drawn by Denys Cowan (pencils) and Roberto Poggi (inks); colored by Guru-eFX; and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

Star Wars: Mace Windu #1 opens immediately after the events depicted in the film, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002).  The Clone Wars have begun, and while the Jedi have been the peacekeepers of the galaxy for over a thousand generations, they now find themselves in a new role.  The Jedi Knights are now generals in the Army of the Republic.

Mace Windu has mixed feelings about fighting in a war, but, like the other Jedi Knights, he must make peace with this new role, lest he be swallowed up by the tide of this war.  Now, Mace must lead a small contingent of Jedi:  fellow council member, Master Kit Fisto; the blind Jedi, Prosset Dibs; and the recently knighted Jedi and pilot, Rissa Mano.  Their mission will take them to the Outer Rim, specifically to the jungle planet, Hissrich, where they will monitor their Clone War antagonist, the Separatists.  However, this is a dangerous and wild world, and Windu and company are unaware of the true danger they will find on Hissrich.

I have been waiting for a Mace Windu comic book for well over a decade, and in the span of a year Marvel Comics has given me both a Lando Calrissian and a Mace Windu comic book.  Yep, it's like Marvel did it just for me.  And yes, I am pleased as punch that the lead artist on this Mace Windu comic book is the incomparable Denys Cowan.

From the fierce cover to the spectacular interior art by Cowan and inker Roberto Poggi, Mace Windu offers graphical storytelling of striking images (especially the first page) and explosive action.  The vivid coloring by Guru-eFX makes the art seem to pop off the page.  Matt Owens' story balances the philosophical conundrum the Clone Wars has caused the Jedi with the energetic sci-fi/fantasy action that we expect of Star Wars.

Star Wars: Mace Windu #1 gives the series a good start.  If the other first issues of solo miniseries (like the Han Solo and Lando series) are any indication, what follows Mace Windu #1 will be a blast.

A
8.5 out of 10

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


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

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Review: THE UNSTOPPABLE WASP #1

THE UNSTOPPABLE WASP No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jeremy Whitley
ART: Elsa Charretier
COLORS: Megan Wilson
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Elsa Charretier with Nicolas Bannister
VARIANT COVERS: Elizabeth Torque; Nelson Blake II with Guru eFX; Skottie Young; John Tyler Christopher; Andy Park
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (March 2017)

Rated “T+”

The Wasp a.k.a. Janet van Dyne is a Marvel Comics female super hero. She was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and first appeared in Tales to Astonish #44 (cover dated:  June 1963).  The Wasp is usually depicted as having the ability to shrink to a height of several centimeters; fly by means of insectoid wings; and fire bio-electric energy blasts.  The Wasp is also a founding member of the Avengers and has been a leader of the team.

After Janet van Dyne, there is another version of The Wasp.  She is Hope Pym, also known as the Red Queen and the Wasp, and is the daughter of Hank Pym, the original Ant-Man.  Of course, Marvel has an alternate universe version of Hope Pym, and her name is Nadia, who is now in the main Marvel Universe.  She is the daughter of Hank Pym and Maria Trovaya.  Nadia is the star of the new Marvel comic book series, The Unstoppable Wasp.  It is written by Jeremy Whitley; drawn by Elsa Charretier; colored by Megan Wilson; and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

The Unstoppable Wasp #1 finds Nadia hanging with Ms. Marvel a.k.a. Kamala Khan.  It's time for Nadia to straighten out the affairs of her U.S. citizenship – remember that U.S. borders are closed to some.  We learn the story of the romance of Nadia's parents and her life in “The Red Room,” a secret facility in Russia that trained young girls to become weapons.  Then, it's time to meet a heroine/role model and villain/role model.

The Unstoppable Wasp is like many girl-hero comics that have emerged during the last few years (Batgirl, Moon Girl and Devil Dragon):  glib, snappy, snazzy, and fun-to-read.  In the case of Nadia-Wasp, it is her positivism and on-the-bright-side personality that makes her attractive.  In spite of my cranky, old-ass ways, I found myself liking her.  Page by page, writer Jeremy Whitley will not let you not like Nadia-Wasp, and he will make you want more of her, mainly because she seems to want more us – at least our positive side.

I love the retro-style art of artist Elsa Charretier.  With the coloring of Megan Wilson, the storytelling here graphically recalls early 1960s Marvel Comics and also (delightfully) Darwyn Cooke's interpretation of the Silver Age.  I won't grade this comic book just yet, but I hope to soon.  And yes, I will recommend this to young readers (especially girls) and to girl-hero lovers.

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


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

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I Reads You Review: SUPERIOR IRON MAN #1

SUPERIOR IRON MAN (2015) #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Tom Taylor
ART: Yildiray Cinar
COLORS: Guru-eFX
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: Mike Choi
VARIANT COVERS: Yildiray Cinar; Tom Fowler with Brad Anderson; Mike Perkins with Andy Troy; Sara Pichelli; Alex Ross, Ty Templeton; Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2015)

Rated “T+”

“Be Superior” Chapter 1: Nightmare Scenario

Superior Iron Man is a new Iron Man comic book series, launched as part of Marvel Comics' “Avengers NOW!” initiative.  The series follows the events depicted in the miniseries, Avengers & X-Men: Axis.  One of the changes to come out of that story is that Tony Stark a/k/a Iron Man now has a changed personality.  A more sinister Tony Stark has special plans for the world.

As Superior Iron Man #1 (“Nightmare Scenario”) opens, She-Hulk is fighting a new villain that calls himself “Teen Abomination.”  The Lady Green Behemoth gets a helping hand from Iron Man, but all isn't as it appears.  Meanwhile, Stark has launched a new app called “Extremis 3.0.”  This is a techno-virus designed to make people the very best they can be – physically, at least.  This is the dawn of a new day in San Francisco...

I didn't expect much from Superior Iron Man #1, but I also hoped that it would be good and that I would enjoy it.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I often read the first issue of a new comic book series and decide not to even try the second issue (the recent Deathlok, for example), but I have already purchased the second issue of Superior Iron Man.

Tom Taylor's script is clever and filled with mystery and also with a sense of dread that really awful things are coming.  I like Yildiray Cinar's matter-of-fact storytelling and his conservative Bryan Hitch-like style.  The art emphasizes the darkness beneath the pretty surface, a darkness that is going to get really ugly, really soon.  There is potential here for Taylor and Cinar to be one of the great Iron Man creative teams, and I hope that comes to pass.  I recently decided not to give first issues a letter grade, but I am going to break that new policy for Superior Iron Man.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Albert Avilla Reviews: Thunderbolts #1

Thunderbolts #1
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Daniel Way
Artist: Steve Dillon
Cover: Julian Totino Tedesco

“Enlisted” (Spoilers)

Red Hulk is putting together the new team of Thunderbolts; that’s right General Thunderbolt Ross is putting together a team called the Thunderbolts. What great mind came up with that idea?

The story begins with the General setting The Punisher up for the mob. While General Ross is pitching his project to the Punisher, we travel with the General on his recruiting trip. He talks to the prospective members at moments when they just happen to be splattering the blood of bad people. The other recruits are just as adept at splattering blood as the Punisher. We have Venom with weapons! The mime-killer, Deadpool, will add a little humor. To add the feminine touch to the blood splattering, Electra will be stabbing her way through the criminal world.

With this team, the biggest concern will be that they don’t drown themselves in the blood that they spill. Spill is too weak of a word to use, because there will be blood erupting out of their victims. Another concern is will Deadpool be able to find a straight man to play off of? Think about it: Deadpool with Punisher, Venom, Electra, and old stick-up-his-butt Ross.

Daniel Way does manage to tell a good story through all of the blood. Old Thunderbolt is both introspective and illuminating in his conversation with the Punisher. The most fascinating thing that he said was that the military studied the Punisher’s tactics and emulated them. The question is will the Punisher be able to adapt to a team situation.

When you talk about a signature style, Steve Dillon stands out. He does not try to imitate the popular style of the day. Dillon does his thing. His tough gritty style fits the team. Guru EFX’s coloring actually compliments Dillon’s efforts.

I rate Thunderbolts #1 Buy Your Own Copy. #2 (of 5) on the Al-O-Meter.

Albert Avilla Reviews: Wolverine and the X-Men #19

Wolverine and the X-Men #19
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Jason Aaron
Art: Steve Sanders
Cover: Nick Bradshaw & Guru EFx

The Search for Something New (Spoilers)
The X-Men are searching for new mutants again. Angel is making contact with Iara Dos Santos, who has the ability to change into a humanoid shark. Before Angel can finish giving his pitch, Iara refuses to go to the Jean Grey School – because it is a weirdo mutie commune. She formed that opinion based on what? That is what you get when you send a weirdo mutie like the Angel alone to recruit mutants. Angel tells Iara that she is a wereshark. Really? Someone needs to pull out his superpowers handbook and find a better explanation.

Mystique and the Silver Samurai show up and attack Angel. Who are they working for? While Angel and the Silver Samurai are fighting, Mystique makes her pitch. Iara refuses to go with Mystique . Mystique decides to kidnap her. The action picks up as Mystique and Iara begin to fight; Angel grabs Iara and flies off with her at supersonic speed. The next thing we know, Angel is in a hospital bed; the reason why is not made known. Iara is the newest student at the Jean Grey School, because she wants to learn to control her powers. Everything is neatly put in place.

Then we get to visit a stereotypical Southern family who has a mutant son, Mudbug, who is being recruited by another mutant group. Good riddance, a school of higher learning would be a waste of time on Mudbug.

If this book is meant to be the comic relief of the X-books, then, it hits the mark. That would explain Worthington Industries developing intergalactic amusement parks and the Beast looking like he has the same hairstylist that Katt Williams uses. My intelligence would not be insulted by Mudbug and his family. I could understand why some of the off-color remarks were made throughout the story. Please, let’s find a better codename for Iara; Sharkgirl has been used before and not with great success.

If the story is comic relief then the art fits the story; otherwise, it was too cartoonish for my taste.

I rate Wolverine and the X-Men #19 Read a Friend's Copy.