Review: GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (2015) No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review originally appeared on Patreon.]

WRITER: Brian Michael Bendis
ART: Valerio Schiti
COLORS: Richard Isanove
LETTERS: VC’s Cory Petit
COVER: Art Adams with Dave Stewart
VARIANT COVERS: Valerio Schiti with Richard Isanove; Jason Latour; Shawn Crystal with Chris Brunner; Mike and Laura Allred; John Tyler Christopher; Contagious Costuming and Judy Stephens
28pp, Color, $3.99 (December 2015)

Rated “T”

The Guardians of the Galaxy are a Marvel Comics superhero team.  Created by writer Arnold Drake and artist Gene Colan, the team first appeared in Marvel Super-Heroes #18 (cover dated: January 1969).  However, the best known version of the Guardians of the Galaxy first appeared in 2007.  Created by writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, the team's initial roster included Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Quasar, Adam Warlock, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, and Groot.

Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, and Groot would go on to be the stars of Marvel Studios' surprise 2014 hit film, Guardians of the Galaxy.  With the launch of the “All-New, All-Different Marvel,” there is a new Guardians of the Galaxy comic book.  The series is written by Brian Michael Bendis; drawn by Valerio Schiti; colored by Richard Isanove; and lettered by Cory Petit.

Guardians of the Galaxy #1 features the team of Kitty Pryde as Star-Lord, Drax, Rocket Raccoon, Groot, The Thing, and Venom.  A run-in with the Chitauri leaves the group with a mysterious item and no knowledge of how powerful or dangerous that object is.  Meanwhile, on Planet Spartax, Peter Quill, the original Star-Lord, finds his new life as King to be an utter bore.  He does not realize that excitement is bound to return in many ways...

I last read Guardians of the Galaxy during the story arc, “The Trial of Jean Grey,” a crossover event with All-New X-Men.  Then, I didn't find a reason to keep reading.  I am not sure that this first issue gives me a reason to keep reading this new series, now.  It is not as if this new Guardians of the Galaxy #1 is awful or anything; besides, I am a fan of writer Brian Michael Bendis.  New series artist Valerio Schiti delivers some pretty art and solid storytelling.

I guess it is just that I got this first issue because I am trying to read as many #1 issues in the “All-New, All-Different Marvel” as I can.  I don't plan on reading as many #2 issues, I can tell you that, dear reader.  This is not a bad comic book... I reiterate.  I think fans of the modern incarnation of the Guardians of the Galaxy will enjoy this comic book.  It is just that if money is tight for you, dear reader, this comic book is not worth $3.99 if you are not a fan.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

"Spider-Gwen #3" is Pretty and Amazing

SPIDER GWEN #3 - Reviewed by Albert Avilla

STORY: Jason Latour
PENCILS: Robbi Rodriguez
COLORS: Rico Renzi
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles

SPOILER ALERT

When I saw the title of this book, I said, “Spider what? Huh?”  Then, the old saying came back to me, “Don't judge a book by the cover.”  My new saying is don't judge a comic book by its title, because the covers have been awesome.

I have been enjoying this reality where Peter Parker dies and everyone lives.  The direction that the characters' lives have taken is compelling.  It's like the old “What If” stories on steroids.  My favorite is “What If... the Punisher was a cop?”  I can't wait to see what direction that is going.  Are there any police brutality considerations?

The relationship dynamic between Gwen and her father is interesting.  You raise a child to stand up for what is right; then, when she has the power to make a difference, you are concerned about her safety.  Uncle Ben and Aunt May are hinted at being more than the elderly-couple-next-door.  Gwen is going to have all these righteous people influencing her.

While I am reading, I am imagining all of these story lines that can arise from all of these fragments, but I know this is all going on a completely different tangent.  That is what makes this book so intriguing; there is so much potential for fascinating stories.

The action scenes in the story are thrilling.  You get a different style of Spider-Man fight.  Shout out to whoever came up with the idea of getting Gwen to use bowling pins and a trophy as nunchucks.  This is a story that keeps the neurons in your brain firing and your breath short.

Robbi Rodriguez has a unique style of art.  The art is just as important as the text in the storytelling.  Spider-Gwen's costume is amazing.  When she is in a panel, your attention is drawn to the character; the character is glowing in the panel.  The use of white and red is artistic brilliance.  It gives Spider-Gwen a unique look in the “Spider World.”  The covers have been beautiful with Gwen in some cool “Spider-poses.”

I rate Spider Gwen #3 Buy Your Own Copy (#2 on the Al-o-Meter)

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

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 25, 2015

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DEC140859     UNCANNY AVENGERS #2     $3.99
DEC140843     WOLVERINES #8     $3.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 30 2014

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Review: SLEDGEHAMMER 44 #2

SLEDGEHAMMER 44 #2 (of 2)
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

CREATOR: Mike Mignola
STORY: Mike Mignola and John Arcudi
ART: Jason Latour
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Clem Robins
EDITOR: Scott Allie
COVER: Mike Mignola with Dave Stewart
28pp, Color, $3.50 U.S. (April 2013)

Part 2 of 2

Mike Mignola and John Arcudi’s two-issue micro-series, Sledgehammer 44, comes to an end.

Sledgehammer is a superhero character created by Mike Mignola, sort of his spin on Iron Man. The character appears in the two-issue Sledgehammer 44, written by Mignola and John Arcudi, drawn by Jason Latour, colored by Dave Stewart, and lettered by Clem Robins, with covers by Mignola.

Sledgehammer 44 opens in August 1944 in D’ebene Chiot, France, as an American military patrol attempts to destroy a German armory there. The Americans, however, are really just support troops, as the military launches “Project Epimetheus,” also known as Sledgehammer, the man in a suit of iron armor.

Sledgehammer 44 #2 opens with four Americans taking on small German advance patrol. The prize for the victorious side is Sledgehammer. Americans Dale Glesham and Patrick Redding lead the charge for the American side, with their American comrades, Bunkers and Muralla dragged along.

One of the American’s is grievously wounded, and Glesham has to make a decision about a possible last stand. Meanwhile, another American faces his fate after he is confronted by the truth about Sledgehammer.

Call it the Hellboy-verse or the Mignola-verse, but by any name, Dark Horse Comics’ line of Mike Mignola-produced comic books is simply wonderful. Sledgehammer 44 is a fine slice of that universe of most-excellent dark fantasy and monster comics.

The first issue of Sledgehammer 44 was basically Mignola and Arcudi’s entry into the genre of war comics, but with a sci-fi twist and some high-action. Sledgehammer 44 #2 is also in the venerable tradition of war comic books, but with something extra. Even with the fantastic elements, this comic book manages to be surprisingly human. If Mignola and Arcudi can write more stories like this, hopefully, they will give us more Sledgehammer.

What if Jason Latour cannot draw more Sledgehammer? Perhaps, Mignola and Dark Horse Comics can also find another artist whose composition and graphics can convey both the natural and the supernatural in war comics.

Fans of Mike Mignola will want to try Sledgehammer 44.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

Review: SLEDGEHAMMER 44 #1

SLEDGEHAMMER 44 #1 (of 2)
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

CREATOR: Mike Mignola
STORY: Mike Mignola and John Arcudi
ART: Jason Latour
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Mike Mignola with Dave Stewart
28pp, Color, $3.50 U.S. (March 2013)

Part 1 of 2

Mike Mignola adds to the vast world of Hellboy with Sledgehammer, a new superhero character he created. Think of Sledgehammer as Mignola’s version, spin, or take on Iron Man. Now, the character appears in a new two-issue, comic book micro-series, entitled Sledgehammer 44. The series is written by Mignola and John Arcudi, drawn by Jason Latour, colored by Dave Stewart, and lettered by Clem Robins, with covers by Mignola.

Sledgehammer 44 #1 opens in August 1944 in D’ebene Chiot, France. An American military patrol prepares to take a German armory there, but the Americans are really just support troops. The military is about to launch “Project Epimetheus.” This is Sledgehammer, a man in a suit of iron armor, and he’s ready to fight his way through an army of Nazis and take on their massive war machine.

Call it the Hellboy-verse or the Mignola-verse, but by any name, Dark Horse Comics’ line of Mike Mignola-produced comic books is simply wonderful. In the first issue of Sledgehammer 44, Mignola and Arcudi have produced a cleanly written, straightforward story. Its mix of World War II combat, science fiction, fantastic armor, and menacing robots seems natural. Having supernatural machines battle it out in a French village in 1944 does not seem odd, as if that makes sense in the context of a real world WWII.

The stars of Sledgehammer 44’s creative team are artist Jason Latour and colorist Dave Stewart. Latour produces page after page of eye-poppy graphics, and compositionally, Latour opens up the story in big panels that capture the massiveness and power of Sledgehammer in battle. Stewart, whom I consider to be on the shortlist of truly great modern comic book colorists, makes the art crackle with energy and surge with an electric charge.

Honestly, at just two-issues in length, Sledgehammer 44 should be a one-shot instead of two issues. Latour and Stewart’s art is so robust, however, that the ending of the first issue is a break your eyes and mind will need.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux