#IReadsYou Review: RED SONJA Black White Red #2

RED SONJA BLACK WHITE RED #2
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Jonboy Meyers; Jeff Parker; David F. Walker
ART: Jonboy Meyers; Natalie Nourigat; Will Robson
COLORS: Jonboy Meyers; Natalie Nourigat; Will Robson
LETTERS: Pat Brosseau; Natalie Nourigat; Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
EDITOR: Nate Cosby
COVER: Lucio Parrillo
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jonboy Meyers; David Nakayama; Tabitha Lyons (cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2021)

Rated Teen+

Based on the characters and stories created by Roy Thomas, Barry Windsor-Smith, and Robert E. Howard

Conan the Barbarian #23 (cover dated: February 1973) saw the debut of a high fantasy, sword and sorcery heroine, Red Sonja.  Created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith, Red Sonja was loosely based on “Red Sonya of Rogatino,” a female character that appeared in the 1934 short story, “The Shadow of the Vulture,” written by Robert E. Howard (1906-1936), the creator of the character, Conan the Cimmerian.

Red Sonja remained a fixture in comic books from then until about 1986.  In 2005, Dynamite Entertainment began publishing comic books featuring differing versions of the character.  One of those is Red Sonja Black White and Red, an anthology comic book featuring stories from well known comic book writers and artists, with the art presented in black, white, and red.

Red Sonja Black White and Red #2 is comprised of three stories.  The first is “Proelium Finalis” by Jonboy Meyers and Patrick Brosseau.  Next is “Edible” by Jeff Parker and Natalie Nourigat.  The final story is “Listen Close” by David F. Walker, Will Robson, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.  I'll review each story separately.

THE LOWDOWN:   Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department recently began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Red Sonja Black White and Red #2, which is the first issue of the title that I have read.  I have seen listings for it, but did not pay attention.

“Proelium Finalis” by Jonboy Meyers and Patrick Brosseau:
The plot involves “The Lemurians” who return from the bowels of the Earth in a bid to end both the Hyborian Age and the world of man.  They are led by the wizard, Kael Al-Ammon, but the humans are led by Red Sonja.

Meyers makes sure that Red Sonja's hair is red, but otherwise, he uses the color to splash across the pages of his sharp artwork in order to signify violence and gore. “Proelium Finalis” is a beautifully drawn comic book short story, but I'd like to see the team of Meyers and Brosseau smash us in the face with a miniseries version of this.

“Edible” by Jeff Parker and Natalie Nourigat:
The story introduces a tribe of humans that have settled in a valley with which they were not familiar.  Near the valley is a bog, and members of the tribe have gone into the bog and never returned.  The latest missing tribesman is a girl named Tanira or “Tan,” for short.  Once in the bog, Red Sonja discovers that a strange, seemingly unbeatable organism rules the area.

“Edible” is a clever story, and it is probably the closest that anyone will come to an all-ages Red Sonja story that is actually a Red Sonja story.  The pretty art is drawn by Natalie Nourigat in a clean style that readers will generally find in children's comics.

“Listen Close” by David F. Walker, Will Robson, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou:
“Listen Close” is a bedtime story about Red Sonja.  An African-American father tells the story to his red-haired daughter, who wants to be “just like Red Sonja.”  The “She-Devil with a Sword” has been summoned by King Assuman, who promises her great riches if she can rescue his bride-to-be, Ophelia, from a “vile creature.”  But there is more to this rescue mission than Red Sonja has been told...

“Listen Close” is this issue's second clever tale, and it is also blessed by Will Robson's ornate art with its detailed composition.  David F. Walker, who is currently known for his comic book, Bitter Root (Image Comics), offers a nice middle-grade appropriate Red Sonja tale.

It's hard to pick a favorite story of the three offered in Red Sonja Black White and Red #2.  Each story has at least one thing about it that I really like, so I'll just recommend the entire issue.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Red Sonja will want to try Red Sonja Black White and Red.

A-

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


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The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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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: FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS #1

FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jeff Parker
ARTISTS: Ariel Olivetti
COLORS: Ariel Olivetti
LETTERS: A Larger World Studios
COVER: Ariel Olivetti
VARIANT COVER: Steve Rude
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2017)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

“The Quest Reborn!”

“Space Ghost” was an American animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions.  The series was created by animation conceptual artist, Alex Toth (who is also considered a legendary comic book artist) and was produced and directed by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera.  A half-hour show, “Space Ghost” first aired on CBS from September 10, 1966, to September 7, 1968.

“Space Ghost” starred a mysterious superhero named Space Ghost, who fought supervillains in outer space.  He was assisted by two teenaged sidekicks, a girl named Jan and a boy named Jace, and their monkey named “Blip.”  Space Ghost has made sporadic appearances in comic books.  He returned in a slightly rebooted version in DC Comics' comic book miniseries, “Future Quest” (2016), which brought together characters from Hanna-Barbera's science fiction superhero animated TV series of the 1960 and early 1970s.

Now, Space Ghost and company get a their own story in the new Future Quest Presents.  This Space Ghost adventure is written by Future Quest scribe, Jeff Parker; drawn and painted by Ariel Olivetti (who drew DC's 2005 Space Ghost six-issue miniseries); and lettered by A Larger World Studio.

Future Quest Presents #1 opens with Space Ghost dispatching a band of raiders.  Then, it moves to a school where we find Jan and Jace learning about a history in which they recently played a part.  History is emphasized, as Space Ghost is planning to revive the “Space Force,” of which he is the sole surviving member.  First, he will need to begin gathering a metal that was important to the Space Force.  That means a trip with Jan and Jack and Blip to Amzot, the planet of his friends, The Herculoids.  But also waiting is an old enemy.

Future Quest Presents #1 is by no means great or even particularly good, but I'll take it.  I have been a Space Ghost fan since I was a little kid, and there have never been enough Space Ghost comic books to suit me.  Yeah, I expect more from writer Jeff Parker than I got here, especially coming off the wonderful Hanna-Barber tribute that was Future Quest.  Hopefully, the series/story arc gets stronger.

I am a fan of artist Ariel Olivetti, and I did like his art in the one issue of the 2005 Space Ghost miniseries that I did read (issue #2).  Here, he is inconsistent, but I think Olivetti may deliver some really good art and graphical storytelling as he gains momentum.

I am rooting for this comic book, and I plan to read the entire run – whether it is ultimately good or middling.

6.5 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 site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for September 5, 2018

D. E.
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JUN181043    BOYS HC VOL 04 WE GOTTA GO NOW LTD SGN ED (MR)    $29.99
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JUL181288    PROJECT SUPERPOWERS #2 CVR D TAN    $3.99
JUL181289    PROJECT SUPERPOWERS #2 CVR E SEGOVIA    $3.99
JUN188875    PROJECT SUPERPOWERS #2 CVR I DAVILA FOC CVR    $3.99

Review: FUTURE QUEST #12

FUTURE QUEST No. 12
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jeff Parker – @JeffParker
ARTIST: Evan “Doc” Shaner
COLORS: Veronica Gandini
LETTERS: ALW Studios' Dave Lanphear
COVER: Evan “Doc”Shaner
VARIANT COVER: Tony Harris
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2017)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

“The Last Stand”

Future Quest has come to an end – for now.  Future Quest is a 12-issue comic book series that re-imagines and re-interprets the classic sci-fi and superhero television series created by American animation studio, Hanna-Barbera.  Published by DC Comics, Future Quest brings together the stars of the TV programs “Jonny Quest,” “Space Ghost,” “The Herculoids,” “Birdman,” “Frankenstein Jr.,” “The Galaxy Trio,” “The Impossibles,” and “Mightor.”  The series modernizes the characters from these series and also alters some of them to one extent or another.

Future Quest is written by Jeff Parker; colored by Hi-Fi; and lettered by Dave Lanphear.  Evan “Doc” Shaner is the series' lead artist, with other artists stepping in for particular chapters and side stories (Steve Rude, Ron Randall, and Craig Rousseau).  Future Quest centers on the cast of “Jonny Quest” (referred to as “Team Quest”), as they lead the fight against the universal and time-line threat, Omnikron, and also against a plot by Quest adversary, Dr. Zin, to use the entity.

As Future Quest #12 (“The Last Stand”) opens, the plan created by Dr. Benton Quest and his fellow scientists to stop Omnikron has failed.  Now, the fate of the Earth may rest in the hands of young Jonny Quest and his brother, Hadji, but will their tragic losses of their pasts hold them back from doing the very thing that can hurt Omnikron?

Overall, I liked Future Quest.  I still say that the best issues were the early issues, maybe the first three.  At times, the series seems to meander, as writer Jeff Parker moves from one side-story to another, from one origin/back story to another.  There are so many characters that Parker does not really engage many of them beyond a surface level, except for a few moments.  One of those few moments happens this issue and employs Jonny and Hadji to great affect.

Lead series artist Evan Shaner did not draw every issue of this series, but he returns for issues #11 and 12.  Other than Steve Rude, Shaner is the best choice for Future Quest.  Stylistically, his work recalls classic Hanna-Barbera character and conceptual design, both in spirit and in execution.  Shaner's storytelling is fantastic.  Most of the pages he draws here are wonderful, as he captures that classic sense of wonder that has drawn young readers to comic books for decades.

I think there will be more Future Quest series, which is a good thing.  I would like to see Parker and Shaner return to it, but focus on a single Hanna-Barber series.

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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DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 2, 2018

DC COMICS

MAR180226    ACTION COMICS SPECIAL #1    $4.99
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MAR180255    BATMAN #46 VAR ED    $2.99
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FEB180286    HARLEY QUINN TP VOL 05 VOTE HARLEY REBIRTH    $16.99
MAR180297    INJUSTICE 2 #25    $2.99
FEB180306    LOEG THE BLACK DOSSIER TP NEW ED    $19.99
MAR180301    NIGHTWING #44    $3.99
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MAR180323    SHADE THE CHANGING WOMAN #3 (OF 6) (MR)    $3.99
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Review: FUTURE QUEST #5

FUTURE QUEST No. 5
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jeff Parker – @JeffParker
ARTIST: Evan “Doc” Shaner; Craig Rousseau
COLORS: Hi-Fi; Jeremy Lawson
LETTERS: ALW Studios' Dave Lanphear
COVER: Evan “Doc”Shaner
VARIANT COVER: Steve Rude with John Kalisz
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2016)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

“The Wheel of History” Part 5

Future Quest is a comic book series that re-imagines and re-interprets the classic sci-fi and superhero television series created by American animation studio, Hanna-Barbera.  Published by DC Comics, Future Quest brings together the stars of the TV programs “Jonny Quest,” “Space Ghost,” “The Herculoids,” “Birdman,” “Frankenstein Jr.,” “The Galaxy Trio,” “The Impossibles,” and “Mightor.”

Future Quest is written by Jeff Parker; colored by Hi-Fi; and lettered by Dave Lanphear.  Evan “Doc” Shaner is the series' lead artist, with other artists stepping in for particular chapters and side stories, such as artist Craig Rousseau for this issue.  Future Quest centers on the cast of “Jonny Quest” (referred to as “Team Quest”), as they lead a struggle against the universal and time-line threat, Omnikron, and a plot by Quest adversary, Dr. Zin, to use the entity.

In Future Quest #5 (“The Wheel of History”), Team Quest and company try to figure out the meaning of a set of ancient cliff paintings.  They encounter agents of F.E.A.R. and also an old Quest adversary.  Plus, dinosaurs stampede and a hero is reborn.  Also, meet “The Impossibles” in the story “Code Name: Cobalt.”  Learn about their origin and meet someone who wants to be their newest member.

Future Quest #5 starts with what may be the best 12-issue set of pages that I have read all year.  “The Wheel of History” highlights why writer Jeff Parker and artist Evan Shaner are the heart and soul of Future Quest.  Other artists have shone well, but when Parker and Shaner are together, it's magic, man – at least for me.  It is not even close; Parker-Shaner is DC Comics' best creative team.

Parker and Craig Rousseau are also good on The Impossibles story, which is a nice read.  But when I recommend Future Quest, I'm pimping Parker-Shaner, the dynamic duo of DC's best comic book.

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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Review: FUTURE QUEST #4

FUTURE QUEST No. 4
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jeff Parker – @JeffParker
ARTIST: Jeff Parker; Ron Randall; Evan “Doc” Shaner
COLORS: Hi-Fi
LETTERS: ALW Studios' Dave Lanphear
COVER: Evan “Doc”Shaner
VARIANT COVER: Paul Renaud
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2016)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

“How the Mighty Fall!”

Future Quest is a comic book series produced by DC Comics that re-imagines and re-interprets the classic sci-fi and superhero television series created by American animation studio, Hanna-Barbera.  Future Quest brings together the stars of the TV programs “Jonny Quest,” “Space Ghost,” “The Herculoids,” “Birdman,” “Frankenstein Jr.,” “The Galaxy Trio,” “The Impossibles,” and “Mightor.”

Future Quest is written by Jeff Parker; colored by Jordie Bellaire; and lettered by Dave Lanphear.  Evan “Doc” Shaner is the series' lead artist, with artists Ron Randall and Steve Rude as frequent contributors.  So far, the main focus of Future Quest is the cast of “Jonny Quest” (referred to as “Team Quest”):  Jonny Quest; his adopted brother, Hadji; his father, Dr. Benton Quest; family bodyguard, Race Bannon; and, of course, Jonny's dog, Bandit.

Future Quest #4 (“How the Mighty Fall!”) opens on the world of Mightor as the hero faces the universal and time-line threat, Omnikron.  Meanwhile, Space Ghost sidekick, Jan, tries to remember her past, with some encouragement from Team Quest.  Two extra stories, “The Structure of Fear” and “Frankenstein Jr. Making Friends,” peak in on the evil Dr. Zin and the terror organization, F.E.A.R., and tells the origin story of Frankenstein Jr., respectively.

I eagerly tore through Future Quest #4 – another whirlwind reading tour of an issue of Future Quest.  I love this comic book because I love classic Hanna-Barbera sci-if/superhero series like “Space Ghost” and “Jonny Quest.”  I also love this series because writer Jeff Parker is gifted in his ability to create pop comics that recall the imaginative, weird, and escapist fun of comic books and TV cartoons past.  This issue, Parker even treats us to some of his comic book art with the story, “The Structure of Fear.”  I did not know that he could draw comics.

I must say that I think that Future Quest will read better, for many readers, in trade paperback form.  For various narrative and production reasons, Future Quest is told in chucks, interludes, chapters, flashbacks, back story, cutaways, etc.  It often seems that Future Quest can never give the reader enough of one thing because it has to jump over to another thing.

Still, Future Quest is DC Comics' best comic book right now.

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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Review: FUTURE QUEST #3

FUTURE QUEST No. 3
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted of Patreon.]

STORY: Jeff Parker – @JeffParker
ARTIST: Steve Rude
COLORS: Steve Buccellato
LETTERS: ALW Studios' Dave Lanphear
COVER: Steve Rude
VARIANT COVER: Karl Kerschl
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2016)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

“Vortex Tales: Birdman in: The Deadly Distance”

Future Quest is a comic book series produced by DC Comics that re-imagines and re-interprets the classic sci-fi and superhero television series created by American animation studio, Hanna-Barbera.  Future Quest brings together the stars of the TV programs “Jonny Quest,” “Space Ghost,” “The Herculoids,” “Birdman,” “Frankenstein Jr.,” “The Galaxy Trio,” “The Impossibles,” and “Mightor.”

Future Quest is written by Jeff Parker; primarily drawn by Evan “Doc” Shaner; colored by Jordie Bellaire; and lettered by Dave Lanphear.  So far, the main focus of Future Quest is the cast of “Jonny Quest” (referred to as “Team Quest”):  Jonny Quest; his adopted brother, Hadji; his father, Dr. Benton Quest; family bodyguard, Race Bannon; and, of course, Jonny's dog, Bandit.

Future Quest #3 offers two “Vortex Tales.”  “The Deadly Distance” is written by Jeff Parker; drawn by Steve Rude; colored by Steve Buccellato; and lettered by Dave Lanphear.  The story takes place just before the events depicted in Future Quest #1.  It finds Birdman in Southwest Utah where he joins Inter-Nation Security agent, Deva Sumadi, to battle what they call a “xenomass.”  This creature is really part of the alien Omnikron, which seeks to absorb everything.

The second of the “Vortex Tales” is “Mine-Crash!” and stars The Herculoids.  It is written by Parker; drawn by Aaron Lopresti (pencils) and Karl Kesel (inks); colored by Hi-Fi; and letterd by Dave Lanphear.  On the Herculoids home planet, Quasar, the strange heroes, Tundro, Zok, Igoo, and Gloop and Gleep, battle mining robots.  Now, it is time for Tarra and Zandor to the tell their son, Dorno, and the Herculoids the story of their previous life on Quasar's sister planet, Amzot.  They will reveal how the “Robot Uprising” affects them today.

Future Quest #3 is essentially a fill-in issue, but it gives readers a welcomed glimpse into the back story of the series' primary plot, while also providing what is essentially an origin story of “The Herculoids.”  Writer Jeff Parker is the chosen one, the storyteller who can take classic Hanna-Barbera sci-fi/superhero and bring them into the modern age.  That he has advanced these concepts in terms of character and drama is diamond icing on the golden cake.

Speaking on golden, Steve Rude, who was influenced by Hanna-Barbera, delivers wonderful storytelling in the Birdman tale.  There is a sense of dynamism that matches the classic Birdman cartoons, but the sense of drama Rude brings to the character is new.  Two decades as a comic book artist and Aaron Lopresti is still refining his art and craft.  With his work on this Herculoids short story, he may have made the case that if The Herculoids get their own comic book, he should be the artist.

Future Quest #3 delivers.  It is not an issue to set aside, and like the earlier two issues, it makes the case that this is the best comic book that DC Comics is currently publishing.

A

This comic book includes the story, “Vortex Tales: The Herculoids in Mine-Crash!” written by Jeff Parker; drawn by Aaron Lopresti (pencils) and Karl Kesel (inks); colored by Hi-Fi; and lettered by Dave Lanphear.

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


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

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

Review: FUTURE QUEST #2

FUTURE QUEST No. 2
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jeff Parker – @JeffParker
ARTISTS: Evan “Doc” Shaner – @DocShaner (p. 1-13); Ron Randall (p. 20-27); Jonathan Case (p. 19-22)
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire – @whoajordie
LETTERS: ALW Studios' Dave Lanphear
COVER: Evan “Doc” Shaner
VARIANT COVERS: Jill Thompson
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2016)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Part Two: “Visitors from Beyond”

Future Quest is one of four comic books produced by DC Comics that re-imagine and re-interpret classic television series and characters created by American animation studio, Hanna-Barbera.  Future Quest brings the stars of Hanna-Barbera's action, sci-fi, and superhero TV series together.  That includes “Jonny Quest,” “Space Ghost,” “The Herculoids,” “Birdman,” “Frankenstein Jr.,” “The Galaxy Trio,” “The Impossibles,” and “Mightor.”

Future Quest is written by Jeff Parker; primarily drawn by Evan “Doc” Shaner; colored by Jordie Bellaire; and lettered by Dave Lanphear.  So far, the main focus of Future Quest is the cast of “Jonny Quest” (referred to as “Team Quest”):  Jonny Quest; his adopted brother, Hadji; his father, Dr. Benton Quest; family bodyguard, Race Bannon; and, of course, Jonny's dog, Bandit.

Future Quest #2 (“Visitors from Beyond”) opens with the cast of “The Herculoids” and “Space Ghost” fighting the Omnikron, some kind of reality-devouring entity.  Back on Earth, “Team Quest” and their new friend, Ty, find an “alien” visitor.  Now, they have to protect the visitor and themselves from the forces of longtime Quest nemesis, Dr. Zin.

I was initially cynical about DC's Hanna-Barbera comics, and I still am about the other three.  However, I am in total love with Future Quest.  Jeff Parker is doing some of the best storytelling ever done for Hanna-Barbera's sci-fi and superhero characters.  Hell, it might be the best.  When people talk about wanting more comic books that are fun to read, Parker's ears must burn because they are talking about his comics, especially Future Quest.

Parker's partner-in-crime (against mediocre comic books) is Evan “Doc” Shaner.  His drawing style is clean, recalling animation art and the cool and slick flair of John Romita, Sr.  Shaner's Future Quest compositions are wide open, and that perfectly captures the youthful enthusiasm and sense of adventure that permeates classic “Johnny Quest.”  It is telling that Ron Randall and Jonathan Case, the artists who draw the second half of Future Quest #2 and who are fine artists themselves, take their graphical cues from Shaner.  “Doc” is the boss.

In my review of Future Quest #1, I wondered if future issues of Future Quest could be as good – long term – as I thought the first issue was.  Future Quest #2 is as good.  I can't imagine this series falling apart form here, but then, the Cleveland Cavaliers are the 2015-16 NBA Champions and not the Golden State Warriors.

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.

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

Review: FUTURE QUEST #1

FUTURE QUEST No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jeff Parker – @JeffParker
ARTISTS: Evan “Doc” Shaner – @DocShaner (p. 1-19, 28-30); Steve “The Dude” Rude (p. 20-27)
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire – @whoajordie
LETTERS: ALW Studios' Dave Lanphear
COVER: Evan “Doc” Shaner
VARIANT COVERS: Steve Rude with Steve Buccellato; Bill Sienkiewicz; Aaron Lopresti; Joe Quinnoes
40pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2016)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Part One: “Lights in the Sky”

A few months ago, DC Comics announced that it would publish a small line of comic books that would re-imagine and re-interpret classic Hanna-Barbera television series and characters.  Hanna-Barbera was an American animation studio that produced animated television series for American television networks, mostly for broadcast on Saturday mornings, but also for prime time.

Future Quest, the first of these comic books, debuted recently.  Future Quest brings the stars of Hanna-Barbera's action, sci-fi, and superhero TV series together.  That includes “Jonny Quest” (one of those prime time animated series), “Space Ghost,” “The Herculoids,” “Birdman,” “Frankenstein Jr.,” “The Galaxy Trio,” “The Impossibles,” and “Mightor.”

The cast of “Jonny Quest” seem to be the stars of Future Quest, and are referred to as “Team Quest.”  They are Jonny Quest; his adopted brother, Hadji; his father, Dr. Benton Quest; family bodyguard, Race Bannon; Race's love interest and spy-type, Jezebel Jade; and, of course, Jonny's dog, Bandit. Future Quest is written by Jeff Parker; drawn by Evan “Doc” Shaner; colored by Jordie Bellaire; and lettered by Dave Lanphear.  Artist Steve Rude contributes eight pages to this first issue.

Future Quest #1 (“Lights in the Sky”) finds Jonny and Hadji wearing classic Quest rocket packs and zipping around the Florida Everglades. Meanwhile, Dr. Quest receives two visitors from “Inter-Nation Security,” who have come to see him about strange anomalies popping up all over the Earth.  Meanwhile, Team Quest's arch-nemesis, Dr. Zin, suddenly appears in the Everglades and attacks Jonny, Hadji, and Race.  However, all of Earth is about to be drawn into an epic struggle that threatens the galaxy and perhaps, even the universe.

I was cynical about DC's Hanna-Barbera (sometimes known as “H-B”) announcement.  Quite a bit of the storytelling that entertained me in my early and formative years came from classic H-B series.  It is not often that comic book versions or even TV remakes of classic 1960s and 1970s H-B series have pleased me.  [I really like the Scooby-Doo straight-to-video movies that Warner Bros. has been producing since the late 1990s].

However, I'm all in on Future Quest.  Writer Jeff Parker has captured the sense of adventure, fun, and wonder that permeated classic action/superhero/sci-fi and fantasy H-B series like “Jonny Quest” and “Space Ghost.”  It does not matter that Future Quest will unite characters that have rarely appeared together, if at all.  If H-B had brought together “Jonny Quest,” “Space Ghost,” “The Herculoids,” “Birdman,” “Frankenstein Jr.,” “The Galaxy Trio,” “The Impossibles,” and “Mightor,”  I can't imagine that it would look too different from what at least this first issue of Future Quest suggests.  Also, my feeling is that Jeff Parker is doing this the right way.

I am a fan of artist Steve Rude.  He claims “Space Ghost” as a huge influence on his work as a comic book artist, especially on the comic book, Nexus, which he produces with writer Mike Baron.  It is good to see him work on Future Quest.  Rude on Future Quest is a no-brainer.

But series artist Evan “Doc” Shaner takes a backseat to no one on this comic book.  His clear line drawing style recalls classic H-B, but also captures the spirit of those wonderful European comic graphic albums that appeal to readers, young and old, such as Tintin and the Smurfs.  When Jordie Bellaire adds her magical colors, the comic art in Future Quest looks fantastic.  It evokes H-B while being something new, fresh, and vibrant.

In fact, this is what the classic, but old H-B action TV series need – a fresh take and a new beginning.  Part of me is still doubting.  Is this first issue a fluke?  Can Future Quest be as good – long term – as I think this first issue is.  I believe in Parker and Shaner.

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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I Reads You Review: BATMAN '66 #1

BATMAN ’66 #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITER: Jeff Parker
ARTIST/COLORS: Jonathan Case
LETTERS: Wes Abbott
COVER: Michael Allred and Laura Allred
VARIANT COVER: Jonathan Case
36pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2013)

Rated E (Everyone)

Batman ’66 is one of DC Comics’ digital-first comics.  These digital comics are initially released in a digital format to be read on computers, smart phones, and other handheld devices.  Print editions follow digital publication.

Batman ’66 is inspired by the classic American TV series, “Batman,” from 20th Century Fox Television and Greenway Productions.  Batman was a live action television series based on the DC Comics comic book character, Batman, and starred Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin, the two crime-fighting heroes who defend Gotham City.  “Batman’s” original run on television lasted for three seasons, from January 12, 1966 to March 14, 1968, for a total of 120 episodes.

Batman ’66 #1 is the print comic book edition of the opening story, “The Riddler’s Ruse,” from writer Jeff Parker and artist Jonathan Case.  The story opens in Gotham Park, where millionaire Bruce Wayne and his “youthful ward,” Dick Grayson, are on hand for the awarding of the Lady Gotham statuette to the Gotham Police Department.

The festivities are interrupted by The Riddler, who is determined to steal the Lady Gotham, professing a need to protect the work of the statuette’s creator, the late artist, Oskar Villkoop.  Is he really an art lover?  The Dynamic Duo will need the help of another arch-nemesis, the slinky Catwoman, to solve The Riddler’s latest baffling crime conundrum.  Holy Strange Bedfellows, Batman!

I first discovered the “Batman” TV series ages ago when a local television station began airing the show in syndication.  I instantly fell in love with the series, and that the show did not resemble the Batman comic books I was reading at the time did not bother me.  I was surprised to discover that quite a few comic book fans hated “Batman.”  The editors of the Comics Buyers Guide, a weekly publication of comic book news, features, and collectibles, once claimed that “Batman” was the primary reason the public at large did not take comic books seriously.

With DC Comics’ recent announcement of Batman ’66, a comic inspired by the series, I had the opportunity to discover that there are many comic book fans who loved the show.  And we have reason to cheer.  Batman ’66 is the decades-old TV show embodied in comic book form.

Batman ’66 is not a great work of comic book art, but it is a great comic book.  Please, allow me to explain.  Batman ’66 is not Batman: The Dark Knight Returns in terms of its impact on Batman the character and on superhero comics (as TDKR has been for the last quarter-century).  However, for me, Batman ’66 and TDKR are alike because the latter was the kind of comic book that was so much fun for me to read that I read it over and over again.  The first time I read TDKR, it so stunned me that I immediately read it again.  My copy could not be in “Mint” or “Near Mint” condition just from the wear I put on that comic book through repeated readings.

I can’t stop flipping through Batman ’66.  I had so much fun reading it.  That it is so much like the old TV show makes me think Jeff Parker and Jonathan Case are in need of an exorcism.  Surely, they made a deal with some kind of supernatural entity to pull this off.  The witty asides, the droll humor, the campy style, the colorful milieu, the corny moralizing, and Batman’s let’s-all-follow-the-rules approach to everything:  it’s all here; “Batman” is back.

I love Jonathan Case’s eye-popping, pop art aesthetic.  It references “Batman” without being slavish to it.  The composition and graphic design form a wild style that recalls Neal Adams and also the angular photography of the television show.  The art moves and grooves, and Case makes the coloring mimic an old-fashioned two or three-color 3D comic book.  Give that man an Eisner nod.

Jeff Parker and Jonathan Case have put fun first in this new comic.  Digital or print: Batman ’66 is a winner.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux