I Reads You Review: DARTH VADER #1

DARTH VADER #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

["Star Wars Central" review page is here.]

STORY: Keiron Gillen
ART: Salvador Larroca
COLORS: Edgar Delgado
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Adi Granov
VARIANT COVERS: Alex Ross, Simone Bianchi, Mark Brooks, J. Scott Campbell, John Cassaday, John Tyler Christopher, Adi Granov, Greg Horn, Greg Land, Salvador Larocca, Alex Maleev, Mike Del Mundo, Whilce Portacio, Mico Suayan, Skottie Young
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (April 2015)

Rated T

Book 1: Vader

Marvel Comics' new line of Star Wars comic books yields a second series.  Entitled Darth Vader, it is written by Keiron Gillen, drawn by Salvador Larroca, colored by Edgar Delgado, and lettered by Joe Caramagna.  Of course, this series focuses on the signature Star Wars villain, Darth Vader.

It might seem odd to that Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith, is so popular.  Throughout six Star Wars films, Vader, either as himself or as his original identity, Anakin Skywalker, has been portrayed as a killer, a mass murderer, a child killer, a war criminal, a torturer, a traitor, a liar, and as the lap dog of Emperor of the evil Galactic Empire.  While people would generally find anyone of the above descriptions repugnant, to say nothing of possessing more than one, Darth Vader is a fictional character is an escapist fantasy.  Instead of being repugnant, Vader is alluring

It is granted that countless people around the world take the Star Wars narrative seriously.  While Darth Vader may be like Adolf Hitler, he is not in actuality like Hitler.  So fans can love the fictional Vader, while hating even a fictional depiction of Hitler.  Got it?  We don't have to take Vader so seriously in order to find him a most delicious bad guy.

Darth Vader #1 (Book 1: Vader) opens after the events that took place on Cymoon (as seen in Marvel's recently launched Star Wars comic book series).  Vader is on the planet Tatooine to negotiate with Outer Rim crime lord, Jabba the Hutt.  The story then takes readers to the period shortly before Vader arrived on Tatooine.

We learn that the Emperor is exceedingly displeased at the Rebel Alliance's destruction of the Death Star and also with the Rebel attack on Cymoon.  The Emperor both blames Vader and tasks him with repairing the damage done to “his” empire by the recent setbacks.  Vader realizes that his position is now precarious, so how will he respond?

As I started reading Darth Vader #1, I did not expect much – I have to admit.  The art is good, but it is by Salvador Larroca, who is always good and has been for over a decade.  Just after the halfway point in this first issue, I started to understand that Darth Vader the comic book looks like it is going to be a character drama about and character study of Vader.  He will be neither the henchman/contagonist of the original Star Wars film trilogy nor the shallow and petulant youth of the Star Wars prequel trilogy.

Keiron Gillen will give Vader not only motivation, but also personality, including a sense of pride and an ability to be pricked and wounded emotionally and psychologically.  Vader will have to respond, to defend, and to protect himself in sometimes imaginative and sometimes foolish ways.  Larroca will bring that to life in vivid, potent, and eye-catching storytelling.

Could Darth Vader be the better Star Wars ongoing series?

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

I Reads You Review: STAR WARS #1

STAR WARS (2015) #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

["Star Wars Central" review page is here.]

STORY: Jason Aaron
ART: John Cassaday
COLORS: Laura Martin
LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos
COVER: John Cassaday with Laura Martin
VARIANT COVERS: Bob McLeod; Simone Bianchi, Mark Brooks, J. Scott Campbell with Nei Ruffino; Pascal Campion; John Tyler Christopher; Alan Davis, Dale Keown; Sara Pichelli; Humberto Ramos; Alex Ross; Skottie Young
48pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (March 2015)

Rated T

Book 1: Skywalker Strikes

In 1977, Marvel Comics published a comic book adaptation of the movie, Star Wars, over the course of six issues.  Because of the sales success of that adaptation, Marvel continued publishing this comic book, also entitled Star Wars, assigning a number of writers and artists to fashion new adventures featuring the cast of the Oscar-winning Star Wars, which broke box office records.

During its run of 107 issues and 3 annuals, Star Wars the comic book series also adapted the 1980 film, The Empire Strikes Back (over the course of six issues).  The series created new stories to continue the adventures of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa, Han Solo, Chewbacca,  C-3PO, R2-D2, Darth Vader, and new characters like Lando Calrissian and Boba Fett.  A comic book adaptation of Return of the Jedi was published in a separate four-issue miniseries.  Marvel also published two other Star Wars comic books, a fourteen-issue series, Ewoks, and an eight-issue series, Droids.  In 1986, Marvel stopped producing new Star Wars comic books.

From 1991 to 2014, Dark Horse Comics held the license to publish Star Wars comic books.  During that time, Dark Horse published hundreds of individual Star Wars comic books, paperbacks, and hardcover collections.  The Walt Disney Company bought Marvel Entertainment, LLC in 2009 and Lucasfilm Limited, LLC in 2012 (the home of Star Wars, of course), making Marvel Comics and Lucasfilm corporate siblings.  Because of that, Marvel Comics was slated to once again be the publisher of Star Wars comic books.

To begin this new era of Star Wars comic books, Marvel recently launched a new comic book entitled Star Wars.  This title returns to the period immediately following the events depicted in the original Star Wars film (also known as Episode IV – A New Hope).  That means new adventures featuring the classic versions of Luke, Leia, Han, Chewbacca,  C-3PO, R2-D2, and Darth Vader.

Marvel's Star Wars #1 opens shortly after Luke Skywalker destroyed the evil Galactic Empire's most feared and greatest weapon, the Death Star.  Now, the Rebel Alliance wishes to press the advantage they gained over Imperial Forces and are launching a daring offensive in a bid to defeat the Empire once and for all.

Now, Luke, Leia, Han, Chewbacca, C-3PO, and R2-D2 have secretly infiltrated the Corellian Industrial Cluster.  Han is pretending to be the official emissary of Jabba the Hutt, whose organization will provide the raw material that the Empire needs for its weapons factory.  Our favorite rebels are about to discover that another negotiator is also on his way, and he is someone familiar to them.

What can I say?  I love Star Wars.  I have only read a small portion of the books and comic books produced in what is called the “Star Wars Expanded Universe.”  I have occasionally bought toys, clothing, and other merchandising.  Still, I love Star Wars.  I have seen all the films (including the Star Wars: The Clone Wars film) in whole or in part so many times that only God knows the number.  I did not watch much of the old “Droids” and “Ewoks” Saturday morning cartoon series, but I have seen most of the recent animated series, like “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and “Star Wars Rebels.”

Yes, I love Star Wars.  Marvel's new Star Wars #1 does feel like it is connected to the original Star Wars film, at least to me.  Writer Jason Aaron is spot-on with the dialogue.  Han's dialogue recalls Harrison Ford of the original trilogy.  There are moments in this first issue when artist John Cassaday draws the characters as if he had gone back in time and was the official portrait artist on the set of Star Wars in 1976 when George Lucas began shooting the first film.  So what can I say?  Of course, I like this.  Of course, I love Marvel Comics' new Star Wars #1.

[At the beginning of 2013, Dark Horse Comics launched a comic book entitled Star Wars.  It also took us (as a press release said) “back to those heady, adventure-filled days following the destruction of the Death Star—when the Empire ruled, the Rebels were on the run, and the galaxy was a dangerous place where anything might happen!”  Dark Horse's Star Wars was a character-driven, science fiction adventure serial, and, to be fair, it was quite good.]

A

[This comic book includes previews of the following comic books:  Star Wars: Darth Vader by Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larocca and Star Wars: Princess Leia by Mark Waid and Terry Dodson.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 14, 2015

MARVEL COMICS
NOV140784    ALL NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA #3    $3.99
NOV140819    ALL NEW GHOST RIDER #10    $3.99
NOV140829    ALL NEW ULTIMATES #12    $3.99
NOV140849    AMAZING X-MEN #15    $3.99
NOV140894    ANT-MAN #1 BY BROOKS POSTER    $8.99
NOV140757    AVENGERS #34.2    $4.99
NOV140753    AVENGERS #40 TRO    $4.99
NOV140896    AVENGERS ANTI-BULLYING POSTER    $8.99
OCT140917    AVENGERS TIME RUNS OUT PREM HC VOL 01    $24.99
NOV140823    CAPTAIN MARVEL #11    $3.99
NOV140837    CYCLOPS #9    $3.99
NOV140805    DAREDEVIL #12    $3.99
NOV140852    DEADPOOL #40    $3.99
NOV140772    DEATHLOK #4    $3.99
OCT140938    DEATHLOK TP SOULS OF CYBER-FOLK    $39.99
NOV140825    GEORGE ROMEROS EMPIRE OF DEAD ACT TWO #5    $3.99
NOV140801    GUARDIANS 3000 #4    $3.99
OCT140936    IRON MAN TP VOL 04 IRON METROPOLITAN    $19.99
NOV140793    MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS ASSEMBLE SEASON TWO #3    $2.99
NOV140830    MILES MORALES ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #9    $3.99
APR140746    MMW INCREDIBLE HULK HC VOL 01 NEW PTG    $49.99
NOV140842    NIGHTCRAWLER #10    $3.99
OCT140908    POWERS TP VOL 03 LITTLE DEATHS NEW PTG (MR)    $15.99
OCT140909    POWERS TP VOL 04 SUPERGROUP NEW PTG (MR)    $15.99
OCT140910    POWERS TP VOL 05 ANARCHY NEW PTG (MR)    $15.99
MAY148280    SECRET SERVICE TP KINGSMAN MOVIE ED (MR)    $12.99
NOV140759    SHIELD #2    $3.99
SEP140889    SILVER SURFER #8    $3.99
NOV140762    SPIDER-VERSE #2    $4.99
NOV140709    STAR WARS #1    $4.99
AUG140892    STAR WARS MARVEL YRS OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 CHAYKIN CVR    $125.00
NOV140790    THANOS VS HULK #2    $3.99
NOV140897    UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #1 BY ADAMS POSTER    $8.99
OCT140933    UNCANNY X-MEN TP VOL 03 GOOD BAD INHUMAN    $19.99
NOV140743    WOLVERINES #2    $3.99
NOV140841    X-FORCE #14    $3.99

I Reads You Review: MAGNETO #1

MAGNETO (2014) #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER:  Cullen Bunn
ART:  Gabriel Hernandez Walta
COLORS:  Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: VC's Cory Petit
COVER:  Paolo Rivera
VARIANT COVERS:  John Cassaday, Mike Del Mundo; Gurihiru, Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2014)

Parental Advisory

When The X-Men #1 debuted in 1963 (cover date: September 1963), this comic book first issue introduced Professor Charles Xavier a/k/a “Professor X” and his small circle of students: Scott Summers, Jean Grey, Warren Worthington III, Henry “Hank” McCoy, and Bobby Drake.  Prof. X and his students were “mutants,” people born with genetic mutations that gave them abilities far beyond those of normal humans.

The five students had code names:  respectively, Cyclops, Marvel Girl, The Angel, Beast, and Iceman.  They were the X-Men, a band of costumed adventurers who protected normal mutants from the deprivations of evil mutants, while trying to foster peaceful coexistence between mutants and humans.

The X-Men #1 also introduced an evil mutant, Magneto, the master of magnetism.  Wielding his awesome powers that, among other things, allowed him to control and manipulate metal objects, Magneto became the X-Men's arch-nemesis – their chief adversary.  Over time, however, Magneto would become, on occasion, an ally and even a member of the X-Men.

Magneto, I believe, is the most complex and interesting super-villain in the world of Marvel Comics.  He has been the star of his own comic book series, and earlier this year, Marvel's All-New Marvel NOW! publishing initiative offered the debut of a new comic book series, Magneto, written by Cullen Bunn, drawn by Gabriel Hernandez Walta, colored by Jordie Bellaire, and lettered by Cory Petit.

Magneto #1 opens in Cape Girardean, Missouri, where a witness to a murder committed by Magneto recounts the terrible experience to the police.  Meanwhile, Magneto is in Beloit, Kansas plotting the next move in his series of attacks against those who persecute mutants.  He knows that powerful forces are monitoring of his activities and are setting traps, but he is not aware of everyone watching him...

The easiest way to describe the new Magneto comic book series is to recall one of the most acclaimed X-Men films, 2011's X-Men: First Class.  Early in the film, Magneto (played by actor Michael Fassbender) embarks on a search-and-destroy mission aimed at his Nazi concentration camp tormentors.  Basically, writer Cullen Bunn takes that Magneto and reworks the character a bit in order to feature him in a solo series set firmly in the Marvel Universe.  In fact, artist Paolo Rivera's striking cover art for Magneto #1 recalls Fassbender's Magneto, but without any hair on his head.

I like this new Magneto comic book.  Walta's art has a crime comic aesthetic similar to the work of Edward Risso in DC Comics' 100 Bullets series and Darwyn Cooke in the Parker graphic novels.  Bunn's script even recalls hard-boiled, pulp fiction that featured hard, edgy, dangerous men who deliver justice, cold and without mercy or remorse.  I think I will follow this series for awhile.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

I Reads You Review: SAVAGE HULK #1

SAVAGE HULK #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER/PENCILS: Alan Davis
INKS: Mark Farmer
COLORS: Matt Hollingsworth
LETTERS: VC’s Clayton Cowles
COVER: Alan Davis and Mark Farmer with Val Staples
VARIANT COVER: John Cassaday with Paul Mounts; Alex Ross
28pp, Color, $3.99 (August 2014)

Rated T+

“The Man Within”

Savage Hulk is a new comic book starring one of Marvel Comics’ seminal characters, the Hulk.  Like Savage Wolverine did with Wolverine, Savage Hulk will feature the Hulk in standalone story arcs produced by some of Marvel’s top creative talent.  […big names, super stars and break out talent…” says Savage Hulk editor Mark Paniccia]

Savage Hulk’s first story arc is being produced by a comics creator who truly can be called a “superstar,” veteran writer, artist, and writer/artist, the great Alan Davis.  Davis is writing and penciling Savage Hulk with his longtime collaborator, Mark Farmer, inking his pencils.  To start things off with an incredible Hulk bang, Davis is teaming the Hulk with a group of characters that are familiar to Davis, the X-Men.  Davis is essentially writing a sequel to X-Men #66 (cover dated:  March 1970), which featured the original X-Men against the Hulk.

Savage Hulk #1 (“The Man Within”) recaps a battle between the Hulk and the X-Men: Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Angel, Beast, and Iceman.  The X-Men needed the help of Bruce Banner, the Hulk’s alter ego, to bring their teacher and leader, Professor Charles Xavier out of a coma.  They succeed in getting a device from Banner that helps Xavier; now, the Professor wants to return the favor and help Banner.

Joined by Polaris and Havok, the X-Men return to the last place they saw Banner.  However, long-time Hulk nemesis, The Leader, has been monitoring the actions of Hulk and the X-Men.  Now, he is ready to launch his latest diabolical scheme against the Savage Hulk.

My review of Savage Hulk #1 is this:  I like Alan Davis.  I enjoy the clean, straight-forward way that Davis tells superhero stories with a mix of soap opera and the kind of weird fantasy that is unique to comic books.  Thus, I thoroughly enjoyed Davis’ Savage Hulk #1.  I’m ready for the next issue, and I wish someone at Marvel Comics would encourage Davis to do more comics starring the original X-Men.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 19 2014

MARVEL COMICS

DEC130722 A PLUS X #17 [DIG] $3.99
DEC138035 ALL NEW MARVEL NOW POINT ONE #1 2ND PTG LARROCA VAR $5.99
DEC138036 ALL NEW X-FACTOR #1 2ND PTG ANKA VAR ANMN $3.99
DEC130745 AMAZING X-MEN #4 [DIG] $3.99
DEC138037 AVENGERS WORLD #1 2ND PTG CASSADAY VAR ANMN $3.99
DEC130688 AVENGERS WORLD #3 ANMN [DIG] $3.99
DEC138038 BLACK WIDOW #1 2ND PTG NOTO VAR ANMN $3.99
DEC130646 CAPTAIN AMERICA #17 ANMN [DIG] $3.99
NOV130729 CAPTAIN AMERICA EPIC COLLECTION TP DAWNS EARLY LIGHT TP [DIG] $34.99
DEC130738 DAREDEVIL #36 [DIG] $2.99
DEC130710 DEXTER DOWN UNDER #1 [DIG] $3.99
DEC130703 DISNEY KINGDOMS SEEKERS OF WEIRD #2 [DIG] $3.99
DEC130705 DISNEY KINGDOMS SEEKERS OF WEIRD #2 CROSBY IMAGINEER [DIG] $3.99
SEP130781 GOLDEN AGE CAPTAIN AMERICA OMNI HC VOL 01 WEEKS CVR [DIG] $125.00
DEC130739 IRON MAN ANNUAL #1 [DIG] $4.99
NOV130730 JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY BY GILLEN TP VOL 01 COMPLETE COLL [DIG] $34.99
DEC130731 MARVEL KNIGHTS HULK #3 [DIG] $3.99
DEC130655 NEW WARRIORS #1 ANMN [DIG] $3.99
DEC130750 NIGHT OF LIVING DEADPOOL #3 [DIG] $3.99
DEC130660 NOVA #13.NOW ANMN [DIG] $3.99
NOV130723 NOVA TP VOL 01 ORIGIN NOW [DIG] $19.99
DEC130632 PUNISHER #2 ANMN [DIG] $3.99
DEC130701 SAVAGE WOLVERINE #15 ANMN [DIG] $3.99
DEC130735 SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN TEAM UP #10 [DIG] $3.99
NOV130724 ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN BY BRIAN WOOD TP VOL 03 [DIG] $17.99
DEC130747 UNCANNY X-MEN #17 [DIG] $3.99
DEC130674 X-MEN #11 ANMN [DIG] $3.99

I Reads February 2014

It's February 2014.  Welcome to I Reads You, a ComicBookBin web and sister publication (www.comicbookbin.com).  The ComicBookBin has free smart phone apps and comics.  We write about the things we read:  mostly comic books, comics, and related books.  Sometimes, we’ll write about or link to other topics:  typically books, politics, and entertainment.

All images and text appearing on this publication are copyright © and/or trademark their respective owners.

This is my comic book of the month:

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 22 2014

DC COMICS

NOV130206 ANIMAL MAN #27 $2.99
OCT130282 ANIMAL MAN TP VOL 05 THE MEANING OF FLESH (MR) $24.99
NOV130172 BATMAN #27 (ZERO YEAR) $3.99
NOV130174 BATMAN #27 COMBO PACK (ZERO YEAR) $4.99
NOV130221 BATMAN 66 #7 $3.99
NOV130189 BATMAN AND TWO FACE #27 $2.99
NOV130220 BATMAN BEYOND UNIVERSE #6 $3.99
OCT130237 BATWING TP VOL 03 ENEMY OF THE STATE (N52) $14.99
NOV130192 BATWOMAN #27 $2.99
NOV130183 BIRDS OF PREY #27 (GOTHTOPIA) $2.99
NOV130202 GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS #27 $2.99
NOV130171 HARLEY QUINN #2 $2.99
NOV130123 JUSTICE LEAGUE #27 (EVIL) $3.99
NOV130125 JUSTICE LEAGUE #27 COMBO PACK (EVIL) $4.99
SEP130279 PLANETARY OMNIBUS HC $75.00
OCT130293 PREACHER TP BOOK 03 (MR) $19.99
NOV130194 RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #27 $2.99
NOV130214 SCRIBBLENAUTS UNMASKED CRISIS OF IMAGINATION #1 $2.99
NOV130163 SUPERGIRL #27 $2.99
NOV130132 TRINITY OF SIN PANDORA #7 (EVIL) $2.99
NOV130260 UNWRITTEN VOL 2 APOCALYPSE #1 (MR) $3.99
NOV130148 WONDER WOMAN #27 $2.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

AUG130364 BATMAN BLACK & WHITE BATMAN EARTH 2 STATUE $79.95

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 8 2014

MARVEL COMICS

NOV130650 A PLUS X #16 $3.99
OCT130779 ALL NEW INVADERS #1 BY SINGH POSTER $8.99
NOV130543 ALL NEW MARVEL NOW POINT ONE #1 ANMN $5.99
OCT130780 ALL NEW MARVEL POINT ONE #1 BY LARROCA POSTER $8.99
NOV130607 ALL NEW X-FACTOR #1 ANMN $3.99
OCT130783 ALL NEW X-MEN #22.NOW BY IMMONEN POSTER $8.99
OCT130756 ALL NEW X-MEN INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK SSM ARMS OCTOPUS TP $14.99
OCT130757 ALL NEW X-MEN TP VOL 01 YESTERDAYS X-MEN $19.99
NOV130583 AVENGERS AI #8.NOW ANMN $2.99
NOV130569 AVENGERS WORLD #1 ANMN $3.99
OCT130786 AVENGERS WORLD #1 BY CASSADAY POSTER $8.99
NOV130587 BLACK WIDOW #1 ANMN $3.99
OCT130782 BLACK WIDOW #1 BY NOTO POSTER $8.99
NOV130688 CABLE AND X-FORCE #18 XFV $3.99
NOV130656 CATACLYSM ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #3 $3.99
OCT130671 CATACLYSM ULTIMATES LAST STAND #3 $3.99
NOV130649 DAREDEVIL DARK NIGHTS #8 $2.99
NOV130695 DEADPOOL #22 $2.99
OCT130767 FANTASTIC FOUR INHUMANS TP ATLANTIS RISING $39.99
NOV130699 FANTOMEX MAX #4 (MR) $3.99
OCT130768 GUARDIANS OF GALAXY BY JIM VALENTINO TP VOL 01 $34.99
OCT130784 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #11.NOW BY PICHELLI POSTER $8.99
SEP130670 INFINITY HEIST #4 INF $3.99
NOV130617 INHUMANITY AWAKENING #2 $3.99
NOV130648 IRON MAN #20 $3.99
NOV130667 MARVEL KNIGHTS SPIDER-MAN #4 $3.99
NOV130679 MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS ASSEMBLE #4 SYU $2.99
OCT130787 MIRACLEMAN #1 BY YU POSTER $8.99
NOV130700 PAINKILLER JANE PRICE OF FREEDOM #3 (MR) $2.99
NOV130642 REVOLUTIONARY WAR ALPHA #1 $3.99
NOV130602 SAVAGE WOLVERINE #14.NOW ANMN $3.99
OCT130758 SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN TEAM-UP TP FRIENDLY FIRE $17.99
OCT130781 THUNDERBOLTS #20.NOW BY FLETCHER POSTER $8.99
NOV130693 WOLVERINE #13 $3.99
OCT130747 X-MEN BATTLE OF ATOM HC $49.99
NOV130653 YOUNG AVENGERS #15 $2.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 13 2013

MARVEL COMICS

JAN130634 AGE OF ULTRON #2 $3.99

DEC128322 ALL NEW X-MEN #2 3RD PTG IMMONEN VAR NOW $3.99

DEC128323 ALL NEW X-MEN #3 3RD PTG IMMONEN VAR NOW $3.99

DEC128324 ALL NEW X-MEN #4 3RD PTG IMMONEN VAR NOW $3.99

DEC128325 ALL NEW X-MEN #5 3RD PTG IMMONEN VAR NOW $3.99

DEC128326 ALL NEW X-MEN #7 2ND PTG MARQUEZ VAR NOW $3.99

JAN130716 ALPHA BIG TIME #2 $2.99

DEC128327 AVENGERS #4 2ND PTG KUBERT VAR NOW2 $3.99

JAN130659 AVENGERS ARENA #6 NOW $2.99

JAN130666 AVENGERS ASSEMBLE #13 NOW2 $3.99

DEC120737 AVENGERS SEASON ONE PREM HC $24.99

DEC120739 AVENGERS VS X-MEN TP AVENGERS ACADEMY $24.99

JAN130715 AVENGING SPIDER-MAN #18 $3.99

DEC120761 ESSENTIAL CAPTAIN MARVEL TP VOL 02 $19.99

JAN130689 FANTASTIC FOUR #5 NOW $2.99

JAN130703 FEARLESS DEFENDERS #2 NOW $2.99

DEC120756 GUARDIANS OF GALAXY TP VOL 02 TOMORROWS AVENGERS $39.99

DEC120744 HAWKEYE TP VOL 01 MY LIFE AS WEAPON NOW $16.99

JAN130793 MARVEL NOW X-MEN POSTER $8.99

JAN130740 MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS EARTHS HEROES #12 $2.99

DEC128335 NEW AVENGERS #2 2ND PTG JOCK VAR NOW $3.99

DEC128336 NEW AVENGERS #3 2ND PTG JOCK VAR NOW $3.99

JAN130668 SECRET AVENGERS #2 NOW $3.99

DEC128332 SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #1 3RD PTG STEGMAN VAR NOW $3.99

JAN130682 THOR GOD OF THUNDER #6 NOW2 $3.99

JAN130710 THUNDERBOLTS #6 NOW $2.99

JAN130725 ULTIMATE COMICS WOLVERINE #1 $3.99

JAN130724 ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN #24 $3.99

DEC128333 UNCANNY AVENGERS #3 2ND PTG CASSADAY VAR NOW $3.99

JAN130672 UNCANNY X-MEN #3 NOW $3.99

JAN130654 WOLVERINE #1 DAVIS SKETCH NOW $3.99

JAN130653 WOLVERINE #1 NOW $3.99

JAN130749 WOLVERINE AND X-MEN #26 $3.99

DEC120738 WOLVERINE ROT TP $19.99

DEC120753 X-FACTOR TP VOL 19 SHORT STORIES $15.99

JAN130707 X-MEN LEGACY #7 NOW2 $2.99

JAN130792 X-TERMINATION BY LARROCA POSTER $8.99

JAN130742 X-TREME X-MEN #12 XT $2.99

Albert Avilla Reviews: Uncanny Avengers 002

Uncanny Avengers 002
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: John Cassaday
Cover: John Cassaday and Laura Martin
Variant Cover: Milo Manara

(Spoilers!)
There is a battle going on for my comic book dollars, and the number one contender is the Uncanny Avengers. I’ve already put it on my pull list. The number one reason is Remender’s writing.

When I saw that the Red Skull was going to be the first adversary of the Uncanny Avengers, I thought, oh boy, some of the same old same-old. I’m wrong so often it’s easy for me to admit when I am wrong. Remender handles the Skull well; he has a good insight into who the Skull is. Who better to use as the catalyst to further incite the humans’ hatred of the mutants than the former henchman of Adolf Hitler.

Remender’s writing exposes the evil that the Skull is. He uses our desire to find something to blame for what is not right in the world and amplifies it into a maniacal hatred. He is a master of human psychology; this is vividly illustrated in his attempt to recruit the Scarlet Witch. With his powers, Professor Xavier was able to subdue Wanda, using psychological weaknesses from her father issues to her own concern about being a powerful mutant. The Skull is always able to find minions whom he can convert to his cause and who are willing to sacrifice their humanity to serve him. They are just tools to help accomplish his goals, to be disposed of once used.

At the same time, Remender gives us examples of good. The first is when Xavier takes a stand against the other X-Men when he first accepted Rogue into the X-Men. This was a pivotal moment in the young woman’s life, saving her from a fall into the darkness. Rogue has been a warrior who has turned battles in the favor of the X-Men. Another is the Uncanny X-Men helping clean up the site that Avalanche destroyed. That’s good people when they party with you all night long and help you clean up the mess afterward.

Another thing that I like about Remender is he does not forget the characters’ past; he builds on them. Remender gives everybody their moment in the story; no one character is more important to the story than the other. Thor is nothing but hero. He could be chilling in Asgard, but he’s on Earth taking up the mutant cause with Cap [Captain America, of course – Ed.]. He is giving the Scarlet Witch more of an edge and a sense that she is superior to others. The Skull has the power of Charles Xavier. He was hell before; now what kind of mischief will our little red goblin get into?

The art is “wow” at every turn. Every panel is a masterpiece of sequential art. Sometimes, I get the feeling that the dialogue is interfering with my enjoyment of good art. Can we get Thor a spa day or a godly makeover; the dude is looking rough in his work clothes. What ever happened to godly raiment?

I rate Uncanny Avengers 002 Recommend it to a Friend. Highest ranking on the Al-O-Meter

Albert Avilla Reviews: Uncanny Avengers #1

Uncanny Avengers #1
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: John Cassaday

(Spoiler Alert)

More uncanny people, who would not like it?

The story opens with the Red Skull implanting a mind control device into the brain of Avalanche and preaching his message of hate. Then, we cut to Xavier's funeral where Wolverine is giving the eulogy. Yes, Wolverine. Havok visits Cyclops in prison. I still get sick to my stomach at seeing how far he has sunken into depravity. Cap and Thor ask Havok to be the leader of the mutants. Yes, Cyclops's hotheaded brother. The three work together to stop a mind controlled Avalanche from tearing up Manhattan. Rogue and the Scarlet Witch have a little disagreement; then, Goat-Faced Girl and her team kidnap them. Yes, Goat-Faced Girl. The Red Skull has found a new source of power, Xavier's brain.

I enjoyed the story; it had action and drama. Remender does the little things that make a story great, but I do have some questions. You have two geniuses in Beast and Kitty Pryde, who would have had the sense to not eulogize a man of peace by saying you felt like killing someone. Where were the chairs at the funeral service? Why Havok as the leader of the mutants?

He has run from leadership roles most of his career. He didn't want the pressure of being on the team for many years. Let's ask Saddam's brother to lead Iraq; the public will go for that. Did they ask Ms. Marvel about putting Rogue on the Avengers? Rogue has a clean record. Who came up with the name Goat-Faced Girl? I can't wait to hear the explanation behind that name. The Skull had something to do with that.

The art was masterful. I could not ask for better. I have another question. Couldn't Cap ask Stark or someone at S.H.E.I.L.D. for better options than a chin strap and knee pads. Those knee pads look like the ones the floor man was wearing when he redid my floors.

I rate Uncanny Avengers #1 Buy Your Own Copy.

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 10 2012

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Review: Stan Lee's How to Draw Comics

STAN LEE’S HOW TO DRAW COMICS
WATSON-GUPTILL PUBLICATIONS/Dynamite Entertainment

WRITERS: Stan Lee with David Campiti
COVER: John Romita with Dean White (limited edition cover: Francesco Francavilla)
ISBN: 978-0-8230-0083-8; paperback
224pp, Color, $24.99 U.S., $27.99 CAN

He was born Stanley Martin Lieber in 1922, but the world of arts and entertainment knows him as Stan Lee. For Marvel Comics, Lee has been a writer, editor, and publisher and has been associated with Marvel Comics since 1939 when it was Timely Comics.

Collaborating with artists Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, Lee created such characters as Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, and the Hulk, among many others. In addition to writing comic books, Lee has also authored several books. Perhaps, Lee’s best known non-comic book, book is How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way (1978), which he co-authored with the late artist, John Buscema.

Stan Lee’s latest how-to book is Stan Lee’s How to Draw Comics. Co-written with David Campiti, Stan Lee’s How to Draw Comics is essentially an update of How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way, but with less emphasis on “the Marvel Way.” In his introduction, Stan writes that it was time for a new book, one with “a cornucopia of cutting-edge, techno-savvy instructions.”

I have a copy of How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way, one through which I’ve thumbed countless times, and the difference between the 1978 book and this one is jarring. Stan Lee’s How to Draw Comics is, for one thing, bigger, and there is much information on digital lettering and computer coloring. How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way is essentially analog, but obviously that’s because computers weren’t being used to produce comic book art and graphics when it was written. Campiti’s hand is all over the sections on computers and digital processes to create comics because he runs Glasshouse Graphics, a company that provides everything from story and art to pre-press and custom publishing for comic book publishers and other clients.

Stan Lee’s How to Draw Comics provides a broad overview of creating visuals for comic books. There are sections on penciling, inking and coloring; lettering and word balloons. Readers can learn about creating costumes; what makes great action; perspective and foreshortening; page and panel layout; and how to create visually appealing covers. There is information on digital advances, creating a portfolio, and getting work in the industry.

Not to dismiss the earlier book, Stan Lee’s How to Write Comics, but Stan Lee’s How to Draw Comics is a complete book offering both theory and procedure. A budding comic book creator can get tips on penciling, inking, coloring, and lettering a comic book using both new and traditional methods, and he or she can examine numerous black and white diagrams that illustrate the basics of creating comic book graphics. Stan Lee’s How to Draw Comics is a text book because it explains the why’s and how’s, often using the advise and expertise of industry professionals. There is even a section on using Google Sketchup to create skyscrapers, buildings, and other exterior landscapes.

There is apparently a limited edition of Stan Lee’s How to Draw Comics. I don’t know whether or not it’s a hardcover, but this paperback edition is the one to get if you have an eye on becoming a professional comic book artist. The paperback is made to be handled a lot.

A-

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS:
Neal Adams, Erica Awano
Dan Borgones, Nick Bradshaw, Ariel Burgess
Aaron Campbell, J. Scott Campbell, Chris Caniano, Eman Casallos, John Cassaday, Frank Cho, Vince Colletta
Bong Dazo, Mike Deodato, Jr., Steve Ditko
Tina Francisco
Ken Haeser, Tabitha Haeser
Bob Kane, Gil Kane, Michael Kelleher, Jack Kirby
Fabio Laguna, Jonathan Lau, Jae Lee, Jim Lee, Jun Lofamia
Gemma Magno, Jezreel Morales
Earl Norem,
Ariel Padilla
Cliff Richards, Al Rio John Romita, Alex Ross, Mel Rubi
Steve Sadowski, Gaspar Saladino, Edgar Salazar, Mel Joy San Juan, Alexander Sicat, Joe Sinnott
Anthony Tan, Wilson Tortosa, Michael Turner

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 21 2012

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I Reads You Review: Millar & McNiven's NEMESIS

MILLAR & MCNIVEN’S NEMESIS
MARVEL COMICS/ICON

WRITER: Mark Millar
ARTIST: Steve McNiven
COLORS: Dave McCaig
LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos
EXTRA ART: Leinil Francis Yu, John Cassaday, and Mark Millar
ISBN: 978-0-7851-4865-4; hardcover
112pp, Color, $19.99 U.S., $22.50 CAN

Nemesis is a four-issue comic book miniseries from the team of writer Mark Millar and artist Steve McNiven. Millar and McNiven produced two hugely popular Marvel event projects: Civil War, a six-issue series that was the impetus for a line-wide event, and the graphic novel, Wolverine: Old Man Logan (originally serialized in Wolverine Vol. 3 #66-72 and Wolverine Giant-Size Old Man Logan).

Nemesis is a creator-owned title that Marvel Comics published in 2010 under its Icon imprint. The four issues are collected in a hardcover volume entitled, Millar & McNiven’s Nemesis. This book has a dust jacket and includes Millar’s afterword from Nemesis #1, the variant covers from all four issues (including a cool one by Millar), a script-to-art comparison, and advertisements for two other Millar comic book projects (Superior and Kick-Ass 2).

The series focuses on two characters. The first is a Batman-like character, called “Nemesis,” who uses his skills, resources, wealth, and whatever super powers and abilities he has for evil rather than for good. Nemesis is very much like the Heath Ledger Joker in Christopher Nolan’s Batman movie, The Dark Knight (2008). What if a cool billionaire with all those planes, cars and gadgets, put on a mask and waged war on the forces of law and order, Millar asks.

The second character is Nemesis’ target and opponent, Chief Blake Morrow, the Chief of Police of Washington D.C. He is like Clint Eastwood’s “Dirty Harry” Callahan and Bruce Willis’ John McClane (from the Die Hard movies) blended into Commissioner James Gordon from the Batman comics. Plus, he is a staunch, conservative (pro-life, anti-gay) Catholic.

The story depicts Nemesis’ campaign against D.C. as part of a bid to be the winner in a small war he is waging against Morrow. Nemesis’ reign of terror leaves untold numbers of civilians dead and creates collateral damage (mostly among Morrow’s family, friends, and coworkers). Morrow believes Nemesis is seeking revenge against him because the villain claims to be Matthew Anderson, the only child of a couple whose depraved crimes where revealed by Morrow. As he gets closer to Nemesis, however, Morrow wonders what is true and what is just gamesmanship when it comes to Nemesis, the world’s only super-criminal.

I love a great villain – from Iago to Hannibal Lector: the conniving, brilliant, and/or genius types. I rooted for Heath Ledger’s Joker in The Dark Knight, and it is hard not to love the X-Men’s Magneto.

Nemesis features a criminal genius and super-villain whose arrogance is as alluring as it is hilarious. In a series that offers some pretty deranged scenes, Nemesis’ best moments have the villain killing cops and other law enforcement and authority types. I don’t see Nemesis as a guilty pleasure or sinful delight because I don’t feel guilty about loving it so much, although if I am honest, perhaps it is a sin to take such delight in the depiction of cops getting killed by the dozens.

Millar paints the characters in broad strokes throughout the series, but the sharp dialogue makes them likeable, nonetheless. Steve McNiven’s art, from the standpoint of style, is acceptable, though it makes me wonder why he is so acclaimed. However, McNiven’s storytelling and page design are why this story is an action-packed page-turner that is tense even where there isn’t brutal action splashed across the page.

I read Millar & McNiven’s Nemesis in one sitting, flipping pages as if my life depended upon it. My life doesn’t depend on a sequel, but my life would be better in those moments when I’m reading a sequel.

A

Leroy Douresseaux on "BATMAN/PLANETARY DELUXE"

BATMAN/PLANETARY DELUXE
DC COMICS

WRITER: Warren Ellis
ARTIST: John Cassaday
COLORIST: David Baron
LETTERS: Comicraft’s Wes Abbott
ISBN: 978-1-4012-3184-2; hardcover
96pp, Color, $22.99 U.S., $25.99 CAN

One of my favorite comic books is back in print, and it’s better than just being back in print. It has come back to life in a hardcover edition with a sweet extra – the original script. I love this comic book. It is eternally awesome.

Published in 2003, Planetary/Batman: Night on Earth #1 was a one-shot pitting the stars of the Wildstorm Productions comic book, Planetary, against the Dark Knight himself, Batman. This 48-page, prestige format comic book was written by Warren Ellis and drawn by John Cassaday, the creators of Planetary.

DC Comics recently reprinted this comic book in a hardcover edition entitled, Batman/Planetary Deluxe. This new edition even includes Warren Ellis’ script for the original comic book.

For those who don’t already know, Planetary was superhero comic book published by DC Comics’ Wildstorm imprint. The series was previewed in the summer of 1998 as a backup feature, and the regular series began in early 1999, running for 27 issues before ending in 2009. The comic book focused on an organization called Planetary which sought to discover the secret history of the world. The stories focused on Planetary’s field team: a kind of superwoman named Jakita Wagner, a scruffy young man named Drummer who could detect and manipulate information streams, and Elijah Snow, a man dressed in a white suit and who could create intense cold and extract heat.

In Planetary/Batman: Night on Earth, Planetary travels to Gotham City, the world’s most dangerous city, to capture a serial killer named John Black. On Planetary’s Earth, there is no Batman to protect Gotham. Jakita, Drummer, and Snow find Black in Gotham’s infamous Crime Alley, but they also discover Black’s amazing power. He can rewrite reality.

The first time Black’s power activates, he and Planetary are in a new Gotham City, and this one has a Batman. And this Caped Crusader is not happy to see the Planetary trio. Every time Black rewrites reality, however, Gotham changes, and so does The Batman. The only things about Batman that don’t change are his relentlessness and his desire to bring Black to justice and keep him out of Planetary’s hands.

Truthfully, Planetary/Batman: Night on Earth is not an exceptional Planetary comic book, nor is it an exceptional Batman comic book. It is simply an exceptional and wonderful comic book that puts Planetary and Batman together. It is one of those comic books that is so fun to read and is still enjoyable after repeated readings.

Its strength lies in the talents and skills of its creators. Warren Ellis’ script offers the imagination, inventiveness, and snappy dialogue with sparkling wit that is often evident in his comics. John Cassaday’s beautiful, photorealistic art takes on a dream-like quality here, especially as he offers interpretations of various incarnations of Batman (including Batman creator Bob Kane’s, Adam West’s campy Batman of the 1960s television series, and Frank Miller’s Dark Knight Batman). David Baron’s evocative coloring subtly and delicately shifts in order to appropriate the right mood and look depending on what a moment in the story requires.

Simple and clean, Planetary/Batman: Night on Earth was that thing that is now rare: a self-contained gem – the comic book that offers complete entertainment in one small package. Now, it is back in the more permanent edition that it deserves – with Ellis’ blueprint/script. Batman/Planetary Deluxe is the book you didn’t know you had to have, and it is worth every penny.

A

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