#IReadsYou Review: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS: The Golden Child #1

DARK KNIGHT RETURNS: THE GOLDEN CHILD No. 1
DC COMICS/Black Label

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Frank Miller
ART: Rafael Grampá
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: John Workman and Deron Bennett
EDITOR: Mark Doyle
COVER: Rafael Grampa with Pedro Cobiaco
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Andy Kubert with Brad Anderson; Frank Miller with Alex Sinclair; Joelle Jones with Dave McCaig; Rafael Grampa with Pedro Cobiaco; Paul Pope with Jose Villarrubia
32pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (February 2020)

Ages 17+

Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (also known as DKR) was a four-issue comic book miniseries starring Batman.  Published by DC Comics in 1986, this prestige-format comic book was written by Frank Miller; drawn by Miller (pencils) and Klaus Janson (inks); colored by Lynn Varley; and lettered by John Costanza, with the book covers drawn by Miller and Varley.

DKR told the tale of a 50-year-old Bruce Wayne, long retired as Batman, who dons the cape and cowl again to take on a new crime wave in Gotham City.  When an institutionalized Joker discovers that Batman has returned, he revives himself and begins a new crime wave of craziness.  Batman also battles Superman who is trying to force Batman back into retirement.

DRK was a smash hit, and from the time of its publication, it became a hugely influential comic book, especially on the editorial mindset of DC Comics.  There have been sequels to DKR, as well as other comic books set in its “universe.”  The most recent DKR comic book is Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child.  It written by Frank Miller, drawn by Rafael Grampá; colored by Jordie Bellaire; and lettered by John Workman and Deron Bennett.  The Golden Child finds the heirs to the legacy of the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel taking on adversaries of their predecessors.

Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child #1 opens three years after the events depicted in the nine-issue miniseries, Dark Knight III: The Master Race (2015-2017).  Lara, the daughter of Wonder Woman (Diana) and her consort, Superman, has spent that time learning to be more human.  After spending her life with the Amazons of Paradise Island, however, Lara has a great disdain for humans.  Carrie Kelley, the former Robin, has been growing into her new role as The Batwoman, after Bruce Wayne/Batman finally retired.

The Batwoman has been battling the Joker and his gang of Joker clones, who are in full rage as the day of the U.S. presidential election approaches.  [Although he is not named, President Donald Trump's image and presence are prominent throughout this comic book].  But Joker has found a new partner in a terrifying evil that has come to Gotham – Darkseid.  Now, Lara and Carrie must team-up to stop two evils, but their secret weapon, young Jonathan, “the golden child” (Lara's brother and Diana and Superman's son) is also the object of Darkseid's murderous desire.

I really like Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child, but not because of Frank Miller's story.  It is a hot mess of sound and fury signifying nothing.  It is like someone's incorrect idea that the sound of Jack Kirby is not big (in relation to Darkseid, a character he created), but is histrionics.  Miller does offer a few good ideas, and he is one of the few mainstream comic book creators that could get away with not only casting Donald Trump in a DC Comics title, but also portraying him in an unflattering light.  Teaming-up Joker and Darkseid is not one of Miller's good ideas, and Miller's portrayal of Lara and Jonathan is a mixed bag.  But I can tell that Miller really loves Carrie Kelley, a character he created in DKR.  She is glorious as The Batwoman.

No, I don't love Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child because of Frank Miller.  I love it because of Rafael Grampa, the Brazilian film director and comic book artist.  Grampa's style in Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child is a mixture of Frank Miller's graphic style in both Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and in his Sin City series of miniseries and one-shot comic books and also of Scottish comic book artist Frank Quitely's graphic style.

Grampa's gorgeous illustrations and compositions look even better under Jordie Bellaire's inventive coloring and varietal of hues.  But even all that pretty art can't create superb graphical storytelling from Frank Miller's mish-mash of a story, except in a few places – the Batwoman sections of course.  Carrie Kelley is absolutely spectacular in the double-caped, leathery Bat-suit, which also looks like an actual man-sized bat.

Well, you can't get everything, although John Workman and Deron Bennett also deliver some fine-looking lettering.  So I'll be satisfied with Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child #1 being one of the beautifully drawn and illustrated comic book one-shots that I have ever read.

8 out of 10

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

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#IReadsYou Review: LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1 (2020)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

SCRIPT: Brian Michael Bendis
PENCILS: Ryan Sook
INKS: Ryan Sook and Wade von Grawbadger
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: Dave Sharpe
EDITOR: Brian Cunningham
COVER: Ryan Sook
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Ryan Sook; Jim Cheung with Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2020)

Rated “T+” for “Teen Plus”

Legion of Super-Heroes created by  writer Otto Binder and artist Al Plastino; Superboy created by Jerry Siegel

The Legion of Super-Heroes is a DC Comics superhero team created by writer Otto Binder and artist Al Plastino.  First appearing in Adventure Comics #247 (cover dated: April 1958), the Legion is a group of super-powered beings living in the 30th and 31st centuries of the DC Comics Universe.

Initially, the Legion of Super-Heroes was portrayed as a group of time travelers and was closely associated with the original version of Superboy.  [Created by Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel, the original Superboy was depicted as Superman/Clark Kent being a superhero when he was a teenager.]  It was in Adventure Comics #247 that Superboy met three teenagers from the 30th century:  Lightning Boy, Saturn Girl, and Cosmic Boy.  They were members of a “super-hero club,” called the “Legion of Super-Heroes,” that had been formed with Superboy as its inspiration.

Lightning Boy, Saturn Girl, and Cosmic Boy had time traveled to the past to recruit Superboy as a member of their club.  After a series of tests, Superboy was awarded membership and returned to his own time.  Strangely, this adventure was intended as a one-off story focusing on Superboy, but the Legion of Super-Heroes proved so popular that the team returned for an encore in Adventure Comics #267 (December 1959), on their way to being a stable of the DC Comics.

The Legion's origin story has been rebooted a few times, and Superboy's part in the Legion's origin story has been omitted or altered.  Legion of Super-Heroes comic book series have come and gone, but the popular team has returned in a new series, entitled Legion of Super-Heroes, of course.  It is written by Brian Michael Bendis; drawn by Ryan Sook (pencils) and Wade von Grawbadger (inks); colored by Jordie Bellaire; and lettered by Dave Sharpe.  The new series focuses on a Legion that has banded together to stop the galaxy from repeating its past mistakes.

Legion of Super-Heroes #1 finds Ultra Boy chasing a murderous group of aliens belonging to the race known as “the Horraz.”  In these alien's possession is a canister that contains an ancient and powerful device, and they were apparently delivering it to “Mordru” the demon gangster.  Luckily, Legionnaires Karate Kid, Wildfire, and Star Boy arrive to help Ultra Boy.

Meanwhile, the Legion of Super-Heroes has pulled Superboy/Jon Kent from the time stream with the intent of making him the newest Legionnaire.  By doing this, however, the Legion may have done something terribly wrong.

I recently came across an interview of writer Brian Michael Bendis in which he said that he wanted to do upbeat stories set in the future.  In this new Legion of Super-Heroes #1, Bendis has written his best first issue for DC Comics since his tenure began in 2018.  It is indeed exciting and spiffy and full of bubbly Legionnaires, to say nothing of their awesome headquarters.  I am not a devoted Legion of Super-Heroes fan, so I am happy with this first issue, although I don't know if it will satisfy the biggest Legion fans.  I would like to see future issues really delve into the characters.

Ryan Sook's art recalls DC Comics' space age and early Silver Age comic book art.  The storytelling is clear, and Wade von Grawbadger's inks give Sook's pencils weight and heft.  Grawbadger's inks also make Sook's pencils look like the pencil art of Stuart Immonen, with whom Grawbadger has formed one of the best art teams of the last several years.

As usual Jordie Bellaire's colors are a delight.  Here, she gives some of the pages candy-colored hints. Dave Sharpe's sharp lettering completes the futuristic vibe of the story.  And Ryan Sook's cover art for this first issue will make it stand out on comic book shelves.

So, yeah, this is only the first issue, but I'm excited for a Legion of Super-Heroes comic book series in a way that I have not been in decades.  I don't know if it will make me a devoted Legionnaire, but I really like the start for Legion of Super-Heroes 2020.

8 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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#IReadsYou Review: JOHN CONSTANTINE Hellblazer #1

JOHN CONSTANTINE: HELLBLAZER #1
DC COMICS/DC Black Label – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Simon “Si” Spurrier
ART: Aaron Campbell
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: Aditya Bidikar
EDITOR: Chris Conroy
CURATOR: Neil Gaiman
COVER: John Paul Leon
VARIANT COVER: Charlie Adlard
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2020)

“Ages 17+”

John Constantine created by Alan Moore, Steve Bissette, and John Totleben and Jamie Delano & John Ridgway

“A Green and Pleasant Land, Part One”

John Constantine is a DC Comics character, an anti-hero, magus, con man, troubleshooter, and occult detective.  He was originally created by writer Alan Moore and artists Steve Bissette and John Totleben as a supporting character in the horror comic book series, The Saga of the Swamp Thing (1982), first appearing in issue #37 (cover dated: June 1985).  John Constantine starred in his own comic book series, Hellblazer, which ran for a quarter-century, beginning with Hellblazer #1 (cover date: January 1988) and ending with Hellblazer #300 (cover date: April 2013).  In Hellblazer (the first of  four series), the character was further defined and refined by writer Jamie Delano and artist John Ridgway.

John Constantine: Hellblazer is the fifth and newest John Constantine comic book series.  It is written by Simon Spurrier; drawn by Aaron Campbell; colored by Jordie Bellaire; and lettered by Aditya Bidikar.  John Constantine: Hellblazer and its one-shot prologue (of sorts), The Sandman Universe Presents Hellblazer, brings John Constantine back to the mature-readers, supernatural setting in which the character existed for the first three decades.

John Constantine: Hellblazer #1 (“A Green and Pleasant Land, Part One”) finds John Constantine back in London, after being abroad for quite some time.  Constantine is a bit perturbed to discover that London has changed enough that his jokes offend everyone.  The young people speak a language and a slang that the now-old-man Constantine does not.  And the young women don't drop their panties as soon as John starts working his charm.

However, there is someone who really wants Constantine.  K-Mag, also known as “the Haruspex,” is the kingpin of a local drug gang, “the Ri-Boys.”  K-Mag dabbles in magic, but he is apparently not strong enough to stop a supernatural force that tears apart any Ri-Boys trying to sell drugs in a local public park.  That's where John is supposed to help...

I thought that The Sandman Universe Presents Hellblazer was, except in a few places, a disappointing and mediocre comic book.  Thus, I only bought John Constantine: Hellblazer #1 because I usually buy the first issue of a Constantine comic book, but I did not expect much from it.  Surprise, surprise:  I am glad that I tried this new first issue.

In John Constantine: Hellblazer #1, Simon Spurrier's story recalls the classic, gritty, noir-ish, dark fantasy vibe of the original Hellblazer comic book.  It is as if Spurrier is doing his best Jamie Delano  impersonation.  This first issue is by no means perfect.  I am a little perplexed about the characters and the plot of “A Green and Pleasant Land,  Part One,” but I still am intrigued.

Artist Aaron Campbell is also doing his best John Ridgway impersonation in recalling the alluring, occult vibe of Ridgway's early art on the original Hellblazer.  Campbell's storytelling is gritty, scratchy, and looks like cinematography in post-World War II, American urban crime films.  Jordie Bellaire's coloring brings out the danger and the dangerous atmosphere in this story.  Letterer Aditya Bidikar changes the fonts in ways that convey the dark mode and darker moods of this tale.

So I intend to read more John Constantine: Hellblazer.  I have hopes – hopes that this new series can pick up where the original Hellblazer left off in 2013.

B+
7 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: MARAUDERS #1

MARAUDERS No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Gerry Duggan
ART: Matteo Lolli
COLORS: Federico Blee
LETTERS: VC's Cory Petit
EDITOR: Jordan D. White
EiC: Akria Yoshida a.k.a. “C.B. Cebuski”
COVER: Russell Dauterman with Matthew Wilson
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Mark Bagley and John Dell with Israel Silva; Aaron Kuder with Jordie Bellaire; Rick Leonardi with Richard Isanove; Tom Muller; Todd Nauck with Rachelle Rosenberg; Philip Tan with Jay David Ramos; Russell Dauterman with Federico Blee
44pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (December 2019)

Rated T+

The X-Men created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

“I'm on a Boat”

The X-Men are a Marvel Comics superhero team comprised of individuals with unique powers and abilities granted to them because they are “mutants.”  Created by editor-writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the X-Men debuted in the comic book, The X-Men #1 (cover dated: September 1963).

Over its six decades of existence, the X-Men comic book franchise has been revived, revamped, relaunched, and re-imagined.  The latest remodeling came via a pair of six-issue miniseries, House of X and Powers of X (pronounced “Powers of 10”), which were written by Jonathan Hickman.  Afterwards, October welcomed “Dawn of X,” the launch of six new X-Men titles, although all except one bore titles that had been previously used.  The new series are Excalibur, Fallen Angels, New Mutants, X-Force, X-Men, and the subject of this review, Marauders.

Marauders is written by Gerry Duggan; drawn by Matteo Lolli; colored by Federico Blee, and lettered by Cory Petit.  Previously, “the Marauders” was the name of a group of assassins employed by the X-Men's adversary, Mister Sinister (now an ally).  As a team, the Marauders' purpose was to assassinate other mutants and to act as a commando strike-force to carry out acts of mass murder.  The new Marauders have been formed to protect and help mutants around the world.

Marauders #1 (“I'm on a Boat”) opens in this glorious new dawn for “Mutantkind.”  Around the world, mutants are entering gateways that take them to Krakoa, the living island and mutant nation-state.  But not everyone can enter those gateways... for various reasons.  One of the most famous members of the X-Men, Katherine “Kate” Pryde (formerly known as “Kitty Pryde”), cannot pass through a Krakoan gateway; for her, it's like walking into a wall.

However, around the world, there are mutants living in countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Krakoa, nor do they recognize mutant sovereignty.  Countries like Russia and Taiwan use various means to block their mutant citizens' access to the gateways.  Aboard a specially-fitted sailing vessel funded by Emma Frost and the Hellfire Trading Company, Captain Kate Pryde leads fellow mutants:  Storm, Bishop, Iceman, and Pyro, with Lockheed the dragon, on a mission to sail the seas of the world in order to protect those most hated and feared!

I was not impressed by the first “Dawn of X” title, X-Men, but I like this second one.  It's not that writer Gerry Duggan offers an exceptional first-issue script; it is good enough.  It's that Marauders has a lot of potential to address current issues and geopolitical affairs using the X-Men as allegory or metaphor.  Also, a sailing vessel promises some quasi-pirate fun.

The illustrations by Matteo Lolli are nice, and his graphical storytelling is clean, if not dynamic.  Federico Blee's coloring seems a little too thick and has what looks like smearing in several places.  Cory Petit's lettering is good, but a bit tame for a concept that demands boldness.  Truthfully, Marauders #1 could be the start of something daring or it could be simply the first issue of just-another-X-Men comic book.  So far, I suspect that it will be the latter, which will probably be the case for most (if not all) the“Dawn of X” titles.

7 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and  syndication rights and fees.


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Review: JOOK JOINT #1

JOOK JOINT No. 1 (OF 5)
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Tee Franklin
ART: Alitha E. Martinez
COLORS: Shari Chankhamma
LETTERS: Taylor Esposito
EDITOR: Brenda Wright
COVER: Alitha E. Martinez with Shari Chankhamma.
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Mike Hawthorne with Jordie Bellaire
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2018)

Rated M/Mature

Jook Joint is a new comic book series from writer Tee Franklin (Bingo Love) and artist Alitha E. Martinez (Black Panther: World of Wakanda).  The series focuses on a voodoo priestess who is the proprietor of a strange music and social club that resides somewhere outside New Orleans.

Jook Joint #1 opens in the 1950s.  Everyone knows that the hottest spot in all of New Orleans is the Jook Joint, where the jazz is always popping and people keep on a-bobbing.  The women who work in the club are to die for... and men literally die if they don't follow the Jook Joint's only rule:  “Keep your hands to yourself.”  Of course, some men don't believe that rules apply to them, and that is when the Jook Joint's owner, Mahalia, and her coven get to enjoy themselves delivering punishment.

Joint Joint #1 is a timely publication in these times when women are pushing forward and coming out of the dark to tell the truth about the abuse, degradation, and violence that they have faced and continue to face at the hands of (mostly) men.  In an afterword at the end of this first issue, writer Tee Franklin talks about how Jook Joint emerged from her recovery and healing from the years of hurt and pain she experienced in numerous abusive relationships.  Text pieces in Jook Joint #1 offer three phone numbers and two website addresses where abused women and men can seek help after they experience domestic and sexual violence or if they are considering suicide.

Jook Joint #1 does not offer a story so much as it presents an introduction to the world of Mahalia and her Jook Joint.  It is an introduction that glorifies in revenge against and punishment of men who plot domestic and sexual violence against women and of men whose sense of entitlement will lead them to commit wanton acts of sexual violence.  I think the second issue of Jook Joint is where the story will really begin.

Artist Alitha E. Martinez, who was brilliant in Black Panther: World of Wakanda, offers powerful illustrations and graphics in service of this taste of honeyed revenge.  Colorist Shari Chankhamma's old-school, earthy hues recall classic horror comic book coloring, like that found in the Joe Orlando-edited DC Comics titles.

I'm not sure how to describe Taylor Esposito's lettering.  It is like a musical accompaniment, conveying the threats of abusive men while capturing the sly sultriness of the warnings given to those men.  Then, Esposito's lettering blasts out the avante-garde sounds of bloody punishment.

When I was a kid, a “jook joint” was a trashy club owned or frequented by Black folks, where a jukebox filled the club with music that was intermittently interrupted by gunfire.  Jook Joint the comic book ain't trashy, but there will be blood.

9 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: SHURI #1

SHURI No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Nnedi Okorafor
ART: Leonardo Romero
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: VC's Joe Sabino
EDITOR: Wil Moss
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida
COVER: Sam Spratt
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Travis Charest; Jamal Campbell; Skottie Young; John Tyler Christopher; Carlos Pacheco; Rafael Fonteriz with Laura Martin
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2018)

Rated “T”

Black Panther created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee; Shuri created by Reginald Hudlin and John Romita, Jr.; Dora Milaje created by Christopher Priest and Mark Texeira

“Gone”

Shuri is a Marvel Comics superhero character.  She was created by writer Reginald Hudlin and artist John Romita Jr. and first appeared in Black Panther (Vol. 4) #2 (cover dated:  May 2005).  Shuri is a princess of the (fictional) African kingdom of Wakanda and is the daughter of the late king, T'Chaka.  Shuri is best known as the sister of T'Challa, the king of Wakanda and the Black Panther.

Shuri has a genius level intellect which matches that of her brother, T’Challa, and she has also once replaced him in the role of the Black Panther.  Shuri gained additional fame when she appeared in Marvel Studio's record-setting film, Black Panther (2018), portrayed by actress, Letitia Wright.

Shuri now has her own comic book series in the obviously titled Shuri.  It is written by author Nnedi Okorafor; drawn by Leonardo Romero; colored by Jordie Bellaire; and lettered by Joe Sabino.

Shuri #1 (“Gone”) opens as Shuri directs the mission that will send Black Panther and the mutant, Manifold, into deep space on Wakanda's first human space mission (as seen in the current Black Panther series).  After a few weeks past with no contact from the mission, however, Shuri may find herself taking on an important mantle... again.

It is clear from the beginning that writer Nnedi Okorafor intends to establish Shuri as a both a personality and as a superhero outside of her relationship to T'Challa.  This book will be about Shuri's own identity, goals, motivations, desires, etc., and that is a good thing.  She is an interesting, indeed, even alluring character.

As for the art:  In Sam Spratt, Shuri has a cover artist with a bold, eye-catching style that captures the power and potential and regalia of an African woman who is full.  The interior artist and storyteller, Leonardo Romero, has become something of a Chris Samnee acolyte (if not clone).  Stylistically, Romero's illustrations here suggest a sense of wonder and discovery, as if Shuri was a child, seeing a world of possibility for the first time.  Thus, the storytelling seems a little disconcerting and disconnected to what I think Okorafor intends.

Jordie Bellaire's coloring goes right along with Romero's graphical angle.  Joe Sabino's lettering seems neutral, as if he focuses on merely efficiently finding place for the dialogue.  I am curious to see where Shuri is going, and while I have questions about this title's direction, I do recommend it to Black Panther fans.

7 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: HEX WIVES #1

HEX WIVES No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComics @vertigo_comics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Ben Blacker
ART: Mirka Andolfo
COLORS: Marissa Louise
LETTERS: Josh Reed
EDITOR: Molly Mahan
COVER: Joëlle Jones with Jordie Bellaire
VARIANT COVER: Jenny Frison
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2018)

“Suggested for Mature Readers”

“Bewildered and Bothered”

Hex Wives is a new comic book series published by DC Comics' Vertigo Comics imprint.  It is written by Ben Blacker; drawn by Mirka Andolfo; colored by Marissa Louise; and lettered by Josh Reed.  Hex Wives focuses on a centuries-old conflict between a coven of witches and its antagonists – an all-male cabal of witch-haters.

Hex Wives #1 (“Bewildered and Bothered”) introduces Isadora Roma.  She is the leader of a coven of perpetually reincarnating witches and is the coven's fiercest fighter.  Isadora and her lover, Nadiya Momo, are the thorns in the side of “The Architects,” the all-male conspiracy that has been trying to kill Isadora's and her coven since at least the 17th century.  Now, Aaron Gabriel, the new leader of these bitter men, believes that he has found a way to defeat the enemy that his father, his father's father, and their forefathers could not.

This is going to be a short review.  Hex Wives has potential.  I have a feeling that this first issue could be the preview of an interesting and unique comic book or the beginning of a comic book that pretends to be clever, but is really nothing special.  Believe me, I think this is an odd feeling to have about a comic book after reading a first issue, but...

I also want to point out that I like how Marissa Louise colors this story to give it a surreal atmosphere that is also filled with menace.  Letterer Josh Reed deftly juggles the text and dialogue-heavy script and makes everything easy to read.  So let's see where and how Hex Wives goes forward.

7 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Review: SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #1

SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN No. 1 (2019)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Christos Gage
PENCILS: Mike Hawthorne
INKS: Wade von Grawbadger
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
EDITOR: Nick Lowe
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida
COVER: Travis Charest
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Mike Hawthorne with Jordie Bellaire; Marko Djurdjević (Fantastic Four Villain Variant Cover);
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2019)

Rated  “T”

Spider-Man created by Steve Ditko and Stan Lee

The Superior Spider-Man was a  Marvel Comics superhero comic book series featuring an alternate version of Spider-Man.  Cover dated between January 2013 and June 2014, the series featured Otto Octavius a.k.a. Spider-Man villain “Doctor Octopus” in the role of Spider-Man.

The series returns as Superior Spider-Man.  It is written by Christos Gage; drawn by Mike Hawthorne (pencils) and Wade von Grawbadger (inks); colored by Jordie Bellaire; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.  Once again, Otto Octavius is in a new body and is a “superior” Spider-Man.

Superior Spider-Man #1 opens in San Francisco, the city that Otto Octavius-The Superior Spider-Man has chosen to protect and to improve.  After dealing (successfully) with Stilt-Man, Otto heads to Horizon University where he will adopt his identity as Professor Elliot Tolliver and deliver “a crucial, end-of-term lecture.”  Then, it is off to more villain fighting, but Otto/Elliot/Superior is about to discover that someone from his past has joined the faculty of Horizon.  That person is ready to reveal the true face of the Superior Spider-Man to the authorities.

I was cynical.  I was ready to hate Superior Spider-Man #1.  In fact, I only bought this comic book to give to a friend who reads any Spider-Man comic book put in front of him.  I am not over-awed by writer Christos Gage's script, but it is good.  I am not crazy about the art team of Make Hawthorne and Wade von Grawbadger, but the storytelling is good.  Jordie Bellaire delivers her usually solid colors, and Clayton Cowles delivers his solid lettering.

But there is something about this comic book that demands I read one or two more issues.  I enjoyed the first issue enough to maybe read more.  So I will say to you, dear reader, maybe you should try at least Superior Spider-Man #1.

6 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: BLACK PANTHER #1

BLACK PANTHER No. 1 (2018) (Legacy #173)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Ta-Nehisi Coates
ART: Daniel Acuna
COLORS: Daniel Acuna
LETTERS: VC's Joe Sabino
EDITOR: Wil Moss
COVER: Daniel Acuna (based on the work of Brian Stelfreeze)
VARIANT COVERS: Artgerm; Tom Beland with Jordie Bellaire; Jamal Campbell; Olivier Coipel; Jack Kirby; Michael Kelleher with Paul Mounts; Pepe Larraz with Marte Gracia; In-Hyuk Lee; Yasmine Putri
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (July 2018)

Black Panther created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

Rated “T”

“The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda” Book 1: “Many Thousands Gone”

Black Panther is a Marvel Comics superhero created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.  The character first appeared in Fantastic Four #52 (cover dated: July 1966).  Black Panther was T'Challa, the king and protector of the (fictional) African nation of Wakanda.  Black Panther was also the first Black superhero in mainstream American comic books.

Ta-Nehisi Coates is an African-American writer, journalist, and commentator.  Coastes is also a national correspondent for The Atlantic, where he writes about cultural, political, and social issues, particularly as they regard to Black people in America.  Coates' second book, Between the World and Me (released in July 2015), won the 2015 National Book Award for Nonfiction.  In 2015, he was the recipient of a “Genius Grant” from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Black Panther and Ta-Nehisi Coates (with artist and designer Brian Stelfreeze) came together two years ago in a relaunch of the Black Panther comic book series.  Now, Coates is taking Black Panther in a new direction again, “The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda,” and a fresh series start.  Coates writes this new Black Panther with Daniel Acuna as series artist and colorist and Joe Sabino as the letterer.

Black Panther #1 (Legacy #173) opens by recounting the story of how a detachment of Wakandans founded a “small, desolate colony on the outer edges of the cosmos,” two thousands years ago.  Eventually this colony became its own empire, an oppressive empire.  Now, a miner a.k.a. “Nameless,” a slave on the mining planet, “Gorée,” rises to lead a rebellion.  And a legend is reborn.

In previous reviews of Ta-Nehisi Coates Black Panther, I have favorably compared what Coates is doing with the character to what British comic book writer, Alan Moore, did on his legendary tenure on DC Comics' Swamp Thing.  I wrote that Moore created a personality for the title character and built a world of supporting characters, bit players, and an intriguing fictional mythology that allowed him to explore Swamp Thing's character and motivations.  I said that the result of Moore's efforts was once-in-a-generation comic book storytelling.

Coates has taken what Black Panther writers and artists did before him and is doing what Alan Moore did with Swamp Thing – create a fictional comic book world that is wealthy with possibilities and does not really need the main universe.  Coates' Black Panther is also once in a generation comic book storytelling.  Now, Coates is taking Black Panther to somewhere the character has never gone – as far as I know.  In the far reaches of outer space, Coates will prove whether or not he belongs in the upper echelons of comic book creators.  With Black Panther #1 2018, Coates offers intriguing possibilities via interesting characters and provocative concepts.

Daniel Acuna seems to be the perfect collaborator for this new Black Panther.  His art is at once classic comic book space opera in terms of compositions and colors.  However, he makes his space faring tale look different with striking character and costume design.  Acuna is also pushing himself up the latter of recognition as a comic book storyteller.

In an unobtrusive manner, letter Joe Sabino picks his spots to convey the drama and evoke emotions in this story.  In many ways, Sabino is the gatekeeper who lets us into this far-flung world of story.  He is part of creative team that seems destined to take Black Panther to infinity and beyond.

9 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Review: MYSTIK U #1

MYSTIK U No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Alisa Kwitney
ART: Mike Norton
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: Deron Bennett
COVER: Julian Totino Tedesco
48pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (January 2018)

Rated “T+” for “Teen Plus”

Zatanna created by Gardner Fox and Murphy Anderson

Zatanna Zatara is a DC Comics magic-based superhero.  The character was created by Gardner Fox and Murphy Anderson, and first appeared in Hawkman #4 (cover dated:  November 1964).  Zatanna is the daughter of Giovanni “John” Zatara, and like him, Zatanna is both a stage magician and an actual magician, and she is one of the most powerful magicians on Earth.  Zatanna controls her magic by speaking the words of her incantations spelled backwards, incantations that can alter reality.

Zatanna is the star of the new four-issue miniseries, Mystik U, which DC Comics is publishing on a bimonthly schedule.  The series is written by Alisa Kwitney; drawn by Mike Norton; colored by Jordie Bellaire; and lettered by Deron Bennett.  Mystik U follows a college age Zatanna who is enrolled in a college of magic and trying to learn which of her classmates is evil.

Mystik U #1 opens in a dark future, one which is ruled by an entity called the “Malevolence.”  A powerful magician believes that Zatanna can change this dark time, by being cast back in time.  Seven years earlier, a young Zatanna is a sheltered showbiz kid who suddenly experiences a shocking awakening of her powers.

That is why a friend, Dr. Rose Psychic, enrolls Zatana in Mystik University, a mysterious university that teaches its students how to master their unique brands of magic.  Zatanna finds herself drawn to four other students  There is Sebastian Faust, son of Felix Faust and a bitter rebel.  June Moone is a split personality also known as Enchantress.  Zatanna becomes close to the competitive premed student, Pia Morales (a new character).  Finally, there is the awkward prodigy, Sargon the Sorceror, who possesses a powerful gem and is much confused.  One of them is fated to betray the others and become a powerful force of evil, Malevolence.

I was cynical about Mystik U.  What little I read about it suggested that it was another lame attempt by DC Comics to get in on the Hogwarts-school-of-magic-band wagon that should have been theirs (Timothy Hunter, cough).  However, I was drawn to the striking cover art by Julian Totino Tedesco, so I picked up the first issue.

Boy, am I glad.  This is the kind of entertaining comic book that keeps me around DC Comics and Marvel even when I am ready to give up.  It is simply a joy to read, something fresh and not the usual superhero fight comic.  Writer Alisa Kwitney has fashioned a mysterious and intriguing school in Mystik University that has a dark-ish atmosphere, one that reminds me of Archie Comics' brilliant Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, in part because of Jordie Bellaire's sterling colors.  The characters are coming along, although they seem a bit unformed in this first issue.

Mike Norton offers art that is calm and a little stylish, but Norton emphasizes storytelling.  The setting, the characters, and the mood and atmosphere are all strong, and Norton creates for Mystik University, wonderfully varied interiors and exteriors.  He makes the school someplace the readers would like to visit (but maybe not to live), and Deron Bennett's lettering pops up like welcome signs to the story.  Norton makes the school feel like a real place of magic, and yes, crazy stuff happens there.

I heartily recommend Mystik U to readers of DC Comics' magic-based world and titles.  I eagerly await the next issue and incantation.

9 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.

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

Review: DARTH MAUL #1

DARTH MAUL No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Cullen Bunn
ART: Luke Ross
COLORS: Nolan Woodard
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Rod Reis
VARIANT COVERS: Rafael Albuquerque; Mark Brooks; John Tyler Christopher; Terry Dodson; Rod Reis; Michael Turner; Ashley Witter
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (April 2017)

Rated “T”

Book 1, Part 1

Since he first appeared in the film Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999), Darth Maul has been a favorite character of Star Wars fans.  Maul is a Sith Lord, an apprentice to Darth Sidious, and is seemingly killed in his film debut.  With striking facial tattoos, vestigial horns, and a double-bladed lightsaber, however, Maul proved too popular to stay dead.  The character returned in the canonical Star Wars animated series, “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and “Star Wars Rebels.”

Now, Darth Maul gets his first Star Wars comic book from Marvel Comics.  [There were Darth Maul comic books from Dark Horse Comics, the previous license holder of Star Wars comic books].  Entitled, Darth Maul, this five-issue miniseries is written by Cullen Bunn; drawn by Luke Ross; colored by Nolan Woodard; and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

Darth Maul #1 opens before the events depicted in The Phantom Menace.  The Sith Lord, Sidious, is not ready to reveal himself to his enemy, the Jedi.  However, his apprentice, Darth Maul, grows restless, and finds that hunting some of the galaxy's most dangerous creatures does not satisfy his blood lust.  Now, Sidious sends Maul on a mission that will unexpectedly yield just the kind of hunting that Maul really wants to undertake.

It is easy for me to be cynical every time Marvel Comics announces another Star Wars comic book, but I know I am going to read at least the first issue of each new series, and likely read miniseries in their entirety.  Sometimes, I am genuinely happy with what I read, which is the case with Darth Maul.

Writer Cullen Bunn completely sells the idea that Maul so chafes under Sidious that he would willingly tempt fate and go against his master's wishes just to feed his blood lust.  It is a side of Maul that writers of Star Wars animated television series and novels have either hinted at or fully depicted.  With his Darth Maul comic book, it seems that Bunn is going to use this to full effect, and he may actually take the character places others have not.

The art team of Luke Ross and Nolan Woodard are producing a visual and graphical style that is unlike other Star Wars comic books.  I don't know if Woodard is coloring the art directly from Ross' pencils, but the effect is striking – bold, rich colors over moody compositions.  I recommend.

[This issue includes the bonus story, “Probe Droid Problem” by Chris Eliopoulos and Jordie Bellaire.]

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: HAWKEYE #1

HAWKEYE No. 1 (2017)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Kelly Thompson
ART: Leonardo Romero
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: VC's Joe Sabino
COVER: Julian Totino Tedesco
VARIANT COVERS: Marco Rudy; Marguerite Sauvage; Mike McKone with Chris Sotomayor; Leonardo Romero; David Aja
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2017)

Rated “T+”

Hawkeye/Clint Barton is a Marvel Comics superhero.  The character was created by Stan Lee and artist Don Heck and first appeared as a villain in Tales of Suspense #57 (cover dated: September 1964).  He later became a superhero and joined the Avengers in The Avengers #16 (cover dated:  May 1965), becoming one of the most prominent members of the team.

The latest character to wear the Hawkeye moniker is Katherine “Kate” Bishop.  This female Hawkeye first appeared in Young Avengers #1 (cover dated:  April, 2005) and was created by writer Allan Heinberg and artist Jim Cheung.  Kate headlines the new comic book, Hawkeye, that is part of Marvel Comics' new publishing initiative/event, NOW!  This new series is written by Kelly Thompson; drawn by Leonardo Romero; colored by Jordie Bellaire; and lettered by Joe Sabino.

Hawkeye #1 finds Kate Bishop trying to set up a private investigation service in Venice Beach, California.  So far, however, “Hawkeye Investigations” is simply attracting people with a grudge against the original Hawkeye, Clint Barton.  Then, a college student named Mikka comes to Kate for help with an Internet bully...

I was reluctant to read this new Hawkeye comic book.  Honestly, I have never been that interested in the character.  However, I found myself really enjoying Hawkeye #1.  It is like a blend of writer Matt Fraction and artist David Aja's Hawkeye comic book that was launched in 2012 and also DC Comics' Batgirl under the guidance of the creative team of Cameron Stewart, Brenden Fletcher and Babs Tarr (which began in 2014).

Artist Leonardo Romero's compositions and colorist Jordie Bellaire's hues recall David Aja's Hawkeye art and storytelling.  Kelly Thompson's script captures Batgirl's vibe and storytelling style, focusing on the adventures of a young woman who moves into a diverse neighborhood.  Here, the young woman, in this case, Kate, finds offbeat superheroing in Venice Beach.

In comic books featuring female superheroes, I like offbeat and urban.  I'm sure after a few more issues, I'll be seriously recommending this series, if the later issues are like this fresh first issue.

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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Review: GENERATIONS: The Unworthy Thor & The Mighty Thor #1

GENERATIONS: THE UNWORTHY THOR & THE MIGHTY THOR No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Jason Aaron
ARTIST: Mahmud Asrar
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: VC's Joe Sabino
COVER: Mahmud Asrar with Jordie Bellaire
VARIANT COVERS: Olivier Coipel with Jason Keith; Das Pastoras; Alex Ross; Jack Kirby with Paul Mounts; Dale Keown with Jason Keith
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (October 2017)

Rated T+

Thor created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Jack Kirby

“The Thunder”

Generations is Marvel Comics' current event miniseries.  It is a planned 10-issue anthology, published weekly.  Each issue is written and drawn by a different creative team, and each issue will feature a different team-up of a classic Marvel superhero with his or her modern-day counterpart.  The series is meant to unite the legacy of classic Marvel Comics characters with the next generation of heroes as both move into the future of Marvel Comics storytelling.

The fourth issue is Generations: The Unworthy Thor & The Mighty Thor, which brings together two versions of a classic Marvel Comics character, Thor.  The first is the classic Odinson, Thor, first introduced in Journey into Mystery #83 (cover date:  August 1962), and is now known as “The Unworthy Thor.”  The second is the new Thor, Jane Foster.  Once she was the love interest of Dr. Donald Blake (who was once Thor... so to speak).  Now, Foster is known as “The Mighty Thor.”  This issue of Generations is written by Jason Aaron; drawn by Mahmud Asrar; colored by Jordie Bellaire; and lettered by Joe Sabino.

Generations: The Unworthy Thor & The Mighty Thor #1 (“The Thunder”) opens “many years ago” in the “Weapons Hall” of Asgard, the home of the Norse god, Odin, and his subjects, the Asgardians.  Odin's son is trying to lift the enchanted hammer, “Mjolnir.”  Thor is rebuked by his father for his efforts, and is commanded to take on his princely duties.  The son of Odin, however, cannot resist the call/prayers of his followers on Midgard (Earth).  Before long he is leading them into battle against a familiar supervillain and is also facing a rival for Mjolnir.

The purpose of Generations: Banner Hulk & Totally Awesome Hulk #1 was for Bruce Banner to tell the Totally Awesome Hulk/Amadeus Cho that he would not be able to escape all the tragic aspects of the curse of the Hulk.  Generations: Phoenix & Jean Grey found two women reluctant and/or incapable of telling each other everything they knew about the curse of The Phoenix

Generations: Wolverine & All-New Wolverine #1 is mainly just a slice-and-dice Wolverine adventure featuring the classic Wolverine and the All-New Wolverine – a well-executed Wolverine slice-and-dice story.  Like the Wolverine tale, Generations: The Unworthy Thor & The Mighty Thor #1 is merely a Thor fight comic book featuring two Thors.  It is pointless.  If writer Jason Aaron wanted to emphasize that two beings want possession of Mjolnir and want to be THE Thor, well, he is already doing that in the current Thor comic book.

With Generations, Marvel Comics runs the risk of publishing several issues of an event comic book that read like nothing more than, at behest, mediocre, “Annuals,” published for the sake of being published, or, at worst, filler material.  Once upon a time, there were a lot of comic book writers who could pull off an exemplary stand-alone tale in 30 pages.  Alan Moore springs to mind, but many of the top comics scribes of the 1960s and 1970s could have delivered something better than what Aaron delivers in Generations: The Unworthy Thor & The Mighty Thor #1.

Now, I must say that the art here is beautiful.  It is the best work by Mahmud Asrar that I have ever seen.  He is a rapidly growing talent, and here, he gives the hackwork story TLC that it does not deserve.  Jordie Bellaire does a stellar coloring job on Asrar's compositions.  Leave it to Jordie; she'll color the shittiness right of a mediocre comic book, and she just about does that here.  Asrar and Bellaire are the reasons I am not giving Generations: The Unworthy Thor & The Mighty Thor #1 a really low grade.

B
6 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: GENERATIONS: Wolverine & All-New Wolverine #1

GENERATIONS: WOLVERINE & ALL-NEW WOLVERINE No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Tom Taylor
ARTIST: Ramon Rosanas
COLORS: Nolan Woodward
LETTERS: VC's Cory Petit
COVER: Jorge Molina
VARIANT COVERS: Declan Shalvey with Jordie Bellaire; Olivier Coipel
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (October 2017)

Rated T+

Wolverine created by Len Wein and John Romita, Sr.

“The Best”

Generations is the currently ongoing 10-issue anthology, weekly comic book series published by Marvel Comics.  Each issue is written and drawn by a different creative team, and each issue will feature a different team-up of a classic Marvel superhero with his or her modern-day counterpart.  The series is meant to unite the legacy of classic Marvel Comics characters with the next generation of heroes as both move into the future of Marvel Comics storytelling.

The third issue is Generations: Wolverine & All-New Wolverine, which brings together the classic Wolverine/Logan of X-Men fame and his clone-daughter, the All-New Wolverine, Laura Kinney.  This comic book is written by Tom Taylor; drawn by Ramon Rosanas; colored by Nolan Woodard; and lettered by Cory Petit.

Generations: Wolverine & All-New Wolverine #1 (“The Best”) opens in Tokyo, Japan. Wolverine is cutting his way through a horde of The Hand's zombie ninja.  They stand between him and his kidnapped daughter, Akiko.  There is a problem, however; Wolverine is about to lose and die.  Suddenly, in steps a young woman, unknown to Wolverine, but wearing familiar clothes and also bearing metal claws.  This Wolverine-like young woman is different, but like Logan, she is the best at what she does.  Two Wolverines will need to be the best if they are to survive an old enemy.

The purpose of Generations: Banner Hulk & Totally Awesome Hulk #1 was for Bruce Banner to tell the Totally Awesome Hulk/Amadeus Cho that he would not be able to escape all the tragic aspects of the curse of the Hulk.  Generations: Phoenix & Jean Grey found two women reluctant and/or incapable of telling each other everything they knew about the curse of The Phoenix

Generations: Wolverine & All-New Wolverine #1 is mainly just a slice-and-dice Wolverine adventure featuring the classic Wolverine and the All-New Wolverine.  It is, however, a well-executed Wolverine slice-and-dice story via the efforts of writer Tom Taylor and artist Ramos Rosanas.  The only creators who could have done better than Taylor-Rosanas are some combination of Frank Miller, Klaus Janson, and David Mazzuchelli; the team of Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr.; and finally Barry Windsor-Smith by himself.

I could have done without the mushy stuff at the end.  Part of me wants Marvel to let Wolverine be Wolverine.  That would be the stone cold killer of the early “new” X-Men of the mid-1970s, and not the Logan softened from being part of the X-Men family and by the tragedy of Jean Grey/The Phoenix.  That said, I like this action-packed, violent fight comic and its surprising guest appearance.

A-
7.5 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.

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

Review: SHIPWRECK #1

SHIPWRECK No. 1 (OF 6)
AFTERSHOCK COMICS – @AfterShockComix

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Warren Ellis
PENCILS: Phil Hester
INKS: Eric Gapstur
COLORS: Mark Englert
LETTERS: Marshall Dillon
COVER: Phil Hester with Mark Englert
VARIANT COVERS: John McCrea; Phil Hester with Mark Englert; Declan Shalvey with Jordie Bellaire; Elizabeth Torque
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2016)

For mature readers

Shipwreck created by Warren Ellis

Chapter 1: “Argur”

Shipwreck is a new comic book series created by Warren Ellis (Transmetropolitan, Injection).  Published by AfterShock, this six issue miniseries is written by Ellis; drawn by Phil Hester (pencils) and Eric Gapstur (inks); colored by Mark Englert; and lettered by Marshall Dillon.  Shipwreck focuses on the sole survivor of a very unusual and very secret shipwreck.

Shipwreck #1 (“Augur”) introduces Dr. Jonathan Shipwright, who might be dead or dreaming or on a mission.  He awakens on a rocky plain and makes his way to a decrepit diner where he meets an “Inspector.”  The man has lots to say, including that Shipwright's shipwreck involved a boat voyaging from another planet... wrecked by a saboteur... whom Shipwright must find.

Over the last few years of reading several #1 issues of comic books written by Warren Ellis, I have often found myself intrigued and sometimes bored.  I was intrigued by Injection (Image Comics), which paid off in a fantastic comic book.  I thought the first issue of Ellis' recent Moon Knight comic book for Marvel was dull, but that turned out to be a gem of a six-issue miniseries.

You know, in the past, I have earned ire for suggesting that many comics, including some written by Warren Ellis, would not be published if they were the creation of little-known or previously unpublished comic book creators.  The truth of the matter is that over the last few decades some comic book writers have built enough of a following or written enough popular comic books that practically any vanity project they propose finds a publisher among the independents, such as Image Comics and, now, apparently AfterShock Comics.

I don't know what the fuck is going on with Shipwreck.  It might turn out to be a fantastic read in collected form, but as a first issue, it's...  I don't know what to call it because there isn't enough to declare it good or bad.  It simply is, meaning it's there for you to read.  I can't even say I'm intrigued.  Oh, well.  Whatever.  Nevermind.  Maybe, it's just me.

Okay, I get.  That's how things work.  I'm sure AfterShock was quite excited to get something from Warren Ellis.  They were certainly more excited than Guy Ritchie was.  Even the art for Shipwreck leaves a lot to desire, although the cover is quite nice.

You know, I'm trudging through Joe Hill's recent novel, The Fireman.  It is clearly the work of a famous author's son, meaning that the book's publisher, William Morrow, would not publish this book if it had been written by an unpublished author, especially if he or she were not seeded from a famous author's balls.  Yeah, Joe Hill is Joesph Hillstrom King, one of Stephen King's progeny.

I am certain that neither AfterShock nor any other major independent publisher would publish Shipwreck if it were produced by an African-American author or by a Latino not named Los Bros.  Hell, I don't think the indies were knocking themselves out to publish original or creator-owned works by the late Dwayne McDuffie.  But this...

Oh, well... on to the next creation of White privilege.  I don't know what I expected from Shipwreck #1, but yeah, I am surprised that this is the reaction I got from it.

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 or syndication rights and fees.

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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: ALL-STAR BATMAN #5

ALL STAR BATMAN No. 5
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Scott Snyder
PENCILS: John Romita, Jr.
INKS: Danny Miki, Tom Palmer, Sandra Hope, and Richard Friend
COLORS: Dean White
LETTERS: Steve Wands
COVER: John Romita, Jr. and Danny Miki with Dean White
VARIANT COVERS: Jock; Declan Shalvey with Jordie Bellaire
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (February 2017)

Rated “T” for Teen

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

“My Own Worst Enemy” Finale

All-Star Batman is the recently launched Batman comic book that is written by superstar writer Scott Snyder and drawn by superstar artists and hot up-and-coming comic book-drawing talent.  The first story arc, the five-issue “My Own Worst Enemy,” is drawn by John Romita, Jr. (pencils) and Danny Miki (inks); colored by Dean White; and lettered by Steve Wands.

In “My Own Worst Enemy,” Batman and Harvey Dent/Two-Face are on a 498-mile journey to a house, where young Bruce Wayne and young Harvey Dent lived together as almost-brothers for a short while.  Now, Dent wants to go back to that house to find something that will be life-changing for him.  As a threat to keep Batman from interfering, Two-Face has promised to publicly reveal the dark secrets of Gotham's criminal overlords.  Now, Batman and Harvey Dent/Two-Face, with Batman's new partner, Duke, in tow, fight to reach their destination with some of Gotham's most lethal killers on their heels.

All-Star Batman #5 (“My Own Worst Enemy” Finale) opens with Batman and Two-Face practically at the last miles of their destination.  However, Batman is battered and the KGBeast wants to batter him some more, forcing Batman to protect both his and Duke's lives, as well as the life of Two-Face.  Now, Batman must outwit his pursuers and Two-Face, while back in Gotham, Commissioner Jim Gordon and the Gotham City Police Department are just feet away from discovering the secrets of the Batcave.

While I did not always like every issue of Scott Snyder's 2011 to 2016 run on Batman, I do believe that his off-beat storytelling did serve to liberate Batman the character from a 25-year malaise.  This rut resulted because practically every DC Comics editor and most Batman writers chose to follow the tone of Frank Miller's seminal Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.

Snyder made the Dark Knight/Detective less Batman-as-Clint Eastwood and more Batman-as-Bruce Wayne-on-a-mission.  Snyder returned the man to Batman, showing the humanity in the hero.  Snyder carried that over into All-Star Batman, where Snyder depicts a Bat-Man in stories that are action-thrillers.  All-Star Batman's tone and graphic aesthetic is almost like the “wide screen” action of Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch's The Authority from the 1999-2000.  However, in All-Star Batman, Snyder cops the edgy, speedy, thrill-ride, action movie aspect of Chris Nolan's “The Dark Knight” trilogy, especially 2008's The Dark Knight.

Of course, Snyder needs a graphical storyteller and comic book artist that can pull that off.  John Romita, Jr. does big.  He does edgy.  He does kick-ass.  Here, Romita is cinematographer, designer, art director/set decorator, and stage director.  Danny Miki's electric inking adds the zing.  And yeah, Dean White is still smashing booty with his coloring.  Even Steve Wands' lettering is explosive.

A

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


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

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Review: ALL-STAR BATMAN #2

ALL STAR BATMAN No. 2
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Scott Snyder
PENCILS: John Romita, Jr.; Declan Shalvey
INKS: Danny Miki; Declan Shalvey
COLORS: Dean White; Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: Steve Wands
COVER: John Romita, Jr. and Danny Miki with Dean White
VARIANT COVER: John Romita, Jr. and Danny Miki with Dean White; Jock; Declan Shalvey with Jordie Bellaire
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (November 2016)

Rated “T” for Teen

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

“My Own Worst Enemy” Part 2

In my review of the first issue of All Star Batman, I wrote that I found Scott Snyder's run on Batman to be inconsistent, mostly because the story arcs were too long, with some issues within each arc reading like story padding.  Still, Snyder was wildly inventive in his run on Batman; often it seemed as if he were finding ways to advance Batman, a character that was moribund.  For 25 years, most writers of Batman comic books were merely wiping up the vestiges of Frank Miller's bomb, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.

So here comes the new Batman comic book, All Star Batman.  It is written by Scott Snyder and is currently drawn by John Romita, Jr. (pencils) and Danny Miki (inks); colored by Dean White; and lettered by Steve Wands.  And it is looking like it could be Snyder's best Batman work.

All-Star Batman #2 (“My Own Worst Enemy” Part 2) opens with Jim Gordon and Detective Harvey Bullock about to embark on the raid of a home, an event that will seemingly change their lives as much as it will the owner of the house.  Two days before that raid, Batman and Two-Face/Harvey Dent continue their journey that Two-Face does not want to continue.  A who's who of Gotham's worst criminals and the roster of Batman's rogue's gallery are trying to help Two-Face get his cessation.  Back in Gotham, a trio is going to make a really dangerous decision to “help” Two-Face.  They are going to call on the services of a killer who is an absolute beast.

After reading the first two issues of All Star Batman, I've started to do the dangerous thing and think too much.  I'm thinking that Snyder seems in full bloom writing this series.  It is as if All Star Batman frees him of the expectations, history, and continuity of the flagship Bat-title, Batman.  With this new title, Snyder can do what he wants, and since this is a showcase for the superstars and the up-and-comers, perhaps, editorial will let Snyder run wild.

The result is a Batman comic book that is simply fun to read.  It is action-packed and kick-ass.  The villains are larger than their ordinary fictional lives.  Batman is a Dark Knight, but rather than rehash Frank Miller's Clint Eastwood-Dirty Harry'ish Batman, Snyder offers a Batman with a sly wit that can cut to the bone quicker than his gauntlets and boots can break bones.  This is the Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Steph Curry Batman – the All Star Batman.  And, hey, we love to pay for all-stars, so this is the Batman comic book you should be reading.

Of course, it is good that there is an all-star art team to bring Snyder's writing to graphical story slash comic book life.  In fact, John Romita, Jr. seems to have gained new life since he moved from Marvel Comics to DC Comics.  Romita is doing his best work since Kick-Ass (with writer Mark Millar), and he is drawing with a lust for life and Miki is inking him with gusto.  Then, White is coloring the fuck out of this comic book.  With this art team, Snyder can't let up.

The back up story, “The Cursed Wheel” continues.  Written by Snyder and drawn by Declan Shalvey.  It is edgy where “My Own Worst Enemy” is big and spectacular, but this second story is holding its own and has a killer cliffhanger.

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: THE PUNISHER #1

THE PUNISHER (2016) No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Becky Cloonan
ART: Steve Dillon
COLORS: Frank Martin
LETTERS: VC's Cory Petit
COVER: Declan Shalvey with Jordie Bellaire
VARIANT COVERS: Alex Maleev; Tim Bradstreet; John Cassaday; John Tyler Christopher; Francesco Mattina; Todd Nauck with Rachelle Rosenberg; Phil Noto; Chris Samnee with Matthew Wilson; Christopher Stevens with Frank Martin; Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2016)

Parental Advisory – Not for Kids

The Punisher is a Marvel Comics vigilante and antihero.  The Punisher was created by writer Gerry Conway and artist John Romita, Sr. and made his first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 (cover-dated: February 1974).  The Punisher is Frank Castle, a man whose wife and children were killed during a mob shootout in New York City's Central Park.  That tragedy was the impetus for Castle's one-man war on crime, especially against organized criminals like the mob, street gangs, drug dealers, etc.

Over the last 30 years, Marvel has published numerous ongoing comic book series and miniseries starring The Punisher and even a few variations on the character.  Now, there is the launch of a new ongoing comic book series.  The Punisher is written by Becky Cloonan; drawn by Steve Dillon; colored by Frank Martin; and lettered by Cory Petit.

The Punisher #1 opens in the Brooklyn warehouse district.  There, the organization, Condor, prepares a major push for its news narcotic product, “EMC.”  However, in a nearby warehouse, the D.E.A. (Drug Enforcement Agency) watches and prepares for an early morning take down of Condor's operations.  Meanwhile, The Punisher plans to strike first.

After John Romita, who designed the character, of course, I consider Mike Zeck and Steve Dillon to be the iconic Punisher comic book artists.  I am reading this new Punisher comic book because Steve Dillon is drawing it.  His interpretation of The Punisher always came across to me as a rock-solid, relentless, machine-monster with some hellbent programming that directs him to kill mobsters and criminal scum wherever they are.

However, there is something else about this new series that intrigues me.  Becky Cloonan is writing The Punisher, and she may be the first woman to write an ongoing Punisher comic book.  I am curious to see where Cloonan takes this series, especially as she offers at least three supporting characters with the potential to capture her readers' imaginations.

So I'm down to give this fresh start of The Punisher a chance.  It could be the best Punisher in a long time.

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 or syndication rights and fees.

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