Review: ALL-STAR BATMAN #1

ALL-STAR BATMAN No. 1
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. (October 2016)

Rated “T” for Teen

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

“My Own Worst Enemy” Part 1

When I first read The New 52 Batman #1, which was written by Scott Snyder, I found it enjoyable, but I did not think of it as a comic book that I had to follow every month.  I actually preferred The New 52 version of Detective Comics, written and drawn by Tony S. Daniels.  Daniels' run on Detective Comics was over in about a year, while the Snyder-written and Greg Capullo-drawn Batman became a bestselling, critically-acclaimed hit.

I returned to Snyder-Capullo Batman for the start of the “Zero Year” story line (Batman #21).  It started off brilliantly, with at least three superb issues, but “Zero Year” came to define everything that was bloated about the second half of Snyder's run as writer on the Batman flagship comic book.  The story arcs were too long, and while each arc had at least one fantastic issue, many of the other issues were story line padding or read like filler material.

Now, here comes DC Comics' latest publishing event/initiative, “Rebirth,” and with it comes a new Batman comic book, All Star Batman.  This series will be written by Scott Snyder and drawn by “superstar” artists and hot up-and-comers.  The first story arc is drawn by John Romita, Jr. (pencils) and Danny Miki (inks); colored by Dean White; and lettered by Steve Wands.

All-Star Batman #1 (“My Own Worst Enemy” Part 1) opens at Auggie Mac's Diner, somewhere in the Midwest.  The bustling restaurant's routine of serving comfort food to regular Joes and Janes is interrupted by a pitched battle between Batman and the team of Firefly and Killer Moth.  Why are they fighting, other than the fact that they are hero vs. arch-enemies?  Well, it involves Two-Face, and Batman may find that no one is on his side this time.

So count this as one of those fantastic first issues of a Batman story arc that Scott Snyder does so well.  Hell, if you are just looking for a darn good read and don't mind that it ends on a to-be-continued, you could not go wrong with All Star Batman #1.  Romita, Jr. and Miki make a dynamite art team, and Dean White's rich hues are eye-candy colors.  I have flipped through this book several times over the past few days; graphically, it is that pretty.

All Star Batman #1 includes a second story, written by Snyder and drawn by Declan Shalvey.  It has an intriguing premise, although it is not hell-bent action as the lead feature.  Still, it adds to my excitement about All Star Batman.  Hopefully, this opening arc does not start to feel like it is running too long and is bloated.  But really, what is going to change?  Thus far, Snyder has gotten nothing but encouragement from readers, the fan press, and the powers-that-be at DC Comics, so why should he change what he is doing?  This is not necessarily a rhetorical question.

A

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


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

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

Review: FUTURE QUEST #1

FUTURE QUEST No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

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

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Part One: “Lights in the Sky”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A

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


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

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

Review: INJECTION Volume 1

INJECTION, VOL. 1
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Warren Ellis
ARTIST: Declan Shalvey
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: Fonografiks
ISBN: 978-1-63215-479-8; paperback (October 2015)
120pp, Color, $9.99 U.S.

Rated M/Mature

Injection is a currently ongoing comic book series published by Image Comics.  Injection is created by writer Warren Ellis and artist Declan Shalvey; the book is colored by Jordie Bellaire.  Ellis, Shalvey, and Bellaire were the creative team behind Marvel Comics' 2014 relaunch of its Moon Knight comic book, producing the first six issues.  According to publicity material for this series, Injection is a “serialized sequence of graphic novels,”  and focuses on five people who have to save the world from being too weird to support human life, a situation they apparently created.

Injection, Volume 1 opens at Sawling Hospital.  There, we meet Professor Maria Kilbride, who is being castigated by a stern older woman.  Through a flashback, we learn that Kilbride was part of something called the “Cultural Cross-Contamination Unit.”  Her colleagues were Robin Morel, a “Cunning Man” (old-timey Brit shaman) and esotericist; Simeon Winters, a British spy and strategist with MI6; Vivek Headland, a logician and ethicist; and Brigid Roth, a programmer, coder, and all-around computer chick.  How did these five individuals poison the 21st Century?  They created “Injection,” and then, they went and injected it.

At a slim 20 pages, Injection #1 was all about set-up and vague introductions.  Still, I found it intriguing, because every first issue of a Warren Ellis comic book intrigues me, even if, in the long run, the series does not pan out to the deliciousness promised by the first issue.  That rarely happens.  In the case of Moon Knight: From the Dead, the Ellis-Shalvey-Bellaire intro arc of Moon Knight, the first issue was average, but the rest of the series took off from there

Injection does not quite explode from the first issue's intriguing premise.  Rather, each issue is intriguing in its own way; put the first five issues together and you get a fabulous first act/graphic novel.  Are there people that you just like to here talk, dear reader?  Well, Injection is that comic book that you just want to sit down and read as long as you can stand it.

In a way, Injection, which touches upon multiple genres, from science fiction and techno-thriller to weird fiction and horror, is kind of like a superhero comic book.  Instead of punches, conflicts are engaged and resolved via a battle between what is known and what needs to be known.  Knowledge will save the day, and even Kilbride and her smartest guys in the room need to either recover knowledge they already have or learn something new.  That's a punch to the status quo of heroic comics – a blow mainstream American comic books need.

So yes, I am highly recommending Injection.  It's the shot in the arm your reading list needs

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 or syndication rights and fees.

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

Review: Star Wars: POE DAMERON #1

POE DAMERON No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

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

WRITER: Charles Soule; Chris Eliopoulos
ART: Phil Noto; Chris Eliopoulos
COLORS: Phil Noto; Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna; Chris Eliopoulos
COVER: Phil Noto
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (June 2016)

Rated “T”

Book I: Black Squadron, Part I

We first met X-wing fighter jockey Poe Dameron, in the recent film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.  Now, Poe returns in the new comic book miniseries, Poe Dameron.  It is written by Charles Soule; drawn and colored by Phil Noto; and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

Poe Dameron #1 (“Black Squadron,” Part I) opens 30 years after the Rebel Alliance defeated the Galactic Empire (as seen in Return of the Jedi), which was replaced by the New Republic.  However, a new military force, the First Order, is plotting to overthrow the New Republic.  To face this new threat, General Leia Organa founded the Resistance.

The First Order is also looking for Leia's brother, Luke Skywalker.  Now, General Organa has tasked the galaxy's best pilot, Poe Dameron, to find Lor San Tekka, an explorer who investigates Jedi ruins.  Tekka may know where Luke is, but finding him will put Poe and his droid, BB-8, in a place that is both strange and dangerous.

Marvel Comics is publishing about four to five Star Wars comic books every month, and for the most part, much of that output is high-quality.  I was excited to learn that Marvel would be publishing a comic book focusing on Poe Dameron, who is one of the characters of which I want to see more in future Star Wars films.  I am expecting a lot from this comic book because I hope that Charles Soule can deliver the same excitement and thrills he did in last year's five-issue miniseries, Lando, which depicted a tale of Lando Calrissian before he was a mining mogul.

Well, the first issue certainly delivers on action and intrigue.  I have to be honest:  one of the reasons I like this comic book is that it connects to The Force Awakens, taking place just before the events depicted in the film.  Soule fleshes out more of Poe's personality, and he also expands into the unknown that surrounds the world of The Force Awakens.  And I have to give artist Phil Noto credit; he has a photo-realistic touch when it comes to drawing Poe.  Here, Poe the comic book character strong resembles Oscar Isaac, the actor who portrays Poe in The Force Awakens.

As a bonus, there is an eight-page backup story starring BB-8, written and drawn by the underrated cartoonist Chris Eliopoulos, who is known for his work as a comic book letterer.  I loves me some BB-8, and I like what Eliopoulos does with the character.  Encore!

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: PLUTONA #1

PLUTONA No. 1
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Emi Lenox and Jeff Lemire
SCRIPT: Jeff Lemire
ARTIST: Emi Lenox
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: Steve Wands
28pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (September 2015)

Rated M / Mature

Plutona is a new superhero comic book series from Jeff Lemire (Descender) and newcomer Emi Lenox.  The series focuses on five suburban kids who make a shocking discovery in the nearby woods, the body of the world's greatest superhero.

Plutona #1 opens in a suburb of Metro City, a pastoral-like setting where the central characters live.  First, there is Teddy; he engages in an activity called “capespotting,” which involves watching the skies over Metro City and cataloging any superhero sightings.  Ray is his neighbor, who teases Teddy relentlessly, calling his “Teddy Tugger.”

Diane (called “Chubbs” by Ray) is a portly teen girl who likes to accessorize her clothes in order to make her fashion statements.  Mie is a teen girl whose fashion sense is grunge or some kind of post-grunge, and she hates being stuck taking care of her younger brother, Mike.  One afternoon, these five youngster make a startling discovery.

Image Comics describes Plutona as “heartfelt.”  Jeff Lemire and Emi Lenox share the “story” credit for this series, and the combination of Lemire's script and Lenox's art seem inseparable, which intensifies the emotional resonance.  Plutona does seem heartfelt, but I would prefer to describe it as engaging.  There was not a moment during my reading of this first issue when I did not want to read it.  Actually, I wanted much more Plutona.

In fact, the series does give more.  Plutona #1 ends with a four-page story written and drawn by Lemire that focuses on Plutona.  By day, she is a waitress at “Double Dipper Diner,” and by night, this single mom of a young daughter heeds the call to protect Metro City.  Wow, Plutona would make an interesting superhero comic book outside of this comic book.

I have to say that I felt more engaged and much more connected to Plutona #1 than I did to Descender #1, Jeff Lemire's Image Comic series (co-created by Dustin Nguyen) that was launched earlier this year.  I could not get myself to be interested in Descender past the first issue, but I can hardly wait for the second issue of Plutona.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Review: INJECTION #1

INJECTION #1
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review originally appeared on Patreon.]

WRITER: Warren Ellis
ARTIST: Declan Shalvey
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: Fonografiks
20pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (May 2015)

Injection is a new comic book series published by Image Comics.  Injection is created by writer Warren Ellis and artist Declan Shalvey; the book is colored by Jordie Bellaire.  Ellis, Shalvey, and Bellaire were the creative team behind Marvel Comics' 2014 relaunch of its Moon Knight comic book, producing the first six issues.  According to publicity material for this series, Injection is apparently about five people who have to save the world from being too weird to support human life, a situation they apparently created.

Injection #1 opens at Sawling Hospital.  There, we meet Professor Maria Kilbride, who is being castigated by a stern older woman.  Through a flashback, we learn that Kilbride was part of something called the “Cultural Cross-Contamination Unit.”  We meet Kilbride's colleagues:  Robin Morel, Simeon Winters, Vivek Headland, and Brigid Roth.  Back to the present, it is time to start to learn how these five individuals “poisoned the 21st Century.”

At a slim 20 pages, Injection is all about set-up and vague introductions.  Am I intrigued?  Well, hell, every first issue of a Warren Ellis comic book intrigues me, but that doesn't mean I'll keep reading past the first issue.

However, I am reluctant to bail on Injection.  I was decidedly underwhelmed by the first issue of Ellis, Shalvey, and Bellaire's Moon Knight, but that turned out to be an especially enjoyable and unique reading experience.  The series actually got better and proved to be more imaginative with each issue.  Ellis and company leaving after six issues was probably a good thing; eventually, they could not have kept up that pace of originality.

Besides, whatever vagueness Ellis' story presents in Injection is topped by Shalvey and Bellaire's eye-grabbing, attention-trapping graphical storytelling.  The weird practically popped off the page in order to get inside me and to demand that I get at least one more Injection.  I would say that fans of Ellis' non-superhero work will certainly want to try an issue or two of Injection.

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: CHRONONAUTS #1

CHRONONAUTS #1
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

WRITER: Mark Millar – @mrmarkmillar
ARTIST: Sean Gordon Murphy – @Sean_G_Murphy
COLORS: Matt Hollingsworth
LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos
COVER: Sean Gordon Murphy with Matt Hollingsworth
VARIANT COVERS: Matteo Scalera with Matt Hollingsworth; Declan Shalvey with Jordie Bellaire; Dan Panosian; Fiona Staples; Ryan Ottley with Kelsey Shannon; Fabio Moon; Chris Weston
28pp, Color, $3.50 U.S. (March 2015)

Rated M / Mature

Chrononauts is a new comic book series created by writer Mark Millar (Kick-Ass, The Secret Service) and artist Sean Gordon Murphy (Punk Rock Jesus).  The series focuses on the world's first time travelers and the problems they encounter.

Chrononauts #1 introduces Corbin Quinn.  He is the star scientist in NASA's Temporal-Observation Program.  After testing several “temporal vehicle” prototypes, Quinn and his partner, Dr. Danny Reilly, are ready for their first manned-mission through time with the help of their “chrono-suits.”  Something goes wrong; some always goes wrong, and it is usually not so easy to fix.

Like much of Mark Millar's creator-owned comics outside of Marvel Comics, Chrononauts is the usual, glossy, high-concept piece featuring people who know a lot, but don't realize how much they don't know.  Chrononauts lacks the gall of Kick-Ass and the gleeful maliciousness of Nemesis; plus, it seems like a shiny makeover of the late Michael Crichton's1999 novel Timeline that was adapted into a 2003 film of the same title.

I suspect Millar will offer more surprises in the second issue, so I will give it a try (if I can find a second issue).  Sean Murphy is a good comics storyteller, but nothing he does here really piques my interest.  Murphy is the series co-creator, but virtually any veteran comic book artist could have drawn Chrononauts.  Maybe, Murphy will also surprise in the second issue.

http://www.millarworld.tv/

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux on Patreon.


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

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 11, 2015

IMAGE COMICS

DEC140722     CASANOVA ACEDIA #2 (MR)     $3.99
JAN150625     COPPERHEAD TP VOL 01 A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN     $9.99
DEC140730     EAST OF WEST #18     $3.50
JAN150686     GHOSTED #18 (MR)     $2.99
JAN150630     HUMANS TP VOL 01 HUMANS FOR LIFE (MR)     $9.99
JAN150646     ODDLY NORMAL TP VOL 01     $9.99
JAN150698     POSTAL #2 CVR A SEJIC     $3.99
JAN150699     POSTAL #2 CVR B GOODHART     $3.99
OCT140601     SHELTERED #15 (MR)     $2.99
JAN150708     SHUTTER #10 (MR)     $3.50
AUG140679     SIDEKICK #10 (MR)     $2.99
JAN150709     SINERGY #5 CVR A OEMING (MR)     $3.50
JAN150710     SINERGY #5 CVR B YOUNG (MR)     $3.50
JAN150571     SOUTHERN CROSS #1     $2.99
DEC140602     SPAWN RESURRECTION #1 CVR A JONBOY     $2.99
DEC140603     SPAWN RESURRECTION #1 CVR B MCFARLANE JONBOY     $2.99
DEC140621     SURFACE #1 CVR A FOSS & BELLAIRE (MR)     $3.50
DEC140622     SURFACE #1 CVR B RUDY (MR)     $3.50
DEC140623     SURFACE #1 CVR C WALSH & BELLAIRE (MR)     $3.50
JAN150614     WALKING DEAD #138 (MR)     $2.99
JAN150618     WALKING DEAD RUN TWD LG MEN T/S     $19.99
JAN150617     WALKING DEAD RUN TWD MED MEN T/S     $19.99
JAN150616     WALKING DEAD RUN TWD SM MEN T/S     $19.99
JAN150619     WALKING DEAD RUN TWD XL MEN T/S     $19.99
JAN150620     WALKING DEAD RUN TWD XXL MEN T/S     $21.99

I Reads You Review: PRINCESS LEIA #1

PRINCESS LEIA #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

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

WRITER: Mark Waid
PENCILS: Terry Dodson
INKS: Rachel Dodson
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson
VARIANT COVERS: Alex Ross; Mark Brooks; J. Scott Campbell; John Cassaday; John Tyler Christopher; Butch Guice; Gabriele Del'Otto; Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2015)

Rated T

Princess Leia: Part 1

The third title to come out of Marvel Comics' return to publishing Star Wars comic books is Princess Leia.  A five-issue miniseries, Princess Leia is written by Mark Waid, pencilled by Terry Dodson, inked by Rachel Dodson, colored by Jordie Bellaire, and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

Princess Leia #1 (“Part 1”) opens during what is the final scene in the original Star Wars (1977), the awarding of medals to Luke Skywalker and Han Solo.  The Rebel Alliance has just scored a major victor at the Battle of Yavin by destroying the evil Galactic Empire's ultimate weapon, the Death Star, but the rebels have little time to celebrate or to even mourn their dead.

Princess Leia Organa is ready to move on to the next stage in the battle against the Empire, so she is surprised to discover that her new role is to be a protected asset.  A contentious encounter with Evaan, a pilot who is also from Leia's now-destroyed home world of Alderaan, spurs Leia into action with a new mission.  Her fellow rebels, however, may not like Leia's new mission.

I must admit for the third time that I am pleasantly surprised by Marvel's new Star Wars comics.  Marvel's flagship Star Wars and the recently launched Darth Vader comic book surprised me by being more enjoyable than I expected, especially Darth Vader.  When writer Mark Waid is good, he is usually really good, and he seems ready to let Leia show herself in full bloom – without having to share the narrative with either Luke or Han.  The original Star Wars films only hinted at Leia's full capabilities as a rebel leader, as a warrior, as a woman, and as a bad-ass.  It looks like Waid is going to try to tap into every bit of her potential.

As for the art:  many readers of Star Wars comic books have probably wanted an Adam Hughes-drawn Star Wars comic book since the first time we ever saw Hughes draw a Star Wars illustration.  Terry Dodson has a drawing style that is clearly influenced by Hughes, so we finally have a Adam Hughes Star Wars comic book in Princess Leia, or as close as we are likely every going to get.  Some of Dodson's composition in this first issue is a bit awkward, but Terry and Rachel Dodson have captured the spirit of classic Star Wars.  So I have decided to follow where Waid and the Dodsons take me on this galactic adventure.

A-

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 March 4, 2015

MARVEL COMICS

JAN150761     ALL NEW HAWKEYE #1     $3.99
JAN150802     ANGELA ASGARDS ASSASSIN #4     $3.99
JAN150815     AVENGERS #42 TRO     $3.99
DEC140957     AVENGERS TP VOL 05 ADAPT OR DIE     $19.99
JAN150818     AVENGERS WORLD #18 TRO     $3.99
DEC140980     DEATH OF WOLVERINE TP WEAPON X PROGRAM     $19.99
DEC140815     GUARDIANS TEAM-UP #1     $3.99
DEC140975     HAWKEYE VS DEADPOOL TP     $16.99
JAN150845     HULK #12     $3.99
JAN150844     IRON FIST LIVING WEAPON #10     $3.99
JAN150837     MARVELS ANT-MAN PRELUDE #2     $2.99
DEC140951     MARVELS AVENGERS TP AGE OF ULTRON PRELUDE     $16.99
JAN150856     MIRACLEMAN #16 (MR)     $5.99
APR140749     MMW CAPTAIN AMERICA HC VOL 01 NEW PTG     $49.99
APR140750     MMW DAREDEVIL HC VOL 01 NEW PTG     $49.99
JAN150835     OPERATION SIN #3     $3.99
JAN150727     PRINCESS LEIA #1     $3.99
JAN150861     RETURN OF LIVING DEADPOOL #2     $3.99
JAN150798     ROCKET RACCOON #9     $3.99
JAN150787     SPIDER-WOMAN #5     $3.99
DEC140982     SUPER VILLAINS UNITE TP COMPLETE SUPER VILLAIN TEAM UP     $34.99
JAN150866     WOLVERINES #9     $3.99
JAN150876     X-MEN #25     $3.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for Feburary 25, 2015

IMAGE COMICS
DEC140631     CHEW #46 (MR)     $2.99
DEC140632     CHEW TP VOL 09 CHICKEN TENDERS (MR)     $14.99
NOV140567     CRIMINAL SPECIAL ED ONE SHOT (MR)     $4.99
JAN140580     CYBER FORCE #11 CVR A SILVESTRI     $2.99
JAN130579     DANGER CLUB #7     $2.99
DEC140664     FADE OUT TP VOL 01 (MR)     $9.99
DEC140736     GRAVEYARD SHIFT #3     $3.50
DEC140649     HINGES TP BOOK 01 CLOCKWORK CITY     $15.99
DEC140668     HOWTOONS REIGNITION TP VOL 01     $9.99
DEC140738     INTERSECT #4 CVR A FAWKES (MR)     $3.50
DEC140739     INTERSECT #4 CVR B SHALVEY & BELLAIRE (MR)     $3.50
OCT140749     LOW #6 (MR)     $3.50
NOV140666     ODYC #3 (MR)     $3.99
DEC140753     RASPUTIN #5 (MR)     $3.50
NOV140620     RISING STARS COMPENDIUM TP NEW PTG     $69.99
NOV140677     ROCHE LIMIT #5 (MR)     $3.50
DEC140759     SEX #20 (MR)     $2.99
OCT140654     SEX CRIMINALS TP VOL 02 TWO WORLDS ONE COP (MR)     $14.99
DEC140765     SUPERANNUATED MAN #6 (MR)     $3.99
DEC140769     THEYRE NOT LIKE US #3 (MR)     $2.99
DEC140768     THIEF OF THIEVES #26 (MR)     $2.99
DEC140703     WALKING DEAD HC VOL 11 (MR)     $34.99
DEC140772     WICKED & DIVINE #8 (MR)     $3.50
DEC140714     ZERO TP VOL 03 TENDERNESS OF WOLVES (MR)     $14.99

I Reads You Review: NAMELESS #1

NAMELESS #1
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

WRITER: Grant Morrison – @grantmorrison
ARTIST: Chris Burnham – @TheBurnham
COLORS: Nathan Fairbairn
LETTERS: Simon Bowland
LOGO/DESIGN: Rian Hughes
COVER: Chris Burnham with Nathan Fairbairn
VARIANT COVERS: Tony Moore; Nathan Fox with Jordie Bellaire; Jonathan Hickman; Chris Burnham with Nathan Fairbairn
28pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (February 2015)

Rated M / Mature

“Shit Rains Down”

Nameless is a new horror and science fiction comic book from writer Grant Morrison and artist Chris Burnham.  Published by Image Comics, Nameless is colored by Nathan Fairbairn and lettered by Simon Bowland.

Nameless #1 (“Shit Rains Down) opens with shocking violence.  An astronomer kills his wife and two children before he hangs himself with barbed wire.  A second family gets wiped out; maybe the husband did it – the husband who yells “Zirom Trian Ipam Ipamis,” as the police carry him away.

Meanwhile, an occult hustler who has named himself, “Nameless,” fights the Veiled Lady for the “Dream Key.”  But his biggest task may be the job that is forced upon him – to save the Earth from a malevolent asteroid named “Xibalba.”

The first half of Nameless #1 is a mixture of familiar Grant Morrison tropes – conspiracies and occultism – with some leftovers from The Invisibles and H.P. Lovecraft.  Morrison throws that into a word processing blender and presses the puree button when he really should have used the pulse setting.  The first time I read the first half of Nameless, I did not understand what was happening in the story.  I thought, “How will I review this mess.  I have no idea what's going on.”  I was still confused after reading the first half a second time.

After a third and fourth reading, however, I found the first half of Nameless to be strangely beautiful.  I thought (or imagined) that I was seeing new things in the story and art that I had not seen before.  The Frank Quitely-like art by Chris Burnham with Nathan Fairbairn's gorgeous coloring makes for some eye-catching graphics.  Together, story and art offer graphical storytelling that presents dreams and visions as if they were the gosh-darn-purtiest vacation spot in all of comic book land.

The rest of Nameless #1 is conventional, for the most part, but still intriguing.  I am quite determined to read the second issue of Nameless, sellouts be damned.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 18, 2015

IMAGE COMICS

DEC140770     AUTUMNLANDS TOOTH & CLAW #4 (MR)     $2.99
DEC148186     AUTUMNLANDS TOOTH & CLAW #4 CVR B (MR)     $2.99
DEC140721     BITCH PLANET #3 (MR)     $3.50
DEC140655     CRIMINAL TP VOL 02 LAWLESS (MR)     $14.99
NOV140647     DEADLY CLASS #11 (MR)     $3.50
DEC140727     DRIFTER #4 CVR A KLEIN (MR)     $3.50
DEC140728     DRIFTER #4 CVR B ALBUQUERQUE (MR)     $3.50
DEC140733     FUSE #10 (MR)     $3.50
DEC140735     GONERS #5     $2.99
SEP140728     INVINCIBLE #117     $2.99
DEC140717     IXTH GENERATION #2     $3.99
DEC140740     LAZARUS #15 (MR)     $3.50
NOV140663     MANIFEST DESTINY #13 (MR)     $2.99
JUL140562     MPH #5 CVR A FEGREDO     $4.99
JUL140563     MPH #5 CVR B SHALVEY     $4.99
AUG140668     PETER PANZERFAUST #23     $3.50
DEC140755     REYN #2     $2.99
DEC140756     RUMBLE #3 (MR)     $3.50
NOV140679     SAVAGE DRAGON #202     $3.99
DEC140617     SECRET IDENTITIES #1     $3.50
DEC140625     SPARKS NEVADA MARSHAL ON MARS #1     $3.99
DEC140700     UMBRAL TP VOL 02 THE DARK PATH (MR)     $14.99

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.

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 6, 2014

IMAGE COMICS

MAY140695     ALEX + ADA #8     $2.99
JUN140543     CLONE #19 (MR)     $2.99
NOV130498     CYBER FORCE #10     $2.99
JUN140478     GENIUS #1 (MR)     $3.99
JUN140552     HACK SLASH SON OF SAMHAIN #2 (MR)     $3.50
JUN140484     HOWTOONS REIGNITION #1     $2.99
JUN140469     IMPERIAL #1     $2.99
APR140572     INVINCIBLE #113     $2.99
JUN140506     INVINCIBLE HC VOL 09 ULTIMATE COLL     $39.99
MAY140709     LAZARUS #10 (MR)     $3.50
JUN140554     MADAME FRANKENSTEIN #4     $2.99
JUN140562     NAILBITER #4 (MR)     $2.99
JUN140485     NIGHTWORLD #1     $3.99
MAY148297     SPREAD #1 2ND PTG (MR)     $3.50
JUN140579     SPREAD #2 (MR)     $3.50
APR140607     TALES OF HONOR #4 CVR A JEONG     $2.99
APR140608     TALES OF HONOR #4 CVR B SEJIC     $2.99
JUN140582     TECH JACKET #2     $2.99

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

APR140625     WALKING DEAD TV SER 2 WALSH UD ED AF     PI

I Reads You Review: MOON KNIGHT #2

MOON KNIGHT (2014) #2
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Warren Ellis
ARTIST/COVER: Declan Shalvey
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos
COVER: Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire
VARIANT COVER: Phil Noto
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2014 – second printing)

Rating: Parental Advisory

“Sniper”

Moon Knight, the Marvel Comics superhero character created by writer Doug Moench and artist Don Perlin, recently received a new eponymous comic book series.  [Moon Knight first appeared in Werewolf by Night #32 (cover dated: August 1975).]  Courtesy of writer Warren Ellis, artist Declan Shalvey, colorist Jordie Bellaire, and letterer Chris Eliopoulos, the 2014 Moon Knight comic book finds the title character taking on serial killers, spree killers, and other mass murders (so far).

Moon Knight #2 (“Sniper”) opens with a focus on eight individuals, who wind down after a long day at work.  But their pasts have come back possibly to haunt them.  Perhaps, Moon Knight can stop the haunting.

I just read Moon Knight #2, and I like it so much that I had to start writing this review right away.  That’s funny, because I did not care much for the first issue of the “All-New Marvel NOW!” Moon Knight.  Nothing:  I didn’t care for Warren Ellis’ script, nor was I feeling buzz word-hot artist Declan Shalvey or just-got-lots-of-Eisner-nominations colorist Jordie Bellaire (whose work I usually like).

Ellis’ story has a heartbreaking quality to it, but he is clever in how he manipulates through information.  By the end of the story, you might be having thoughts about how justice is served or, at least, least be thinking about blow back and real world issues.

Shalvey has a graphic style that would be right at home at alt-comix and art comics publishers like Top Shelf Productions and Drawn & Quarterly.  This time his compositions offer the striking visuals that they did not in the first issue.  Bellaire’s colors are evocative, creating mood and also giving the story a forceful sense of drama.

Shalvey and Ellis come together to create a story rhythm that is a beating heart, with a jazzy vibe that is part noir and part superhero comic book.  Half pantomime (without dialogue and exposition) and half sparsely worded, Moon Knight #2 is a unique read.  It bodes well for the next few issues, and I’m on board for more.

A

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: MOON KNIGHT #1

MOON KNIGHT (2014) #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Warren Ellis
ARTIST/COVER: Declan Shalvey
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos
VARIANT COVERS: Adi Granov; Bill Sienkiewicz; Skottie Young; Katie Cook; Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2014)

Moon Knight is a Marvel Comics superhero character.  Created by writer Doug Moench and artist Don Perlin, Moon Knight first appeared in Werewolf by Night #32 (cover dated: August 1975).

Moon Knight is Marc Spector an American-born mercenary who dies in Egypt, under the statue of Khonshu, an ancient Egyptian moon god.  Khonshu appears to Spector and offers him a second chance at life.  After he awakens, Spector wraps himself with the silver shroud that covers Khonshu’s statue, turning it into a silver cloaked costume, becoming the Moon Knight.  A superb athlete and master of martial arts and hand-to-hand combat, Spector is also a skilled acrobat, gymnast, detective, marksman, and is an aviator who uses traditional and sophisticated weaponry.  In short, Moon Knight is Marvel Comics’ version of Batman.

It is easy to lose track of all the iterations of a Moon Knight comic book series that Marvel has published over the last four decades.  The latest Moon Knight title is part of Marvel Comics’ “All-New Marvel NOW!” initiative.  This 2014 launch of Moon Knight is written by Warren Ellis and drawn by Declan Shalvey with colors by Jordie Bellaire.

Moon Knight #1 finds Moon Knight back in New York City.  He apparently lost his mind, and perhaps, he is back to being normal – whatever that may be for Marc Spector-Moon Knight (MK for short).  The policeman, Detective Flint, who wants MK’s help, calls him “Mister Knight,” to keep MK from being associated with the dangerous vigilante he was.  MK or Mister Knight: by any name, can he stop a slasher killer who is good, albeit somewhat clumsy, at what he does?

I just read Moon Knight #1.  Interesting is one word that I can use to describe what I just read.  I’m curious, but it is hard to pass judgment on a new series in which the writer decompresses a short story about a not particularly interesting serial killer and kooky costumed hero into a full-length story about a not particularly interesting serial killer and kooky costumed hero.

I have heard rumblings of Warren Ellis’ Moon Knight being similar to Warren Ellis’ Planetary.  If you scratch hard enough, you may be able to pretend that Moon Knight is a scratch-and-sniff comic book ever so slightly oozing the leftover essence of the great Planetary… maybe.

Declan Shalvey is supposed to be some up and coming hotshot artist; oh, really?  And Jordie Bellaire has done better work.  About this new Moon Knight:  we’ll see.

B-

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: THE ROCKETEER/THE SPIRIT: Pulp Friction #4

THE ROCKETEER/THE SPIRIT: PULP FRICTION #4
IDW PUBLISHING with DC Entertainment – @IDWPublishing and @DCComics

WRITER:  Mark Waid
ART: J Bone
COLORS: Rom Fajardo
LETTERS: Tom B. Long
EDITOR: Scott Dunbier
COVER: J Bone
SUBSCRIPTION VARIANT COVER: Chris Samnee with Jordie Bellaire
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2013)

Two classic characters unite in the four-issue comic book miniseries, The Rocketeer/The Spirit: Pulp Friction.  The Rocketeer is a modern-day comic book character whose adventures are set in the era known as the “Golden Age” of comics.  The Spirit is a comic book character that actually appeared in that Golden Age.

Published by IDW Publishing (in association with DC Comics), The Rocketeer/The Spirit: Pulp Friction is written by Mark Waid and drawn by Paul Smith (#1), Loston Wallace (#2), and J Bone (#3 and #4).  Pulp Friction unites the two heroes, as they try to solve a peculiar murder case.

First appearing in the 1980s, The Rocketeer was created by artist and illustrator, Dave Stevens (who died in March of 2008).  Stunt pilot Cliff Secord discovers a mysterious jet pack, which he straps to his back.  Adding a helmet, Secord becomes “The Rocketeer,” and begins a series of adventures set mainly in and around Los Angeles and beginning in the year 1938.

The Spirit was created by legendary cartoonist Will Eisner (who died in January 2005) and first appeared on June 2, 1940 in a 16-page, Sunday newspaper supplement (or insert) called “the Spirit section.”  Once known as Detective Denny Colt (believed by some to be dead), The Spirit is a masked vigilante who fights crime in Central City.

After the corpse of Alderman Tommy Cunningham, a Central City politician, is found in Los Angeles, The Spirit travels to LA. to investigate, as it is physically impossible for Cunningham to have been in the city when he was.  Meanwhile, longtime Spirit nemesis, The Octopus, joins Hollywood “producer,” Benedict Trask, in a plot to use the new medium of television to launch a worldwide criminal enterprise

The Rocketeer/The Spirit: Pulp Friction #4 opens in Central City.  The Spirit finds himself imperiled by Cliff’s girlfriend and actress, Betty, who is under the thrall of the Octopus.  Trask, feeling assured of victory, prepares to “fire a bullet that will draw blood from the world.”  The Rocketeer and The Spirit have been at odds of late.  Can they come together in time to save the world?  They can with the help of a very special leader.

The Rocketeer/The Spirit: Pulp Friction #4 is the best issue of what has been an entertaining series and a welcomed union of two special comic book characters.  Comic books like Pulp Friction remind me of the fun I had reading comic books as a child, flipping pages as fast as I could read them.  Sometimes, I had to go back and reread a comic (several times) because my rapid reading was causing me to miss things.

In this final issue, writer Mark Waid brings everything together:  all the themes, conflicts, personality clashes, and subplots.  Waid cleverly constructs a scene that explains why The Spirit and The Rocketeer might clash that makes perfect sense in the context of the story that Waid is telling.  Also, the surprise way in which he turns a famous historical figure into a kind of action hero makes me glad that I read this series.  And there are many reasons to read this comic book.

Although he did not draw the opening chapters, J Bone made Pulp Friction his own.  His art has an old-timey quality that captures the… ahem… spirit of Will Eisner’s art in terms of mood, graphic design, and pacing, which is appropriate here.  The Central City side of this story arc should resemble classic Eisner, as the L.A. side of the story recalls classic Dave Stevens Rocketeer.  When it comes to comic books, this is the good stuff.

Once again:  more Mark Waid Rocketeer, please, Mr. Dunbier.

A+

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: THE ROCKETEER/THE SPIRIT: Pulp Friction #3

THE ROCKETEER/THE SPIRIT: PULP FRICTION #3
IDW PUBLISHING with DC Entertainment – @IDWPublishing and @DCComics

WRITER:  Mark Waid
ART: J Bone
COLORS: Rom Fajardo
LETTERS: Tom B. Long
EDITOR: Scott Dunbier
COVER: J Bone
SUBSCRIPTION VARIANT COVER: Chris Samnee with Jordie Bellaire
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2013)

First appearing in the 1980s, comic book character, The Rocketeer, was created by artist and illustrator, Dave Stevens (who died in March of 2008).  Stunt pilot Cliff Secord discovers a mysterious jet pack, which he straps to his back.  Adding a helmet, Secord becomes “The Rocketeer,” and begins a series of adventures set mainly in Los Angeles and beginning in the year 1938.

Golden Age comic book character, The Spirit, was created by legendary cartoonist Will Eisner (who died in January 2005).  The Spirit first appeared on June 2, 1940 in what readers called “The Spirit Section.”  This was a 16-page, Sunday newspaper supplement or insert that was carried in various newspapers from the 1940s and to the early 1950s.  Once known as Detective Denny Colt (believed by some to be dead), The Spirit is a masked vigilante who fights crime in Central City.

The Rocketeer/The Spirit: Pulp Friction is a comic book series that brings these characters together.  Published by IDW Publishing (in association with DC Comics), the series is written by Mark Waid and drawn by various artists.  Pulp Friction unites the two heroes, as they try to solve a peculiar murder case.

The corpse of Alderman Tommy Cunningham, Central City politician, is found in Los Angeles, although it is physically impossible for him to be in L.A.  Meanwhile, longtime Spirit nemesis, The Octopus, has joined Hollywood “producer,” Benedict Trask, in a plot to use the new medium of television to launch a worldwide criminal enterprise

As The Rocketeer/The Spirit: Pulp Friction #3 opens, The Rocketeer visits The Spirit’s home/base of operations at Wildwood Cemetery.  Meanwhile, Cliff’s girlfriend and actress, Betty, is also in Central City for meeting with Trask, who puts her up in a posh hotel.  Betty is about to discover, however, that Trask wants to make her a star in the new medium of television, but not in the way she expects.

At this point in my review cycle of The Rocketeer/The Spirit: Pulp Friction, I have run out of things to say about Mark Waid writing The Rocketeer.  That is especially when I consider how much I liked his earlier effort, The Rocketeer: Cargo of Doom.  Simply put, he’s good with the character.  [Dear Mr. Dunbier, More Mark Waid Rocketeer, please.]

J Bone, who seems to emanate from the Bruce Timm-Dawyn Cooke school of cartooning, makes a welcomed return to The Rocketeer.  As talented as J Bone is, neither his style nor his draftsmanship, approaches that of the late Dave Stevens or the late Will Eisner.  Yet, there are moments in this wonderful comic book in which Bone captures the spirit of both artists’ work on their signature characters.  From the Rocketeer’s mad chase through the canyons of Central City to Betty’s femme fatale, behind-the-curtain dance, Bone captures the graphical essence of what made Eisner and Stevens’ comics exceptional, iconoclastic works of the medium.

Tune in tomorrow… next issue

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

I Reads You Review: THE ROCKETEER/THE SPIRIT: Pulp Friction #2

THE ROCKETEER/THE SPIRIT: PULP FRICTION #2
IDW PUBLISHING with DC Entertainment – @IDWPublishing and @DCComics

WRITER:  Mark Waid
PENCILS: Loston Wallace
INKS: Bob Wiacek
COLORS: Hi Fi Designs
LETTERS: Tom B. Long
EDITOR: Scott Dunbier
COVER: Paul Smith with Jordie Bellaire
SUBSCRIPTION VARIANT COVER: Darwyn Cooke and J. Bone
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2013)

Artist and illustrator, Dave Stevens (who died in March of 2008), created the comic book character, The Rocketeer.  Cliff Secord is a stunt pilot who discovers a mysterious jet pack.  Donning the jet pack and a helmet, Secord becomes “The Rocketeer,” and begins a series of adventures set mainly in Los Angeles, beginning in the year 1938.

Legendary cartoonist Will Eisner (who died in January of 2005) created The Spirit, a comic book character that first appeared on June 2, 1940 in what readers called “The Spirit Section.”  This was a 16-page, Sunday newspaper supplement or insert that was carried in various newspapers from the 1940s and to the early 1950s.  Once known as Detective Denny Colt (believed by some to be dead), The Spirit is a masked vigilante who fights crime in Central City.

IDW Publishing (in association with DC Comics) brings the two characters together in a new comic book miniseries entitled, The Rocketeer/The Spirit: Pulp Friction.  The series is written by Mark Waid and drawn by various artists.  Pulp Friction unites the two characters, as they try to solve a murder case.  The corpse of Alderman Tommy Cunningham, Central City politician, is found in Los Angeles, which is impossible, because he should not be in L.A.

The Rocketeer/The Spirit: Pulp Friction #2 opens with the Central City contingent:  The Spirit, Commissioner Dolan, and Ellen (the Commissioner’s daughter), at odds with our L.A.-based friends: The Rocketeer, actress Betty (Cliff Secord’s lady), and airplane mechanic Peevy (Cliff’s friend and partner).  The girls are using their feminine wiles to both agitate and excite.

Meanwhile, The Spirit’s mysterious nemesis, the Octopus, plots with Benedict Trask, who seems to be trying to become the first of what we now call a media mogul.  Their plotting involves a surprise attack on our heroes.

Having Mark Waid write the first ever team up of The Rocketeer and The Spirit, as is the idea of uniting them in the first place, is a no-brainer.  Waid is good with Golden Age characters, of which both these classic comics characters are.  Here, Waid’s comics script is a nice brew of fisticuffs, high-flying derring-do, and pulp crime fiction with an occasional bit of innuendo.  Is that a rabbit in your pocket, Mr. Second?...

I thought Paul Smith was going to be the series artist, but that seems not to be the case, as this second issue and the third are drawn by different artists.  Loston Wallace, who provides the pencil art (which Bob Wiacek inks), is good enough.  His style is acceptable for this kind of story, and his storytelling is good.  The most important thing is that he does not make the transition from Paul Smith a disaster.

I’m ready for the next issue of The Rocketeer/The Spirit: Pulp Friction.  Tune in tomorrow.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.