I Reads You Review: DEATH OF WOLVERINE #1

DEATH OF WOLVERINE #1 (OF 4)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER:  Charles Soule
PENCILS:  Steve McNiven
INKS:  Jay Leisten
COLORS:  Justin Ponsor
LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos
COVER:  Steve McNiven and Jay Leisten with Justin Ponsor
56pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (November 2014)

Rated T+

Part One: “The End”

Marvel Comics is killing Wolverine.  How long will he remain dead?  I guess that is not really the point.  I'm just supposed to enjoy the event miniseries in which Wolverine dies.  Entitled Death of Wolverine, it is written by Charles Soule, pencilled by Steve McNiven, inked by Jay Leisten, colored by Justin Ponsor, and lettered by Chris Eliopoulos.

Death of Wolverine #1 (“The End”) opens in the backwoods of British Columbia; the time is now.  Logan/Wolverine is dying because he has lost his healing factor.  Now, he cannot heal supernaturally fast after being injured in his frequent battles, fights, duels, etc., so it has taken a toll on his body.  Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four, of course) has told Logan that he can find a way to reactivate his healing factor, but it will take time.

Logan does not have that time.  People are coming after Wolverine to kill him.  In fact, here come some guys now.

I wanted to be cynical.  Killing Wolverine?  Ha!  He'll be back real soon.  Still, one look at that card stock cover for Death of Wolverine #1, with its snazzy graphic design and beautiful (of course) Steve McNiven art, and I was sold on this miniseries.  The story, by the impressive Charles Soule, is downbeat and downright depressing.  The wonderfully detailed line work and texture by McNiven, the precise and artful inking by Leisten, and the glorious hues of colorist Justice Ponsor make the story even more heartbreaking.  There is a real sense of finality to this tale... thus far.

Hey, the extras are cool!  I love the generous helping of McNiven sketchbook material.  Len Wein uses his interview to give props to the late Dave Cockrum.  Gotta love that.  Yeah... I didn't think that I would end up looking forward to the Death of Wolverine miniseries, but I am, even as I (surprisingly) dread the death of Wolverine.

A-

Death of Wolverine includes bonus material:

• sketches and other preliminary art for the series by Steve McNiven
• commentary by McNiven
• an interview with Wolverine co-creator Len Wein that includes art from The Incredible Hulk #181 (Wolverine's first full appearance)
• Death of Wolverine #1 – Director's Cut, which includes pages from the script for issue #1 with pencil, ink, and color versions of art from the first issue

----------------------------
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 RE-VIEWED: UNCANNY X-MEN Annual (Volume 2) #1

UNCANNY X-MEN ANNUAL (VOL. 2) #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

STORY: Chris Claremont and Tony Bedard
PENCILS: Clayton Henry
INKS: Mark Morales
COLORS: Christina Strain
LETTERS: VC’s Joe Caramagna
COVER: Leinil Francis Yu with Dave McCaig
48pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2006)

I Dream of Africa: A Special Prelude to the Wedding of the Century

You may know that classic X-Men character, Storm (Ororo Munroe), and The Black Panther (T’Challa) were once married.  The wedding took place in the Black Panther comic book series that launched in 2005.  Black Panther later informed Storm that he had annulled the marriage (in Avengers vs. X-Men #9).

Leading up to the wedding (depicted in Black Panther #15), there were several “prelude” stories.  One of them appeared in Uncanny X-Men Annual (Vol. 2) #1 in a story entitled, “I Dream of Africa: A Special Prelude to the Wedding of the Century.”  This story was written by Chris Claremont and Tony Bedard and drawn by Clayton Henry (pencils) and Mark Morales (inks).

Uncanny X-Men Annual (Vol. 2) #1 followed events depicted in Uncanny X-Men #471.  Storm was in Africa to help her people.  In the city of Turkana, she discovers a military leader, Colonel Shetani, who is scouring the African countryside looking for mutants.  In addition to his men, Shetani uses child soldiers, called the Little Simbas, to terrorize locals.  Storm summons her friends, the X-Men for help.

Now, Storm is injured, and as she drifts in and out of consciousness, she is confronted by Black Panther’s proposal of marriage.  In dreams or perhaps in some other altered state, Storm meets her ex-lover, Forge, and she debates versions of Marvel Girl/Jean Grey and Kitty Pryde.  Meanwhile, the X-Men who came to her aid:  Bishop, Cannonball, Nightcrawler, Psylocke, and Rachel Summers, find themselves facing Shetani’s forces.  And these guys seem specifically equipped to kill mutants.

While digging through a pile of comic books a friend gave me, I found Uncanny X-Men Annual (Vol. 2) #1.  I initially planned on giving it away, but when I noticed that it was tied to the Black Panther-Storm wedding, I decided to read it.  I am glad I did because I enjoyed it.  I won’t act like this is a classic, but it does feature a number of X-Men elements of which I am a big fan.

First, it focuses on Storm and delves into her past (although in a broad way), and I love me some Storm.  I once wanted to be Storm (Gasp! Choke!).  Secondly, the story features the X-Men in combat, fighting for their lives, against opponents that are genuine threats to their continued existence.  In fact, this story is classic Chris Claremont Uncanny X-Men, but without the Claremont’s unique dialogue.  So readers get Claremont, just without the grandiosity (pomposity?) and soap opera affectation.

Once again, this isn’t great stuff, but it is a good X-Men comic book.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Albert Avilla Reviews: Indestructible Hulk #2

Indestructible Hulk # 2
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Mark Waid
Pencils: Leinil Yu
Inks: Gerry Alanguilan

(Spoilers!)
Hulk, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. is a good premise. This new direction for the Hulk is an excellent idea. Banner has decided to embrace the idea of being the Hulk, and using him in situations where he can do good. Why keep a potential force for good relegated to the status of criminal?

The Hulk is the ultimate stick for S.H.I.E.L.D. to wield. You better be committed to whatever terrorism you are thinking about, knowing that the Hulk might be a consequence of your actions. Just think about the money S.H.I.E.L.D. can save. Why develop any weapons? All you need is a truck; put Hulk in the back, and drive to the scene. “What’s up now Hydra? Suck on this!” Drop off the Hulk, end of evildoing.

This issue is about Banner being a super-scientist on a level with Reed Richards. With this new situation, Banner will have time to work, which should have a calming effect on him. He has a goal of completing an invention a week. I can’t complete any of my chores on the honey-do list each week.

Iron Man pays a visit to check out the situation, but he is unknowingly set up by Banner for a good-old, stress-relieving butt-kicking. This story would be a good bridge between two good story arcs, but as it stands, it’s just an unnecessary character developing story. When we pick up a Hulk mag, we expect more Hulk-smash for our money, not a sparring match with Iron Man.

The art is passable. The coloring goes a little too far; it makes the art look like pieces of a puzzle. A lighter hand may make the art more engaging.

I rate Indestructible Hulk 002 Read a Friend’s Copy. #3 (of 5) on the Al-O-Meter

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I Reads You Review: Millar & McNiven's NEMESIS

MILLAR & MCNIVEN’S NEMESIS
MARVEL COMICS/ICON

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A

Leroy Douresseaux Reviews: CLiNT #12

CLiNT #12
TITAN MAGAZINES

WRITERS: Mark Millar, Frankie Boyle, Nathan Edmondson, and Mark Sable
PENCILS: John Romita, Jr., Mike Dowling, Tonci Zonjic, Leinil Yu, and Paul Azaceta
INKS: Tom Palmer, Mike Dowling, Tonci Zonjic, Gerry Alanguilan, and Paul Azaceta
COLORS: Dean White, Jamie Grant and Jim Devlin, Sunny Gho, and Matt Wilson
LETTERS: Chris Eliopolous, Clayton Cowles, and Thomas Maur
98pp, Color, $6.99 U.S., £4.25 UK

In 1987, a young Mark Millar wrote to comic book artist (and sometime writer) Dave Gibbons, who was ascendant with the attention of the legendary comic book series, Watchmen. In his letter, Millar suggested that he and Gibbons collaborate, and Gibbons was gracious in his reply. Both letters are reprinted in CLiNT #12 as part of an interview of both men as they tease their upcoming project, “The Secret Service.”

CLiNT is a comics and comics culture magazine edited by superstar comic book writer Mark Millar and published by Titan Magazines. Every issue of CLiNT contains actual comics and interviews related to comics, as well as the occasional piece on movies and pop culture. It is a newsstand British comic or “boys comic” magazine in the tradition of 2000AD (among others) that serializes multiple comics. However, most of the comics in CLiNT have been published in comic book form prior to their CLiNT appearance.

CLiNT #12 comes with some big news from the publisher. The magazine will now be released in the United States at the same time as it is in the United Kingdom, in this instance, November 23rd in the U.S. and November 24th in the U.K.

As with previous issues, CLiNT #12 includes a chapter of Millar and John Romita, Jr.’s Kick-Ass 2 (Chapter 12). It is deranged as ever, but Millar manages to create a poignant moment or two, basically by dropping some consequence-of-actions on the characters. The second Millar offering is Chapter 7 of Superior, which is penciled by Leinil Yu. It is a superhero fantasy drama/comedy about a crippled boy who gets to be the comic book superhero he loves. It is strange and is darker in tone than its brightly colored art would suggest.

Thanks to a summary page, I have a better idea of what is going on in Rex Royd from stand-up comic and writer Frankie Boyle. But it still seems to me like a masala of Alan Moore, Warren Ellis, and Brian Bendis post-modern superhero ideas. There is also the conclusion of writer Nathan Edmondson and artist Tonci Zonjic’s Who is Jake Ellis?, which was recently published as a comic book miniseries by Image Comics. I read it and had no idea what was going on because I had not read the earlier issues. I like Zonjic’s art, though.

My favorite comic in this issue is Graveyard of Empires from writer Mark Sable and artist Paul Azaceta, which is being published as a miniseries by Image Comics. A war comic, Graveyard of Empires is set in Afghanistan at a small American base, F.A.C. Alamo, and focuses on the servicemen, their boredom, fear, and pastimes. It’s very good, and reminds me of the Oscar-winning film, The Hurt Locker. I don’t know how I will feel about it later because it is apparently a zombie comic, although zombies don’t appear in this installment.

The issue ends with a “Badass Cinema” article by Vern (http://www.outlawvern.com/) gives readers an overview of “Arthouse Badass.”

A-

http://www.clintmag.com/

I Reads You Review: ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS: BLADE VS. THE AVENGERS

ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS: BLADE VS. THE AVENGERS
MARVEL COMICS

WRITER: Mark Millar
PENCILS: Steve Dillon
INKS: Andy Lanning and Scott Hanna
COLORS: Matt Hollingsworth with Matthew Wilson and John Rauch
LETTERS: VC’s Cory Petit
COVER: Leinil Francis Yu and Marte Gracia
EXTRA ART: Olivier Coipel and Laura Martin; Greg Land and Frank D’Armata
ISBN: 978-0-7851-4009-2; hardcover
152pp, Color, $24.99 U.S., $27.99 CAN

Several years ago, there were rumors or perhaps a semi-official announcement that Mark Millar was going to be the writer of a new comic book series featuring, Blade, Marvel’s resident vampire hunter. It never came to pass.

Now, Mark Millar writes Blade. Nuff said…

Well, not quite, but Blade gets his name in the title in the new hardcover collection, Ultimate Comics Avengers: Blade vs. The Avengers. Written by Mark Millar and drawn by Steve Dillon, this book reprints Ultimate Avengers 3 #1-6. This story arc sees the Avengers battle a highly-organized attempt at a vampire takeover of the world.

The story begins when Blade gets an offer of a truce from Anthony, a new vampire leader. Mysterious and charismatic, Anthony has encased himself in an old Iron Man suit of armor, making him hard to kill. Anthony’s plot to rule the world involves building an army of superheroes converted into vampires.

After one of their own is bitten and recruited into the vampire army, Nick Fury and his black-ops task force, the Avengers, find themselves on the frontlines fighting to save humankind. The new vampire king rallies all the various vampire clans to his ever-growing number of super-powered Nosferatu. Meanwhile, Fury is wary of half-vampire Blade, who offers his help. Is the Daywalker friend or foe?

This Ultimate Avengers story arc is not so much “Blade vs. The Avengers” as it is The Avengers vs. the vampire apocalypse – with Blade as a character on the periphery. It’s as if Millar didn’t realize that the Blade he was writing is supposed to be a major player and not just a player in a few interludes. Still, what we get of Blade is quite good. Millar’s knack for dialogue makes this a sparkling read. Millar doesn’t just write snark and satire. His dialogue defines the characters mood as well as it colors the scene in which a character speaks. Millar’s Blade is the most attractive since the 1970s Blade of Marv Wolfman and Chris Claremont.

Equally evocative is the art of Steve Dillon. With his clean style, Dillon conveys character, setting, and plot and executes a narrative that is as complex as it is streamlined. For all their photo-realism, cross-hatching, and computer coloring, most artists can’t touch Dillon’s depth of storytelling. For all this story’s craziness, Dillon even manages to wring out a few poignant and dramatic moments.

Yeah, I wanted more Blade, much more Blade, but I like Ultimate Comics Avengers: Blade vs. The Avengers.

B+

Ultimate Comics Avengers: Blade Vs. the Avengers (See all Superheroes Graphic Novels)

Marvel Comics in Singapore

Press release:

MARVEL MAKES THEIR STGCC DEBUT

Marvel confirms attendance at STGCC 2010 with exhibit space, recruitment efforts, Guests of Honor and panels

Singapore, 8 November 2010 – Reed Exhibitions, the organizers of the Singapore Toy, Games and Comic Convention (STGCC), announced today that Marvel Comics will be exhibiting at STGCC 2010. This is the first convention that Marvel has ever exhibited at in Asia. To date, Reed has announced a slew of Marvel talent at STGCC 2010 including Guest of Honor Salvador Larroca and other Walk of Fame Featured Guests including Leinil Yu, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Esad Ribic, Harvey Tolibao and Alex Maleev. Reed further revealed Marvel’s Senior Vice President, Creator & Content Development and international talent scout, C.B. Cebulski, will join Larroca as Guests of Honor at STGCC 2010. STGCC will take place from 10 to 12 December 2010, at the Suntec International Convention Centre.

“Marvel’s extensive popularity is manifested through successful box office ticket receipts of Spider-Man, Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, and The X-Men series because the comics these characters are based on have strong plot lines that dwell on universal themes like good versus evil, heroes versus villains, which resonate well in Asia,” observed Ms Yeow Hui Leng, Project Director, Reed Exhibitions. “The further extension from Marvel Comics into games, toys, television programs and the upcoming films like Thor and The First Avenger: Captain America have sparked the creative imagination of Asian fans. We are therefore very honored and delighted that Marvel has decided to exhibit in Asia for the first time at STGCC.”

In addition to the various Marvel-specific panels that Marvel talent will be presenting on Friday, 10 December 2010 at STGCC, there will be sessions with other creators, writers and illustrators to discuss the impact of Asian influences and elements in Western comics on Saturday, 11 December. There will also be a panel by Cebulski on Marvel’s talent hunt where he will give an inside look into the world of Marvel and what he looks for in the next Marvel artist. He will also explain the procedure for aspiring talent to submit a portfolio and the possibility of having it reviewed during the show. Cebulski’s panel is scheduled to take place on Friday, 10 December.

Michael Pasciullo, Marvel’s Senior Vice President, Brand Planning & Communications said, “We have built a strong partnership with Reed in the US through its conventions in New York and Chicago where they have created platforms for our fans to access our creators in a personal manner. We recognize the importance of these events in engendering a community where we can interact and engage our fans. Marvel has had a strong presence in Asia for a long time through publishing and consumer products. We are very excited to have the opportunity to reach out to our fans in Asia by attending STGCC with a strong roster of creators who will be participating in panels and autograph sessions.”

I Reads You Review: Nemesis #1

NEMESIS #1

MARVEL COMICS/ICON

WRITER: Mark Millar

ARTIST: Steve McNiven

COLORS: Dave McCaig

LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos

COVERS: Steve McNiven and Leinil Francis Yu

Nemesis is the new comic book miniseries from the team of writer Mark Millar and artist Steve McNiven. The duo produced the hugely popular Marvel event series, Civil War, and the graphic novel, Wolverine: Old Man Logan (originally serialized in Wolverine 66-72). Nemesis is a planned four-issue series that is being published under Marvel Comics’ Icon imprint.

As Millar has stated in press coverage for this comic book, Nemesis #1 introduces a Batman-like character, called “Nemesis,” who uses his skill, resources, and whatever super powers and abilities he has for evil rather than for good. What if this cool billionaire with all those planes, cars and gadgets, put on a mask and waged war on the forces of law and order, Millar asks. The story begins with Nemesis dispatching a famous police chief in Tokyo. Afterwards, Nemesis heads to Washington D.C. to engage his next opponent, Chief Blake Morrow, the Chief of Police of the nation’s capitol.

The cover of Nemesis #1 carries a large caption that reads “MAKES KICK-ASS LOOK LIKE $#IT.” I don’t know about that. Kick-Ass, Mark Millar’s previous Icon comic book which recently concluded, is some pretty deranged $#it AND very entertaining, but I am already a fan of this new comic book. I rooted for Heath Ledger’s Joker in The Dark Knight and I love a great villain, especially one who has the pigs… I mean, law enforcement quaking in their boots.

It’s a fun read. Millar paints the characters in broad strokes, and in police Chief Blake Morrow, Millar has created a Clint Eastwood-Dirty Harry type who deserves to be taken down a peg or two or ten. Steve McNiven’s art is acceptable, though it makes me wonder why he is so acclaimed. Dave McCaig’s coloring is horrid. Still, I really like this comic book and can’t wait for the next issue.

B+