#IReadsYou Review: RED ZONE #4

RED ZONE #4 (OF 4)

AWA STUDIOS

STORY: Cullen Bunn

ART: Mike Deodato, Jr.

COLORS: Lee Loughridge

LETTERS: Steve Wands

COVER: Rahzzah

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Michael Cho

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2023)

Rated: “Teen+”

Red Zone is a four-issue comic book miniseries from writer Cullen Bunn and artist Mike Deodato, Jr.  Published by AWA Studios, the series focuses on an American professor who must fight his way out of Russia where he lived a former life full of long-buried secrets.  Colorist Lee Loughridge and letterer Steve Wands complete the series creative team.

Red Zone introduces Randall Crane, an unassuming professor of Russian and Slavic Studies at NYU.  By request, he becomes part of U. S. Army Special Forces secret extraction mission into Russia.  The target is Elena Sidorov, once a very close friend of the professor's.  What she knows makes her a high priority asset to the U.S.  When the mission goes wrong, however, Randall is alone and forced to summon the secrets of his past to save himself and Elena daughter, Nika.

As Red Zone #4 opens, Randall and Nika have sought shelter in the home of Novel Abramov, an old acquaintance of Randall's.  He lives on the outskirts of an abandoned city turned ghost town, which is the perfect place for a showdown.  Andreiko Volkov, the man who wants Crane dead, has called in the cowboy-cosplay killer, Maxim.  But hey, why not have just about everyone after Randall show up for a throw-down in a ghost town?

THE LOWDOWN:  AWA Studios marketing recently began providing me with PDF review copies of their comic book publications.  One of them is Red Zone #4, the fourth issue of the series that I've read.

Writer Cullen Bunn created an edge-of-your-seat thriller in Red Zone – right to the end.  It offers both a satisfying conclusion and a kick-ass last stand.  Bunn creates more exhilarating set pieces in each single issue than most comic books can offer in four issues.  He has given us enough insight into Randall Crane, enough to make him become someone who really intrigues readers.  Who is he?  What did he do in the past?  And what is the thing that his past has become in the present day?

In Red Zone, artist Mike Deodato, Jr. has created a page design and graphic design that presents a tapestry of thrills.  Deodato's art suggests that Crane and Nika are trapped at every turn – and they practically are.  Around each page, on the borders and edges, however, are slivers of panels that anticipate the coming drama and action.  That makes the art seem active rather than static.  Deodato throws his tapestry of static and kinetic energy at us to the end of this narrative.  If there is follow-up series, there will hopefully be more Deodato.

Red Zone #4 finishes this series with a bang, as it should.  Here, the villains do the damn thing.  They should come back, also, but, for now, their fates will make Red Zone's trade paperback collection a damn good read.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of action and espionage in comic books will want to read Red Zone.

A

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

AWA Website: https://awastudios.net/

AWA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awastudiosofficial/

AWA Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWA_Studios

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The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: 2016 SPIDER-MAN #1 Was a Strong Debut

SPIDER-MAN No. 1 (2016)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Brian Michael Bendis
PENCILS: Sara Pichelli
INKS: Sara Pichelli with Gaetano Carlucci
COLORS: Justin Ponsor
LETTERS: VC’s Cory Petit
COVER: Sara Pichelli and Justin Ponsor
VARIANT COVERS: Mark Bagley and Dexter Vines with Andrew Crossley; Michael Cho; Skottie Young; Adi Granov (Hip-Hop variant)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (2016)

Rated T

In 2011, Marvel Comics and writer Brian Michael Bendis introduced a Black, Brooklyn teenager as the new Spider-Man.  Specifically, Miles Morales, of African-American and Latino heritage, was the new Ultimate Spider-Man, the friendly neighborhood wall-crawler and web-slinger of Marvel’s Ultimate line of comics (or universe).

Miles has starred in two comic books series, Ultimate Spider-Man (or Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man) and Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man.  As part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel, Miles gets a new comic book series, simply entitled Spider-Man.  It is written by Brian Michael Bendis; drawn by Sara Pichelli; colored by Justin Ponsor; and lettered by Cory Petit.

Spider-Man #1 opens with Spider-Man facing Blackheart – “Son of Mephisto” and “Prince of the Underworlds.”  Let's go back a bit.  At Brooklyn Visions Academy, Miles has failed with Julie, the gorgeous girl he wants to date.  He is also failing in school, which angers his mother (!), but does not really concern his father.  Back to Blackheart, who has killed several Avengers, so what's going on?

I really missed Sara Pichelli when she was not the artist on Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man, although David Marquez, the artist on that series, was quite good.  Still, only three pages into Spider-Man #1, and I was reminded of why Pichelli and colorist Justin Ponsor are such a damn good art team.

As for Brian Michael Bendis: the teen Spidey drama is as good as always; there aren't many pages of it, but Bendis does character drama in superhero comics better than it has ever been done – ever.  The action around Blackheart is hugely intriguing, so I have no complaints, just the need for more.

Of course, I am recommending this...

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 information on reprint or syndication rights and fees.

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I Reads You Juniors: December 2020 - Update #108

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DC CINEMA - From IndieWire:   DC Films president, Walter Hamada, says that going forward, there will be six films per year based on DC Comics characters, with the releases of those films split between movie theaters and HBO Max.  The big surprise may be the reveal that there will be "two different film sagas involving Batman — played by two different actors — running at the same time."

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  Kieron Gillen is talking about Eternals #1, which Marvel would have us believe will see the light of day (finally) the first week of 3021 ... I mean 2021.

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MATT BAKER - From BleedingCool:  This article about the vintage hero, "Phantom Lady," has some information about the first known African-American comic book artist, Matt Baker.

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:  Because of the success of "Wonder Woman 1984" ($16.7 million debut at the box office), Warner Bros. is fast-tracking "Wonder Woman 3" for development.

DC CINEMA - From IndieWire:   Pedro Pascal is impressing viewers with his performance as "Maxwell Lord" in "Wonder Woman 1984."  He was played an LAPD detective in TV super-producer Davie E. Kelley's 2011 "Wonder Woman" pilot for NBC.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  What was Wonder Woman really doing back in 1984 ... in the comic books.

MARVEL COMICS - From BleedingCool:  In August 2021, Marvel Comics will publish the "Marvel August 1961 Omnibus" which will collect every title published by Marvel Comics in August 1961.  That includes "The Fantastic Four #1.

CELEBRITY - From BleedingCool:  According to the site's owner, Rich Johnston, Warren Ellis is returning "to some form of digital media outlet" in 2021.  Over this past summer, a series of abuse allegations caused Ellis to withdraw from his social media accounts.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Here is an early look at art from writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist David Marquez's "Justice League," which is scheduled to begin March 16, 2021.

DC CINEMA - From THR:  Talking about the mid-credit scene in "Wonder Woman 1984." Warning: link leads to spoilers.

DC CINEMA - From YahooNews:  Former "The Price is Right" model, Gwendolyn Osborne, will show off her acting and stunt skills as an "Amazon" in "Wonder Woman 1984."

BOOM STUDIOS - From BleedingCool:   In March 2021, "Firefly" is returning, in a new comic book series with new characters with a long legacy. "Firefly: A Brand New Verse" is set twenty years after the original series and movie, with the daughter of Zo and Wash as the new captain of the Serenity, a new crew to captain. Firefly: A Brand New Verse will be created by Josh Lee Gordon and Fabiana Mascolo.

DC TV - From IGN:  Two classic animated Batman TV series are coming to HBO Max.  Starting Jan. 1st, 2021, fans can stream "Batman: The Animated Series" (1992-1995) and "Batman Beyond" (1999-2001) to their heart's delight.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Ablaze Publishing to publish Maria Llovet's "Eros/Psyche."

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  The notorious Richard Meyer vs. Mark Waid comic book lawsuit has been voluntarily dismissed by Meyer.

COMICS - From THR:   The site has a preview of Tyler Boss' upcoming comic book miniseries, "Dead Dog's Bite."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics will publish a line of variant covers featuring two-tone colors and classic interpretations of its characters.  Michael Cho will be the artist.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel will follow its "The Rise of Ultraman" miniseries with a second one, "The Trial of Ultraman," which begins March 2021.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  Here is a six-page preview of "Superman #28," the final issue written by Brian Michael Bendis.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  "Justice League" director Zack Snyder wants to write a comic book in which the Joker would kill Robin.  He wants Jim Lee to draw it.

DC CINEMA - From Insider:   "Wonder Woman 1984" director Patty Jenkins says that she was paid seven times less than male directors to direct the original film.  Even after getting a record setting raise for the sequel, she is still behind a male counterparts.

MANGA - From ComicBook:   "Boruto" manga reveals the "key visual art"for its "Vessel" story arc.

DC COMICS - From IGN:   Yoshitake Amano, the artist by "Final Fantasy," has produced a variant cover for "Harley Quinn #1," which is due March 23, 2020.

DC COMICS-MANGA - From ComicYears:   The studios behind the "Attack on Titan" manga is producing a "Joker" manga for DC Comics.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  Here is a preview of this week's "X-Men #17."

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:   James Tynion IV talks about Batman for February 2021 and beyond.

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:   "Wonder Woman 1984" leads the overseas box office with an estimated take of 38.5 million dollars.

MARVEL - From FlickeringMyth:   Here is a preview of Marvel's upcoming "King-Size Conan #1."

BOOM STUDIOS - From BleedingCool:   Here, is a first look at Ron Garney's art for Keanu Reeves' upcoming comic book, "BRZRKR."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Hot cover artist, Peach Momoko, will writer and draw a five-part X-Men comic book series, entitled "Demon Days: X-Men."

DC CINEMA - From LATimes:   "Wonder Woman" start Gal Gadot hopes that the new film, "Wonder Woman 1984," will end this rough year on a high note.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:   Hot Marvel Comics character, America Chavez, will get a new ongoing series beginning March 2021.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:   Nightwing returns with a new comic book series in March 2021.  Batgirl will be his partner when he returns to the city of Bludhaven.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:   To celebrate the 80th anniversary of Wonder Woman's debut, DC Comics has announced an all-new digital-first series, "Sensational Wonder Woman."  The first issue will be available January 6, 2021 on participating digital platforms.  The print debut is March 2, 2021.

COMICS - From SmashPages:   The Joker is getting his own ongoing monthly comic book via writer James Tynion IV and artist Guillem March.

COMICS - From SmashPages: Archie Comics has announced that "Deadpool" and "Youngblood" creator, Rob Liefeld, will produce a new version of its superhero team, "The Mighty Crusaders."  The four-issue miniseries will also "re-imagine" characters like "The Shield" and "The Comet."

DC COMICS - From THR:   DC Comics has announced a new anthology comic book series, "Batman: Urban Legends," which will debut sometime after the "Future State" event.

DC CINEMA - From THR: Actress Quintessa Swindell will play the character "Cyclone" in the Warner Bros.' DC Comics film, "Black Adam," which stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

DC CINEMA - From EW:  Zack Snyder is hoping to bring his four-hour director's cut of "Justice League" to theaters.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Hot gossip is that Random House will be publishing original DC Comics graphic novels.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  What if Edgar Rice Burroughs' "John Carter" was black?  Scott Fogg talks about his new project ("Prince of the Silent Planet") and his parents.

MANHUA - From CBR:  A Chinese boys' love (BL) comics, "Mo Dao Zu Shi," is hot on Tumblr.

MARVEL - From CommericalAppeal: The "Commercial Appeal" newspaper of Memphis, TN celebrates the fact that four authors born in Memphis or are Memphis-based have a story in a "Black Panther" short story anthology, "Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda."

MANGA - From HypeBeast:   The hit manga, "Chainsaw Man," is set to be adapted into an anime by MAPPA, the studio behind the "Attack on Titan" manga.

DISNEY - From BleedingCool:   David Levithan and Nick Bertozzi are adapting the Broadway musical, "Be More Chill," into a graphic novel that will be published by Disney-Hyperion.

NEWSPAPER COMICS - From YahooEntertainment:   Jean Schulz, the widow of Charles Schulz, the creator of the classic newspaper comic strip, "Peanuts," addresses the recent controversy concerning the depiction of African-American Peanuts character, "Franklin," in the animated holiday TV special, "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving."

MARVEL STUDIOS - From Marvel:  Here is a link to all of the Marvel Studios news coming out of The Walt Disney Company’s 2020 Investor Day Presentation

DISNEY+ - From BlackFilm:  Disney+ Teams Up With Kugali To Create Pan-African Comic Book Series “Iwájú”

EISNERS - From BleedingCool:  The "Will Eisner Comics Industry Awards" have named the six judges for the 2021 edition of the awards.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:   DC Comics has confirmed the "Tim Fox," brother of Luke Fox (Batwing) and son of Lucius Fox," is the new Batman.

IN MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:  Richard Corben, a comic book artist who worked in everything from underground comics and "Heavy Metal" to small press and Marvel and DC Comics, has died at the age of 80, Thursday, December 2, 2020.

DC CINEMA - From YahooEntertainment: Patty Jenkins On ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ Move To HBO Max And Theatrical: “There Was No Good Option”

UK COMICS - From 2000AD: Rebellion has announced the full schedule of Treasury of British Comics graphic novel titles for 2021. The Treasury of British Comics is bringing classics from the world’s largest archive of English language comic books back into print.

MARVEL/MANGA - From ComicWatch:   Marvel is teaming up with Shonen Jump to release a brand new manga series centered around the one and only Merc with a Mouth. The new series will be titled DEADPOOL: SAMURAI and it will be written by Sanshira Kasama with art by Hikaru Uesugi. You will be able to find the manga series on the Shonen Jump+ app on December 10th!

MANGA - From UnreservedCulture:  Japanese tennis star, Naomi Osaka, will star in her own manga.

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:  DC Comics announces new "Green Lantern" and "Justice League Dark" titles and also "Teen Titans Academy."

DC TV - From MurphysMultiverse:   Here is a first look at Tyler Hoechlin's "Superman" suit in The CW's "Superman and Lois."

MARVEL - From Newsarama:   Marvel releases a trailer for its upcoming miniseries, "Maestro: War and Pax."

COMICS - From Newsarama:   Freddie Williams II, a longtime exclusive comic book artist at DC Comics, is joining writer Tim Seeley at AfterShock Comics for the creator-owned title, "The Bequest."

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:   DC Comics announces a new "Harley Quinn" ongoing series by writer Stephanie Phillips and artist Riley Rossmo launches on March 24th. Gene Luen Yang and Ivan Reis take over the Batman/Superman ongoing series with issue #16, also on March 24th. 

MARVEL/MANGA - From BleedingCool:   The manga, "Deadpool: Samurai," the new Deadpool manga launching in Japan in collaboration with Shonen JUMP, will reportedly fit into Marvel Comics' continuity.

 MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics will release its first "Alien" comic book in March 2021.  "Alien #1" by writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson and artist Salvador Larroca will be based on the original 1979 film, "Alien."

MARVEL TO FILM - From MensHealth:   8 Marvel Comics movies you will never see.

SONY MARVEL U - From WeGotThisCovered:   Rumors suggest that Sony Pictures wants a big "Avengers: Endgame" type finale for Tobey Maguire, the first cinematic Peter Parker/Spider-Man, in an upcoming Spider-Man film.

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS - From PW:   Publishers Weekly talks to cartoonist Peter Bagge about "The Complete Hate," the three-volume, box set collection of his seminal alternative comic book, "Hate."

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Also arriving in March 2021 is a new "Suicide Squad" comic book, entitled "The Suicide Squad," and it will be Harley Quinn free.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  One of the first series launching in March 2021 after "Future State" is a new "Swamp Thing" series from writer Ram V and artist Mike Perkins.

DC TV - From THR:   Ava DuVernay is teaming up with Jill Blankenship ("Arrow") to develop a TV series based on the DC Comics title, "Naomi," for The CW.

MARVEL - From TribLive:  The nurses of "Allegheny Health Network" in Pittsburgh, PA are featured in the new Marvel Comics' title, "The Vitals: True Nurse Stories."

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:   At the CCXP World event in Brazil, DC Comics reveals that the "Future State" character, "Red X," will be a character from animation that is making the jump to comics.  Fan favorite, Harley Quinn, was originally a character in "Batman: The Animated Series."

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:   The site has provided an eight-page preview of the new "Batman: Black & White #1," which is due in comic book stores, Tuesday, Dec. 8th or Wednesday, Dec. 9th, 2020.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:   Writer John Ridley talks about his hot new DC Comics' miniseries, "The Other History of the DC Universe."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:   Rob Liefeld apparently has stated that he is returning to Marvel Comics to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first appearance of the character, Deadpool.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Despite recent layoffs, DC Comics is looking to fill three senior level positions.

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS - From TCJ:   Publisher Gary Groth talks to Katie Skelly about creating her graphic novel, "Maids."

FANTAGRAPHICS - From OprahMag:  Two Fantagraphics Books' publications, "Red Rock Baby Candy" and "Stone Fruit," make "Oprah Magazine's" list, "LGBTQ Books That Will Change the Literary Landscape in 2021"

DIAMOND - From BleedingCool:  The 500 most ordered comics and graphic novels for October 2020 via Diamond Comic Distributors.

UK COMICS - From DreddEpicsRanked:  A new blog, "Judge Dredd Epics: Ranked" will rank "Judge Dredd" story arcs.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From CBR:  Is this video of actress Hailee Steinfeld as "Kate Bishop" film for the Disney+ series, "Hawkeye?"

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:   DC Comics moves "Wonder Woman 1984" variant covers to January 2021.

DARK HORSE - From BleedingCool:  Why a throwaway 2013 "Star Wars" OGN is now a eBay bidding jewel.

IMAGE COMICS - From GamesRadar:   Image Comics and Top Cow Productions are launching a new "Witchblade" series in 2021 with writer Marguerite Bennett and Ariel Kristantina.  The original wielder of the Witchblade, Sara Pezzini.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  Legendary "Wolverine" writer Chris Claremont will join artist Steve McNiven to produce an exclusive "Wolverine" comic book.  How can you get it...

DIGITAL COMICS - From GamesRadar:   Here is a list of all the comics and manga coming to "comiXology Unlimited" (comiXology's flat-rate service) in December 2020.

 GRAPHIC NOVELS - From PublishersWeekly:  Simon & Shuster has announced two new graphic novel lines, "Little Simon Graphic Novels" and "Ready-to-Read Graphics," which will be focused on readers in ages 5 to 9.  "Ready-to-Read" will teach kids to read graphic novels.

CONVENTIONS - From PublishersWeekly:  ReedPop has announced that it is "retiring" two of its book publishing trade shows, "BookExpo" and "BookCon."  BookExpo is the largest book publishing trade show in the United States.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  "I got screwed" is what Alex Ross is saying about DC Comics.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Writer Tom King said that Batman and Catwoman will have sexual relations in the debut of their upcoming comic book, "Batman/Catwoman #1."

DC CINEMA - From ArsTechnica:   "Justice League: The Snyder Cut" black and white trailer - released Nov. 17th, 2020.

DC TV - From HBOMax:   See HBO Max's "Titans" Season 1-Episode 1 ("Titans," 2018) for free - for the time being.

From HBOMax:  See HBO Max's animated "Harley Quinn" Season1-Episode 1 ("Till Death Do Us Part," 2019) for free - for the time being.

DC FUTURE STATE: 

From BleedingCool:  DC "Future State" has a video teaser trailer.

From DCComics:  Here is the "Future State" page.

From DCBlog:  DC Future State Takes You Beyond Tomorrow

From GamesRadar:  What is DC saying about the post "Future State" Batman title?

From GamesRadar:  DC Future State "Flash" will be part of a gender-swapped "Teen Titans."

From TheBeat:   A first look at "Nubai," the classic Wonder Woman character as she will be in DC Future State's "Immortal Wonder Woman."

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics will make all their "Future State" comic books returnable for comic book stores.

From GamesRadar:  DC Future State Superman and Justice League January 2021 solicitations

From GamesRadar:   DC Future State Batman January 2021 solicitations

From GamesRadar:  "DC Future State" reveals the Next Batman, the fate of Bruce Wayne, and a whole new line of titles

From GamesRadar:  "DC Future State" details.

From THR:   DC Comics is starting 2021 by looking into the future of its superhero universe with "DC Future State," a two-month publishing event (January and February 2021) that offers glimpses at what might be coming for Batman, Wonder Woman and the rest of the Justice League.

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DECEMBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Albatross Funnybooks for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for December 2020 

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Chapterhouse for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for December 2020
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for December 2020
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for December 2020

From 2000AD:   Rebellion Comics for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for December 2020 

From BleedingCool: VIZ Media for December 2020

 

JANUARY 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  AWA for January 2021 

From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Black Mask Studios for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for January 2021 

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for January 2021 

From BleedingCool:  Kodansha for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics - King in Black for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Titans Comics for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Vertical Comics for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for January 2021

FEBRUARY 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Artists, Writers & Artisans for February 2020

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for February 2020

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for February 2021

From TheBeat: DC Comics for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for February 2021 

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "King in Black" for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for February 2021

From 2000AD:   Rebellion Comics for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for February 2021

From BleedingCool:   Zenescope Entertainment for February 2021

 

MARCH 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for March 2021 

From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for March 2021 

From BleedingCool:  Black Mask Comics for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  BOOM Studios for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Heavy Metal for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2021 

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  March Comics for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Second Sight for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for March 2021

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Review: SPIDER-MAN: Life Story #2

SPIDER-MAN: LIFE STORY No. 2
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Chip Zdarsky
PENCILS: Mark Bagley
INKS: Drew Hennessy
COLORS: Frank D'Armata
LETTERS: Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Tom Brevoort
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Chip Zdarsky
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Michael Cho
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (June 2019)

Rated  “T”

Spider-Man created by Steve Ditko and Stan Lee

Spider-Man is a classic Marvel Comics superhero.  Over the years, readers followed the adventures of Spider-man and his secret identity, that of teenager and high school student, Peter Parker.

In 1962, in Amazing Fantasy #15 (cover dated: August 1962), 15-year-old Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider and became the Amazing Spider-Man.  Fifty-seven years have passed in the real world since that event.  What would have happened if the same amount of time passed for Peter as well?   Spider-Man: Life Story is a new comic book miniseries that tells the story of Peter Parker and Spider-Man in real time, depicting his life from beginning to end.  Spider-Man: Life Story is written by Chip Zdarsky; drawn by Mark Bagley (pencils) and Drew Hennessy (inks); colored by Frank D'Armata; and letterer Travis Lanham.  “Life Story” is set against the events of the decades through which Spider-Man has lived.

Spider-Man: Life Story #2 opens in sometime in the mid-1970s.  Peter Parker and his wife, Gwen Stacy, visit the grave of Eugene “Flash” Thompson.  Flash, Peter's high school rival and erstwhile friend, was killed in Vietnam War/Conflict.  Peter is in a constant state of existential crisis.  He believes that he and others with great powers should be using their talents and creations to make the world a better place.  Peter still believes that he should have played a part in Vietnam.  But not everyone is feeling Peter's feelings or worldview.  And an old enemy reaches out to touch Peter.

For the last two decades, especially since the beginning of Joe Quesada's reign as Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Comics (in the year 2000), Marvel has been rebooting, re-imagining, and re-purposing the fictional histories of its comic books.  Maybe, that is a way to introduce classic story lines, story arcs, characters, concepts, etc. to a new readers.  One could say that this also allows older (and old) readers to experience the stories of the past retold to one extent or another.

I don't see Spider-Man: Life Story as a swipe of the fictional history and mythology of Spider-Man.  Instead Chip Zdarsky is representing the conflicts and melodramas that The Amazing Spider-Man and other Spider-Man publications depicted as the life experiences of a character who is aging in “real time.”  These are no longer just the adventures and misadventures and trial and tribulations of a young man and his superhero alter-ego who has been (mostly) no older than his mid-20s for the better part of six decades and is often eternally on the edge of graduating high school.

I am loathe to discuss the Spider-Man moments that Zdarsky represents, but I can say that by the end of Spider-Man: Life Story #2, Peter is 30 or 31.  He no longer has the eternal optimism of youth that will allow him to overlook a clone of himself.  He isn't a teenager or a college student or mid-20s professional who can brush off Spider-Man's darkest moments when it is time for him to play civilian the day after.

Spider-Man: Life Story does not quite take the real world approach to superheroes the way Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen did.  Spider-Man: Life Story #2, however, does take the approach to time and tide – the outward flow of time – that Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross' Marvels does.  No matter how many fantastic things are occurring, the players in this story age.  And life takes its toll.

What Zdarsky and artist Mark Bagley are offering is a chance to see one of the greatest superheroes forced to face his trials as a maturing man and not as an eternal boy or boyish man.  Spider-Man: Life Story #2 tells me that this series is for real.

9 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: DETECTIVE COMICS #1000

DETECTIVE COMICS No. 1000
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

EDITORS: Chris Conroy and Dave Wielgosz
COVER: Jim Lee and Scott Williams with Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Steve Rude; Bruce Timm; Michael Cho; Jim Steranko; Bernie Wrightson with Alex Sinclair; Frank Miller with Alex Sinclair; Tim Sale with Brennen Wagner; Jock; Greg Capullo with FCO Plascencia
MISC. ART: Mikel Janin; Jason Fabok with Brad Anderson; Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts;
96pp, Color, $9.99 U.S. (May 2019)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

Detective Comics is an American comic book series published by DC Comics, and it is the longest continuously published comic book periodical in the United States, according to the Guinness World Records.  Its first issue, Detective Comics #1 (cover dated:  March 1937), was published by Detective Comics, Inc., a forerunner of DC Comics.  Detective Comics is best known as the comic book series in which Batman/Bruce Wayne first appeared, in Detective Comics #27 (cover dated:  May 1939).

The first volume of Detective Comics was published from 1937 to 2011 (for 881 issues).  Then, as part of “The New 52” initiative, the series was relaunched in the fall of 2011 with a new Detective Comics #1 (cover dated:  November 2011).  In 2016, after 52 issues of “The New 52” run, Detective Comics reverted to what would have been its original numbering if it had not been relaunched – with Detective Comics #934 (cover dated:  Early August 2016).

March 30, 2019 marked the 80th anniversary of the first appearance of Batman.  Although Detective Comics #27's cover date is May 1937, it apparently debuted for sale March 30, 1939.  Just in time for this Bat-birthday is the arrival of Detective Comics #1000.

To celebrate, Detective Comics #1000 is an anthology (which the series originally was) featuring ten short stories created by an “all-star” list of comic book creators.  It also features a twelve-page preview of Detective Comics #1001 and has three pin-up illustrations.

For this review of Detective Comics #1000, I'll offer a few comments one each story:

“Batman's Longest Case”
STORY: Scott Snyder
PENCILS: Greg Capullo
INKS: Jonathan Glapion
COLORS: FCO Plascencia
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano

Snyder and Capullo have been THE rock star Batman creative team of this decade, but this story, introducing another of Snyder's contrived secret societies, is a misfire.

“Manufacture for Use”
STORY: Kevin Smith
PENCILS: Jim Lee
INKS: Scott Williams
COLORS: Alex Sinclair
LETTERS: Todd Klein

I think this is the first story I have ever read this is about the gun that killed Bruce Wayne's parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne.  I like this slightly imaginative slash inventive tale from filmmaker and sometimes comic book writer, Kevin Smith.  The art is standard Jim Lee Batman art – not Lee's best work, obviously.  The coloring by Alex Sinclair is gorgeous though.

“The Legend of Knute Brody”
STORY: Paul Dini
PENCILS: Dustin Nguyen
INKS: Derek Fridolfs
COLORS: John Kalisz
LETTERS: Steve Wands

This is another good idea turned poorly executed Paul Dini story from Paul Dini.  However, this story has the best Dustin Nguyen art I have seen in quite awhile; maybe Derek Fridolfs' inking helped.  John Kalisz colors are also nice.

“The Batman's Design”
STORY: Warren Ellis
ART: Becky Cloonan
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: Simon Bowland

The art team of Becky Cloonan and colorist Jordie Belliare produce some attractive art for this story.  Warren Ellis offers a thoughtful examination of how young men can end up as violent, remorseless criminals.  Ellis also presents a rather screwy, oddball version of what mercy from Batman looks like.  This is a nice story.

“Return to Crime Alley”
STORY: Denny O'Neil
ART: Steve Epting
COLORS: Elizabeth Breitweiser
LETTERS: Andworld Design

If any writer deserved to have a spot in Detective Comics #1000, it is classic Batman writer, Denny O'Neil.  His offering for this anniversary comic book features a Batman supporting character, Leslie Thompkins, that O'Neil created with artist Dick Giordano.  This is a powerful, powerful tale starring the one of the few characters who can give both Batman and Bruce Wayne pause.  Steve Epting's beautiful illustrations, Elizabeth Breitweiser's watercolor-like hues, and Andworld Design's lettering make this the best story in Detective Comics #1000.

“Heretic”
STORY: Christopher Priest
ART: Neal Adams
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Willie Schubert

The second best story in Detective Comics #1000, “Heretic,” features art by one of the greatest Batman artists of all time, Neal Adams.  It is set in the world of Ra's al Ghul, a character that Adams had a hand in creating.  Christopher Priest offers a potent tale about the fate of those become ensnared in both Batman and al Ghul's sphere of existence.

“I Know”
STORY: Brian Michael Bendis
ART/COLORS: Alex Maleev
LETTERS: Josh Reed

Okay.  The third best tale in this comic book is Bendis and Maleev's “I Know,” which depicts a confrontation between an aged Bruce Wayne and The Penguin.  This is an edgy tale with a Film-Noir feel, and I really like Maleev's design of each page.

“The Last Crime in Gotham”
STORY: Geoff Johns
ART: Kelley Jones
COLORS: Michelle Madsen
LETTERS: Rob Leigh

This is a nice tale by Johns and Jones.  This isn't Jones' best Batman work, but it is nice, and it is made all the better by Michelle Madsen's (as usual) gorgeous coloring.

“The Precedent”
STORY: James Tynion IV
PENCILS: Alvaro Martinez-Bueno
INKS: Raul Fernandez
COLORS: Brad Anderson
LETTERS: Sal Cipriano

This is a nice, sentimental tale about the importance of Dick Grayson/Robin to Bruce Wayne/Batman.  The art team, the colorist, and the letterer turn in some pretty art.  Brad Anderson's colors are practically radiant.

“Batman's Greatest Case”
STORY: Tom King
ART: Tony S. Daniel and Joëlle Jones
COLORS: Tomeu Morey
LETTERS: Clayton Cowles

Meh.

“Medieval”
STORY: Peter J. Tomasi
PENCILS: Doug Mahnke
INKS: Jaime Mendoza and Doug Mahnke
COLORS: David Baron
LETTERS: Rob Leigh

This is story is basically twelve pages of filler exposition, but the art, colors, and letters are eye-catching.  “Medieval” also offers the preview of a big character debut that is supposed to happen in Detective Comics #1001.

Detective Comics #1000 is, by my estimation, better than last year's Action Comics #1000, which was apparently the bestselling comic book of 2018.  I think many of the creative teams in Detective Comics #1000 are better at capturing the history and characteristics of Batman and his supporting cast, than their Action Comics #1000 equals were with Superman, even if the Batman teams largely fail to tell stories that convey the mystique of Batman.

It took a little over eighty-two years for Detective Comics to get to one thousand issues, so many of the Batman writers, artists, and editors who established the character are deceased.  The shame of it is that many of the people who really deserve to contribute to Detective Comics #1000 are long gone from the world of the living, that includes Batman creators, artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger (arguably the greatest Batman writer of all time).

I would replace most of the artists in Detective Comics #1000 with such late luminaries as Carmine Infantino (one of the most important Batman artists of all time), Jim Aparo, Bob Brown, Gene Colan, Sheldon Moldoff, Don Newton, Marshall Rogers, and Dick Sprang, to name a few.  I would brush away almost all the writers who actually appear in this comic book for a number of Batman writers who are deceased, such as John Broome, Gardner Fox, and Frank Robbins, to name a few.

There are quite a few living Batman creators who should have stories here:  writers Mike W. Barr, Gerry Conway, Steve Englehart (a frickin' crime that he is not included here, really) Doug Moench, Grant Morrison, and artists Brian Bolland and Alan Davis, to name a few.  Frank Miller provides a variant cover for Detective Comics #1000, but...  Also, Alan Moore...

But I have learned to take what I get... even when there could be better.  Detective Comics #1000 will be the high-water mark for one-thousandth issues until some other titles reaches a thousandth issue.  Oh, well.

7 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 syndication rights and fees.

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DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 30, 2017

DC COMICS

JUN170241    ALL STAR BATMAN #13    $4.99
JUN170242    ALL STAR BATMAN #13 ALBUQUERQUE VAR ED    $4.99
JUN170243    ALL STAR BATMAN #13 FIUMARA VAR ED    $4.99
MAY170320    AQUAMAN TP VOL 03 CROWN OF ATLANTIS (REBIRTH)    $19.99
MAY170322    BATMAN REBIRTH DLX COLL HC BOOK 01    $34.99
MAY170331    BATMAN SHADOW OF THE BAT TP VOL 02    $29.99
MAY170333    BATMAN THE GOLDEN AGE TP VOL 03    $29.99
MAY170321    BATMAN TP VOL 03 I AM BANE (REBIRTH)    $16.99
JUN170375    BLACK RACER & SHILO NORMAN SPECIAL #1    $4.99
JUN170374    DARKSEID SPECIAL #1    $4.99
MAY170336    DEADMAN BY KELLEY JONES COMPLETE COLL TP    $24.99
JUN170297    JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #13    $2.99
JUN170298    JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #13 VAR ED    $2.99
MAR170425    NEW TEEN TITANS OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 NEW EDITION    $75.00
JUN170307    RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS ANNUAL #1    $4.99
JUN170314    SUPERGIRL ANNUAL #1    $4.99
MAY170335    WONDER GIRL ADVENTURES OF A TEEN TITAN TP    $14.99
JUN170331    WONDER WOMAN #29    $2.99
JUN170332    WONDER WOMAN #29 VAR ED    $2.99

Review: DARTH VADER #25

DARTH VADER No. 25
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

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

STORY: Keiron Gillen
ART: Salvador Larroca
COLORS: Edgar Delgado
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Juan Gimenez
VARIANT COVERS: Cliff Chiang; John Tyler Christopher; Michael Cho; Adi Granov; Greg Land; Salvador Larocca; Jamie McKelvie; Sara Pichelli; Joe Quesada; Chris Samnee; Kamome Shirahama
52pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (December 2016)

Rated T

Book IV, Part VI: “End of Games”

Of course you know that The Walt Disney Company owns Marvel Comics, dear readers.  Shortly after acquiring Marvel Entertainment, Disney bought Lucasfilm, Ltd., the owner of all thing Star Wars.  Just a (relatively) short time later, Dark Horse Comics lost the license to produce Star Wars comic books, which it had held for two decades.  It was obvious that Marvel would be the new home of Star Wars comics, and around the beginning of 2015, Marvel released the flagship title, Star Wars.

Shortly afterwards, Marvel began its second Star Wars series, Darth Vader.  Written by Keiron Gillen, drawn by Salvador Larroca, colored by Edgar Delgado, and lettered by Joe Caramagna, this series chronicled the quest of Star Wars' most (in)famous and beloved villain, Darth Vader, has he delved into his past and fought for his present in order to prepare for his future.

Basically, this is how Darth Vader the comic book worked.  Emperor Palpatine held Vader responsible for the destruction of his ultimate weapon, the Death Star, by the Rebel Alliance – as seen the original Star Wars from 1977 (also known as Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope).  Suddenly, the Emperor had appointed others in position of power that basically rivaled Vader's position of power and authority under the Emperor, and some of those rivals wanted to see Vader dead.

To defend himself, Vader essentially created his own secret Empire within the Emperor's Empire, from which he could defeat his adversaries and secure his position in the Empire.  Vader even learned that the young pilot who launched the torpedoes/missiles that destroyed the Death Star is Luke Skywalker, his son by his late wife from another life.  As the series progressed, Vader had much success, but some of his rivals prove to be formidable adversaries who could destroy him.

Now, the series comes to an end and wraps up its remaining story lines/threads in Darth Vader #25.  As the story begins, Darth Vader prepares for his final showdown with the one who has proven to be his most wily rival, Cylo, but the traitorous scientist has a fail safe that may give him victory over Vader.  Meanwhile, Vader's secret ally, Dr. Aphra, moves to protect herself from Vader – by seeking counsel with the Emperor!

After the first story arc of this series, entitled “Vader,” it was clear that Marvel's best Star Wars comic book was Darth Vader, which was saying a lot because the flagship Star Wars was also quite good.  I think series writer Kieron Gillen did a good job of connecting the past, which contained the wreckage resulting from the transformation of Annakin Skywalker into Darth Vader to the present, filled with Vader's problems and dilemmas.  Gillen gave his readers the chance to watch Vader discover some of the secrets of his past, which were not secret to readers, while also offering readers the opportunity to see how Vader “discovered” Luke Skywalker.

I can say that Gillen was good enough at what he did with Darth Vader that this series is worth preserving in trade paperback for future readers.  For the time being or until Star Wars is inevitably rebooted (probably sooner than we think), Gillen's Darth Vader is Star Wars storytelling for posterity.

And before we go, I must praise the stellar work of series artist, Salvador Larroca.  It is a shame that it seems easy to take Larroca for granted, but his work defined this series' sense of cloak and dagger and the title character's relentless aggression.

A

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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