Review: THE UNEXPECTED #1

THE UNEXPECTED No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Steve Orlando and Ryan Sook
PENCILS: Cary Nord
INKS: Mick Gray and Wade von Grawbadger
COLORS: FCO Plascencia
LETTERS: Carlos M. Mangual
EDITOR: Katie Kubert
COVER: Ryan Sook
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (August 2018)

Rated “T” for Teen

The Unexpected created by Steve Orlando and Ryan Sook

Call of the Unknown: Part One – “Punch First”

DC Comics has launched a new superhero comic book initiative, “The New Age of DC Heroes,” coming out of its Dark Nights: Metal event miniseries.  This line of comic books consists of eight new comic book series:  The Curse of Brimstone, Damage, The Immortal Men, New Challengers, Sideways, The Silencer, The Terrifics, and the subject of this review, The Unexpected.

The Unexpected is the eighth and final release in “The New Age of DC Heroes.”  The series is written by Steve Orlando and Ryan Sook; drawn by Cary Nord and Ryan Sook (pencils) and Mick Gray and Wade von Grawbadger (inks); colored by FCO Plascencia; and lettered by Carlos M. Mangual.  The Unexpected focuses on a group of unlikely heroes who are called to action across the Multiverse in the wake of the events depicted in Dark Nights: Metal.

The Unexpected #1 (“Punch First”) introduces Janet Fals.  She was a paramedic killed in the line of duty.  Civil Solutions, “ a futurist arms developer,” revives Janet giving her a new heart – something called “the Conflict Engine.”  Every 24 hours, she has to feed the Conflict Engine a fight or violence... or she dies.  Janet Fals is now known as the super-powered entity, “Firebrand.”

In her new life, Firebrand uses the name “Ronan,” and works at a VA hospital.  When a new and strange patient starts causing trouble, Ronan has to become Firebrand to deal with the Bad Samaritan, Neon the Unknown, Ascendant, and Viking Judge.

I don't know how much of this book is drawn by Ryan Sook and how much is drawn by Cary Nord.  I do know that Mick Gray and Wade von Grawbadger are two of the best inkers working in American superhero comic books today.  The result is that The Unexpected has the most beautiful art of any of “New Age” titles, which is quite a feat.  Many of the initial art teams on the “New Age” books turned out some pretty art, and some of the secondary teams have also delivered attractive illustrating.  Colorist FCO Plascencia and letterer Carlos M. Mangual complete what is a top-notch graphics and graphical storytelling team on The Unexpected.

Unfortunately, The Unexpected offers a terrible story and only a serviceable script.  It offers the kind of pointless bombastic action that plagues event comic books that Marvel and DC Comics publish every time they and comic book retailers need a sales bump.  Bombastic action over anemic character writing:  hope that works for you if you want to like The Unexpected.  I would be surprised if The Unexpected lasts 12 issues, which is a pity.  This is one good-looking comic book.

3.5 out of 10

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


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

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Review: SUPERMAN #1

SUPERMAN No. 1 (2016)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Peter J. Tomasi
PENCILS: Patrick Gleason
INKS: Mick Gray
COLORS: John Kalisz
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVER: Patrick Gleason and Mick Gray with John Kalisz
VARIANT COVER: Kenneth Rocafort
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (August 2016)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

“Son of Superman” Part One

The last time I reviewed an issue of Superman it was to express my opinion on Superman: Rebirth, of which I had mixed feelings.  Because of DC Comics' current publishing event-slash-initiative, Rebirth, there is a new first issue of Superman, and while I planned on reading this relaunch, I had no plans on reviewing it.  I finally stop putting off reading...

Superman #1 (“Son of Superman” Part One) is written by Peter J. Tomasi; drawn by Patrick Gleason (pencils) and Mick Gray (inks); colored by John Kalisz; and lettered by Rob Leigh.  It focuses on the GenX, post-Crisis/pre-New 52 Superman/Clark Kent.  Clark lives with his wife Lois Lane and their son, Jonathan, on “The Smith Farm” in Hamilton County, which is 300 miles north of Metropolis.

Yes, the Kents go by the name Smith, as they try to have a normal life, although Kent has taken on the mantle of this world's Superman (a long story).  Meanwhile, Jonathan is starting to chafe at all the secrecy, and young Kent's anxiety gets worse when surprising guests visit the Smiths, including Kathy Branden, the daughter of their new neighbors.

I was surprised by how much I liked Superman #1 (2016).  Since Clark Kent is a bit reticent or perhaps introspective about being Superman again, the Man of Steel has an air of foreboding and mystery about him.  When he does let his hero flag or, in this case, cape fly, there is a sense of majesty about him.  For the time being, writer Peter J. Tomasi is bringing a sense of wonder to Superman – something the title has lacked in recent years, but should always have.

Artists Patrick Gleason and Mick Gray are delivering quality work that reminds me of Steve Rude's work on Superman (and Batman) in the 1990 World Finest miniseries (written by Dave Gibbons).  I think Gleason and Gray's work on the recent Robin: Son of Batman was sharper, but I like what they are doing here.  I think this new Superman series has great potential.

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


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

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Review: ROBIN: Son of Batman #1

ROBIN: SON OF BATMAN #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY/PENCILS: Patrick Gleason
INKS: Mick Gray
COLORS: John Kalisz
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
COVER: Patrick Gleason with John Kalisz
VARIANT COVER: Robbi Rodriguez
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2015)

Rated “T” for Teen

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

“Year of Blood” Part One

Damian Wayne is the (illegitimate) son of Batman/Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul, and thus, the grandson of Batman villain, Ra's al Ghul, Talia's father.  An unnamed male infant credited as Batman and Talia's child first appeared in the original graphic novel, Batman: Son of the Demon.  Other writers would later compose speculative stories about the child's life.  In Batman #655, writer Grant Morrison reinterpreted that child as Damian Wayne, the centerpiece of the story arc, “Batman and Son.”

Damian Wayne was eventually killed off and then resurrected.  He is now the star of a new comic book, Robin: Son of Batman, which is part of the “DCYou” publishing initiative.  It is written and penciled by Patrick Gleason, inked by Mick Gray, colored by John Kalisz, and lettered by Tom Napolitano.

Robin: Son of Batman #1 (“Year of Blood” Part One) opens in Bialya, where Damian/Robin is confronting Abush.  The self-proclaimed king is holding Goliath (“Don't call him a man-bat”) prisoner.  There will be bigger threats for Damian to face.  The first is the revenge seeking daughter of Morgan Ducard a.k.a. “Nobody,” whom Damian apparently killed.  Secondly, Damian will have to face his legacy as an al Ghul in the “Year of Blood.”

I am definitely adding Robin: Son of Batman to my reading list.  Next to the Bat-Mite miniseries, Robin is, thus far, one of the “DCYou” titles that I have enjoyed reading the most.  Writer-artist Patrick Gleason has created a story that reminds me of the international adventure that was a big part of Robin, the 1991 five-issue miniseries.  I am intrigued and pleased that Gleason seems willing to dig into the darkness that is part of Damian Wayne the way Batman writers have obsessed over depicting the darkness within Bruce Wayne, especially over the last four decades

Even as a longtime comic book reviewer I have been reluctant to heartily recommend a superhero comic book title to all of my readers, even the ones who do not read superhero comics.  Well, I heartily recommend Robin: Son of Batman to all of you – superhero, alt-comix, indie, and manga readers alike.

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.

Albert Avilla Reviews: Batman and Robin #0

Batman and Robin #0
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Script: Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils: Patrick Gleason
Inks: Mick Gray
Colors: John Kalisz
Letters: Carlos M. Mangual

I like my origin stories to give me insight into a character. The insight that I got from this story is that Damian is a bad little mother-shut-my-mouth. His being scientifically engineered explains why a toddler can kill tigers and great white sharks and why Batman takes him on missions to subdue lunatic villains. Most kids his age can't wipe their butts effectively. What a nurturing mother… Happy birthday, Damian… let’s have a battle to the death. I can understand why the kid is rebellious.

The story takes place during the birthday battle in which Damian earns the right to know who his father is, with flashbacks to other moments that impacted Damian's character. The action is fast moving with gratuitous violence to keep any fanboy satisfied. That little mother-shut-my-mouth is taking out ninjas and Man-Bats from beginning to end. Mama al Ghul even gets to feel the bottom of Damian's size – I don't know 3 or 2? What size does a little bastard wear?

This Robin shatters the mold of what past Robins were. Years from now, when other creators are trying their hand at the Damian character and changing certain aspects of Damian, we'll think back to what Tomasi (@PeterJTomasi) has done and say "they are f’ing up a good character." Tomasi has left his imprint on this character for ages to come. Thank you, Mr. Tomasi, for giving us this little hyperactive, death-dealing monster of a Robin. I'm looking forward to what a Junior Justice League led by this Robin is going to be like. In this age of the multi-issue story arc, it's good to read a good one issue story.

The art helps tell the story. A good comic book story doesn't just come from what text there is. The action scenes are impressive. The art team does a good job of making the little tike look murderous without making it comedic. Talia has just enough of that psychotic gleam in her eyes to make you cover up the old family jewels.

I rate Batman and Robin #0 Recommend It to a Friend.

The New 52 Review: BATMAN AND ROBIN #1

BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Peter J. Tomasi
PENCILS: Patrick Gleason
INKS: Mick Gray
COLORS: John Kalisz
LETTERS: Patrick Brosseau
32pp, Color, $2.99

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Remember that Batman and Robin comic book that had the original Robin, Dick (Richard) Grayson, as Batman and Bruce Wayne’s son, Damian Wayne, as the latest Robin? Of course, you do; it was only launched two years ago to great fanfare – as the Batman comic book line was then being revamped… again.

With DC Comics’ re-launch of its superhero comic book line, “The New 52,” Batman and Robin is also re-launched, with Bruce Wayne back as Batman and Damian back as Robin. The team that produced the “Tree of Blood” storyline in the 2009 Batman and Robin, writer Peter J. Tomasi and artist Patrick Gleason, is the creative team of The New 52 Batman and Robin.

Batman and Robin #1 (“Born to Kill”) opens in Moscow where one of the Batmen of Batman Incorporated gets Bat-manhandled. Meanwhile, Batman/Bruce Wayne is ready to reconcile and to put a defining moment in his life behind him, so he takes his bratty son to Crime Alley. But the irascible new Boy Wonder is more interested in stomping some bad guy ass than being kind of sentimental.

After reading the first issue of 2009 Batman and Robin by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, I was very impressed. It was a start reminiscent of their opening storyline for New X-Men (“E is for Extinction”). Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason’s own first Batman and Robin issue is close to being as good as Morrison/Quitely, and I’m equally impressed. I so want to share with you the fun I had reading it, but I’d unleash too many spoilers. What I’ll say is that this is one of “The New 52” you should keep reading past the first issue.

A