#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

AWA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awastudiosofficial

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: SINS OF THE SALTON SEA #1

SINS OF THE SALTON SEA #1 (OF 5)

AWA STUDIOS

STORY: Ed Brisson

ART: C.P. Smith

COLORS: C.P. Smith

LETTERS: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

COVER: Tim Bradstreet

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Mike Deodato, Jr. with Lee Loughridge; Chris Ferguson; Mike Deodato, Jr.

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

Rated: “Mature”

Sins of the Salton Sea is a new five-issue comic book miniseries from writer Ed Brisson and artist C.P. Smith.  Published by AWA Studios, the series focuses on a professional thief who finds himself with lives on his hand rather than the money promised in his hand.  Letterer Steve Wands completes the series creative team.

Sins of the Salton Sea #1 opens somewhere out in the American West.  It introduces Wyatt, a professional thief living off the grid.  What he doesn't know is that his brother, Jasper, has been keeping tabs on him, and now, he has come asking for help.  Jasper has allegedly scored information on one of those proverbial “last big scores.”  If Jasper and his team can pull this off, everyone will be set for a long time, maybe even life.

Problem is that Jasper needs a fifth member of his team, and that would be Wyatt, an explosives expert.  Wyatt reluctantly agrees, and he is right to be cautious.  This heist is not anything like what Jasper and his team expects.

THE LOWDOWN:  AWA Studios marketing recently began providing me with PDF review copies of their comic book publications.  Sins of the Salton Sea #1 is the latest.

I don't have a lot to say about Sins of the Salton Sea #1, but it is a damn good read.  Writer Ed Brisson offers a tale that when it blows up in the reader's face – and it does – it leaves everything changed and the direction of the story totally different from what the reader expected.

Meanwhile, artist-colorist, C.P. Smith, depicts the West in true grand fashion with a clean compositional style and panels that feel wide and cinematic.  Smith's colors, however, give the story a deeply intimate feel.  Not only the drama, but also the action scenes bring the readers up close and personal.  I felt like I was there and in trouble with everyone else.

I highly recommend Sins of the Salton Sea #1.  It promises a lot for the rest of this series.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of action thrillers and conspiracies will want to try Sins of the Salton Sea.

A

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

You can buy the SINS OF THE SALTON SEA trade paperback at Amazon.

AWA Website: https://awastudios.net/

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

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

AWA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awastudiosofficial

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: RED ZONE #3

RED ZONE #3 (OF 4)

AWA STUDIOS

STORY: Cullen Bunn

ART: Mike Deodato, Jr.

COLORS: Lee Loughridge

LETTERS: Steve Wands

COVER: Rahzzah

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Mike Deodato, Jr. with Lee Loughridge

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 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 #3 opens, Randall and Nika are scurrying about the alleys and back streets of Moscow, avoiding death by gunfire from above and mechanized death from behind them.  Milena, a female assassin who was once the deadliest woman in the world, is perched somewhere above them, trying to take them out with sniper fire.  Murderer for hire, Nikita Vasiliev, is an old enemy who now wears a hydraulic suit of armor.  Hopefully, Nikita and Milena can get in each other's way before they kill Randall and Nika.

Even if they escape this pair, there are killers and spies at every step of the way.  And their one hope may not be in the condition they need him to be.

THE LOWDOWN:  AWA Studios marketing recently began providing me with PDF review copies of their comic book publications.  One of them is Red Zone #3, the third issue of the series that I've read.

Writer Cullen Bunn has certainly created an edge-of-your-seat thriller in Red Zone.  It is one of the few comic books in which I eagerly await each new issue, and this third issue does not disappoint.  Bunn creates more exhilarating set pieces in a single issue than most comic books can offer in four issues.

In Red Zone, artist Mike Deodato, Jr. has created a page design and graphic design that presents a tapestry of thrills.  His illustrative style in Red Zone is similar to the design artist B. Krigstein used for the classic EC Comics short story “Master Race” (Impact, April 1955).  Deodato creates the visual suggestion 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.  It makes the art seems active rather than static.

The first issue of Red Zone was an excellent introduction to the series.  The second issue was like an assurance that the first issue was no fluke.  Red Zone #3 will make readers desperate to come back for more of this fine series.

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

AWA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awastudiosofficial

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: RED ZONE #1

RED ZONE #1 (OF 4)

AWA STUDIOS

STORY: Cullen Bunn

ART: Mike Deodato, Jr.

COLORS: Lee Loughridge

LETTERS: Steve Wands

COVER: Rahzzah

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Mike Deodato, Jr. with Lee Loughridge

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

Rated: “Teen+”

Red Zone is a new 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 #1 introduces Randall Crane, an unassuming professor of Russian and Slavic Studies at NYU.  After one of his classes, he gets a visit from Captain Simon Crow of the United States Army Special Forces.  Crow tells Crane that the U.S. government is calling the professor in for a secret international mission in Russia.

Crow is leading a five-man extraction team, and their target is Elena Sidorov, a former Prima Ballerina Assoluta of the Moscow Ballet.  What she knows makes her a high priority asset to the U.S., and she has specifically asked that Randall, once a close friend of hers, accompany the team.  Not long into the mission in St. Petersburg, there are complications, and before he knows it, Randall is alone and forced to summon the secrets of his past.

THE LOWDOWN:  AWA Studios marketing recently began providing me with PDF review copies of their comic book publications.  My first PDF is Red Zone #1.

The characters, setting, plot, mood, drama, and action that writer Cullen Bunn offers reminds me of one of my all-time favorite action movies, director John Frankenheimer's 1998 film, Ronin, starring Robert De Niro and Jean Reno.  The suspense, intrigue, shadowy characters, and the mission disaster: Bunn spins an espionage thriller that effectively works in the comic book medium.  Bunn offers that thrilling slow burn the draws the reader into the narrative – just in time for the explosion.

Artist Mike Deodato, Jr. has refined his graphical and drawing style into a kind of photo-realism similar to that of Bryan Hitch's.  It perfectly serves the moody and mysterious international thriller that is Red Zone #1.  Lee Loughridge's skillful coloring adds layer upon layer of atmosphere, and Steve Wands' lettering and effects capture the edginess of this first issue.

This first issue of Red Zone is an excellent introduction to the series, and it definitely makes me want to return for more.  I highly recommend it to anyone looking for really good comic books in general, regardless of genre, dear readers.

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

AWA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awastudiosofficial

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: MIGHTY THOR #1

MIGHTY THOR No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Jason Aaron
ART: Russell Dauterman
COLORS: Matthew Wilson
LETTERS: VC's Joe Sabino
COVER:  Russell Dauterman with Matthew Wilson
VARIANT COVERS:  Olivier Coipel; Russell Dauterman (Design Variant) Russell Dauterman with Matthew Wilson; Mike Deodato (Hip Hop Variant); Sarah Jean Maefs as Photographed by Judy Stephens
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (January 2016)

Rated “T+”

“Thunder in Her Veins”

Marvel Comics' version of Thor is, of course, based on the Norse mythological deity of the same name.  Thor first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 (cover dated: August 1962) and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby.    Marvel's “The Mighty” Thor is a superhero and a member of superhero team, The Avengers.

Thor possesses the “enchanted hammer,” Mjolnir, and he is the Prince of Asgard, the one true God of Thunder – the Odinson... until now.  There is a “Goddess of Thunder,” and she possesses Mjolnir.  She is Dr. Jane Foster, Thor's lady-friend.  As part of the “All-New, All-Different Marvel,” the new Thor has her second ongoing comic book series, Mighty Thor.  It is written by Jason Aaron, drawn by Russell Dauterman, colored by Matthew Wilson, and lettered by Joe Sabino.

Mighty Thor #1 (“Thunder in Her Veins”) opens with Jane Foster receiving chemotherapy because of the cancer that is killing her mortal form.  As Thor, she is healthy, and the Goddess of Thunder will be needed because elves are falling from the sky.  Before the Congress of Worlds, the Light Elves of Alfheim declare that the Dark Elves of Svartalfheim and their sly king, Malekith, are waging war against them.

Although that is true, the Dark Elves deny it.  The tense and dangerous situation could be resolved by Odin, but the All-Father hides in his castle, refusing to engage.  Meanwhile Cul Borson is still seeking to take the new Thor prisoner, but an even darker conspiracy is gathering against her.

When I read the beginning of the first Jane Foster series, Thor #1, in late 2014, I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I thought the book's creative team had done a fantastic job of starting a new era of Thor.  Well, that same creative team is back for Mighty Thor, and the first issue of this series is simply a continuation of the previous series.

I called writer Jason Aaron's script for Thor #1 “a thing of wonders,” and he hasn't missed a beat moving into Mighty Thor.  He has given the saga of Thor and of Asgard a “Game of Thrones” vibe.  And why not?  Thor has always had the potential to be a tale of both medieval courtly intrigue and high-fantasy war and adventure, while being a superhero comic book.

I am still enthralled by Russell Dauterman's art.  At the beginning of the earlier series, I liked his art, but for Thor, it needed time to grow on me.  With the arrival of Mighty Thor, Dauterman has won me over; he has brought something fresh and vital to Thor, even almost a year-and-a-half later.  As I did before, I recommend that readers at least try the first issue of this new Mighty Thor.

A

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


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

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Review: DEADPOOL #1 (2018)

DEADPOOL No. 1 / No. 301 (2018)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Skottie Young
ART: Nic Klein; Scott Hepburn
COLORS: Nic Klein; Ian Herring
LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry
EDITOR: Jake Thomas
COVER: Nic Klein
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Skottie Young with Jean-Francois Beaulieu; Skottie Young; Mike Deodato, Jr. with Rain Beredo; Rob Liefeld with Federico Blee; Rob Liefeld with Jesus Aburtov; Jerome Opena with Jason Keith
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (August 2018)

“Parental Advisory”

Deadpool created by Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza

“Back in Business”

Deadpool is a Marvel Comics anti-hero character.  He was created by artist-writer Rob Liefeld and writer Fabian Nicieza and first appeared in The New Mutants #98 (cover dated: February 1991).  Deadpool is Wade Winston Wilson, a disfigured and deeply mentally disturbed assassin-for-hire and mercenary with a superhuman physical prowess and an accelerated healing factor.  The character is depicted as joking constantly, being sarcastic, and having a tendency to engage in the literary device of “breaking the fourth wall” and speaking to readers.

Marvel Comics recently launched a new Deadpool comic book series, because launching and relaunching comic book series and number-one issues is something for which Marvel has a proclivity.  Deadpool 2018 is written by Skottie Young.  This issue has two stories.  The first is drawn and colored by Nic Klein, and the second is drawn by Scott Hepburn and colored by Ian Herring.  Jeff Eckleberry provides lettering for both stories.

Deadpool #1 (“Back in Business”) finds our (anti) hero enjoying a sappy Oscar-bait drama, “Best Friends Buds” at the local movie theater.  What Deadpool really wants is a high-paying assassination gig, but his “assistant,” Negasonic Teenage Warhead, informs him that his current target is also enjoying “Best Friends Bud.”  Luckily more craziness is, indeed, headed Mr. Wilson's way, in the form of the kind of adversary the Avengers usually handle.

In “Good Night,” Deadpool, post-mind-wipe, wants a new new origin story.  He tries on several, most of them riffs on familiar superhero origin tales.

I have not read a Deadpool comic book in over two decades, maybe since that miniseries Joe Madureira drew.  I decided to read the first issue of this new Skottie Young-written series because I liked the first issue of the Rocket Raccoon comic book Young wrote and drew a few years ago.  I made a good choice, as I really enjoyed this new Deadpool #1.

Young has written a comic book that reads like a partial transcript of the hit 2016 Deadpool film, and Young does joke about the stylistic similarities between that film and this comic book.  That's okay.  On that rare occasion, a comic book should skew close to its film adaptation.  Nic Klein's art blends seamlessly with Young's script to create an entertaining and humorous comic book, and even Klein's coloring has a comic vibe.  That makes it complete Deadpool the 2018 comic book is spiritually similar to Deadpool the 2016 movie.

Artist Scott Helpern and artist Ian Herring offer a nice turn in riffs on famous comic book origin stories in the second story, “Good Night.”  Of course, letterer Jeff Eckleberry swoops in to assure that the comedy works.  I think that some people underestimate how important lettering is to not only creating the tone of a comic book story, but also how important letterers are to making sure that dialogue and exposition have the intended dramatic or humorous impact.

I think a few issues of this new Deadpool series have been published since the debut of this first issue.  So I need to hunt some back issues because I think I might want to follow this.  It is not a “great” work; sometimes, Young seems to try a little too hard to be funny, but this Deadpool #1 is quite enjoyable.

7 out of 10

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


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

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Review: SAVAGE AVENGERS #1

SAVAGE AVENGERS No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Gerry Duggan
ART: Mike Deodato, Jr.
COLORS: Frank Martin
LETTERS: VC's Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Tom Brevoort
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. “C.B. Cebulski”
COVER: David Finch with Frank D'Armata
VARIANT COVERS: Simone Bianchi with Simone Peruzzi; Mike Deodato, Jr. with Frank Martin; Moebius; Skottie Young; Leinil Francis Yu with Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (July 2019)

Rated “Parental Advisory”

Avengers created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

Chapter One: “Once Upon a Time in the City of Sickles”

The Avengers are Marvel Comics' premiere team of superheroes.  Known as “Earth's Mightiest Heroes,” the team made its debut in The Avengers #1 (cover dated:  September 1963) and were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

Conan the Cimmerian is a “sword and sorcery” character created by Robert E. Howard (REH).  Conan first appeared in the pulp fiction magazine, Weird Tales (1932).  Conan lived in Howard's fictional “Hyborian Age” and was a mercenary, outlaw, pirate, thief, warrior, and eventually a king, but because of his tribal origins, some characters that encountered him thought of Conan as a barbarian.  In 1970, Marvel Comics brought Conan to the world of comic books with the series, Conan the Barbarian.

Conan the Barbarian teams-up with Wolverine, The Punisher, Venom, Elektra and Doctor Voodoo to give the Avengers a savage spin in the new comic book series, Savage Avengers.  This ongoing title is written by Gerry Duggan; drawn by Mike Deodato, Jr.; colored by Frank Martin; and lettered by Travis Lanham.  The premise of this team-up is that these heroes, anti-heroes, and villains must work together to put an end to the machinations of the evil wizards of Conan’s world who have start trading spells with The Hand, the infamous ninja organization.

Savage Avengers #1 (“Once Upon a Time in the City of Sickles”) opens with a famous opera singer who is kidnapped and spirited away to The Savage Land, specifically the “City of Sickles.”  There a menacing man known as the “Cult Leader” kills the opera singer and throws his body into a giant bowl.  This bowl is filled with the bloody and broken corpses of some of mankind's best artists, thinkers, and warriors.  But more is needed if this cult is going to summon a brutal dark god, “Jhoatun Lau, the Marrow God,” who resides on a mysterious planet beyond Pluto.

Meanwhile, Conan, looking for priceless jewel now in the Savage Land, runs into Wolverine.  Suddenly, two of the fiercest, most vicious, and most brutal warriors of two worlds will fight, apparently to the death.  Meanwhile, Frank Castle a.k.a. The Punisher makes a discovery that will summon his dark side.

I was interested in Savage Avengers when I read the first announcement about it, but I was not interested enough to read it right away.  I recently came upon a copy of Savage Avengers #1, and, after putting it off, decided to read it.  Wow, I must say I enjoyed it.  Most of this issue depicts a brutal, hack-and-slash, stab-and-stab-again battle between Conan and Wolverine.  Still, writer Gerry Duggan offers a dark and interesting scenario – a giant bowl containing a pool of blood and ofal – and a scary-sounding dark god.

As usual Mike Deodato, Jr. presents beautiful art.  His art is an illustrated symphony of sharp line work and precision crosshatching.  Deodato's graphical storytelling suggests classic horror comics, and Frank Martin's colors are the perfect accompaniment to Deodato's night music art.  Deodato and Martin's depiction of Jhoatun Lau makes the geek in me holler, Awesome!

Letter Travis Lanham also plays music, the ebb and flow offering different levels of intensity.  Lanham goes from intense and loud (Conan vs. Wolverine) to menacing intensity (the cult).  I'm shocked by how much I like Savage Avengers #1, but I am looking for more issues.

8 out of 10

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


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

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I Reads You Juniors March 2019 - Update #89

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From TheNewYorker: Françoise Mouly and Genevieve Bormes have "A Conversation with Jaime Hernandez About His New Graphic Novel" (entitled "Is This How You See Me?).

From Newsarama:  DC Comics introduced a new logo for "Detective Comics," which it will debut in Detective Comics #1001.

From Deadline:  Here is a first look at actress Courtney Whitmore in costume as "Stargirl" from the DC Universe's streaming series.

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing looking to sell $25 million in stock to fund projects.

From Newsarama:  Here is a first look at a teaser for Epix's upcoming series, "Pennyworth," the Alfred Pennyworth TV series.

From HuffPost:  Jeffrey Veregge is bringing Native American representation to comic books.

From BleedingCool:  Bill Sienkiewicz is illustrating "Santa: My Life & Times" for Titan Comics.

From Deadline: "Bitter Root," the Image Comics miniseries from creators David F. Walker, Sanford Greene, and Chuck Brown has had its film rights picked up by Legendary Pictures.

From BleedingCool:  Two of Marvel's characters created for the Chinese and Asian markets, Sword Master and Aero, will appear in Marvel's domestic comics.

From Newsarama:  Here is a preview of Marvel's upcoming, "History of the Marvel Universe," which still does not have a release date.

From Newsarama:  This article looks at every centennial cover after Detective Comics #27 (#127, 227, and so on).  The article also has a link where you can view all 80 variant covers for Detective Comics #1000.

From Newsarama:  The annual "Star Wars" event known as "May the 4th" coincidentally falls on the same day as Free Comic Book Day 2019.  Marvel Comics will release a free Star Wars sampler comic book for the day.

From BleedingCool:  Jonathan Hickman is coming back to Marvel Comics to write "House of X" and "Power of X," two six-issue miniseries due July 2019.

From Newsarama:  Writer Tini Howard signs as an exclusive creator with Marvel Comics.

From Newsarama:  Writer Kurt Busiek and artist Alex Ross will produce a one-shot "Marvels" comic book to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original "Marvels" miniseries.  No release date has been announced.

From ComicBook:  Sandy King, known for her work as a movie producer for her production company, Storm King Productions, talks about the state of horror comics, which she also publishes.

From Newsarama:  Get paid to watch the Marvel Cinematic Universe marathon...

From Newsarama:  Former Marvel publisher, Bill Jemas, has a new comic book publishing venture, "Artists, Writers, and Artisans" (AWA).  A number of star comics creators have joined, including Garth Ennis, Frank Cho, and Reginald Hudlin, to name a few.

From Newsarama:  DC Comics is hiring a "Managing Editor" to oversee its comics publishing division. Although a new position, the late Dick Giordana was "Managing Editor" of DC in the 1980s.

From THR:  "Jesusfreak" is a graphic novel due in June from Image Comics.  Writer Joe Casey talks to "The Hollywood Reporter" about it.

From CBR:  Changes are coming to "The Amazing Spider-Man" newspaper daily comic strip.  That includes the end of Roy Thomas' tenure writing the strip, the end of the current story line, and the beginning of a period of reprints.

From Newsarama:  Bryan Hitch is leaving DC Comics' "Hawkman" to work on two new DC projects.

From Newsarama:  After 69 years, legendary inker, Joe Sinnott, has retired from comic books.  Sinnott is probably best known for inking some of Jack Kirby's best work.

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From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media to publish OEL (original English language) manga through an imprint, "VIZ Originals."  They will be looking at submissions through 2019.

From VIZ:  The VIZMedia webpage dedicated to "VIZ Originals."
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From BleedingCool:  Unpublished "Doom Patrol" comics to be appear in "Doom Patrol Bronze Age Omnibus."

From Newsarama:  One of the most popular "Incredible Hulk" creative teams, writer Peter David and artist Dale Keown, are reunited for an oversized Hulk one shot entitled, "Incredible Hulk: Last Call."

From THR:  Apparently, Ezra Miller, the actor playing "Flash" in Warner Bros. DC Comics films, will join legendary comic book writer, Grant Morrison, in writing the script for a Flash movie.

From Newsarama:  The current release date for Frank Miller and John Romita, Jr.'s "Superman: Year One" is June 2019 for the release of 3 issues released in a special large, format.

From Newsarama:  A list of the 16 titles that DC Comics will publish through its DC Ink and DC Zoom young readers imprints from Spring 2019 to early 2020.

From Newsarama:  Matt Wagner and Dark Horse has announced a new "Grendel" comic book, "Grendel: The Devil's Odyssey."  The eight-issue will be colored by Brennan Wagner and lettered by Dave Lanphear and begin publication in October 2019.

From Newsarama:  Warner Bros.'s DC Comics film, "Shazam," is tracking for a $40 million dollar opening weekend.

From Newsarama:  Bryan Singer has been dropped from the "Red Sonja" film reboot project.

From Deadline:  Actor Esai Morales will portray Deathstroke in the DC Universe's streaming series, "Titans."

From Newsarama:  DC Comics gives Swamp Thing the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" spin in the "DC Zoom" title, "The Secret Spiral of Swamp Kid."

From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics will pick up "Second Coming," the controversial Mark Russell-Richard Pace comic book that DC Comics/Vertigo did not have the backbone to publish in the wake of complaints from Christian religious extremists.

From SlashFilm:  Marvel Studios is producing a TV series based on its "What If" comic book series for the streaming service, Disney+.

From HuffPost:  "Captain Marvel" may have sneakily introduced a new black female superhero.

From YahooEntertainment:  "Captain Marvel" and her historic worldwide box office debut conquers the trolls.

From BleedingCool:  "Marvel's Illustrator's Sketchbook" coming in October 2019.

From Newsarama:  The "Avengers Start Here Sampler 2019" is a free comic book that will appear ahead of "Avengers: Endgame."

From Newsarama:  Animation writer Amy Wolfram will be writing new DC Super Hero Girls.

From CBR:  Seth McFarlane's Fox TV series, "The Orville," will have a comic book adaptation.

From CBB:  Webcomics Spit episode #2 in English
From CBB:  Webcomics Spit episode #2 in French

From THR:  How "Captain Marvel" comic book writer, Kelly Sue DeConnick, revamped the hero.

From ComicBookBin:  Herve St. Louis reviews the "Captain Marvel" movie for CBB.

From BleedingCool:  There is now cover art and a release date for the long-delayed Frank Miller-John Romita, Jr. project, "Superman: Year One."  The current announced release date is November 12, 2019 under DC Comics' "Black Label" imprint.

From THR:  Andy Serkis has reportedly joined Fox's film adaptation of the comic book, "Mouse Guard."

From Variety: Disney CEO Bob Iger says that the Disney/Fox merger is closing soon.

From Newsarama:  Actress Adrienne Barbeau who appeared as Abigail Barbeau in the 1982 film version of "Swamp Thing."  She says that she will appear in DC Universe's streaming "Swamp Thing" in a role she did not disclose.

From Newsarama:  Comic book writer Kelley Sue DeConnick, who was instrumental in the development of Carol Danvers as Captain Marvel, talks about the character and her other comics ("Bitch Planet").

From DeseretNews:  7 things you definitely didn’t know about Captain Marvel's back story from the Marvel comic books.

From THR:  Comic book writer, Brian K. Vaughn, will is writing a live-action movie based on the long-running and hugely popular "Gundam" anime series and franchise.

From Deadline:  Actor Ernie Hudson ("Ghostbusters") will appear in The CW's "Arrow" in guest role this season.

From Newsarama:  DC Comics is apparently going to relaunch/reboot its "Green Arrow" comic book and make it a bigger part of its DC Universe (DCU).

From Newsarama:  Mike Deodato, Jr. recently announced that he will be leaving Marvel in the near future.  His first non-Marvel project will be "Berserker Unbound," a creator-owned comic book from Dark Horse Comics that will be written by Jeff Lemire.

From BleedingCool:  Some of IDW Media's investors want the company put up for sale.

From GoFundMe:  There is a campaign to help the ailing and acclaimed cartoonist, Gahan Wilson, who is apparently suffering from dementia.

From ANN:  Shueisha's "Weekly Shonen Jump" magazine will be the home of a new manga from creator, Hiroshi Shiibashi ("Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan").  The manga, titled Kamio Yui wa Kimi wo Yui (Yui Kamio Does Hairdressing), will debut in the March 11th, 2019 issue of the magazine.

From Crunchyroll:  With the debut of its 92nd tankobon (graphic novel) volume, One Piece has 450 million copies printed worldwide.

From Comichron:  January 2019 comic book sales to comic book shops, according to Diamond Comic Distributors.

From BleedingCool:  Is Bryan Hitch drawing a "Batman" comic book that Warren Ellis is writing?

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics will publish "The Art of Jim Lee" hardcover book for Christmas 2019.

From Newsarama:  Mike Deodato says that is will leave Marvel Comics, for whom he has worked for 24 years, to pursue creator-owned comic books.

From TCJ:   Alex Dueben of "The Comics Journal" interviews longtime comic book creator, Joe Giella, best known for inking a number of Silver Age artist luminaries.

From Nerdist:  The new Manga Art Hotel is a capsule hotel in Tokyo with over 5,000 manga shelved floor-to-ceiling for its lucky guests to read all night long.

From GayStarNews:  The Dutch version of the Donald Duck comic books will feature its first lesbian character, thanks to the campaigning of a 10-year-old-girl.

From ComicBook:  Len Wiseman shares first footage from his "Swamp Thing" series for DC Universe.

From ANN: Titan Comics announced last week that it will release Eldo Yoshimizu's "Ryuko" manga as the first Japanese title in its "Hard Case Crime" line.

From BleedingCool:  "We’re Now In A Period Of Change" – former DC Comics VP, Bob Wayne Explains the Rules in ComicsPRO Keynote Address

From BleedingCool:  Who’s to Blame For Falling Comics Sales? And What’s to be Done? Brian Hibbs at ComicsPRO

From BleedingCool:  Trevor Von Eeden, veteran comic book artist and co-creator of DC Comics' Black Lightning, says that the U.S. Secret Service visited him over posts he wrote about President Trump and Vice-President Pence.

------------------------------------------------
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics to host a panel at this year's SXSW conference in Austin Texas (March 8 to March 17, 2019).

From BleedingCool:  Joe Quesada and Marvel Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski may really need to be at SXSW to pump up Marvel Comics.
-------------------------------------------------

From YahooMovieUK:   The DC Extended Universe or DCEU is over because of the success of the "Wonder Woman" movie says Warner Bros’ chief Kevin Tsujihara

From Newsarama:  DC Comics co-publisher, Dan DiDio, says that DC is "rethinking" its collected editions (trade paperbacks, hardbacks, archives, etc.) due to a perceived glut of product on the market.


MARCH 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama: 01 First Second for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Adhouse Books for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Alterna Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Avatar Press for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Avery Hill for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for March 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  Cave Pictures Publishing for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Devil's Due/1First Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertaiment for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  First Second for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Graphix for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Humanoids for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Impact Theory for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Force for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama: Oni Press for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Rebellion for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for March 2019

APRIL 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  All publishers' solicitations link in one place.
From Newsarama:  01 First Second for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Albatross Funnybooks for April 2019
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Aftershock Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Amigo Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Alterna Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for April 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Caliber Press for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Cave Pictures Publishing for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Drawn & Quarterly for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Heavy Metal for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Hero Tomorrow for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Humanoids for April 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Joe Books for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Keenspot for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for April 2019
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for April 2019
From Newsarama: Yen Press for April 2019

MAY 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:   All publishers' solicitations link in one place.
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Alterna Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for May 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for May 2019
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for May 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for May 2019
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Kevin Eastman Studios for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Rebellion/2000 AD for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for May 2019
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Yen Press for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Zenescope Entertainment for May 2019

JUNE 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for June 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Hero Tomorrow for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for June 2019


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

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 7, 2018

MARVEL COMICS

AUG188890    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 3RD PTG OTTLEY VAR    $5.99
AUG188870    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #3 3RD PTG OTTLEY VAR    $3.99
AUG188891    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #4 3RD PTG OTTLEY VAR    $3.99
AUG188868    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #6 2ND PTG RAMOS VAR    $3.99
AUG188869    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #7 2ND PTG RAMOS VAR    $3.99
AUG181080    ANT-MAN AND WASP TP LOST FOUND    $15.99
AUG188871    ASGARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #2 2ND PTG LOLLI VAR    $3.99
SEP180950    ASGARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #3    $3.99
SEP181040    AVENGERS #700 BY ALEX ROSS POSTER    $8.99
SEP181039    AVENGERS #700 BY MCGUINNESS POSTER    $8.99
SEP180893    CHAMPIONS #26    $3.99
SEP180894    CHAMPIONS #26 LIEFELD UNCANNY X-MEN VAR    $3.99
AUG181083    CHAMPIONS TP VOL 04 NORTHERN LIGHTS    $15.99
SEP180968    DEADPOOL #6    $3.99
SEP180969    DEADPOOL #6 LARROCA UNCANNY X-MEN VAR    $3.99
SEP180948    DEATH OF INHUMANS #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
SEP180949    DEATH OF INHUMANS #5 (OF 5) DEL MUNDO YOUNG GUNS VAR    $3.99
SEP180939    DOCTOR STRANGE #7    $3.99
SEP180940    DOCTOR STRANGE #7 CASSADAY UNCANNY X-MEN VAR    $3.99
AUG181085    DOMINO TP VOL 01 KILLER INSTINCT    $17.99
SEP180960    ICEMAN #3 (OF 5)    $3.99
SEP180901    IMMORTAL HULK #8    $3.99
SEP180902    IMMORTAL HULK #8 PACHECO UNCANNY X-MEN VAR    $3.99
SEP180863    INFINITY WARS #5 (OF 6)    $4.99
SEP180864    INFINITY WARS #5 (OF 6) GARRON CONNECTING VAR    $4.99
SEP180865    INFINITY WARS #5 (OF 6) LIM VAR    $4.99
SEP180866    INFINITY WARS #5 (OF 6) MARQUEZ UNCANNY X-MEN VAR    $4.99
SEP181038    IRONHEART #1 BY REEDER POSTER    $8.99
AUG181109    MARVEL GRAPHIC COMIC BOXES UNCANNY X-MEN (BUNDLE OF 5)    $45.00
SEP180812    MARVEL KNIGHTS 20TH #1 (OF 6)    $4.99
SEP180817    MARVEL KNIGHTS 20TH #1 (OF 6) ANDREWS CONNECTING VAR    $4.99
SEP180813    MARVEL KNIGHTS 20TH #1 (OF 6) DEODATO TEASER VAR    $4.99
SEP181036    MARVEL KNIGHTS BY DEODATO POSTER    $8.99
MAY180952    MARVEL KNIGHTS BY JOE QUESADA OMNIBUS HC    $100.00
SEP181037    MARVEL KNIGHTS BY QUESADA POSTER    $8.99
JUL181179    MARVEL RISING TP    $9.99
SEP180995    MARVEL SUPER HERO ADVENTURES CAPTAIN MARVEL #1 MEALTIME MAYH    $3.99
JUL181162    MARVELS AVENGERS INFINITY WAR HC ART OF MOVIE SLIPCASE    $50.00
JUN188394    RETURN OF WOLVERINE #1 (OF 5) MCNIVEN ORIG WOLVERINE VIRGIN    $4.99
SEP180930    RUNAWAYS #15    $3.99
SEP180956    SHATTERSTAR #2 (OF 5)    $3.99
SEP180876    SPIDER-GEDDON #3 (OF 5)    $3.99
SEP180877    SPIDER-GEDDON #3 (OF 5) IN HYUK LEE CONNECTING VAR    $3.99
SEP180979    STAR WARS #56    $3.99
SEP180991    STAR WARS HAN SOLO IMPERIAL CADET #1 (OF 5)    $3.99
JUL181171    STAR WARS LANDO TP DOUBLE OR NOTHING    $15.99
JUL181172    STAR WARS TP LAST JEDI ADAPTATION    $17.99
SEP180860    TYPHOID FEVER X-MEN #1    $4.99
SEP180862    TYPHOID FEVER X-MEN #1 SANDOVAL CONNECTING VAR    $4.99
AUG188873    VENOM #3 4TH PTG STEGMAN VAR    $3.99
AUG188872    VENOM #7 2ND PTG STEGMAN COELLA VAR    $3.99
SEP180976    WEAPON X #25    $3.99
AUG188874    WHAT IF? X-MEN #1 2ND PTG EDWARDS VAR    $3.99
SEP180974    X-23 #6    $3.99
SEP180975    X-23 #6 DODSON UNCANNY X-MEN VAR    $3.99
AUG188875    X-MEN BLACK MAGNETO #1 2ND PTG JSC VAR    $4.99
MAY180951    X-MEN MUTANT MASSACRE OMNIBUS HC    $100.00
SEP180973    X-MEN RED #10    $3.99

Review: LUKE CAGE #1

LUKE CAGE No. 1 (2017)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: David Walker
ARTIST: Nelson Blake II
COLORS: Marcio Menyz
LETTERS: VC's Joe Sabino
COVER: Rahzzah
VARIANT COVERS: Mike Deodato, Jr. with Frank Martin; Andre Leroy Davis; Tim Bradstreet; Neal Adams with Dave McCaig
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2017)

Rated T+

Luck Cage created by Archie Goodwin and John Romita, Sr.

Luke Cage, also known as “Power Man,” is a Marvel Comics superhero.  Cage was created by writer Archie Goodwin and artist John Romita, Sr., and first appeared in Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1 (cover dated: June 1972).  Cage was imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, but he eventually gained superpowers in the form of durability, unbreakable skin, and superhuman strength.

As Power Man, Cage has been most associated with another superhero, his partner, Iron Fist (Daniel “Danny” Rand), and the duo was featured in the long-running Power Man & Iron Fist comic book series in the 1980s (with a new version being launched last year).  Cage is now also featured in a new solo comic book, Luke Cage.  It is written by David Walker; drawn by Nelson Blake II; colored by Marcio Menyz; and lettered by Joe Sabino.

Luke Cage #1 opens with our titular hero rescuing a very stupid young woman from a really gullible criminal.  Then, Luke gets some awful news.  Dr. Noah Burnstein, the man responsible for giving Luke his powers, has committed suicide, so he travels to New Orleans for Burnstein's funeral.  There, he meets Burnstein's colleague, the sexy Dr. Lenore Mornay, who tells Luke that there is more to Burnstein's death and to his scientific experiments than he may realize.

After the fun of Genndy Tartakovsky's recent four-issue miniseries, Cage!, the darker Luke Cage is a nice follow-up.  The mood is sinister in this comic book, and the threats of adversaries seem to surround the narrative.  Once again, David Walker shows his chops when it comes to writing dark, moody, but intense comic books featuring African-American characters.

Artist Nelson Blake II and colorist Marcio Menyz produced art that is too clean and brightly colored for what promises to be an edgy series.  This is not low quality storytelling by any means, but it does not work for David Walker's storytelling.  We'll see what the second issue looks like.

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


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

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

Review: PROWLER #1

PROWLER No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Sean Ryan
LAYOUTS: Javier Saltares
ART: Jamal Campbell
LETTERS: VC's Cory Petit
COVER: Travel Foreman with Jason Keith
VARIANT COVERS: Mike Deodato & Frank Martin; Jamal Campbell
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2016)

Rated “T+”

The Prowler created by Stan Lee, John Buscema, and Jim Mooney

The Prowler is a costumed character in Marvel Comics.  He was created by Stan Lee, John Buscema, and Jim Mooney and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #78 (cover dated:  November 1969).  The first version of The Prowler was an African-American teenager, Hobie Brown, who developed a high-tech battle suit.  Hobie used that suit to start a life of crime until Spider-Man convinced him to turn his life around.

The Prowler is a new comic book series featuring Hobie Brown and is part of Marvel Comics' “NOW!” initiative.  The new comic book is written by Sean Ryan; drawn and colored by Jamal Campbell with layouts by Javier Saltares; and lettered by Cory Petit.

The Prowler #1 finds the Prowler acting as a hero.  Such actions cause his colleagues to mock him, and draws the displeasure of his boss, The Jackal.  It is the Jackal who is responsible for bringing Hobie Brown back from the dead after he was accidentally killed by Electro.  However, The Prowler's latest assignment may prove to be his most dangerous since he returned.

I have heard of The Prowler over lo these decades of reading comic books.  I may have actually even read a few comics featuring this character, but nothing has really stuck with me.  This comic book is somewhat intriguing, but normally this would not be enough to keep me reading.

Now, I must be honest with you, dear reader.  I try to read and support comic books featuring African-American/Black characters, as I am African-American.  I try, but sometimes, I quickly give up on those comic books if they don't interest me.  The Prowler is on the side of being of little interest to me, but I will try another two or three issues.

The art by Jamal Campbell, which is obviously rendered with the aid of software, is colorful, but sometimes, it lacks character and substance, almost looking like semi-pro webcomics art.  Normally, this is enough to turn me away, but I'll stay down... for now.

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: INFAMOUS IRON MAN #1

INFAMOUS IRON MAN No. 1 (2016)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Brian Michael Bendis
ART: Alex Maleev
COLORS: Matt Hollingsworth
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: Alex Maleev
VARIANT COVERS: Mike Deodato with Frank Martin; Anthony Piper; Esad Ribic; Mike McKone; Skottie Young; John Tyler Christopher
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2016)

Rated “T+”

Iron Man created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Don Heck, and Jack Kirby

Victor von Doom a.k.a. Doctor Doom, one of Marvel Comics most infamous villains, made his debut in The Fantastic Four #5 (cover dated: July 1962).  Iron Man is now one of Marvel Comics most popular characters, thanks in no small part to a series of hit movies and hit movie appearances beginning in 2008 with the Oscar-nominated film, Iron Man.  Also known as the “Golden Avenger,” Iron Man debuted in Tales of Suspense #39 (cover dated: March 1963), a little more than half a year after Doctor Doom first appeared.

Iron Man and Doctor Doom were never meant to be together, as Iron Man fights to save the world and to help mankind progress, while Doctor Doom wants to rule the world and subjugate humanity.  In the wake of the events depicted in Marvel Comics' event miniseries, Civil War II, there is a new comic book series that seeks to bring them together, Infamous Iron Man.  It is written by Brian Michael Bendis; drawn by Alex Maleev; colored by Matt Hollingsworth, and lettered by Clayton Cowles.

Infamous Iron Man #1 finds Doctor Doom meeting with the members of his bad-guy collective, The Cabal.  But that was the old Doom.  Now, he is trying to save Maria Hill, director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and also to comfort Dr. Amara Perera, the woman who loved Tony Stark.  What is Doctor Doom up to, and how and why does it involve Iron Man?

Infamous Iron Man writer Brian Michael Bendis does not need to give us a lot of information.  Just about anyone reading Marvel Comics these days knows that Doom is going to take on the mantle of Iron Man.  The most important thing about any comic book written by Bendis is not the hook, but the execution of his storytelling.  Will it work or will it be a failure?  Right now, it is working (as usual for me), and I want more.

I must admit that I am enjoying the art drawn by Alex Maleev, which looks gorgeous under Matt Hollingworth's subdued, earthy, natural-lighting-like colors.  Maleev's graphical storytelling has an exciting, yet mysterious vibe when combined with Hollingworth's colors.  Yeah, Infamous Iron Man is certainly worth your time, my superhero comic book readers.

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: MOSAIC #1

MOSAIC No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Geoffrey Thorne
ARTIST: Khary Randolph
COLORS: Emilio Lopez
LETTERS: VC's Joe Sabino
COVER: Stuart Immonen
VARIANT COVERS: John Tyler Christopher; Marco D'Alfonso; Mike Deodato with Frank Martin; Khary Randolph; Pasqual Ferry with Frank D'Armata
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (December 2016)

Rated T+

Episode One: “Mood Indigo”

Out of Civil War II.  Part of Marvel Comics' initiative “NOW!”  Here, comes Marvel's newest Black superhero, Mosaic, and he is the star of his own comic book, entitled Mosaic, of course.  It is written by Geoffrey Thorne; drawn by Khary Randolph; colored by Emilio Lopez; and lettered by Joe Sabino.

Mosaic #1 (“Mood Indigo”) introduces Morris Sackett, maybe the best professional basketball player in the world.  He has led the New York Stride to five championships in five seasons.  As far as Morris is concerned, he is the sole reason that the Stride has won five titles.  However, exposure to Terrigen mists changes Morris in ways that are shocking.  One of the newest Inhumans is about to lose his physical form while inheriting many more.

According to what I have read, writer Geoffrey Thorne and artist Khary Randolph want to explode stereotypes for Black superheroes when it comes to Morris Sackett a.k.a. Mosaic.  I don't know what those stereotypes are.  Even with the relatively small number of Black superheroes in both the Marvel and DC Comics universes, characters are unique and mostly fully formed.  Black Panther is not like Storm is not like Luke Cage/Power Man, and I never thought that Cyborg was like Black Lightning.

The stereotype of Black superheroes is that they are stereotypical.  They are not all noble Negroes in the tradition of Civil Rights activists, nor are they sullen anti-heroes out to get the system.  Under the guiding hand of comics most skilled writers, there have been some really good Black Panther and Blade comic books – to name a few of a few.  The reality (not stereotype) is that many Black superheroes have been featured in comic books in which the writers have those assignments because they are someone's friend more so than because they are good storytellers.  Black superheroes have not been stereotypes; they simply have been in badly written (and sometimes poorly drawn) comic books.

Mosaic #1 suggests that Thorne is a good writer, although his “street lingo” leaves something to be desired.  I give most of the credit for the success of Mosaic #1 to artist Khary Randolph.  This first issue has a lively visual and graphical style that mimics the energy and movement of animated films.  Randolph's art is both stylish and earthy, giving Mosaic a vibe that is different from just about everything else Marvel is publishing.

I'm ready for more and recommend this title.

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.

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