DC Comics New Comic Books - Tuesday, April 28, 2020:
Batman #89 (3rd Printing)
Featuring the first appearance of Punchline!
Daphne Byrne #4
Daphne gains a new ally as she continues to wrestle with the malevolent forces within her!
The Dreaming #20
The unbelievable finale to Si Spurrier and Bilquis Evely’s epic tale from the Sandman Universe!
Nightwing #70 (2nd Printing)
The Clown Prince of Crime comes to Ric Grayson and Bludhaven in this prelude to The Joker War!
Batman GIANT #4
Classic stories from the world of The Dark Knight, plus an all-new chapter of the original story “Concrete Jungle,” by Mark Russell (Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles) and Ryan Benjamin!
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Showing posts with label Ryan Benjamin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ryan Benjamin. Show all posts
Monday, April 27, 2020
Thursday, January 9, 2020
#IReadsYou Review: BLACK PANTHER VS. DEADPOOL #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
STORY: Daniel Kibblesmith
ART: Ricardo López Ortiz
COLORS: Felipe Sobreiro
LETTERS: Joe Sabino
EDITOR: Wil Moss
COVER: Ryan Benjamin with Rain Beredo
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Adi Granov; Cully Hamner with Laura Martin
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2018)
“Parental Advisory”
Black Panther created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby; Deadpool created by Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza; Dora Milaje created by Christopher Priest and Mark Texeira
Part One: “A Small Misunderstanding”
Black Panther is a Marvel Comics superhero created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The character first appeared in Fantastic Four #52 (cover dated: July 1966). Black Panther is T'Challa, the king and protector of the (fictional) African nation of Wakanda. Black Panther was also the first Black superhero in mainstream American comic books.
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.
Black Panther and Deadpool are two of Marvel Comics' hottest movie characters, with Black Panther appearing in a record-setting 2018 film that has Oscar buzz. Deadpool appeared in two films, Deadpool (2016) and Deadpool 2 (2018), each of which grossed well over $700 million dollars in worldwide box office. Black Panther vs. Deadpool is a new comic book miniseries bringing the two hot Marvel characters together. It is written by Daniel Kibblesmith; drawn by Ricardo López Ortiz; colored by Felipe Sobreiro; and lettered by Joe Sabino.
Black Panther vs. Deadpool #1 (“A Small Misunderstanding”) opens in Wakanda where the citizens are celebrating “Ubusuku Bokufa,” the nation's “Night of the Dead” festival. T'Challa/Black Panther and his sister, Shuri, are working on a new surgical method for humans that involves something called “star cells.” Meanwhile, in the United States, Deadpool's battle with “The Wrecker” causes a beloved Marvel Comics character to end up near death. The one thing that can save him, “Vibranium Therapy,” may be out of reach for Deadpool.
Deadpool goes to Wakanda with a plan, a crazy plan that involves working things out with Black Panther in a plan-of-action that follows the line of action in a superhero-crossover-comic-book. But does Black Panther want to play with let alone help Deadpool?
I am not going to act as if Black Panther vs. Deadpool is a great comic book, but I expected it to be a disaster. Yet it is not; there are a few good moments. Black Panther vs. Deadpool #1 has a kind of Looney Tunes quality to it. I can see comedy elements that remind me of Wile E. Coyote vs. Road Runner and Bugs Bunny vs. Elmer Fudd (or vs. Yosemite Sam). Daniel Kibblesmith does not quite pull off the madcap humor of classic Warner Bros. cartoon shorts, but I think he has potential.
I like Ricardo López Ortiz's art here more than I did his run on the first arc of Mark Millar's recent Hit Girl revival (entitled Hit Girl in Columbia). Ortiz's scratchy, impressionistic drawing style is not as effective at storytelling as it could be simply because there is too much clutter in the line work and inking. And here, some of the art is just ugly or badly drawn.
Felipe Sobreiro cannot fix this with his coloring, and Ortiz's art even makes Joe Sabino's lettering look like clutter, and that should not be. While I found some things to like, I am not sure that I will return for the second issue. I can't see myself paying $3.99 for this, let alone playing $21+ (with tax) to read the entire miniseries. Black Panther and Deadpool fans might find Black Panther vs. Deadpool worth the price and the effort, though.
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 for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Review: THE IMMORTAL MEN #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
STORY: James Tynion IV
PENCILS: Jim Lee and Ryan Benjamin
INKS: Scott Williams and Richard Friend
COLORS: Jeremiah Skipper and Alex Sinclair
LETTERS: Carolos M. Mangual
COVER: Jim Lee and Scott Williams with Alex Sinclair
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (June 2018)
Rated “T” for Teen
The Immortal Men created by James Tynion IV and Jim Lee
“The End of Forever” Part 1
DC Comics has launched a new superhero comics initiative, “The New Age of DC Heroes,” coming out of its Dark Nights: Metal event miniseries. This line of comic books will consist of eight new comic book series: The Curse of Brimstone, Damage, New Challengers, Sideways, The Silencer, The Terrifics, The Unexpected, and the subject of this review, The Immortal Men.
The Immortal Men is created by James Tynion IV and Jim Lee. The series is written by Tynion; drawn by Lee and Ryan Benjamin (pencils) and Scott Williams and Richard Friend (inks); colored by Jeremiah Skipper and Alex Sinclair; and lettered by Carlos M. Mangual. The series focuses on a young man who is an emerging metahuman and who may also be the last hope for the survival of a group of immortal heroes.
The Immortal Men #1 introduces Ghost Fist, Reload, Stray, and Timber. They are the last of the “Immortal Men,” protecting humanity from the shadows since the dawn of time. The Infinite Woman, The Hunt, and the “Bloodless,” are in the process of destroying everything about the Immortal Men. Their most important target just may be the Immortal Men's savior, Caden Park, a young man plagued by visions of another world.
The problem with DC Comics' “The New Age of Heroes,” is that while some of the writers and artists involved in this new line are some of the most popular comic book creators, they are not necessarily the most imaginative and inventive. Sorry, dear readers, to inform you of this. I love Jim Lee's art, but he has built a career out of drawing some of the most popular comic book characters ever created: X-Men and The Punisher for Marvel and Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Justice League, etc. for DC Comics – all created by other people. When Lee created his own “universe” of comic book creations, the result, the “Wildstorm Universe,” was mixed, with characters that are not iconic or legendary... or particularly popular, for that matter.
The grade of “B-” that I am giving The Immortal Men #1 is generous because I am a fan of both Lee and this series co-artist, Ryan Benjamin. However, this concept is mediocre material that is a rehash of other people's work, ideas, and concepts – Warren Ellis and John Cassaday's Planetary and Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, for example.
Yet, I am intrigued by The Immortal Men. I hope that James Tynion IV can deliver a better script than what is in this issue; he is certainly capable of it, as I have enjoyed quite a bit of his writing. The problem is that in a distressed market, as the comic book Direct Market currently is, star creators put their names on comic book product that they would not accept for publication from unknown or new comic book creators – such as The Immortal Men.
5.5 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 for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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Sunday, January 11, 2015
I Reads You Review: CAPTAIN AMERICA & THE MIGHTY AVENGERS #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel
WRITER: Al Ewing
ART: Luke Ross
COLORS: Rachelle Rosenberg
LETTERS: VC's Cory Petit
COVER: Luke Ross
VARIANT COVERS: Ryan Benjamin; Ulises Farinas with Ryan Hill; Skottie Young; Mike Grell with Chris Sotomayor
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2015)
Rated “T+”
Captain America created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby; The Avengers created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
As part of its “Avenger NOW!” initiative, Marvel Comics is debuting some new titles and relaunching others. Captain America & The Mighty Avengers is a re-launch of the recent The Mighty Avengers, and it arrived at the same time as All-New Captain America. Written by Al Ewing (who wrote the previous Mighty Avengers series), drawn by Luke Ross, colored by Rachelle Rosenberg, and lettered by Cory Petit, this series finds the new-look Captain America (Sam Wilson a.k.a. The Falcon) as the leader of The Mighty Avengers.
Captain America & The Mighty Avengers #1 (“We Take Care Of Our Own”) opens with Captain America in action, and he ain't playin' at all, girl. Meanwhile, the Amazing Spider-Man is trying to make up with the Mighty Avengers for the actions of the Superior Spider-Man, but is Luke Cage buyin' Amazing's story.
I read the first issue of The Mighty Avengers #1 sometime ago, and was not interested enough to read past the first issue. It was not a bad comic book, but I simply could not find a reason to keep reading, beyond mild curiosity. And comic books are too expensive, or at least they are too expensive for a “mild curiosity” purchase.
Now, Captain America & The Mighty Avengers #1 opens in the aftermath of Avengers & X-Men: Axis, which saw some personality changes among the super-powered set. So some of our favorite superheroes, particularly The Avengers, are acting in strange ways or sport darker persona. The good thing about this new title is that “dark” and “menacing” do not result in a “grim and gritty” comic book. Captain America & The Mighty Avengers #1 is a fun read. Heck, I might read more... because fun can make sticker shock go away.
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux
The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
The New 52 Review: SUICIDE SQUAD #1
SUICIDE SQUAD #1
DC COMICS
WRITER: Adam Glass
ARTISTS: Federico Dallocchio, Ransom Getty, and Scott Hanna
COLORS: Val Staples
LETTERS: Jared K. Fletcher
COVER: Ryan Benjamin
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.
The DC Comics Universe has had two teams that have used the name, “Suicide Squad.” The first debuted in The Brave and the Bold #25 (cover date August/September 1959) and was created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Ross Andru.
The second Suicide Squad appeared in Legends #3 (cover date January 1987), the midpoint of the 1986 six-issue crossover miniseries. Created by John Ostrander, this was an anti-hero team of incarcerated super-villains that undertook high-risk, black ops missions in exchange for commuted prison sentences. With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” there is a new Suicide Squad comic book series.
Suicide Squad #1 (“Kicked in the Teeth”) opens with Deadshot being tortured. How did we get here? Deadshot was imprisoned in Belle Reve Penitentiary, a prison for metahumans and super-villains. He and six other inmates: Black Spider, El Diablo, Harley Quinn, King Shark, Voltaic, and Savant were offered the chance to see daylight by joining Task Force X. There first mission was to extract a rogue agent. Now, they awaken to find themselves prisoners in a dank basement, and their captors want information and are willing to kill to get it.
Although I’ve known of Suicide Squad, I have never made the effort to read it, although I was at times curious. I’m glad that I tried this new Suicide Squad title. It’s something different in superheroes, and not just because the heroes are really convicts. Writer Adam Glass takes his anti-hero protagonists and isn’t afraid to grind them up, lay bare their crimes and shames, and always have them on the ropes. If Glass keeps up this pace, he will have, in Suicide Squad, a comic book that people will have no excuse not to read – other than that they can’t afford to purchase it or don’t want to steal it.
By the way, Ryan Benjamin’s gorgeous cover looks dangerous and the interior art strikes the perfect tone for this nitty gritty team book.
A-
September 14th
BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batman-and-robin-1.html
BATWOMAN #1 2.99
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batwoman-1.html
DEMON KNIGHTS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/demon-knights-1.html
FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF SHADE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/frankenstein-agent-of-shade-1.html
GREEN LANTERN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/green-lantern-1.html
GRIFTER #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/grifter-1.html
LEGION LOST #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/legion-lost-1.html
MISTER TERRIFIC #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/mister-terrific-1.html
RED LANTERNS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/red-lanterns-1.html
RESURRECTION MAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/resurrection-man-1.html
SUPERBOY #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/superboy-1.html
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Leroy Douresseaux on BATMAN BEYOND: HUSH BEYOND
BATMAN BEYOND: HUSH BEYOND
DC COMICS
WRITER: Adam Beechen
PENCILS: Ryan BenjaminINKS: John Stanisci
COLORS: David Baron
LETTERS: Travis Lanham
COVER: Dustin Nguyen
EXTRAS ART: J.H. Williams III
ISBN: 978-1-4012-2988-7; paperback
144 Color, $14.99 U.S., $16.99 CAN
Batman Beyond was an Emmy Award-winning animated series. It began life in January of 1999 on The WB Television Network and ended in May of 2002, after three seasons and 52 episodes. Set in the year 2039, it starred a new, younger Batman, with high school student Terry McGinnis wearing a new Bat-suit. The original Dark Knight, Bruce Wayne, guided Terry from their base of operations, the Batcave.
DC Comics published a Batman Beyond comic book from 1999 to 2001. Batman Beyond returned to comic books last year. Batman Beyond: Hush Beyond is a new trade paperback from DC Comics. It collects Batman Beyond (2010) #1-6, which were written by Adam Beechen, penciled by Ryan Benjamin, and inked by John Stanisci, with covers by Dustin Nguyen.
As the story begins, someone has escaped from Cadmus Labs in Neo-Gotham, and its trifling Director Amanda Waller is trying to keep things hush-hush, in spite of protests from research scientist, Nora Elliot Reid. From the beginning, the escapee leaves a trail of bodies behind him, all of them connected to the original Batman.
In his updated, hi-tech Bat-suit (now with invisibility and jet propulsion), Terry McGinnis takes on a foe who knows everything about him, and this couldn’t have come at a worse time. Terry and his mentor/boss, Bruce Wayne, are at odds over Terry’s job performance, and Terry has been running on little or no sleep. As he tries to uncover the secrets of this killer, he seeks help from Batman’s original sidekicks, but one of them holds a grudge. Terry’s investigation also leads him into conflict with a mysterious new Catwoman, who doesn’t like The Bat the way the original did. And the streets say that someone who was supposed to be dead is back with a vengeance – Hush.
I have mixed feelings about the original Batman: Hush, written by Jeph Loeb and drawn by Jim Lee. Half of it was quite good; the other half was cold and robotic. Adam Beechen, the writer of this new Hush storyline, has written an old-fashioned potboiler/cliffhanger serial. This is a flat out, excellent read.
Sometimes, I couldn’t read this thing fast to appease my hunger to know what was on the next page. Some of the ideas here are familiar, done hundreds of times before in other Batman comic books, but here, it is the execution that makes Hush Beyond such a thrill to read. Beechen is at his best in this story when he lets Terry and Bruce get raw with each other about their opinions of each other’s job performance. Plus, there is a big red herring and twist here that will shock and confuse the reader – in a good way.
A-
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
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