#IReadsYou Review: THE AMBASSADORS #4

THE AMBASSADORS #4 (OF 6)

IMAGE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Olivier Coipel

COLORS: Giovanna Niro

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITORIAL: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Olivier Coipel with Giovanna Niro

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Ryan Sook; Olivier Coipel

28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2023)

Rated M / Mature

The Ambassadors created by Mark Millar at Netflix

The Ambassadors is a new comic book miniseries written and created by Mark Millar.  The series focuses on the six people out of eight billion humans who will receive super-powers.  Each person will become a member of  the international rescue squad, The Ambassadors.  Each issue of The Ambassadors will be drawn by a different superstar comic book artist.  The fourth issue is drawn by Olivier Coipel; colored by Giovanna Niro; and lettered by Clem Robins.

The Ambassadors focuses on the efforts of Doctor Choon-He Chung.  The technology of her company, Chung Solutions (the world leader in bio-engineering and artificial intelligence), built her a new body.  Now, she wants to share super-powers with the world.  From her “Base-Control” is in Antarctica, Choon-He is building “The Ambassadors.”

The Ambassadors #4 opens in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  There, the police have defeated the gangs, but now these enforcers of the law have become the crime lords.  A lone voice, Father Vitor Pereira fights the corruption from his church, and for his efforts, he has been chosen “Codename Brazil,” the superhero who will be Brazil's “Ambassador.”

But he doesn't want it.  What part do Captain Eduardo Lobo, the policeman turned militia leader and crime lord, and his female killer, Zee, play in Farther Pereira's ultimate choice?  Meanwhile, Jin-Sung, Choon-He's ex-husband, continues to sell super-powers to the super rich...

THE LOWDOWN:  Thanks to a review copy provided by the Mark Millar division of Netflix, I have been able to read the first four issues The Ambassadors.  This is a treat for which I have been awaiting since the announcement of the series last year.

In The Ambassadors #4, artist Olivier Coipel captures the grittiness, persistent poverty, and brutal violence of Rio de Janeiro in an artistic tableau of stylish graphics, eye-catching graffiti, and expressive graphic design.  Under Giovanna Niro's lavish colors, Coipel's art matches the aesthetic of writer Mark Millar's darker series, such as the recent Nemesis Reloaded and Night Club.

Millar's script, however, offers a poignant tale of a rose growing in concrete, but a flower showing its thorns in a life of horrid violence.  This is a tale of a man determined to make that flower bloom beyond full, even if he has to give up the greatest material things any human could ever get on the planet Earth.

The Ambassadors #4 is a nice follow-up to the amazing third issue.  This fourth issue keeps the series undeniable and unmatched.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Millar and of big concept superhero comic books will want to read The Ambassadors.

A+

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

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

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#IReadsYou Review: NEMESIS RELOADED #3

NEMESIS RELOADED #3 (OF 5)

IMAGE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Jorge Jiménez

COLORS: Giovanna Niro

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Jorge Jiménez with Giovanna Niro

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Ryan Sook

28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (March 2023)

Rated M / Mature

Nemesis created by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven

Nemesis Reloaded is a five-issue comic book series from writer Mark Millar.  It is a soft reboot of Nemesis, Millar's 2010-11 four-issue comic book miniseries that he created with artist Steve McNiven.

Nemesis: Reloaded is drawn by Jorge Jiménez; colored by Giovanna Niro; and lettered by Clem Robins.  In the new series, Nemesis has plans for Los Angeles and its ruling class.  By the time he is done, the city won't be the same, nor will its top politicians.  And maybe the secrets of Nemesis will be revealed.

Nemesis Reloaded #3 opens in Los Angeles, a city under siege.  Nemesis has just snatched up another chief of police, and it is time for him to start revealing to a specific set of men why he is killing them … deliciously.  Who is Matthew Anderson?  How is he able to create a suicide bomber?  And can the National Guard save L.A. from the kind of chaos one only sees in zombie movies?

THE LOWDOWN:  In my reviews of the first two issues of Nemesis Reloaded, I talked about how they fit in the tradition of the groundbreaking and daring comic books of the 1980s, especially of the early to mid-1980s.

With Nemesis Reloaded #3, Millar and his (handsome) artist-cohort, Jorge Jiménez, have gone past daring.  Let's be honest, dear readers.  If bosses of Marvel or DC Comics of the 1980s had allowed their star creators to do what Millar-Jiménez is doing here, the corporate overlords would have fired them – maybe even cleaned house.

The more violence Nemesis unleashes on L.A., the more I love reading this comic book.  It feels like a drug.  The simple truth is that I enjoy reading Nemesis Reloaded so much that I would do anything … anything … if I could just read the rest of it now.  Seriously, this pure pop confection of crazy, sexy, cool violence is a great read.  It is the kind of invigorating, big-action, high-octane entertainment that movies usually give us.

We get all this, and Millar and Jiménez still have Matthew's origin story to tell.  I think they are going to drag us through broken glass to read it.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of comic books that make readers beg for more will desire Nemesis Reloaded.

A+

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

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

https://twitter.com/ImageComics

https://twitter.com/mrmarkmillar

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#IReadsYou Review: THE MAGIC ORDER 2 #5

THE MAGIC ORDER 2 #5 (OF 6)
IMAGE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar
ART: Stuart Immonen
COLORS: David Curiel
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Stuart Immonen
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Stuart Immonen; Ryan Sook
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (March 2022)

Rated M / Mature

The Magic Order created by Mark Millar at Netflix

The Magic Order was a six-issue comic book miniseries written by Mark Millar and drawn by Olivier Coipel.  Published in 2018-19, The Magic Order focused on the sorcerers, magicians, and wizards that protect humanity from darkness and from monsters of impossible sizes.

We are now deep into a second six-issue miniseries, The Magic Order 2.  It is written by Mark Millar; drawn by Stuart Immonen; colored by Sunny Gho and David Curiel; and lettered by Clem Robins.  The new series focuses on a magical turf war between The Magic Order and its new leader, Cordelia Moonstone, and a group of Eastern European warlocks whose ancestors the Order once banished.

The Magic Order 2 #5 opens with the story of Francis King and his father, the Lord King.  Then, in the forests outside Bucharest, The Magic Order gathers to battle the warlock Victor Korne and his allies.  This may be the Order's final bid to keep Korne from gaining the last piece of the Stone of Thoth, a talisman from ancient Egypt that summons anything from space, time, and beyond.  But Cordelia and the Order have been a few steps behind their enemies since this conspiracy began, and now, it is worse than ever.

THE LOWDOWN:  As I wrote in my review of the fourth issue:  with each issue, The Magic Order 2 surpasses it predecessor.  That is quite the accomplishment, as the first miniseries, The Magic Order, was and is awesome.

If The Magic Order series is not the best English-language, magical fantasy comic book franchise of the twenty-first century, it is damn close.  In The Magic Order 2 #5, Mark Millar offers a penultimate issue that would make a monster of a final issue.  I may be running out of words to describe how good this series is, but luckily, Millar is not cursed with my deficiency because the words in his storytelling are magic.

Stuart Immonen turns Millar's script into superb comic book storytelling, but what else is new?  Immonen has been an ass kicker in storytelling for ages, so he must be a member of The Magic Order.  David Curiel's lovely colors make the story pop off the page, and Clem Robins' lettering super-charges art and colors that are already super-charged.

Comic book readers who hate good comic books are not reading The Magic Order 2.  Are you reading it, dear readers?

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Millar and of The Magic Order will want to read The Magic Order 2.

A+

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


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#IReadsYou Review: LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1 (2020)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

SCRIPT: Brian Michael Bendis
PENCILS: Ryan Sook
INKS: Ryan Sook and Wade von Grawbadger
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: Dave Sharpe
EDITOR: Brian Cunningham
COVER: Ryan Sook
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Ryan Sook; Jim Cheung with Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2020)

Rated “T+” for “Teen Plus”

Legion of Super-Heroes created by  writer Otto Binder and artist Al Plastino; Superboy created by Jerry Siegel

The Legion of Super-Heroes is a DC Comics superhero team created by writer Otto Binder and artist Al Plastino.  First appearing in Adventure Comics #247 (cover dated: April 1958), the Legion is a group of super-powered beings living in the 30th and 31st centuries of the DC Comics Universe.

Initially, the Legion of Super-Heroes was portrayed as a group of time travelers and was closely associated with the original version of Superboy.  [Created by Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel, the original Superboy was depicted as Superman/Clark Kent being a superhero when he was a teenager.]  It was in Adventure Comics #247 that Superboy met three teenagers from the 30th century:  Lightning Boy, Saturn Girl, and Cosmic Boy.  They were members of a “super-hero club,” called the “Legion of Super-Heroes,” that had been formed with Superboy as its inspiration.

Lightning Boy, Saturn Girl, and Cosmic Boy had time traveled to the past to recruit Superboy as a member of their club.  After a series of tests, Superboy was awarded membership and returned to his own time.  Strangely, this adventure was intended as a one-off story focusing on Superboy, but the Legion of Super-Heroes proved so popular that the team returned for an encore in Adventure Comics #267 (December 1959), on their way to being a stable of the DC Comics.

The Legion's origin story has been rebooted a few times, and Superboy's part in the Legion's origin story has been omitted or altered.  Legion of Super-Heroes comic book series have come and gone, but the popular team has returned in a new series, entitled Legion of Super-Heroes, of course.  It is written by Brian Michael Bendis; drawn by Ryan Sook (pencils) and Wade von Grawbadger (inks); colored by Jordie Bellaire; and lettered by Dave Sharpe.  The new series focuses on a Legion that has banded together to stop the galaxy from repeating its past mistakes.

Legion of Super-Heroes #1 finds Ultra Boy chasing a murderous group of aliens belonging to the race known as “the Horraz.”  In these alien's possession is a canister that contains an ancient and powerful device, and they were apparently delivering it to “Mordru” the demon gangster.  Luckily, Legionnaires Karate Kid, Wildfire, and Star Boy arrive to help Ultra Boy.

Meanwhile, the Legion of Super-Heroes has pulled Superboy/Jon Kent from the time stream with the intent of making him the newest Legionnaire.  By doing this, however, the Legion may have done something terribly wrong.

I recently came across an interview of writer Brian Michael Bendis in which he said that he wanted to do upbeat stories set in the future.  In this new Legion of Super-Heroes #1, Bendis has written his best first issue for DC Comics since his tenure began in 2018.  It is indeed exciting and spiffy and full of bubbly Legionnaires, to say nothing of their awesome headquarters.  I am not a devoted Legion of Super-Heroes fan, so I am happy with this first issue, although I don't know if it will satisfy the biggest Legion fans.  I would like to see future issues really delve into the characters.

Ryan Sook's art recalls DC Comics' space age and early Silver Age comic book art.  The storytelling is clear, and Wade von Grawbadger's inks give Sook's pencils weight and heft.  Grawbadger's inks also make Sook's pencils look like the pencil art of Stuart Immonen, with whom Grawbadger has formed one of the best art teams of the last several years.

As usual Jordie Bellaire's colors are a delight.  Here, she gives some of the pages candy-colored hints. Dave Sharpe's sharp lettering completes the futuristic vibe of the story.  And Ryan Sook's cover art for this first issue will make it stand out on comic book shelves.

So, yeah, this is only the first issue, but I'm excited for a Legion of Super-Heroes comic book series in a way that I have not been in decades.  I don't know if it will make me a devoted Legionnaire, but I really like the start for Legion of Super-Heroes 2020.

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 reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: HEROES IN CRISIS #1

HEROES IN CRISIS No. 1 (OF 9)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Tom King
ART: Clay Mann
COLORS: Tomeu Morey
LETTERS: Clayton Cowles
EDITOR: Jamie S. Rich
COVER: Clay Mann with Tomeu Morey
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: J.G. Jones with Paul Mounts; Francesco Mattina; Mark Brooks; Ryan Sook
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2018)

Rated “T+” for “Teen Plus”

Part 1: “I'm Just Warming Up”

Heroes in Crisis is a recently launched nine-issue event miniseries from DC Comics.  It is written by Tom King and drawn by Clay Mann, and finds the heroes of the DC Universe facing a crisis in the one place that they can find healing.  Colorist Tomeu Morey and letterer Clayton Cowles complete the Heroes in Crisis creative team.

Heroes in Crisis #1 (“I'm Just Warming Up”) opens at a small diner in rural Gordon, Nebraska.  Here, Booster Gold and Harley Quinn will engage in a bloody fight.  Meanwhile, the Trinity:  Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are racing to Sanctuary, an ultra-secret hospital for superheroes who have been traumatized by crime-fighting and cosmic combat.  Patients are winding up dead, and Gold and Quinn could be the reason.

Classic DC Comics prestige miniseries like Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and Watchmen had killer first issues that had most readers coming back for more, some of them even chomping at the bits for the second issue.  Heroes in Crisis #1 is not a killer first issue, but readers will come back for more because that is the thing to do.

Sometimes, it seems as if comic book readers must read event comic books simply because they will be something different, if not better, than the status quo of the monthly and regularly published comic book series.  After all this is an event miniseries, and that is what many comic book readers do – come back for the second issue of the event.  If Heroes in Crisis does not live up to the hype fewer readers will come back for each succeeding issue, but many will see the series through to the end.

I can say that the art team of illustrator Clay Mann and colorist Tomeu Morey are delivering some absolutely beautiful art.  It's like eye candy!  This may also be Clay Mann's best work to date; at least, I think so.

I will read the second issue, but if you choose to ignore Heroes in Crisis...  Well, it won't be like missing out on Batman: The Dark Knight Returns or Watchmen.

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 or site for syndication rights and fees.

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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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I Reads You Juniors June 2019 - Update #88

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller and Tom Wheeler are producing an illustrated novel, entitled "Cursed," that will be published next year by Netflix.  Miller says that it is a feminist retelling of the King Arthur Myth.

From Newsarama:  As an exclusive treat, IDW Publishing is offering dinner with two comic book luminaries at San Diego Comic Con 2019.  For $500, you can be part of a private dinner with Walter Simonson ("Thor") or Stan Sakai ("Usagi Yojimbo") or both for a thousand bucks.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics announces mature-line, dark high fantasy, "The Last God."  This 12-issue series from writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson, artist Riccardo Federici, colorist Dean White, and letterer Tom Napolitano.

From EW:   Joe Hill is overseeing a new line of DC Comics horror titles - "Hill House Comics," which wall fall under the "DC Black Label" imprint.  The "pop-up" line will include five miniseries, two of which Hill will write.  Each issue of all five series will also include a two-page installment of a serial Hill is writing.

From Newsarama:  Fox television series, "Prison Break," is being adapted into an online manga.

From CNN:  Robert Mueller special counsel report - the Mueller Report - is being turned into a comic book to be published by IDW Publishing.

From WorldofWalt:  Disney is reviving its animation classes for visitors to Animal Kingdom, beginning July 11th.

From FlickeringMyth:  Six things you might not know about Tim Burton's 1989 film, "Batman," in the midst of its 30th anniversary.

From Deadline:  Glenn Danzig's film, "Verotika," will get a video-on-demand release Halloween 2019.  The film's title is a play on the name of name of Danzig's comic book company, Verotik.

From Newsarama:  DC Comics announces its middle-grade and young adult graphic novels for 2020 and 2021 at the American Library Associations' annual convention.  These would have been DC Ink and DC Zoom titles, but those imprints were discontinued.

From Newsarama:  The "Ultimate Universe" returns in "Mile Morales: Spider-Man #10."

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics makes it official that its "Vertigo Comics" imprint is closed.  2020 will see a DC rebranding into three imprints:  "DC Kids" (ages 8 to 12); "DC" (ages 13+); and "DC Black Label" (17+ and mature readers).

From Newsarama:  The comic book series, "Safe Sex," originally announced for DC's Vertigo Comics imprint, is moving to Image Comics.

From BleedingCool:  Actress Sanaa Lathan will provide the voice for Catwoman in in DC Universe's "Harley Quinn" adult animated series.

From BleedingCool:  As part of its 80th anniversary celebration, Marvel will publish an "Alpha Flight" one-shot that has an entirely Canadian creative team.

From IndieWire:  Robert Downey, Jr. advocates for Riri Williams/Ironheart in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics is doubling retailer's order for "Aero #1" for free.  This comic book will star Marvel's Chinese superhero.

From Newsarama:  Jim Lee's illustration for the cover of the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con's souvenir book includes Black Panther, Spider-Man, Spawn, and more.

From Newsarama:  This article has a question-and-answer session with master of horror manga, Junji Ito.

From Newsarama:  R.B. Silva shares character designs from "Powers of X."

From BleedingCool:  Joe Madureira gives updates on his comic book, "Battle Chaser," specifically the arrival of issues 10 to 12.

From TheBrag:  A police raid reveals drugs smuggled to Australia via comic books.

From NikkeiAsianReview:  In Japan, shrinking manga sales are forcing people to rethink the business.

From Newsarama: "What We Learned from DC's September 2019 Solicitations"

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics is cancelling "Teen Titans Go" and "Scooby-Doo Team-Up."

From Newsarama:  DC Comics is bring back its "Dollar Comics" format, but with a small page count.

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From Newsarama:  "Legion of Super-Heroes" will return in a two-issue miniseries and then in an ongoing series from writer Brian Michael Bendis.

From Newsarama:  Artist Ryan Sook, who is quite good at designing characters, is redesigning the look of the Legion of Super-Heroes for Brian Michael Bendis' relaunch of the franchise.  Here is a look at Sook's designs.
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From Newsarama:  The Justice Society of America is returning to the DC Universe and to continuity.

From Newsarama:  Universal Pictures has optioned the film rights to Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo de Felici's "Oblivion Song" comic book from Image Comics.

From BloodyDisgusting:  Horror manga master Junji Ito has ideas about video games.

From Newsarama:  "Batman Beyond" is connected to Brian Michael Bendis' teased about DC Comics project, "Millennium."

From BleedingCool:  Rumors say that DC Comics is closing its "Vertigo" imprint.

From PhillyTrib:  New graphic novel, “Martin Luther King Jr.: Voice for Equality!” by James Buckley Jr. and YouNeek Studios, offers insights into Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

From ANN:  In Japan, "Boruto: Naruto Next Generations" is moving from "Weekly Shonen Jump" to "V Jump" magazines for serialization.

From Mashable:  "Dark Phoenix" has the worst opening in "X-Men" film history.

From BleedingCool:  John Byrne is publishing his X-Men "fan fiction" comic online rather than letting Marvel Comics publish it.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' recent "No Compromise, No Mercy" teasers are for a new comic book featuring a "ruthless" team.  The title will reportedly spin out of the "War of the Realms" event.

From Deadline:  DC Universe has cancelled its streaming series "Swamp Thing" one week after its debut.

From Deadline:  Netflix has renewed "Lucifer" for a firth and final season.  "Lucifer" is based on the DC Comics character of the same name.

From Newsarama:  Mark Millar has recruited artists he liked when he was in high school to draw variant covers for the first issue of his upcoming comic, "Space Bandits." These are Howard Chaykin, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Dave Gibbons, Klaus Janson, and Walter Simonson

From Newsarama:  The 2019 Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award nominees have been announced.  They are Lorena Alvarez; Ellen T. Crenshaw; M. J. Kim; Sumit Kumar; and Kieran McKeown.  The award is given to promising new comic books artists.

From CBR:  The first "Wonder Woman 84" poster. It shows off new armor.

From BleedingCool: Marvel's beloved vampire hunter, Blade, may be getting his own comic book series, with the news possibly being revealed next week. #bringbackblade

From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios has cancelled its WWE comic book after 25 issues.

From Deadline:  Two series based on comic books, "Deadly Class" and "Happy!," have been cancelled by Syfy.  Both series are being shopped to new networks.

From Newsarama:  Writer-director Quentin Tarantion has tapped screenwriter Jerrod Carmicheal to write the screenplay adaptation of the 2014 Django/Zorro crossover comic book series, which was a sequel to Tarantino's Oscar-winning "Django Unchained."  How sure this project is to being an actual film is unknown.

From ANN:  The manga, "Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma," will end soon.

From ComicBook:  Spawn will appear in the video game, "Mortal Kombat 11."  Keith David who voiced Spawn in the 1990s HBO animated series will reprise that role for the game.

From Newsarama:  The first meeting of Harley Quinn and the Joker will get a unique twist in a new DC Black Label due Fall 2019.  "Joker/Harley: Criminal Insanity" is from writer Kami Garcia and artists Mike Mayhew and Mico Suayan.

From Newsarama:  DC Comics reveals a slate of new Young Adult graphic novels.

From LATimes:  The newspaper profiles "Love and Rockets'" Jaime Hernandez.

From ChicagoReader:  The paper talks to Ben Passmore and Ezra Clayton Daniels about their new comic book, "BTTM FDRS."

From CBR:  DC Comics announces a "Beast Boy" graphic novel for its "DC Ink" imprint.

From Newsarama:  Robert Pattison beats out actor Nicholas Hoult (Nightcrawler in Fox's "X-Men" movies) to be the next screen Batman/Bruce Wayne.

From Newsarama:  For Your Consideration: A Marvel/DC Crossover Proposal

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JUNE 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  June 2019 comic book publisher solicitations for June 2019
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Albatross Funnybooks for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Alterna Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  American Mythology 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:  Black Mask Studios 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:  IDW Publishing 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
From Newsarama:  VIZMedia for June 2019

JULY 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  July 2019 comics solicitations for all publishers on one page.
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Action Lab Entertainment for July 2019
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Albatross Funnybooks for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Alterna Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  American Mythology for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Hero Tomorrow for July 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Nobrow Press for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Papercutz for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for July 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZMedia for July 2019

AUGUST 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  August 2019 comics solicitations for all publishers on one page.
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Action Lab Entertainment for August 2019
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Avatar Press for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for August 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Humanoids for August 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for August 2019
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Red 5 Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Yen Press for August 2019

SEPTEMBER 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Humanoids for September 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for September 2019

HALLOWEEN COMICFEST 2019:
From Newsarama:  28 comic book titles for the industry's fall event taking place Saturday, October 26, 2019 at participating comic shops worldwide.

DC's HILL HOUSE COMICS Debut Solicitations:
From Newsarama:  These are the solicitations for DC Comics' "Hill House Comics" group overseen by Joe Hill.  The line is scheduled to kick off October 30, 2019 with "Basketful of Heads #1."


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

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 13, 2019

DC COMICS

NOV180540    BATMAN THE CAPED CRUSADER TP VOL 02    $29.99
DEC180539    BATMAN WHO LAUGHS #3 (OF 6)    $4.99
DEC180540    BATMAN WHO LAUGHS #3 (OF 6) VAR ED    $4.99
JUL180809    DC DESIGNER SERIES NIGHTWING & BATGIRL BY SOOK STATUE    $250.00
DEC188129    DETECTIVE COMICS #994 2ND PTG    $3.99
DEC188130    DETECTIVE COMICS #995 2ND PTG    $3.99
DEC188131    DETECTIVE COMICS #996 2ND PTG    $3.99
DEC180551    DETECTIVE COMICS #998    $3.99
DEC180552    DETECTIVE COMICS #998 VAR ED    $3.99
DEC180556    ELECTRIC WARRIORS #4 (OF 6)    $3.99
DEC180514    FLASH #64 BLANK VAR ED THE PRICE    $3.99
DEC180512    FLASH #64 THE PRICE    $3.99
DEC180513    FLASH #64 VAR ED THE PRICE    $3.99
DEC180558    GODDESS MODE #3 (MR)    $3.99
DEC180563    HAWKMAN #9    $3.99
DEC180564    HAWKMAN #9 VAR ED    $3.99
DEC180569    HOUSE OF WHISPERS #6 (MR)    $3.99
DEC180574    JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #8    $3.99
DEC180575    JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #8 VAR ED    $3.99
OCT180598    MISTER MIRACLE TP (RES) (MR)    $24.99
NOV180562    NEIL GAIMANS & CHARLES VESS STARDUST TP NEW ED (MR)    $19.99
DEC180584    RED HOOD OUTLAW #31    $3.99
DEC180585    RED HOOD OUTLAW #31 VAR ED    $3.99
DEC180586    SCOOBY APOCALYPSE #34    $3.99
DEC180587    SCOOBY APOCALYPSE #34 VAR ED    $3.99
NOV180572    SUICIDE SQUAD HELL TO PAY TP    $14.99
DEC180594    SUPERGIRL #27    $3.99
DEC180595    SUPERGIRL #27 VAR ED    $3.99
DEC180596    SUPERMAN #8    $3.99
DEC180597    SUPERMAN #8 VAR ED    $3.99
DEC180601    TITANS #34    $3.99
DEC180602    TITANS #34 VAR ED    $3.99
NOV180578    TITANS TP VOL 05 THE SPARK    $19.99
NOV180580    TORSO TP NEW ED (MR)    $24.99
DEC180525    WONDER TWINS #1 (OF 6)    $3.99
DEC180526    WONDER TWINS #1 (OF 6) VAR ED    $3.99
DEC180606    WONDER WOMAN #64    $3.99
DEC180607    WONDER WOMAN #64 VAR ED    $3.99
AUG180663    WONDER WOMAN BY PHIL JIMINEZ OMNIBUS HC    $75.00

Review: THE KAMANDI CHALLENGE #12

THE KAMANDI CHALLENGE No. 12 (OF 12)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Gail Simone
ART: Jill Thompson; Ryan Sook
COLORS: Trish Mulvihill; Laura Martin; Andrew Crossley
LETTERS: Clem Robins
MISC ART: Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez and Joe Prado with Mark Chiarello; Adam Kubert
COVER: Frank Miller with Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVERS: Ryan Sook; Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez and Joe Prado with Trish Mulvihill
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (February 2018)

Rated “T” for Teen

Kamandi created by Jack Kirby

[Afterword by Paul Levitz]

“The Boundless Realm”

Created by Jack Kirby, Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth was a comic book series published by DC Comics in the 1970s.  Running from 1972 to 1978, the series starred Kamandi, a teenaged boy in a post-apocalyptic future.  In this time, humans have been reduced back to savagery in a world ruled by intelligent, highly evolved animals.

Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth #1 (cover dated: October 1972) opens some time after a huge event called “The Great Disaster,” which wiped out human civilization.  In “Earth A.D.” (After Disaster), many animals have become humanoid, bipedal, and sentient, and also possess the power of speech. These newly intelligent animal species have equipped themselves with weapons and technology salvaged from the ruins of human civilization and are constantly at war in a struggle for territory.

The world of Kamandi returned in the DC Comics miniseries, The Kamandi Challenge.  Ostensibly a tribute to the 100th anniversary of Jack Kirby's birth (1917), The Kamandi Challenge brought together 14 teams of writers and artists.  Each team produced a single issue (or worked on a single issue) of The Kamandi Challenge, which ended in an cliffhanger.  The following issue's creative team would resolve that cliffhanger left behind by the previous creative team however it wanted.  That team would craft its own story, which also ended in a cliffhanger, which the next creative team would have to resolve... and so on.

The Kamandi Challenge came to an end with the recently published twelfth issue, featuring two creative teams.  The first team is writer Gail Simone; artists Jill Thompson and Ryan Sook; colorists Trish Mulvihill; Laura Martin; and Andrew Crossley; and letterer Clem Robins.  The second creative team is comprised of writer Paul Levitz; artist José Luis García-López (pencils) and Joe Prado (inks); colorist Trish Mulvihill; and letterer Clem Robins.

The Kamandi Challenge #12 opens with the story “The Boundless Realm” (by the Simone-Thompson/Sook team), which introduces “Kamanda: The Last Girl on Earth.”  Who is she and what does she have to tell Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth as he enters his final battle with “The Misfit?”

The second story is “Epilogue the First: The Answers” by Levitz- García-López.  Kamandi meets his creator Jack Kirby and gets some answers.  But what kind of answers are they?

Let us make no mistake, Jack Kirby is a great artist, worthy of being a comic book icon (or the comic book icon) and being in the hallowed halls of museums and academia.  The problem with tributes to great artist is that those tributes are sometimes offered by people who, while they are influenced by great artists, are not themselves great artists.  In fact, sometimes the people who offer tributes are hacks, in spite of the greatness they admire.

And The Kamandi Challenge is the creation of some who are middling talents, some who are hacks, some exceptional talents that produced middling work in this series.  In this final issue, from the ugly Frank Miller front cover to the “it was all a dream” type ending, The Kamandi Challenge #12, like the earlier issues, is a tribute in name only to Jack Kirby.  Yes, there are some good moments and good issues in this twelve issue maxi-series, but The Kamandi Challenge is a cynical attempt to make money using Jack Kirby's name and legacy.

The best thing about The Kamandi Challenge #12 is Paul Levitz's afterword, which is a true and loving tribute to someone who was obviously a friend, the truly talented and late Len Wein.

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.

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

Review: BLACK PANTHER #166

BLACK PANTHER No. 166
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Ta-Nehisi Coates
PENCILS: Leonard Kirk
INKS:  Leonard Kirk and Marc Deering
COLORS: Laura Martin
LETTERS: VC's Joe Sabino
COVER: Brian Stelfreeze
VARIANT COVERS: Jenny Frison; Ryan Sook; Chip Zdarsky; Mike McKone with Rachelle Rosenberg; Wes Craig with Tamra Bonvillain (based on the the Incredible Hulk #340 cover by Todd McFarlane and Bob Wiacek)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2017)

Black Panther created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

Rated “T”

“Avengers of the New World” Part 7

Black Panther is a Marvel Comics superhero.  He was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and first appeared in Fantastic Four #52 (cover dated: July 1966).  Black Panther was T'Challa, the king and protector of the (fictional) African nation of Wakanda.  Black Panther was also the first Black superhero is mainstream American comic books.

Ta-Nehisi Coates is an American writer and journalist.  This African-American commentator is also a national correspondent for The Atlantic, where he writes about cultural, political, and social issues, particularly as they regard to Black people in America.  Coates' second book, Between the World and Me (released in July 2015), won the 2015 National Book Award for Nonfiction.  In 2015, he was the recipient of a “Genius Grant” from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Black Panther and Ta-Nehisi Coates (with artist and designer Brian Stelfreeze) came together last year in a relaunch of the Black Panther comic book series.  Marvel Comics is in the middle of a new publishing initiative, “Legacy,” and that changes the issue numbering for Black Panther (and for a number of Marvel Comics' titles).  Coates now produces Black Panther with artists Leonard Kirk (pencils and inks) and Marc Deering (inks); colorist Laura Martin; and letterer Joe Sabino.

Black Panther #166 is the seventh chapter of the “Avengers of the New World” story arc.  The gods of Wakanda, “the Orisha,” have gone missing.  In their absence, mystical portals have been opening and releasing deadly creatures, monsters, and mutants.  A figure known as Ras the Exhorter tells the people of Wakanda that the Orisha are dead and leads them to believe in a new god, “Sefako.”  As Black Panther leads his allies to rescue Asira, an old friend, an old enemy steps forward to claim the prize he has sought since the time when T'Challa's father, T'Chaka was both the king and the Black Panther.

In his legendary 1980s run on DC Comics' Swamp Thing, Alan Moore created a personality for the title character and built a world of supporting characters, bit players, and an intriguing fictional mythology that allowed Moore to explore Swamp Thing's character and motivations.  The result was once-in-a-generation comic book storytelling.  Luckily, Alan Moore influenced generations of comic book writers who came after him.

Taking what the Black Panther writers and artists created before him, Ta-Nehisi Coates is building, issue by issue, a world of the Black Panther that is part of, but is also separate and distinct from the rest of the “Marvel Universe.”  Coates is doing what Alan Moore did with Swamp Thing – create a fictional comic book world that is wealthy with possibilities and does not really need the main universe.  As evident in Black Panther #166, Coates is still in the building process.  There is always some new element or page of Wakanda's history that comes to the fore.  For various reasons, some obvious, the American comic book world has not caught on to Black Panther the way it did Alan Moore's Swamp Thing.  And it should.

Coates collaborators have been stellar since the beginning of this series.  New series artist Leonard Kirk's art makes for quiet but powerful graphical storytelling – explosive in scenes when Klaw unleashes his power and powerfully dramatic when the story delves into the past.  As usual, colorist Laura Martin knows how to color every panel and every sequence in a way that propels the drama of the story.  Joe Sabino's matter-of-fact lettering does not call attention to itself, but, as it recedes into the background, it pulls you down, down, down into this exciting story.

I can't wait for the next issue.

[This comic book includes a three-page character overview written by Robbie Thompson; drawn by Wilfredo Torres; colored by Dan Brown; and lettered by Joe Sabino.]

A
9.5 out of 10

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: BATMAN BEYOND #1

BATMAN BEYOND No. 1 (2016)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Dan Jurgens
ART: Bernard Chang
COLORS: Marcelo Maiolo
LETTERS: Travis Lanham
COVER: Ryan Sook
VARIANT COVER: Martin Ansin
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (December 2016)

Rated “T” for Teen

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

“The Return” Part One: “Escaping the Grave”

The animated television series, “Batman Beyond,” debuted in January 1999.  Set in a futuristic Gotham City (Neo-Gotham), the series introduced a teen-aged Batman, Terry McGinnis, a 17-year-old high school student.  A reformed troublemaker, the athletic teen had a sense of personal justice, but circumstances lead him to steal the “Batsuit.”  Eventually, an elderly Bruce Wayne accepted Terry as the new Batman and guided the teen in his exploits.

This future Terry McGinnis-Batman crossed over into DC Comics and eventually became part of its mainstream universe (the DCU).  Although he was briefly replaced as future Batman by an older version of Tim Drake (the third teen to become Batman's sidekick and partner, Robin) McGinnis is back as Batman of the future in the Rebirth relaunch of the comic book series, Batman Beyond.  This new series is written by Dan Jurgens, drawn by Bernard Chang, colored by Marcelo Maiolo, and lettered by Travis Lanham.

Batman Beyond #1 (“Escaping the Grave”) opens in Jokerz Town.  This is a downtrodden neighborhood in Neo-Gotham ruled by a gang that calls itself the Jokerz.  Terry's friend, Dana Tan, is held prisoner by the leader of the Jokerz, Carter.  He is plotting to return life to the corpse of Batman's ultimate adversary, The Joker.  Terry is ready to take on the gang, but he is ready to be Batman again.

I plan on reading future issues of this incarnation of Batman Beyond because it is one of my review assignments for the @ComicBookBin.  DC Comics provides CBB with PDF copies-for-review of most of its titles.  On my own, I am not sure that I would be a regular reader of Batman Beyond; I tried to get into the 2015's DCYou relaunch of the series (which featured Tim Drake as Neo-Gotham's Batman), but it did not intrigue me enough to make the effort to find or buy issues, beyond the first issue, which I actually liked.

I am a little intrigued by this Jokerz story line, but the story does not grip me.  Writer Dan Jurgens' script is professionally competent, but lacks imagination, so the result is pedestrian work.  Bernard Chang's art and Marcelo Maillot's colors result in unattractive art, but competent storytelling.  Honestly, if this book does not improve, it will be little more than just more Batman product.

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: Ta-Nehisi Coates and Brian Stelfreeze's BLACK PANTHER #1

BLACK PANTHER #1 (2016)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Ta-Nehisi Coates
ART: Brian Stelfreeze
COLORS: Laura Martin
LETTERS: VC's Joe Sabino
COVER: Brian Stelfreeze
VARIANT COVER: Brian Stelfreeze; Olivier Coipel; Felipe Smith; Alex Ross; Skottie Young; Sanford Greene; Ryan Sook; Disney Interactive
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (June 2016)

Black Panther created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

Rated “T”

“A Nation Under Our Feet” Part 1

Ta-Nehisi Coates is an American writer and journalist.  This African-American commentator is also a national correspondent for The Atlantic, where he writes about cultural, political, and social issues, particularly as they regard to Black people in America.  Coates' second book, Between the World and Me (released in July 2015), won the 2015 National Book Award for Nonfiction.  In 2015, he was the recipient of a “Genius Grant” from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Brian Stelfreeze is an African-American comic book creator who has been writing, penciling, inking, coloring, and/or painting comic books for over three decades..  In the 1980s, he first gained notice for his stylized covers, particularly for his unique graphic interpretation of Batman.  Stelfreeze was the initial series artist on the DC Comics' Batman title, Batman: Shadow of the Bat, and also produced over 50 covers for that series.  Stelfreeze is one of the original members of Atlanta's Gaijin Studios.

Ta-Nehisi Coates is the writer and Brian Stelfreeze is the artist of the new Black Panther comic book series from Marvel Comics.  The other creative talent on the series include Laura Martin as color artist and Joe Sabino as letterer.

In the world of Black Panther, T'Challa is the warrior-priest-king of Wakanda, and he bears the ceremonial title of that position, Black Panther.  To the world outside Wakanda, Black Panther is a superhero, specifically an Avenger, and of late, a member of the Ultimates.  However, Wakanda has fallen on hard times during Black Panther's time away being a superhero.

Black Panther #1 (“A Nation Under Our Feet” Part 1) opens at “The Great Mound.”  Here, Black Panther is in the heat of a pitched battle with vibranium miners.  In “The Golden City,” capital of Wakanda, harsh justice is handed out.  At the Nigandan border region, an army gathers.  Sure, Wakanda has undergone a flood that killed thousands, a supervillain-led coup, and an invasion from beyond the stars, but there is more bad to come.

I have been an admirer of Ta-Nehisi Coates for the past few years, ever since I first saw him during an television appearance (on MSNBC, I think).  Since then, I have seen him speak on independent news series, “Democracy Now,” and I have read some of his work at The Atlantic's website.  Upon hearing that he was going to write a 12-issue run of Black Panther for Marvel Comics, I was excited, but I did not know what I could really expect; after all, Coates had no previous comic book writing experience.

That turns out to be a good thing.  His clean storytelling builds on the work of previous Black Panther writers, Christopher Priest and Reginald Hudlin.  He mines what for me has always been an obvious source of conflict-laden storytelling – how does a man be both a superhero and the king of a country with resources highly coveted by dangerous interests.  And, you know, I have to give Coates credit for writing a script that insists on giving readers the names of every important character with a speaking role in the first issue.  I am tired of reading vague, introductory first chapters and first issues in which the only characters that are recognizable are the ones wearing familiar costumes.

I have not followed Brian Stelfreeze very much, but I have admired some of his work.  One could make an argument that he is the star here.  His stylish art and vivid, energetic graphical storytelling are a delight.  His character, costume, and graphic design for this series is surprising, simply because I did not expect such a fresh approach that also retains classical Black Panther tropes.  Laura Martin's colors over Stelfreeze's stellar art create some of the most striking visuals that can be found in comic books at this moment.  Letter Joe Sabino and designer Manny Mederos also deserve a shout-out for making this Black Panther one of the best Marvel first issues that I have read in the last few years.

I cannot wait for the second issue of this new Black Panther.  It is more than I expected, although now I expect a lot.

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: THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2015) No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Dan Slott
PENCILS: Giuseppe Camuncoli
INKS: Cam Smith
COLORS: Marte Gracia
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Alex Ross
VARIANT COVERS: Mark Bagley; Giuseppe Camuncoli with Marte Gracia; J. Scott Campbell with Nei Ruffino; Andrew Hennessy with Nolan Woodard; Mike Del Mundo; Humberto Ramos with Edgar Delgado; Ryan Sook; Gameloft with Trevor Cook; Aaron Rivin photographed by Judy Stephens
68pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (December 2015)

Rated  “T”

Spider-Man created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko

There have been at least three prior series to start with the title, The Amazing Spider-Man, to say nothing of all the comics published as Spider-Man #1.  In fact, there was The Amazing Spider-Man #1 launched by writer Dan Slott and artist Humberto Ramos just last year.

With the arrival of the “All-New All-Different Marvel,” The Amazing Spider-Man starts over, again with writer Dan Slott; artists Giuseppe Camuncoli (pencils) and Cam Smith (inks); colorist Marte Gracia; letterer Joe Caramagna; and cover artist Alex Ross.

The Amazing Spider-Man #1 opens in Shanghia.  Why?  Because Spider-Man has gone global, that's why.  Spider-Man and Mockingbird are trying to receive the secure servers of Parker Industries (P.I.), which contain critical data concerning P.I.'s “Webware” Internet app/browser/provider.  An adversarial entity calling “The Zodiac” is the culprit, but another, far more dangerous villain is lurking in the shadows.

I totally dug The Amazing Spider-Man 2014, mainly when Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos were the creative team.  Yes, it is only one issue, but I am not as excited by The Amazing Spider-Man 2015.  Still, the last page will make sure I come back, and I must say that, in general, I find Dan Slott to be one of the best Spider-Man comic book writers that I have had the pleasure of reading.

B+

[This comic book includes previews of Spider-Man 2099 #1; Silk #1; Spider-Woman #1; Webwarriors #1; and Spider-Man #1]

[This comic book includes the bonus comic “The Spider's Corner with Petey P” by Anthony Holden with Jordie Bellaire.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

Valiant Comics for August 2013

VALIANT Solicitations for AUGUST 2013

BLOODSHOT #0
Written by MATT KINDT
Art by CHRISCROSS
Cover by DAVE BULLOCK (JUN131317)
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by MATT KINDT (JUN131318)
Wraparound Gatefold Variant by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO (JUN131319)

Discover the declassified secret history of Project Rising Spirit’s Bloodshot program and its most successful soldier – as told by superstar creator Matt Kindt (MIND MGMT, Justice League of America) and fan favorite artist ChrisCross (Superman/Batman)!

From the darkest days of World War II and Korea, and through the hell of Vietnam and Afghanistan, Bloodshot's origin leaves a bloody trail of discarded lives and forgotten families. But which memories are real? Which families? Which children? Is Bloodshot many men...or no man at all? Is he simply a soulless killing machine or something more? Who is responsible? And why have they engineered the most dangerous weapon ever conceived by man? This issue holds the answers…but also reveals that we may have been asking the wrong questions all along…

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE AUGUST 21st!
--

HARBINGER #15
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art & Cover by BARRY KITSON (JUN131326)
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by TREVOR HAIRSINE (JUN131327)
Variant Cover by KHARI EVANS (JUN131328)
Variant Cover by RIAN HUGHES (JUN131329)

HARBINGER WARS AFTERMATH!

ALL-NEW ARC, ALL-NEW JUMPING-ON POINT!

In the wake of Harbinger Wars, start reading here as Joshua Dysart and new series artist Barry Kitson (Amazing Spider-Man, FF) begin the next year of Harbinger with a mind-bending trip to the outer limits of the Valiant Universe!

It’s been a brutal few months for Peter Stanchek and the Renegades, culminating in the harrowing events – and losses – of the Harbinger Wars.  But now the members of the team have woken up to the Best. Day. Ever. As Lou Reed sang, it’s just a perfect day, problems left all alone. But for Peter Stanchek – a kid who deserves a good day – something seems off…like all is not what it seems…

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE AUGUST 14th!
--

QUANTUM AND WOODY #2
Written by JAMES AMSUS
Art by TOM FOWLER
Cover by RYAN SOOK (JUN131320)
Variant Cover by TOM FOWLER (JUN131321)
Variant Cover by RIAN HUGHES (JUN131322)

Off to a bad start!

Eric and Woody Henderson have accidentally blown up their father’s life’s work – and themselves along with it! Now, as their bizarre new superpowers begin to manifest, will they be able to outmaneuver the squad of trigger-happy cops that think Eric and Woody are to blame for their dad’s murder? Plus! The mysterious cabal targeting the world’s worst superhero team only gets creepier. Seriously, it's like an iceberg of creepy. Only 10 percent is showing! And Quantum and Woody are about to crash right the %$!@ into it!

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE AUGUST 7th!
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X-O MANOWAR #16
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by LEE GARBETT
Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER (JUN131323)
Variant Cover by DAVE BULLOCK (JUN131324)

Old soldiers, new enemies.

X-O Manowar and the Eternal Warrior. Once they were brothers-in-arms, comrades sworn to the same cause. But now they find themselves on opposing sides of a battle for the very fate of civilization itself. Aric of Dacia, and the immense power that he wields, have the potential to the plunge the world into a new era of war, and the only man who can broker a world peace also happens its to be its most fearsome warrior. But can Gilad settle this conflict with words rather than weapons? And does he know how? As the world watches, two of Valiant’s most fearsome heroes will meet once again – and the outcome of their latest clash will decide the fate of us all.

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE AUGUST 21st!
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ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #12
Written by FRED VAN LENTE
Art by PERE PEREZ
Cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO (JUN131332)
Variant Cover by JUAN DOE (JUN131333)

Caught in the jaws of the Faraway!

General Redacted has laid claim to the greatest secret in a time-lost dimension that’s practically built on ‘em. Must be a doozy, huh? Well, it’s big enough that Redacted and his army of alien greys are laying waste to anyone and anything that approaches their occupied lands of the Faraway. Now, it’s down to Archer & Armstrong to run the greatest infiltration/liberation/inebriation mission history has ever known, which would be a cakewalk if its wasn’t for all the UFOs, hostile natives and, of course, the dinosaurs. Yup, could definitely do without those dinosaurs.

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE AUGUST 14th!
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SHADOWMAN #9
Written by JUSTIN JORDAN
Art by NEIL EDWARDS
Cover by DAVE JOHNSON (JUN131330)
Variant Cover by ANDREW ROBINSON (JUN131331)

The deepest cut of all.

Jack suffers a devastating betrayal as Master Darque's ultimate plan stands revealed. Now, with the Brethren on the verge of wiping out Dox and the Abettors and the Deadside threatening to explode into our world, Jack will have to call on everything he's got to stop them…or lose everything trying.

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE AUGUST 7th!
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X-O MANOWAR VOL. 3: PLANET DEATH TPB (JUN131325)
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by CARY NORD and TREVOR HAIRSINE
Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN

The invasion is here – and X-O Manowar is the invader! From superstar creators Robert Venditti, Cary Nord and Trevor Hairsine, jump on board one of the year’s most ambitious series as X-O Manowar ignites an interstellar war and changes the landscape of the Valiant Universe forever!

Aric of Dacia, a fifth century Visigoth armed with the universe’s most powerful weapon, is all that stands between the Earth and all-out annihilation at the hands of the alien race that abducted him from his own time. Now, the day of Aric’s reckoning has finally come. As his Visigoth forefathers sacked Rome, Aric will take the battle directly to his oppressors on the Vine homeworld of Loam. He will decimate their armies, he will level their cities – and he will not stop until the whole of their empire is reduced to ash. This is PLANET DEATH!

Collecting the complete PLANET DEATH saga from X-O MANOWAR #9-14 by New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (Green Lantern, The Surrogates) and superstar artists Cary Nord (Conan) and Trevor Hairsine (X-Men: Deadly Genesis), start reading here to find out why X-O Manowar's one-man revenge mission has IGN declaring "X-O Manowar still kicks butt. Bring on Planet Death."

"Downright amazing." - Comic Vine

"Venditti continues to execute his vision with deadly precision. Everyone should be on board…" - Bloody Disgusting

Collecting X-O MANOWAR #9-14
ISBN: 978-1-939346-08-7

$14.99/T+/144 pgs.
ON SALE AUGUST 21st!
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VALIANT MASTERS: ETERNAL WARRIOR VOL. 1 – THE FIST AND STEEL HC (JUN131334)
Written by BARRY WINDSOR-SMITH, JIM SHOOTER and KEVIN VANHOOK
Art by BARRY WINDSOR-SMITH, JOHN DIXON and YVEL GUICHET
Cover by BARRY WINDSOR-SMITH

For a thousand generations, Gilad Anni-Padda has defended the innocent and dealt out justice as the Eternal Warrior – the undying champion of the Geomancers, the Earth’s chosen Fist and Steel. An unsung veteran of every war ever waged, Gilad’s hard-fought quest from the ancient world to modern day Los Angeles is about to force him to the forefront of the Valiant Universe – and into a brand new kind of battle alongside the likes of Bloodshot, X-O Manowar, and his own long-lost brother, Armstrong.

Featuring never-before-collected work by Eisner Award-winning comics legend Barry Windsor-Smith, along with all-time classic stories by Jim Shooter, Kevin VanHook, John Dixon and more, this Valiant Masters volume re-presents Eternal Warrior (1992) #1-7 and Archer & Armstrong (1992)/Eternal Warrior (1992) #8.

Collecting Eternal Warrior (1992) #1-7, Archer & Armstrong (1992)/Eternal Warrior (1992) #8.
ISBN: 978-1-939346-06-3

$24.99/T+/186 pgs.
ON SALE AUGUST 28th!