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

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

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

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

Rated T

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

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

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

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

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

Of course, I am recommending this...

A

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


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

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

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

#IReadsYou Review: Henry and J.J. Abrams' SPIDER-MAN #1

SPIDER-MAN No. 1 (2019)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: J.J. Abrams and Henry Abrams
PENCILS: Sara Pichelli
INKS: Sara Pichelli with Elisabetta D'Amico
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
EDITOR: Nick Lowe
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Olivier Coipel with Dave Stewart
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Sara Pichelli with Dave Stewart; Chip Kidd; Ed McGuiness with Laura Martin; Humberto Ramos with Edgar Delgado; Jason Polan
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (November 2019)

Rated  “T”

Spider-Man created by Steve Ditko and Stan Lee

“Bloodline”

Spider-Man is the classic Marvel Comics superhero that debuted in Amazing Fantasy #15 (cover dated: August 1962).  Peter Parker, a high school student, was bitten by a radioactive spider.  That bite gave him strange powers, including the proportional speed and strength of a spider and his “spider-sense” a kind of internal warning beacon.  Parker donned what would become his trademark red and blue costume (that he made himself), and became the crime-fighting superhero, The Amazing Spider-Man.

Spider-Man publications have always attracted celebrated comic book creators who wanted to tell Spider-Man stories.  One of the most recent is acclaimed film director and Emmy-winning television producer, J.J. Abrams.  Abrams and his son, Henry Abrams, are the writers of a new five-issue comic book miniseries, entitled Spider-Man.  [When this series is collected in book form,“Spider-Man: Bloodline” might be the title.]  The series is drawn by modern Spider-Man superstar artist, Sara Pichelli, with Elisabetta D'Amico as an inking assistant.  The series colorist is Dave Stewart, and the letterer is Joe Caramagna.

Spider-Man #1 opens on what may be the worst day of Spider-Man's life.  His battle against a powerful villain named  “Cadaverous,” has left him grievously wounded.  For the hero, the day also turns stunningly, shockingly tragic.

Twelve years later, Peter Parker travels, practically non-stop, always working on another “assignment.”  Meanwhile, Peter's son, Ben, lives with Aunt May and struggles, not because he is a bullied wallflower – like the teenage version of his father.  Ben fights back, which drives a wedge between him and his father.  Now, Aunt May believes it is time for Ben to learn some secrets...

I am a huge fan of comic book artist Sara Pichelli, who is the artist most associated with Miles Morales, the Ultimate Spider-Man and the star of the Oscar-winning film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.  Here, Pichelli delivers some of her most beautiful illustrative work, and her storytelling is emotive, potent, dramatic, and lovingly mysterious.  Nailed it!

After Marvel announced that J.J. Abrams and Henry would be writing a special Spider-Man comic book, I came across the usual cacophony of negative commentary from the fan-resentment chorus.  However, the American comic book industry would be better off if more Hollywood types, that are quite skilled in the art of the story, wrote comic books.  Abrams excels at emotion, character drama, female characters, and family drama, especially when it comes to the dynamics between parent and child.  I don't know how much Henry is contributing to writing here, but it is good.  Nailed it!

Everyone who reads comic books on a regular basis knows that Dave Stewart is currently among the very best colorists in American comic books, if not the best.  I can say that here, Stewart “Nailed it!”  Letterer Joe Caramagna... captures the subtle and quiet atmosphere of this first chapter with his usual skill.  So he... Nailed it!, too.

I am happy that the Abrams' Spider-Man is one of those superstar-driven, event comic book publications that is actually, really damn good.  I am so ready for more.

10 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

Review: HOUSE OF X #1

HOUSE OF X No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jonathan Hickman
ART: Pepe Larraz
COLORS: Marte Gracia
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
EDITOR: Jordan D. White
EiC: Akria Yoshida a.k.a. “C.B. Cebuski”
COVER: Pepe Larraz with Marte Gracia
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Mark Brooks; Marco Checchetto; John Tyler Christopher; Dave Cockrum with Jesus Aburtov; Mike Huddleston; Joe Madureira with Peter Steigerwald; Phil Noto; Sara Pichelli with Dean White; Humberto Ramos with Edgar Delgado; Skottie Young
56pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (September 2019)

Rated T+

The X-Men created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

“The House That Xavier Built”

The X-Men are a Marvel Comics superhero team created by editor Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby.  The X-Men debuted in the comic book, The X-Men #1 (cover dated: September 1963), and the focus of that comic book was Professor Charles Xavier a/k/a “Professor X” and his small circle of students.  Each student had a unique power or ability granted to them because each student was a mutant, and each had a code name.  The students were Scott Summers (Cyclops), Jean Grey (Marvel Girl), Warren Worthington III (Angel), Henry “Hank” McCoy (Beast), and Bobby Drake (Iceman).

From time to time, the X-Men concept is changed in some way via a relaunch or revamp.  The most famous was the debut of the “new X-Men” in Giant-Size X-Men #1 (cover dated: May 1975).  Once consistently among the bestselling comic books in the United States (and often the bestselling comic book), the X-Men have fallen on hard times, especially over the last decade.  Part of the problem is that the editorial powers that be at Marvel Comics have spent much of the last two decades revamping, relaunching, remaking the X-Men, and especially involving the X-Men line of comic books in ultimately pointless title crossover events.

However, fans and readers have hope for this new X-Men thing.  The latest remodeling comes via a pair of six-issue miniseries, House of X and Powers of X, published biweekly on an alternating schedule.  The first to debut is House of X.  It is written by written Jonathan Hickman; drawn by Pepe Larraz; colored by Marte Gracia; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.

House of X #1 (“The House That Xavier Built”) opens on a world that has changed.  In the last half year, Professor Charles Xavier (a.k.a. “Professor X”) has been rolling out his master plan for mutant-kind.  Xavier wants to bring mutants out of the shadow of mankind and into the light once more.  On the island of Krakoa is a home for mutants only, a place where they can be safe.

As a gift to the ever-suspicious humanity, Xavier is offering miracle pharmaceuticals.  However, seeing Armageddon in this new world order, a secret organization of humans has activated the “Orchis protocols.”  Plus, the activities of Sabertooth and Mystique earn the attention of the Fantastic Four, and this issue story also stars Magneto, Cyclops, and Jean Grey to name a few.

“Did you honestly think we were going to sit around and take it forever?” is what Cyclops asks the Invisible Woman during a standoff between the X-Man and the Fantastic Four.  Fight the power, indeed, but this first chapter of House of X is as much about evolution as it is about self-defense.  In Jonathan Hickman's radical revamp of Marvel's X-Men franchise, the mutants of the Marvel Universe have more than a sanctuary; they have a home.  Apparently, they are going to spend their time in their new home being great and striving for greater – socially and scientifically, and that is making humans, especially certain human interests, suspicious and preparing for war.

I don't know where Hickman is taking Marvel's X-Men line, but, in House of X #1, he has created the kind of first issue that makes readers so curious that they just have to come back for more.  At the local comic shop I visit, all issues of House of X and Powers of X have been sellouts.

In this first issue, the art by Pepe Larraz is pretty, but the graphical storytelling does not come across as being as striking and as radical as Hickman's script is.  However, Marte Gracia's coloring is a glorious display, and Clayton Cowles' lettering keeps the shifting ground of House of X #1's story and book design coherent.

Will House of X #1 be a seminal moment in the history of X-Men comic books?  We will see, but it is a must-read for anyone who has ever been a fan of X-Men comic books.

8.5 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.


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

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 9, 2019

MARVEL COMICS

AUG190921    ABSOLUTE CARNAGE MILES MORALES #3 (OF 3) AC    $3.99
AUG190922    ABSOLUTE CARNAGE MILES MORALES #3 (OF 3) NAKAYAMA CONNECTING    $3.99
JUL198880    ABSOLUTE CARNAGE SCREAM #2 (OF 3) 2ND PTG SANDOVAL VAR AC    $3.99
AUG191104    AGE OF CONAN VALERIA #3 (OF 5)    $3.99
AUG190898    AMAZING FANTASY #15 FACSIMILE EDITION    $3.99
AUG191174    AMAZING MARY JANE #1 RAMOS POSTER    $8.99
AUG190930    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #31 AC    $3.99
AUG190931    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #31 SMALLWOOD MARY JANE VAR AC    $3.99
AUG191017    CONTAGION #2 (OF 5)    $3.99
AUG191018    CONTAGION #2 (OF 5) BROWNE VAR    $3.99
AUG190992    DOCTOR DOOM #1    $4.99
AUG190994    DOCTOR DOOM #1 CHIANG MARY JANE VAR    $4.99
AUG191175    EXCALIBUR #1 ASRAR POSTER    $8.99
AUG191001    FUTURE FIGHT FIRSTS WHITE FOX #1    $4.99
AUG191003    FUTURE FIGHT FIRSTS WHITE FOX #1 TAKEDA AVENGERS VAR    $4.99
AUG191172    GHOST RIDER #1 KUDER POSTER    $8.99
AUG191097    GWENPOOL STRIKES BACK #3 (OF 5)    $3.99
JUL198882    HOUSE OF X #4 (OF 6) 2ND PTG LARRAZ VAR    $4.99
JUL191112    HULK TP INCREDIBLE ORIGINS    $15.99
AUG191038    IMMORTAL HULK DIRECTORS CUT #5 (OF 6)    $4.99
AUG191046    INVADERS #10    $3.99
AUG191107    JOURNEY STAR WARS RISE SKYWALKER ALLEGIANCE #1    $4.99
AUG191109    JOURNEY STAR WARS RISE SKYWALKER ALLEGIANCE #1 STELFREEZE VA    $4.99
AUG191059    LOKI #4    $3.99
AUG191060    LOKI #4 BARTEL MARY JANE VAR    $3.99
AUG191092    MAGNIFICENT MS MARVEL #8    $3.99
AUG191176    MARAUDERS #1 DAUTERMAN POSTER    $8.99
APR190947    MARVEL 80 FOR 80 HC    $39.99
JUL191108    MARVEL MONOGRAPH TP ART OF SARA PICHELLI    $19.99
AUG191173    MARVEL ZOMBIES #1 INHYUK LEE POSTER    $8.99
AUG190950    MILES MORALES SPIDER-MAN #11    $3.99
AUG190951    MILES MORALES SPIDER-MAN #11 ANDOLFO MARY JANE VAR    $3.99
APR190942    MMW GHOST RIDER HC VOL 01    $75.00
APR190943    MMW GHOST RIDER HC VOL 01 DM VAR ED 281    $75.00
AUG190879    POWERS OF X #6 (OF 6)    $5.99
AUG190883    POWERS OF X #6 (OF 6) CAFU CHARACTER DECADES VAR    $5.99
AUG190882    POWERS OF X #6 (OF 6) CAMUNCOLI FORESHADOW VAR    $5.99
AUG190885    POWERS OF X #6 (OF 6) CHRISTOPHER ACTION FIGURE VAR    $5.99
AUG190884    POWERS OF X #6 (OF 6) GARRON CONNECTING VAR    $5.99
AUG190881    POWERS OF X #6 (OF 6) WEAVER NEW CHARACTER VAR    $5.99
AUG190886    POWERS OF X #6 (OF 6) YOUNG VAR    $5.99
APR190950    SPIDER-MAN HC ULTIMATE POWER & RESPONSIBILITY MARVEL SELECT    $24.99
JUL191124    SPIDER-MAN LOVES MARY JANE GN TP UNEXPECTED THING    $12.99
JUL198885    STAR WARS GALAXYS EDGE #5 (OF 5) 2ND PTG SLINEY VAR    $3.99
AUG191123    STAR WARS JEDI FALLEN ORDER DARK TEMPLE #3 (OF 5)    $3.99
AUG191119    STAR WARS TARGET VADER #4 (OF 6)    $3.99
AUG190890    TRUE BELIEVERS X-MEN BETSY BRADDOCK #1    $1.00
AUG190891    TRUE BELIEVERS X-MEN PYRO #1    $1.00
AUG191081    UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #49    $3.99
JUL191099    WAR OF REALMS TP PUNISHER    $15.99
AUG191053    WEB OF BLACK WIDOW #2 (OF 5)    $3.99
AUG191055    WEB OF BLACK WIDOW #2 (OF 5) OLIVER MARY JANE VAR    $3.99
AUG191171    X-MEN #1 YU POSTER    $8.99
APR190951    X-MEN XXL BY JIM LEE HC    $100.00

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 21, 2018

MARVEL COMICS

JAN188136    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #796 2ND PTG HAWTHORNE VAR LEG    $3.99
JAN180969    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN RENEW YOUR VOWS #17 LEG    $3.99
JAN188139    AVENGERS #681 2ND PTG BROOKS VAR LEG    $3.99
JAN180902    AVENGERS #685 LEG    $3.99
SEP170987    AVENGERS OMNIBUS HC VOL 03 BUSCEMA DM VAR    $100.00
SEP170986    AVENGERS OMNIBUS HC VOL 03 DAVIS VAR    $100.00
JAN181014    CABLE #155 LEG    $3.99
JAN188140    CAPTAIN AMERICA #698 2ND PTG SAMNEE VAR LEG    $3.99
JAN180936    DOCTOR STRANGE DAMNATION #3 (OF 4) LEG    $3.99
JAN180937    DOCTOR STRANGE DAMNATION #3 (OF 4) LIM VAR LEG    $3.99
JAN180939    DOCTOR STRANGE DAMNATION #3 (OF 4) SMALLWOOD CONNECTING VAR    $3.99
DEC178375    DOCTOR STRANGE DAMNATION #3 (OF 4) TARNATION VAR LEG    $3.99
DEC170952    GENERATION X TP VOL 02 SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST    $19.99
JAN180909    INCREDIBLE HULK #714 LEG WW    $3.99
JAN180941    IRON FIST #78 LEG    $3.99
DEC170949    IRON FIST TP VOL 02 SABRETOOTH ROUND TWO    $17.99
JAN180908    IRON MAN HONG KONG HEROES #1 (OF 1) CROSBY VAR LEG    $3.99
JAN180907    IRON MAN HONG KONG HEROES #1 (OF 1) GANG HYUK LIM VAR LEG    $3.99
JAN180906    IRON MAN HONG KONG HEROES #1 (OF 1) LEG    $3.99
DEC170939    MARVELS AVENGERS INFINITY WAR PRELUDE TP    $15.99
JAN180891    MIGHTY THOR #705 ARTGERM VAR LEG    $3.99
DEC178353    MIGHTY THOR #705 ARTGERM VIRGIN VAR LEG    $3.99
JAN180888    MIGHTY THOR #705 LEG    $3.99
SEP170988    MMW KA-ZAR HC VOL 02    $75.00
SEP170989    MMW KA-ZAR HC VOL 02 DM VAR ED 257    $75.00
AUG171012    MMW MARVEL TWO IN ONE HC VOL 03    $75.00
AUG171013    MMW MARVEL TWO IN ONE HC VOL 03 DM VAR ED 256    $75.00
JAN180984    MONSTERS UNLEASHED #12 LEG    $3.99
JAN180988    MS MARVEL #28 LEG    $3.99
JAN188142    OLD MAN HAWKEYE #2 (OF 12) 2ND PTG VAR LEG    $3.99
JAN181017    RUNAWAYS #7    $3.99
JAN180957    SPIDER-GWEN #30 LEG    $3.99
DEC170948    SPIDER-MEN II TP    $17.99
JAN181028    STAR WARS #45    $3.99
DEC170954    STAR WARS LEGENDS EPIC COLLECTION CLONE WARS TP VOL 02    $39.99
JAN181022    STAR WARS POE DAMERON #25    $3.99
NOV178194    TALES OF SUSPENSE #103 (OF 5) LEG    $3.99
JAN180981    THANOS #17 LEG    $3.99
JAN180982    THANOS #17 WARD VAR LEG    $3.99
JAN180964    TRUE BELIEVERS VENOM DARK ORIGIN #1    $1.00
JAN180965    TRUE BELIEVERS VENOM FLASHPOINT #1    $1.00
JAN180920    WEAPON H #1 LEG    $4.99
DEC178663    WEAPON H #1 YU VIRGIN VAR LEG    $4.99
DEC170953    X-MEN BLUE TP VOL 00 REUNION    $34.99
DEC170950    X-MEN BLUE TP VOL 03 CROSS TIME CAPERS    $15.99
JAN180993    X-MEN GOLD #24 LEG    $3.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 8, 2017

MARVEL COMICS

AUG178889    AVENGERS #672 2ND PTG ALLRED VAR LEG    $3.99
AUG171023    BLACK PANTHER TP BOOK 04 AVENGERS  OF NEW WORLD    $16.99
SEP170831    DAREDEVIL #595 LEG    $3.99
SEP170932    DESPICABLE DEADPOOL #289 LEG    $3.99
AUG171025    EDGE OF VENOMVERSE TP    $17.99
SEP170906    FALCON #2 LEG    $3.99
SEP170956    GENERATION X #8    $3.99
SEP170927    GWENPOOL #22 LEG    $3.99
AUG178890    ICEMAN #6 2ND PTG RYAN VAR LEG    $3.99
AUG178891    IRON FIST #73 2ND PTG PERKINS VAR LEG    $3.99
AUG178892    JESSICA JONES #13 2ND PTG MORA VAR LEG    $3.99
SEP170914    JESSICA JONES #14 LEG    $3.99
SEP171025    MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE BY ROSS POSTER    $8.99
JUL178378    MARVEL VALUE STAMP COLLECTOR ALBUM (BUNDLE OF 25) (Net)    $PI
SEP170893    MASTER OF KUNG FU #126 CHRISTOPHER TRADING CARD LEG    $3.99
SEP170892    MASTER OF KUNG FU #126 LEG    $3.99
MAY170938    MMW INCREDIBLE HULK HC VOL 11    $75.00
MAY170939    MMW INCREDIBLE HULK HC VOL 11 DM VAR ED 252    $75.00
SEP170853    MOON KNIGHT #188 LEG    $3.99
SEP170950    MS MARVEL #24    $3.99
SEP171023    PHOENIX RESURRECTION BY YU POSTER    $8.99
SEP170918    ROYALS #10 LEG    $3.99
AUG179020    ROYALS #9 2ND PTG DOE VAR LEG    $3.99
SEP170954    RUNAWAYS #3    $3.99
AUG171038    RUNAWAYS VOL 7 LIVE FAST NEW PTG    $14.99
SEP170842    SHE-HULK #159 LEG    $3.99
SEP170813    SPIDER-MAN DEADPOOL #23 LEG    $3.99
JUL171214    SPIDER-MAN MILES MORALES TP VOL 03    $19.99
AUG178893    SPIRITS OF VENGEANCE #1 (OF 5) 2ND PTG LASHLEY VAR LEG    $3.99
SEP170921    SPIRITS OF VENGEANCE #2 (OF 5) LEG    $3.99
SEP170965    STAR WARS #38    $3.99
AUG171046    STAR WARS DARTH MAUL SON DATHOMIR TP NEW PTG    $15.99
AUG171048    STAR WARS FORCE AWAKENS ADAPATATION TP    $19.99
SEP170943    UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #26    $3.99
SEP170925    UNCANNY AVENGERS #29 LEG    $3.99
AUG178894    VENOM #155 2ND PTG MATTINA VAR LEG    $3.99
SEP170908    VENOM #157 LEG    $3.99
SEP171024    VENOM INC BY STEGMAN POSTER    $8.99
SEP170945    VISION DIRECTORS CUT #6 (OF 6)    $6.99
AUG178895    X-MEN GOLD #13 2ND PTG CALDWELL VAR LEG    $3.99
SEP170928    X-MEN GOLD #15 LEG    $3.99
SEP171026    X-MEN GRAND DESIGN BY PISKOR POSTER    $8.99
SEP170941    ZOMBIES ASSEMBLE 2 #4 (OF 4)    $4.99
SEP170942    ZOMBIES ASSEMBLE 2 #4 (OF 4) KALUTA VAR    $4.99
AUG171039    ZOMBIES ASSEMBLE MANGA TP VOL 01    $14.99

Review: DARTH VADER #25

DARTH VADER No. 25
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

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

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

Rated T

Book IV, Part VI: “End of Games”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A

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


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

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

Review: UNCANNY X-MEN #600

UNCANNY X-MEN No. 600
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Brian Micheal Bendis
PENCILS:  Sara Pichelli, Mahmud Asrar, Stuart Immonen, Kris Anka, Chris Bachalo, David Marquez, Frazer Irving
INKS: Wade von Grawbadger, Tim Townsend, Mark Irwin
COLORS: Marte Gracia, Jason Keith, Chis Bachalo, Frazer Irving
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Chris Bachalo
VARIANT COVERS: Art Adams with Jason Keith; Kris Anka; John Tyler Christopher; Olivier Coipel with Marte Gracia; Adam Hughes; Rick Leonardi and Dan Green with Jason Keith; Ed McGuinness and Dexter Vines with Val Staples; Paul Smith with Paul Mounts; Leinel Yu with Jason Keith
60pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (January 2016)

Rated T+

X-Men created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

With the arrival of the “All-New, All-Different Marvel Universe,” X-Men comic books are entering a new era.  Apparently if all the incarnations of Uncanny X-Men are added together, the result is that 600 issues of comic books entitled Uncanny X-Men have been published.  It is that 600th issue that marks the end of something, if not an era, then, the end of Brian Michael Bendis' tenure as an X-Men writer.

Uncanny X-Men #600 opens at the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning.  Storm has called all the X-Men currently residing at the school to a meeting.  It's an intervention for Dr. Henry McCoy, or you can call it “The Trial of Beast, and Hank sure ain't feeling the love.  Also, young Iceman has a serious talk with adult Iceman.  Plus, a summons from Washington...

I found the Iceman/Iceman conversation to be heartfelt, and the Jean Grey-Beast meeting felt like something big.  The rest of “The Trial of Beast” does not amount to very much.  After months of delay, all readers get is this tepid tale – simple as that.  Considering the high-quality work that Bendis did on Uncanny X-Men and All-New X-Men, Uncanny X-Men #600 is quite disappointing.

B-

“Winter Carnival” (bonus story)

Writer: Mary Jo Duffy
Pencils: George Perez
Inks: Alfredo Alcala
Letters: Janice Chiang

As a bonus, Uncanny X-Men No. 600 closes with a reprint of the black and white story, “Winter Carnival.”  This 18-page story originally appeared in Bizarre Adventures #27.  This was the X-Men-themed issue of Marvel Comics' black and white comics magazine series that was published from the mid-1970s (under a different title) to the early 1980s.

The story finds Robert L. “Bobby” Drake a.k.a. Iceman as a visiting college student at Dartmouth College (an Ivy League school in Hanover, New Hampshire).  The campus is covered in snow, which is appropriate as this is the time of year for the celebration known as “Winter Carnival.”  Bobby discovers that Iceman is needed when crime decides not to take the weekend off and join in the wintry fun.

I wish Mary Jo Duffy (also known as simply Jo Duffy) were still writing her character-centrist stories for either Marvel or DC Comics.  I don't think that she has written for either publisher in over a decade.  In this story, she allows Iceman to shine as a superhero, but she opens the interior Bobby Drake, depicting him as thoughtful and possessing of a personality and of a sparkling wit.

Many readers may not recognize the art in “Winter Carnival” as that of George Perez (I didn't.), as it has very little resemblance to the graphic style that would define Perez's career on works like New Teen Titans, Crisis on Infinite Earths, and Wonder Woman, to name a few.  However, readers will get a chance to see the talents of inker Alfredo Alcala, whose ink wash over Perez's pencils does not look as good on glossy paper as it would on some good old-fashioned newsprint comic books.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 10, 2016

MARVEL COMICS
NOV150936     1602 WITCH HUNTER ANGELA TP     $15.99
DEC150836     AGENTS OF SHIELD #2     $3.99
DEC150748     ALL NEW ALL DIFFERENT AVENGERS #5     $3.99
DEC150777     ALL NEW HAWKEYE #4     $3.99
NOV158465     ALL NEW WOLVERINE #3 BENGAL 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
DEC150851     ALL NEW WOLVERINE #5     $3.99
NOV158422     ALL NEW X-MEN #2 BAGLEY 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
NOV150886     ALL NEW X-MEN #4     $3.99
NOV150957     AMAZING SPIDER-MAN EPIC COLL TP RETURN OF SINISTER SIX     $39.99
NOV158429     ASTONISHING ANT-MAN #3 BROOKS 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
DEC150835     BLACK KNIGHT #4     $3.99
NOV158424     CAPTAIN AMERICA SAM WILSON #4 RENAUD 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
NOV158466     CARNAGE #3 DEL MUNDO 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
NOV158425     DAREDEVIL #2 GARNEY 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
NOV150919     DARTH VADER #16     $3.99
NOV158426     DEADPOOL #4 HAWTHORNE 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
DEC150853     DEADPOOL #7     $9.99
NOV150949     DEADPOOL FIRSTS TP     $34.99
JUN150840     FALLEN SON DEATH OF CAPTAIN AMERICA TP NEW PTG     $19.99
DEC150781     GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #5     $3.99
DEC150842     ILLUMINATI #4     $3.99
NOV150960     MARVEL UNIVERSE CAPTAIN AMERICA CIVIL WAR DIGEST TP     $9.99
DEC150860     MARVEL UNIVERSE GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #5     $2.99
NOV158427     MIGHTY THOR #2 DAUTERMAN 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
AUG150889     MMW DAREDEVIL HC VOL 10     $75.00
NOV158428     MOON GIRL AND DEVIL DINOSAUR #2 REEDER 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
DEC150803     MS MARVEL #4     $3.99
DEC150756     NEW AVENGERS #6     $3.99
DEC150848     OLD MAN LOGAN #2     $3.99
DEC150905     POWER MAN AND IRON FIST #1 BY GREENE POSTER     $8.99
NOV150939     RED SKULL TP     $12.99
DEC150828     RED WOLF #3     $3.99
NOV150940     SECRET WARS JOURNAL BATTLEWORLD TP     $34.99
DEC150817     SILK #4     $3.99
DEC150819     SPIDER-GWEN #5     $3.99
DEC150907     SPIDER-GWEN #5 BY CHO POSTER     $8.99
DEC150904     SPIDER-MAN #1 BY PICHELLI POSTER     $8.99
DEC150821     SPIDER-MAN 2099 #6     $3.99
NOV158467     SPIDER-MAN DEADPOOL #1 MCGUINNESS 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
DEC150806     SPIDER-MAN DEADPOOL #2     $3.99
DEC150906     SPIDEY #1 BY YOUNG POSTER     $8.99
DEC150758     TOTALLY AWESOME HULK #3     $3.99
DEC150772     ULTIMATES #4     $3.99
DEC150825     WEIRDWORLD #3     $3.99
NOV150958     X-MEN TP AGE OF APOCALYPSE DAWN     $34.99

Review: Star Wars: SHATTERED EMPIRE #4

JOURNEY TO STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS – SHATTERED EMPIRE No. 4
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

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

WRITER: Greg Rucka
ART: Marco Checchetto
COLORS: Andres Mossa
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Marco Checchetto
VARIANT COVER: Sara Pichelli
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2015)

Rated T+

Shattered Empire: Part IV

The recent miniseries, Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Shattered Empire, has come to an end.  The film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, takes place some 30 years after the events depicted in the 1983 film, Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.  As The Force Awakens' release date (December 18, 2015) approached, Lucasfilm filled in the three-decade story gap between Episode VI and Episode VII (The Force Awakens), using its media partners in book publishing and in comic books, in this case, fellow Disney subsidiary, Marvel Entertainment, LLC.

Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Shattered Empire is written by Greg Rucka, drawn by Marco Checchetto, colored by Andres Mossa, and lettered by Joe Caramagna.  According to Marvel.com, Shattered Empire will fully be part of the official Star Wars canon and will depict the immediate aftermath of the events of Return of the Jedi.

As Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Shattered Empire #4 opens, Lt. Shara Bey contemplates mustering out of service to the Rebel Alliance.  This troubles her as the job is unfinished.  Even with the death of Emperor Palpatine, remnants of the Empire continue to fight.  Now, she finds herself on a mission with the legendary Commander Luke Skywalker and his droid, R2-D2, of course.  Their destination is the Imperial base on Ventine to retrieve something Palpatine stole.

Now, that I am totally smitten with artist Macro Checchetto's beautiful cover art and interior art for this series, I don't want Shattered Empire to end.  In fact, I am sure that Greg Rucka can spin more post-Battle of Endor yarns to keep us entertained for at least another year or two.

The biggest thrill for me, however, is Luke Skywalker, my all-time favorite Star Wars character.  It's always great to see him in action in a comic book, which does not happen enough as far as I am concerned.  In Shattered Empire #4, Checchetto depicts Luke as having an air of mystery about him, and behind his eyes, secrets gather like storm clouds.

After reviewing the first issue of Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Shattered Empire, I said that the series had potential.  It has reached that potential, but there can be even more...

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 3, 2016

MARVEL COMICS

NOV150773    A-FORCE #2    $3.99
DEC150809    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #7    $3.99
AUG150893    AVENGERS BY JONATHAN HICKMAN HC VOL 03    $34.99
AUG150899    CAPTAIN AMERICA 75TH ANNIV VIBRANIUM COLLECTION HC    $200.00
DEC150773    CAPTAIN AMERICA SAM WILSON #6    $3.99
DEC150764    CAPTAIN MARVEL #2    $3.99
NOV158130    CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS #3 IBANEZ 2ND PTG VAR    $3.99
DEC150844    CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS #5    $3.99
AUG150894    DAREDEVIL BY MARK WAID HC VOL 04    $34.99
NOV158131    DEADPOOL #3 MOORE 2ND PTG VAR    $3.99
DEC150741    DEADPOOL MERCS FOR MONEY #1    $3.99
DEC150823    DOCTOR STRANGE #5    $3.99
NOV150935    GIANT SIZE LITTLE MARVEL AVX HC    $24.99
NOV158132    GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #3 ART ADAMS 2ND PTG VAR    $3.99
DEC150785    GUARDIANS OF INFINITY #3    $4.99
DEC150792    HOWARD THE DUCK #4    $3.99
DEC150718    INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #6    $3.99
NOV150959    MARVEL UNIVERSE DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE DIGEST TP    $9.99
DEC150779    NOVA #4    $3.99
DEC150870    OBI-WAN AND ANAKIN #2    $3.99
DEC150789    ROCKET RACCOON AND GROOT #2    $3.99
DEC150751    SCARLET WITCH #3    $3.99
NOV158185    SILK #2 CHEN 2ND PTG VAR    $3.99
NOV158133    SPIDER-GWEN #3 RODRIGUEZ 2ND PTG VAR    $3.99
DEC150723    SPIDER-MAN #1    $3.99
DEC150813    SPIDEY #3    $3.99
NOV158186    SQUADRON SUPREME #1 ALEX ROSS 2ND PTG VAR    $3.99
AUG150896    SUPERIOR FOES SPIDER-MAN OMNIBUS HC    $49.99
NOV158187    ULTIMATE END #5 BAGLEY 2ND PTG VAR    $4.99
NOV158134    ULTIMATES #2 ROCAFORT 2ND PTG VAR    $3.99
NOV150790    UNCANNY AVENGERS #5    $3.99
NOV150889    UNCANNY X-MEN #3    $3.99
AUG150895    UNCANNY X-MEN HC VOL 01    $34.99
DEC150754    VISION #4    $3.99

Review: INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #1

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN (2015) No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Brian Michael Bendis
ART: David Marquez
COLORS: Justin Ponsor
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: David Marquez with Justin Ponsor
VARIANT COVERS: Adi Granov, Ryan Stegman with Richard Isanove; Sara Pichelli with Jason Keith; Mahmud Asrar with Sonia Oback; Valerio Schiti with Jason Keith; Nick Bradshaw with Paul Mounts; Bruce Timm; Skottie Young; Brian Stelfreeze; John Tyler Christopher; Yasmine Putri; Dale Oliver photographed by Judy Stephens
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2015)

Rated “T+”

I was very happy with the most recent “new” Iron Man comic book series, Superior Iron Man, that was launched in 2014 as part of Marvel Comics' “Avengers NOW!” initiative.  As part of the “All-New All-Different Marvel,” there is a new Iron Man comic book, and it is entitled Invincible Iron Man.  This new series is written by Brian Michael Bendis; drawn by David Marquez; colored by Justin Ponsor; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.

Bendis and Marquez were the creative team of the second Miles Morales Spider-Man comic book, and Invincible Iron Man was the title of an Iron Man (2008) comic book written by Matt Fraction and drawn by Salvador Larroca.  I loved me some Miles, but I did not read a single issue of the Fraction-Larroca Iron Man, although I still plan to do so.

Invincible Iron Man #1 opens with an former A.I.M. operative trying to make a deal with Madame Masque.  Meanwhile, Tony Stark is enjoying some shop time and finally finishes him newest armor, his best armor.  He will need this new suit as enemies old, new, and transformed step forward.

This breezy first issue of Invincible Iron Man makes it difficult to be particularly critical or adoring of it.  But I do like it, and will read future issues.  I enjoy the Bendis-Marquez team, and if this first issue is any indication, I will enjoy this duo again.  Still, I don't know if this Iron Man comic book will be a particularly memorable one, which is something I can say about Superior Iron Man.  Knowing Bendis, I should have an idea soon.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

I Reads You Review: S.H.I.E.L.D. #1

S.H.I.E.L.D #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Mark Waid
PENCILS: Carlos Pacheco
INKS: Mariano Taibo with Jason Pax
COLORS: Dono Almara
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Julian Totino Tedesco
VARIANT COVERS: Mahmud Asrar with Dono Almara; John Tyler Christopher; Mike Deodato with Edgar Delgado; David Marquez with Laura Martin; Steve McNiven with Marte Gracia; Sara Pichelli with Dono Almara; Valerio Schiti with Laura Martin; Ryan Stegman with Rom Fajardo; Skottie Young
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (January 2015)

Rated “T+”

S.H.I.E.L.D created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

“Perfect Bullets”

S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage, law-enforcement, and counter-terrorism agency that appears in Marvel Comics titles.  The agency often deals with paranormal and super-human threats.  This agency was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and first appeared in Strange Tales #135 (cover dated: August 1965).  The acronym, S.H.I.E.L.D., originally stood for “Supreme Headquarters, International Espionage, Law-Enforcement Division,” but  changed in 1991 to “Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistics Directorate.”

S.H.I.E.L.D. plays a prominent role in the films and television series (live-action and animated) that are part of the “Marvel Cinematic Universe.”  Currently, the S.H.I.E.L.D. acronym stands for “Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.”

S.H.I.E.L.D. is the star of an ABC television series, “Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”  On the last week of the 2014, Marvel Comics launched a new S.H.I.E.L.D. comic book series.  Mark Waid will write the series with the art provided by a rotating roster of popular comic book artists, beginning with the first issue's penciller, Carlos Pacheco.

S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 (“Perfect Bullets”) introduces Phil Coulson, the star of the ABC series.  This is his first day on the job as S.H.I.E.L.D. Special Ops Supreme Commander, and waiting for him is a full-on invasion of Earth.  It seems that the hordes of the “Norse World” (Thor's stomping grounds) have arrived on Earth to unleash some destruction.

Captain America, Iron Man, The Hulk, Black Knight, Blue Marvel, Hercules, Hyperion, Nova, Sunfire, Valkyrie, and The Vision have their hands full.  So it's up to Coulson to head to Sharzhad, a country beset by terrorists, and one of those terrorists may be the reason for the invasion.  Now, Coulson will need to align the “perfect bullets” to save the day.

I picked up a copy of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 because I knew a friend of mine would like to read it.  After reading it, he didn't seem impressed.  I'm not, either.

S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 isn't a bad read.  It's just nothing special or even worthy of much notice.  I have said this in other reviews I've written:  when Mark Waid is good, he's really good, but when he is not, he is mediocre.  I won't call him mediocre on S.H.I.E.L.D. #1, but he is in the sub-par zone.

S.H.I.E.L.D. is up to the third issue, as of the last time I looked.  I might try another issue, especially as characters from the ABC series will appear in the comic book.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

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

I Reads You Review: MS. MARVEL #1

MS.MARVEL (2014) #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: G. Willow Wilson
ART: Adrian Alphona
COLORS: Ian Herring
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Sara Pichelli with Justin Ponsor
VARIANT COVERS: Arthur Adams; Peter Steigerwald; Jamie McKelvie
28pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (January 2015 – Seventh printing)

Rated T+

“Meta-Morphosis” Part One of Five

The original Ms. Marvel, a Marvel Comics female superhero character, was created by writer Gerry Conway and artist John Buscema.  First appearing in Ms. Marvel #1 (cover dated: January 1977), she was meant to be the female counterpart of Marvel's Captain Marvel (who first appeared in 1967), not to be confused with Fawcett and later DC Comics' Shazam-Captain Marvel.

There is a new Ms. Marvel, and she is Kamala Khan.  Created by Sana Amanat, G. Willow Wilson, and Adrian Alphona, Kamala is the fourth character to take the name Ms. Marvel.  Kamala, who first appeared in Captain Marvel #17 (cover dated: November 2013), is a 16 year-old Pakistani-American from Jersey City, New Jersey.  She idolizes Carol Danvers, the original Ms. Marvel who is now the new Captain Marvel.  Kamala was given her own Ms. Marvel series, which premiered in February 2014, and she became Marvel Comics' first Muslim character to star in her own comic book.

I remember the debut of the new Ms. Marvel comic book series, but I ignored it.  Then, I read The Amazing Spider-Man #7 (2014), in which the new Ms. Marvel appeared, and I suddenly became interested in her.  Luckily, my comic book shop had reprints of the first issue of Kamala's Ms. Marvel comic book series, written by G. Willow Wilson, drawn by Adrian Alphona, colored by Ian Herring, and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

Ms. Marvel #1 (“Meta Morphosis”) opens in Jersey City at a Circle Q, where Kamala is holding court with her friend, Nakia, and an employee, Bruno.  This gathering, in a small way, encapsulates the problems that Kamala is having with her parents, her culture, and her religion.  Wouldn't it be cool if she could eat bacon?  If only she could be like her beloved Avengers:  Captain America, Iron Man, and especially Captain Marvel.  Eventually, she will get what she wants, but not the way she wants it.

It was not until after I picked up a copy of Ms. Marvel #1 – Seventh Printing that I discovered that Ms. Marvel was a buzzed-about new comic book.  Some are calling it the best comic book of 2014, as I learned via an email from Diamond Distributors and also from an article at website, Comic Book Resources.  I don't know if I would call it the best comic book of the year, but if I made a list, it would definitely be in my “Top 10.”

I think of Ms. Marvel as a “girl's comic book,” but I do not mean that in a derogatory way.  I am not one of those fans who think that every superhero comic book from either Marvel or DC Comics must be alike.  They don't have to all be rehashes and revamps of the same templates and editorial mindsets that old white guys established beginning in the early 1960s, i.e. the Silver Age.  I don't mind something completely different.

This new Ms. Marvel is something different; it is something else.  It presents a girl's point of view; it is about a young woman struggling to come into her own.  Ms. Marvel is not aimed at me; it is not written to appease my fanboy demands.

And that doesn't matter.  I like Ms. Marvel anyway.  It's so good.  It is so different, yet some of the things with which Kamala Khan struggles are universal, so I recognized the dilemmas she faces.  When I ignored what I expected from the typical superhero comic book, I found myself embracing Ms. Marvel.  I want more of it, and I want to share this with my niece when she is older.

I guess I should not be surprised.  Ms. Marvel writer, G. Willow Wilson's late Vertigo series, Air, was decidedly unusual, but alluring and intriguing.  I had recently stopped giving letter grades to first issues, but I will make an exception for the first issue of Ms. Marvel.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

I Reads You Review: ALL-NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA #1

ALL-NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Rick Remender
PENCILS: Stuart Immonen
INKS: Wade von Grawbadger
COLORS: Marte Gracia with Eduardo Navarro
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Stuart Immonen and Wade von Grawbadger and Marte Gracia
VARIANT COVERS: Paul Pope; Alex Ross; Sara Pichelli with Laura Martin; Kris Anka
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2015)

Rated “T”

Captain America created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby

As part of its “Avenger NOW!” initiative, Marvel Comics is debuting some new titles and relaunching others.  All-New Captain America is a relaunch.  Written by Rick Remender, drawn by Stuart Immonen (pencils) and Wade von Grawbadger (inks), colored by Marte Gracia (with Eduardo Navarro), and lettered by Joe Caramagna, this Captain America title launches superhero, Sam Wilson a.k.a. The Falcon, as the new-look Captain America.

The Falcon is an African-American superhero created by Stan Lee and Gene Colan that first appeared in Captain America #117 (cover dated: September 1969).  In his new role, the Falcon gets Captain America's shield and a redesigned uniform, as well as a new version of his Falcon wings.  Sam Wilson also gets a partner, Ian Zola, the son Arnim Zola.  Ian is the new Nomad.

All-New Captain America #1 finds Captain America and Nomad, with Redwing (a highly-trained hunting falcon), infiltrating a Hydra base hidden beneath a mountain.  The new Captain America wants to show that he can be the man, but visiting mercenary, Batroc, doesn't thing agree.  Besides, Batroc isn't the only familiar face making a surprise appearance.

I have not read many comic books written by Rick Remender.  This first issue of  All-New Captain America makes me want to read more.  This story features some typical superhero action, but it has a humorous streak, and all the major characters seem to be on equal footing.  Also, the battle depicted here will not be a one-sided affair, and the winner(s) will have to earn it.  The situation is in flux for the new Captain America and that piques my interest.

Before there was All-New Captain America, there was All-New X-Men, which was guided by the art team of Stuart Immonen, Wade von Grawbadger, and Marte Gracia.  I loved the art in that flashy new, X-Men comic book, but I came to take it for granted.  Seeing their work here, however, makes me appreciate this art team all over again.  This is one pretty comic book, so I think I'll come back to All-New Captain America to see if this entire creative team can make something special of this new series and this new Captain America.  I think they can.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

I Reads You Review: SUPERIOR IRON MAN #1

SUPERIOR IRON MAN (2015) #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Tom Taylor
ART: Yildiray Cinar
COLORS: Guru-eFX
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: Mike Choi
VARIANT COVERS: Yildiray Cinar; Tom Fowler with Brad Anderson; Mike Perkins with Andy Troy; Sara Pichelli; Alex Ross, Ty Templeton; Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2015)

Rated “T+”

“Be Superior” Chapter 1: Nightmare Scenario

Superior Iron Man is a new Iron Man comic book series, launched as part of Marvel Comics' “Avengers NOW!” initiative.  The series follows the events depicted in the miniseries, Avengers & X-Men: Axis.  One of the changes to come out of that story is that Tony Stark a/k/a Iron Man now has a changed personality.  A more sinister Tony Stark has special plans for the world.

As Superior Iron Man #1 (“Nightmare Scenario”) opens, She-Hulk is fighting a new villain that calls himself “Teen Abomination.”  The Lady Green Behemoth gets a helping hand from Iron Man, but all isn't as it appears.  Meanwhile, Stark has launched a new app called “Extremis 3.0.”  This is a techno-virus designed to make people the very best they can be – physically, at least.  This is the dawn of a new day in San Francisco...

I didn't expect much from Superior Iron Man #1, but I also hoped that it would be good and that I would enjoy it.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I often read the first issue of a new comic book series and decide not to even try the second issue (the recent Deathlok, for example), but I have already purchased the second issue of Superior Iron Man.

Tom Taylor's script is clever and filled with mystery and also with a sense of dread that really awful things are coming.  I like Yildiray Cinar's matter-of-fact storytelling and his conservative Bryan Hitch-like style.  The art emphasizes the darkness beneath the pretty surface, a darkness that is going to get really ugly, really soon.  There is potential here for Taylor and Cinar to be one of the great Iron Man creative teams, and I hope that comes to pass.  I recently decided not to give first issues a letter grade, but I am going to break that new policy for Superior Iron Man.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 10, 2014

MARVEL COMICS

OCT140881     ALL NEW ULTIMATES #11     $3.99
OCT140829     AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #11 SV     $3.99
OCT140824     AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #1     $4.99
OCT140802     AMAZING X-MEN #14 AXIS     $3.99
OCT140944     ANGELA BY HANS POSTER     $8.99
OCT140847     AVENGERS #39 TRO     $3.99
OCT140781     AVENGERS AND X-MEN AXIS #7     $3.99
OCT140942     AVENGERS NOW BY PICHELLI POSTER     $8.99
OCT140797     AVENGERS WORLD #16 AXIS     $3.99
OCT140794     AXIS CARNAGE #3     $3.99
OCT140897     DEADPOOLS ART OF WAR #3     $3.99
OCT140840     DEATH OF WOLVERINE LOGAN LEGACY #6     $3.99
SEP148352     DEATH WOLVERINE DEADPOOL CAPTAIN AMERICA #1 2ND PTG VAR     $4.99
OCT140880     GEORGE ROMEROS EMPIRE OF DEAD ACT TWO #4     $3.99
OCT140943     GUARDIANS 3000 #3 BY ROSS POSTER     $8.99
JUN140674     GUARDIANS OF GALAXY ANNUAL #1     $4.99
SEP140931     MIGHTY AVENGERS TP VOL 03 ORIGINAL SIN NOT FATHERS AVENGERS     $14.99
JUL140720     MMW MIGHTY THOR HC VOL 13     $69.99
OCT140899     NIGHTCRAWLER #9     $3.99
OCT140885     PUNISHER #13     $3.99
OCT140858     ROCKET RACCOON #6     $3.99
SEP140928     SAVAGE HULK TP VOL 01 MAN WITHIN     $17.99
OCT140826     SPIDER-MAN AND X-MEN #1     $3.99
OCT140838     SPIDER-VERSE TEAM UP #2 SV     $3.99
OCT140862     THOR #3     $3.99
OCT140945     UNCANNY X-MEN 75TH ANNIVERSARY BY ROSS POSTER     $8.99
OCT140891     UNCANNY X-MEN ANNUAL #1     $4.99
SEP140925     WOLVERINE EPIC COLLECTION TP MADRIPOOR NIGHTS     $34.99
OCT140900     X-FORCE #13     $3.99
OCT140896     X-MEN #22     $3.99

I Reads You Review: THOR #1

THOR (2014) #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Jason Aaron
ART: Russell Dauterman
COLORS: Matthew Wilson
LETTERS: VC's Joe Sabino
COVER:  Russell Dauterman with Frank Martin
VARIANT COVERS:  Sara Pichelli with Laura Martin; Esad Ribic, Andrew Robinson; Alex Ross; Fiona Staples; Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2014)

Rated “T+”

Marvel Comics' version of Thor is, of course, based on the Norse mythological deity of the same name.  Marvel's the mighty Thor is the Asgardian god of thunder; possesses the enchanted hammer, Mjolnir; and is also a superhero, as well as being a member of The Avengers.

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.  For most of his 52 years of existence, Thor has possessed Mjolnir, which, among other superhuman attributes, grants him the ability of flight and of weather manipulation.

Thor has possessed that “enchanted hammer” for most of his comic book existence, but there have been times when Thor:  the Prince of Asgard, the one true God of Thunder, and the Odinson, has not possessed Mjolnir.  One famous example of another being wielding Mjolnir was Beta Ray Bill, a character that debuted in The Mighty Thor #337 (cover dated: November 1983), the first issue of Walter Simonson's acclaimed run as writer-artist of The Mighty Thor.

Now, another new era of Thor begins.  Thor will be the “Goddess of Thunder.”  As part of Marvel Comics' “Avengers NOW!” initiative, there is a new ongoing Thor comic book series written by Jason Aaron, drawn by Russell Dauterman, colored by Matthew Wilson, and lettered by Joe Sabino.

Thor #1 (“If He be Worthy”) opens in the Norwegian Sea at the Roxxon Seabase.  It is about to be visited by some monstrous denizens of the deep, spurred on by an old adversary of Thor's.  Meanwhile, on the moon, Thor finds that no matter how hard or how often he tries, he cannot lift Mjolnir.  His father, Odin the All-Father, has returned and is not helping the troubling situation.  His wife and Thor's mother, Freyja the All-Mother, seems to have accepted this sudden wave of change.  The attack on the sea base makes Thor remember that he still has to be a superhero.  How will that work out for him without Mjolnir?

This year, I have been reading more Marvel Comics number-one issues than I have in a long time.  That's why I picked up the new Thor #1.  I am glad that I did; it's an exciting first issue.  I didn't think Thor in a state of ultimate humiliation could be such an enthralling character and compelling situation.  I didn't think I could yearn so much for him to be healed, but Jason Aaron's script is a thing of wonders.  Every scene hits the notes it needs to in order to make this new state of Thor work.

Now, I can't say that I am equally enthralled with Russell Dauterman's art.  I liked him more as the artist on the current Cyclops comic book series.  Dauterman is not bad here; maybe, the art just needs time to grow on me.  I'm curious to see what the second issue is like.  I think that's where the real force of change will be felt.  In the meantime, I recommend that readers at least try the first issue of this new Thor.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

I Reads You Review: ROCKET RACCOON #1 (2014)

ROCKET RACCOON (2014) #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER/ARTIST: Skottie Young
COLORS: Jean-Francois Beaulieu
LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry
COVER: Skottie Young
VARIANT COVERS: Skottie Young; Leonel Castellani; David Peterson; J. Scott Campbell with Nei Ruffino; Sara Pichelli with Justin Ponsor; Jeff Smith with Tom Gaadt; and Dale Keown with Jason Keith
28pp, Color, $3.99 (September 2014)

Rocket Raccoon created by Bill Mantlo and Keith Giffen

Rated T

“A Chasing Tale” Part 1

Rocket Raccoon, the space-based Marvel Comics superhero created by writer Bill Mantlo and artist Keith Giffen (first appearing in Marvel Preview #7 – cover dated: Summer 1976), received a snazzy makeover in 2008.  He's verbose, proactive, and doesn't mind popping a cap in sentient ass.  He even recently received his first ongoing comic book series, Rocket Raccoon, written and drawn by Skottie Young and colored by Jean-Francois Beaulieu.  This is also the first ongoing comic book series both written and drawn by Young.

Rocket Raccoon #1 (“A Chasing Tale” Part 1) opens three years in the past, showing how Rocket rescued Amalya, who would apparently become his girlfriend.  Moving to the present, Rocket is on Planet Nivlent, where Rocket's Guardians of the Galaxy teammate, Groot (a sentient tree-like creature), is fighting in a wrestling match.  It is there that Rocket discovers that he is a wanted man... err... raccoon... hmm... being.  In fact, Rocket is wanted for committing several murderers, which he doesn't remember committing.

I really didn't care for Rocket Raccoon #1 after reading the first 11 pages.  When the story brings in Rocket's Guardians teammate, Star-Lord, the story changes into something fun and exciting.  The energy in the story simply explodes.  I can say that the art for the entire issue is fantastic.  Skottie Young and Jean-Francois Beaulieu are a match made in comic book heaven.

There is a Saturday morning cartoon quality to the art that really takes off in the second half.  From a graphical standpoint, Rocket Raccoon #1 doesn't really look like a Marvel comic book.  In fact, Skottie Young doesn't seem like a Marvel Comics artist, which makes this Rocket Raccoon comic book look like an indie book put out by Oni Press or Top Shelf Productions.  For Marvel Comics fans, however, Rocket Raccoon looks like it will be something different, and the Marvel Universe could use a little different – something that does not look standardized.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

I Reads You Review: LEGENDARY STAR-LORD #1

LEGENDARY STAR-LORD #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Sam Humphries
PENCILS: Paco Medina
INKS: Juan Vlasco
COLORS: David Curiel
LETTERS: VC’s Joe Caramagna
COVER: Paco Medina
VARIANT COVERS: Mahmud Asrar, Nick Bradshaw, David Marquez, Sara Pichelli, Valerio Schiti, Ryan Stegman
28pp, Color, $3.99 (September 2014)

Rated “T”

Star-Lord a/k/a Peter Quill is a Marvel Comics superhero and science fiction character.  Star-Lord was created by writer Steve Englehart and artist Steve Gan and first appeared in Marvel Preview #4 (cover dated: January 1976).  Quill is the son of a human mother and an alien father, and he assumes the mantle of Star-Lord, an interplanetary policeman.

After sporadic appearances, Star-Lord was revamped (or reinvigorated) for his appearance in Annihilation (2006) and Annihilation: Conquest (2007).  He became the leader of the space-based superhero team, Guardians of the Galaxy, for the 2008 re-launch/revamp of the Guardians of the Galaxy comic book series.

Marvel Studios’ new film, Guardians of the Galaxy, is about to open in movie theatres, so it makes sense, from a sales perspective, for Marvel Comics to take characters from the Guardians of the Galaxy comic book and give them their own series.  Thus, both Rocket Raccoon and Star-Lord have new titles.  Legendary Star-Lord is written by Sam Humphries, drawn by Paco Medina and Juan Vlasco, colored by David Curiel, and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

Legendary Star-Lord #1 opens in Colorado, 20 years in the past.  We observe Peter Quill on the day of his mother, Meredith Quill’s funeral.  Cut to the present where we find Peter Quill as Star-Lord, outmanned and outgunned by the Badoon.  Star-Lord is a wanted man with a price on his head, and the Badoons get a second prize, the Mandalay Gem, which Quill has in his possession.  Escaping the Badoon might be easy, but facing his past will be a mess for Star-Lord.

I didn’t expect much from Legendary Star-Lord, but I liked it.  It has a lone gun, private eye, cowboy, freelance dude vibe that works, mainly because Peter Quill is an attractive character.  I figure that another issue or two will tell me if this series is really worth following for the (relatively) long haul.

I must say that I like Paco Medina’s art with Juan Vlasco’s Steve McNiven-like inks.  To the readers who liked the space opera/space fantasy style of the recently launched Cyclops comic book, I say give Legendary Star-Lord a try.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.