#IReadsYou Review: NEMESIS RELOADED #1

NEMESIS RELOADED #1 (OF 5)

IMAGE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Jorge Jiménez

COLORS: Giovanna Niro

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Jorge Jiménez with Giovanni Niro

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Steve McNiven with Giovanni Niro; Frank Quitely; Fiona Staples

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

Rated M / Mature

Nemesis created by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven

Nemesis was a four-issue comic book miniseries from the team of writer Mark Millar and artist Steve McNiven.  It was published under Marvel Comics' “Icon” imprint in 2010-2011.  Millar and McNiven had previously produced two hugely popular Marvel event projects – the miniseries, Civil War, and the graphic novel, Wolverine: Old Man Logan.

Millar has decided to (softly) reboot Nemesis in a new five-issue miniseries entitled Nemesis: Reloaded.  It is written by Millar; drawn by Jorge Jiménez; colored by Giovanni Niro; and lettered by Clem Robins.

Nemesis Reloaded #1 opens in Fish Creek, Wisconsin.  Elderly couple, Margot and Jake, have discovered that their services have been … requested.

Who is Nemesis, and why does this eccentric billionaire who dresses up in a mask and cape want to terrorize people instead of helping them?  He has plans for Los Angeles, and by the time he is done, the city won't be the same.

THE LOWDOWN:  I have told this story before in reviews of a few other comic books.  When I first read Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1, I was left stunned for an hour or so …  Then, I read it again.  I thought about it the rest of the day and into the night until I fell asleep.  As soon as I woke up the next morning, I started reading it again.  I don't remember how many times I read it again while waiting for the second book in this legendary series to arrive.

When I read the original Nemesis #1 in 2010, I experienced a somewhat similar ecstasy, although I was much older then.  Still, I wanted to be Nemesis, causing chaos … and killing for a purpose and enjoying it.  Nemesis #1 remains one of the best first issues of a comic book that I have ever read.

I believe that Nemesis Reloaded #1 has surpassed Nemesis #1 in my countdown of magnificent first issues.  Reloaded even made me shit my pants – metaphorically speaking, of course.  It is the most evil comic book in the world because Mark Millar has made what should be repulsive so alluring.  I want to serve Nemesis, killing at his will.  Even Quentin Tarantino has never made murder and mayhem so sexy as Millar has done in Nemesis Reloaded, and murder and mayhem is a Tarantino specialty.

I have enjoyed quite a few comic books drawn by Jorge Jiménez, but none of them are like Nemesis Reloaded.  It is as if he has been freed of channeling childlike wonder so that he can draw the kind of comic books that made white people form decency committees in the 1950s.  It is as if Jiménez has rediscovered the vital essences of Klaus Janson's run on Daredevil, when Frank Miller was the designer and Janson drew and colored the book.

In fact, I would say that Millar and Jiménez have summoned peak Miller-Janson Daredevil (which would be Daredevil #181).  This time, Millar-Jiménez have made Bullseye the winner and the star of the remaining issues of their run.

Giovanni Niro colors Nemesis Reloaded … as if she lusted after the story, painting beautiful blue hues and maniacal red spurts all over the art.  Clem Robins letters this story as if he wants to commit murder, but has to settle for this vicarious experience.

If you say you want to read great comic books, but you won't read Nemesis Reloaded #1, dear readers, then, just stop lying to yourself.  You've lost that loving feeling that you once got from comic books, and it's gone...

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Millar comic books that make the reader come … back for more … will desire Nemesis Reloaded.

[This issue includes an introduction by Mark Millar.]

A+

10 out of 10

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

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

https://twitter.com/ImageComics

https://twitter.com/mrmarkmillar

https://twitter.com/netflix

https://twitter.com/themagicorder

http://www.millarworld.tv/

www.imagecomics.com

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

#IReadsYou Review: Marvel Comics' ALIEN #1

ALIEN #1
MARVEL

STORY: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
ART: Salvador Larroca
COLORS: Guru-eFX
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
EDITOR: Jake Thomas
EiC: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: InHyuk Lee
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Steve McNiven with Laura Martin; Peach Momoko; Ron Lim with Israel Silva; Todd Nauck with Rachelle Rosenberg; Patrick Gleason; Skottie Young; David Finch with Frank D'Armata; Salvador Larroca with Guru-eFX
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (May 2021)

Parental Advisory

Alien is a 1979 science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott and written by Dan O'Bannon, based on a story that O'Bannon wrote with Ronald Shusett.  The film depicts a battle for survival between the crew of the commercial towing vehicle,  the space ship named “the Nostromo” and an aggressive deadline extraterrestrial creature, the “Alien” of the title, that is now known as a “Xenomorph.”

Alien, which went on to win an Academy Award, spawned a film franchise, beginning with writer-director James Cameron's 1986 science fiction action film, Aliens.  Alien also begat a media franchise, which included a comic book adaptation and also a novelization of the original film.  In 1988, Dark Horse Comics launched its first Alien comic book series, a 1988-89, six-issue comic book miniseries, entitled Aliens.  Dark Horse had the license to produce comic books based on the Alien franchise from 1988 to 1999 and again from 2009 to 2020.

Marvel Comics announced in 2020 that it had obtained the license to produce comic books based on the Alien film franchise.  Marvel Comics recently launched the first comic book series, Alien.  It is written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson; drawn by Salvador Larroca; colored by Guru-eFX, and lettered by Clayton Cowles.  This new Alien comic book focuses on a recently retired security agent who once faced the Xenomorphs and may have to again.

Alien #1 opens in January of the year 2200 on the Epsilon Orbital Research and Development Station.  It introduces Gabriel Cruz, a man who has given his life to Weyland-Yutani as a defense agent.  He is retiring as the security agent for Weyland-Yutani's Epsilon Station.  With the help of his friend, a Bishop-model android, Cruz hopes to reconnect and patch things up with Danny, his estranged son.  However, Danny has dangerous and ulterior motives for reuniting with his father.

Once upon a time, Gabriel barely survived an alien attack.  And now, it seems that his encounters are far from over.

THE LOWDOWN:  I am a big fan of the Alien film franchise, and I have lost count of how many times I have watched James Cameron's Aliens, including a few times just recently.  I have seen both Alien vs. Predator films numerous times and will watch them many times more.

Early in Dark Horse Comics' run of Alien comic books, I was devoted to the company's output, but lost interest after several years.  I thought the new Marvel Comics' title would be a good time to start reading Alien comic book again, and I was right.

Writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson whets the appetite with the promise of thrills to come while offering tasty teases of back story involving Gabriel Cruz.  Books about writing will always say that the writer should create strong characters and that the plot will develop from the characters.  Basically, the characters should act as the spine of the story.  I find the spine of this story, Gabriel and Danny, to be dull, and I have no interest in their crappy relationship.  On the other hand, the plot is quite strong.  Johnson makes Alien #1 a fun read when he focuses on the threat of the “Aliens” and on the looming disaster that will fully bring them into the story.

I would not call the art and graphical storytelling in Alien #1 peak Salvador Larroca.  For one thing, all the characters have faces that look like they underwent bad plastic surgery.  The compositions have a generic, Larroca clip art quality, but Guru-eFX's power-coloring and super-hues cover up the blemishes as well as any coloring can.

Still, Marvel's Alien #1 intrigues, especially if you, dear readers, are fans of the Xenomorphs.  I think I should keep reading … at least for the first story arc.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of the Alien/Aliens film and comic book franchises will certainly want to try Marvel's Alien.

A-
7.5 out of 10

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


https://twitter.com/Marvel
https://www.marvel.com/
https://www.marvel.com/comics
https://www.comixology.com/Marvel_Comics


The text is copyright © 2021 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).

#IReadsYou Review: UNCANNY INHUMANS #1

UNCANNY INHUMANS #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Charles Soule
PENCILS: Steve McNiven; Brandon Peterson
INKS: Jay Leisten; Brandon Peterson
COLORS: Sunny Cho; Nolan Woodard
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: Steve McNiven and Jay Leisten with Justin Ponsor
VARIANT COVERS: Jim Cheung with Justin Ponsor; Art Adams with Richard Isanove; Art Adams (Kirby Monster Variant); Skottie Young; Adi Granov; Damien Scott (Hop Hop variant); Kalel Sean costumed by Brian A. Parsley and photographed by Judy Stephens (cosplay variant)
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (December 2015)

Rated T+

Inhumans created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

The Inhumans are a race of super-humans in Marvel Comics.  Created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, they first appeared in Fantastic Four #45 (cover dated: December 1965).  The Inhumans are a strain of humanity that began with genetic manipulation by visitors to Earth from an alien civilization (the Kree), long ago in human prehistory.  Exposure to the mutagenic Terrigen Mist (a process known as Terrigenesis) reveals if a person is an Inhuman.

Little more than a B-list character group, the Inhumans are in ascendancy in the Marvel Universe, especially over the last four years.  In 2013, Marvel even launched a new comic book series, entitled Inhuman.  The launch of the “All-New, All-Different Marvel” sees the Inhumans continuing to rise to prominence.  The latest Inhuman comic book series is Uncanny Inhumans.  This series is written by Charles Soule; drawn by Steve McNiven (pencils) and Jay Leisten (inks), colored by Sunny Cho; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.

Uncanny Inhumans #1 opens the series with several sub-plots.  It is dough boys and dinosaurs when Triton and Reader (and his dog Forey) join Black Bolt in a time-traveling mission.  This trip, however, breaks a deal Black Bolt made with Kang the Conqueror, and the latter strikes back.  Also, Medusa and a group of new Inhumans (NuHumans) are engaged in a Central Park battle against the Chitauri.

Later, Medusa looks to the X-Man, Beast, to use his scientific knowledge to end the friction between mutants and Inhumans.  Plus, a visit from the Human Torch exacerbates marital discord.  Plus, in a bonus story, Frank, Flint, and Naja travel to Morocco to recover a lost Inhuman.

For a long time now, first issues of comic books that work on a five or six issue story arc are little more than introductions to the story and characters.  They are also often infuriatingly vague.  That is not the case with Uncanny Inhumans.  Writer Charles Soule has a way of making practically every page not only satisfying to read, but also intriguing enough to encourage the readers to come back for more.

The drama is convincing, and Soule gives the characters interesting personalities and/or engaging individual melodramas.  Medusa/Beast: I want more of that.  Black Bolt: it's all good.  I am not ashamed to say that Soule makes me feel like a fanboy about the titles he writers.

Of course, he has a great art team.  Steve McNiven has mastered making style work as high drama.  McNiven pencils are a series of flourishes and bells-and-whistles that come together to convey character, setting, plot, and drama.  In the back-up story, artist Brandon Peterson does something similar, but I'm not going to play that game of who is better – McNiven or Peterson.  I must admit, however, that I prefer Nolan Woodard's beautiful colors for Peterson's art, although I am not slighting Sunny Cho's excellent hues on the main story.

I'm ready for more Uncanny Inhumans, and if you listen to my recommendation and buy Uncanny Inhumans #1, you will be ready for more, also.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douesseaux 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.

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

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).

I Reads You Juniors: December 2020 - Update #108

 "Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:  

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:   Spider-Man gets a new costume for 2021, and it debuts in "The Amazing Spider-Man #63."

MANGA TO FILM - From AlJazeera:   "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie – Mugen Train," the film based on the manga, is now Japan's top-grossing film of all-time.

DC CINEMA - From IndieWire:   DC Films president, Walter Hamada, says that going forward, there will be six films per year based on DC Comics characters, with the releases of those films split between movie theaters and HBO Max.  The big surprise may be the reveal that there will be "two different film sagas involving Batman — played by two different actors — running at the same time."

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  Kieron Gillen is talking about Eternals #1, which Marvel would have us believe will see the light of day (finally) the first week of 3021 ... I mean 2021.

COLORING BOOKS - From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press announces a Vice-President Kamala Harris-themed coloring book.

MATT BAKER - From BleedingCool:  This article about the vintage hero, "Phantom Lady," has some information about the first known African-American comic book artist, Matt Baker.

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:  Because of the success of "Wonder Woman 1984" ($16.7 million debut at the box office), Warner Bros. is fast-tracking "Wonder Woman 3" for development.

DC CINEMA - From IndieWire:   Pedro Pascal is impressing viewers with his performance as "Maxwell Lord" in "Wonder Woman 1984."  He was played an LAPD detective in TV super-producer Davie E. Kelley's 2011 "Wonder Woman" pilot for NBC.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  What was Wonder Woman really doing back in 1984 ... in the comic books.

MARVEL COMICS - From BleedingCool:  In August 2021, Marvel Comics will publish the "Marvel August 1961 Omnibus" which will collect every title published by Marvel Comics in August 1961.  That includes "The Fantastic Four #1.

CELEBRITY - From BleedingCool:  According to the site's owner, Rich Johnston, Warren Ellis is returning "to some form of digital media outlet" in 2021.  Over this past summer, a series of abuse allegations caused Ellis to withdraw from his social media accounts.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Here is an early look at art from writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist David Marquez's "Justice League," which is scheduled to begin March 16, 2021.

DC CINEMA - From THR:  Talking about the mid-credit scene in "Wonder Woman 1984." Warning: link leads to spoilers.

DC CINEMA - From YahooNews:  Former "The Price is Right" model, Gwendolyn Osborne, will show off her acting and stunt skills as an "Amazon" in "Wonder Woman 1984."

BOOM STUDIOS - From BleedingCool:   In March 2021, "Firefly" is returning, in a new comic book series with new characters with a long legacy. "Firefly: A Brand New Verse" is set twenty years after the original series and movie, with the daughter of Zo and Wash as the new captain of the Serenity, a new crew to captain. Firefly: A Brand New Verse will be created by Josh Lee Gordon and Fabiana Mascolo.

DC TV - From IGN:  Two classic animated Batman TV series are coming to HBO Max.  Starting Jan. 1st, 2021, fans can stream "Batman: The Animated Series" (1992-1995) and "Batman Beyond" (1999-2001) to their heart's delight.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Ablaze Publishing to publish Maria Llovet's "Eros/Psyche."

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  The notorious Richard Meyer vs. Mark Waid comic book lawsuit has been voluntarily dismissed by Meyer.

COMICS - From THR:   The site has a preview of Tyler Boss' upcoming comic book miniseries, "Dead Dog's Bite."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics will publish a line of variant covers featuring two-tone colors and classic interpretations of its characters.  Michael Cho will be the artist.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel will follow its "The Rise of Ultraman" miniseries with a second one, "The Trial of Ultraman," which begins March 2021.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  Here is a six-page preview of "Superman #28," the final issue written by Brian Michael Bendis.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  "Justice League" director Zack Snyder wants to write a comic book in which the Joker would kill Robin.  He wants Jim Lee to draw it.

DC CINEMA - From Insider:   "Wonder Woman 1984" director Patty Jenkins says that she was paid seven times less than male directors to direct the original film.  Even after getting a record setting raise for the sequel, she is still behind a male counterparts.

MANGA - From ComicBook:   "Boruto" manga reveals the "key visual art"for its "Vessel" story arc.

DC COMICS - From IGN:   Yoshitake Amano, the artist by "Final Fantasy," has produced a variant cover for "Harley Quinn #1," which is due March 23, 2020.

DC COMICS-MANGA - From ComicYears:   The studios behind the "Attack on Titan" manga is producing a "Joker" manga for DC Comics.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  Here is a preview of this week's "X-Men #17."

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:   James Tynion IV talks about Batman for February 2021 and beyond.

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:   "Wonder Woman 1984" leads the overseas box office with an estimated take of 38.5 million dollars.

MARVEL - From FlickeringMyth:   Here is a preview of Marvel's upcoming "King-Size Conan #1."

BOOM STUDIOS - From BleedingCool:   Here, is a first look at Ron Garney's art for Keanu Reeves' upcoming comic book, "BRZRKR."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Hot cover artist, Peach Momoko, will writer and draw a five-part X-Men comic book series, entitled "Demon Days: X-Men."

DC CINEMA - From LATimes:   "Wonder Woman" start Gal Gadot hopes that the new film, "Wonder Woman 1984," will end this rough year on a high note.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:   Hot Marvel Comics character, America Chavez, will get a new ongoing series beginning March 2021.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:   Nightwing returns with a new comic book series in March 2021.  Batgirl will be his partner when he returns to the city of Bludhaven.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:   To celebrate the 80th anniversary of Wonder Woman's debut, DC Comics has announced an all-new digital-first series, "Sensational Wonder Woman."  The first issue will be available January 6, 2021 on participating digital platforms.  The print debut is March 2, 2021.

COMICS - From SmashPages:   The Joker is getting his own ongoing monthly comic book via writer James Tynion IV and artist Guillem March.

COMICS - From SmashPages: Archie Comics has announced that "Deadpool" and "Youngblood" creator, Rob Liefeld, will produce a new version of its superhero team, "The Mighty Crusaders."  The four-issue miniseries will also "re-imagine" characters like "The Shield" and "The Comet."

DC COMICS - From THR:   DC Comics has announced a new anthology comic book series, "Batman: Urban Legends," which will debut sometime after the "Future State" event.

DC CINEMA - From THR: Actress Quintessa Swindell will play the character "Cyclone" in the Warner Bros.' DC Comics film, "Black Adam," which stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

DC CINEMA - From EW:  Zack Snyder is hoping to bring his four-hour director's cut of "Justice League" to theaters.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Hot gossip is that Random House will be publishing original DC Comics graphic novels.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  What if Edgar Rice Burroughs' "John Carter" was black?  Scott Fogg talks about his new project ("Prince of the Silent Planet") and his parents.

MANHUA - From CBR:  A Chinese boys' love (BL) comics, "Mo Dao Zu Shi," is hot on Tumblr.

MARVEL - From CommericalAppeal: The "Commercial Appeal" newspaper of Memphis, TN celebrates the fact that four authors born in Memphis or are Memphis-based have a story in a "Black Panther" short story anthology, "Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda."

MANGA - From HypeBeast:   The hit manga, "Chainsaw Man," is set to be adapted into an anime by MAPPA, the studio behind the "Attack on Titan" manga.

DISNEY - From BleedingCool:   David Levithan and Nick Bertozzi are adapting the Broadway musical, "Be More Chill," into a graphic novel that will be published by Disney-Hyperion.

NEWSPAPER COMICS - From YahooEntertainment:   Jean Schulz, the widow of Charles Schulz, the creator of the classic newspaper comic strip, "Peanuts," addresses the recent controversy concerning the depiction of African-American Peanuts character, "Franklin," in the animated holiday TV special, "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving."

MARVEL STUDIOS - From Marvel:  Here is a link to all of the Marvel Studios news coming out of The Walt Disney Company’s 2020 Investor Day Presentation

DISNEY+ - From BlackFilm:  Disney+ Teams Up With Kugali To Create Pan-African Comic Book Series “Iwájú”

EISNERS - From BleedingCool:  The "Will Eisner Comics Industry Awards" have named the six judges for the 2021 edition of the awards.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:   DC Comics has confirmed the "Tim Fox," brother of Luke Fox (Batwing) and son of Lucius Fox," is the new Batman.

IN MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:  Richard Corben, a comic book artist who worked in everything from underground comics and "Heavy Metal" to small press and Marvel and DC Comics, has died at the age of 80, Thursday, December 2, 2020.

DC CINEMA - From YahooEntertainment: Patty Jenkins On ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ Move To HBO Max And Theatrical: “There Was No Good Option”

UK COMICS - From 2000AD: Rebellion has announced the full schedule of Treasury of British Comics graphic novel titles for 2021. The Treasury of British Comics is bringing classics from the world’s largest archive of English language comic books back into print.

MARVEL/MANGA - From ComicWatch:   Marvel is teaming up with Shonen Jump to release a brand new manga series centered around the one and only Merc with a Mouth. The new series will be titled DEADPOOL: SAMURAI and it will be written by Sanshira Kasama with art by Hikaru Uesugi. You will be able to find the manga series on the Shonen Jump+ app on December 10th!

MANGA - From UnreservedCulture:  Japanese tennis star, Naomi Osaka, will star in her own manga.

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:  DC Comics announces new "Green Lantern" and "Justice League Dark" titles and also "Teen Titans Academy."

DC TV - From MurphysMultiverse:   Here is a first look at Tyler Hoechlin's "Superman" suit in The CW's "Superman and Lois."

MARVEL - From Newsarama:   Marvel releases a trailer for its upcoming miniseries, "Maestro: War and Pax."

COMICS - From Newsarama:   Freddie Williams II, a longtime exclusive comic book artist at DC Comics, is joining writer Tim Seeley at AfterShock Comics for the creator-owned title, "The Bequest."

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:   DC Comics announces a new "Harley Quinn" ongoing series by writer Stephanie Phillips and artist Riley Rossmo launches on March 24th. Gene Luen Yang and Ivan Reis take over the Batman/Superman ongoing series with issue #16, also on March 24th. 

MARVEL/MANGA - From BleedingCool:   The manga, "Deadpool: Samurai," the new Deadpool manga launching in Japan in collaboration with Shonen JUMP, will reportedly fit into Marvel Comics' continuity.

 MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics will release its first "Alien" comic book in March 2021.  "Alien #1" by writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson and artist Salvador Larroca will be based on the original 1979 film, "Alien."

MARVEL TO FILM - From MensHealth:   8 Marvel Comics movies you will never see.

SONY MARVEL U - From WeGotThisCovered:   Rumors suggest that Sony Pictures wants a big "Avengers: Endgame" type finale for Tobey Maguire, the first cinematic Peter Parker/Spider-Man, in an upcoming Spider-Man film.

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS - From PW:   Publishers Weekly talks to cartoonist Peter Bagge about "The Complete Hate," the three-volume, box set collection of his seminal alternative comic book, "Hate."

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Also arriving in March 2021 is a new "Suicide Squad" comic book, entitled "The Suicide Squad," and it will be Harley Quinn free.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  One of the first series launching in March 2021 after "Future State" is a new "Swamp Thing" series from writer Ram V and artist Mike Perkins.

DC TV - From THR:   Ava DuVernay is teaming up with Jill Blankenship ("Arrow") to develop a TV series based on the DC Comics title, "Naomi," for The CW.

MARVEL - From TribLive:  The nurses of "Allegheny Health Network" in Pittsburgh, PA are featured in the new Marvel Comics' title, "The Vitals: True Nurse Stories."

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:   At the CCXP World event in Brazil, DC Comics reveals that the "Future State" character, "Red X," will be a character from animation that is making the jump to comics.  Fan favorite, Harley Quinn, was originally a character in "Batman: The Animated Series."

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:   The site has provided an eight-page preview of the new "Batman: Black & White #1," which is due in comic book stores, Tuesday, Dec. 8th or Wednesday, Dec. 9th, 2020.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:   Writer John Ridley talks about his hot new DC Comics' miniseries, "The Other History of the DC Universe."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:   Rob Liefeld apparently has stated that he is returning to Marvel Comics to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first appearance of the character, Deadpool.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Despite recent layoffs, DC Comics is looking to fill three senior level positions.

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS - From TCJ:   Publisher Gary Groth talks to Katie Skelly about creating her graphic novel, "Maids."

FANTAGRAPHICS - From OprahMag:  Two Fantagraphics Books' publications, "Red Rock Baby Candy" and "Stone Fruit," make "Oprah Magazine's" list, "LGBTQ Books That Will Change the Literary Landscape in 2021"

DIAMOND - From BleedingCool:  The 500 most ordered comics and graphic novels for October 2020 via Diamond Comic Distributors.

UK COMICS - From DreddEpicsRanked:  A new blog, "Judge Dredd Epics: Ranked" will rank "Judge Dredd" story arcs.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From CBR:  Is this video of actress Hailee Steinfeld as "Kate Bishop" film for the Disney+ series, "Hawkeye?"

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:   DC Comics moves "Wonder Woman 1984" variant covers to January 2021.

DARK HORSE - From BleedingCool:  Why a throwaway 2013 "Star Wars" OGN is now a eBay bidding jewel.

IMAGE COMICS - From GamesRadar:   Image Comics and Top Cow Productions are launching a new "Witchblade" series in 2021 with writer Marguerite Bennett and Ariel Kristantina.  The original wielder of the Witchblade, Sara Pezzini.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  Legendary "Wolverine" writer Chris Claremont will join artist Steve McNiven to produce an exclusive "Wolverine" comic book.  How can you get it...

DIGITAL COMICS - From GamesRadar:   Here is a list of all the comics and manga coming to "comiXology Unlimited" (comiXology's flat-rate service) in December 2020.

 GRAPHIC NOVELS - From PublishersWeekly:  Simon & Shuster has announced two new graphic novel lines, "Little Simon Graphic Novels" and "Ready-to-Read Graphics," which will be focused on readers in ages 5 to 9.  "Ready-to-Read" will teach kids to read graphic novels.

CONVENTIONS - From PublishersWeekly:  ReedPop has announced that it is "retiring" two of its book publishing trade shows, "BookExpo" and "BookCon."  BookExpo is the largest book publishing trade show in the United States.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  "I got screwed" is what Alex Ross is saying about DC Comics.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Writer Tom King said that Batman and Catwoman will have sexual relations in the debut of their upcoming comic book, "Batman/Catwoman #1."

DC CINEMA - From ArsTechnica:   "Justice League: The Snyder Cut" black and white trailer - released Nov. 17th, 2020.

DC TV - From HBOMax:   See HBO Max's "Titans" Season 1-Episode 1 ("Titans," 2018) for free - for the time being.

From HBOMax:  See HBO Max's animated "Harley Quinn" Season1-Episode 1 ("Till Death Do Us Part," 2019) for free - for the time being.

DC FUTURE STATE: 

From BleedingCool:  DC "Future State" has a video teaser trailer.

From DCComics:  Here is the "Future State" page.

From DCBlog:  DC Future State Takes You Beyond Tomorrow

From GamesRadar:  What is DC saying about the post "Future State" Batman title?

From GamesRadar:  DC Future State "Flash" will be part of a gender-swapped "Teen Titans."

From TheBeat:   A first look at "Nubai," the classic Wonder Woman character as she will be in DC Future State's "Immortal Wonder Woman."

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics will make all their "Future State" comic books returnable for comic book stores.

From GamesRadar:  DC Future State Superman and Justice League January 2021 solicitations

From GamesRadar:   DC Future State Batman January 2021 solicitations

From GamesRadar:  "DC Future State" reveals the Next Batman, the fate of Bruce Wayne, and a whole new line of titles

From GamesRadar:  "DC Future State" details.

From THR:   DC Comics is starting 2021 by looking into the future of its superhero universe with "DC Future State," a two-month publishing event (January and February 2021) that offers glimpses at what might be coming for Batman, Wonder Woman and the rest of the Justice League.

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

DECEMBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Albatross Funnybooks for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for December 2020 

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Chapterhouse for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for December 2020
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for December 2020
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for December 2020

From 2000AD:   Rebellion Comics for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for December 2020 

From BleedingCool: VIZ Media for December 2020

 

JANUARY 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  AWA for January 2021 

From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Black Mask Studios for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for January 2021 

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for January 2021 

From BleedingCool:  Kodansha for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics - King in Black for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Titans Comics for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Vertical Comics for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for January 2021

FEBRUARY 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Artists, Writers & Artisans for February 2020

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for February 2020

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for February 2021

From TheBeat: DC Comics for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for February 2021 

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "King in Black" for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for February 2021

From 2000AD:   Rebellion Comics for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for February 2021

From BleedingCool:   Zenescope Entertainment for February 2021

 

MARCH 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for March 2021 

From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for March 2021 

From BleedingCool:  Black Mask Comics for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  BOOM Studios for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Heavy Metal for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2021 

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  March Comics for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Second Sight for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for March 2021

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

#IReadsYou Review: HISTORY OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE #1

HISTORY OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Mark Waid
PENCILS: Javier Rodríguez
INKS: Álvaro López
COLORS: Javier Rodríguez
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
EDITOR: Tom Brevoort
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
MISC. ART: Phil Noto
COVER: Steve McNiven and Mark Farmer with Sunny Gho
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Nick Bradshaw with John Rauch; John Buscema with Jason Keith; David Marquez with Matthew Wilson; Javier Rodríguez and Álvaro López
44pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (September 2019)

Rated T

History of the Marvel Universe is a comic book miniseries that chronicles completely, for the first time, everything that was, is, or will be in the Marvel Universe.  History of the Marvel Universe is written by Mark Waid; drawn by Javier Rodríguez (pencils/colors) and Álvaro López (inks); and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

History of the Marvel Universe #1 opens at “the End of Time.”  There, Franklin Richards and the planet-devouring Galactus await the final death of the universe.  Although both will move to the universe born of the death of this one, Richards is concerned about memories.  Before it all ends, he wants the history of this universe to have meant something.  Richards asks Galactus to help him remember everything.  Thus, Galactus recounts the history of this universe, beginning with a first chapter.  It starts at the so-called “Big Bang” and ends both in the Wild West of The Rawhide Kid and The Two-Gun Kid and in the wild north of Canada where a boy named James Howlett emerges.

There is no doubt about it.  Marvel Comics' History of the Marvel Universe #1 has more than a passing resemblance to DC Comics' 1986, two-issue miniseries, History of the DC Universe.  It is true that Mark Waid and Javier Rodríguez could find no better template than the one writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Perez laid down in History of the DC Universe.

Some people consider Mark Waid an unofficial Marvel Comics historian; I imagine some people at Marvel probably think that.  Waid does a good job gathering the varied “histories” about the beginnings, the ancient times, the recent centuries, etc. that have been depicted in five decades of Marvel Comics titles.  Waid also mixes in threads from Marvel's predecessor Timely Comics and the two decades of material the predates the publication of The Fantastic Four #1.  Of course, Waid has to take into consideration decades of “retcons,” in which Marvel Comics scribes went back and changed things after the fact – the Avengers of one million years ago, introduced in Avengers #1 (2018).  I won't say that this first issue is a great read, but there are some interesting bits in this first issue.

I can say that I love the art team of Javier Rodríguez (pencils/colors) and Álvaro López.  Here, they don't have to engage in graphical storytelling, so much as they have to draw pictures that illustrate Mark Waid's text.  [Waid's script is presented in caption boxes, not word balloons, all well-crafted by Joe Caramagna.]  Their art reminds me of art of Alan Davis.

Speaking of which, Davis' longtime inker, Mark Farmer, inks Steve McNiven's cover pencil art – with excellent results.  So, in conclusion, History of the Marvel Universe #1 is an occasionally interesting curiosity, but honestly, you, dear readers, don't need to read it to enjoy Marvel Comics titles.  History of the Marvel Universe #1 is not the monumental work that Marvel Comics' monumental history deserves.  [I think the history of the Marvel Universe would be best told in a long-running, ongoing comic book series, which won't happen.]

6 out of 10

[This comic book includes four pages of annotations, which list the Marvel Comics publications which acted as reference for the story in History of the Marvel Universe #1.]

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.

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

Review: RETURN OF WOLVERINE #1

RETURN OF WOLVERINE No. 1 (OF 5)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Charles Soule
PENCILS: Steve McNiven
INKS: Jay Leisten
COLORS: Laura Martin
LETTERS: VC's Joe Sabino
EDITORS: Mark Paniccia and Jordan D. White
COVER:  Steve McNiven and Jay Leisten with Laura Martin
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: John Cassaday with Laura Martin; Steve McNiven and Jay Leisten with Laura Martin; Todd Nauck with Rachelle Rosenberg; Leinil Francis Yu with Sunny Gho
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (November 2018)

Parental advisory

Chapter One: “Hell”

Four years ago, Marvel Comics published Death of Wolverine.  Written by Charles Soule and drawn by Steven McNiven (pencils) and Jay Leisten (inks), the four-issue miniseries saw Wolverine a.k.a. Logan die as a result of injuries and loosing his supernatural healing factor that was a result of him being a mutant.  The most famous version of the Wolverine character:  the one who has been a member of the mutant X-Men and the one that made his first full appearance in The Incredible Hulk #181 (after having appeared in the last panel of #180), was dead.

Now after a year of Marvel teasing, Wolverine/Logan is returning in the five-issue comic book miniseries, Return of Wolverine.   The Death of Wolverine creative team of Soule, McNiven, and Leisten return for this resurrection event.  Laura Martin on colors and Joe Sabino on letters complete the creative team.

Return of Wolverine #1 (“Hell”) opens.  Wolverine awakens.  We know who he is, but he does not know who he is.  He is in some unknown location.  There is a saber-tooth tiger and a mammoth in cages near him.  A grievously wounded man tells Wolverine that he should be dead.  A woman who wants Wolverine to find her son tells him that he is a hero.  They both want Wolverine to find some organization called “Soteira” and a woman named “Persephone.”  They both want him to kill and destroy the woman and her organization respectively.  Still unsure of who is he or what happened or is happening, Wolverine figures, why not.  What else does he have to do?

Legendary comic book writer, Alan Moore, had a lot to say about DC Comics' announcement that it would produce prequel and sequel comic books based upon his and artist Dave Gibbons' also legendary, 12-issue comic book series, Watchmen.  As Moore has long disputed the contracts and rights issues between him and DC over Watchmen, he refused to participate in the eventual multi-comic book project, Before Watchmen (2012).

Moore described the comic book creators who signed on for the prequels as alternately “possibly halfway decent writers and artists” and people who don't even deserve the title of “creators.”  That irked some comics folks; I seem to remember Marvel Comics writer Jason Aaron being particularly miffed.  I think that Moore's comments can be accurately levied against quite a few comic book creators, past and present.

However, I think that it is not so much that comic book writers and artists are halfway decent; rather it is that they often produce halfway decent comic books, even when they are working on what is supposedly important, event comic books.

Return of Wolverine #1 is halfway decent.  I would say that the majority of the comic books written by Charles Soule that I have read I have really liked.  I halfway like Return of Wolverine #1, but not for the story, which. is halfway decent...   No., this is a poorly written comic book.  It is beneath a writer as highly-paid and as respected as Charles Soule is.  I hope future issues are better.

Meanwhile, I really like Steve McNiven and Jay Leisten's gorgeous artwork and goddess colorist Laura Martin's colors over those beautiful illustrations.  McNiven, Leisten, and Martin art recalls the art of Barry Windsor-Smith on the Wolverine origin story, “Weapon X,” which was originally published in Marvel Comics Presents #72 to 84 (cover dated:  March to September 1991).  Windsor-Smith infrequently produces comic book art; in fact, his last published comic book work may be the five-page section he drew for Wolverine #166 (cover dated:  September 2001).  So McNiven-Leisten-Martin's faux-Barry Windsor-Smith is the reason I will continue to read Return of Wolverine.

Thus, my grade for Return of Wolverine #1 is based on the art.  If it were based only on the story, it would get a failing grade.

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.

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

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 7, 2018

MARVEL COMICS

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

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 5, 2018

MARVEL COMICS

JUN188644    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #2 2ND PTG OTTLEY VAR    $3.99
JUL181090    ANT-MAN AND THE WASP #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
JUL181208    ASGARDIANS OF GALAXY #1 BY KEOWN POSTER    $8.99
JUL180980    ASGARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1    $3.99
JUL181120    ASTONISHING X-MEN #15    $3.99
JUL181121    ASTONISHING X-MEN #15 AKCHO COSMIC GHOST RIDER VAR    $3.99
JUL181007    AVENGERS #7    $3.99
JUL181009    AVENGERS #7 MOORE COSMIC GHOST RIDER VAR    $3.99
JUL181054    BEN REILLY SCARLET SPIDER #23    $3.99
JUL181019    CAPTAIN AMERICA #3    $3.99
JUL181022    CAPTAIN AMERICA #3 ZIRCHER COSMIC GHOST RIDER VAR    $3.99
JUN180977    COLOR YOUR OWN VENOM    $9.99
JUL181106    COSMIC GHOST RIDER #3 (OF 5)    $3.99
JUL181108    COSMIC GHOST RIDER #3 (OF 5) SHAVRIN VAR    $3.99
JUL181118    DEADPOOL #4    $3.99
JUL181119    DEADPOOL #4 NAUCK COSMIC GHOST RIDER VAR    $3.99
JUL181104    DEATH OF INHUMANS #3 (OF 5)    $3.99
JUL181105    DEATH OF INHUMANS #3 (OF 5) KUDER YOUNG GUNS CONNECTING VAR    $3.99
JUL181212    DOMINO #6 BY LAND POSTER    $8.99
MAR180975    EARTH X TRILOGY OMNIBUS ALPHA HC    $125.00
JUL181023    IMMORTAL HULK #5    $3.99
JUL181024    IMMORTAL HULK #5 RAHZZAH COSMIC GHOST RIDER VAR    $3.99
JUL181210    INFINITY WARS IRON HAMMER BY RAMOS POSTER    $8.99
JUL181211    INFINITY WARS SOLDIER SUPREME BY RAMOS POSTER    $8.99
JUN180993    IRON MAN 2020 TP NEW PTG    $34.99
JUL181209    LIFE OF CAPTAIN MARVEL #3 BY QUESADA POSTER    $8.99
JUN180965    MARVEL KNIGHTS BLACK PANTHER BY PRIEST & TEXEIRA TP CLIENT    $15.99
MAR180979    MOON KNIGHT BY JEFF LEMIRE AND GREG SMALLWOOD HC    $34.99
JUL181130    OLD MAN LOGAN ANNUAL #1    $4.99
JUL181131    OLD MAN LOGAN ANNUAL #1 SANDOVAL VAR    $4.99
JUL181028    QUICKSILVER NO SURRENDER #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
JUL181207    RETURN OF WOLVERINE #1 BY MCNIVEN POSTER    $8.99
JUL181102    SILVER SURFER ANNUAL #1    $4.99
JUL181103    SILVER SURFER ANNUAL #1 MARTIN VAR    $4.99
JUL181058    SPIDER-MAN DEADPOOL #38    $3.99
MAR180976    SPIDER-MAN VS VENOM OMNIBUS HC    $125.00
JUL181143    STAR WARS #53    $3.99
JUL181153    STAR WARS DOCTOR APHRA ANNUAL #2    $4.99
JUL181154    STAR WARS DOCTOR APHRA ANNUAL #2 WITTER VAR    $4.99
JUL180975    THANOS LEGACY #1    $4.99
JUL180979    THANOS LEGACY #1 JOHNSON COSMIC GHOST RIDER VAR    $4.99
JUL180976    THANOS LEGACY #1 LIM VAR    $4.99
JUN188396    THANOS LEGACY #1 PEREZ VAR    $4.99
JUN188397    THANOS LEGACY #1 PEREZ VIRGIN VAR    $4.99
JUL181061    TRUE BELIEVERS DAREDEVIL BY BENDIS & MALEEV #1    $1.00
JUL181063    TRUE BELIEVERS DAREDEVIL BY LEE & EVERETT #1    $1.00
JUL181060    TRUE BELIEVERS DAREDEVIL BY SMITH QUESADA & PALMIOTTI #1    $1.00
JUL181046    VENOM FIRST HOST #2 (OF 5)    $3.99
JUL181047    VENOM FIRST HOST #2 (OF 5) REIS VAR    $3.99
JUL181134    WEAPON X #23    $3.99
MAR180978    WEDDING OF CYCLOPS & PHOENIX HC    $125.00
JUN180985    WOLVERINE OLD MAN LOGAN TP VOL 08 TO KILL FOR    $15.99
JUL181109    X-MEN GOLD #35    $3.99
JUN180984    X-MEN RED TP VOL 01 HATE MACHINE    $17.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 18, 2018

MARVEL COMICS

JAN189025    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #795 ALEX ROSS B & W 3RD PTG VAR    $3.99
JAN189026    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #796 ALEX ROSS B & W 3RD PTG VAR    $3.99
FEB180834    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #799 LEG    $3.99
FEB180835    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #799 RAMOS CONNECTING VAR LEG    $3.99
FEB180838    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN RENEW YOUR VOWS #18 LEG    $3.99
FEB180951    AVENGERS #1 BY MCGUINNESS POSTER    $8.99
JAN189035    AVENGERS #683 MEDINA 2ND PTG VAR LEG    $3.99
FEB180790    AVENGERS #689 LEG    $4.99
FEB180791    AVENGERS #689 SPROUSE END OF AN ERA VAR LEG    $4.99
FEB180952    BLACK PANTHER #1 BY ACUNA POSTER    $8.99
FEB180854    BLACK PANTHER #172 LEG    $3.99
FEB180893    CABLE #156 LEG    $3.99
FEB180849    DAREDEVIL #601 LEG    $3.99
FEB180949    DEADPOOL #300 BY KOBLISH POSTER    $8.99
FEB180954    DOMINO BY LAND POSTER    $8.99
FEB180950    HUNT FOR WOLVERINE BY MCNIVEN POSTER    $8.99
FEB180818    INCREDIBLE HULK #715 LEG    $3.99
FEB180743    INFINITY COUNTDOWN #2 (OF 5) KUDER CONNECTING VAR LEG    $4.99
FEB180740    INFINITY COUNTDOWN #2 (OF 5) LEG    $4.99
FEB180741    INFINITY COUNTDOWN #2 (OF 5) LIM VAR LEG    $4.99
FEB180744    INFINITY COUNTDOWN #2 (OF 5) SUPER SKRULL HOLDS INFINITY VAR    $4.99
FEB180783    IRON FIST #80 LEG    $3.99
JAN181058    LUKE CAGE TP VOL 02 CAGED    $15.99
JUN178935    MARVEL UNIVERSE MAGAZINE #1 (BUNDLE OF 25) (Net)    $PI
FEB180868    MS MARVEL #29 LEG    $3.99
FEB180899    MSH ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN VIBRANIUM #1    $3.99
FEB180900    MSH ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN VIBRANIUM #1 RANDOLPH VAR    $3.99
JAN181041    PHOENIX RESURRECTION RETURN JEAN GREY TP    $17.99
JAN181042    PHOENIX RESURRECTION RETURN JEAN GREY TP ARTGERM DM VAR    $17.99
JAN181059    PUNISHER PLATOON TP (MR)    $17.99
JAN181044    RUNAWAYS BY RAINBOW ROWELL TP VOL 01 FIND YOUR WAY HOME    $17.99
JAN181066    RUNAWAYS TP VOL 10 ROCK ZOMBIES NEW PTG    $14.99
JAN181055    SPIDER-GWEN TP VOL 05 GWENOM    $17.99
FEB180911    STAR WARS POE DAMERON #26    $3.99
FEB180859    TALES OF SUSPENSE #104 (OF 5) LEG    $3.99
JAN181065    THOR BY WALTER SIMONSON TP VOL 03 NEW PTG    $29.99
FEB180826    TRUE BELIEVERS INFINITY INCOMING #1    $1.00
FEB180827    TRUE BELIEVERS REBIRTH OF THANOS #1    $1.00
JAN188968    TRUE BELIEVERS VENOM VS SPIDER-MAN #1 2ND PTG VAR    $1.00
FEB180953    VENOM #1 BY STEGMAN POSTER    $8.99
FEB180806    VENOMIZED #3 (OF 5)    $3.99
FEB180808    VENOMIZED #3 (OF 5) BAGLEY CONNECTING VAR    $3.99
FEB180871    WEAPON H #2 LEG    $3.99
FEB180879    WEAPON X #16 LEG    $3.99
FEB180878    X-MEN GOLD #26 LEG    $3.99

Review: MARVEL LEGACY #1

MARVEL LEGACY No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jason Aaron
ART: Esad Ribic with Steve McNiven
COLORS: Matthew Wilson
LETTERS: VC's Cory Petit
ADDITIONAL ARTISTS: Chris Samnee; Russell Dauterman; Alex Maleev; Ed McGuinness; Stuart Immonen and Wade von Grawbadger; Pepe Larraz; Jim Cheung; Daniel Acuña; Greg Land and Jay Leisten; Mike Deodato, Jr.; David Marquez
COVER: Joe Quesada and Kevin Nowlan with Richard Isanove
VARIANT COVERS: Alex Ross; Mark Brooks; John Tyler Christopher; Mike Deodato, Jr.; Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson; Greg Land with Frank D'Armata; Amy Reeder; Skottie Young
64pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (November 2017)

Rated T+

Marvel Legacy #1 is a new one-shot comic book from Marvel Comics.  I don't really know its purpose, other than what I read on the Internet.  After a year of reportedly falling sales of its comic books, Marvel does what it and DC Comics normally do:  initiate a reboot or a re-launch or hit-the-refresh/restart button, etc.  Such a rehash... I mean such a refresh is usually preceded by some kind of large scale publishing event, as it was here.  I guess that was the Secret Empire miniseries and the corresponding tie-ins and spin-offs.

SO I'LL SAVE YOU SOME TIME:  Marvel Legacy #1 has a few entertaining moments, with the best being the Wolverine reveal.  Some of it piqued my interest, but most it fell flat for me.  If you are looking for something exceptional, great, memorable, etc., Marvel Legacy #1 is not it, and it certainly is not worth the $5.99 cover price.  That said, you only need to keep reading this review if you usually enjoy my ramblings...

So here we go again; Marvel Legacy #1 launches the next big start-over.  I have read a lot of web commentary in which people compare this comic book to DC Comics' DC Universe Rebirth from last year.  I don't see the resemblance, and Rebirth has purpose and direction (at least to me), whereas Marvel Legacy #1 reads like a bunch of teasing and anticipation balled up together.

Marvel Legacy #1 has an omniscient narrator, Valeria Richards, the second child of Reed Richards and Sue Storm of the Fantastic Four.  She talks about legacies and begins her narration “One Million Years Ago.”  Something happened back then; that something plus some more bad stuff is coming back today.  Get ready.

Yep, that's it – something wicked this way comes, eventually.  The main story is written by Jason Aaron and drawn mainly by Esad Ribic, with some of it drawn by Steve McNiven.  Interspersed between segments of the main story are some one and two-page excerpts from upcoming Legacy launches – like Mark Waid and Chris Samnee's upcoming run on Captain America (Steve Rogers).

That's what this is all about, right?  A return to original i.e. traditional i.e. “white” characters.  Some believe that Marvel angered its aging white male fan base by recasting too many of its characters as black, Latino, Asian, female or some combination thereof.  Here's an anecdote for you.  For years, white male comic book readers told me that they did not want white comic books or black comic books, but they wanted good comic books.  Okay... Black male Spider-Man, Black female Iron Man, White female Hawkeye, Pan-Asian Muslim Ms. Marvel, White lady Thor are the leads of some very well written comic book series.  I know that because I read them.  But whiny White comic book retailers, clueless comic book corporate middle management, and fans who don't read books they complain about are driving this need for Marvel Comics to reset.

But the real villains here are Marvel Comics' shitty editorial decisions, arrogant management, piss-poor publishing plans, and virtually non-existent marketing.  Marvel Legacy #1 exists for the same reasons Marvel NOW, All-New Marvel NOW, and Marvel Now & Laters existed – all of the above and Marvel's addiction to the sales bump it gets from #1 issues.

Marvel Comics publishes too many comic books and has been doing so for 30 years.  Many of those comic books exist because Marvel will throw a lot of money at “star creators” to produce comics; or because someone will come up with some cute gimmick; or simply to grab more market share; or because a hit Marvel Studios movie will mean launching 10 new comic books directly, indirectly, vaguely, and/or even tangentially related to the movie.  Baby Groot the comic book series, y'all.

Too many titles frustrate readers for various readers, but especially because they cannot keep up with all those new comic books.  Marvel Legacy #1 is another pretend fix for symptoms that arise from Marvel's poor decision making.  That decision making needs a cure; the symptoms will go away after the cure.  For all Marvel's talk of a return to classic Marvel storytelling, next year it will do something like recast all its characters as Buddhists golden retrievers.

Marvel Comics' real legacy is that, no matter who owned Marvel, they never appreciated the artists and writers who really created the characters and stories that made Marvel a business and cultural force.  They held on tightly to Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, and more while being dismissive of the talent, Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, that drew those characters into existence.  Did it ever occur to those bosses how many more great characters and stories creators like Kirby and Ditko would have created for Marvel had the bosses acknowledged them financially and personally in a manner befitting people who multi-million dollar franchises?

So Marvel Legacy #1 epitomizes Marvel's real legacy – the short-sighted, self-serving choices instead of the long term choices that come with more risk and less immediate gratification.  Plus, Marvel Legacy #1 is just another comic book, fast food hamburger off the corporate conveyor belt – granted that there is some rather nice art inside.

C
4 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.

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