#IReadsYou Review: POST AMERICANA #7

POST AMERICANA #7 (OF 7)
IMAGE COMICS

STORY: Steve Skroce
ART: Steve Skroce
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Fonografiks
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2021)

Rated M / Mature

Post Americana is a seven-issue miniseries written and drawn by Steve Skroce and published by Image Comics.  Post Americana is set in a dystopian future and focuses on two rebels' attempts to save an area called the “Wasteland” from a rogue President of the United States.  Colorist Dave Stewart and letterer Fonografiks complete Post Americana's creative team.

Post Americana  has two settings.  The first is “The Bubble,” an installation inside the Cheyenne Mountains that is the most sophisticated super-bunker in the world.  Inside, Nathaniel Hawksworthe, the new President of the United States, plans to use the bunker's resources to build the “New America” by basically paving over the second setting, the “Wasteland.”  Determined to stop Hawksworthe are Michael “Mike” Lee, a hapless rebel, and Carolyn, a deadly Wasteland girl, who is already hellbent on revenge against the denizens of the Bubble.  But Carolyn and Mike will have to survive the Wasteland in order to save the Wasteland.

Post Americana #7 opens in the Bubble.  Marcy Okamoto has launched her plan to destroy humanity and to replace humans, using seven perfect “New People” embryos as the foundation.  At the same time, her droids are laying waste to the Bubble and killing its denizens.  So what is President of the United States Nathaniel Hawksworthe doing?  He and his mother are making their escape.

However, before anyone leaves, Carolyn has embraced her destiny and is ready to deliver some cold-bloodied justice.  Meanwhile, Eggbert Beauregard, one of the lost IP of Wonder Studios, is leading a revolt of the Bubble's enslaved.  So where are Mike and Mr. Floppibottoms, another lost IP?  It's Carolyn versus Marcy versus President Hawksworthe in a final showdown.

THE LOWDOWN:  Every time, I write a review of one of his comic books, I remind you, dear readers, that I am a huge fan of writer-artist Steve Skroce, going back over two decades.  I have also praised every issue of Post Americana.

Well, Post Americana #7 brings the series to an end, five months after the arrival of issue #6.  It was worth the wait, as this seventh issue is one of the series' best.  And there's a happy ending – happier than the end of Skroce's excellent comic book miniseries, We Stand on Guard.  Steve Skroce's lovely art; Dave Stewart's gorgeous coloring, and Fonografiks' standout lettering make for an excellent graphics and graphical storytelling package.

I highly recommend this entire series, which will be available in a Post Americana trade paperback this month (December 2021).  Now, I'll await Skroce's next comic book miniseries masterpiece.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Steve Skroce's comics and of post-apocalyptic sci-fi will want Post Americana.

A+

10 out of 10

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


https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: POST AMERICANA #6

POST AMERICANA #6 (OF 7)
IMAGE COMICS

STORY: Steve Skroce
ARTIST: Steve Skroce
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Fonografiks
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2021)

Rated M / Mature

Post Americana is a seven-issue miniseries written and drawn by Steve Skroce and published by Image Comics.  Post Americana is set in a dystopian future and focuses on two rebels' attempts to save an area called the “Wasteland” from a rogue President of the United States.  Colorist Dave Stewart and letterer Fonografiks complete Post Americana's creative team.

Post Americana has two settings.  The first is “The Bubble,” an installation inside the Cheyenne Mountains that is the most sophisticated super-bunker in the world.  Inside, Nathaniel Hawksworthe, the new President of the United States, plans to use the bunker's resources to build the “New America” by basically paving over the second setting, the “Wasteland.”  Determined to stop Hawksworthe are Michael “Mike” Lee, a hapless rebel, and Carolyn, a deadly Wasteland girl, who is already hellbent on revenge against the denizens of the Bubble.  But Carolyn and Mike will have to survive the Wasteland in order to save the Wasteland.

As Post Americana #6 opens, Carolyn, Mike, and Evey face betrayal in the form of the wrath of Night Terror and his partner, Donny (a vicious werewolf).  On the lost coast of California, the trio found Wonder Studios (a Walt Disney-like studio), and thought that they had found a refuge.  Can Mister Floppibottoms and Eggbert save our heroes?

Meanwhile, things are starting to take a dark turn in the Bubble.  What shall we make of Hawksworthe's crazy story of his apparently crazier past?  The future hangs in the balance!

THE LOWDOWN:  As a reminder:  I am a huge fan of writer-artist Steve Skroce, going back over two decades.  All the while that I have been reviewing this series, I have regaled you, dear readers, with the joys of reading Post Americana.

It turns out that Post Americana #5 was NOT the penultimate issue of the series.  The former six-issue miniseries is now seven issues long.  A similar thing happened with Skroce's previous creator-owned Image series, Maestro, so this issue, Post Americana #6 is the penultimate issues.

Issue #5 seemed divorced from the rest of the narrative, but issue #6 brings it all back, connecting the Wonder Series subplot with a jarring turn in the story of the Bubble and its ruler.  Who knows what to expect of issue #7, but, in the meantime, Skroce delivers a high-octane, violent, action movie sixth issue.  As always his kinetic drawing style and bracing graphic storytelling is perfect for the ol' ultra-violence depicted here.

I can't wait for the seventh issue.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Steve Skroce's comics and of post-apocalyptic sci-fi will want Post Americana.

A

★★★★+ out of 4 stars

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


https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: POST AMERICANA #5

POST AMERICANA #5 (OF 7)
IMAGE COMICS

STORY: Steve Skroce
ARTIST: Steve Skroce
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Fonografiks
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (April 2021)

Rated M / Mature

Post Americana is a six-issue miniseries written and drawn by Steve Skroce and published by Image Comics.  Post Americana is set in a dystopian future and focuses on two rebels' attempts to save an area called the “Wasteland” from a rogue President of the United States.  Colorist Dave Stewart and letterer Fonografiks complete Post Americana's creative team.

Post Americana  has two settings.  The first is “The Bubble,” an installation inside the Cheyenne Mountains that is the most sophisticated super-bunker in the world.  Inside, Nathaniel Hawksworthe, the new President of the United States, plans to use the bunker's resources to build the “New America” by basically paving over the second setting, the “Wasteland.”  Determined to stop Hawksworthe are Michael “Mike” Lee, a hapless rebel, and Carolyn, a deadly Wasteland girl, who is already hellbent on revenge against the denizens of the Bubble.  But Carolyn and Mike will have to survive the Wasteland in order to save the Wasteland.

As Post Americana #5 opens, Carolyn, Mike, and Evey's ride with Night Terror has taken them to the lost coast of California to Wonder Studios, the former home of the Walt Disney-like Cromwell Leviticus Okamoto.  There, Mike finally meets his secret ally, Okamoto's wife, Marcy, in person.  Marcy soon admits to deceiving Mike, but he doesn't even know half the story.  And that could mean a death sentence for everyone on the planet – even those soft-living folks in the Bubble.

THE LOWDOWN:  I am a huge fan of writer-artist Steve Skroce, going back over two decades – which I admitted in my review of Post Americana #1.  In my review of subsequent issues of this series, I have regaled you, dear readers, with the joys of reading Post Americana.

Post Americana #5 is the penultimate issue of the series, and in it, Skroce has created an issue that seems divorced from the rest of the narrative.  However, it actually isn't, as this fifth issue serves as a launching pad for the craziness to come in the finale.  Post Americana is a blast to read, and its satire of the United States is both sharp and sly and blunt and brutal.  It is as if Skroce wields both a satirical scalpel and hammer.

As he has throughout this miniseries, Skroce gets excellent assistance in creating this fine edition of his latest comic book.  That includes superb coloring from Dave Stewart and lettering from Fonografiks that makes the craziness readable.  I can't wait for the sixth issue.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Steve Skroce's comics and of post-apocalyptic sci-fi will want Post Americana.

A

[This comic book includes a four-page preview of “The Good Asian #1” by Pornsak Pichetshote and Alexandre Tefenkgi.]

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


https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Revew: POST AMERICANA #4

POST AMERICANA #4 (OF 6)
IMAGE COMICS

STORY: Steve Skroce
ARTIST: Steve Skroce
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Fonografiks
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (March 2021)

Rated M / Mature

Post Americana is a six-issue miniseries written and drawn by Steve Skroce and published by Image Comics.  Post Americana is set in a dystopian future and focuses on two rebels' attempts to save an area called the “Wasteland” from a rogue President of the United States.  Colorist Dave Stewart and letterer Fonografiks complete Post Americana's creative team.

Post Americana  has two settings.  The first is “The Bubble,” an installation inside the Cheyenne Mountains that is the most sophisticated super-bunker in the world.  Inside, Nathaniel Hawksworthe, the new President of the United States, plans to use the bunker's resources to build the “New America” by basically paving over the second setting, the “Wasteland.”  Determined to stop Hawksworthe are Michael “Mike” Lee, a hapless rebel, and Carolyn, a deadly Wasteland girl, who is already hellbent on revenge against the denizens of the Bubble.  But Carolyn and Mike will have to survive the Wasteland in order to save the Wasteland.

As Post Americana #4 opens, Carolyn has a surprise reunion with her mother, Eve, whom she thought was dead.  A prisoner of the forces of The Bubble, Eve is still a fighter, but our heroes are up against the psychotic Hawksworthe and now, his hoary, old hag of a mother.  When things get tough for Mike, Carolyn, Eve, and company, they will find themselves in need of some help.  Enter a hero from the bygone days, Night Terror.  So how is he alive, and do they really want his crazy-ass help?

THE LOWDOWN:  I wrote in my review of Post Americana #1 that I was a fan of writer-artist Steve Skroce, going back over two decades.  In my review of Post-Americana #2, I expressed joy that Skroce gave readers the fun of a cannibal holocaust-shindig, and I like that Post-Americana #3 gave the readers some history and back story.

As ever, Skroce offers something new in each issue of his creator-owned comic books, and Post Americana #4 is no exception.  Yes, the return of Eve will make readers suspicious, and it should, as it is clear that one should always expect both the next surprise and the curve balls from Skroce.  However, the story of the relationship between Carolyn and her mother tugs at the heart.  And the Night Terror angle is the funky cherry on top – to say nothing of his partner, Donny.

As usual, Skroce gets excellent assistance in creating this fine edition of his latest comic book.  That includes superb coloring from Dave Stewart and lettering from Fonografiks that makes the craziness readable.  I can't wait for the fifth issue.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Steve Skroce's comics and of post-apocalyptic sci-fi will want Post Americana.

A
9 out of 10

[This comic book features a five-page sneak preview of the comic book, Nocterra #1, by Scott Snyder, Tony S. Daniel, Tomeu Morey, and Andworld Design.]

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


https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Revew: POST AMERICANA #3

POST AMERICANA #3 (OF 6)
IMAGE COMICS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Steve Skroce
ARTIST: Steve Skroce
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Fonografiks
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2021)

Rated M / Mature

Post Americana is a six-issue miniseries written and drawn by Steve Skroce and published by Image Comics.  Post Americana is set in a dystopian future and focuses on two rebels' attempt to save an area called the “Wasteland” from a rogue President of the United States.  Colorist Dave Stewart and letterer Fonografiks complete Post Americana's creative team.

Post Americana  has two settings.  The first is “The Bubble,” an installation inside the Cheyenne Mountains that is the most sophisticated super-bunker in the world.  Inside, Nathaniel Hawksworthe, the new President of the United States, plans to use the bunker's resources to build the “New America” by basically paving over the second setting, the “Wasteland.”  Determined to stop Hawksworthe are Mike, a hapless rebel, and Carolyn, a deadly Wasteland girl, who is already hellbent on revenge against the denizens of the Bubble.  But Carolyn and Mike will have to survive the Wasteland in order to save the Wasteland.

As Post Americana #3 opens, after surviving “The Followers of the Path,” cannibal blood cult, Caroline and Mike are looking for a safe place.  Perhaps, they have found it in the gilded cage of Caroline's surrogate fathers, Eddy and Gene.  Plus, we learn the history of Caroline, how she meet Eddy and Gene, and why she seeks to destroy the Bubble.  Mike also reveals his history as a rebel and what happened to the world at the end of the 23rd century that led to the creation to the Bubble.  Why and how did the rich take over?

THE LOWDOWN:  As I wrote in my review of Post Americana #1, I am a fan of writer-artist Steve Skroce's mainstream comics work, especially “Blood Debt” (May 2000 to August 2000), a four-issue story arc he produced for the original Wolverine ongoing comic book series (the one that began in 1988).  In my review of Post Americana #2, I expressed joy that Skroce gave readers the fun of a cannibal holocaust-shindig.

Post Americana #3 is the series' most revealing issue yet.  I'll call it the “history issue,” and if you like, back story, dear readers, you will love this third issue, as there is a lot of history and back story … and a rather shocking surprise regarding Caroline.

As usual, Skroce gets excellent assistance in creating this fine edition of his latest comic book.  That includes superb coloring from Dave Stewart and story-driving lettering from Fonografiks.  I can't wait for the fourth issue.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Steve Skroce's comics and of post-apocalyptic sci-fi will want Post Americana.

A
9 out of 10

[This comic book features a four-page sneak preview of the upcoming comic book, Karmen #1, by Guillem March.]

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


https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: POST AMERICANA #2

POST AMERICANA #2 (OF 7)
IMAGE COMICS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Steve Skroce
ARTIST: Steve Skroce
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Fonografiks
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2021)

Rated M / Mature

Post Americana is a seven-issue miniseries written and drawn by Steve Skroce and published by Image Comics.  Post Americana is set in a dystopian future and focuses on two rebels' attempt to save the “Wasteland” from a rogue President of the United States.  Colorist Dave Stewart and letterer Fonografiks complete Post Americana's creative team.

Post Americana  has two settings.  The first is “The Bubble,” an installation inside the Cheyenne Mountains that is the most sophisticated super-bunker in the world.  Inside, the new President of the United States plans to use the bunker's resources to build the “New America” by turning the second setting, the “Wasteland,” into what he wants it to be.  Determined to stop him are Mike, a hapless rebel, and Carolyn, a deadly Wasteland girl, who is already hellbent on revenge.  But Carolyn and Mike will have to survive the Wasteland in order to save the Wasteland.

As Post Americana #2 opens, the President makes big promises about “the Great American Reclamation” and orders some bloodshed to emphasize his talking points.  Elsewhere, Mike and Carolyn are in the middle of a cannibal holocaust-shindig thrown by “The Followers of the Path,” a cannibal blood cult.  Mike and Carolyn are the entertainment on the main stage, but luckily, Carolyn has the parts to put a crimp in cannibal plans.

THE LOWDOWN:  As I wrote in my review of Post Americana #1, I am a fan of writer-artist Steve Skroce's mainstream comics work, especially “Blood Debt” (May 2000 to August 2000), a four-issue story arc he produced for the original Wolverine ongoing comic book series (the one that began in 1988).  I have immensely enjoyed his recent comic book miniseries from Image, We Stand on Guard (created with writer Brian K. Vaughn) and Maestros.

I love Post Americana, even after only two issues.  It is part crazy post-apocalyptic, dystopian, Mad Max-like, action-science fiction.  Post Americana is also hardcore anti-American exceptionalism.  2020 was the seventy-fifth anniversary of the end of World War II, and since the end of that “great war,” the United States has been on a mission-rampage to make the rest of the world serve its interests.

The way I see it:  Post Americana takes aim at the last forty years of American imperialism.  Its President of the United States looks like President Ronald Reagan and talks like Reagan's vice-president and successor, President George H.W. Bush.  He makes war like Bush's son, President George W. Bush, and is a media savvy psycho like President Donald Trump.  From the glimpses we get of the denizens of the Bubble, they seem like what U.S. citizens have been for the better part of the last century – consumers more than citizens.

Skroce also gets the usually superb coloring from Dave Stewart, and the lettering from Fonografiks heightens this story's sense of boldness.  I can't wait for the third issue.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Steve Skroce's comics and of post-apocalyptic sci-fi will want Post Americana.

9 out of 10

[This comic book features a five-page sneak preview of the upcoming comic book, Two Moons #1, by John Arcudi, Valerio Giangiordano, Dave Stewart, and Michael Heisler.]

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


https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

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#IReadsYou Review: POST AMERICANA #1

POST AMERICANA #1 (OF 7)
IMAGE COMICS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Steve Skroce
ARTIST: Steve Skroce
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Fonografiks
36pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2020)

Rated M / Mature

Post Americana is a new six-issue miniseries written and drawn by Steve Skroce.  Skroce may be best known for his work as a storyboard artist for the film-making siblings, The Wachowskis, especially on their Oscar-winning 1999 film, The Matrix.  Skroce's recent comic book work includes the 2015 miniseries, We Stand on Guard (co-created with writer Brian K. Vaughn), and the 2017-18 miniseries, Maestros, both published by Image Comics.  Colorist Dave Stewart and letterer Fonografiks completes Post Americana's creative team.

Post Americana #1 is set in a dystopian future.  The story opens inside “The Bubble,” an installation inside the Cheyenne mountains.  It is the most sophisticated super-bunker in the world, and it was built to ensure the survival of America's executive branch of government and its most important citizens, should the unthinkable happen.  The unthinkable – the end of the world as we know it – did happen.

When the world ended, however, the executive branch never got to use The Bubble.  It was taken over by the elite, also known as “the one percent.”  Eighty years later, one of their own has named himself the new President of the United States, and he plans to subjugate those who survived outside The Bubble in the American “Wasteland.”  He plans to use the bunker's resources to rebuild the country by turning the Wasteland into what he wants it to be.

The only thing standing in his way is Mike, a hapless rebel, and Carolyn, a deadly Wasteland girl, who is already hellbent on revenge.  But Carolyn and Mike will have to survive the Wasteland in order to save the Wasteland.

THE LOWDOWN:  First, I have to keep it on that real, boo (dear readers).  I have been partial to all Steve Skroce comic books ever since I saw first, the art he generated for The Matrix and secondly, read his four-issue story arc, “Blood Debt” (May 2000 to August 2000) that he produced for the original Wolverine ongoing comic book series (the one that began in 1988).  I was also a fan of his run as artist on the Gambit (1999) comic book series, and, at one point, I bought a few back issues of The Amazing Spider-Man that Skroce drew in 1996 and 1997.

I was a huge fan of We Stand on Guard and of Maestros.  Now, I am already a fan of Post Americana.  I will admit that it is not his best-drawn work, as the art for Post Americana seems less detailed than that of the ornate illustrations of Maestros.  It is as if Post Americana was drawn in haste, in a way that his previous Image Comics titles were not.  Still, the storytelling is strong, and as ever, Skroce can deliver wild action scenes and graphic depictions of gory, brutal murder and mayhem.  Plus, Dave Stewart's colors make the art seem to pop off the page, the way his colors did in Maestros.

So, I'm back in black – Skroce's black humor.  And, of course, I highly recommend what looks like it is going to be the wildest of comic book rides.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Steve Skroce's comics and of post-apocalyptic sci-fi will want Post Americana.

9 out of 10

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


https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/


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).

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 27, 2021

IMAGE COMICS:

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Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 16, 2020

IMAGE COMICS

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Review: MAESTROS #1

MAESTROS No. 1
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER/ARTIST: Steve Skroce
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Fonografiks
COVER: Steve Skroce
VARIANT COVERS: Pia Guerra; Geof Darrow with Dave Stewart
36pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2017)

Rated “M/ Mature”

Maestros is the new comic book series from writer-artist Steve Skroce.  Skroce has produced a number of comic books over a career that is almost three decades long, including the recent miniseries, We Stand on Guard (Image Comics).  Skroce's most famous work may be as the storyboard artist for the Oscar-winning film, The Matrix (1999).

Maestros #1 opens in the magical realm of Zainan, where the monstrous wizard, Mardok, is directing the brutal destruction of the royal family.  Meanwhile, on Earth, there is a young man named Will who can wield magic.  Instead of doing great things with his magic, however, Will is helping enormously rich men... become enormous.  Now, Will's mother, Margaret, has returned to bring Will back to his destiny – a destiny that has been problematic for him.

In the synopsis that Image Comics provides for Maestros #1, it includes a quote from award-winning writer, Brian K. Vaughan, Skroce's We Stand on Guard collaborator.  The quote read, "MAESTROS is a masterpiece, with one of the best first issues I've ever read. Steve is somehow an even greater writer than he is an artist. Get ready for your new favorite comic." [END]

I have to kind of agree on the first part.  This is one of the best first issues that I have read, at least over the last several years.  There are 34 pages of story and I could have easily read another 34; in fact, I am anxious (“jonesing”?) for the second issue.  Maestros #1 is exciting, imaginative, funny, witty, and delightfully bursting with surprises.

As well written as this is, I am not sure that Skroce could be a better comic book writer than he is a comic book artist, and he is a really good comic book writer – a natural at writing a comic book script.  As a comic book artist, Skroce, is so damn good – he is a freak as a artist – that he would have to become the greatest comic book writer of all time to surpass his illustrative skills.  Skroce produces some of the most visually striking comic book art and graphics, and his graphical storytelling, from the quietest moments to the fastest action scenes – are potent, to say the least.

Perhaps, we should not separate Skroce as a writer and an artist.  He is a comic book cartoonist who produces graphically and visually engrossing comics, and Maestros #1 suggests that this might be his mightiest work yet.

9.5 out of 10

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


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

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

Review: KINGSMAN: The Red Diamond #1

KINGSMAN: THE RED DIAMOND No. 1 (OF 6)
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Rob Williams
ART: Simon Fraser
COLORS: Gary Caldwell
LETTERS: Peter Doherty
COVER: Frank Quietly
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Dave Gibbons; Rob Doyle; Simon Fraser
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2017)

Rated M/Mature

Kingsman: The Secret Service created by Mark Miller, Dave Gibbons, and Matthew Vaughn

The Secret Service was a 2012 six-issue comic book miniseries created by writer Mark Millar, artist Dave Gibbons, and filmmaker Matthew Vaughn (X-Men: First Class).  It was published by Icon, a pseudo-creator owned imprint of Marvel Comics.  Vaughn directed a film loosely adapted from this comic book that was entitled Kingsman: The Secret Service.  [The Secret Service comic book has since been re-branded as Kingsman: The Secret Service to tie-in closer to the film franchise.]

The Secret Service was apparently inspired by “classic” James Bond films and the spy thriller genre in general.  The story focused on a super-spy and his young and wayward nephew whom he recruits into “the secret service.”  With the impending arrival of a second film, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, there is a new six-issue comic book, Kingsman: The Red Diamond.  It is written by Rob Williams; drawn by Simon Fraser; colored by Gary Caldwell; and lettered by Peter Doherty.

Kingsman: The Red Diamond #1 finds Gary “Eggsy” London living the ribald life of a highly effective British secret agent and man-about-town.  As the story begins, Eggsy is called to rescue a royal, but while the mission is successful, Eggsy does something that gets him in trouble.  Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Eggsy, another world-beating supervillain plots to destroy civilization.

I found the original Kingsman: The Secret Service comic book miniseries to be earthy, droll, nonchalant, and rather grounded, unlike the slickly-produced film.  Kingsman: The Red Diamond #1 also lacks polish, which I consider a good thing.  This first issue opens in such an unassuming manner that you might mistake it for a disaster in the making, but writer Rob Williams offers lots of surprises and delightful little shocks to make this an enjoyable read.  Plus, Williams teases the new villain in that perfect kind of way that makes readers want to come back for the second issue.

The art and graphical storytelling by Simon Fraser is acceptable, but considering that Fraser is following a legend and exceptionally gifted comic book artist like Dave Gibbons, maybe Fraser is not quite acceptable as he would be following an artist who was not a shining light.  It is almost as if The Red Diamond is being produced on the cheap.

In the end, however, I want to read more Kingsman: The Red Diamond, and this series may have even more surprises in store for its readers.  The creative team may also blossom as the series advances.

[This comic book has a preview of “Maestros” by Steve Skroce, Dave Stewart, and Fonografiks.]

7 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.

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

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 31, 2018

IMAGE COMICS

AUG180113    BLACK SCIENCE TP VOL 08 LATER THAN YOU THINK (MR)    $16.99
AUG180158    HIT-GIRL TP VOL 02 (MR)    $14.99
AUG180241    ICE CREAM MAN #8 CVR A MORAZZO & OHALLORAN (MR)    $3.99
AUG180242    ICE CREAM MAN #8 CVR B DEL REY (MR)    $3.99
AUG180164    MAESTROS TP VOL 01 (MR)    $16.99
AUG180252    MAN-EATERS #2    $3.99
AUG180253    MAN-EATERS #2 IRIDESCENT CVR    $4.99
JUL180265    MOONSHINE TP VOL 02 (MR)    $16.99
AUG180267    REALM #10 CVR A HAUN & FILARDI (MR)    $3.99
AUG180268    REALM #10 CVR B HETRICK (MR)    $3.99
AUG180269    REALM #10 CVR C SKETCH CVR (MR)    $3.99
AUG180285    SHANGHAI RED #5 (OF 5) CVR A HIXSON    $3.99
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JUL189077    SHANGHAI RED #5 (OF 5) CVR C VIRGIN    $3.99
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AUG180100    WYTCHES BAD EGG HALLOWEEN SPEC (ONE-SHOT) (MR)    $7.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 28, 2018

MARVEL COMICS

JAN188253    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #794 IMMONEN 3RD PTG VAR LEG    $3.99
JAN181076    ANNIHILATION TP VOL 01 COMPLETE COLLECTION    $34.99
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JAN180904    AVENGERS #686 LEG    $3.99
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JAN180974    BLACK PANTHER #171 LEG    $3.99
JAN181067    CAPTAIN MARVEL CAROL DANVERS TP VOL 01 MS MARVEL YEARS    $34.99
JAN180950    CHAMPIONS #18 LEG    $3.99
DEC170938    COLOR YOUR OWN AVENGERS TP    $9.99
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JAN180911    DAREDEVIL #600 LEG    $5.99
JAN181013    DESPICABLE DEADPOOL #297 LEG    $3.99
JAN180948    INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #598 LEG WW    $3.99
JAN180970    JESSICA JONES #18 LEG    $3.99
JAN180994    LEGION #3 (OF 5) LEG    $3.99
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JAN180953    PETER PARKER SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #302 LEG    $3.99
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JAN181046    X-MEN GOLD TP VOL 04 NEGATIVE WAR ZONE    $15.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 21, 2018

IMAGE COMICS
NOV170730    BIRTHRIGHT #30    $3.99
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DEC170698    GENIUS TP VOL 02 CARTEL (MR)    $19.99
DEC170700    GHOST STATION ZERO TP    $14.99
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DEC178236    HIT-GIRL #1 CVR G ROMITA JR (MR)    $3.99
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DEC178235    KILL OR BE KILLED #15 2ND PTG (MR)    $3.99
DEC170717    LAZARUS SOURCEBOOK #3 VASSALOVKA (MR)    $3.99
DEC170725    MAESTROS #5 (MR)    $3.99
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DEC170760    SEX CRIMINALS #22 XXX HANNAH BLUMENREICH VAR (MR)    $4.69
DEC170609    TWISTED ROMANCE #3 (OF 4) (MR)    $3.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 15, 2017

IMAGE COMICS

SEP170706    BLACK SCIENCE #33 CVR A SCALERA & DINISIO (MR)    $3.99
SEP170707    BLACK SCIENCE #33 CVR B TAN (MR)    $3.99
SEP170708    BUTCHER BAKER RIGHTEOUS MAKER TP (MR)    $17.99
SEP170717    CURSE WORDS #10 CVR A BROWNE (MR)    $3.99
SEP170718    CURSE WORDS #10 CVR B FRISON (MR)    $3.99
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JUL170791    EAST OF WEST #35    $3.99
SEP170638    EVOLUTION #1 (MR)    $3.99
SEP170725    FAMILY TRADE #2    $3.99
SEP170727    GENERATION GONE #5 (MR)    $3.99
SEP170739    HORIZON #16 (MR)    $3.99
SEP170744    INVINCIBLE #142 (MR)    $3.99
SEP170746    KILL THE MINOTAUR #6 (MR)    $3.99
SEP178184    MAESTROS #1 2ND PTG (MR)    $3.99
SEP170750    MAESTROS #2 (MR)    $3.99
SEP170751    MAGE HERO DENIED #4 (OF 15)    $3.99
AUG170702    POSTAL #24 CVR A GOODHART (MR)    $3.99
AUG178666    POSTAL #24 CVR B WITCHBLADE VAR (MR)    $3.99
SEP178185    REALM #2 2ND PTG (MR)    $3.99
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SEP170761    REALM #3 CVR B JONES & MADSEN (MR)    $3.99
SEP170659    REGRESSION TP VOL 01 WAY DOWN DEEP (MR)    $9.99
SEP170766    RETCON #3 (MR)    $3.99
AUG170715    RINGSIDE #13 (MR)    $3.99
SEP170798    WICKED & DIVINE #33 CVR A MCKELVIE & WILSON (MR)    $3.99
SEP170799    WICKED & DIVINE #33 CVR B DAUTERMAN (MR)    $3.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 18, 2017

IMAGE COMICS

AUG170607    BITCH PLANET TRIPLE FEATURE #5 (MR)    $3.99
AUG170631    CURSE WORDS #9 CVR A BROWNE (MR)    $3.99
AUG170632    CURSE WORDS #9 CVR B SEELEY (MR)    $3.99
AUG170633    CURSE WORDS #9 CVR C WALKING DEAD #6 TRIBUTE VAR (MR)    $3.99
JUL178858    CURSE WORDS #9 CVR D B&W WALKING DEAD #6 TRIBUTE VAR (MR)    $3.99
AUG170547    CUTTER TP (MR)    $16.99
AUG170641    DESCENDER #25 CVR A NGUYEN    $3.99
AUG170642    DESCENDER #25 CVR B INTERLOCKING LEMIRE & NGUYEN    $3.99
AUG170643    DESCENDER #25 CVR C WALKING DEAD #104 TRIBUTE VAR    $3.99
JUL178852    DESCENDER #25 CVR D B&W WALKING DEAD #104 TRIBUTE VAR    $3.99
AUG170653    GENERATION GONE #4 CVR A ARAUJO & OHALLORAN (MR)    $3.99
AUG170654    GENERATION GONE #4 CVR B WALKING DEAD #128 TRIBUTE VAR (MR)    $3.99
JUL178876    GENERATION GONE #4 CVR C B&W WALKING DEAD #128 TRIBUTE VAR    $3.99
AUG170655    GENIUS CARTEL #3 (OF 5) (MR)    $3.99
AUG170656    GHOST STATION ZERO #3 (OF 4) CVR A CHANKHAMMA    $3.99
AUG170657    GHOST STATION ZERO #3 (OF 4) CVR B HOELZEMANN    $3.99
JUL178875    GRRL SCOUTS MAGIC SOCKS #6 (OF 6) B&W WALKING DEAD #158 TRIB    $3.99
AUG170660    GRRL SCOUTS MAGIC SOCKS #6 (OF 6) CVR A MAHFOOD (MR)    $3.99
AUG170661    GRRL SCOUTS MAGIC SOCKS #6 (OF 6) CVR B CANETE (MR)    $3.99
AUG170662    GRRL SCOUTS MAGIC SOCKS #6 (OF 6) WALKING DEAD #158 TRIBUTE    $3.99
AUG170667    HORIZON #15 CVR A HOWARD (MR)    $3.99
AUG170668    HORIZON #15 CVR B WALKING DEAD #100 TRIBUTE VAR (MR)    $3.99
AUG170669    I HATE FAIRYLAND TP VOL 03 GOOD GIRL (MR)    $16.99
AUG170683    INVINCIBLE #141 (MR)    $2.99
AUG170684    KILL OR BE KILLED #13 (MR)    $3.99
AUG170685    KILL THE MINOTAUR #5 CVR A KETNER & BEAULIEU (MR)    $3.99
AUG170686    KILL THE MINOTAUR #5 CVR B WALKING DEAD #103 TRIBUTE VAR (MR    $3.99
MAY170634    LOW DLX HC VOL 01 (MR)    $49.99
AUG170542    MAESTROS #1 (MR)    $3.99
AUG178206    MAESTROS #1 CVR B GUERRA (MR)    $3.99
AUG170691    MAGE HERO DENIED #3 (OF 15)    $3.99
AUG170692    MAGE TP BOOK 01 HERO DISCOVERED VOL 02    $19.99
AUG170576    PLASTIC TP (MR)    $16.99
AUG178150    REALM #1 2ND PTG (MR)    $3.99
AUG170708    REALM #2 CVR A HAUN & FILARDI (MR)    $3.99
AUG170709    REALM #2 CVR B LEMIRE (MR)    $3.99
AUG170710    REALM #2 CVR C WALKING DEAD #15 TRIBUTE VAR (MR)    $3.99
JUL178853    REALM #2 CVR D B&W WALKING DEAD #15 TRIBUTE VAR (MR)    $3.99
JUL170875    SAVAGE DRAGON #227 (RES) (MR)    $3.99
AUG170730    SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER #5 (OF 5) CVR A ROBINSON (MR)    $3.99
AUG170731    SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER #5 (OF 5) CVR B OPENA (MR)    $3.99
AUG170732    SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER #5 (OF 5) CVR C VENDRELL (MR)    $3.99
JUL170903    SPAWN HELL ON EARTH TP    $17.99
AUG170738    SPY SEAL #3 CVR A TOMMASO    $3.99
AUG170739    SPY SEAL #3 CVR B WALKING DEAD #31 TRIBUTE VAR    $3.99
FEB170682    THEYRE NOT LIKE US #16 (MR)    $2.99

I Reads You Juniors July 2017 - Update #50

Support Leroy on Patreon.

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet Episode #128 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet Episode #128 in French.

From PreviewsWorld:  Marvel announced its 53rd Marvel Legacy title, Captain America #695, from the creative team of Mark Waid and Chris Samnee.

From HowardCruse:  Noted Underground Comix cartoonist Howard Cruse is writing about his experiences as a cartoonist for "Playboy" magazines.

From BleedingCool:  Bryan Hitch teases something with Justice League and Justice Society of America.

From BleedingCool:  Here is an 8-page preview of "X-Men: Grand Design" from Ed Piskor (Hip Hop Family Tree).

From ICv2:  Marvel reveals 1,000,000 BC Avengers.

From BleedingCool: In October, Image Comics will publish 30 tribute covers for "The Walking Dead."

From BleedingCool:  Mark Buckingham and Steve Rude will be the creative team of DC Comics' "Manhunter vs. Sandman," replacing the announced creative team.

From CBR:  Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larocca, the creative team behind Marvel's excellent Darth Vader comic book that began in 2015, will become the new creative time of the main Star Wars comic book, beginning in the Fall.

From BleedingCool:  Rich Johnston interviews recent Eisner Award winner, Sonny Liew.

From CBR:  As part of Marvel Comics' "Legacy" the Inhumans in the comic book series, "Royals" will get a redesign by Javier Rodriguez.

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet, Episode #127 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet, Episode #127 in French.

From MailChimp via The Comics Reporter:  IDW and French graphic novel publisher, Glenat, have joined for a venture called "Original Graphic Novel," which will produce original comic books to be published both in the U.S. and France.

From BleedingCool: Marvel Comics Bullpen legend, Flo Steinberg, died Sunday, July 23, 2017.

From BleedingCool:  David Avallone talks about bring pin-up/bondage goddess Bettie Page back to comics in Dynamite Entertainment's "Bettie Page."

From TheComicsReporter:  Another newspaper editorial cartoonist, Nick Anderson, has been fired.

SDCC:

From BleedingCool:  Veterans artists Keith Pollard and Ron Wilson win "Inkpot Awards."

From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller will write and John Romita, Jr. will draw "Superman: Year One."

From BleedingCool:  "Highlights" from Marvel boss, Joe Quesada's SDCC panel.

From BleedingCool:  There will be a Justice League/Doom Patrol Young Animal crossover comic book event.

From CBR:  The 2017 Eisner Award winners (for excellence in comics) have been announced.  Image Comics' "Saga" led with four wins.

From CBR:  Beloved Star Wars Expanded Universe character, Grand Admiral Thrawn, is getting a comic book series from Marvel Comics.

From CBR:  IDW Publishing has announced the expansion of the "Black Crown" imprint, which is overseen by former Vertigo boss, Shelley Bond, including a book drawn by Love and Rockets' Gilbert Hernandez.

From Newarama:  Grant Morrison is writing sequels to two of his biggest hits, "Batman: Arkham Asylum" and "Wonder Woman: Earth One."

From CBR:  Ed Piskor, the creator of "Hip Hop Family Tree," is producing a six-issue history of the X-Men in the miniseries, "X-Men: Grand Design."

From TheComicsReporter:  Jeff Smith ("Bone") is releasing his first picture book through Scholastic Books.

From BleedingCool:  At the IDW/Top Shelf panel, a final "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" miniseries is announced.
-----------------------------------------------------

From CBR:  Image Comics studio, Top Cow, is rebooting Cyber Force, which was one of the debut Image Comics titles in 1992.

From Vulture:  A profile of Karen Berger's new line of comic books at Dark Horse, "Berger Books."

From BleedingCool:  Award-winning cartoonist, Box Brown, will produce a new comic book based on Nickelodeon's "Rugrats" for BOOM! Studios "KaBoom!" imprint.

From BleedingCool:  Steve Skroce, the comic book artist famous for storyboarding the film, "The Matrix," has a new comic book.  He is writing and drawing "Maestros" from Image Comics.

From BleedingCool:  Former editor of DC Comics' Vertigo line, Karen Berger, is now at Dark Horse.  Her new line, Berger Books, announces its initial titles.

From BleedingCool:  DC Super Hero Girls keeps getting bigger.

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #126 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #127 in English.

From BleedingCool:  Mike Ploog will make the miniseries, "Thicker Than Blood," his final work as he moves on to retirement.

From ComicsBeat:  Jack Kirby and Stan Lee named "Disney Legends" at D23 Expo 2017.

--------------------------------
BLURB REVIEW:

Youngblood #2 (Image Comics – June 2017) by Chad Bowers and Jim Towe with Juan Manuel Rodriguez

I would like to be snarky and be cynical, but I have to admit that I am really liking this new Youngblood comic book.  Writer Chad Bowers is keeping things relatively simple, introducing new characters and reviving “classic” Youngblood characters.  I don't remember much about the original Youngblood series, but I like the way in which Bowers is bringing together the past while pushing forward with new blood.  Artist Jim Towe and colorist Juan Manuel Rodriguez are quite good on covers and splash pages, and I can see Towe's storytelling steadily improving.  Simply put, I like what Bowers and Towe are doing here and so far, I enjoy the read.

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

From BleedingCool:  Scott Sndyer talks about his DC "Metal" comics.

From ComicBookBin:  Deejay Dayton details the history of "Super-Chief" in his latest DC History column.

From RichardSala:  Go and start reading "The Bloody Cardinal 2."

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet Episode #125 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet Episode #125 in French.

From BleedingCool:  More details on Sean Murphy's "Batman: White Knight."

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet Mobile - #88

From ComicBookBin:  Deejay Dayton gives you a Silver Age history of DC Comics' "Cave Carson," who now stars in "Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye."

From ICv2:  Marvel Comics' "Legacy #1" one-shot will lead into 53 new comic book titles.

From CBR:  Stan Sakai talks about his one-shot comic book that reunited his samurai rabbit, Usagi Yojimbo, with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

From BleedingCool:  Will DC Comics make a move to return to publishing creator-owned comic books?

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet Episode #124.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet Episode #124 in French

From ComicBookBin:  Johnny Bullet Mobile #87.

---------------------------------
From BleedingCool:  Howard Chaykin responds to cover controversy.

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics and Howard Chaykin apologize and pull the planned cover art for "The Divided States of Hysteria #4."

From BleedingCool:  A tale of two covers - Black #3 and The Divided States of Hysteria #4.
---------------------------------

From GoFundMe:  Verteran comic book creator and World War II veteran Sam Glanzman is in hospice care and needs his readers' help.

From TCJ:  Sloane Leong offers a tribute to the webcomic, "Octopus Pie" (which I once reviewed for the ComicBookBin).

Review: WE STAND ON GUARD #1

WE STAND ON GUARD #1
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Brian K. Vaughan
ARTIST: Steve Skroce
COLORS: Matt Hollingsworth
LETTERS: Fonografiks
36pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (July 2015)

Rated M / Mature

We Stand on Guard is a new comic book series from writer Brian K. Vaughan and artist Steve Skroce.  Vaughan is best known for the comic book series, Saga and Y: The Last Man.  Skroce began his career as a comic book artist, drawing the late 1990s Gambit series and a four-issue story arc of Wolverine.  He found fame as the storyboard artist for the 1999 film, The Matrix.

We Stand on Guard #1 opens in Ottawa, Ontario in the year 2112.  It is a scene of domestic tranquility until the United States launches a devastating military strike against Canada.  The story moves to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories in the year 2124, where we meet Amber, who survived the 2112 strike as a child.  Hunting for food, Amber finds herself facing off against an American war machine when she is rescued by “The Two-Four.”

This Canadian resistance group is both curious and wary of Amber.  She could be a spy, or worse, a collaborator with the Americans.  The next time they face an American war machine, Amber will have to prove herself, but is she willing to do so?

I did not know what to expect from We Stand on Guard #1.  I am not a regular reader of Brian K. Vaughan's work, having only read the first 10 or 12 issues of Y: The Last Man several years ago.  I have not read Vaughan's popular and award-winning series, Saga.  I am a fan of Steve Skroce, and I read his comics whenever he produces any.

Having read the first issue, I now have high expectations for We Stand on Guard.  The concept is intriguing and plausible.  The majority, or at least a sizable minority, of the American ruling and political class seems increasingly belligerent and jingoistic when it comes to international relations.  The characters in this comic book do not play to type, and I want to get to know them.  And surprise, surprise:  we have a science fiction comic book series that has an actual Black male character.

Skroce's art and storytelling is as striking as one would expect, but the graphical storytelling is focused on drama, character, and setting rather than on bells-and-whistles and on over-rendered illustrations.  I would say that this clear storytelling is closer to Skroce's work on The Matrix storyboards than it is to the busy, detailed oriented art found in his Wolverine (1988 series) story arc, “Blood Debt,” (issues #150-153).

I am ready for the second issue of We Stand on Guard, which is in comic book shops as I write this review.  I heartily recommend that you, dear readers, find this comic book.

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.

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 1, 2015

IMAGE COMICS

APR150499    8HOUSE ARCLIGHT #1 (MR)    $2.99
MAY150459    AIRBOY #2 (MR)    $2.99
MAY150461    ATHENA IX ONE SHOT CVR A SEVY    $3.99
MAY150462    ATHENA IX ONE SHOT CVR B ROJO    $3.99
APR150573    AUTUMNLANDS TP VOL 01 TOOTH & CLAW (MR)    $9.99
APR150522    CHEW #50 (MR)    $3.50
MAY150464    CHEW SMORGASBORD ED HC VOL 02 (MR)    $100.00
MAY150465    CHEW SMORGASBORD S&N LTD ED HC VOL 02 (MR)    $150.00
MAY150468    CRIMINAL TP VOL 06 LAST OF THE INNOCENT (MR)    $14.99
APR150633    DEADLY CLASS #14 (MR)    $3.50
MAY150471    HUMANS #6 (MR)    $2.99
MAR150552    IMPALER TP TWO VOLUME SET (MR)    $19.99
MAY150472    JUPITERS CIRCLE #4 (MR)    $3.50
APR158000    JUPITERS CIRCLE #4 CVR B QUITELY CHARACTER DESIGN (MR)    $3.50
MAY150473    MINIMUM WAGE SO MANY BAD DECISIONS #3 (MR)    $3.99
MAY150474    NAILBITER #14 (MR)    $2.99
MAY150475    NO MERCY #4    $2.99
MAY150476    ODDLY NORMAL #8 CVR A FRAMPTON    $2.99
MAY150477    ODDLY NORMAL #8 CVR B SCHOENING    $2.99
APR150662    OUTCAST BY KIRKMAN & AZACETA #10 (MR)    $2.99
FEB150507    PUNKS THE COMIC CBLDF SPEC    $4.99
APR150669    SATELLITE SAM #15 (MR)    $3.50
APR158642    SONS OF THE DEVIL #1 2ND PTG (MR)    $2.99
MAY150478    SUPREME BLUE ROSE TP (MR)    $14.99
MAY150480    WE STAND ON GUARD #1 (MR)    $2.99
MAY150481    WICKED & DIVINE #12 (MR)    $3.50
MAR158209    WICKED & DIVINE #12 CVR B BROWN (MR)    $3.50
APR150619    WICKED & DIVINE TP VOL 02 FANDEMONIUM (MR)    $14.99
APR150688    ZERO #18 CVR A LOTAY & MULLER (MR)    $2.99
APR150689    ZERO #18 CVR B MULLER (MR)    $2.99

I Reads You Review: GAMBIT #1 (1999 series)

GAMBIT (1999) #1
MARVEL COMICS

WRITER: Fabian Nicieza
PENCILS: Steve Skroce
INKS: Rob Hunter
COLORS: Shannon Blanchard
LETTERS: Richard Starkings & Comicraft’s Emerson Miranda
COVERS: Steve Skroce and Rob Hunter with Liquid Graphics; Carlos Pacheco and Mezino with Richard Isanove; Adam Pollina; Brandon Peterson and Tim Townsend with Liquid Graphics; Tim Bradstreet; and Steve Skroce and Rob Hunter with DV
48pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

Gambit is a Marvel Comics superhero character best known for his association with the X-Men. His civilian identity is Remy LeBeau. Gambit was created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Jim Lee and made a brief first appearance in Uncanny X-Men Annual #14 (1990), before making a fuller appearance in Uncanny X-Men #266 (August 1990).

A mutant, Gambit possesses the ability to mentally create, control and manipulate pure kinetic energy; this is best exemplified when he “biokinetically” charges objects (such as cards) and turns them into small explosives. In addition to playing cards, his other signatures are his Bō staff, Louisiana heritage, and thick Cajun accent.

Gambit received his first ongoing comic book series in 1999. Gambit #1, cover dated February 1999, was written by Fabian Nicieza and drawn by Steve Skroce (pencils). Entitled “The Man of Steal,” this first issue finds Gambit trying to pay off some kind of debt he owes to New Son. At this point, Gambit’s payment plan to New Son pits him against Elysian Enterprises, a military research firm headed by Anwar Anubar.

Anubar is seeking the treasures of Garbha-Hsein, an ancient Chinese warlord who legends say ruled for a thousand years. The legends also say that Garbha had an extraterrestrial vessel, which he took apart and buried in his 12 tombs. After Gambit successfully obtains one of the pieces, Anubar brings in The X-Cutioner, killer of bad mutants, to deal with Gambit. Also, we see into Gambit’s past and the X-Men (including Wolverine, Storm, Nightcrawler, Kitty Pryde, and Rogue) guest star.

With a cover date of February 1999, Gambit #1 probably arrived in comic book stores in December 1998 (or a little earlier). That was just about four months before the film, The Matrix, debuted in theatres. I imagine that not many people who picked up Gambit #1 when it was first released knew that series artist, Steve Skroce, had drawn the storyboards for The Matrix. Apparently, it was Skroce’s storyboards that helped executives at Warner Bros. understand the screenplay for The Matrix, written by directors Andy and Larry Wachowski and thus, approve its production.

Here, the art team of Skroce and inker Rob Hunter does not work. Skroce’s busy and crowded compositions turn into a murky mess under Hunter’s inks, and the clumsy coloring and color separations don’t help. This is not the polished post-Matrix Skroce that would emerge in a short run on Wolverine and at the Wachowski comic book company, Burlyman. As for the story, Fabian Nicieza wrote an action movie screenplay, with a wooden plot and a cast of wooden characters (plus a pointless origin sequence).

I remember reading this Gambit series for at least a year. [Gambit would get a second series in 2004 and another, which just launched as of this writing]. I was not a fan of Nicieza, at the time. Perhaps, I bought this comic book because of Skroce; for most of the 1990s, I only bought comics drawn by artists I liked. Whatever the reason, I wish I could get back the money I paid for these Gambit comic books.

C-