#IReadsYou Review: POWER MAN AND IRON FIST #1

POWER MAN AND IRON FIST No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: David Walker
ARTIST: Sanford Greene
COLORS: Lee Loughridge
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: Sanford Greene
VARIANT COVERS: Kalman Andrasofszky; John Tyler Christopher; Sanford Greene; Theotis Jones; Chris Visions; Trevor Von Eeden with Rachelle Rosenberg; Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (April 2016)

Rated T+

“The Boys are Back”

Luke Cage, also known as “Power Man,” is a Marvel Comics superhero.  He was created by writer Archie Goodwin and artist John Romita, Sr., and first appeared in Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1 (cover dated: June 1972).  Cage was imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, but he eventually gains superpowers in the form of durability, unbreakable skin, and superhuman strength.

Iron Fist/Daniel “Danny” Rand is a Marvel Comics superhero.  The character was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Gil Kane, and first appeared in Marvel Premiere #15 (cover dated: May 1974).  An orphan and martial artist, Danny earned the power of a mystical force called the Iron Fist in the also mystical city of K'un Lun.

Both characters have starred in their own comic books series, but Luke Cage and Iron Fist have also been a duo and a team called Heroes for Hire.  There was also a long-running comic book series entitled Power Man and Iron Fist.  Thanks to the All-New, All-Different Marvel, Power Man and Iron Fist the comic book is back.  It is written by David Walker; drawn by Sanford Greene; colored by Lee Loughridge; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.

Power Man and Iron Fist #1 (“The Boys are Back”) opens with Luke and Danny on their way to meet Jennie Royce.  The former office manager of Heroes for Hire, Jennie has finished serving a prison sentence for murdering her abusive ex-boyfriend, Eugene Mason.  Jennie asks Luke and Danny to retrieve a family heirloom currently in the possession of a criminal, Lonnie Lincoln a.k.a. “Tombstone.”  Luke is adamant that he is not re-teaming with Danny Rand and that this mission to retrieve Jennie's heirloom is just a favor for a friend-who-is-like-family in need.  But, of course, it is not the easy.

One look at Sanford Greene's cover art for this new Power Man and Iron Fist #1, I knew that I would not like what was behind the cover.  I was wrong.  I really liked this first issue, and I am genuinely suspicious or ambivalent about first issues.

David Walker's story and script is off-beat in a way that makes this comic book stand out from the Marvel pack, in a way that Matt Fraction and David Aja's Hawkeye did.  Sanford Greene's visual language for this comic book balances superhero action against an edgy kind of street-comedy and gritty drama that pushes back on easy classification.

I like this comic book, and I look forward to future issues.  Besides, David Walker and Sanford Greene are the Black/African-American creative team I have been demanding, so I gots to keep it real and read this comic book for several issues, at least.  So far, it looks like their work will help to choke the Jim Crow out of the American comic book industry

A-
7.5 out of 10

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


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

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I Reads You Juniors June 2020 - Update #88

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JUNE 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for June 2020
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for June 2020
From TheBeat:  Archie Comics for June 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for June 2020 [REVISED]
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for June 2020
From ComicsBookCase:  DC Comics for June 2020
From Dynamite:  Dynamite Entertainment for June 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for June 2020
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for June 2020
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for June 2020 [REVISED]
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for June 2020 [REVISED]
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for June 2020 [REVISED]
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Source Point Press for June 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for June 2020
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for June 2020
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for June 2020 [REVISED]

JULY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for July 2020
From ComicsPit:  BOOM Studios! for July 2020
From Comicon:  DC Comics for July 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for July 2020
From ComicsPit:  IDW Publishing for July 2020
From CBR:  Image Comics for July/August 2020
From Scout:  Scout Comics for July 2020
From AllComics:  VIZ Media for July 2020
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for July 2020

AUGUST 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  AWA for August 2020
From CBR:  DC Comics for August 2020
From FirstComicsNews:  IDW Publishing for August 2020
From Seibertron:  IDW Publishing's "Transformers" solicitations for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for August 2020
From CBR:  Marvel Comics for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  PS Artbooks for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for August 2020

SEPTEMBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for September 2020


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I Reads You Juniors March 2019 - Update #89

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From TheNewYorker: Françoise Mouly and Genevieve Bormes have "A Conversation with Jaime Hernandez About His New Graphic Novel" (entitled "Is This How You See Me?).

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From VIZ:  The VIZMedia webpage dedicated to "VIZ Originals."
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From SlashFilm:  Marvel Studios is producing a TV series based on its "What If" comic book series for the streaming service, Disney+.

From HuffPost:  "Captain Marvel" may have sneakily introduced a new black female superhero.

From YahooEntertainment:  "Captain Marvel" and her historic worldwide box office debut conquers the trolls.

From BleedingCool:  "Marvel's Illustrator's Sketchbook" coming in October 2019.

From Newsarama:  The "Avengers Start Here Sampler 2019" is a free comic book that will appear ahead of "Avengers: Endgame."

From Newsarama:  Animation writer Amy Wolfram will be writing new DC Super Hero Girls.

From CBR:  Seth McFarlane's Fox TV series, "The Orville," will have a comic book adaptation.

From CBB:  Webcomics Spit episode #2 in English
From CBB:  Webcomics Spit episode #2 in French

From THR:  How "Captain Marvel" comic book writer, Kelly Sue DeConnick, revamped the hero.

From ComicBookBin:  Herve St. Louis reviews the "Captain Marvel" movie for CBB.

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From THR:  Andy Serkis has reportedly joined Fox's film adaptation of the comic book, "Mouse Guard."

From Variety: Disney CEO Bob Iger says that the Disney/Fox merger is closing soon.

From Newsarama:  Actress Adrienne Barbeau who appeared as Abigail Barbeau in the 1982 film version of "Swamp Thing."  She says that she will appear in DC Universe's streaming "Swamp Thing" in a role she did not disclose.

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From DeseretNews:  7 things you definitely didn’t know about Captain Marvel's back story from the Marvel comic books.

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From Deadline:  Actor Ernie Hudson ("Ghostbusters") will appear in The CW's "Arrow" in guest role this season.

From Newsarama:  DC Comics is apparently going to relaunch/reboot its "Green Arrow" comic book and make it a bigger part of its DC Universe (DCU).

From Newsarama:  Mike Deodato, Jr. recently announced that he will be leaving Marvel in the near future.  His first non-Marvel project will be "Berserker Unbound," a creator-owned comic book from Dark Horse Comics that will be written by Jeff Lemire.

From BleedingCool:  Some of IDW Media's investors want the company put up for sale.

From GoFundMe:  There is a campaign to help the ailing and acclaimed cartoonist, Gahan Wilson, who is apparently suffering from dementia.

From ANN:  Shueisha's "Weekly Shonen Jump" magazine will be the home of a new manga from creator, Hiroshi Shiibashi ("Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan").  The manga, titled Kamio Yui wa Kimi wo Yui (Yui Kamio Does Hairdressing), will debut in the March 11th, 2019 issue of the magazine.

From Crunchyroll:  With the debut of its 92nd tankobon (graphic novel) volume, One Piece has 450 million copies printed worldwide.

From Comichron:  January 2019 comic book sales to comic book shops, according to Diamond Comic Distributors.

From BleedingCool:  Is Bryan Hitch drawing a "Batman" comic book that Warren Ellis is writing?

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics will publish "The Art of Jim Lee" hardcover book for Christmas 2019.

From Newsarama:  Mike Deodato says that is will leave Marvel Comics, for whom he has worked for 24 years, to pursue creator-owned comic books.

From TCJ:   Alex Dueben of "The Comics Journal" interviews longtime comic book creator, Joe Giella, best known for inking a number of Silver Age artist luminaries.

From Nerdist:  The new Manga Art Hotel is a capsule hotel in Tokyo with over 5,000 manga shelved floor-to-ceiling for its lucky guests to read all night long.

From GayStarNews:  The Dutch version of the Donald Duck comic books will feature its first lesbian character, thanks to the campaigning of a 10-year-old-girl.

From ComicBook:  Len Wiseman shares first footage from his "Swamp Thing" series for DC Universe.

From ANN: Titan Comics announced last week that it will release Eldo Yoshimizu's "Ryuko" manga as the first Japanese title in its "Hard Case Crime" line.

From BleedingCool:  "We’re Now In A Period Of Change" – former DC Comics VP, Bob Wayne Explains the Rules in ComicsPRO Keynote Address

From BleedingCool:  Who’s to Blame For Falling Comics Sales? And What’s to be Done? Brian Hibbs at ComicsPRO

From BleedingCool:  Trevor Von Eeden, veteran comic book artist and co-creator of DC Comics' Black Lightning, says that the U.S. Secret Service visited him over posts he wrote about President Trump and Vice-President Pence.

------------------------------------------------
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics to host a panel at this year's SXSW conference in Austin Texas (March 8 to March 17, 2019).

From BleedingCool:  Joe Quesada and Marvel Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski may really need to be at SXSW to pump up Marvel Comics.
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From YahooMovieUK:   The DC Extended Universe or DCEU is over because of the success of the "Wonder Woman" movie says Warner Bros’ chief Kevin Tsujihara

From Newsarama:  DC Comics co-publisher, Dan DiDio, says that DC is "rethinking" its collected editions (trade paperbacks, hardbacks, archives, etc.) due to a perceived glut of product on the market.


MARCH 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama: 01 First Second for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Adhouse Books for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Alterna Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Avatar Press for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Avery Hill for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for March 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  Cave Pictures Publishing for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Devil's Due/1First Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertaiment for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  First Second for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Graphix for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Humanoids for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Impact Theory for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Force for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama: Oni Press for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Rebellion for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for March 2019

APRIL 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  All publishers' solicitations link in one place.
From Newsarama:  01 First Second for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Albatross Funnybooks for April 2019
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Aftershock Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Amigo Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Alterna Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for April 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Caliber Press for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Cave Pictures Publishing for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Drawn & Quarterly for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Heavy Metal for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Hero Tomorrow for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Humanoids for April 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Joe Books for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Keenspot for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for April 2019
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for April 2019
From Newsarama: Yen Press for April 2019

MAY 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:   All publishers' solicitations link in one place.
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Alterna Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for May 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for May 2019
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for May 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for May 2019
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Kevin Eastman Studios for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Rebellion/2000 AD for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for May 2019
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Yen Press for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Zenescope Entertainment for May 2019

JUNE 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for June 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Hero Tomorrow for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for June 2019


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

Review: Genndy Tartakovsky's CAGE! #1

CAGE! No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Genndy Tartakovsky
PENCILS: Genndy Tartakovsky
INKS: Stephen DeStefano
COLORS: Scott Wills
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: Genndy Tartakovsky
VARIANT COVERS: Marco D'Alfonso; Damian Scott; Trevor Von Eeden
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2016)

Rated T+

Luck Cage created by Archie Goodwin and John Romita, Sr.

Luke Cage, also known as “Power Man,” is a Marvel Comics superhero.  He was created by writer Archie Goodwin and artist John Romita, Sr., and first appeared in Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1 (cover dated: June 1972).  Cage was imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, but he eventually gained superpowers in the form of durability, unbreakable skin, and superhuman strength.

As Power Man, Cage has been most associated with another superhero, his partner, Iron Fist (Daniel “Danny” Rand).  However, Cage has also been a solo act (as has Iron Fist).  As part Marvel Comics' latest publishing event/initiative, NOW!, we have the new four-issue comic book miniseries, Cage!  It is written by Genndy Tartakovsky; drawn by Tartakovsky (pencils) and Stephen DeStefano (inks); colored by Scott Wills; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.

And yes, this is that Genndy Tartakovsky.  The creator of Cartoon Network animated classics, “Dexter's Laboratory” (also “Dexter's Lab”) and “Samurai Jack,” has worked in comic books on occasion.  [Let's not forget the hit 3D animation franchise Tartakovsky created for Sony Pictures Animation, Hotel Transylvania.]  Now, Tartakovsky returns with his distinctive take on Luke Cage-Power Man, giving this new comic book a 1970s pop culture and blaxploitation vibe.

Cage #1 opens in New York City, 1977.  After kicking some silly villain ass, Cage heads to Chinatown for a rendezvous with his lady, Misty Knight.  When she doesn't show, Cage heads out to find some answers.  What he discovers is that all the heroes around town are disappearing.

I don't take Cage #1 seriously in terms of Marvel continuity (as it is an event or “special” series), but I take it quite seriously in terms of being a fun read.  I won't call Cage! a parody, which to some measure it is.  It may spoof or send-up Marvel's 1970s comics and the blaxploitation films of that decade, but I think that Cage! is probably a love letter to a genre or style of storytelling.

One of the recurring characters on “Dexter's Laboratory” is “Action Hank.”  He is the stereotypical blaxploitation character as a heroic crime fighter and a television action hero, but Hank has characteristics that borrow from popular 1970s and 80s action heroes like Shaft and Rambo and iconic actors like Chuck Norris and Mr. T.  Genndy's Luke Cage reminds me of Action Hank.

In the end, Cage! is probably Tartakovsky's opportunity to do a comic book in particular way that he has wanted to do for a long time (probably since he was a youngster), without having to commit long term and interfering with his film and television work.  The questions is how many readers will care – not who cares.  It is obvious that quite a few readers will care for various reasons, from their love of Luke Cage to their admiration of Genndy Tartakovsky.  Will enough, however, care, which would make this entire miniseries a big hit?  I hope many of you do care about Cage!

A-

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


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

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

Review: MOON GIRL AND DEVIL DINOSAUR #1

MOON GIRL AND DEVIL DINOSAUR No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review originally appeared on Patreon.]

WRITERS: Brandon Montclare and Amy Reeder
ARTIST: Natacha Bustos
COLORS: Tamra Bonvillain
LETTERS: VC's Travis Lanham
COVER: Amy Reeder
VARIANT COVERS: Trevor Von Eeden; Jeffrey Veregge (Hip Hop variant)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2016)

BFF Part 1: “Repeat After Me”

Devil Dinosaur is a Marvel Comics character that first appeared in Devil Dinosaur #1 (cover dated: April 1978).  Created by writer-artist Jack Kirby, Devil Dinosaur is a red Tyrannosaurus Rex, turned red by mutation.  He has a friend and partner, the ape-like Moon Boy, and they live on “Dinosaur World,” a parallel Earth where dinosaurs and primitive humanoid beings live at the same time.

With the launch of the “All-New, All-Different Marvel,” Devil Dinosaur returns in a new comic book series, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.  The series is written by Brandon Montclare and Amy Reeder; drawn by Natacha Bustos; colored by Tamra Bonvillain, and lettered by Travis Lanham.

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur #1 (“Repeat After Me”) opens in Lower East Side, Manhattan, New York City.  We meet Lunella Lafayette, girl of science.  Little else in life, but for the scientific, interests her, and we are talking far-off, theoretical, and super-science.  Then, she discovers a glowing stone or orb of some kind.  Meanwhile, in “The Valley of Flame,” events are occurring that will bring new creatures, including a big red dinosaur into Lunella's life.

After only reading one issue of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, I can say with confidence that it is one of the best kids' comics that Marvel Comics has published in a long time.  It is an accessible comic book for kids ages 8 to 12 ('tweens?), but I think that some readers younger than that age group can access this wonderful comic book.

I recently complained that first issues of comic books (especially of ongoing series) tend to be vague, at best a taste of what the series will offer rather than being an actual first chapter of a story arc.  Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur #1 is an actual first chapter.  Writers Brandon Montclare and Amy Reeder give readers a good glimpse into Lunella Lafayette (“Moon Girl”), who she is, what she wants, her obstacles and conflicts, etc.  They also provide a solid look at the world from which Devil Dinosaur originates, at least enough to make the reader more curious about the Valley of Flame.

The art by Natacha Bustos is the kind of drawing style one might find in alternative and small press comics and also in graphic novels published by book publishers like Scholastic and First Second Books.  It is clean and recalls classic comic book art of the late 1950s and 1960s.  This allows the graphical storytelling to be clear, but also energetic and rife with possibility.  There is a sense of wonder, of mystery, of the unknown in Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur that modern superhero comic books mostly lack.

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur #1 is a break-out first issue, and I can't wait for the second issue.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

The New 52 Review: BLACKHAWKS #1

"Not your grandfather's or father's Blackhawks"

BLACKHAWKS #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Mike Costa
LAYOUTS: Graham Nolan
FINISHES: Ken Lashley
COLORS: Guy Major
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVERS: Ken Lashley
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

The Blackhawks debuted in Military Comics #1 (cover date August 1941), published by Quality Comics. The Blackhawk Squadron, usually called the Blackhawks, were a small team of World War II-era ace pilots of varied nationalities, who were led by an American named Blackhawk (his nationality and ethnicity changed over the years).

The Blackhawks’ long-running comic book series was known as Blackhawk, both in Military Comics (eventually Modern Comics) and, later, a self-titled series. Blackhawk was created by Will Eisner, Chuck Cuidera, and Bob Powell, although Reed Crandall is the artist most associated with the series. Future Justice League of America artist, Dick Dillin, drew the series for 18 years. In 1987, Howard Chaykin of American Flagg! fame revamped the series in the three-issue, prestige format comic book, Blackhawk.

With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” the Blackhawks are reborn. However, the new series apparently will have no connection to the previous incarnations and also will share the post-Flashpoint, rebooted DC Universe continuity.

Blackhawks #1 opens in Ayaguz, Kazakhstan with the Blackhawks on a rescue mission and doing a takedown of hostage takers. The operation goes well, but not without a hitch. Kunoichi has a big problem that starts out small, and the Blackhawks’ cover is blown.

If you are a fan of everything Blackhawk before Chaykin’s miniseries, you will need to accept that this new Blackhawks is exactly that – something new. Even if you accepted the changes Chaykin made, you will still have to make another leap of faith. Other than the logo, this is, for all intents and purposes, something called Blackhawks that is not the Blackhawk that debuted in 1941. That said…

This is neither really good nor deplorably bad. At least to me, Blackhawks is essentially a comic book about special ops on steroids with elements of military science fiction and superheroes mixed into the concept. Writer Mike Costa brings his script together nicely. Readers will have questions, like who are these characters; what are they about, what do they want; and who are their adversaries, among others? Still, what is in the first issue is easy to understand.

The art by Ken Lashley, from layouts by Graham Nolan, looks like a scratchy version of Trevor Von Eeden’s art on the 1980s cult series, Thriller. Lashley’s is not a pretty style, but it grew on me.

Will I try this comic book again? Yes, I’m curious, but I also hope it gets better.

B-

September 28th
AQUAMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/aquaman-1.html
BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/batman-dark-knight-1.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/justice-league-dark-1.html

Leroy Douresseaux on THE ORIGINAL JOHNSON Book Two

THE ORIGINAL JOHNSON BOOK TWO

IDW

 

CARTOONIST: Trevor Von Eeden

ADDITIONAL INKS: Don Hillsman II
COLORS: George Freeman, Glenn Hauman
LETTERS: Marc Alan Fishman
AFTERWORD/EDITOR: Mike Gold
ISBN: 978-1-60010-664-4; paperback
136pp, Color, $19.99 US

The Original Johnson was first published as a webcomic at the site Comicmix.com. Written and drawn by Trevor Von Eeden, a comics veteran of over three decades, The Original Johnson is a comic book biography about John Arthur “Jack” Johnson (1878-1946). An American boxer, Jack Johnson was the first Black man to win the “World Heavyweight” boxing championship, a title he won in 1908 and held until 1915.

IDW recently published the second of two trade editions collecting Von Eeden’s 240-page graphic novel. The Original Johnson Book Two can be described as the education, maturation, triumph, and fall of a great boxer and of a greater man. Early in Book Two, Jack reaches the turning point in his career that takes him to the next level as a true professional boxer. He faces his first opponent who, rather than rely on brute force, has developed a science and system to boxing, Joe Choynski. Book Two also details Jack’s complicated relationship with women and his reasons for preferring white women as his mates. The story recounts his triumph as world champion and also makes a case for why he chose to lose the world title in 1915.

I found that The Original Johnson Book One presented Jack Johnson’s life (from the age of 13 to 22) as being like a coming-of-age story about a young superhero – a kind of Black Superboy/Superman. Book Two is more a straight biography, but it is also an essay and treatise on racism, both national and internationally, against Black people.

With his pencil art, Von Eeden captures the physicality and musculature of Jack Johnson. With his inking, he depicts power and dynamism that marries Burne Hogarth’s love of anatomy and the intensity of Michelangelo’s David. At times, Von Eeden turns Jack Johnson’s figure into a blunt instrument to batter his bigoted opponents and the virulently racist spectators at boxing matches. At other times, Von Eeden transforms Johnson and his perfect physique into a precision machine, undulating waves of ecstasy into the white women he frequently beds (Mandingo!).

Much of Book Two is both philosophical and even informative about the racism African-Americans and Black people faced in the United States and abroad in Johnson’s time. The reason for the hate was because many people who did not have black skin refused to see Black people as anything other than less than white people. Black people were subservient half-citizens who were often beasts of burdens. Not only does Von Eeden present the story of Jack Johnson the boxer, but he also uses Jack Johnson as a fictional paladin through which Von Eeden boxes against racism.

The over-arching theme of The Original Johnson is that of taking freedom no matter what others may say or do. That permeates Trevor Von Eeden’s comic book. This is the work of a free man unafraid to speak his mind and to present his work as he sees it. The graphical style, the design, the formats, the compositional qualities, the storytelling feel as if these are all Von Eeden’s choices, made free of other’s prejudices and expectations.

The Original Johnson doesn’t read as if it followed the rules for comic book writing that fans and critics think Alan Moore established in Watchmen. Nor does the art slavishly ape Jim Lee or some photorealist. Jack Johnson was a man, and Trevor Von Eeden is man enough to tell his story the way he wants. Johnson and Von Eeden did it their way, and the result of each man’s effort is greatness.

A+

http://www.trevorvoneeden.com/
http://www.comicmix.com/

Leroy Douresseaux on THE ORIGINAL JOHNSON Book One

THE ORIGINAL JOHNSON BOOK ONE

IDW

 

CARTOONIST: Trevor Von Eeden

ADDITIONAL INKS: Don Hillsman II
COLORS: George Freeman
LETTERS: John Workman, Marc Fishman, Glenn Hauman, and Carrie Wright
EDITOR/INTRODUCTION: Mike Gold
ISBN: 978-1600106385; paperback
128pp, Color, $19.99 US

Boxing aficionados know the name John Arthur “Jack” Johnson (1878-1946). Jack Johnson was an American boxer, and he was the first Black man to be the “World Heavyweight” champion, a title he won in 1908 and held until 1915.

Others may be familiar with Jack Johnson through Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson, which was Ken Burns’ Emmy-winning, 2005 PBS documentary about Johnson. The documentary was based upon the 2004 book by Geoffrey C. Ward of the same title. Some readers may have even seen the 1970 film, The Great White Hope, starring James Earl Jones, which was a fictional account of Johnson’s life.

The Original Johnson is a webcomic originally published by the website, Comicmix. Written and drawn by longtime comics veteran, Trevor Von Eeden, The Original Johnson is a biographical graphic novel about the life of Jack Johnson.

IDW has published Von Eeden’s 240-page graphic novel, The Original Johnson, in two paperback volumes. The Original Johnson Book One depicts Johnson’s life, mostly from the age of 13 to 22. Von Eeden portrays Johnson’s early encounters with physical violence, his teenage wanderlust, his introduction to boxing, and the virulent racism he saw and experienced during his travels, particularly in and around his hometown of Galveston, Texas during the late 19th century.

Von Eeden’s narrative, at least the first half, is not just about Johnson’s life. The Original Johnson, Book One juxtaposes the young Jack Johnson’s struggle to define himself as a man of accomplishment with the desire of white racists to destroy any sense of accomplishment on the part of black people. Von Eeden presents Johnson’s youth as metaphor for a black awakening to the possibilities of what being strong and independent could bring black folk.

Von Eeden makes The Original Johnson more than just a straight biography or historical document about racism. A veteran of superhero comics, Von Eeden presents Johnson’s journey and the setting in which that journey takes place as a heroic epic, so he uses the visual language and graphic cues of superhero comic books. He combines the compositional raw power and majestic figure drawing of Jack Kirby with the enthusiastic page design of Neal Adams. In that way, Von Eeden can emphasize passion, emotion, and symbolism. In this way, he can also draw the reader into the narrative by presenting the elements he wants to emphasize in visual appealing ways.

That is the one thing that I can say for certain at this halfway point in The Original Johnson: for all the ways that Von Eeden tells this story, he presents this in a comic book language that is familiar to readers. This is a good and interesting way to introduce a historical figure, especially someone like Jack Johnson, a transformative figure in American history. This is a superhero story about a man who, in hindsight, was a hero to many.

A-

http://www.trevorvoneeden.com/
http://www.comicmix.com/