The New 52 Review: SWAMP THING #1

SWAMP THING #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Scott Snyder
ARTIST: Yanick Paquette
COLORS: Nathan Fairbairn
LETTERS: John J. Hill
32pp, Color, $2.99

Swamp Thing is a horror comic book character from DC Comics. The character is a plant elemental and a sentient, walking mass of plant matter. Created by writer Len Wein and artist Berni Wrightson, Swamp Thing first appeared in House of Secrets #92 (cover dated July 1971).

The best known version is Alec Holland (Swamp Thing #1, October/November 1972), a scientist who becomes Swamp Thing due to a complex process involving his death, a “bio-restorative formula,” and a bomb. British comic book writer Alan Moore came to fame in the United States when he began writing Saga of the Swamp Thing with issue #20 (January 1984) and re-invented the character with issue #21. As part of DC Comics’ re-launch of its superhero comics line, “The New 52,” Swamp Thing is back.

Swamp Thing #1 (“Raise Dem Bones”) finds Dr. Alec Holland alive. He has stopped working as a botanist in favor of working in construction. Holland is no longer Swamp Thing, but has all the memories of being the legendary plant elemental. The plant world, both natural and paranormal, has not forgotten him, however. Something is wrong, and even Superman is calling on Dr. Holland, because something dark is coming.

Even with its exciting last act and the shocking splash page that ends it, Swamp Thing #1 is interesting, but is mostly setup. It seems as if this is going to be a good series, but let us not kid ourselves. Scott Snyder is not Alan Moore, and Yanick Paquette, as good an artist as he is, will not create the eerie graphic magic that artists Steve Bissette and John Totleben did with Moore. For those who grew up reading the Moore/Bissette/Totleben Swamp Thing, everything besides the Wein/Wrightson Swamp Thing is sadly inferior.

Still, this new Swamp Thing could be good.

B


August 31st
FLASHPOINT #5
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/flashpoint-5.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/justice-league-1.html

September 7th
ACTION COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/action-comics-1.html
ANIMAL MAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/animal-man-1.html
BATGIRL #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batgirl-1.html
BATWING #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batwing-1.html
DETECTIVE COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/detective-comics-1-2011.html
HAWK AND DOVE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/hawk-dove-1.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/justice-league-international-1.html
MEN OF WAR #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/men-of-war-1.html
STATIC SHOCK #1 2.99
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/static-shock-1.html
STORMWATCH #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/stormwatch-1.html

The New 52 Review: ANIMAL MAN #1

ANIMAL MAN #1
DC COMICS

STORY: Jeff Lemire
PENCILS: Travel Foreman
INKS: Travel Foreman, Dan Green
COLORS: Lovern Kindzierski
LETTERS: Jared K. Fletcher
COVER: Travel Foreman with Lovern Kindzierski
32pp, Color, $2.99

Animal Man is a DC Comics superhero character. Created by writer Dave Wood and artist Carmine Infantino, Bernhard “Buddy” Baker had the power to borrow the abilities of animals (like a bird’s ability to fly). Baker first appeared in Strange Adventures #180 (cover dated September 1965), and first appeared as Animal Man in Strange Adventures #190.

Animal Man starred in a comic book that ran for 89 issues from 1988 to 1995. The best known lot of that series was a 26-issue run written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Chas Truog. With DC Comics’ revamp of its superhero comics line, “The New 52,” Animal Man once again has his own comic book series, this written by Jeff Lemire and penciled by Travel Foreman.

As Animal Man #1 begins (The Hunt, Part One: “Warning from the Red”), Buddy is reading an interview he gave to a newspaper. He believes that his being an actor and also an animal rights activist and spokesman has been part of the natural progression of his life. Buddy is starting to miss being a superhero when he gets a chance to save the day in a horrible hostage situation. Being Animal Man again, however, leads to a strange situation with his daughter, a trip into The Red, and a meeting with his new adversaries.

I am an admirer of cartoonist Jeff Lemire’s work, in particular the Essex County Trilogy. Still, I had my doubts about him writing a superhero comic book, which Lemire blasted to bits. This new Animal Man is off to an exceptionally good start, mostly because it is so different. In the tradition of past Animal Man writers: Morrison, Peter Milligan, Tom Veitch, and Jamie Delano, Lemire uses the uniqueness of Animal Man’s power to explore themes and ideas not often explored in comic books (if at all).

I don’t want to spoil the goodness for you, dear readers, but Lemire borrows “the Red,” created by Jamie Delano during his Animal Man tenure. As off-the-wall as this comic book seems during its first half, the second half just blew up in my face. You can watch Lemire and Foreman coming together as a creative force with a unique vision and with a distinctive voice with which to proclaim that vision. I can’t wait for the second issue.

Artist Travel Foreman – I mean this honestly – is just taking superhero comics to someplace different. This is evident in the way Foreman executes a graphic narrative and in the way he designs and composes the art for a superhero comic book. Yes, I can’t wait for the second issue.

Note to self: stop babbling; just enjoy.

A

August 31st
FLASHPOINT #5
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/flashpoint-5.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/justice-league-1.html

September 7th
ACTION COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/action-comics-1.html
BATGIRL #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batgirl-1.html
BATWING #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batwing-1.html
DETECTIVE COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/detective-comics-1-2011.html
HAWK AND DOVE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/hawk-dove-1.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/justice-league-international-1.html
MEN OF WAR #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/men-of-war-1.html
STATIC SHOCK #1 2.99
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/static-shock-1.html
STORMWATCH #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/stormwatch-1.html

The New 52 Review: STATIC SHOCK #1

STATIC SHOCK #1
DC COMICS

WRITERS: Scott McDaniel and John Rozum
PENCILS: Scott McDaniel
INKS: Jonathan Glapion and LeBeau Underwood
COLORS: Guy Major
LETTERS: Dezi Sienty
COVER: Scott McDaniel with Guy Major
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

Static is an African-American teen superhero from Milestone, the comic book imprint of Milestone Media. Static is perhaps most widely known as the protagonist of the animated television series Static Shock (2000-04).

Milestone emphasized minority characters, both as superheroes and super villains, as well as supporting characters in comic books. Milestone characters have been folded in the DC Universe proper. With “The New 52,” the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, Static is back in a new comic book, Static Shock.

Static/Virgil Ovid Hawkins and his family moved from Dakota City to New York City, as the Milestone Media characters move into the DC Universe. Virgil’s new after school job is at S.T.A.R. Labs, and Hardware is his mentor/benefactor. As Static Shock #1 opens, trouble is brewing at S.T.A.R. in the shape of an inept bad guy named Sunspot. Taking on Sunspot, however, puts Static right in the crosshairs of the Slate Gang.

For readers to fully enjoy the new Static Shock, they will need to be somewhat familiar with the Milestone Comics universe. Otherwise, this is a comic book for ‘tweens, as it remains evident that the template for Static is Spider-Man. The drama and conflict are not particularly intense, and I doubt readers used to the dark, modern superhero melodramas, with their often mature subject matter and sometimes gritty violence, will find enough vinegar in this story to hold their interest.

Static Shock #1 is moderately well-written and the art is good (except for the characters’ faces). There are enough seeds of future intrigue planted here to bring interested readers back – like me

B

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

August 31st
FLASHPOINT #5
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/flashpoint-5.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/justice-league-1.html

September 7th
ACTION COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/action-comics-1.html
BATGIRL #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batgirl-1.html
BATWING #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batwing-1.html
DETECTIVE COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/detective-comics-1-2011.html
HAWK AND DOVE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/hawk-dove-1.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/justice-league-international-1.html
MEN OF WAR #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/men-of-war-1.html
STORMWATCH #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/stormwatch-1.html

The New 52 Review: BATGIRL #1

BATGIRL #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Gail Simone
PENCILS: Ardian Syaf
INKS: Vicente Cifuentes
COLORS: Ulises Arreola
LETTERS: Dave Sharpe
COVER: Adam Hughes
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

There have been several incarnations of the character Batgirl, but the best known and most popular is Barbara Gordon as Batgirl. Gordon, the daughter of Gotham City Police Commissioner James Gordon, first appeared in 1966, introduced in Detective Comics #359 (entitled “The Million Dollar Debut of Batgirl”), in a story written by Gardner Fox and drawn by Carmine Infantino.

Batgirl #1 (“Shattered”) returns Barbara Gordon as Batgirl, but after being paralyzed and in a wheelchair for a time, Barbara is struggling to adjust to being on her feet again. How tough? She discovers that physically she is just a touch slow when she faces the Brisby Killers. It is the villain Mirror, however, who will be her toughest challenge.

I have not read much by writer Gail Simone, but what I have read I’ve enjoyed. Her lively characters are easy to like, and her sparkling dialogue makes even the slow scenes perk up. The most surprising thing that Simone does here is how much she delves into Barbara Gordon’s struggle to be Batgirl-walking-again.

Also, the pencil art by Ardian Syaf is so pretty, with its details and textures brought out by intricate line work, which the inks by Vicente Cifuentes lovingly highlight. Syaf’s storytelling is solidly built on his drawing skills, and he and Simone make an excellent creative team. I’m going to keep reading, and you should to because I’m highly recommending Batgirl.

A-

August 31st
FLASHPOINT #5
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/flashpoint-5.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/justice-league-1.html

September 7th
ACTION COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/action-comics-1.html
BATWING #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batwing-1.html
DETECTIVE COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/detective-comics-1-2011.html
HAWK AND DOVE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/hawk-dove-1.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/justice-league-international-1.html
MEN OF WAR #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/men-of-war-1.html
STORMWATCH #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/stormwatch-1.html

One Piece: The Name of This Era is "Whitebeard"

I read One Piece, Vol. 58

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.

The New 52 Review: MEN OF WAR #1

MEN OF WAR #1
DC COMICS

"Joseph Rock"
WRITER: Ivan Brandon
ARTIST: Tom Derenick
COLORS: Matt Wilson
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVER: Viktor Kalvachev
40pp, Color, $3.99

"Navy SEALs"
WRITER: Jonathan Vankin
ARTIST: Phil Winslade
COLORS: Thomas Chu
LETTERS: Rob Leigh

Men of War was a DC Comics war comic book series during the late 1970s, and there was also an All-American Men of War published from 1954 to 1963. Men of War is reborn with “The New 52,” DC Comics’ re-launch and modernization of its superhero comics line.

Men of War #1 (“Joseph Rock”) introduces Joseph Rock of the United States Army. Joseph is the grandson of Frank Rock, better known as Sgt. Rock. This issue describes the secret mission in which Joe becomes the new Sgt. Rock.

This issue has a backup feature, an adventure of the Navy SEALs in a three-part story entitled “Human Shields.” It finds four SEALs: Ice, Tracker, Litzau, and Reno investigating a school building in an unnamed Middle Eastern country. The building, however, is no school, but it does hold a H.V.T. (High Value Target). But this target proves difficult for the SEALs to acquire as the mission “goes south.”

Once a staple of DC Comics’ publishing schedule, war comics were mostly gone by the 1980s. Since then, they have appeared on occasion (thanks to creators like Garth Ennis). From what I gather, this new Men of War will be a part of the superhero line. To what extent, I do not know, and DC seems to be keeping that information on the low-low. But I’m sure that when they share, they’ll share with Comic Book Resources.

As for what is presented in Men of War #1, it’s intriguing as a concept, but is nothing special as a comic book featuring the U.S. military. For a first issue, there is too much hinting and not enough revealing. The characters are, at best, mildly interesting, and the story is really on a sliver of a larger narrative.

On the other hand, Navy SEALs is really good. Writer Jonathan Vankin fashioned a tautly written script that quickly reveals the characters and also establishes a military situation fraught with peril. Vankin puts the reader down on the ground with these SEALs and then makes you really care about their fate. Superbly drawn by Phil Winslade and colored by Thomas Chu, the art recalls classic war comics and reminds me of the art of Russ Heath. Vankin and Winslade should at least get their own Navy SEALs miniseries.

B

August 31st
FLASHPOINT #5
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/flashpoint-5.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/justice-league-1.html

September 7th
ACTION COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/action-comics-1.html
BATWING #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batwing-1.html
DETECTIVE COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/detective-comics-1-2011.html
HAWK AND DOVE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/hawk-dove-1.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/justice-league-international-1.html
STORMWATCH #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/stormwatch-1.html

The New 52 Review: JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1

JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Dan Jurgens
PENICLS: Aaron Lopresti
INKS: Matt Ryan
COLORS: Hi-Fi
LETTERS: Travis Lanham
COVER: Aaron Lopresti and Hi-Fi
32pp, Color, $2.99

After Justice League of America was re-launched in 1987 as Justice League, it would later become Justice League International. With DC Comics’ currently re-launching it superhero comic book line, “The New 52,” Justice League International is back.

Justice League International #1 (“The Signal Masters” Part 1) introduces Andre Briggs, the Head of United Nations Intelligence. Briggs convinces a number of U.N. member nations to allow him to form a version of the Justice League that works under the authorization of the U.N. to eradicate whatever threats arise.

Briggs shapes an international roster of superheroes including Green Lantern (Guy Gardner), Vixen, and Rocket Red. Briggs picks the P.R. conscious Booster Gold to lead the team. Booster Gold has reservations about taking this gig, and so do some of his teammates. Batman enters the picture just as a U.N. crisis forces the team into action before they get to know each other.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this new Justice League International and will follow it at least for awhile. It may be a re-launch, but it thankfully avoids the flashiness that would mark it as the latest “kewl” thing. In fact, this comic book, except for the glossy paper and coloring, would fit right in with books published as far back as the 1970s.

Back in the 80s, a comic book reviewer (whose name I can’t remember) described Dan Jurgens as basically not a superstar but the kind of reliable creator upon which comic book publishers needed to maintain their business (not his exact words). After three decades of comic book creating, Jurgens, who is both a writer and an artist, probably has comic book scripting down to a science. In 22 pages, Jurgens brings together a large cast of characters, gives the reader a small sample of their personalities, introduces some lines of conflict, plants the seeds for later conspiracies, and begins the introduction of the adversary/villain for the storyline. It would take many current comic book writers (like Brian Michael Bendis) three issues to do that… at least.

Jurgens is not alone in delivering this quality first issue of Justice League International. Aaron Lopresti creates solid storytelling through his pencils, which are inked with smooth precision by Matt Ryan. Without bells and whistles like crosshatching and other squiggly lines, Lopresti even manages to create eye candy art that sparkles under the coloring by Hi-Fi.

Justice League International #1 is not perfect. Some of the dialogue comes across as forced, especially when Jurgens is trying to quickly define a character or establish a scene. That is easy to overlook. Justice League International seems like its going to be a consistently fun comic book to read.

B+

August 31st
FLASHPOINT #5
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/flashpoint-5.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/justice-league-1.html

September 7th
ACTION COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/action-comics-1.html
BATWING #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batwing-1.html
DETECTIVE COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/detective-comics-1-2011.html
HAWK AND DOVE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/hawk-dove-1.html
STORMWATCH #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/stormwatch-1.html