Review - James Bond #1

James Bond #1

Dynamite Entertainment

Written by Warren Ellis

Art by Jason Masters

Colors by Guy Major

Letters by Simon Bowland

 

With Spectre about to hit theaters, Dynamite has their very timely release of the new James Bond comics.  If you're expecting Daniel Craig to jump off the page, think again.  We see an entirely different Bond on the page, and the characters that surround him seem to echo that.  

 

The first few pages have no dialogue, but the fluid movements and the art really catch your interest right away.  We then find out why 007 was pursuing this man, which leads into the main plot of the story.  A 00 agent has been killed and now M has assigned their caseload to Bond.  What's a little strange is, there seems to be a lack of respect for our favorite secret agent.  I'm not saying the folks at MI-6 have always fallen at Bond's feet, but it almost seems like people are going out of their way to tell him how great he's not.  Still, as I was reading, I found it refreshing that we're getting a less dark and more lighthearted version of 007.  Not quite a suave (at least not in this issue), but almost more of a youthful cockiness and sarcastic tone.

 

It wouldn't be a Bond story without a little bit of intrigue.  Ellis definitely leaves us hanging on some of the details on the "big bad" in this issue, but gives you just enough to want to keep going with the story.  His take on Bond, while different, definitely works and seems like more a throwback to a 70s era Bond story.  The art by Masters is consistent, and has some nice detail in the action sequences.  You may not be shaken or stirred by this issue, but you will want to stick with this journey at least a little bit longer.

 

RATING: PICK UP  

Review - Cognetic #1

Cognetic #1 (of 3)

Boom! Studios

Written by James Tynion IV

Art by Eryk Donovan

Colors by Juan Manuel Tumburus

Letters by Steve Wands

They've tired to end the world before, and they're back for another crack at it.  This time, it's an apocalypse of the mind created by James Tynion IV and Eryk Donovan.  You might remember they went down the "end of the world" road before with Memetic, but this time, it's different.  A major psychic power is taking over everyone it comes into contact with.  We find out later on, that's not quite the case.

After a somewhat odd first few pages, we start to follow Annie.  She's the assistant to the Director of the FBI, and a family woman.  It seems normal until something unthinkable starts happening in New York City at a major landmark.  As you go page by page, you get a sense that this is quite likely what would be going on behind the scenes of a mass casualty event started happening in a major city.  There's one question that always lingered in the back of my mind when I was reading this...why?  Why is this happening?  How are these people being "chosen" and how are they simply being taken over?  I remember having somewhat of a similar feeling when I would watch "Lost" at times.  Then we get to the big twist at the end.  While it was interesting, it just left with more questions.

Even though this comic takes a few pages to start picking up steam, Tynion IV definitely creates a story with plenty of drama and it really makes you think.  At the same time, there are more than a few moments that even the most educated reader will ask, "What the hell is going on here exactly?"  The art by Donovan is solid, and the detail in the facial expressions of the characters really helps to sell the emotion of what is going on in the moment.  This story is definitely for the patient reader.  This is one you'll really have to stick with, but even I find myself unsure of what the payoff will be.  I can't help by be intrigued by the final panel, and with two over-sized issues to go, I think I'll ride this one out and see what happens.

RATING: PICK UP 

Review - GI Joe: Cobra World Order Prelude

GI Joe: Cobra World Order Prelude

IDW Publishing

Written by Larry Hama

Art by S L Gallant

Inks by Brian Shearer

Colors by J. Brown

Letters by Shawn Lee

 

Welcome to the world of G.I. Joe!  Wait...aren't we over 200 issues in?  In this Cobra World Order Prelude from IDW, you get a grand tour of the new Joe base and somewhat of a recap of what's been going on.  This is not a reboot, but certainly feels like an issue that familiarizes readers with the world of the Joes and Cobra from the characters to the plotlines.  In case you're wondering, yes there is a reason for it.

 

A new Senator has been named to the oversight committee, and has brought her assistant along to inspect the new Pit.  Not surprising, there is something very suspicious about one of the visitors that prompts action from the team.  The word "action" is used loosely, but the clever nature of the rouse makes you appreciate it.  Duke may be good at pulling the wool over the eyes of the enemy, but should probably save the jokes for those more qualified.

 

This is definitely an issue where a new reader could jump in and be ready for the Cobra World Order arc when it starts.  Much like the Joes themselves, I like that IDW has kept the team of Hama and Gallant together going forward with this new arc.  The art is very consistently good, and the dialogue written for each character definitely captures what made the original animated series great.  Being a prelude, it's hard to get a grasp on where the story is going from here or what to expect going forward.  There is a hint at possible relationships between several different terror groups, but nothing too definitive.  Even though the title is Cobra World Order, something tells me they won't be the only focal point of the arc going forward.  If you have enjoyed the G.I. Joe comics up until this point, you'll definitely be keeping this in your pull.  If you're a new reader, this may be the issue where you can jump in and give the series a shot.

 

RATING: Pick Up 

Review - Batman & Robin Eternal #1

Batman & Robin Eternal #1

DC Comics 

Story by Scott Snyder & James Tynion IV

Script by James Tynion IV

Pencils by Tony Daniel

Inks by Sandu Florea

Colors by Tomeu Morey

Letters by Tom Napolitano

 

No way that just happened!  That's what I kept saying as I read Batman & Robin Eternal #1.  Right in the first few pages, you understand why they added Robin to this second Eternal story.  Every Robin (aside from Carrie Kelly for obvious reasons) was seen or referenced in this first issue.  Dick Grayson is featured prominently, and it looks like he will be the main focus of this series right now.  Yes, this does follow the current DC Comics continuity from Grayson, the main Batman run and so on.   Fans of  characters like Bluebird and the new Batman will not be disappointed either.  Bruce Wayne, however, still has a major part in this debut issue.

 

One of the things I loved about this were the flashbacks to when Dick was Robin, but little did I know, those flashbacks would serve a purpose going forward.  It's so hard to give you a plot without giving any spoilers.  Let's just say we have a new villain, everyone is going to be involved and something UNTHINKABLE has happened.  It's another daring trip into the Batman mythology by Scott Snyder, and having James Tynion IV riding shotgun makes it a wild ride I can't wait to take.

 

The art, top to bottom, is very consistent.  The last panel if this comic is something that EVERYONE will be talking about.  Tony Daniel, and many others I'm sure, will be doing commissions on this for a LONG time.  That panel, along with the story leading up to it, is a huge game changer.  In the beginning of the issue you may think, "They're really doing this again?"  I promise you, by the end, you will be saying, "I can't believe that just happened!"  I cannot buy this series fast enough.

 

RATING: PULL/BUY