Review - Hawkman Found #1

Hawkman Found #1 - 

DC Comics

 

Written by Jeff Lemire

Pencils by Bryan Hitch

Inks by Kevin Nowlan

Colors by Alex Sinclair & Jeremiah Skipper

Cover by Liam Sharp

 

One of the biggest stories of 2017 was DC's Dark Nights Metal storyline.  I have reviewed many of the books, both here on the website and on the podcast, and have been very impressed with everything I have read up to this point.  I will admit, as I read the tie-ins early on, I thought to myself "wouldn't it be great if Jeff Lemire wrote one of these books?"  So I'm counting this as a late Christmas gift.  Not only do I get my wish, but he's writing a favorite character of mine as well.  Time to dive into the pages of Hawkman Found.

 

If you've been reading Metal from the beginning, you know how important Carter Hall has been to this story.  He made the discovery, he tried to warn everyone and the rest is history.  Now we see Carter in, you guessed it, a very dark place.  Since I am avoiding spoilers here, I won't go into great detail.  I'll say this much, imagine living your worst nightmare.  Take that a step further, imagine not knowing if it's real or not.  This entire issue really centers around Carter dealing with an unspeakable hell and whether he can overcome it.  There are some serious metaphors and stunning visuals to go along with them.  As the book draws towards it's conclusion, there is a tense confrontation and a battle to match.  The last couple of pages were not only a great callback in the issue, but really gave me an emotional reaction that reminded me why I love comics so much.

 

I'm going to say it, I missed Jeff Lemire writing DC books.  I love his creator owned stuff too, but he just does such a great job bringing a raw emotion to the characters that he writes, it makes me crave that in the "mainstream".  What he does with Carter Hall in this issue is nothing short of amazing.  This story fit so perfectly into the rest of the Metal story, and yet, I don't feel like I had to read anything else to enjoy the book.  In a larger work, it still felt like a Hawkman story of it's own.  I want to give a nod to the art team as well, who did a phenomenal job of bringing out that emotion when no words were needed.  There is a particular panel with Carter on a mountain that was particularly stunning.  I really hope we see more of Lemire in DC Comics in 2018, especially in special, limited run series.  For now, I'll settle for reading this issue again.

 

RATING:  PULL / BUY 

Review - Quantum And Woody #1 (2017)

Quantum And Woody #1 (2017) - 

Valiant Entertainment

 

Written by Daniel Kibblesmith

Art & Colors by Kano

Letters by Dave Sharpe

Cover by Julian Totino Tedesco

 

Christmas is just days away, but there is plenty of time to stop and get your KLANG on.  Why not snuggle up with a story about a family...er...the worst superhero team ever.  Valiant has been getting us ready for the return of Quantum and Woody for a while, but now it's time to find out if it's worthy of stuffing your stocking.

 

This book wastes no time jumping right into the fray.  We see the brothers doing what they do best (or not, depending on your perspective) and their contrasting styles.  You sort of get wrapped up in that, then you remember what you saw on the cover.  Things may not be quite what you'd expect from the brothers, and that becomes apparent early.  Something happens with one of them, which I will not spoil here, that injects a very significant change in their relationship.  Luckily we don't have to wait until the next issue to see the aftermath, and it takes the book in a direction I wasn't expecting.  The rest of the plot is hard to get into without giving away key details, but I will say that there may be an even bigger change coming for the brothers.  The best way I can put it is:  What if you got an offer that you couldn't refuse, even if it affects someone in your family?

 

This book was definitely a fun read, but what I wasn't expecting, was for the book to have as much depth as it did.  I'm was fully expecting a Deadpool-esque trip down a 4th wall breaking story with plenty of action and inappropriate behavior.  Well...there is some of that, but also brings a tension and emotion that I think any fan of a good story can appreciate.  I admit, I'm not fully up on the lore of Quantum and Woody, but it would be pretty easy for a new reader to jump in here and enjoy this book.  I'd say there is plenty for the diehard fan as well, maybe even more.  Kano's art really brings it in this issue, and I love the focal points on key objects/scenes.  With the excitement of a TV series, this book comes at just the right time.  It also makes me want Joel McHale for the role of Woody even more than I did before.  Get this book, be as surprised as I was and be ready to start tracking down back issues.  I'm a fan.

 

RATING:  PULL / BUY  

Review - Under #1

Under #1 - 

Statix Press

 

Written by Christophe Bec

Art by Stefano Raffaele

Colors by Christian Favrelle

Translated by Mark McKenzie-Ray 

 

Usually when you think of the sewers and comic books, you're thinking of fun loving turtles or a croc that gives the Caped Crusader fits.  Imagine a sewer of almost infinite size, and who knows what lurking in the dark corners.  That brings us to one of the first offerings from Statix Press, as we go Under to explore the Scourge of the Sewer.

 

The story follows the vast sewers of Megalopolis, and the officers sworn to keep things safe and operational.  One of those officers is a Lt. Wilson Jericho, who we know from reading the first few pages of the book, wasn't always a sewer cop.  Being considered the best of the reject band of officers, he is tasked with escorting a scientist by the name of Sandra Yeatman through the sewers to research sightings of massive creatures who lurk in the deepest and darkest corners.  As you can see by the cover, there is plenty to encounter and we do get to see some pretty crazy action sequences.  As you get more into the story, you find out there is much more to this story and protecting the sewer than you would think.  I'll save you a million bad puns, but here's one, it runs deep.  The oversized issue does have a few quick off-shoot stories that tie into everything, but the focus remains on Jericho and Yeatman.  What we're left with is a very bizarre and startling discovery, that should be the perfect kick off to the second issue.

 

There is plenty to like about this book, but there are a few head scratchers, as well.  To start off, the art is very detailed and is really the star of the book.  When you see these creatures, no detail is spared and they really come to life on the page.  I also like that this book doesn't dumb down the science, and actually makes you feel like you might actually be learning something funky.  The problem is, it's hard to really get invested in any of the characters.  You do get some back story for Jericho, but beyond that there isn't much to really grab ahold of.  The "random person enters the sewer" thing is also a bit distracting after the beginning of the book.  I feel like this book is on the cusp of being really good, but can't quite nail the character development.  If that can be cleaned up in the second and concluding issue, this may be a graphic novel you'd want to add to your collection.

 

RATING:  PICK UP 

Review - Witchblade #1 (2017)

Witchblade #1 (2017) -
Image Comics
Written by Caitlin Kittredge
Art by Roberta Ingranata
Colors by Bryan Valenza
Letters by Troy Peteri


Two years is a long time to wait for anything.  After 20 years, and several amazing stories, Witchblade has finally returned.  Image Comics has brought in an all new creative team, and a new host.  Fans are understandably nervous about any revival, and this is no different.  So let's dive in and see if it was all worth the wait.

The new host is Alex Underwood, a former newswoman turned victim advocate, who is wrapped up in a major case in New York City.  As if that isn't stressful enough, she is also hearing thing and having some crazy dreams.  This is no spoiler, since the images have already been released, but we find out right away that she has died.  She has been chosen at the new host for Witchblade, but that adds an all new complication to her life.  Lost in all of this is a really compelling story regarding her case, and a very real subject matter.  I must admit, I went back and forth on how I felt about Alex given some of the decisions she made.  Then I connected with the realism that the character is steeped in.  Creating flaws in (what will be) a powerful character creates another layer that I think will work well in building this story in the early issues.  Witchblade fans know what's coming, but certain circumstances that I won't spoil do create a bit of anxiety.  Alex does something very reckless towards the end of this issue, but it leads to a big payoff on the final page.

One of the things that really kept me reading this book was, it just felt real.  It felt like this was happening to an actual person, with real world reactions to what was going on.  That's hard to do when combining mystical elements with the human world.   Also, being a fan of Caitlin Kittredge's work on Throwaways, she knows how to deal with emotional trauma and knows how to build a story around intense circumstances.  The story, however, could not possibly be as strong as it was without the amazing visuals from Roberta Ingranata.  Witchblade has been known over the years for great art, and I'd stack her work up against any that came before.  Something just feels right about this revival, and I think classic Witchblade fans really need to give this one a chance.  20 years of history or not, I'm already hooked on this one.

RATING:  PULL / BUY

Review - Barbarella #1

Barbarella #1 -
Dynamite Entertainment
Written by Mike Carey
Art by Kenan Yarar
Colors by Mohan
Letters by Crank!

When you say something has a cult following, that usually means you're dealing with something that fans fully embrace no matter what the masses think about it.  When we first saw Barbarella on the screen in 1968, it was different and not exactly well received by all.  Still, the character lives on, in cosplay and in the hearts of fans who continue to find the her even to this day.  She may have started in French comics, but Dynamite is bringing her to American with a new series.  Let's take a look at Issue 1.

My reviews here are always spoiler free, and I will continue to do that, but just know I cannot reveal much here.  Barbarella finds herself somehow entangled in what looks to be a group of beings strictly based in their religion.  It is very much a wrong place, wrong time scenario that doesn't get handled very well.  When things go bad, she finds out that she is not alone and much more about what is going on with those that have captured her.  This is where it gets difficult not to spoil things, as there are a couple of major elements to this story and a reveal that I think is best left to be discovered by the reader.  What I can tell you is, towards the end a risk is taken and we are left with a cliffhanger leading into Issue 2.

I have to be honest here, this book is a bit all over the place.  There really isn't much lead in to what is going on, or even any of the characters that are involved.  Assuming that you know who Barbarella is, that's not a bad thing, but I was hoping for a bit more about the antagonists before just being thrown into their world.  It's obvious what they are, but not why, and I feel like that could have added some depth here.  There are times where this book tries to be about empowerment and a modern way of thinking, but it just feels very forced and really didn't work for me.  Plus, I'm just not sure that this is the book to try to do that with.  If you were trying to completely re-invent the character and lay that foundation, it may work.  Instead it just feels like we're thrown into the second act of a late night B-movie that feels more campy.  If that's what you're looking for, this book may be for you.  I just didn't get a whole lot out of it, and I couldn't get invested in pretty much anything.  I think I'll have to pass.

RATING:  DROP

Review - Fence #1

Fence #1 -
Boom! Box
Written by C.S. Pacat
Art by Johanna The Mad
Colors by Joana LaFuente
Letters by Jim Campbell



When was the last time you watched fencing?  It's ok...the majority of us probably have the same answer.  At the same time, there is something fascinating about it.  Plus, it may be the closest (and safest) we get to any sort of medieval sword battles in modern times.  Would it be crazy to have a comic about a niche sport like this?  Well...call Boom! Studios crazy, because that's what is happening.

Fence is a story that is legitimately about fencing, but also about a group of young adults who are vying for a better future.  Yes, there are scholarships for fencing too, folks.  Nicholas Cox is trying his best to break into the sport and, at the same time, be a part of a group that seems to have been together for a while.  You can imagine how that works out when an outsider tries to venture into any competitive situation.  Not to mention, Nicholas draws the top competitor in the entire competition in his first match.  One thing you really love about Nicholas in this book is his attitude and his competitive spirit.  There is also some vulnerability there, but I won't spoil what that is all about or the results of the match itself.  That determination leads to an opportunity for Nicholas, but I will admit, I did not see the ending of this book coming.  It's surprising, and set up very well.

This book captures the would of young adults quite well.  If you've seen the movie School Ties with Brendan Fraser and Matt Damon, it's kind of like that but less intense (and without the antisemitism.)  Dealing with wanting something and wanting to be a part of something at the same time is a balance that plays well here.  Plus, how can you go wrong when you're artist's name is Johanna The Mad?  I was really getting into the visuals during the match itself, and found myself wanting even more.  That's what this book does very well, overall...it makes you want more.  Sure there is some fencing terminology, but there's no harm in learning a little something.  Nicholas gets training, so in a way, we are too.  While I don't feel like I'm ready to grab a foil and take on the world, I do feel like this is a book that I want to read more of.

RATING:  PULL / BUY

Review - Harbinger Renegade #0

Harbinger Renegade #0 - 

Valiant Entertainment

 

Written by Rafer Roberts
Art by Juan Jose Ryp
Colors by Andrew Dalhouse
Letters by Simon Bowland
Cover by Clayton Henry w/ Brian Reber


Like many Valiant fans, I am really looking forward to Harbinger Wars 2.  Unlike their previous major arcs, which have been stellar, this one feels like it has been building throughout the year.  What we're starting to see now are some Zero Issues that could end up being essential to the upcoming story.  That is one of the many reason I decided to check out Harbinger Renegade #0 this week.


The story is essentially following a H.A.R.D. Corps operation to pursue the dangerous psiot, Alexander Solomon.  Here's the trick, Solomon has the ability to predict outcomes.  We do get to see some of Solomon in this issue, and he is looking for something of his own.  After some logistics, and scene setting, we get to the operation itself.  In true Harbinger Renegade fashion, intense action ensues from there and the vast majority of the remainder of the story is quite a huge battle.  We find something out about the operation itself, and we also find out something that was in the location that was not expected.  That is the most I can tell you without spoiling anything.  This issue does have an aftermath, and let me tell you, this one is REALLY going to matter in future continuity.  I don't want to get too specific, but this could be a catalyst that sets the stage for something bigger.  Whether that is good or bad, that's up to the reader to decide.

I want to start this one with one simple fact, Juan Jose Ryp is one of the best artists in all of comics right now.  His work with Valiant has been beyond impeccable and he is the perfect choice for any Harbinger story.  Hats off to Andrew Dalhouse as well, since I believe colorists are extremely important in telling any story involving psiots.  Zero issues are kind of tricky, because they are usually just a necessary evil to set the tone before you get to the "real story".  This one feels like it is going to be very much a part of that story, and did not play down to regular readers for the sake of a jumping on point.  Roberts also gives you a reason to either hate the H.A.R.D. Corps more, or a reason to root for them, depending on your perspective.  Either way, the hits just keep on coming for Valiant and the Harbinger stories.

 

RATING: PULL / BUY

Review - Deadman #1

Deadman #1 - 

DC Comics

 

Written by Neal Adams

Art by Neal Adams

Letters by Clem Robins

 

Deadman is always a character that I felt deserved his own comic.  He played a very strong, and important, role with the Justice League Dark during the New 52 and also in other larger arcs.  After having a mini-series around the time of Rebirth, I thought may be all we get.  Enter legendary artist Neal Adams, who also takes on writing duties, for a new Deadman book.

This story follow Boston Brand trying to uncover the circumstances surrounding his death, and also appears to be seeking some sort of vengeance.  There is also part of the story with Commissioner Gordon serving as an ambassador for a nuclear site inspections.  We see a couple of more familiar character, which I will not spoil, but there is also quite a bit of bouncing around between storylines.  That makes it really difficult for me to tell you more about this book, other than we get a lot of detail about who was involved in killing Deadman, and who else may be trying to come to that conclusion.

I really wanted to like this book, but it is all over the place.  There were times that I felt completely lost, and even times where I lost track of where in the story I actually was.  It was so difficult, it actually made me think that I was starting on Issue 4 of a series instead of the first issue.  To that point, I have read the second arcs of books before without reading the first one, and I was still able to pick up on the story and it's direction.  I also felt like every familiar character in this book was quite OUT of character.  One character in particular, who is the most recognizable in the book (who isn't the title character) just felt completely off to me.  The art by Adams is good, and at times, gave me a nice 80s throwback vibe.  I read a lot of comics, and have written a lot of reviews, and I have no idea where this book was going or is going.  For that reason, I think I'll have to pass. 

 

RATING: DROP 

Review - Goosebumps: Monsters At Midnight #1

Goosebumps: Monsters At Midnight #1 - 

IDW Publishing

 

Written by Jeremy Lambert

Art by Chris Fenoglio

Letters by Christa Miesner

 

Horror movies have seen quite the increase in popularity over the last year.  Aside from major superhero movies, they have enjoyed the most long term success at the box office.  Think back to how that all started for you.  What was your first introduction into the horror genre?  For a certain age group, it was the Goosebumps books and/or the tv series.  R.L. Stine introduced a whole generation of kids and young adults to the scary side of entertainment.  Now, IDW is giving us the best of both worlds with Goosebumps comics.  Let's find out about the Monsters At Midnight.

 

The story centers around two kids, Mia and Ginny, who are spending the summer with their grandmother.  For some, that's scary enough right there.  The only thing these kids are dying of right now is boredom, until they come across something while they are headed back to the house.  Ginny is a little more adventurous, but it's not until later that they find themselves in an old bookstore without grandma.  When one of them ventures off, they both find themselves in a world that should seem very familiar to faithful Goosebumps fans.  What we are left with is only to wonder exactly what horrors await them, and how (or if) they may be able to escape.  

 

Halloween is supposed to be scary, but it's also supposed to be fun.  That's what it felt like reading this book.  Did it scare me as an adult?  Absolutely not.  Would that have been different if I were a kid?  Probably.  To me that is carrying on the tradition that Goosebumps started nearly 25 years ago.  Jeremy Lambert had a very tough task, especially carrying the mantle of a title that had been made famous by an icon.  Lambert does very well at that, and gave us a lot of background to be invested in these two characters.  I also loved that there wasn't a lot of fan service in this issue.  It would have been easy to have a ton of easter eggs, and there were a few, but this felt like it's own story.  Fenoglio's art was alive and fun, especially in the last few pages when they cross over.  I think this is a good first step in introducing a whole new generation to why their parents, or older siblings, loved Goosebumps so much.

 

RATING:  PULL / BUY  

Review - Maestros #1

Maestros #1 -
Image Comics
Written & Art by Steve SkroceColors by Dave Stewart
Letters by FonoGrafiks

Do you think that magic is all around us?  Maybe we're not alone in the universe because there are other realms and dimensions, and not just alien life.  Welcome to the world of Maestros from Image Comics.  Let's see how the storyboard artist for the Matrix puts this world of magic together.

The story centers around millennial named Will who has been banished from his realm by his father and the royal family.  This isn't a spoiler (because it's in the description for the book online), but consider this warning just in case.  His father, the Maestro, is dead and so is the entire royal family.  Now Will is about to be dragged back into a world that he thought he was free from.  To say this isn't the greatest time to be back is an understatement.  There is a magical evil that is trying to finish the job that it started, and Will is being thrust into a position he never really wanted in the first place.  Not only that, but we have to keep in mind, he was banished.  So time will only tell if he will even be welcomed back.  We see his mother track him down, and what they are up against, but the book ends very much where the story will be beginning.

As I was reading this first issue, I will say that I feel like I missed out on some details.  Yes we were given a backstory eventually, and it did make sense, but I don't know that it gave me any more attachment to the main characters.  If anything, it made me like a couple of them a little bit less.  The premise of this story is great, and some of the elements are good, but there were some completely random elements in this story that I feel like just were not necessary.  It seems like Maestros wants to be a combination of a couple of different stories, maybe an American Gods meets Lord of the Rings in a way, but isn't sure where the focus should be.  The art is quite good, and in my opinion, was the best part of this issue.  Since this felt like a bit of a zero issue to me, and the real story won't begin until Issue 2, I'm willing to stick around and see if this premise takes hold.  If this story finds it's balance, I could see this being a big book for Image Comics


RATING:  PICK UP

Review - Harrow County #26

Harrow County #26 - 

Dark Horse Comics

 

Written by Cullen Bunn

Art by Tyler Crook

 

Just in you were unaware, this Friday just happen to be a Friday the 13th.  Maybe you subscribe to the idea that this particular day is bad luck, or even creepy.  Maybe you just think it's another day, or you're just happy it's Friday.  If you lived in Harrow County, I think you would be more apt to think the former were true.  It's been a while since I checked in with Emmy, so let's see what's going on in Issue 26.

 

Emmy is in a desperate situation, trying to see if anything has happened to her Pa.  She's enlisted the help of the Skinless Boy to help break through a supernatural barrier.  (WARNING:  SPOILERS FOR PREVIOUS ISSUED OF HARROW COUNTY.)  Not only does she fear the worst, she fears that her sister Kammi may be doing unspeakable things in her absence.  You really get a sense of panic and urgency while reading this issue.  Whether you are a new reader or a diehard fan, I don't think it's difficult to sympathize with a girl wanting to check on the welfare of her pa and her best friend.  Something has happened in this issue, and I will not spoil what it is, but it will most certainly have a HUGE impact on the story going forward.  We also see another character take a stand, and somewhat out of character I might add.  This issue ends on a very tense note, and is the kind of cliffhanger that leaves you screaming at the end for more.

 

I've said it before, so why not one more time?  Nobody does creepy like Cullen Bunn.  He also happens to be a great storyteller, but maybe even a better character builder.  Harrow County is great horror, but the world that has been created here is so masterful that it's really hard to go wrong.  Then you add the amazing art by Tyler Crook, who I think has really taken his work to another level since starting on this book.  The "Haint Blue" is a nice touch on the narration, for anyone who is familiar with that southern superstition (or is it?)  This is the perfect book to read with Friday the 13th and Halloween both coming up.  Good horror should creep you out, but great horror should also make you think.  I can't think of a book in the genre that does that better than Harrow County right now.

 

RATING:  PULL / BUY  

Review - Harley & Ivy Meet Betty & Veronica #1

Harley & Ivy Meet Betty & Veronica #1 - 

DC Comics / Archie Comics

 

Written by Paul Dini & Marc Andreyko

Art by Laura Braga

Colors by Tony Avina & Arif Prianto

Letters by Deron Bennett

Cover by Amanda Conner

 

In the last couple of years, we have seen some amazing comic book crossovers.  Publishers are playing nice like never before, and it gives us as readers, a lot of things to look forward to.  Still...never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever see this combination.  When I first heard about Harley & Ivy Meet Betty & Veronica, I was excited, but I wasn't sure how they would all cross paths.  Let's find out together, shall we?

 

The story centers around Veronica's father, Hiram Lodge, who wants to build school/entertainment venue at Sweetwater Swamp near Riverdale.  Ivy doesn't take the news very well, and decides to head to Riverdale with Harley by her side to do something about it.  When we see the Archie gang, it really does feel like classic Archie in a way.  Betty and Veronica are at odds, Archie finds himself in the middle and Jughead is being Jughead.  The gang is forced to help the Lodge family set up for a costume party, which sets up for quite a hilarious moment in the book.  It also provides the perfect cover for Ivy and Harley to do what they need to do.  I won't give away the middle part of the story, which is quite entertaining, but the end of the book definitely gave me a good laugh and sets up Issue 2 perfectly.

 

This book was both everything I expected, and surprising at the same time.  It felt fun, it felt goofy, but the reason for bringing these two worlds together actually made perfect sense once I saw it.  Dini and Andreyko just made it seem so simple, and everything else flowed from there.  One character taht I was really drawn to in this book was Jughead.  I don't know if it was just getting a break from the Jugehead from the Riverdale TV series or what, but it was nice to see the hungry, lovable Jughead back again.  It just feels like this entire team has been working on Archie books their entire life, and then, they made Ivy and Harley fit in seamlessly.  You could not have picked a better artist for this book either.  Braga's work just took this book to another level her amazing detail work.  I have a feeling that this is a limited series that I am going to end up wishing was an ongoing when it's all over.

 

RATING:  PULL / BUY  

Review - The Shadow / Batman #1 (2017)

The Shadow / Batman #1 - 

Dynamite Comics / DC Comics

 

Written by Steve Orlando

Art by Giovanni Timpano

Colors by Flavio Dispenza

Letters by Taylor Esposito

Cover by David Finch

 

No matter the publisher, sometimes the combination of two characters just makes too much sense not to put together.  That was how I felt when I read Batman & The Shadow from DC & Dynamite recently.  Luckily, we did not have to wait long to get more.  Just reverse the order of the character names, and we have ourselves a brand new story.

 

This time Batman finds himself in New York to foil the plot of Professor Pyg who launched a large scale attack on New Year's Eve.  That's the easy part as, from there, things start to unravel in a way that reaches far beyond the usual Pyg assault.  What we do see from The Shadow (and it's not much in this first issue) is that he's not happy about all of this being brought to his city.  There may be a reason for that, but I won't spoil any motives.  This book does have one conflict for Batman that I did not expect, not because it doesn't make sense, but because it was in this book.  I won't reveal who it's with, but it is a character Bat fans know very well and will not be surprised.  What may surprise you is the level is escalates to, and the end result of this first issue.  It's one of those "there's no way that just happened" moments in comics that I just love.

 

While I wish that I had seen more of The Shadow in a book that gives him top billing, I'm reminded that we do have six issues here.  I know Steve Orlando's work well enough to know that he's setting something up in this first issue, and the payoff will come sooner rather than later.  Honestly, I forgot all about it while reading the moments of conflict at the end of this issue.  The premise is clear, the seeds have been planted, and I like that Orlando isn't rushing but letting the story grow naturally.  This is also another big win for Giovanni Timpano, as every page was just spot on.  When we do finally see The Shadow, the team of Timpano and Dispenza do a great job of capturing the essence of the character and add great depth to it.  This book has a clear direction, and just enough unanswered questions to leave you wanting more.  Looking forward to see how this onion gets peeled.

 

RATING:  PULL / BUY  

Review - Dark Ark #1

Dark Ark #1 - 

AfterShock Comics

Written by Cullen Bunn

Art by Juan Doe

Letters by Ryane Hill

Whether you're religious or not, it is a story you are probably familiar with.  It would rain for 40 days and 40 nights, Noah would build an ark and gather two of every animal to save their species from the flood.  What if there was another ark full of something...unnatural?  That's where Cullen Bunn comes in, with Dark Ark #1.

The story centers around the very story that I mentioned, only this time, the task belongs to a sorcerer named Shrae.  This time it's a gathering of things from the unnatural world that he and his family must tend to.  As you can imagine, that makes for some tense moments on the arc.  Monkeys and lions getting along are one thing, vampires and dragons are a whole other task.  Not only does this story center around those that have been gathered and their interactions, but also the family who is left wondering if what they're doing is the right thing.  There is also one big part of the story (that I won't spoil) that is one of the conditions of Shrae's deal and it's a BIG one.  This book is full of tension, personal conflict and the question as to whether you really want this ark to succeed or fail.  We see a bit of conflict, which we can see will set up Issue 2 very nicely and give you something to think about while you wait for it.

Nobody does weird and creepy like Cullen Bunn, let's just get that out of the way right now.  If you see Cullen's name on a book of other worldly beings or creatures in general, it's just something you want to read.  As long as you know the premise going in, that is definitely the case with this book as well.  Cullen does let the reader know what's going on about half way, should this be a book you pick up on impulse without having known anything about it.  I actually read this twice, and was able to appreciate it much more the second time.  We get to know a lot about a few characters, but I am interested to see who gets further depth added to them in future issues.  Another thing that will keep you turning the page is the pure genius artwork from Juan Doe.  This felt like I was looking at a high end manga or anime story.  If felt do wicked, and there was something so right about it.  The depth of the colors on any panel in the exterior of the ark were especially stunning.    The premise of Dark Ark is one that really has my attention, and it feels like this book is set up for the long haul.  I remember feeling this way about Harrow County after Issue 1, and I wasn't wrong about that, so I'm going with my gut on this one.

RATING:  PULL / BUY 

Review - Action Comics #987

Action Comics #987 -
DC Comics
Written by Dan Jurgens
Pencils by Viktor BogdanovicInks by Jonathan Glapion, Jay Leisten & Viktor Bogdanovic
Colors by Mike Spicer
Letters by Rob Leigh
Cover by Nick Bradshaw & Brad Anderson



Who is Mr. Oz?  That is a question I feel like we have been trying to answer since DC Rebirth began.  There have been a lot of fan theories, and a lot of great stories leading up to that moment.  The wait is finally over!  We finally get to find out in Action Comics #987.

Before we get to the big reveal, this story centers around something very simple: people.  It's easy to see Superman be the focal point of his own story, but Mr. Oz takes this story much larger.  He has unleashed chaos not just in Metropolis, but around the globe, and Superman is left to deal with it on a massive scale.  The best part of this story is the vulnerability that is shown by the Man of Steel, and even glimmers of hopelessness at times.  One page in particular where he sees a problem that he literally JUST solved only turn worse after he left was a big moment.  Then the moment arrives...and don't worry, I will not be spoiling it for you here. Once Superman confronts Mr. Oz, and  the motive is revealed, there is a ton of anticipation in the coming panels and you know we are about to get THE reveal we've been waiting for.  I won't tell you who it is, but I will say this, it is a level of epic that I was not expecting in the slightest.  What we are left with is, what could be, one of the most interesting Superman stories ever.

Putting a writer like Jergens at the helm of the massive story arc to come was a great decision by whoever made that call.  We know that Jergens has tackled some of the Man of Steel's biggest moments, and this is sure to be one of them.  This is one of those spoilers that your friends would block you on Twitter for if you revealed it to them.  I don't want to take any credit away from the art team here though.  Inks and pencils were amazing, and especially good in those moments of chaos and capturing those moments perfectly.  It just feels so appropriate that this happens with the legacy numbers, and not in a limited series or larger story arc.  This is a MAJOR Superman story and it needed to be in a Superman comic.  This is one of those reveals that makes me want to say, screw the timeline, I need to go forward a couple of weeks and find out what happens NOW!  I could not be happier with how this was executed and I am a very happy Superman fan right now.
 
RATING:  PULL / BUY

Review - Sheena: Queen of the Jungle #1

Sheena: Queen of the Jungle #1 (2017) - 

Dynamite Comics

 

Written by Marguerite Bennett & Christina Trujillo

Art by Moritat & Dimi Macheras

Colors by Moritat & Casey Silver

Letters by Thomas Napolitano

Cover by J. Scott Campbell & Sabine Rich

 

Earlier this week, Deadline broke a store about a reboot of Sheena: Queen of the Jungle coming to the big screen.  I'm paraphrasing here, but studios are apparently looking for the next (or at least their version of) Wonder Woman.  In a case of spectacular timing, Dynamite Comics is bringing Sheena back to comics on September 13th.  Let's see if she really is Queen of the Jungle.

 

This book is set in modern times, and we know that because of something that happens within the first couple of pages.  From there it is very much as the description says, Sheena is protecting the Amazon from anyone and anything that may threaten it.  This is not a spoiler, since it's in online previews, but a team of mercenaries threatens her village and accuses her people of a horrific act.  So Sheena sets off to prove the innocence of her village, but also find out more about exactly what they are there for in the first place.  We get to see a bit of what Sheena can do, outside of brute force, which is a nice change of pace and shows good balance.  That does lead her to something, but that's about all we know in this first issue.  We are not really given a cliffhanger or a wow moment, more of a "we'll pick up where we left off" moment.

 

While I did enjoy the way that Bennett and Trujillo wrote the character, there is one thing that I found it hard to get past.  This is a story that we have seen before, or at least a very familiar premise.  I'm not saying it's one that it is one that has been worn out, but I certainly would have welcomed something different.  The other problem is, we're not really given much of a reason to believe this will be any different.  Maybe that is part of the nostalgia that Dynamite is so good at, or maybe it just is what it is.  Sheena is a solid character, with a lot of great potential in this day and age, but Wonder Woman she's not.  I don't think that Bennett and Trujillo intend for her to be, and I really hope that's not the bar we're setting.  If the next issue gives me a new spin on the premise, I could see this being a really great series.  The art is very good, and they do have quite a bit of talent on covers and variants.  So my caution bulb is lit on this one, but I'm definitely willing to stick around and see where it goes.

 

RATING:  PICK UP 

Review - G.I. Joe #8 (2017)

G.I. Joe #8 (2017) - 

IDW Publishing

 

Written by Aubrey Sitterson

Art by Giannis Milonogiannis & David Lafuente

Colors by Lovern Kindzierski

Letters by Tom B. Long & Gilberto Lazcano

Cover by Aaron Conley

 

We are less than a week removed from one of the most hyped fights in history.  There was so much talk about Mayweather/McGregor that, even if you weren't interested, you couldn't help but hear about it.  Sometimes there is nothing like a good brawl, and this week, G.I. Joe gives us one.  Aubrey Sitterson promised us a fight in Issue 8 at SDCC, and I couldn't wait to dive in.

 

If you read Issue 7, you know there is some heat between Quick Kick and Snake Eyes.  If you're a fan, you know that tension has been brewing for much longer.  So when Scarlett tires to stop Snake Eyes and his companion from going AWOL again, it was time to throw down.  I'm not going to spoil the fight itself, but I will say this, much to my delight it wasn't a short one.  It is layered throughout the story, and it was well worth the wait.  Also at play here is Rock 'n Roll's mission where he could make the ultimate sacrifice and Duke deciding that he wants to personally escort Baroness to stand trial.  Even though those were important aspects of the story, my mind was just so ready to get back to the fight and how it would ultimately conclude.  What I didn't expect, is how the issue ends.  Something happens to one of the Joes that, while isn't not completely clear, could have a significant impact on the team going forward.

 

Every chance he gets, Aubrey tells the world that G.I. Joe is the "crown jewel of the Hasbro Universe."  He even got it put on the cover!  We've had him on the show, you've heard his passion, so you know that he puts maximum effort into every issue.  I could feel that excitement in that Snake Eyes/Quick Kick showdown.  Lost in all of that is the humanizing of Rock 'n Roll, and how Aubrey has really given the reader a chance to love that character over time, then bring him to a moment like we saw in this issue.  I want to spoil this issue, shout it from the rooftops, but I can't do that to my fellow G.I. Joe fans.  The run of emotions I had in this issue was something that typically takes several issue to experience.  Then the excitement of remembering that Aubrey said we would be getting a new Cobra Commander in Issue 9 at the First Strike panel at SDCC this year.  Late September can't happen soon enough!

 

RATING:  PULL / BUY

 

Get even more of the Down And Nerdy Podcast at www.downandnerdypodcast.com   

Review - War Mother #1

War Mother #1 - 

Valiant Entertainment

 

Written by Fred Van Lente

Art by Stephen Segovia

Colors by Elmer Santos & Andrew Dalhouse

Letters by Dave Sharpe

Cover by David Mack

 

What happens when a tyrant falls, but things don't get any better?  As a matter of fact, what if they get worse?  The burden that is carried by the next leader is a large one.  Fred Van Lente explores that, and much more in this new story from Valiant Entertainment.  Let's find out more about the War Mother.

 

The story centers around Ana, who is the War Mother, who has been taken over as leader of her people when the chief warrior was killed.  Normally that would be good news, but things have taken a turn for the worse for the people of the Grove.  Ana not only has to try to find a solution, but also keep the peace and deal with something very mysterious that has come up.  To make matters worse, this mystery is causing division within her people.  I won't spoil what it is, or something else that played a role in the early pages of the book, but I will say that it's more than just that for her.  Then there's the fact that she has a talking weapon, who has a consciousness and acts as somewhat of a companion.  This is not only an interesting relationship, but gives us a key piece of information as to what happened to their former leader and why things are the way they are for the Grove.  I was actually surprised at the conclusion of the book, as it pushed the story forward much quicker than I expected in one issue.

 

Normally I am critical of books, especially first issue of a limited series, taking things too slow.  In this case, I do wish they had saved the end of this first issue for at least one more.  I was really hoping for at least one more issue about the War Mother's journey and how the Grove is dealing with what is going on.  It's clear throughout the issue that something isn't right, but it would have been nice to let that play out a big longer.  Still that doesn't mean that the War Mother isn't a good and complex character that makes you want to follow her.  She is mighty, but also flawed in a way that adds quite a bit of depth to her character.  As usual with Valiant book, the art is very good and the action sequences are top notch.  I just hope that this book doesn't move too fast, and gives us a more foundation on where the rest of the story is going.

 

RATING:  PICK UP 

Review - Wonder Woman #28

Wonder Woman #28 - 

DC Comics

 

Written by Shea Fontana

Art by David Messina

Colors by Romulo Fajardo Jr.

Letters by Saida Temofonte

Cover by Jesus Merino & Alex Sinclair

 

When Shea Fontana first took over as writer of Wonder Woman, I was instantly taken in by how she wrote Diana and the innocence she continued to bring to her.  You've read and listened to a lot of reviews from the podcast about initial issues of runs, so I thought I'd jump into the middle here a bit and give you an idea of how things are going.  So let's talk about Part 3 of Heart of the Amazon, in Wonder Woman #28 from DC Comics.

 

(WARNING!  SPOILERS AHEAD FOR WONDER WOMAN #27 AND PREVIOUS ISSUES LEADING UP TO THIS ONE!)

 

If you've been reading up to this point, you know things have been rough for Diana, but espcially for Etta Candy.  After everything that went down with the wedding and Dr. Crawford, it looked like this run of misfortune would never end.  This issue gives us a change of pace after the initial page.  If you love Wonder Woman comics for their lighthearted moments and subtle humor, you very much get that in this issue.  You also get plenty more of depth to the relationship between Etta and Diana.  As a matter of fact, Diana confides in Etta and tells her something that will make you smile and break your heart all at the same time.  If you love Wonder Woman comics for the intensity and action, don't worry you get plenty of that too.  There is one particular badass moment which I REALLY want to spoil that involves Etta, but trust me, you'll know it when you see it.  As a matter of fact, the very last page of this issue will leave you running to your local comic shop for Issue 29 when it comes out.

 

Shea Fontana just knows how to make those real moments even more real in her writing.  The way she balances Diana's strength and innocence cannot be overlooked and one of the reasons this book is such a joy to continue to read.  I will say, with the artist change here in Issue 28, I wasn't a fan at first.  Mirka Andolfo did such an amazing job leading up to this, and I was hoping for more.  That's no knock on David Messina though, as the art got stronger deeper into the issue and I really started to enjoy what he was doing.  All in all, across the board, this has been a great year to be a Wonder Woman fan.  So if you haven't started reading yet, I suggest you jump in as soon as possible.

 

RATING:  PULL / BUY   

Review - Riverdale #5

Riverdale #5 - 

Archie Comics

 

Stories by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa

Written by Tessa Leigh Williams & Brian E. Patterson

Art by Thomas Pitilli

Colors by Andre Szymanowicz

Letters by Janice Chiang

 

Ok I'll admit it...it's been a long time since I've read an Archie comic from start to finish.  Am I caught up on Season 1 of Riverdale?  Not so much...but a man can change.  This week, I decide to dive right in to both, in a manner of speaking, by reading a Riverdale comic that is based on the CW series.  Let's see what's going on in Riverdale #5.

 

I'll start by saying, this is a good jumping on point for new readers.  You don't have to be extremely familiar with the characters or plots of the show or the previous four issues of this run.  There is a nice breakdown at the beginning of both Reggie and Josie, who are the focus of this issue.  Reggie has his sights set on Josie, and something happens that he isn't really used to.  She says no, and a pretty emphatic no at that.  So this issue very much centers around that and Reggie trying to change her mind.  What I didn't expect, was the interesting twist at the end.  The story takes a bit of a turn, and for me at least, really changed my thinking.  We're not talking about a major cliffhanger here, but certainly something that will give you some pause and possibly even want to read the issue again.

 

Somewhere in this book, there is a reference to dominoes, and it's quite fitting for this review.  The writers were setting up dominoes for most of the pages of this story, and really knocked them down in the last couple of pages.  I will not spoil what happens, but it vastly changed my opinion of one of the characters.  They set it up so perfectly for you to think one way, and in a very humanizing moment, turned the tables.  Another thing I enjoyed was that, this didn't read as much like the CW series.  This had more of that classic Archie feel mixed in, and that goes for the art as well.  While effort was given to make the characters look like their TV counterparts, that traditional look was also mixed in as well.  For someone who had a lukewarm reception to the CW series initially, this comic made me want to keep reading without even thinking about that.  This felt like a really good one-shot that could turn into a limited series run for just Reggie and Josie.  If that's the idea, then mission accomplished.  Whether you're a fan of the show or not, I think you'll really like what the creative team put together here.  I was pleasantly surprised.

 

RATING:  PULL / BUY 

Review - Spiritus #1

Spiritus #1 - 

Vault Comics

 

Written & Designed by Tim Daniel

Art by Michael Kennedy

Letters by Lauren Norby

 

It's not easy to be the new kid, we've all experienced that before.  Now try being a new publisher at one of the peaks in the history of nerd culture.  Sometimes having great books and great content still can't push you to the top and help you get noticed.  While I was getting ready to go to San Diego Comic-Con, I discovered Vault Comics.  They displayed a lot of passion for their books, and had a good message, so I thought I'd give them a shot.  Let's check out Spiritus #1.

 

This story follows a woman named Kinju Dayal, who has been imprisoned for a crime that she says she didn't commit.  In this future, the punishment for crimes has changed in a very drastic way.  I will not spoil what that is, as I believe, the book's biggest "wow factor" moment.  Let's just say you would not want to break the law in this society.  She's given a chance to save herself from this fate, but it means venturing into some very unknown territory.  There is a very shaky trust element here too, that is certainly palpable.  We get a lot about what's going on in the world and who is responsible, but still plenty more questions beyond that.  I guess you could say there is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end of this book but, at the same time, it is a bit predictable even in a limited issue series.

 

For my first Vault Comics book, I'd say this is a solid start.  I would have liked a bit more character development, but I also get the impression that we will get it more as the series going on.  There is a bit of a danger there though, as we do only have five issues of this run.  I think Daniel has done a good job at creating a different spin on a familiar sci-fi story, and has me invested in the main character in a very District 9 kind of way.  The art has a very dystopian vibe, that almost serves as a soundtrack of just how this world has changed and sets the mood.  While I'm not jumping out of my chair for this one, it definitely has me interested and makes me want to read more.  If Issue 2 steps things up, I could easily see adding this to your pull box.

 

RATING: PICK UP 

Review - Bloodshot Salvation #1

Bloodshot Salvation #1 - 

Valiant Comics

 

Written by Jeff Lemire

Art by Lewis LaRosa & Mico Suayan

Colors by Brian Reber

Letters by Simon Bowland

 

There are certain characters in the comic book world that I feel do not get enough credit.  Bloodshot is near, or at the top, of that list for me.  Especially given the evolution of the character by Jeff Lemire, over the years we have seen so many sides to him.  This may be the most different side yet, and possibly the most difficult.  Here are my early thoughts on Bloodshot Salvation.

 

Since this book isn't out for another month or so, there is plenty that I don't want to spoil for you.  If you've read past issues, what I can tell you is that this book very much deals with Bloodshot and his family dynamic.  There are certain choices he has to make, and what those are will very much shape the fabric of the story going forward.  We also have two interconnecting stories going on here, past and some time in the future.  It's not quite clear if that future is the present, but I'm sure we will soon find out.  This is just as much of a Magic story as it is a Bloodshot story in that regard, and that is about as much as I can tell you.  If you're a Bloodshot fan, you know how much he has been trying to escape his past lately, and that is very much a main focal point of this story.  There is a sad and somewhat shocking reveal in this book dealing with Bloodshot's family, that I am very interested to see go forward and I hope becomes a main theme of the story in later issues.

 

Lemire has always brought a lot of raw emotion with his Bloodshot books, but this one will hit you on another level.  The increased focus on family, and wanting that happy ending for the characters, really brings you into the story as the events unfold.  At the same time, while the evil element is evil, there is also a sense of what could be avoided for Bloodshot as well.  Throwing that into the mix adds something new to the story, and gives it a fresh angle.  Speaking of fresh, the look that LaRosa and Suayan bring is a flowing, almost brushstroke-like feel that really works in the context of the story that Lemire is telling.  The colors by Reber also help bring the raw emotional moments to life.  Perfect combinations like this are what keeps me coming back to Bloodshot books, and with a feature film also on the horizon, I hope many more people will see this character as one of the best that comics has to offer right now.

 

RATING:  PULL / BUY