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