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  

Review - Mage: The Hero Denied #0

Mage: The Hero Denied #0 - 

Image Comics

 

Written by Matt Wagner

Art by Matt Wagner

Colors by Brennan Wagner

Letters by Dave Lanphear

 

Being a legend is a funny thing.  Sure people know who you are, and there is a certain amount of prestige that comes with it, but here's where it can get annoying.  There will always be some young, hot shot who thinks they can take your place and be better than you ever were.  Fans have waited a long time for this legendary character from Matt Wagner to return, and his final chapter has begun.  Mage is back, and this time, it's The Hero Denied.

 

For those who don't know, Mage follow Kevin Matchstick who was just a regular guy, until he realized he was something much more and had the ability to wield incredible power.  Of course, with that, it also comes with a destiny to fulfill and some pretty nasty creatures to deal with in the process.  In this introductory half issue, Kevin meets up with another "soldier" in the fight, and that moment happens that every aging man dreads at some point.  Not sure that it requires a SPOILER ALERT if you've been there, but if you haven't yet, you probably will.  Let's just say it's not exactly something that gives a reluctant hero the drive to push forward.  Things do get a bit out of hand when some company arrives, and leads to something that definitely gave me a bit of a laugh.  Since this is a half issue, the end reveal comes quick, but is definitely a nice "WOW" moment heading into Issue 1 when it drops in August.

 

Ever since reading Matt Wagner's work with The Shadow, it has made me want to reach back into more of his work.  I'll admit I am not a long time reader of Mage, but the story always interested me, and it's something I would definitely like to read more.  This zero issue is a nice jumping on point if you feel the same way, and you really won't be too lost.  Keep in mind this is a zero issue, and a half issue, so the character development is at a minimum.  Still both prominent character in this issue balance each other quite well, and will likely give you two opposite reactions.  Wagner's art is always very appealing, and another nice job by Brennan Wagner as well.  Bring on the final chapter!

 

RATING:  PULL / BUY 

Review - Deathstroke #21

Deathstroke #21 - 

DC Comics

Written by Priest

Pencils by Diogenes Neves

Inks by Jason Paz

Color by Jeromy Cox

Letters by Willie Schubert

Cover by Ryan Sook

It's not uncommon for characters to have transformations over the course of their various runs in comics.  Villains become heroes, heroes become villains, not to mention anti-heroes and so on.  Then you look at someone like Deathstroke, and you have to wonder if what you're seeing is true.  So after the events of The Lazarus Contract, I had to see for myself what kind of Slade would come out of that.  Time to enter the pages of the Eisner Award nominated, Deathstroke series from DC Comics.

(WARNING!  Contains spoiler for the previous The Lazarus Contract storyline that spanned Titans, Teen Titans and Deathstroke.)

Slade Wilson has not only decided to stop being Deathstroke, but he is turning over a new leaf with a new team.  He's reformed, and looking for a chance at redemption.  This book immediately tests your belief in if this is actually possible or not.  It seems like such a natural feeling to not just simply accept this turn of events to me, so this book did not disappoint.  Other than Slade, we get to see a bit of the dynamics of the new Defiance team.  If you have been reading this book, Titans, Teen Titans and/or The Flash you are probably already familiar with the principle players here.  It's also no secret how they feel about this new Slade.  Not to mention the family dynamic of a "loyal" daughter, a son on a mission and an ex-wife who is trying to assert herself.  I won't spoil any of the details, but I will tell you this...there is a BIG payoff at the end of this book.  You may not be completely surprised, but if you're a loyal Teen Titans comic book fan, you will love the reveal in the final page of this book.

I will freely admit that I wasn't a huge fan of this series during the first Rebirth arc.  I jumped back in after several issue, and I am glad that I did.  What Priest is giving us here feel fresh, compelling and gives us several different angles to consider.  Not only is the seed of doubt planted about Slade, but you have that anticipation of the fallout of the big reveal at the end.  I was immersed in this story from the start, and the amazing art had me closely studying each panel.  It doesn't hurt that on of my favorite artist, Ryan Sook, did the cover this this either.  This is the Deathstroke story I never knew I wanted, but now am very happy that we all have.

RATING:  PULL / BUY