The Positive Side of Comic Books

Top Cows’ Artifacts Volume 1 is the start of a great epic

2012-01-25T10:50:00.000-08:00

The fate of the world balances on thirteen weapons and items of immense power spread around the world and held by a diverse group of people. In the first act of Top Cow Production’s Artifacts series, a mysterious being sets out to collect the thirteen artifacts that will give him complete power over the world. Artifacts Volume 1 by Ron Marz and Michael Broussard collects the first four issues of the Artifacts series of the biggest event in the near twenty year history of Top Cow Productions.

The story begins with the kidnapping of the daughter of two of the artifact bearers. The kidnapping kicks off a recruitment drive as the possessors of the artifacts are drawn into the opposing sides of the oncoming conflict. There is the side of good, who know the danger in the thirteen artifacts being brought together and there is the side of evil, who serve the mysterious figure that set this battle in motion.

With a large cast of characters spanning the entirety of the Top Cow Comics Universe, writer Ron Marz has taken great care to make Artifacts accessible to new readers as well as bring in the history of the characters to add fun story elements for longtime fans. Marz tells the story at a rapid pace while keeping you on the edge of your seat and getting you invested in the heroes of the story. The heroes are not your garden variety, flashy colored super heroes they are real people that have been given extraordinary powers. Marz shows why you should care about these people as they go through life altering changes.

In the introduction to this collection, Top Cow Founder Marc Silvestri says artist Michael Broussard deserves his position in the awe inspiring list of artists who have worked for Top Cow Productions. Given the legendary status of Top Cow’s talent this is not feint praise. Broussard’s art in this series is stunning. The detailed pencil work is gorgeous as he captures the look and feel of the real world while transforming it into a world full of fantasy. The art is embellished by a talented group of inkers: Rick Basalda, Sal Regla, Joe Weems, Dulce Brassea and Jason Gorder. The varied group of inkers is able to keep the book’s look consistent and allow Broussard’s pencil work and design to shine on each page.

The decision: Artifacts Volume 1 by Ron Marz and Michael Broussard is an excellent way to jump into the Top Cow Universe. A good story should make you want to learn more about the characters, not be fearful of their history. Marz does just that but allow you to read the story without prior knowledge of the characters. After reading this you will want to read more about Witchblade and the Darkness. The collection kicks off with a prologue that outlines what is known about the thirteen artifacts. The book then jumps into an enjoyable, fast paced story of adventure. The series is a lot of fun as powerful super teams are formed to begin a war over the artifacts.

This collection is capped off with an extensive cover gallery showcasing the various covers for the individual issues by stellar artists like Dale Keown and Ryan Sook. The book is finished with a commentary by Marz, Broussard and Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik about the story.

Nate Cosby & Chris Eliopoulos show that justice has no age in Cow Boy

2012-01-25T10:46:00.000-08:00

Boyd Linney is a precocious 10-year-old bounty hunter. He rides into town on a horse that is not his, carrying his custom built rifle. This is not fun and games for him, he is dead serious about collecting his bounty. Don’t let his age fool you he is one tough cowboy.

Boyd Linney’s adventures are chronicled in the new comic titled Cow Boy. Cow Boy debuts for free this week at CowboyComic.net. The series is by writer Nate Cosby and artist Chris Eliopoulos. In March the entire series will be collected by Hollywood based graphic novel publisher Archaia Entertainment in hardcover format.

Writer Nate Cosby writes fun dialogue that without the pictures you would think you were reading a Clint Eastwood western movie script. The tough guy no nonsense attitude of Boyd gives the series its charm. Cosby keeps the back story of Boyd light when he tells the basics of his story, “I got born, I stirred trouble, I got beat . . . Mama liked to say I got too much’a my Daddy in me. I pray that ain’t true.”

The solemn Boyd travels with his horse which is a custom made rifle that looks like a toy horse on a stick. Boyd works on the side of justice and his mission is to round up his outlaw family collecting the bounties on each of their heads.

The artwork of Chris Eliopoulos resembles comic strip greats like Bill Waterson’s Calvin and Hobbes and Charles Schultz’s Peanuts. The comic feels like the Sunday comics in the newspaper, but the longer form of storytelling allowed by the graphic novel format makes this series so much more entertaining.

Eliopoulos creates rich detail on each page. Each panel tells you something about the story and its star Boyd. The story flows from panel to panel and from page to page telling the narrative brilliantly. The artwork is stylized making each page fun.

The decision: Cow Boy is a lot of fun and is a comic that can be read and enjoyed by everyone. A delightful story of a 10-year-old boy who knows no fear and goes about his way like a hardened cow boy should. The dialogue is clever and loaded with bits about who Boyd is. Cosby and Eliopoulos have created a fantastic story with an entertaining lead character.

You can start reading Cow Boy at COWBOYCOMIC.NET now. This week is Cow Boy Week and new pages will be posted every day. Then for the next nine weeks new pages will be posted on Tuesdays and Thursdays until they are collected in hardcover in March by Archaia Entertainment. You can pre-order the hardcover direct from the Archaia Store or by contacting your local comic shop.

Escaping the melancholy of winter with the Shade

2012-01-25T10:44:00.000-08:00

The Shade is a man of means. He is an immortal man of means living in Opal City, a strangely haunted city in a fictional city. But this proper English gentleman has come awash in melancholy. Depressed by the calendar’s turn to October, Shade finds himself looking for cheering up from his usual consortium. He sits for tea with a good friend and enjoys the company of his girlfriend but still he is not quite there. The Shade needs to find an adventure, but in The Shade #1 from DC Comics by James Robinson and Cully Hamner the adventure finds him.

The Shade is a supporting character from the 1990s comic series Starman also written by James Robinson. Now Robinson is shining the spotlight on this murky villain who has grown a conscience and become a hero. This issue is the first of a twelve part story putting the Shade into the New DC Universe. Robinson takes his time to set up where the Shade is now from where he left off in the Starman series. The Shade begins the story by saying that he is usually at his most depressed point in October which is the time of year he was born. But he is reluctant to tell just how he was born. The Shade thinks better of sharing those horrors.

Robinson shows a lot about who the character is from the conversations he has within the first issue. The Shade is a likeable character with an arrogant demeanor that comes off as charming. His friends appreciate him and his villains have had enough of him. The final page should be an ending to the series so where Robinson is heading for the next eleven issues will be a fun ride.

Cully Hamner has a clean and clear line in his art that has just enough weight to it that makes you feel the energy of the story. Hamner’s faces are rounded with exaggerated features that add a unique style to the story. The action sequence in the middle of the story featuring William Von Hammer is quite stunning as Hamner draws a six on one gunfight with rocket packs. It is action like this that balances out the character driven meetings of the Shade.

The decision: In The Shade #1, James Robinson has returned to the Shade, a character he developed and defined. Despite the long history between the writer and the character there is no need for any knowledge of what has gone on before to enjoy this story. Robinson establishes the tone of the story from the get go and then jumps the story into high gear with some fast paced action and a lethal confrontation. Cully Hamner’s art is a treat that gives a designed feel to the story and gives the Shade a look all his own.

Aspen Comics’ Broken Pieces shatters the world

2012-01-25T10:42:00.000-08:00

Broken Pieces is the new series from Aspen Comics that explores the world of the future where bio chemical weapons have changed the way we live. Written by Mark Rozlan with art by Micah Kaneshiro the story of Broken Pieces has everything a sci-fi series should have: a world disaster, a manipulative corporation, a love story and a monster. The series kicks off with plenty of mystery and exciting areas for stories to grow.

In the year 2032 a bio-bomb will be detonated near the Gulf of Mexico irradiating the South of the United States creating a pandemic more devastating than the Black Plague. People are unable to breathe the air and must live in fear of developing harmful mutations. Corporations have developed artificial body parts to help people to survive in the new environment but it is no substitute for the real thing.

In Broken Pieces #1, Trinion Industries has found the solution to the plagues of the year 2033, rejuvenation. Lead Director of Trinion Damon Ludas has recruited Dr. Gabriella Adams to create a natural way for the body to repair itself. Dr. Adams’ research and work will change the world forever. But when she discovers the truth about Trinion she realizes their goals are not as altruistic as they might seem.

Mark Rozlan writes believable characters in a world that has fallen apart. This is not a dystopian future but the characters are facing real problems that may never be cured. They are living their lives with a cloud over their heads, but aren’t panicking about the end of the world. These are real people behaving in a real manner and the story feels natural. Rozlan has raised questions about this world that you want to learn more about. The hook of the story grabs you from the start.

Micah Kaneshiro’s art is beautiful with stunning page design and layouts. His art is lifelike and the characters look and act true. The designs of Kaneshiro show a world that is only a little more advanced than our world today. His work highlights a society twenty years into the future without using special effects and settings that would make you question the timeframe of the story.

The decision: Broken Pieces #1 is a great first act of an exciting science fiction story. Mark Rozlan and Micah Kaneshiro introduce new concepts and themes to the story. The setting and events of the story are possibilities which ground the sci-fi story with a realistic base. There is plenty of science fiction and fantasy in the story to get you excited and hook reader for the entire series.

Avengers Academy where character drives the story

2012-01-25T10:41:00.000-08:00

The mutant clone of the X-Man Wolverine, X-23 joins the Avengers Academy in issue 23 of the ongoing Avengers Academy series from Marvel Comics by Christos Gage and Tom Raney. While this may be the biggest news to come out of this issue the story is packed with strong character development and intriguing subplots that will hook in any reader.

Writer Christos Gage crafts an intricate plot with themes and ideas running in and out of each other. The themes are the basic concept of this series, young heroes with astonishing powers who are not sure how to use their powers. The ideas do not always play out in the use of their abilities. Gage writes teenage emotion in this series while avoiding teen angst and melodrama. The characters are relatable and believable.

The mutant X-23 joins the Academy with this issue. Instead of inserting her into the story or having her jump into some super powered melee, Gage shows the violence she is capable of and then has her explain to the others who she is. X-23 believes her past and her abilities will keep her from being accepted by the rest of the Academy. Each member of the students understands what it is like to be manipulated for evil purposes and they open their arms to X-23, welcoming her into the school.

The most poignant moment of the story is when Striker comes out of the closet to Lightspeed. The two heroes discuss what it means to be a gay hero and how that they are people not political statements. The conversation is well written and reveals a lot more about who these characters are not as heroes but as people.

The storyline that weaves throughout this issue focuses on the story’s narrator, Reptil. Reptil has had his mind replaced by his older self who came back in time not to alter the future but to make sure things happen the way they originally did. Gage uses this plot to unite all the various side plots into a cohesive story. By the end of this issue Reptil’s actions have a horrifying conclusion for the school.

The artwork of Tom Raney is beautiful with a clean line and lots of detail. This issue is focused on dialogue with only a few pages devoted to action. Raney uses the body language of the characters to tell the story with the pictures. The artwork adds a great deal to the narrative of the story.

The decision: Avengers Academy #23 is one of the quieter issues in the series. Christos Gage takes this opportunity to make you care more about the characters by adding personality to each member of the cast. The teenagers feel real with feelings of confusion, jealousy and abandonment all mixed with their desires to belong. The story and dialogue never feels forced.

This issue will be the last issue of Avengers Academy for artist Tom Raney as he moves onto other projects with Marvel Comics. His art has played a large part in defining what the Academy is and how it fits into the Marvel Universe. As adept as he is with the quieter moments his art has always made the action burst of the pages. This issue really shows his skill as an artist mixing strong characters with extraordinary detail.

Will the Incredible Hulk ever find peace?

2012-01-25T10:39:00.000-08:00

Since he was created in the heart of a gamma bomb explosion the Incredible Hulk has wanted only to be left alone, but his split personality would not allow it. The Hulk has always been about the dichotomy of Bruce Banner and the monstrous personality of the Hulk. There is a constant struggle between the two of them for control. In Marvel Comics’ Incredible Hulk #1 by Jason Aaron and Marc Silvestri the Hulk is separated from Bruce Banner and the fallout is surprising.

For a long time the Hulk has been seen as both a monster and a savior. He has been constantly hunted by men who don’t understand him. Now separated from Bruce Banner, who the Hulk thinks made him afraid of people, he is able to find peace in his life. But the peace is short lived when the United States sends a special operations paramilitary unit to recruit him to stop a new menace threatening the Earth, Bruce Banner.

Writer Jason Aaron knows the Hulk has always been his own yin to his own yang, two contrasting and opposite forces working against each other. The Hulk is a hero and a savage, a world breaker and the hunted. The green skinned behemoth has been searching for his identity but has never been able to find it. Aaron writes the Hulk at peace and shows what that does to him. At peace the Hulk is good and does not need to fight. Aaron has made the Hulk the good side of the equation with Banner the antagonist. This new dynamic has the potential for some great stories. The interior monologue of the Hulk that Aaron uses gives insight into who he is at this point in time.

Legendary comic book artist Marc Silvestri brings his highly detailed style to the pages of the Hulk. The art has a lot of texture and a rough look to it that fits the setting of the story beautifully. Silvestri has designed a barbaric look for the Hulk with long hair and a beard. It is a good look that separates the version of the Hulk from how he has been portrayed before. The barbaric look also works to show a more relaxed and satisfied Hulk.

The decision: The story in Incredible Hulk #1 is a new direction for the Hulk that raises some very interesting questions. Why is the Hulk separate from Bruce Banner? Why is Banner acting evil? Has the Hulk been the good aspect of the spilt personality all this time, held in check by Banner? Will the Hulk ever find the peace he so desires? Jason Aaron is exploring new ground when it comes to the Hulk and this issue kicks it off with a bang. Marc Silvestri’s art is gorgeous in its detail that tells the story with pictures that boost the story Aaron is telling.

Dead Man’s Run by Pak and Parker build a prison that delivers the ultimate justice

2011-11-03T17:54:00.000-07:00

Captain Romero is the head of security at Andrew Jackson Federal Corrections Facility. By his own admission he is not a good man. Captain Romero is a highly decorated former soldier with a dark past of killing people he shouldn’t have. In Dead Man’s Run #0 from Aspen Comics by Greg Pak and Tony Parker, Romero will lead his team of guards into the fires of Hell.

Andrew Jackson Federal Corrections Facility is not just a prison it is literally Hell. Captain Romero’s mandate has been to keep whatever is in there from reaching the surface and getting out. The mandate changes and he must charge into the fires of Hell where corruption and temptation reign supreme.

Writer Greg Pak is defining a new kind of Hell. It is a place where the ultimate justice is served. Instead of a mythological place ruled by a man with a pitchfork, this Hell is a prison in the California desert.

The characters Pak introduces are compelling. In this first story he sets up the personality of three major players in the world of Dead Man's Run. Captain Romero is the hardened combat veteran with an unspeakable past. Sam Tinker has fewer miles on him than Romero and shows a sense of innocence which will come in handy in Hell. Then there is the mysterious Warden who operates the prison from below the surface, in the very pits of Hell. Pak gives all of them an interesting personality that makes you want to read more.

Artist Tony Parker’s depiction of the prison both above and below the surface is outstanding. On the surface he draws a standard maximum security prison, but once the guards descend down their ropes into the City of Corruption, the fires of Hell come up to meet them. The twisted nightmare world is shown on the pages as the guards engage the denizens of this world in a fire fight.

The decision: Dead Man's Run is setting up to be the ultimate in prison break serialized fiction. Issue 0 builds the Hellish prison as a character in the story like Captain Romero or Sam Tinker. Pak sets the stage of the ongoing series by introducing interesting characters and an intriguing mystery to keep you hooked. Parker’s art is beautiful and highly detailed which gives the story its gravitas and instantly makes the world recognizable.

Mister Terrific is the new science guy

2011-11-01T15:40:00.000-07:00

In DC Comics’ Mister Terrific #2 by Eric Wallace and Gianluca Gugliotta Los Angeles’s scientific hero, Mr. Terrific heads over to The Grove, not to shop but to stop the nefarious plans of Brainstorm. This is the villain who has been overloading the minds of people in Southern California from Long Beach to Ojai, turning them into sociopathic Nobel Laureates.

The second issue of Mister Terrific jumps right into the action, picking up from the events of last issue. Michael Holt, aka Mister Terrific, has suffered an attack on his brain. The attack caused an increase in the biochemical cognitive enhancing stimuli and a rapid intelligence spike overloading his brain. The overload sent billionaire Michael Holt over the edge, causing a chain of events that threatens to destroy all of Southern California. Luckily he has one of his famed T-Spheres in his pocket. This stops the brain assault and reboots his mind on the spot.

Now with his senses restored Mister Terrific starts saving Santa Barbara and tracking down the mastermind behind the attack. Through scientific reasoning and diagnostics Mister Terrific is able to deduce the next attack by Brainstorm, which leads him to one of the finest shopping malls in Los Angeles, The Grove.

Writer Eric Wallace writes Mister Terrific as a cool, calm and collected individual. Nothing seems the shake him. The science used in the story is fun and Wallace uses it to give the character balance. You will not be overwhelmed by scientific jargon. Despite his cool exterior Mister Terrific cares about what he does. When Mister Terrific arrives at the mall he has a fun interaction with some young children who idolize the hero.

The art of Gianluca Gugliotta captures the excitement of the world around Mister Terrific. Where the art shines is when Mister Terrific surfs through the Ninth Dimension, which is his surefire way to beat LA traffic. Gugliotta handles the action beautifully and keeps the story flowing well. The body language of the characters throughout is anything but boring and makes you feel the pressure of the situation. Even the scene where Mister Terrific is working at a computer carries a lot of weight.

The decision: Mister Terrific is an enjoyable super hero book. The science aspect of the character is handled in a way that shows the intelligence of the hero without boring you with over the top expository language. Wallace keeps the action coming and provides new and inventive ways for the hero to travel and solve the mysteries of Brainstorm. Gugliotta’s art also keeps to the tone of the story. This is pulse pounding adventure with a scientific background.

Iron Man must avoid the Rapture in a series from Marvel Comics

2011-11-01T15:37:00.000-07:00

Recently, there has been a lot of talk about the Rapture. Rapture is the event where those who are worthy will ascend to the skies leaving the Earth behind and beginning the end of days. The event failed to materialize earlier this year, but in Iron Man Rapture by Alex Irvine and Lan Medina you can see what the Rapture would be like in the Marvel Comics Universe.

Tony Stark, the man inside the Iron Man armor, suffers a heart attack and comes face to face with his own mortality. In a state of depression and wanting to prolong his life indefinitely he creates a cybernetic system with an artificial intelligence. The AI starts to assimilate humans into its operating system in essence taking them to a better world. It is up to Iron Man’s friends War Machine and Pepper Potts to stop this from happening.

Alex Irvine writes a suspenseful comic thriller. The true nature of the AI and how it is affecting Tony Stark is handled well. The story is told in four parts and Irvine paces the story well with twists and turns that keep you hooked. The characters of Tony, Pepper and Jim Rhodes (War Machine) behave believably for the situations they find themselves in.

The realistic art of Lan Medina visualizes the personality of the story by capturing the dark undertones of Iron Man’s Rapture. Medina has a great sense of movement and motion and knows when to use it in the story. The characters look real and it keeps you immersed in the story. The climatic battle between Iron Man and War Machine is an exciting battle of armored heroes that keeps you moving through the pages.

The decision: Released earlier in 2011, this collection of the four issue Iron Man Rapture mini-series is a different look at Iron Man and his technological advancements and how they affect the characters in the story. Alex Irvine writes affable characters in a desperate situation, they come to life as they try to solve the problem. The gorgeous art of Lan Medina compliments the story in a stunning way acting in unison with the words on the page to create a full visual experience. Extras in the collection include some of the original penciled pages by Medina so you can see the process a page goes through before the final print.

Fairy tales and nightmares come to life in the world of Haunted City

2011-10-26T17:31:00.000-07:00

Director McG and Los Angeles publisher Aspen Comics join together to turn New York City into the world’s largest Haunted House. Just in time for Halloween the new comic book, Haunted City tells the story of a secret police force in New York City set to deal with mythical mysteries of a supernatural nature. Chap Taylor, Peter Johnson and Michael Ryan collaborate to tell a modern ghost story of the hidden secrets of New York.

The story focuses on Detective Tom Whalen of the NYPD. Tom is a cop who is as corrupt as they come but when his absent conscience suddenly returns during a drug deal, he gets shot in the head. While recovering, Tom meets Peter Hopkins the Witchfinder General who oversees a group that investigates crimes of a supernatural nature. When two missing boys turn up dead the special force comes into investigate the mysterious ghosts who are appearing at the scene of the crimes. A skeptical Tom is recruited onto the force.

New York City has a long history and that history comes with its ghosts and unsolved mysteries. The mystery evolving in the first issue surrounds the missing boys and their ties to an Irish myth about Morrigan, a goddess of strife, fertility and death.

Writers Chap Taylor and Peter Johnson accomplish two goals with Tom Whalen. The first, Tom is a tour guide through a supernatural world. His gruff exterior and inability to suspend his disbelief lets you see more of the world as he explores this unseen side of New York. Second, Tom is a character who has bottomed out, his conscience returning seems to start him on the path of redemption giving you someone to root for.

Artist Michael Ryan produces great storytelling and creates a strong backdrop for the supernatural elements of the story. His strong line work and excellent use of shading creates a world that feels real and when the ghosts appear on the page they seem to bounce out with their softer lines. Ryan is assisted by the colorist of Kelsey Shannon who makes the ghosts look luminescent.

The decision: Halloween is the time of year for the ghosts and goblins to take center stage and Haunted City mixes the supernatural feel of a horror movie with police crime drama. It is a mixture that creates all sorts of possibilities. The work of Taylor, Johnson and Ryan creates a new twist on the bad cop finding redemption especially by entering the world of the supernatural.

Haunted City is part of an ambitious multimedia project by writer, director and producer McG’s Wonderland Sound and Vision. Wonderland Sound and Vision is creating a world that will be the backdrop of other platforms in television, movies and video games.

The United Nations sponsored heroes of the Justice League International

2011-10-24T11:25:00.000-07:00

A team of super-heroes sanctioned by the United Nations to intervene in the world’s problems sounds like it would be a good idea. In DC Comics’ Justice League International a group of super-heroes is put together through the choices of a committee and what the world gets is a team of heroes with their own ideologies and beliefs that don’t necessarily work well together, just like the United Nations. Can Batman, Booster Gold, Vixen, Rocket Red and the rest of the team put their differences aside and work together for the betterment of the world?

Heroes from Africa, China, Russia, South America and the future are put in place to be public relations stars for the UN. They are the global face of super-heroes there to act on behalf of all of mankind. When confronted with a giant robot seeking to destroy a village in Peru these heroes spring into action. Their lack of focus and familiarity with working together hinders them to the point where they must retreat which sends the sparks flying.

Justice League International is one of the new comic books titles launched during the DC Comics New 52 in September. The second issue of the series by Dan Jurgens and Aaron Lopresti shows this group of eight heroes from all over the globe struggling to form consensus on the best way to handle the big threat. The confrontations and the bickering among the heroes give the book its charm. From the Chinese and Russian heroes squabbling over who makes the superior technology to the Americans’ backbiting about who should be in charge.

Writer Dan Jurgens plays up the conflicts between the heroes to create an entertaining dynamic in this book. He shows that these are not the ‘A list’ of heroes, they have their weaknesses, the main one is they don’t like working together. Through all the infighting Jurgens still manages to make the characters likable. Quick dialogue mixed with diverse characters gives this book its strength.

This book is full of action and artist Aaron Lopresti makes the pages come to life. The art is a classic style with some modern touches put in to punch it up. These are active heroes who aren’t stuck in static poses. Lopresti draws each character with energy and their body movements and expressions are unique to each character.

The decision: Dan Jurgens and Aaron Lopresti have put a lot of fun into this comic book. With a colorful cast of super-heroes who bicker and squabble and fight giant robots, what is there not to like? There are intriguing subplots involving their United Nations’ sponsorship and an attack that destroys the international league’s home base. The interpersonal relationships and the team’s overall mission to be the international face of the world’s greatest heroes make this book a must read.

Critically wounded the Dark Wolverine finds renewed focus

2011-10-24T11:23:00.000-07:00

It is said that when you are faced with death your life can flash in front of you. You are confronted by all of your triumphs and mistakes. In Daken: Dark Wolverine #15 from Marvel Comics, Daken Akihiro, after getting shot in the head, must face the horrors he has committed in his life. Writer Rob Williams along with artists Riley Rossmo and Michele Bertilorenzi have Daken go on a spiritual journey that will change Daken by the end of the story.

Frantically confused and looking for help, Daken ran to the one person he thought would help him, FBI Agent Donna Kiel. What he found was a bullet to his brain. High on the drug Heat, Daken’s senses and healing ability were overwhelmed which put him into a feverish state. Daken is rushed away in an ambulance where the drug Heat kicks into overdrive and the hallucinations and the images of the afterlife come to plague him. Daken is forced to look at all the people he has murdered and his response puts him onto a new path of clarity with a single goal in mind.

The art of Riley Rossmo takes center stage in this issue. Rossmo’s fever induced images take Daken on his path through his own Hell. Faced with distorted images of his past and present the nightmare world that Daken is dealing with comes to life. The art captures the feeling of confusion while instilling a sense of menace in the surroundings for Daken. It is a distinct contrast from the art of Michele Bertilorenzi.

Bertilorenzi’s art depicts the real world around Daken as he is treated for his gunshot wound. Moon Knight and Donna Kiel are still on the trail of finding the Claws Killer and Bertilorenzi’s art provides the grounded look of reality that moves the story to the next phase.

Rob Williams continues to find new ways to show the wickedness of Daken. With Daken laid out in a hospital bed he is forced to look into himself and what he finds is something more horrific than what the cunning, criminal mastermind shows on the surface. Even with the character confined to a bed we see him develop and find a new focus for his aggression. Daken has figured out his new target and nothing will get in his way.

The decision: Daken: Dark Wolverine #15 is the conclusion of the ‘Moonwalk’ storyline with Daken’s first confrontation with Los Angeles’s vigilante Moon Knight. This issue does a lot to explore the deeper side of Daken and deal with his addiction to the drug Heat and the part of him that is nothing more than a ruthless killer. Williams structures a story that bounces from the feverish nightmare world of Daken’s hallucinations drawn by Rossmo to the reality that surrounds Daken as he is treated for his gunshot wound drawn by Bertilorenzi. The outcome of Daken’s brush with death has the lead character focused with a renewed sense of importance.

Joshua Fialkov’s “I, Vampire” brings horror and romance in the world of super-heroes

2011-10-14T11:49:00.000-07:00

In a world filled with super powered, colorfully clad individuals flying around for the entire world to see why should vampires be hiding in shadows and darkness? That is the answer the stars of DC Comics’ I, Vampire #1 are asking. The creative team of writer Joshua Hale Fialkov and artist Andrea Sorrentino bring horror to DC Comics’ New 52. With vampire romance and vampire horror popular today this book takes both and puts them together for a love story covered in blood.

Andrew wants to be the good vampire and avoid confrontations that will lead to vampire hunts and execution. Andrew carries the weight of the world on his shoulders he wants to protect vampires but also control them so as not to bring about persecution.

Mary is the opposite. She is cool, calculating and impulsive. To her vampires should be in charge. With aliens from Krypton, green ring wearing space cops and Amazon warriors running around why must the vampires keep to the night and hide in the shadows. They should be running the world and she is going to make that happen.

Andrew and Mary are diametrically opposed to one another but for centuries have been madly in love with each other. Mary wants Andrew to come to her side of the battle. Andrew just wants her to be calm and live a quiet life with him.

The art of Andrea Sorrentino conveys that this is not a comic book for the squeamish. The tones of the story are dark, the scenes are horrific. Bodies are stacked after mass vampire executions. With all this carnage Sorrentino still manages to show the beauty of Andrew and Mary. These characters are sexy. Amidst all the terror these two are surrounded by, there is the gentle exquisiteness that Sorrentino brings across the pages.

The mind of Joshua Hale Fialkov must be a scary place. First his horror graphic novel Echoes and then following up with I, Vampire Fialkov is showing his skills as one of the top horror writers working in comic books today. Fialkov is showing the dark side of the DC Universe, the places where the heroes are not venturing. This is the story of centuries old vampires who despite their supernatural abilities are trapped in a world of their own making. This romantic horror story is driven by the characters of Mary and Andrew. In Mary, Fialkov writes a character that is exciting without limits. She is very much in the moment but is cunning and witty.

The decision: I, Vampire is something new from a major comics publisher. This comic introduces diversity in the publisher’s line of comics while still playing in the same sandbox as the super-heroes. Fialkov has the horror writing chops to make this comic have the necessary fear factor and Sorrentino’s art accentuates the dark tones of the comic while also pushing the love story of the comic book. The conflict of the characters goes along perfectly with the timeless love they share. This is a comic book to watch going forward.

Heroes from the future get lost in the present in the new DC Comics series Legion Lost

2011-10-06T15:12:00.000-07:00

The super heroes of the 31st Century are travelling back in time to avert a catastrophe that is about to be released on 21st Century Earth. Unfortunately, The Legion of Super-Heroes did not make it in time. In Legion Lost #1 part of the new DC Comics 52 by Fabian Nicieza and Pete Woods the Legion cannot stop the release of a pathogen into the atmosphere that will change life on Earth forever.

Alastor, the villain of the future, has travelled back in time to get revenge on the human race for something that happened in the future. Alastor has come back and released a pathogen into the atmosphere. Seven members of the Legion of Super-Heroes arrive shortly after him but the devastating affects have already been begun. When the Legion tries to return to the future they find their technology has broken. Now these heroes are stuck in their distant past and faced with trying to figure out what to do next.

Fabian Nicieza does a good job of setting up who the heroes are. We are introduced to each member slowly and learn a little of their personality through the dialogue. Nicieza describes Timber Wolf and his impulsive nature when Wildfire says, “He was called Lone Wolf once” after Timber Wolf runs off on his own. By introducing who the characters are through small bits of dialogue, Nicieza manages to skip past the expository dialogue and caption boxes that bog down the flow of the story. Each piece fits into the ongoing narrative and feels natural. There is much to learn about the characters and Nicieza is slowly feeding it to us.

The art of Pete Woods is energetic with strong clean lines of art. The characters are anatomically sound but have an exaggerated look to make them stand out as larger than life characters. The expressions and body language of the characters convey the mood of the story. With their technology failing and the fact that they are trapped in the past, Woods shows the weight of the situation on each character’s face and by how they stand in the story, it adds gravity and a sense of peril to the situation the Legion find themselves in. Woods’ art is paired with the colors of Brad Anderson. Anderson introduces a lot of strong colors that really makes the art pop on the pages.

The decision: Nicieza and Woods have a good premise they are working with “They came back in time to save the Earth. They failed.” The failure is that the world has been polluted by a pathogen of the future. Now the members of the Legion are stranded in the past and need to figure out how to deal with the pathogen and save the Earth from more harm and try to find a way to get home.

Daken: Dark Wolverine is a villain with severe daddy issues

2011-10-05T09:40:00.000-07:00

Daken, the darker version of his father Wolverine, came to Los Angeles to become the kingpin of crime. He has made many plays for power and has had confrontations with the police and the crime families of Los Angeles. Now Daken must face LA’s newest hero Moon Knight. The confrontation between the super powers in Los Angeles takes place in Daken: Dark Wolverine #14 from Marvel Comics by the creative team of Rob Williams, Michele Bertilorenzi and Riley Rossmo.

Daken is on the trail of finding the Claws Killer, a serial killer who arrived in Los Angeles the same time as Daken and is making Daken look like an animal. Daken can’t have these savage killings on his record or he’ll lose legitimacy in the LA crime scene because it will look like he is out of control. Teaming up with FBI Agent Donna Kiel, Daken finally has a lead on the Claws Killer when he is confronted by Moon Knight who believes Daken is the Claws Killer. A super powered slugfest ensues. Moon Knight is lost in one of his alternate-personalities acting like Daken’s father Wolverine. The actions of Moon Knight get under Daken’s skin unleashing a savagery Daken reserves only for his deadliest enemies. This uncontrolled rage only gets Daken into more trouble.

Rob Williams continues to up the ante for Daken. Williams incorporates the ongoing story of Moon Knight and his affinity for acting like other heroes of the Marvel Universe and using his schizophrenia to create tension with Daken. The story puts in a nutshell Daken’s daddy issues and the dialogue between Daken and Moon Knight shows one character leading the other down the path of madness. Williams also introduces new twists into the identity of the Claws Killer. The suspense builds along with the action of the story.

Michele Bertilorenzi and Riley Rossmo team up to put another action filled issue of Daken together. Bertilorenzi’s pencil work is not overly detailed clearly showing what is happening in the story making great use of thick and heavy lines creating a coarse feel for the story and bringing out the darker side of the Los Angeles super hero world. Rossmo continues his excellent work on the drug induced hallucinations of Daken. These scenes are heavier on the details and firmly place Daken’s struggles with the drug Heat into the scope of the overall story, masking his ability to firmly grasp the situations he finds himself in.

The decision: While the ongoing sub plot of the Claws Killer is taking center stage in the story of Daken in Los Angeles, Williams is adding lots of drama to Daken’s exploits and relationships with the characters who surround him. Daken: Dark Wolverine #14 dealt with his first confrontation with a hero on the West Coast. Moon Knight creates antagonism between the combatants by acting like Wolverine. By adding Moon Knight as an opponent to Daken’s plans Williams has created an adversary for Daken that over time could rival Wolverine for Daken’s hatred.

The conclusion of Star Wars: Jedi – the Dark Side

2011-10-05T09:35:00.000-07:00

The machinations of a leader and the resulting devastation they bring are nothing new to the Star Wars Universe. In Dark Horse Comics’ Star Wars: Jedi – The Dark Side #5 the recurring theme in the Star Wars mythology returns creating enticing political drama. Written by Scott Allie with art by Mahmud Asrar the culminations of the events in the Star Wars: Jedi – The Dark Side series have a profound effect on the future of the Jedi.

The world of Telos IV has erupted into civil war. The insurgency that was spurred on with the assassination of a key political figure is taking the fight directly to the palace of Lord Crion. The plans of Lord Crion have been spinning out of control since the death of his daughter. What was once planned to cement his family’s rule over Telos IV and spark nationalism among the people is now a war. The Jedi are split over what to do and difficult decisions must be made.

Scott Allie takes one of the main themes from the Star Wars Universe, a ruler using subversion and war to strengthen their hold on their subjects, and then spins the theme in a new direction. The politics create more intrigue testing the limits of the Jedi’s role as peacekeepers. The tough decisions that face Qui-Gon Jinn and Xanatos are painful and not easy. Allie makes you feel the internal torment of the characters that are caught in the crossfire of a building war and an angered and deceived populace.

The art is very dynamic with Asrar’s characters springing to life. Asrar’s art gets bigger and more explosive as the story builds to the climax. The story switches from several different settings quickly and Asrar never loses you as the story unfolds at an incredible pace. With beautiful sets and a dazzling lightsaber duel the art does not disappoint.

The decision: The Star Wars: Jedi – the Dark Side series has been a remarkable chapter in the Star Wars saga. Qui-Gon Jinn who was a veritable blank slate outside of Star Wars - Episode I: The Phantom Menace sees his character developed in a way that will foreshadow many of his actions as a pivotal figure in the mythology of Star Wars. Scott Allie has done a lot to make you care about the characters whether they are good or bad. The art of Mahmud Asrar is beautiful and lives up to the expectations of a Star Wars epic.

Mr. Terrific brings Los Angeles into the New 52 of DC Comics

2011-09-27T17:04:00.000-07:00

The heroic pantheon of Los Angeles adds a new member to its ranks in Mister Terrific. Mr. Terrific holds more degrees than the faculties of Harvard and Yale combined, has won Olympic gold and runs a billion dollar corporation. So what does the world’s third smartest man do? He fights the good fight as the hero who is all about fair play in Los Angeles. From the DC Comics New 52 comes the first comic book series starring Mr. Terrific. Issue #1 of Mister Terrific is available now by writer Eric Wallace and artist Gianluca Gugliotta.

Michael Holt is the world’s third smartest man. Holt has accomplished so much in his life and has so much more to give, but when tragedy strikes he loses all faith and contemplates giving up. When a vision from the future visits Michael he pulls himself out of the gutter and focuses his life towards helping people. Now armed with his amazing T-Spheres, Mr. Terrific is using his genius and athletic prowess to battle crime not only in his home of Los Angeles but all over the world. Mr. Terrific’s first case is to determine how individuals of limited intellect are boosted intellectually into homicidal, Nobel laureates.

From the T-Santuary, his headquarters, in the ninth dimension to perfecting infinite fractal mechanics, writer Eric Wallace firmly establishes Mr. Terrific as a man of science. All of Mr. Terrific’s cases can be solved simply by following the science behind the mystery. The dialogue is quick and sharp befitting the world’s third smartest man. The story is balanced well with an opening action sequence that has Mr. Terrific zooming over the streets of London battling an armored villain and with quiet scenes in Michael Holt’s home in Los Angeles and a fundraiser in Santa Barbara.

Gianluca Gugliotta provides the stunning artwork of the first issue. To see Mr. Terrific in action is something to get excited about and Gugliotta makes Mr. Terrific’s aerial tactics jump off the page almost as if our hero is speed skating in the sky. The rendering of the science based T-Sanctuary is also done very well with Gugliotta keeping a cold feel to the base in character for Mr. Terrific.

The decision: Wallace packs a lot of big ideas into the first issue and you will have no trouble understanding who Mr. Terrific is by the end of the book. Gugliotta’s art keeps up with the fast pace set by Wallace. It is a strong debut issue for a character who up to this point has been a strong character in a crowded Justice Society of America. It is good to see such a great hero get the room to breathe in his own comic book series. It is also good to see DC Comics put their heroes in new locales like Los Angeles.

Moon Knight faces the LAPD in unfamiliar territory

2011-09-27T17:02:00.000-07:00

The Los Angeles Police Department is not used to super heroes. Sure there has been super hero activity in the past with Iron Man, the Runaways and even the Avengers West Coast taking up residence in the City of Angels, but when compared to the New York super hero scene the super hero action on the West Coast has been pretty sparse, but now Moon Knight is in Los Angeles and the LAPD is going to have its hands full. In Marvel Comics’ Moon Knight #6 by writer Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev, Moon Knight runs afoul of LA’s finest and quickly gets on their bad side.

With the villains known as the Night Shift beaten by Moon Knight and Echo at the end of the previous issue, Moon Knight and Echo find themselves surrounded by the LAPD. The LAPD has little experience with super heroes and are unaware of who these heroes are. The unfamiliarity with these kind of situations comes back to get them.

Moon Knight’s multiple personalities are conflicted on what to do when faced with the LAPD. Should he run or stay and face the music. Moon Knight is ready to go quietly but changes his mind when one of the officers takes a photo of him to make a profit on his arrest. Moon Knight blows up and fights the LAPD.

Bendis works with the multiple personality disorder of Moon Knight and uses it nicely to create tension within in the character. The inner conflict between his various personalities are comedic and only serve to get him into more trouble, when your multiple personalities have the traits of Spider-Man, Wolverine and Captain America that will happen.

Maleev’s artwork defines Moon Knight with grandiose scene setting shots. During Moon Knight’s escape from the police Maleev illustrates a full page of Moon Knight flying up and away from the conflict. The shot instills the scene with a sense of wonder. In one moment Maleev has the down and dirty hero on the streets and in the next he lifts Moon Knight up to the sky creating awe in the eyes of the on looking police officers.

The decision: If you are not reading Moon Knight yet what are you waiting for? Bendis and Maleev have brought the chaos of New York’s crazy super hero lifestyle to Los Angeles. The LA landscape has been built from nothing into an intriguing part of the story. Bendis and Maleev incorporate a lot of bits and pieces from around the Southland that make the story feel real and it plays with the actions and demeanor of the Moon Knight.

Aspen Comics’ signature series Soulfire returns

2011-09-16T14:43:00.000-07:00

War is coming, but it was never supposed to get to this point. Peace between the Sethoru and the Rahtumi had been reached and the next great age of magic had begun, but a terrorist named Onyx who is an exiled member of the Sethoru would have none of the peace and coexistence. In the third volume of Soulfire from Aspen Comics, Onyx will do anything to put the Sethoru back on top. Writer JT Krul and artist Jason Fabok get the action started in this futuristic fantasy world set in the year 2212.

Malikai, the chosen one who started this age of magic with his powers, has exiled himself until he can better learn to control his powers. With Malikai gone that leaves only Grace, the last survivor of the previous age of magic to defend Anantia from Onyx. With Onyx more powerful than ever thanks to her release of forbidden dark magic, Grace is going to have more than her share of problems restoring peace and prosperity to the kingdom.

Soulfire issues 0-4 are on stands of comic shops now. The series feels like you are walking into a sequel of a movie without ever seeing the first movie. The characters are already established with long back stories and you will only be able to get the gist of who they are. It is established that Grace is good, Onyx is bad and Malikai is worried about what he is capable of.

The lack of defining who the characters are takes away from an interesting plot and some very cool concepts in the story. The Age of Magic and the constant struggle between the two races is interesting but why do they hate each other and what makes them different.

The art of Jason Fabok is beautiful. He draws strong and stunning women with a textured energetic style. Fabok works heavily with shadows and plays with the darkness to really create depth in his art. The story definitely plays upon Fabok’s strengths with settings in the jungles of South Africa and the frozen streets of Russia mixed in with the fantasy heavy world of Anantia. The art for the series is consistently beautiful.

JT Krul writes some fun dialogue in these comics. The tone and the attitude of the story is set by the characters and their like and dislike of each other which is conveyed with hyperbolic statements that add punch to the scenes and helps to showcase the art. The story does feel like it starts in the middle and there is little catch up as to what is happening, but Krul does give a plan of where the story is going and that is to war with lots of action.

The decision: Soulfire is a fantasy action adventure starring strong and likable female characters. The art of Soulfire issues 0-4 is eye-catching. Background of all that has happened before would be appreciated since this is the start of a new series which encourages new readers. Fans of the original volumes of Soulfire will find this to be an exciting new volume in the mythos of Aspen Comics’ signature series.

Hawk and Dove ask can war and peace coexist?

2011-09-09T09:50:00.000-07:00

Hawk is the avatar of war. Dove is the avatar of peace. Together they strike a balance as illogical as that may seem. There is a symbiotic relationship between the two heroes and they hate it. Hawk and Dove #1 is part of the DC Comics New 52 by writer Sterling Gates and artist Rob Liefeld together they explore how two diametrically opposite forces war and peace can co-exist and save the day.

The first issue jumps right into the action with the heroes struggling to stop a plane from crashing into the Washington Monument. Hawk is barking orders at Dove complaining about why she is not as good as his old partner. Dove remains calm and finds the best solution to the problem even while her partner refuses to put any trust in her.

The villain, Alexander Quirk, complains about the lack of balance in America Politics. The country is run by a two party system where the checks and balances have been removed. There are two competing ideologies and nothing is getting done. His plan is to destroy Washington DC and eliminate the politicians. His views of a balanced system run in contrast to the opposing forces of war and peace.

Gates gets the ball rolling by introducing the conflicting personalities of the Hawk and Dove. The heroes are still effective but the tension between them is a constant conflict. Gates does a nice job of telling who they are and what their relationship is like. They have to work together but they don’t have to like it.

Liefeld’s style of exaggerated muscle bound characters with somewhat cartoon like appearances really fits in well with this story. Liefeld shows the essence of the characters in the way he draws them. Hawk is drawn as a big, brooding hulk of a man. Dove is the slim, upright and confident heroine. War is ugly and peace is beautiful. Hawk is rough and tough and smashes through his enemies. Dove is much lighter and agile and looks more graceful. Highlighting the differences in the characters through the art compliments the story and helps to define them.

The decision: Gates and Liefeld kick off the story with a solid first issue. There is plenty of action to excite you but there is also strong development of who these characters are. Hawk and Dove is a fun romp through the super hero world with the unlikely pairing of war and peace creating tension between the characters which is going to be fun to watch.

Mark Waid tells the story of a villain turning into an incorruptible hero

2011-09-07T09:53:00.000-07:00

Max Damage had it easy. He was the king of crime in Sky City and was rated the FBI’s most wanted criminal. Then he was bumped down to number two on that list by the world’s greatest super hero, the Plutonian. The Plutonian lost his mind and has gone on a worldwide rampage murdering and destroying anything that dares come near him. Max Damage has seen what is happening and now he is changing his ways. Incorruptible is the comic book series focusing on Max Damage and his turn from evil to good. This is a look at the first four issues of the comic written by Mark Waid with art by Jean Diaz from publisher BOOM! Studios.

The characters created by Waid are a lot of fun. From Max Damage to his sidekick Jailbait to the police lieutenant who is the only person who believes Damage has gone straight. The characters are not your typical comic characters and have fun traits that make them very exciting and not some over used cliché.

Max Damage is the villain who has decided everything about his life up until he met the new Plutonian was wrong. No more bank robberies no more using the secret base and hot car that were purchased with blood money. He has gone straight but no one can believe that he wants to protect Sky City.

Jailbait is the former underage girlfriend of Max Damage. Because she is not of legal age Damage is no longer interested in a romantic relationship. The sixteen year old girl does not quite know what to make of the new Damage and her struggles with it are humorous especially when she tries to continue the life of crime under Damage’s nose.

Lieutenant Armadale is the cop who believes Damage’s story of seeing the light. With the police force of Sky City seriously depleted due to the Plutonian he is thankful for the help even if Damage’s methods aren’t quite up to police code. A spotty history himself, he manages to be a good sounding board for Damage. Waid makes good use of the Lieutenant to explore all the characters in the story. Armadale’s bickering with Jailbait is a highlight of the book.

The art of Diaz has a raw look to it fits very nicely into this story and the art of the characters is clear but carries a certain edge to it. The world is getting bleaker everyday and the art captures it on each page. The coloring of Andrew Dalhouse compliments Diaz’s style and adds a lot of texture. It creates a moody feel that engages you into the story.

The decision: The premise of world’s worst criminal turning his malicious mind to good is a new one. Waid started to build this universe of a super hero gone bad in the series Irredeemable which tells the story of the Plutonian. Now with Incorruptible he has done the opposite and told the story of the villain who has turned hero. The adventures of Max Damage and Jailbait have a lot of appeal and good humor mixed into the bleak and mature themes of the story.

Daken: Dark Wolverine stops committing crimes to solve them

2011-09-07T09:51:00.000-07:00

Taking a break from his ascent up the Los Angeles crime ladder Daken stops to help FBI Agent Donna Kiel solve a case involving the Claws Killer. Since Daken moved to Los Angeles in issue number ten of the ongoing Daken: Dark Wolverine series from Marvel Comics hints have been dropped as to the identity of this clawed killer. Is it Daken? He fits the description and everyone including himself wants to know if it is really him. In the just released Daken: Dark Wolverine issue thirteen by writer Rob Williams and artists Mick Bertilorenzi and Riley Rossmo Daken is turning his attention to fighting crime rather than leading it.

Daken is hurting. Not fully recovered from his showdown with the Taskmaster in the previous issue he is making a concerted effort to kick his addiction to the Heat drug that is crippling his healing factor and dulling his senses.

When Daken is confronted by FBI Agent Kiel he can’t answer truthfully if he is the clawed killer or not. By his own admission he is not an animal and the claws killings look to be the act of an animal, but all the murders take place while Daken is blacked out from taking the drug Heat. Daken can’t account for that time.

To add fuel to the fire the Claws Killer has drawn the attention of Moon Knight. With LA’s insane hero looking for him, Daken is going to have a tougher time finding the identity of the killer and Moon Knight’s brand of justice isn’t too far off of Daken’s.

Williams writes a well thought out ongoing storyline for Daken. Picking up the subplots from previous issues and elaborating on them for the continuing action. Williams adds cool moments to the story such as Daken’s refusal to use his claws until the Claws Killer is found. Still a ruthless killer himself but Daken does not want to be linked to the murders he may or may not be guilty of. For how ruthless Daken is, Williams has established in both the actions of Daken and Agent Kiel that he is not an animal. He kills with a purpose. His purpose is to reach the top of LA crime empire.

This issue sees the art team of Mick Bertilorenzi and Riley Rossmo start to draw the Daken series. Bertilorenzi and Rossmo create a dark look for the story with heavy shading and dark shadows covering the characters faces. It has the look of a noir movie that sets the tone for what is happening.

The decision: Williams continues to take Daken in new directions. Adding layers to the character making sure he is not just a ruthless killer but a calculated ruthless killer. This issue is the start of a new story arc for Daken that has the villain heading for a collision with the hero Moon Knight. These two will battle it out in LA for supremacy. One wants to be the new crime lord the other wants to take down the crime lord.

Revolutionary reading: Scarlet

2011-09-07T09:48:00.000-07:00

Why? No one would tell Scarlet why. Scarlet was just living her life. A member of society who was just going about her own business, doing what she was supposed to do when her boyfriend was killed, right in front of her and no one could tell her why. Scarlet went in search of the answer and finds herself the leader of a social revolution. The system is broken. People in positions of power are abusing their authority. Scarlet is the new series from Marvel Comics’ Icon imprint by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev.

The story starts with a bang and quickly builds from there. Scarlet’s world was shattered when a crooked police officer shot and murdered her boyfriend but as she starts to expose the corruption she becomes a figurehead for the disenchanted. Scarlet becomes notorious for her actions and the people support her.

Echoing the breakdowns in society today, the story of Scarlet takes a stand against the injustices of society’s leaders and the abuses they are perpetuating. With the powers that be abusing their positions for their own personal gain and their own self serving ideologies, there is only so much people will take. The feeling of helplessness that Scarlet feels pushes her to take extreme measures. Confronting those responsible for the unjust crime against her sends her spiraling into the position of igniting a social revolution.

Brian Bendis has Scarlet break the fourth wall to narrate her story. Scarlet talks directly with the reader explaining how this all happened. Telling the story this way utilizes Bendis’ uncanny knack for dialogue and separates it from anything else he is currently writing. The book moves along at a fast pace which enhances the dramatic tension of the story.

Alex Maleev’s art is highly detailed and different from his work on Moon Knight. The art has a photo realistic look to it with heavy shading and shadows on each page. The pictures set the mood for the story. The reality is harsh and the artwork conveys it beautifully with each page. Scarlet is drawn in a way that shows her attractiveness but she is not a model or a fantasy woman. She is real and grounded into reality.

The decision: The creative team of Bendis and Maleev brought the real world to super hero comics in Moon Knight the story of the Los Angeles vigilante, but with Scarlet they take the realism to a new level. Scarlet is a hyper-realistic look at what happens when society is so broken the people can’t take it any longer.

A Labor Day Weekend must read: Justice League #1

2011-09-02T14:21:00.000-07:00

The book that restarts the DC Comics Universe, Justice League #1, hit comic shop shelves everywhere Wednesday August 31st. The book is by the all star creative team of writer Geoff Johns and artist Jim Lee, two of the biggest names in comic books, and they get the ball rolling in dramatic fashion. This is the comic you need to pick up on this long three day weekend.

“There was a time when the world didn’t call them its greatest super-heroes. There was a time when the world didn’t know what a super-hero was.” With this opening line Johns and Lee start the origin story of the Justice League and set the premise for the League’s introduction. The super-heroes are still new to the world and the public reaction to them is understandable. They are feared. No one knows what to think about them.

The super-heroes are not known to each other. In the first meeting of Green Lantern and Batman, Green lantern is shocked that Batman is even real. Their introduction is a fun moment with both of the heroes sizing up the other in their own way. Green Lantern is brimming with confidence and flies in with his glowing ring while Batman hides in the shadows with his silent grimace, cool and calculating. Johns uses the first meeting and the exchange between the two to define who they are while not using a lot of space on long expository dialogue.

After the introductions are made the heroes start their investigation into an attack from a mysterious looking alien and go in search of Superman. The story is a perfect entry point for anyone who has never read a comic book before. If you know nothing about Batman and Green Lantern everything you need to know about them is here. This story is not about the history of the characters but about who they are at this time.

Longtime readers of DC Comics will also enjoy the book as other introductions are made and pieces put in motion for future stories. We see the introduction of the super athlete Vic Stone and the mystery of the villain is intriguing. What these characters mean to the Justice League is all part of the story.

Jim Lee’s dynamic artwork is perfect for this book. Lee is a master artist for books with a wide cast of characters. Beginning with his work on books like the X-Men and Wildcats he has honed his skills and is at the top of his game for this new take on the Justice League. Lee’s art has always been highly detailed and he does not skimp on the details in this issue. There is action and excitement on every page.

Geoff Johns sets the tone of the legend early on by putting the heroes against the good guys and the bad guys. It is exciting to see the characters back at square one. They don’t know each other and are not the friends they are about to become. Origin stories have been done before but Johns makes it all feel new and natural.

The end of the book has some of Lee’s original concept art for the characters of the DC Universe. It is bonus material that gives you some insight into how the designs of the characters were chosen.

Why you should read it: Justice League #1 is a fun ride for anyone who likes action abd adventure stories with lots of explosions and dynamic character moments. Even though the entire Justice League is not present you will start to see the foundation to the larger story being told by Johns and Lee. This is your chance to get in on the ground floor of an exciting story and enjoy the modern mythology of super-heroes. This is the perfect book to enjoy on the last weekend of summer.

Echoes is one man’s descent into madness and the horrors is reveals

2011-09-02T11:14:00.000-07:00

Brian Cohn has been having his ups and down. His father is dying while his wife is about to give birth to their first child. He also is a diagnosed schizophrenic who has been recovering but must remember to take his medications. Things should be getting better but they are about to spiral out of control. A deathbed confession of atrocities from his father sends Brian on a quest to find out what has happened and what his father has done. Writer Joshua Hale Fialkov and artist Rahsan Ekedal tell Brian’s maddening story in the graphic novel Echoes from publisher Top Cow Productions.

Set in a small town in Pennsylvania where Brian has lived his entire life, he remembers when he was a child and his father said to him, “You know what’s scary, Brian? People are scary.” Brian has discovered the remains of many girls buried underneath a house with a box of dolls made out of their remains. His schizophrenia gets the better of him. Without his medicine he has trouble focusing on reality. He ends up at a playground where he sees a young girl. He gets sick and drives away. Seemingly his life is returning to normal when a police officer delivers the news of the same girl’s disappearance and a new doll has been made.

Brian is real. You know him as your neighbor, as the guy who you pass through the office going to and from work. There is nothing different about him. He is someone who has lost his father and is about to have his first son. He has all of his worries and fears for us to see that make him so real.

Fialkov carefully crafts the descent into madness. The leaps and assumptions made by Brian when he discovers his father’s confession are plausible and completely within reason even for someone who is not schizophrenic. Fialkov paces the way the story evolves and takes shape so that it keeps you on the edge of your seat trying to figure out what is really happening here.

This nightmare world is drawn in a dark, shadowy black and white by artist Ekedal. The art evokes the sense of a bad dream that you can’t wake up from. The tone and the feel of each page create the eerie feeling and captures Brian’s hallucinations. It can be hard to tell what Brian is really seeing and what is just a part of his sickness and this is where Ekedal’s art shines. Horror on a printed page is not easy but Ekedal captures it and draws you in with suspense giving you a chilly disturbing feeling.

The decision: Fans of suspense and horror will really get into this graphic novel. It is a scary look at a world gone sideways and horrors that people are capable of. This series received multiple comic award nominations and has been critically acclaimed.

Fialkov and Ekedal will be appearing at Barnes and Noble on Santa Monica’s 3rd Street Promenade to discuss the release of the Echoes collected edition on Thursday September 9th at 7 PM.

A Jedi’s emotions must always be centered and balanced

2011-09-02T11:12:00.000-07:00

The emotions of a Jedi Knight must always be under control. In the case of Qui-Gon Jinn’s young Padawan Xanatos keeping his emotions under control has been an ordeal. Returning to his home planet of Telos IV has been a trial for Xanatos in many ways and in Star Wars: Jedi – The Dark Side #4 from Dark Horse Comics written by Scott Allie with art by Mahmud Asrar, Xanatos’ emotions are steering him away from the true purpose of the Jedi mission on Telos IV.

Picking up the pieces from an insurgent attack that led to the death of Nason daughter of Crion leader of Telos IV, Qui-Gon Jinn continues his work to avoid a costly civil war. Xanatos wants to be with his father Crion to protect him and to make up for not being able to protect Nason. With feelings of failure and not living up to his father’s ideals Xanatos’ decisions have come into question. These feelings are keeping Xanatos from seeing the truth about the growing conflict on Telos IV. But will it be too late for Qui-Gon to save the day and avoid more disaster?

Seeds planted by Allie over the course of the first three issues of the Star Wars: Jedi-The Dark Side series are starting to bloom. Allie adds drama to the story by revealing alliances between characters who have until this point been antagonists working against one another.

The characters portrayed by Allie in the narrative are really strong. Qui-Gon Jinn is the stoic but caring Jedi Master who wants the best for his young apprentice. Xanatos has been whiney, outspoken and surly. His actions are not those of a Jedi. The other characters are so believable in their depiction that when their true allegiances are revealed their actions feel right in the overall story arc.

Artist Asrar’s artwork offers varying levels on intricacy. Asrar depicts the action scenes with enough power and energy to see Qui-Gon fly into action swinging his lightsaber with grace and control. Asrar also is able to add weight to the quieter moments that establish the scenes. A lot of this issues’ action takes place at nighttime and the quiet atmosphere is established through Asrar’s art.

The decision: The story of Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice, Xanatos, has moved along at a rapid pace. While confronting an army of insurgents whose ultimate goals have yet to be revealed the Jedi are dealing with threats not only to their lives but their belief system. Emotions are running high but will the Jedi be able to get control of them in time? Allie and Asrar work well together to make this a must read adventure from the Star Wars universe.

The end of The War of the Green Lanterns

2011-08-22T17:52:00.000-07:00

What is the price of victory? In the final chapters of the War of the Green Lanterns from DC Comics we start to learn just that. Produced by writers Geoff Johns, Peter J. Tomasi and Tony Bedard with artists Doug Mahnke, Tyler Kirkham and Fernando Pasarin the war comes to its culmination and changes the landscape of the Green Lantern Universe.

The final four parts of the story are told in Green Lantern issues 66 and 67, Green Lantern Corps issue 60, and Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #10. These comic books change the playing field for all future Green Lantern stories with some dramatic shifts in the landscape of the Lanterns. The greatest enemy of the Corps, Sinestro, becomes its newest ally, the greatest member, Hal Jordan, is unceremoniously kicked out and Green Lantern John Stewart must make the toughest choice of his life. It is high paced action that sticks true to the characters as established through the history of the Green Lantern comics.

The writers, Johns, Tomasi and Bedard keep the focus on the four Green Lanterns of Earth and why they are special. Each character has to make difficult choices to save their friends and the galaxy. The relationships between the Green Lanterns of Earth are altered forever when they cannot understand the choices each makes. These character traits shown by the writing team developed from chapter to chapter and really make the importance of the story clear.

Each artist brings their own style to this book. In a sci-fi setting, the artists are able to ground the look of the book in realism keeping a consistent feel throughout the final act of the storyline. Mahnke, Pasarin and Kirkham all shine in their depiction of the Lanterns with clear straightforward renditions of the characters with moments of high intensity action.

The decision: The War of the Green Lanterns is an excellent story. You do not need to have a PhD in comic book history to have fun with this tale. There are enough points in the narrative that gives insight into who the characters are and why you should care about them. The writers and the artists worked closely together to have a uniform voice throughout the book with each chapter delivering a different aspect of the story.

The old Jedi Mind Trick gets them every time

2011-08-19T11:38:00.000-07:00

One of the most desired powers of a Jedi is the use of the Jedi Mind Trick. The power to influence the weak minded seems like it would be very useful in everyday life. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to learn this any time soon, but in Star Wars: Jedi- the Dark Side #3 by Scott Allie and Mahmud Asrar from Dark Horse Comics, Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn makes excellent use of this ability.

This issue continues the investigation by the Jedi into the ongoing civil unrest on the planet Telos IV. Qui-Gon Jinn leads a small team of Jedi as they start to unravel the mystery. Following a lead Qui-Gon goes undercover as an arms dealer and when his plans go off the rails he eases them back on track with the skill of the Jedi Mind Trick.

This issue also sees some development of Qui-Gon’s Padawan learner Xanatos. He has stopped whining and is looking to reconnect with his sister Nason. She is trying to reunite Xanatos with their father and get the family back together when tragedy strikes and the action breaks out. The planet’s dissidents attack the palace forcing the Jedi into action and confronting their enemy. The battle serves to bring great tragedy to the story and to raise questions about the villain’s motives.

Writer Scott Allie continues to write an exciting chapter in the Star Wars saga. With strong dialogue and good characterization the ongoing storyline builds to its crescendo. Allie works many different levels into the villain of the story, Dairoki. In one moment Dairoki is portrayed as a brilliant schemer and the next he is lovesick over Nason. This is the first glimpse we have seen of his motivations and his actions seem to coincide with Qui-Gon’s investigation into the presence of the dark side of the Force.

The art of Mahmud Asrar gets better with each issue. When the series started the art was beautiful and enhanced the story. With issue three the details and the clean look of his artwork really shines. The attack on the palace gave Asrar the opportunity to display his skills as an action artist with lasers and light sabers flashing across the pages. The action comes across as true and fitting of the Star Wars brand.

The decision: The buzz on this book is being generated by interest in Qui-Gon Jinn who stars in this book with stunning art and interesting character moments Star Wars: Jedi- the Dark Side #3 is a great continuation of the early adventures of this Jedi Master.

Can zombies help you meet girls?

2011-08-17T11:06:00.000-07:00

Matt Naismith has a problem. He is in love with K.T. Delaney who does not even notice him. In order to get her attention and affections he does what any self-respecting college student would do he turns to his resident advisor, Will Simers, for help. Will immediately heads to the library under the auspices of helping his friend catch the girl of his dreams. But much to Matt’s chagrin, Will is more interested in the secrets that lie beneath the library, the long forgotten dark secrets of Irvine and the Zombie Outlaw. Will releases the curse and the Living Dead Cowboy. This is the beginning of the story told in Zombie Outlaw the new comic series from Los Angeles comic creators Brian J. Apodaca and B. Paul Jordan.

Sometimes zombies need to be fun and that is where Apodaca and Jordan succeed. Issue number one of the series introduces the setting of this over the top humorous story set on the campus of Irvine State University. There is the geek, Matt, his cool and suave resident advisor, Will, the dreamy but elusive girl, K.T. and the jock, Tad Schellman. Each one plays their part in this zombie spoof.

Where writer Apodaca excels is making the outrageous seem common and funny. He plays with the stereotypes and introduces new concepts to the story. Through the story he establishes the history of zombies in Irvine and introduces the Zombie Outlaw who in 1872 protected the city against the first wave of zombies. Interspersing the background with the present day exploits of the characters is handled well.

The art of Jordan is cartoonish and plays very nicely with the tone set up by the story. His drawings of the characters with their exaggerated features nails the humorous nature of the story. He introduces a wide array of characters and gives them their own look and feel and catches their personalities in their appearance. It is a good short hand for the story and allows for the art to tell the story just as much as the dialogue.

The decision: Have you ever wondered about zombies from Irvine? The legend of the Zombie Outlaw is worth discovering. Apodaca and Jordan are off to a good start. The larger-than-life characters are really fresh and the art keeps the story light while zombies and chomping on brains.

Bendis and Maleev show why heroes should not date in Moon Knight #4

2011-08-17T11:03:00.000-07:00

Since moving to Los Angeles, Moon Knight has launched a television series, discovered Pink’s Hot Dogs, developed some new personalities, found a love interest and ticked off the wrong bad guys. Not a bad start to his stay in the City of Angels. In issue four of the Moon Knight series from Marvel Comics by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev Moon Knight has his first date with fellow Avenger Echo and meets some of the vilest villains on the west coast in the Night Shift all while enjoying a hot dog.

Moon Knight and Echo finally sit down to figure out what the other knows about the current crime empire in Los Angeles. Echo is still trying to determine how crazy Moon Knight really is. Meanwhile Moon Knight turns to his multiple personalities for advice on Echo. Their date is interrupted by the Night Shift a group of villains that more resemble Hollywood movie monsters than the brightly colored villains of the New York villain scene. After a good super hero throw down Moon Knight meets another Los Angeles staple, the LAPD.

Bendis writes an excellent story that moves the plot forward in the ongoing storyline but also builds the characters. He gives extra attention to developing the relationship between Moon Knight and Echo. Moon Knight’s concerns are all in his head and Echo concerns have her go to her former teammates in the Avengers to determine how crazy this man actually is. The answer is very crazy. Small moments in the conversations are very telling about who the characters are and what they represent to each other. It is Bendis’ affinity for excellent dialogue that makes this book so interesting and fun to read.

Maleev gets to show is chops as an action artist with this issue. The fight scene between the heroes and the villains is a well choreographed battle of trained martial artists fighting bad guys who are pumped up on strength enhancing drugs. The movements of the characters are fluid and look like snapshots from the fight. The art is very strong visual storytelling throughout the issue. It clearly conveys the dark undertones of the Moon Knight character as he deals with his own form of insanity and the dark parts of Los Angeles.

The decision: Bendis and Maleev continue to give an exciting take of a hero building his world in Los Angeles. The story continues to progress at a nice pace and each issue can easily stand on its own or as part of the larger story the creators are telling. These two creators work extraordinarily well together and Moon Knight is the beneficiary of their collaborative genius.

Joshua Fialkov’s The Last of the Greats is a look at humanity and their heroes

2011-08-17T10:59:00.000-07:00

In 1991 six great beings arrived on Earth and set out to fix the world’s problems. They divided the world’s resources evenly among the people. They built homes for the homeless and fed the hungry. All they asked in return was complete control of the planet’s weapons. They were denied. These six amazing beings known as the Greats fixed the ills of the world and for that they were betrayed and killed.

This October from writer Joshua Hale Fialkov and artist Brent Peeples comes The Last of the Greats the story of the last of these amazing beings. Ten years after the death of the Greats a small group of people have discovered the existence of a seventh and they travel to meet him in Antarctica to beg for his help to save the world from a new threat. This Great knows what has happened to his siblings and is not as benevolent as they were. The last member of the Greats has been in seclusion because he never shared his siblings’ love of humanity. He preferred to keep his distance and now the humans have found him and need his help.

Fialkov, a Los Angeles based writer, builds a strong foundation in the first issue for what will be an interesting commentary on society and how people would react to having their lives changed so easily by god-like beings. Fialkov seamlessly tells the story and the history of humanities’ betrayal of the Greats. His technique of switching from present day to filling in the history of the greats is handled very well and strengthens the story. Through the conversations of the characters the reader learns a lot about each of their personalities. There is no slow or boring exposition everything the reader needs to know is in the dialogue.

The first issue is set in a dark and cold Antarctic fortress, the home of the Last of the Greats and artist Brent Peeples makes it all feel real and believable. The setting is done well and really captures the solitude that the Great has kept himself in for two decades. Peeples characters show great emotion echoing the feelings expressed in Fialkov's dialogue. He mixes in the flashback scenes flawlessly and creates and easy to follow narrative.

The decision: Issue number one of The Last of the Greats is a strong opening for the greater story Fialkov and Peebles are telling. The writer and the artist mix their styles together very well as the words and the pictures compliment each other perfectly. The story’s premise of detailing what would happen if god like beings came to Earth and how the people would turn on them is interesting but does not dominate the story. This series is one to watch out for when the first issue is released by Image Comics in October.

The Age of X is a mystery the X-Men can’t solve

2011-08-09T10:04:00.000-07:00

Mutants have been outlawed. One thousand days ago the United States passed legislation making it a crime to be born a mutant, the rest of the world soon followed. The few remaining mutants in the world have locked themselves within Fortress X where everyday they must battle human armies to stay alive. The mutant gene is something these refugees have been born with but now they are being persecuted to the point of extinction. Age of X is the latest story in the saga of the X-Men from Marvel Comics. Written by Mike Carey with art from Steve Kurth and Clay Mann the X-Men have been twisted and changed in this new reality for the mutants of the Marvel Universe.

In the tradition of past X-Men stories such as Days of Future Past and Age of Apocalypse, Age of X shows an alternate reality where the X-Men did not exist and their battle for mutant acceptance was never fought. This story asks all of the what if questions and shows different possibilities and paths the X-Men could have taken that could forever change their destinies. There are new relationships, new names and a new mission as the X-Men must strive just to exist.

The story is a mystery built around the protection of Fortress X. When the story opens Legacy, who is the X-Man Rogue in the real X-Men reality, discovers something that makes no sense and this starts her on a path of questioning everything when none of the pieces of the puzzle fit the way they should.

Writer Carey excels in plotting this six part story. The pacing is outstanding. He allows for the pieces to be put in place and he keeps the story moving forward at a tireless pace. The story does not drag in any part and the buildup quickly moves to the denouement with lots of details and action built into each part of this story.

The art of Kurth and Mann is stunning. The art hits home that this is a dystopian society where the mutants must fight wave after wave of invading forces just to stay alive. The artists keep a consistent look through out the book as they alternate art duties in the main Age of X story. The designs are innovative with the characters looking more rugged than the traditional super hero flashy. There is a lot of detail on each page with the backgrounds being as interesting as the main images in each scene.

This collection is available now in hardcover with the paperback edition due out in October. There are many extras that enhance the main story with short stories about some of the key characters and how their lives were shaped by this reality. There is also the bonus of seeing some of this world’s Marvel heroes and their reactions to the events. It is interesting to see how Captain America, Iron Man and Spider-Man deal with the genocidal world these characters live in.

The decision: This is a great read. Mike Carey has really put a new spin on the alternate reality world of the X-Men. It reinforces why the battles the X-Men fight are so important. Without acceptance their lives could turn into a world of concentration camps and torturous battles. Kurth and Mann exhibit amazing artwork and keep a consistent look throughout while still maintaining their own styles.

IDW Publishing produces gold with Walter Simonson’s Thor: Artists Edition

2011-08-08T10:40:00.000-07:00

San Diego Comic-Con 2011 hosted the debut of the Walter Simonson’s Thor: Artist’s Edition. The book is scheduled for wide release next Wednesday, August 3, but attendees at the convention were able to purchase the exclusive San Diego Comic-Con edition of the book which is limited to only 300 copies. Walter Simonson was in attendance and signed countless copies of this book.

Published by San Diego comic publisher IDW Publishing with special permission from Marvel Comics the original publisher of the material, the book collects the original art from Simonson’s seminal stint as writer and artist on the character’s comic book. It starts off with the introduction of Beta Ray Bill in the first story arc from Thor issues 337-340, and continues with the reproduction of issues 360-362.

This collection was made possible because Simonson has held onto every single page of art from his ground breaking run on Thor in the 1980s. While the art is in black and white the scans were done in color to capture the original blue line marks of the artist. These are the lines that do not appear in the final production of the book. Also captured by this process are all of the art corrections done directly on the page with white-out and correction tape. This is as close to owning the original art as anyone has ever gotten and is a great way to see the art in its rawest form. The way the artist originally envisioned the book.

While getting the chance to see the original artwork on these issues of Thor is amazing, the stories are also wonderful to read. The introduction of Beta Ray Bill into the mythos of Thor not only redefined the character of Thor in the 1980s but also introduced one of the most beloved characters from Marvel in the horse-faced Bill. The second story collected here is the war against the Asgardian Goddess of Death, Hela. This story is an epic battle in Thor’s home of Asgard involving Asgardians from every corner of the Norse mythology.

The package presented by IDW Publishing is also gorgeous. A sturdy hardcover surrounds the book with the use of color to frame the cover image that is in black and white. The paper is from thick stock and feels heavy enough to stand the test of time. This book is a thing of beauty and a real treasure for any art collector and comic fan.

IDW Publishing also announced at San Diego Comic-Con the next books in their Artist’s Edition collection. Over the course of the next year IDW will release John Romita’s The Amazing Spider-Man: Artist’s Edition, Wally Wood’s EC Stories: Artist’s Edition, Will Eisner’s The Spirit: Artist’s Edition, and available now is the original Artist’s Edition: Dave Steven’s The Rocketeer: Artist’s Edition.

The decision: This is a spectacular book. Not only is it a unique way of viewing the original art in a book but the book also has two stellar Thor stories within.

Christos Gage and Marvel Comics are bringing class to Los Angeles

2011-08-08T10:38:00.000-07:00

The Avengers Academy is relocating to the West Coast. One of the announcements out of this past weekend’s San Diego Comic-Con is that Marvel Comics’ Avengers Academy will be moving their school from New York City to Los Angeles in November. The school is set to open operations in the former base of the West Coast Avengers on the cliffs of Rancho Palos Verdes. The West Coast Avengers operated out of the Palos Verdes Peninsula for all 102 issues of their title from 1985-1994. The Avengers compound has gone unused since.

The Avengers Academy is the story of six young heroes and their training to be the next wave of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes the Avengers. With their impending relocation there is no better time to get acquainted with the heroes. Avengers Academy issue 11 marks a perfect entry point for new readers to the title.

Written by Christos Gage with art by Tom Raney the Avengers Academy is thrust into the front lines of combat against a deadly threat to the entire world. With the main Avengers teams battling this menace around the world the “kids” are forced into action to help evacuate civilians from Washington DC, but are they ready?

The faculty of the Academy is dispatched away from the students leaving one teacher to watch the cadets. Tigra, the were-cat, must not only fight to save the people of Washington DC but also needs to help the students overcome their fears and live up to their training.

Gage masterfully handles the large cast giving enough screen time to all of the important elements of the story. The inner conflict that is felt by the heads of the academy is handled well and their anguish about putting these children into harms way is what makes them so good. Gage’s ability to craft such a strong story during Marvel Comics’ publishing line wide crossover Fear Itself storyline cannot be underestimated. Often crossover stories are shells of the original main storyline but this one has teeth and is really well done.

The seriousness of the story is detailed superbly by the art of Raney. Each character exudes emotion in each scene which is only heightened by the words around it. These are not just pin-up pictures or static images of the heroes. The action looks real and dangerous. Raney handles the scene switches wonderfully to keep the reader glued to each page.

The decision: With the Academy moving to Los Angles in November now is a good time to get caught up on the next wave of LA heroes and this issue marks the perfect time to start reading. Not only do Gage and Raney tell a stunning story but they make you care about the characters and the war they must fight. A strong story with interesting characters makes a really fun read.

Legendary comic creators Robert Kirkman & Rob Liefeld team-up on The Infinite

2011-07-27T15:15:00.001-07:00

If you want a job done right you have to do it yourself. In The Infinite by Robert Kirkman and Rob Liefeld, Bowen, a super soldier, does just that and travels back in time to recruit his younger self to help him get the job done right. This new sci-fi action series from Image Comics launches in August. Fans at San Diego Comic-Con 2011 this past weekend were treated to an exclusive advance release of the first issue of the series.

Eighteen years from now, Imperius the leader of a group called the Infinite has conquered the Earth. They have forced the people to submit to their will. Imperius claims he is only doing this to make the world right. This tyrannical ruler is opposed by a small force of freedom fighters including Bowen, a soldier from the future, who finds Imperius’ secret time travel device. Using time travel Bowen travels back in time to recruit his younger self into the campaign against the Infinite and find a way to stop them before they can take over the world.

Artist Liefeld delivers over the top action with high-tech armor and the Liefeld signature, oversized guns. The looks of the characters are fresh and they seem to jump off the page. Liefeld contrasts the world of the present nicely against the look of the future. The future scenes are very gray and cold and when Bowen returns back in time Liefeld lightens up the tone of the art.

Kirkman has written about everything from zombies in The Walking Dead to superheroes in Invincible to the church in Battle Pope. In his latest endeavor, Kirkman works seamlessly with his collaborator to create new charters for this sci-fi world. The dialogue is enjoyable and light. The interactions between Bowen of the future and present day Bowen are fun and the minutiae of time travel comes off as natural in the book.

The decision: Two of the most influential comic creators of the last two decades have teamed up to launch The Infinite. This is a sci-fi story that reads like a movie with high paced action and plot twists. The villains are ruthless and the war the heroes fight is just. Bowne using time travel to get himself to help him makes this a fun read and with minds like Liefeld’s and Kirkman’s the directions for this story are limitless.

“Vision Machine” a comic book concept that widens the boundaries of the medium

2011-07-26T15:14:00.000-07:00

Sprout Computers is delivering the must-have product of the year 2061. The iEye is a device that turns the human eye into a video camera and the brain into a digital editing device. The concept of the future is brought to you by Pak Man Productions and writer Greg Pak with art by R.B. Silva in their comic book “Vision Machine.”

“Vision Machine” describes the world of the iEye and how it affects everyone it touches. A technology that is so advanced that the only limits are the human imagination. The iEye enables its users to make the movies that were once only trapped in their heads. Filmmakers Buddy, Jane and Dave, are three friends who represent different views on the use of the technology and its application. Through their eyes we learn a lot about the iEye and its impact on the society for good and bad.

The story is a fantastic trip through the future in a sci-fi technology gone crazy environment. With the recent boom in technology with Twitter and Facebook dominating social media and the creation of mobile computing devices the world of the iEye does not seem too far away.

Pak writes an excellent satire about the gadget-crazed society we live in while also addressing the influence of government on these creations from copyright laws to restrictions of use.

“Vision Machine” is not an ordinary comic book. The book is distributed under a Creative Commons license which allows anyone to reproduce, distribute, and add on to the story. Similar to the iEye, the Creative Commons license takes the user’s imagination and lets it run wild.

The art of R.B. Silva is clean and clear. The art is realistic but still recognizable as a comic book. With the story set in the near future Silva draws people that are not radically different or overly advanced from the people of today. With the line between reality and the virtual reality provided by the iEye blurred Silva keeps the story grounded in our reality with a touch of the fantastic.

The decision: This story does provide a look at society without beating you over the head with preachy teachings. Pak and Silva tell a story that is definitely plausible but infinitely uncanny. The addition of the concept that the properties in “Vision Machine” can be freely altered and changed under the Creative Commons license makes this a truly visionary project. It makes excellent use of the format and allows of the individuals to use their own imagination to further the story.

The Legion of Superheroes must save the Earth from zombies of the future

2011-07-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

In “DC Comics Presents the Legion of Super Heroes – Legion of the Damned” a futuristic take on zombies plagues the heroes of the 30th century. This is not a story about zombies in the traditional Walking Dead style. The 100 Page Spectacular collects four issues of the Legion of Superheroes title by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning and Olivier Coipel. This material has been in high demand and until this point has not appeared in any other comic collections.

The alien Blight has come to Earth to absorb the world’s living beings into their collective hive. Their hunger for living beings knows no end. The Blight ravages the Earth destroying much of the world. Only a small holdout group of the Legion is left to save the day but they must fight their closest friends if they are to free the world.

The writing team of Abnett and Lanning do a great job of setting up the story. From the start the situation appears hopeless. The world is in shambles and the few remaining free people of Earth are hiding in the shadows from the mysterious Blight. We don’t know much about the Blight and the less we know the scarier they are. The writers use a lot of scene switches and transitions at the scariest moments which let the imagination create its own horrors about the Blight.

This collection also has some of the earliest artwork of current comic superstar Olivier Coipel. The artist, who today works on some of Marvel Comic’s biggest titles, developed his craft by working on the Legion of Superheroes. Even at this point in his career his raw talent shines and the energy of his artwork is exciting and fresh. Page after page of excellent detail with realistic and coarse looking characters makes the art look dark and fits right into the look and terror of the Blight.

With such a large cast of characters in the book, DC Comics should include a scorecard. Especially with all of the recent changes in names and appearance of many of the members of the Legion of Super Heroes the reader can often be caught off guard when characters look similar to others or are identified by their real names instead of their code names.

The decision: Even though the Legion of Superheroes that is currently published by DC Comics has little resemblance to the Abbnett, Lanning and Coipel Legion of the late-1990s and early-2000s it is still an excellent read. The denouement is reached quickly and the inevitable defeat of the Blight comes fast. The villains that were built ferociously do not sustain their high level of fear. More could be done with the hopelessness of the characters and their situations. However, the introduction of the Blight is exciting and a new threat that could plague the DC Universe today.

A Jedi’s first encounter with the dark side of the Force

2011-07-21T11:59:00.000-07:00

Published by Dark Horse Comics “Star Wars Jedi: The Dark Side” #2 continues the story of Qui-Gon Jinn set 19 years before Episode 1: The Phantom Menace. Written by Scott Allie with art by Mahmud Asrar the adventure continues to build and define the history of an important Jedi’s first encounter with the dark side of the Force.

The story picks up shortly after the events of the previous issue. The Jedi have arrived and meet with the planet’s ruler Lord Crion to discuss the apparent murder of High Priestess Llora and the unrest on the planet that comes from it. The people of the planet Telos IV dislike and hold contempt for anything foreign and the Jedi feel this and receive little aide in their investigation as the public gets unruly.

What is fascinating is the mystery the Jedi uncover. The murder was orchestrated and covered up by some unknown disturbance in the Force. Qui-Gon Jinn has never encountered anything like it. He assumes a Jedi was involved in the act. Although he does not know it, Qui-Gon has discovered the dark side of the Force that was long ago wiped out of the galaxy and this presents some interesting questions for Qui-Gon.

The story tells the tale of the young Padawan Xanatos who is more of a whiney brat than a Jedi. After 13 years of Jedi training he returns home as a petulant child who refuses to have any positive interaction with his home planet. There may be a reason for his stand-offish attitude but the character so far has come off as unlikeable and seems to be more of a problem to the Jedi than Anakin Skywalker will become in their future.

Mahmud Asrar continues his beautiful work on this series and the art is the biggest highlight of this issue. The feelings of the characters are clearly shown through the expressions he draws. He has great skill in depicting the quieter scenes and then leading right into the action. The lightsaber battle between Jedi Tahl and some of the dissidents on the planet is very exciting and well done.

Scott Allie crafts a long form serial with pieces of the general story given over the first two issues. The dialogue is strong but the character of Xanatos is more annoying than interesting. Hopefully the character will be redeemed as the story continues rather than turn to tragedy.

The decision: Starting this series by skipping the first issue would be a mistake. Much of the drama and the characterization are established in the first part of the story. Issue two while a great continuation to the storyline does not stand well enough on its own. The artwork is beautiful and worth taking a long look to fully appreciate it.

Moon Knight: A Los Angeles hero who really lives in Los Angeles

2011-07-13T10:07:00.000-07:00

Pink’s famous hot dogs receive a bit of publicity this month in Marvel Comics’ “Moon Knight” #3 by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev. Hollywood’s legendary hot dog since 1939 is used as a way for the hero, Moon Knight, to entice fellow Avenger Echo into helping him with his case of finding the crime boss of Los Angeles.

Touches like this make the reading experience more enjoyable. While Pink’s may not be a national name it certainly carries some weight with those familiar with Los Angeles. Similar to the previous two issues, Bendis and Maleev are working to incorporate real Los Angeles landmarks into the comic book to distinguish it from any other comic on the market. The first issue had Moon Knight battling crime at the Long Beach Harbor; issue two put our hero on the Hollywood rooftops. Now Moon Knight is selling his partner on the popular hot dog stand on La Brea Ave.

Grounded in a realistic comic environment, issue three explores more of Moon Knight’s life outside of the cape and cowl. In his secret identity of Marc Spector returns to the studio that is shooting the TV series based on his life. The world of Spector is fleshed out with the addition of Amy his personal assistant and Buck Lime the in-studio soldier of fortune consultant for the TV series. Buck also serves a dual purpose as Moon Knight’s researcher and on the ground back up.

The pacing of the storyline is also one of its strengths. This issue contains a lot of details that move the story forward while also expanding the world of Moon Knight that has been building over the first three issues. With more characters in place Moon Knight is really starting to fit in. The dialogue, one of Bendis’ greatest strengths, is quick and interesting and makes you feel you are hearing an actual conversation. The scenes shift from point A to B to C and the story keeps a nice easy flow.

As always the art of Maleev captures perfectly the feel of the book. There is a lighter tone to this issue as the story takes place primarily during the day and Maleev does not cheat. The art still maintains its gritty feel but is not covered with the dark ominous undertones of the nighttime, down and dirty activities of Moon Knight.

The decision: It is one thing for Marvel Comics to say Moon knight is in Los Angeles. Comics have been doing that forever. It is another thing for them to actually do it. Over the course of the first three issues Moon Knight has really been shown as a part of Los Angeles. From hot dogs to rooftops to the docks they are not beating the reader over the head but giving subtle nods to the locale the hero has been placed. This is a great book where the words on the page compliment the art perfectly.

Matt Fraction looks at the many monsters of Iron Man

2011-07-11T16:24:00.001-07:00

The Invincible Iron Man: My Monsters collection from Marvel Comics looks at some of the monsters that plague Iron Man and his alter-ego Tony Stark. Written by Matt Fraction with art by Salvador Larrocca, Carmine Di Giandomnico and others this book looks at the past, present and future of Tony Stark the man behind Iron Man. The villains he battles are both dastardly world conquerors and the demons that are in him.

The first story in the collection is the “Invincible Iron Man Annual” #1 which tells the origin of the Mandarin. The story is told through the eyes of a movie director who was kidnapped by the villain to tell his story. The beauty of this story is the way it is told. The premise is hinted at early and the history of the character unfolds nicely. This is a complex issue where the art form of comic books really shines. The story differentiates between the story we hear, the story we know and the story we’re told.

The story focuses on the past of the Mandarin and his rise to power within communist China. The Mandarin tells one version of the events to color himself in one light, while the pictures show another version of the same events. This is then contrasted with the events known by the protagonist of the story. With three different stories running concurrently it would seem there would be cause for confusion but the team of Fraction and Di Gianomico blend the story told with words and pictures flawlessly and create a lot of depth and some intriguing situations for the characters.

The next story is “Invincible Iron Man” #500.1 about Tony Stark’s most devastating enemy: his own alcoholism. The events take place at an AA meeting with Stark talking with the group and discussing how he came to be an alcoholic and how his life shaped his dependency and how he was able to recover. In his dealings with the monster of his drinking, he reveals the story of his life from a young man to an industry conquering industrialist.

Similar to the annual the words and pictures don’t always match up and it reflects the benefits of the comic book art form. Stark discusses his history with the AA group using the vaguest interpretations of his life while the pictures drawn by Larrocca show the history on a much deeper level completing the true origin of the hero.

The big finale to the collection is “Invincible Iron Man” issue #500. The final monster in the collection is the future that Tony Stark will create. Unlike the previous two this story has the words and the art following pretty close together. The scenes take place both in the present, 2011, and in the future, 2052. Stark is dealing with a creation that due to circumstances beyond his control he can’t remember. He enlists the aide of Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, to track down a potentially world devastating weapon. In the future Stark’s children must deal with the reality of their father’s creations when the Mandarin makes his move for final world conquest.

Fraction writes the story in a non-linear fashion moving both the present and the future stories forward simultaneously. The leaping back and forth makes the ending more enjoyable but the scenes from the future lack clarity and distract from the far more interesting story of Iron Man and Spider-Man teaming up in the present. The end result is some great characterization between Iron Man and Spider-Man but some lackluster characters in Stark’s children. There was no reason to care about them other then the fact that they were his.

The decision: Invincible Iron Man: My Monsters is a terrific collection that utilizes some of the greatest strengths that the comic art form has to offer. Matt Fraction is well lauded for his work on Iron Man and this collection shows that it is genuinely deserved. Fraction’s techniques in storytelling are exemplary especially how he tells the origins of Tony Stark and the Mandarin he works closely with the artists to make the tale more complex which works on many different levels. While Iron Man is not a focal point in the book until the final story, the characters around him including his alter-ego are enriched to serve greater stories down the road.

Looking to fill a criminal void in Los Angeles is Daken: Dark Wolverine

2011-07-05T10:32:00.000-07:00

What is the current interest from Marvel Comics in the Los Angeles crime scene? First Moon Knight shows up in the pages of his own title and now Daken, the son of the X-Man Wolverine, has arrived to take over the Los Angeles underworld. The story begins in Daken: Dark Wolverine #9.1 and continues into issue #10 by writer Rob Williams with art by Ron Garney and Mateo Buffagni. With a scourge like Daken in LA it does not look good for the City of Angels.

Daken has conquered everything that has been put in his path, including some of his father’s greatest loves and following his father’s greatest conquests. When he achieves his latest victory, total rule of the criminal empire that is the Asian island of Madripoor, he is confronted with the fact that he has not built anything. Williams takes this clichéd motivation for the character and makes it his own in the opening arc of the story.

Setting his sights on what he felt was a vacated criminal empire in Los Angeles, Daken runs into a mystery organization running the show. (The first glimpses of this mystery organization were seen in the ongoing Moon Knight series). He sets about finding out the secrets of Los Angeles while also discovering a new drug that he quickly becomes addicted to.

Daken is no hero and is quite unlikeable. Fortunately Williams also makes this villain entertaining. This compulsive killing, smug, constant-pleasure seeking rogue is entertaining on his own. But now in LA there is a new protagonist chasing his tail in the form of FBI Agent Donna Kiel. She is considered the Ice Queen by her peers for her cool no-nonsense demeanor. She is a blank slate at this point but Williams has the potential to have a great adversary for Daken. Physically Daken will over-power her the way he has handled his more skilled father, so Williams will need to make her into a real threat to Daken’s ascension of the criminal empire’s ladder and making her a threat is one of the more interesting first impressions from the beginning of this story.

Upon his arrival in Los Angeles Daken sets up his residence in the Hollywood Hills, complete with infinity pool dropping down the hill. The art already captures a lot of the Los Angeles scene. Setting the first big fight for Daken on the 110 Freeway really grounds his presence in LA. The artist Buffagni took the time to draw downtown LA into this scene to make Daken’s presence unmistakable.

The decision: While the overall premise can seem at times cliché it is important to note that the writer executes his story to make you want to continue reading. Rob Williams establishes a reason for the character to come to Los Angeles, a city that is fertile ground for characters in the Marvel Universe. It also helps to establish his world against the world of Moon Knight. Themes from one story can easily bleed into another without the characters having any integration while at some point a confrontation is inevitable.

Captain America is unable to escape his dark past in “No Escape”

2011-06-29T12:17:00.000-07:00

“Captain America: No Escape” by Ed Brubaker and Butch Guice collects issues 606-610 of the ongoing Captain America series from Marvel Comics. It is a story the matches up the new Captain America against a cunning and ruthless opponent in Baron Zemo.

To sum it up briefly the current Captain America is not the original Captain America. He is the former sidekick of the original who had disappeared after the end of World War II. During the intervening years he was used by the Soviets unknowingly as an assassin during the Cold War. Now removed from suspended animation in the new millennium he seeks to right the wrongs committed while brainwashed by the Soviets as the new Captain America.

The “No Escape” story showcases the return of Baron Zemo, a long time enemy of the original Captain America. He executes a perfectly planned scheme to bring about the fall of the Captain America and expose his past as the Soviet assassin.

Zemo laments the end of the gray period or morality in the world, a place where good and evil were indistinguishable from one another. With his long time enemy, the original Captain America, being put in charge of the world’s security he complains that the world has gone back to black and white again. He seeks to go out and change that perception by arranging the fall of the greatest of the heroes Captain America.

Where the story excels is when Brubaker explores the duality of the two adversaries. Captain America is a complete hero but still remembers the horrors from his time in the service of the Soviets. This is contrasted with Baron Zemo who is all bad. Zemo, a devout Nazi, played the role of a super hero, as a means to achieve his dreams of world conquest, only to return to his villainous ways. It is the complicated characters who are forced to deal with a reality that they may not find palatable. Each are built from ambiguous pasts that conflict with their current roles in the present.

Brubaker shows that Cap is dealing with a lot of guilt over his past and that he continues to put himself in harm’s way. The complexity in the character has added more depth to the hero who is overcoming his troubled past.

Established comic-pro Guice manages to shape the story to meet the ideas of Brubaker seamlessly. The moody line art captures the feelings but does not beat the reader over the head with the shades of gray.

The decision: With Captain America coming to movie theaters everywhere at the end of July this book is an excellent read for anyone looking to enjoy the first Avengers before his big screen debut. Brubaker and Guice tell and exciting thriller of a story that digs deep into the psyches of the protagonist and the antagonist.

Dark Horse Comics Presents a good anthology series (part 2)

2011-06-27T09:03:00.000-07:00

Dark Horse Comics Presents is a new anthology series from Dark Horse Comics. This is part 2 of a two-part review of issue number 1. This review will look at some of the traditional Dark Horse Comics power house creators and titles making a contribution or appearance in the debut issue of the anthology.

A sneak peek at Xerxes by Frank Miller

Frank Miller had a box-office hit with his look at the Persians fighting at Thermopylae in the movie 300 based on his original comic book work of the same name. Presented here is a four page black and white introduction to the long planned prequel about the villain from 300, Xerxes and the Greco-Persian Wars. With so few pages this can only serve to whet the appetite for more of the story. The sneak peek is preceded by an interview with Frank Miller where he talks about his excitement in this project and the real history of the project. Considering this was hyped on the cover of this book a little more of the story would have gone a long way.

How Interesting: A Tiny Man by Harlan Ellison

This is the only prose piece in this anthology and it looks at humanity as a whole and their prejudices. What starts out as a miracle and something interesting quickly devolves into a tormented disaster. It speaks volumes of the humans who can only fear and try to destroy something they do not understand. It is a nice allegory and a complicated perspective on humans and their habits.

Murky World with story and art by Richard Corben Chapter 1

A black and white story set in a dystopian world. An old man receives help in the recovery of his stolen horse from the deadlings, a zombie-like people that terrorize a town. It is an interesting story which serves more to set up a long form tale. There is no real description or depth to the characters just that they exist. But there is enough interest in the world around them that leads one to believe there is something in this story waiting to come out.

Star Wars: Crimson Empire III “The third Time Pays for All” Written by Randy Stradley with art by Paul Gulacy

Kir Kanos is a bounty hunter of mixed morality who is obsessed with a woman and is willing to do anything to get her even if he has to go through Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa to get her. Set ten years after Star Wars: Return of the Jedi this is a nice set up for the series that debuts in October. The character is shown to be complex and intriguing. Of special note this is the only story not written and drawn by the same person in this anthology.

Snow Angel with story and art by David Chelsea
This is fun story about a girl who turns into an angel when she ma
kes a snow angel in the snow. A really charming story with some fun story bits throughout. It is very quick and light and is quite enjoyable.

Aaaaaaaaaaah and Personality Quiz by Patrick Alexander

The anthology finishes with two one-page comic strips. Both are crude but chuckle inducing and a fitting, comedic way to end the first book.

The decision: The Dark Horse anthology is off to a good start. The stories are quirky off beat and thought provoking. The draw back is that many of these stories are the beginnings of much larger stories and while everything has to start somewhere and few more complete stories like the Concrete or Snow Angel would have helped balance the book. Anthologies in the comic book market are tough sells and priced at $7.99 it is a steep price Dark Horse is asking their readers to commit. The stories will develop and the thrill of the smaller anthologies should make this a must read for comic fans looking for new serialized stories.

Dark Horse Comics Presents a good anthology series

2011-06-24T19:04:00.000-07:00

Dark Horse Comics Presents is a new anthology series from Dark Horse Comics. It is an 80-page almost full color comic book priced at $7.99. With eleven different features inside there is something for everybody with big name comic book creators tackling some great new and old concepts. Part 1 will cover the first half of the book here is a look at the features inside.

Concrete with story and art by Paul Chadwick
There is no background on the monster-man Concrete. A great looking character but nothing to tell the reader why he looks the way he does, but it is not needed for this story. He is different in appearance but in all other aspects seems to be a normal human in a normal world. The story is built on Concrete a samaritan getting involved in the stopping of a crime. The crime has its nuances and an outcome that gets more interesting once the crime is stopped. By all accounts Concrete is not a hero, just a good person that does some pretty cool stuff. The art of the strip is excellent and definitely entertaining.

Marked Man with story and art by Howard Chaykin
This is the beginning of the story of a San Diego criminal low life, Mark LaFarge. He leads a double-life between his life of crime and a terrible home life with his family. The reader has to question why he would continue with the family when the home life is so miserable or maybe LaFarge simply enjoys the constant bickering with his wife. The life of crime is where the excitement and fulfillment in LaFarge’s life seems to be. In his own words he is a very happy man. The story introduces the reader to the main character but this story has only begun and will develop more as the series progresses. Even though it is short the story is worth reading for the gritty and energetic art of Chaykin.

Blood Part 1 story and art by Neal Adams
It is tough to determine what this story is about from the opening splash to the strange twist in the last few pages. Adams uses the rambling of a severely beaten madman to tell his story and in that may be where the story comes off the tracks. How can one follow the ramblings of a crazy person? He rambles about Blood but who or what is Blood? The art is grisly and not very pleasant. There is definitely more to this story that will be revealed in subsequent chapters but for now the introduction was not gratifying.

Finder: Third World Chapter 1 by Carla Speed McNeil
Mr. Ayers is the focus of the first chapter in “Third World” and he is someone who has worked some rather odd and unsatisfying jobs in his past. The story is a different kind of set-up for the future of this series since there is no real assumption one can make as to where it might go. From his past Mr. Ayers appears to be a jack of many different unsavory trades and McNeil manages, in short order, to make you care about him. He is a likeable person if only for his perseverance and his desire to be happy. The story ends with some comedy and leaves the reader wanting more.

Mr. Monster and Oooak! Story and art by Michael Gilbert
A nod to the classic 1950s monster books of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and is a solid, complete story. There is not a lot of character depth or quirky story twists just a straightforward tale of a hero, who is full of himself, and his sidekick that comes up with all the wrong solutions against an unstoppable villain. The art is a lot of fun and the pages are packed with action and color. It is a nice compliment to the darker tone of the other stories in this collection.

This concludes part 1 of the review. Check back later for the conclusion. Wow a to be continued blog post.

Does a monster like the Hulk have a heart?

2011-06-23T17:18:00.000-07:00

Greg Pak begins his swan song on the Incredible Hulk title with issue #630, which kicks off the “Heart of the Monster” storyline. Teamed with artist Paul Pelletier, Pak begins a story that will finally answer the question: is the Hulk truly a monster?

Pak has been the writer of the Incredible Hulk since 2006. He has written the Hulk as a space gladiator, a father and a world conquering tyrant. But he has also managed to pen the Hulk at his most heroic. All of his stories come to a climax beginning with the “Heart of a Monster.” The debut issue of the story is available now.

The story kicks off by answering the question, “What does the Hulk do after his girlfriend dumps him?” He smashes things of course. The story gets more serious when a terrible magic in unleashed by his ex-wife and he must go not only to rescue her but to save the entire world.

Pak writes a nice introductory chapter with issue 630. This issue sets up where the characters are before the event that will draw them into this ‘final’ conflict. There is a lot of background regarding each character. Unfortunately none of the background is given and the reader can be left scratching their head as to why a character looks or acts a certain way. Fortunately it is not necessary in the bigger picture. The vital ingredients are in the story and while readers may be lacking a PhD in Hulk continuity they won’t be hurting in their understanding of the tale.

The art of Paul Pelletier is awe-inspiring. He is a true master of the comic book craft. The art is beautifully rendered throughout the issue as Pelletier captures the look of the various Hulks in the story perfectly and makes them look like they fit in as larger than life personalities. The action is fantastic and the Hulk definitely is shown smashing plenty of things.

The decision: While the characters are definitely steeped in continuity the story is not hurt by this. The issue is a small kick off to a bigger story that will answer many mysteries that surround the Hulk. Greg Pak and Paul Pelletier make a great start to their book.

Christos Gage takes Spider-Man back to school

2011-06-23T17:13:00.000-07:00

Spider-Man heads back to school in Amazing Spider-Man #661 and 662 but not as a student. Written by Christos Gage and art by Reilly Brown Spider-Man heads to the Avengers Academy to teach the next generation of heroes how to be better heroes. As can be expected from Spider-Man things are not as easy as they seem.

The Avengers Academy is where the next generation of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes learns the ropes of heroism. Spider-Man has been chosen to substitute for the regular super-powered faculty. Hilarity ensues.

No reader wants to read about a bunch of kids being taught by a substitute teacher no matter how colorfully dressed the teacher is. So when the heroes leave the classroom for some field work the action kicks into high gear.

Gage keeps the story light hearted throughout while still putting the heroes through dangerous traps of a villain who is more dangerous than anything the young heroes have ever faced. A refreshing aspect of the story is that instead of using violence to save the day Spider-Man must rely on his smarts and his experience as a hero to overcome the villain’s plot. In a medium often dominated by gratuitous, unexplainable violence Spider-Man uses his words to break the spell of the bad guy and return his pupils to normal.

The art of Reilly Brown helps to keep the story light and fun. It is clear and colorful without an over abundance of shading that would distract from the upbeat story. Brown handles the diverse cast wonderfully and helps to tell the tale through great storytelling within the panels on the pages.

The decision: This two part story from Gage and Brown is an easy to follow fun story about Spider-Man who is growing up as a hero but who still has a lot to learn. The story is accessible to anyone who wants to read a good comic book and learn a thing or two about heroism.

A new take on an old pair

2011-06-16T14:53:00.001-07:00

“Power Man and Iron Fist” is a five issue mini-series from Marvel Comics which stars the martial-arts master Iron Fist and the new Power Man in a thrilling detective mystery. The comics were written by Fred Van Lente and the art is by Wellington Alves.

Iron Fist is the martial arts master who is no stranger to the super hero game. Power Man is his student with a boatload of confidence and little experience. The camaraderie is great to see between the two of them as they both antagonize and look out for each other. Together they run a non-profit private investigation and bodyguards for hire company. When your mystery requires super heroics these are the guys you call.

When an old friend of Iron Fist is arrested and tried for murder the duo must look into it but they have different ways of doing this which leads to new mysteries and action. While their styles and patience levels may clash they still manage to build their friendship which gets them in and out of their predicaments.

Fred Van Lente builds a good mystery. It is not easy to pull off a detective story in comics but he manages to drop the right amount of clues with several red herrings throughout. A sharp reader will solve the case just before the heroes do. He crafts many layers within the mystery with different aspects coming in and out of play. It makes for a fun caper through the streets and makes the story that much more enjoyable.

Van Lente introduces some new adversaries into the story while utilizing some little known villains as well. Of significant note is the Commedia Dell’Morte. At first they look like a gang of grotesque circus rejects but their actions and who/what they really are is quite interesting with much more to build on.

The art of Wellington Alves is outstanding. Alves is a rising artist in the field and his work on “Power Man and Iron Fist” is excellent. With only two headliners in the series you would think the cast would be relatively small. But with so many characters needed for the mystery, Alves must draw a very large cast of characters from the creepy villains to the upbeat heroes. Nothing gets lost or wasted on the page and he conveys the drama throughout. The colors of the series by Bruno Hang help set the mood for the series by adding the right contrast between the quiet and action scenes and the dark and light scenes.

The decision: This is a really fun story. It is the kind of story new comic readers will really enjoy and find easy to get into. The dynamic between Power Man and Iron Fist has a lot of potential for many great stories. The collected edition for this series is due out shortly but the back issues can be found at your local comic shop.

In ‘FF’ Issue 1 the Fantastic Four is rebranded with an eye towards the future

2011-06-14T10:34:00.000-07:00

FF#1 by Jonathan Hickman, Steve Epting and Paul Mounts from Marvel puts a new spin on the Fantastic Four turning their first family into the Future Foundation. The issue deals with the recent death of the Human Torch and how the characters are moving forward without him. The loss of a founding member makes the team reevaluate their purpose and how they are moving forward.

Each of the heroes is facing their own struggles as they move on looking to the future the present and the past. Mr. Fantastic spends his time trying to find ways to solve everything to prevent more catastrophes in the future. The Invisible Woman preoccupies herself in the present by keeping busy never taking the time to stop and think about her loss. The Thing sits and punishes himself for the loss of his friend feeling he could have saved him in the past.

A new status quo is developed. This is not just a team of super hero adventurers anymore. This is the Future Foundation a collection of some of the world’s most brilliant young and diverse minds seeking to save the world through their genius.

Hickman, the writer, starts off the new series by creating a strong base to build the story not just for the first issue but for future issues as well. Where he excels is making the changes in the group feel organic. Whether it is grief, pain or just the need for change moving the heroes in the new direction it is believable for each character. And the addition of Spider-Man is introduced in a way that is believable and accepted as he is not simply just a fill-in for the lost Human Torch.

The art team of Epting and Mounts is brilliant and gorgeous. There are distinct looks for each character from the main cast of heroes to the creatures and odd beings that make up the Future Foundation. The pictures move the story forward with each panel and the redesign of the costumes creates a new look for the old team.

The verdict: This issue not only serves as great new direction for characters that have been around for 50 years it establishes many new doors for the characters to open. The creative team provides the right amount of action to counter balance the somber tone of the team rebuilding.

Hercules is back and more dangerous than ever

2011-06-13T14:53:00.000-07:00

In the first three issues of the new “Herc” series, a new path is set up for Hercules who has been stripped of his godly immortality with only his strength and years of battle expertise to help him protect himself and the people of Brooklyn. (Oh yeah and he has a big bag of Mythological Greek weapons to help.) Hercules seems much more cunning than he has been portrayed recently. The removal of his immortality has led him to use his wits and a more disciplined style of fighting than his typical barroom brawling style.

Writers Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente Van Lente use a great technique of mixing the mythologies of ancient Greece with the modern super hero myths. Using the iconography and images from ancient Greece adds a different feel to the super hero story and gives insight into the long history of the character in and out of the comic books.

With some classic twists here and there the book is shaping up nicely. From Hercules’ new occupation as a bartender to his protection of, and worship from, the people of Brooklyn the book is setting up to be a new take on the classic character. A new cast is introduced and the hero finds a love interest.

However, some of the characterization should delve deeper into who the characters are. Herc and his new girlfriend seem best connected physically instead of emotionally. This seems more fitting for the immortal Hercules instead of the new cunning Herc, or is it just that an old dog can't change his all of his ways?

Pak and Van Lente should be applauded for their choice of villains that Hercules fights. He battles old Spider-Man villains in the Hobgoblin and the Kingpin and confronts an extortion ring to ingratiate himself into his new neighborhood. Then in issue three, the “Fear Itself” tie-in story, Hercules is fighting against four villains with their very own ties to Greek mythology. These are characters that make a lot of sense together with their ties to Greece. Wrapped up in his fight with the Greek-themed villains Herc must then turn around and save these same villains from an even bigger bad guy which seems to open a can of worms with his new friends in Brooklyn.

The series is penciled by Neil Edwards with inks by Scott Hanna. They deliver clean clear art throughout the first three issues of the series. Herc’s look is distinctive and he stands out above the crowd. He is not a gleaming and shiny hero like Thor or Iron Man. He is a rough and ragged hero of the people and this clearly shows in the art.

The decision: Hercules fans should rejoice that the hero is back. He is finding his new purpose and is in the capable hands of writers who definitely appreciate the history that surrounds the hero.

With a hero like Moon Knight can LA really be saved?

2011-06-10T16:22:00.000-07:00

How far has Los Angeles’s newest hero, Moon Knight, drifted into insanity? In Marvel Comics “Moon Knight” #2 by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev we are starting to get an idea.

With this issue Bendis and Maleev start to build the world that Moon Knight now lives in. More clues are given as to who the kingpin of crime in Los Angeles is and there is the introduction of Moon Knight’s newest adversary, a skilled fighter who has taken on some of Marvel’s toughest fighters. This issue also has the debut of Moon Knight’s supporting cast in the heroine Echo. How will she factor into Moon Knights extended stay in Los Angeles?

Most important is the exploration of Moon Knight’s fractured psyche. Moon Knight was known for having multiple secret identities when he was in New York and each identity had a distinct personality. Now the hero is more unstable than ever and this is driven home in this issue. Moon Knight lets an alternate personality take over that gets him into deep trouble. Bendis uses this technique brilliantly. The unstable hero is in a new environment and it leaves the reader guessing about what is really happening to him and what is wrong with him.

The art of Maleev is enhanced in this issue by the excellent colors of Matthew Wilson. Maleev’s already perfected a moody noir style to his artwork that has the rough edges for the kind of stories he and Bendis are telling. With Wilson’s coloring the art is taken to another level. The colors of the backgrounds especially add something extra to the narrative of the art.

With the hero’s opening scene in this book Maleev draws a rooftop that looks just like the rooftops that can be seen off the 101 freeway in Hollywood. The look of Los Angeles that was missing in the first issue comes through here. While no one should expect to see Moon Knight enjoying a burger from Tommy’s it is important for a series based in Los Angeles to look the part.

The decision: While New York seems to have the shining examples of heroism Los Angeles is receiving one who may end up doing more harm than good. The world being created by Bendis, Maleev and Wilson is dense and complicated. The full picture is not quite there but the ride is fun. It is nice to see some of the LA landscape come into the picture as well.

The Hulk has a bad attitude and a desire to save the world

2011-06-09T10:58:00.001-07:00

Available now is the collected edition of Jeff Parker’s and Gabriel Hardman’s “Red Hulk: Scorched Earth” trade paperback. This book collects “Hulk” issues 25-30 from Marvel Comics. This is the first story arc by the new creative team and they do not let up on the action.

The story asks the question, how do you rehabilitate a villain who wants to do good with a bad attitude? The Red Hulk had been wrapped up in a villainous plot and had even attained victory over the heroes of the Marvel Universe only to have that victory taken away. Along the way he made a lot of enemies in the super hero community. Now looking for a new chance at life he must work with the heroes he clashed with. This story puts him through the gauntlet against Marvel’s heaviest hitting heroes Iron Man, Thor and Namor the Sub Mariner. During this, the Red Hulk must find a way to save the world.

Once thought to be irredeemable Parker gives the Red Hulk proper motive to seek redemption. He must now come to grips with his past and start the next stage of his life. The story convinces us that while the Red Hulk has not lost any of his surly attitude, he wants to work for the greater good. By putting him against the heavy weights Parker shows the Red Hulk’s drive to recover his reputation. It is not easy to build and develop a character through high action storytelling but Parker pulls it off excellently.

For a book that is primarily about a hero who punches first and asks questions never Hardman finds a way to add depth to the character and instill drama into each confrontation. The action flows from page to page and manages to maintain the big-budget, explosive feel that this book demands. The characters look amazing and the action is easy to follow but what is also very enjoyable is the amount of detail Hardman puts into the background of each page. With environments the Hulk finds himself in from space, to the jungle to under the sea Hardman does not skimp on the surroundings.

The decision: Taking over the story of the Red Hulk from the previous creative team of Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuiness was not going to be an easy task. Jeff Parker and Gabriel Hardman have taken up the challenge and have not only continued the high quality of the book but have also managed to make the story their own. A new direction while maintaining such a high standard can be tricky but these two pull it off seamlessly.

BOOM! Studios takes us back to the Planet of the Apes

2011-06-07T10:15:00.000-07:00

Published by Los Angeles based comic book publisher BOOM! Studios is “Planet of the Apes” #1 by the creative team of writer Daryl Gregory and artist Carlos Magno. This series is the perfect starting point for anyone looking to jump into the Planet of the Apes story before the new movie, “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”, premieres August 2011.

Set 1,200 years prior to the original “Planet of the Apes” movies this series is accessible to all readers not just the hardcore ape fans. The issue introduces a world where apes and man live side by side in a not so friendly dystopian future. The apes have ascended to power and rule over the planet and force the human populace into a society of oppression. The relationship between the apes and the humans is anything but harmonious and this issue launches a tense murder investigation that will serve to only further the divide between the two races.

Daryl Gregory writes a story which has the foundation for an entire world of stories that has previously gone unexplored. He introduces new characters to the mythos and adds gravitas to their struggles. The peaceful nature of the apes is highlighted by the near-barbaric and quick tempered actions of the humans. Subtle clues are dropped as to how the world turned into a planet ruled by the apes, but it is not as important as the story that takes shape.

The art of Carlos Magno is beautiful. His depiction of the societies of the apes and the humans shows the contrasts between their lives. While the humans are surrounded by misery, squalor and overcrowding, the apes are living in lush and spacious palaces. He makes the illustration of the emotions of the characters look effortless. If he is showing misery, anger, sadness or sarcasm Magno relates it through the characters which complements the words on the page seamlessly. The world comes to life through his art and becomes an important part of the story.

This comic book has proven so popular it has already gone back for a second print. Contact your local Los Angeles area comic retailer to reserve your copy and order the second issue of the series as well.

The decision: If you are new to the “Planet of the Apes” or a long time fan, this series has something for you. A previously untapped well of stories set before the events made famous in the movies is exciting and a welcome precursor to the newest movie set to debut this summer.

The spotlight falls on Qui-Gon Jinn in Dark Horse Comics' newest Star Wars Comic

2011-05-27T15:44:00.000-07:00

“Star Wars: Jedi-the Dark Side” #1 is now available at comic shops all over Los Angeles. Published by Dark Horse Comics, who are celebrating twenty years of publishing Star Wars comics, Jedi-the Dark Side focuses on Qui-Gon Jinn a pivotal Jedi from the prequel trilogy who is virtually a blank slate. Written by Scott Allie with art by Mahmud Asrar the new series explores the past of the great Jedi Master.

Issue one is the set-up issue for the series. War has erupted on a planet that once was strong with the dark side of the Force. Qui-Gon Jinn and three other Jedi are sent to investigate. Each member of the Jedi has different issues to deal with. Doubt, love, fear, dedication, loyalty all raise questions about the effectiveness of this collection of Jedi. Qui-Gon Jinn is trying to determine why this group was put together when they are attacked and brought into the conflict they were sent to mediate.

The story itself is rewarding. The characters are introduced over the first issue in different ways that shine light into their personalities. The story is not slowed by heavy prose or exposition to explain the what is happening. Each detail is given in a manner that moves the plot forward while still enriching the characters.

Unfortunately one scene does not seem to fit into the general narrative of the story. The villains of the piece are introduced over two pages in small panels that do not fit in with the general tone of the issue.

The art of Asrar is very nice. It tells the story in pictures where dialogue is not necessary. The action scenes are dynamic while the quieter scenes still pack their punch. He introduces a new character to the mythos in Jedi Master Tahl who is beautiful but in her alien way.

The decision: Dark Horse Comics has expanded the Star Wars universe in every direction. They are finally attempted to fill in the blank slate that is Qui-Gon Jinn before his movie debut. He is a pivotal character to the Star Wars saga that has only been explored marginally. The series looks to be an interesting one that will capture the action and fantasy of the movies.

The War of the Green Lanterns rages on but goes nowhere

2011-05-27T15:38:00.001-07:00

At comic shops all over Los Angeles the War of the Green Lanterns continues in parts four, five and six of the DC Comic crossover from writers Geoff Johns, Peter J. Tomasi and Tony Bedard with art by Doug Mahnke, Fernando Pasarin and Tyler Kirkham. The events take place in “Green Lantern” #65, “Green Lantern Corps” #59, and “Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors” #9.

The story picks up nicely from the end of part three and jumps into the second phase of the plot. The heroes are stranded without their powers and must find a way to overcome Krona, a rogue who has toppled the very home base of the Green Lanterns and turned every member of the Green Lantern Corps against the lanterns from Earth.

Parts four through six deal mostly with getting the pieces in place. Plot points from part one that had been left alone start to resurface. The heroes run right into the heart of the trouble and must twist and turn to keep out of the path of their pursuers. Now armed with powers they are unsure of they are forced to come up with a plan that leads them into direct confrontation with their friends and colleagues in the Green Lantern Corps.

Unfortunately what these parts suffer from is the general malaise that happens in the middle of a crossover. Some plot points are developed but the path to an end is circuitous and keeps the heroes unnecessarily from their ultimate goal. Much of the story development is rehashed over and over again in order to bring readers up to speed but at the same time it causes confusion and opens up plot holes that should have been addressed sooner. For instance, when the heroes decide on a new power source to take on the villain they rush in headlong without thinking. The next scene shows the heroes admonishing each other for making such hasty choices even when they were the ones encouraging the bad choices.

The art in the books looks fantastic. These are great pages depicting the action from the battles and the struggles of the heroes. Unfortunately because there was not much story many of the pages were done as splash pages. Too many shots establishing the characters and what they look like offer no progression to the story. Instead of the character development that should occupy the middle chapters of a large crossover the writers and artists chose to depict grand scenes. They look nice but they don’t move the story anywhere.

There were moments when the story seemed like it might add some depth to the characters such as John Stewart comparing the craziness of the battle on the Green Lantern home world with his experiences in the Iraq War, the idea was quickly abandoned and no development was made.

The decision: Unfortunately the middle three parts of the ten part story could have been wrapped up in a single issue. The developments were there but were stretched to fill the predetermined number of chapters. It does not derail the story completely but suffers in creating any new plot growth to hold readers in.

It’s a family affair when Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four get together

2011-05-24T16:30:00.000-07:00

If the Fantastic Four is the first family of the Marvel Universe then the Amazing Spider-Man is the first cousin. Never has this been more apparent than in the “Spider-Man and Fantastic Four” four issue mini-series by Christos Gage and Mario Alberti. The collected edition was released in hardcover in February and the soft cover edition is due out in July.

The series jumps through four different eras in the long history of Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four. The story starts in the early days of the Marvel Universe and jumps forward several years with each chapter. Different variations of the Fantastic Four are covered in each issue including when the roster was made up of characters like She-Hulk, She-Thing, Wolverine, Ghost Rider, the Hulk and Spider-Man. The main villain of the series appears in each issue as his threat slowly builds to the climatic battle in issue four.

The central theme of the story is family and shows that Spider-Man has always been a part of the Fantastic Four’s family. Even from the early days when their relationship was antagonistic at best. Spider-Man always felt a kindred belonging to the first family. The relationship only continues to grow over the course of the series. To the point that the stories now being told in the new “FF” series from Marvel where Spider-Man is a full-fledged member of the team does not seem so foreign.

The great thing about this series is that each issue clearly stands on its own. You can read all four issues in any order you choose. The reader can get just one issue and have a full satisfying story but it is unlikely anyone will stop at one.

The Outcome: Over the course of the four issues the reader gets a look into the Marvel universe throughout its more than 50 year history. The story is dense with continuity and fun inside facts about the characters.

The Legion of Super-Heroes are back to deal with the problems of the 31st Century

2011-05-18T09:09:00.000-07:00

DC Comics reintroduces the premiere team of the 31st century in Legion of Super-Heroes: The Choice which collects the first six issues of the new ongoing series. Paul Levitz the long time writer of the Legion of Super-Heroes returns to his roots with this stunning relaunch of the super hero team and there is no shortage of action. With a cast of hundreds Levitz tells an intricate story about the Legion with plots that weave in and out of one another.

The peril for the Legion has never been greater. At home they are dealing with xenophobic response and hatred from the people of Earth against anyone who is not from Earth. This means many on Earth detest the majority of Legion members. While the peace at home is strained the Legion must also deal with the destruction of a planet, the kidnapping of the children of a prominent Legion couple, an old enemy’s return, the return of the green lanterns and a hidden danger that lurks in the guise of an alien-people they believe to be their friends.

A thousand years from now Earth will still be dealing with the same sort of bigotry and hatred that plagues present day Earth. A future full of every scientific wonder one can dream is still plagued by irrational and unthinking hatred of those that are foreign. The allegories are strong. The people of Earth championing the ouster of aliens from the planet refer to themselves as Earthers and are willing to do anything to rid their planet of anyone different.

Levitz does not treat this subject lightly but is not overly political in dealing with it. The Earthers are definitely the “bad guys” but even some of them are redeemable. The Legion is required to admit an Earther into their ranks to help keep the peace and the action of this new member surprise everyone including the Legion.

With a cast too numerous to count and a continuity so heavy it usually turns new readers off, Levitz manages to craft a story that is not only satisfying to long time readers but also manages to introduce the comic to a whole new audience. Each chapter contains small introductions to each member as they appear in the story. We learn their name, true identity, home world and powers. It is the next best thing to keeping a scorecard.

The art is masterfully handled by Yildray Cinar, Wayne Faucher and Francis Portella. A cast this size is highly unmanageable for most artists. The time it takes to draw so many characters onto each page over and over again is a laborious job. This art team manages to shine in this difficult situation. With pulse-pounding images and excellent establishing shots they manage to capture the colorful Legion and enhance an already excellent story.

The Verdict: As with any serialized fiction there is a curve that any new reader will have to learn the ins and outs. Levitz and the art team make it easy. With a long back story and a huge cast and continuing plot threads that are a few years old Legion of Super-Heroes: The Choice is an excellent start point for the Legion of Super-Heroes. And if an excellent story is not enough there is a bonus with alternate covers by Jim Lee, collected in the back of the book, depicting the Legion from the 1950s to now.

Spider-Man promises no one will die on his watch

2011-05-17T12:46:00.000-07:00

Spider-Man’s credo is that with great power comes great responsibility, a lesson he learned at an early age due to his failure to stop a crime. ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ issue #656 asks what happens when stopping a crime is not enough.

Recently Spider-Man failed to save the life of Marla Jameson, the wife of long-time Spider-Man tormenter J. Jonah Jameson. After this loss, while still holding the guilt for the lives he was not able to save, Spider-Man comes to the conclusion he has to do more. It is a classic story of the hero hitting bottom before he rises to victory.

Written by Dan Slott with art by Marcos Martin, ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ #656 begins with Spider-Man making a promise that no one else will die. Still reeling from grief and dealing with the loss of his fabled spider-sense, Spider-Man must use his brain to start out-thinking the bad guys. His brawn, agility, and speed will not be enough to get the job done. His smarts take center stage as he designs a new costume with new tools to help him in his crusade.

Slott provides an excellent story for readers to get a look inside Spider-Man’s head. His words convey the grief the character feels over the recent death he could not prevent and the overcompensation by living up to his new ‘no one dies’ motto. Spider-Man has to learn to fight smarter, not harder. Slott does not make this easy for the hero.

Martin is a stellar artist who excels by using a seemingly simplistic style of art. Shedding the over used modern coloring effects, Martin’s art shines on each page clearly with emotion and detail pouring through each panel.

The Verdict: This is a great book, a story that is billed as the second of a two-part story that stands easily on its own. Slott and Martin pack so much into this issue you are not cheated in any way.

The War of the Green Lanterns gets kicked off with a bang

2011-05-17T12:40:00.000-07:00

War of the Green Lanterns is a ten part story running through the three Green Lantern comic books published by DC Comics. Reviewed here is the first third of the story that was presented in “Green Lantern” # 64, “Green Lantern Corps” #58 and “Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors” #8.

Do not get tripped up by the numbering of the issues. While there is a lot of history to the Green Lanterns and to this storyline you do not need to know it all. The stories and ideas are told with enough background to bring anyone up to speed.

The four main protagonists of the story are introduced over the first three issues. In the first two issues of the story three of the four main characters are introduced with excellent origin recaps of their backgrounds and what their viewpoint is in the Green Lantern universe. The third part does not contain an origin recap but establishes the fourth character through the narrative of the storyline.

One of the hardest things for writers to accomplish in a crossover between two titles, let alone three, is a consistent look and feel to the story. War of the Green Lanterns manages to keep a consistent vision of the storyline through the first three parts. Writers Geoff Johns, Tony Bedard and Peter J. Tomasi do an excellent job of establishing who the characters are and what their primary motivations are while leaving enough mystery to propel the story further.

Each part can be viewed as a chapter in the story. The first part in “Green Lantern” #64 establishes the villain and their motive in the story with a trigger that leads to the war between the Green Lanterns. This trigger is used in the next two chapters to bring each character in line with the story and get them moving in the same direction.

Artists Doug Mahnke, Fernando Parsarin and Tyler Kirkham mange to tell the story with a consistent feel. Each artist has their own distinct style that is definitely noticeable from issue to issue. What is nice about the three styles is that each artist manages to make each character recognizable and tell the story in the same fashion. The reader gets to see each aspect of the war through a different lens.

War of the Green Lanterns began in March and the series has proven so popular that DC Comics is taking all three of these issues back to print. Second printings will be available June 1st. Contact your local comic shop to reserve your copies today.

The verdict: "Green Lantern" has been at the center of the DC Comics Universe for the last several years and when the lantern shines the brightest is during the crossovers with the other "Green Lantern" books. Excellent storytelling by some of the top writers and artists making comics today makes War of the Green Lanterns and must buy.

Los Angeles gets the hero it deserves in “Moon Knight” #1

2011-05-13T10:21:00.000-07:00

To paraphrase an old saying, we don’t get the hero we need we get the hero we deserve, and that is just what Marvel Comics has delivered to Los Angeles in the form of Moon Knight. “Moon Knight” #1 is the debut issue of the new comic series by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev.

Former mercenary Marc Spector, aka Moon Knight, has infiltrated Hollywood as its newest television producer. He is producing a television series based on his exploits and the “Legend of Khonshu.” Stylistically, the television series creates an in-story way of telling who Marc Spector is without bogging the story down with a flashback sequence.

The comic book series' premise and the reason for Moon Knight’s move to the West Coast is established when Spector is called away by the Avengers. There has been “a rather substantial migration of criminal activity from the East Coast” and Moon Knight is the hero to stop it. It is a believable premise to bring the hero out of the New York centric Marvel Comics world and put him on his own in Los Angeles.

The book contains a lot of violent action. The details of the character’s origin and his fight with the villain of the book are gritty and grim. It is clear the fights have consequences for the hero.

The art of the book is stunning. Maleev has developed as an artist since his long stint on the “Daredevil” comic also written by Bendis. The pictures are brighter and more dynamic. Whether this was a stylistic choice by the artist or a development in his skill it fits the tone of the book nicely.

One thing the book seems to be missing is Maleev’s excellent attention to detail in building the hero’s city. Maleev was known to walk through New York’s Hell’s Kitchen to photograph reference material to make New York come alive in the pages of “Daredevil.” In “Moon Knight” #1 there is a battle on a non-descript dockside which could have easily been enhanced by showing images of the Long Beach or San Pedro harbors. More detail in the city will only serve to enhance the appeal of this book.

Over the last few years Bendis has developed a knack for reinvigorating characters that have fallen out of favor with the fans. Moon Knight is no exception. Bendis starts off by creating new depth for the character and establishing Moon Knight as a hero with problems right off the bat. New mysteries are revealed and there is a jaw dropping reveal at the end of the first issue.

The verdict: Moon Knight seems to be the perfect hero for Los Angeles. With a made-for-movies mercenary background and moving into the fantasy life of a TV executive, Marc Spector is a shining example of a true Hollywood story. But the hero, Moon Knight, has his dark side and there are too many questions as to how stable his mind may be.

For more images and to continue reading visit Examiner.com

Retro comics review: ‘New Mutants Classic Volume 5’

2011-05-10T09:31:00.000-07:00

The Book: New Mutants Classic Volume 5 by Chris Claremont, Arthur Adams and more.

The New Mutants are teenage heroes born with amazing powers that sets them apart from the rest of the world. They strive to gain acceptance in a world they are sworn protect but hates and fears them because they are different.

This collection of comic books originally published in 1985 and 1986 looks closely at who the New Mutants are. They deal with issues that affect many teenagers but in extraordinary ways. Issues of weight, self-doubt, uncontrollable emotions of love and fear and most of all acceptance. The authors place the characters in outlandish situations such as having the team of young heroes travel to Asgard, home of the Norse-Mythological-Gods, where they encounter different races of god-like beings. They struggle with how they are welcomed by the people of this fantasy world and then have to deal with why they cannot stay. The story inevitably returns the characters to Earth but they are left to wonder what might have been. On Earth they are outcasts because of their mutant abilities, but Asgard offered them a place where they could be themselves. The friendship of the characters is explored and tested through the various adventures collected here.

The art in this book begins with stunning art by Arthur Adams who draws the Asgard adventure in the collection. The detail on each page is incredible and tells a story that flows from panel to panel. After the first adventure the consistency of the art diminishes as the art duties are passed between several different artists that keep the book from having a cohesive look throughout.

The verdict: The characters are relatable not for their powers but for their problems. The book is a fantastic adventure through locations from Asgard to a private school in Massachusetts. The New Mutants meet up with the X-Men, Magneto, and Captain America and the Avengers. The stories are packed with swashbuckling adventure, romance and characters dealing with everyday problems. It is definitely worth finding and reading.

‘Captain America and the Secret Avengers’ starring the Black Widow and Agent 13

2011-05-05T14:41:00.000-07:00

The Black Widow and Agent 13 are super spies in a world of super powered heroes. Both are members of the super hero team the Avengers. Writer Kelly Sue DeConnick and artist Greg Tocchini tell a story about the spies and their mission to stop a ring of female terrorists. A girl from Black Widow’s past is involved. The Widow is conflicted about the girl and how things could have gone this far. The Widow and the girl share a similar background both are Russians and were trained to be spies at an early age. The Widow wants to trust the girl based on her own experiences even though all the signs say she should not. Agent 13 plays the role of the realist. She cannot get the Black Widow to change her mind about the girl but she is there to help when things go south.

The art of Tocchini steals the show. His art captures the look of the spies in a graceful and beautiful manner. Each character is distinct in their dress and their movement. The faces do tend to have similarities but that falls more into the artist’s style which has a realistic look with slant towards the dramatic.

DeConnick writes high-quality dialogue. The Widow and Agent 13 express their confidence and comfort in the situation through their conversations. Where the story falls short is in the pace. The comic is primarily focused on the build-up and the time it takes to explain the nature of the danger and the mission the heroines are working on. The action and resolution are limited to the end of the story. The women can fight and showing more action would have created more excitement in the issue instead there is a brief fight that is over as quickly as it starts.

Despite the title Captain America does not appear in this comic. His alter-ego Steve Rogers does appear albeit briefly and more as a liaison for the heroines as they embark on their mission. This issue is part of Marvel Comics’ celebration of the 70th Anniversary of Captain America’s first appearance and focuses on the supporting characters from his comic books.

There is a bonus eight-page story by Fabian Nicieza and Robert Liefeld where the Black Widow meets Silver Sable another female spy in the Marvel Universe. The fun here is the contrast in the look of the Black Widow from the early 1990s to today.

The Verdict: The book is a fun read. The characters as written by DeConnick are enjoyable and likeable. The pacing is a little off but the art of Tocchini is lively and fun to look at. The book is a good way to read more about two characters who usually share their comic book time with at least eight other super heroes.

Editing comics the BOOM! Studios way with Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon

2011-05-05T14:38:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning, May 1, 2011, the LA Times Festival of Books hosted a panel with the Los Angeles based BOOM! Studios editor-in-chief Matt Gagnon. Originally set up to be an interview with Gagnon the panel turned into an intimate conversation with Gagnon about the inner workings of one of the top ten comic publishers in the world. Gagnon provided background not only of his company but himself as well.

Gagnon began his career in comics working retail. While working as the buyer for Meltdown Comics in Los Angeles he decided to make the jump into the publishing side of comic books. At the time BOOM! Studios was a small start up company of about five employees. He started on staff and began editing the licensed properties. He worked his way up the ranks and after several years was hired into the role of editor-in-chief.

Breaking into the creative side of comics is always hard. Gagnon recommends that writers team up with artists and self publish their own works. These self published comics can be handed out and reviewed much more easily than a writer’s full script. It gives a publisher a better understanding of a writer’s skill. It also helps artists show that they understand how to tell a story with pictures.

On the editorial and production side of the comics, Gagnon says that most of the staff at BOOM! started with an interest in comics. Some of the BOOM! staff began their careers like he did in retail, others wrote blogs and articles about comics. He said showing the genuine interest in comics is significant and that it is important to make friends in the industry. Do not just network get to know people and be friends.

Gagnon is heavily involved in the development of the books the company publishes. Whether it is licensed properties like “Planet of the Apes” and “Peanuts” or an original series like “Irredeemable” each book is thought out to be a distinct representative of the BOOM! line. What makes a BOOM! book stand out is the quality that goes into the production. Writers and artists are paired together and work closely with the editors to ensure a distinct look and to tell a story that a reader cannot find anywhere else.

New comics are developed mostly by conversations in the offices. When a new licensed property is acquired, the editors will get together and think who would fit the property based on their past experiences and then they will pursue the talent to have them agree to do the book. In some of the other cases, the books are pitched by the potential creators and BOOM! is not shy about publishing great ideas.

‘Takio’ is saving the world with kung fu telekinesis

2011-05-05T14:36:00.000-07:00

Takio is the new original graphic novel from Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming tells the story of two sisters who, do to circumstances beyond their control, are forced into the life of super heroics. Their powers as described by Olivia, the younger sister, are kung-fu telekinesis; bolts of thought that are strong enough to throw dumpsters, flip over SUVs and allow the heroes to leap great distances in a single bound.

The story is about the sisters and their special bond. Their mother is distant but over protective at the same time to the point that a skinned knee will cause a lecture on playground safety. Taki, the older of the two sisters, is forced to grow up too fast in order to look out for her precocious sister Olivia. The only separation between the two is their age. They walk to school together, they visit friends together and now they fight crime together.

Where Bendis and Oeming succeed is the believability of the character of each girl. This is due to their co-plotter Olivia Bendis, Brian’s pre-teen daughter. Taki is dealing with the normal angst associated with growing up and trying to fit in. This is told subtlety through Oeming’s art. The reader can understand her emotions about her life and how she fits in at school without having to read a word. While Olivia’s enthusiasm fits the mold of her seven-year-old character. Taki is reserved while Olivia is bouncing off the walls to show her affections.

The origin is the standard super hero origin. We learn who the characters are first, and then they accidentally obtain powers and are forced to confront the villain who is responsible for their change. But this story gives it some fun twists with face paced dialogue and bright and uplifting artwork.

The verdict: This is a comic book suitable to all ages. Younger readers in particular will gravitate to this story as the characters are relatable and could be one of their classmates. What is not to like about super heroes who can only stop the bad guys until dinner time. The witty, believable dialogue and the lively and fun art really make this an enjoyable read.

Time Masters: Vanishing Point - a comic review

2011-05-05T14:32:00.000-07:00

Writer and artist Dan Jurgens tells a story of his time travelling hero Booster Gold in Time Masters: Vanishing Point. Booster Gold recently hit the big time in an episode of Smallville on the WB Network. The episode picked up on many of the recent comic book developments with the character.

Time Masters: Vanishing Point continues the story of Booster Gold and his partner Rip Hunter from the Booster Gold series produced by DC Comics. Booster and Rip are time cops making sure that time progresses as it always has. There are villains who wish to go back in time and alter events to suit them. Booster and Rip must prevent this.

Jurgens uses some nice story telling techniques to go in depth on the characters of Booster Gold and Rip Hunter. The interactions the two heroes have throughout the story with Superman and Green Lantern help to tell who these characters are. Booster is defined by his aloofness. He must present the act of a media crazed, bumbling fool to continue as the greatest hero the world has never known. If his enemies knew what he was really up to they would stop at nothing to finish him off. This is not always easy for Booster to take and Jurgens conveys this throughout the story.

Rip Hunter on the other hand is more of a mystery. Jurgens frames every story in this collection with a look at a young Rip as he grows and learns the dangers that come as a protector of the time stream. This method that Jurgens uses allows the reader to get more from the story not only of its central character but also of how the events of his youth are shaping his present.

Jurgens does insert some items into the story that occurred in other stories not printed here and new readers may find that off putting, but not enough to detract from the overall story. Like most serialized fiction the story began somewhere else and continues in another book.

The art that Jurgens provides with his inker Norm Rapamund is outstanding. A throwback to the more classic art of the 1990s, the pencil work is clean and each character is distinguishable from the next.

The verdict: There is some great character development in this book. Jurgens makes the efforts of Booster Gold and Rip Hunter seem real and important in a fantastic way. The story has a beginning, a middle and an end but leaves enough plots dangling to entice the reader to come back for more. Fans of comics from all ages will enjoy this book.

Coming soon . . .

2008-03-20T17:34:00.001-07:00

Reviews of Great Comicbooks.

This will be an upbeat look at great comic books that I am reading.