Showing posts with label Ivan Reis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ivan Reis. Show all posts

Friday, September 20, 2019

Review: SUPERMAN #1

SUPERMAN No. 1 (2018)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Brian Michael Bendis
PENCILS: Ivan Reis
INKS: Joe Prado
COLORS: Alex Sinclair
LETTERS: Josh Reed
COVER: Ivan Reis and Joe Prado with Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVERS: Adam Hughes; David Mack
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2018)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

“The Unity Saga”

Superman the comic book series enters a new era with a new writer and a new #1 issue (the third in seven years).  Superman is the most famous DC Comics superhero character.  Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, Superman first appeared in Action Comics #1 (cover dated: June 1938).  Superman was first a baby named “Kal-El” from the doomed planet Krypton.  Brought to Earth on a rocket ship (or space craft), Baby Kal was adopted by Martha and Thomas Kent, who named him “Clark Kent.”

Clark would grow up to be the superhero, Superman, and his activities and adventures were first chronicled in Action Comics.  A year later, Superman would get his own eponymous title when the comic book entitled Superman #1 debuted.  Now, comes a new Superman series.  It is written by the new primary Superman comic book writer, Brian Michael Bendis.  It is drawn by artists Ivan Reis (pencils) and Joe Prado (inks); colored by Alex Sinclair; and lettered by Josh Reed.

Superman #1 (2018) finds The Man of Steel stopping an invasion of Earth by the “Dominators” dead in its tracks.  [The Dominators a.k.a. “Dominion” were first seen in Adventures Comics #361 (October 1967), but are probably best known for being the villains in the 1988-89 comic book miniseries and crossover event, Invasion!].  Then, it is time to build a new “Fortress of Solitude,” have two separate meetings with fellow Justice League teammates, save the day several times, and discover something shocking about our planet.

I really want to like Brian Michael Bendis' Superman comic books, and for the most part, I enjoyed his debut series, The Man of Steel, a six-issue miniseries.  It could never live up to my ridiculously high expectations, but I actually wanted more of The Man of Steel.  Well, Superman #1 starts the process of meeting my Bendis Superman needs and expectations.

Bendis fills this first issue with wonderful surprises and sub-plots.  Ivan Reis' pencil art and compositions are lushly illustrated, and have a sparkling quality thanks to Joe Prado's intricate and detailed inks.  Colorist supreme Alex Sinclair delivers hues that have an opulent quality.  Josh Reed does some heavy lifting finding the right spots in the art to place word balloons and boxes.  This is a very well put together graphics package

I get the feeling that Bendis is going to portray Superman/Clark Kent as having to confront, deal with, and manage all his persona and all aspects of his personal, private, secret, and super lives.  I really like Superman #1 (2018), and I think my ridiculously high expectations might be met.

7.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Review: THE MAN OF STEEL #1

THE MAN OF STEEL No. 1 (2018)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

SCRIPT: Brian Michael Bendis
PENCILS: Ivan Reis; Jason Fabok (pp. 21-22)
INKS: Joe Prado; Jason Fabok (pp. 21-22)
COLORS: Alex Sinclair
LETTERS: Cory Petit
EDITOR: Michael Cotton
COVER: Ivan Reis and Joe Prado with Alex Sinclair
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2018)

Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

“Man of Steel “ Part 1

In November 2017, Marvel Comics' best writer of the last two decades, Brian Michael Bendis, ended his tenure with Marvel and signed an exclusive deal with Marvel's rival, DC Comics.  It was not long before rumors of Bendis focusing on the character Superman were burning up the e-grapevine.

After serving up a Superman tale in the anthology and milestone comic book, Action Comics #1000, Brian Michael Bendis officially begins his tenure as the lead writer of the Superman comic book line with the six-issue, weekly miniseries, The Man of Steel.  Each issue will feature a different art team, and the artists for the first issue are Ivan Reis (pencils) and Joe Prado (inks), with Jason Fabok drawing the story's last two pages (pp. 21-22).  Alex Sinclair colors, and Cory Petit letters.

The Man of Steel #1 opens sometime in the past when a being named “Rogol Zaar” declares that Krypton must destroyed.  Kryptonians mean to destroy the rest of the galaxy, according to Rogol, so they must be destroyed first.  Rogol believes he is just the being who can and should do the destroying.  Back in the present, Superman believes that he has discovered that arson is plaguing a particular section of Metropolis.  Meanwhile, Clark Kent deals with work and family, not realizing that a new threat to destroy him is emerging.

In late 1986, DC Comics published a special, event miniseries, entitled The Man of Steel.  Written and drawn by John Byrne, then one of the most popular and powerful comic book writer-artists, The Man of Steel re-imagined, rebooted, and modernized Superman.  After decades of stagnation up to the mid-1980s (according to some), the Superman comic book line needed a course correction.  Byrne's The Man of Steel was a seismic shift in terms of what a Superman comic book could and should be.

Brian Michael Bendis' The Man of Steel 2018 is quieter because it does not need to modernize Superman.  John Byrne already did that, beginning with The Man of Steel during his subsequent two-year run as writer-artist and writer on Superman, Action Comics, and The Adventures of Superman titles.  Since he does not have to modernize Superman, Bendis can focus on the character and personality of the Man of Steel.

Bendis presents Superman/Clark Kent as stoic and stalwart, but with a generous sense of humor.  I think that this Bendis Superman of the comic books is so like the cinematic Superman portrayed by beloved actor, the late Christopher Reeve.  Bendis's Superman is not so different from Patrick J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason's Man of Steel, as seen during their recent run on the flagship comic book, Superman, except the emotional component of Bendis' Superman/Clark Kent is a bit edgier, even with the humor present.

Apparently, from what I have read, Bendis is rewriting Superman's origins.  Still, 2018 The Man of Steel does not seem like a sea change in terms of Superman's world and fictional mythology the way the 1986 Byrne miniseries was and still is.  However, from a character and emotional point of view, Bendis may adding or changing something rather than fashioning a new Man of Steel

8.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Monday, April 15, 2019

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 17, 2019

DC COMICS

FEB190473    AMERICAN CARNAGE #6 (MR)    $3.99
FEB190474    AQUAMAN #47    $3.99
FEB190475    AQUAMAN #47 VAR ED    $3.99
FEB190480    BATMAN #69    $3.99
FEB190481    BATMAN #69 VAR ED    $3.99
JAN190663    BATMAN DETECTIVE REBIRTH DLX COLL HC BOOK 04    $34.99
SEP180539    BATMAN SUPERMAN SILVER AGE OMNIBUS HC VOL 02    $99.99
FEB198168    BATMAN WHO LAUGHS #1 (OF 6) FINAL PTG    $4.99
FEB198169    BATMAN WHO LAUGHS #2 (OF 6) FINAL PTG    $4.99
FEB198170    BATMAN WHO LAUGHS #3 (OF 6) FINAL PTG    $4.99
FEB190493    DAMAGE #16    $3.99
JAN190667    DAMAGE TP VOL 02 SCORCHED EARTH    $16.99
SEP180631    DC DESIGNER SERIES GREEN LANTERN BY IVAN REIS STATUE    $150.00
FEB198165    DOOMSDAY CLOCK #1 (OF 12) FINAL PTG    $4.99
FEB198166    DOOMSDAY CLOCK #2 (OF 12) FINAL PTG    $4.99
FEB198167    DOOMSDAY CLOCK #7 (OF 12) FINAL PTG    $4.99
FEB190496    ELECTRIC WARRIORS #6 (OF 6)    $3.99
FEB198171    HEROES IN CRISIS #2 (OF 9) FINAL PTG    $3.99
FEB198172    HEROES IN CRISIS #3 (OF 9) FINAL PTG    $3.99
FEB198173    HEROES IN CRISIS #4 (OF 9) FINAL PTG    $3.99
FEB190510    HIGH LEVEL #3 (MR)    $3.99
JAN190677    INJUSTICE VS MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE HC    $24.99
FEB190514    JUSTICE LEAGUE #22    $3.99
FEB190515    JUSTICE LEAGUE #22 VAR ED    $3.99
JAN190685    KAMANDI CHALLENGE TP    $24.99
FEB190520    LUCIFER #7 (MR)    $3.99
JAN190616    MAD MAGAZINE #7    $5.99
FEB190521    NAOMI #4    $3.99
FEB190522    NIGHTWING #59    $3.99
FEB190523    NIGHTWING #59 VAR ED    $3.99
FEB190524    PEARL #8 (MR)    $3.99
FEB190525    PEARL #8 VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
JAN190693    SANDMAN TP VOL 07 BRIEF LIVES 30TH ANNIV ED (MR)    $19.99
FEB190530    SCOOBY DOO WHERE ARE YOU #98    $2.99
FEB198174    SHAZAM #1 2ND PTG    $4.99
FEB198175    SHAZAM #2 2ND PTG    $3.99
FEB190466    TEEN TITANS #29 TERMINUS AGENDA    $3.99
FEB190467    TEEN TITANS #29 VAR ED TERMINUS AGENDA    $3.99
JAN190701    WONDER WOMAN TP VOL 08 DARK GODS    $16.99

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Review: THE TERRIFICS #1

THE TERRIFICS No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jeff Lemire
PENCILS: Ivan Reis
INKS: Joe Prado
COLORS: Marcelo Maiolo
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (April 2018)

Rated “T” for Teen

The Terrifics created by Ivan Reis and Jeff Lemire

“Meet The Terrifics”

DC Comics has launched a new superhero comics initiative, “The New Age of DC Heroes,” coming out of its Dark Nights: Metal event miniseries.  This line of comic books will consist of eight new comic book series:  The Curse of Brimstone, Damage, The Immortal Men, New Challengers, Sideways, The Silencer, The Unexpected, and the subject of this review, The Terrifics.

The Terrifics is written by co-creator Jeff Lemire; drawn by co-creator Ivan Reis (pencils) and Joe Prado (inks); colored by Marcelo Maiolo; and lettered by Tom NapolitanoMister Terrific, Phantom Girl, Metamorpho, and Plastic Man are The Terrifics, a team of superheroes exploring the stranger aspects of space-time in order to find a way home.

The Terrifics #1 opens with Mr. Terrific barging into the lab of wacky scientist Simon Stagg... where he finds Metamorpho in a state of stress.  Stagg has created such a crisis situation that Mr. Terrific summons Plastic Man.  When this conflagration sends Mr. Terrific, Metamorpho, and Plastic Man to the Dark Multiverse, they find more mystery and Phantom Girl.

Since it was announced, comic book readers have declared that The Terrifics is DC Comics' version of Marvel Comics' venerable (but currently canceled) comic book series, Fantastic Four (FF).  Even if that were true, there is nothing in The Terrifics #1 that matches the imagination and epic storytelling of any issue of Fantastic Four produced by the FF creators, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, nor any of the issues produced by beloved FF writer-artists, John Byrne or Walter Simonson.  Basically, if The Terrifics is DC's FF, then, DC Comics and its creators have decided to produce a tepid, dishwater version of the Fantastic Four.

That said, The Terrifics #1 has some potential to be a by-the-book superhero comic book that trades in inter-dimensional adventures and weird fiction.  I figure that it could run as long as Jeff Lemire's previous weirdo superhero comic book for DC, Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. (16 issues).

I do like the art team of Ivan Reis and Joe Prado, and I am intrigued by the surprise appearance of an Alan Moore-created character at the end of this first issue.  So I might return for some more.

5 out of 10

[This comic book contains a preview of The Curse of Brimstone #1 by Philip Tan, Justin Jordan, Rain Beredo, and Wes Abbott.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Thursday, August 24, 2017

Review: THE FLINTSTONES #1

THE FLINTSTONES No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComic

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Mark Russell
ARTIST: Steve Pugh
COLORS: Chris Chuckry
LETTERS: Dave Sharpe
COVER: Steve Pugh
VARIANT COVERS: Ivan Reis with Marcelo Maiolo; Walter Simonson with Steve Buccellato; Dustin Nguyen; Dan Hipp
40pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2016)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

“A Clean Slate”

The Flintstones is an animated, prime-time animated television series, produced by American animation studio, Hanna-Barbera Productions.  When it debuted on ABC September 30, 1960, it was the first American animated prime-time TV series.  A situation comedy, “The Flintstones” is an anachronistic and fantastic depiction of a working-class, Stone Age family, led by patriarch, Fred Flintstone, who has a wife, Wilma, and eventually a daughter, Pebbles.

The series juxtaposes what was then modern life (the late 1950s to mid-1960s) with a faux Stone Age setting.  Modern technology (such as cars and home appliances) have fanciful Stone Age versions, which sometimes involve animals and creatures that did not live in the Stone Age (like dinosaurs).

DC Comics has reinvented “The Flintstones” as part of its line of comic books that are reinvented and re-imagined versions of Hanna-Barber animated television series.  The Flintstones is written by Mark Russell; drawn by Steve Pugh, colored by Chris Chuckry, and lettered by Dave Sharpe.

The Flintstones #1 (“A Clean Slate”) is set 100,000 years ago in the town of Bedrock.  The story's focus is on Fred Flintstone, a brawny and muscular veteran of the “Paleolithic Wars.”  He is an employee of Slate's Quarry, where he has just been named “Employee of the Month.”  His boss, Mr. Slate, the owner of Slate's Quarry, has recently hired three male Neanderthals.  [Fred, Mr. Slate, and the people of Bedrock are Homo Sapiens.]  Mr. Slate wants Fred to train them, but each man has a different outlook on life, which may cause problems in their approach to dealing with the Neanderthals.

The inspiration for the 1960s TV series, “The Flintstones,” is the 1950s television comedy, “The Honeymooners.”  After reading The Flintstones #1, I believe the influence for the re-imagined Flintstones, at least in part, may be the 21st century television series, “Mad Men” (2007-2015), which is set during the early 1960s, when “The Flintstones” aired.  I also found a few scenes in this first issue that reminded me of similar scenes in the Oscar-winning film, The Best Years of Our Lives (1946).

I think “The Flintstones” comic book focuses on a military combat veteran trying to make his way in a post-war society in which there is a business boom and a rise in consumerism.  People are less about “us” and more about “me,” and I will paraphrase a character in this first issue.  People want others to do their killing and their dirty work.  In that vein, I think The Flintstones comic book also makes allusions to the post-war lives of Vietnam veterans (such as was done in the films, The Deer Hunter and Coming Home).  You can even throw in the veterans of the 21st century “Middle East” wars and the nebulous “(Global) War on Terror.”

I am intrigued because the writer of The Flintstones comic book is Mark Russell, the writer of the deadly sharp satirical comic book, Prez (2015), from DC Comics.  “The Flintstones” animated series was a comedy, but The Flintstones comic book re-imagining is like a period workplace and domestic drama.  I am comfortable with grading this first issue, and I want more.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Tuesday, December 1, 2015

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 2, 2015

DC COMICS

APR150293     ABSOLUTE BATMAN THE COURT OF OWLS HC     $99.99
OCT150194     ACTION COMICS #47     $3.99
SEP150228     ALL STAR SECTION 8 #6     $2.99
AUG150259     BATMAN 66 HC VOL 04     $24.99
SEP150287     BATMAN 66 TP VOL 03     $14.99
OCT150211     BATMAN AND ROBIN ETERNAL #9     $2.99
OCT150228     BATMAN ARKHAM KNIGHT #11     $3.99
OCT150216     BATMAN BEYOND #7     $2.99
SEP150285     BATMAN VS SUPERMAN TP     $9.99
JUN150302     BOY COMMANDOS BY SIMON AND KIRBY HC VOL 02     $49.99
SEP150207     CYBORG #5     $2.99
OCT150239     DC PRESENTS ROBIN WAR 100 PAGE SPECTACULAR #1     $7.99
SEP150310     DC PRESENTS TITANS HUNT 100 PAGE SPECTACULAR #1     $7.99
AUG150291     DMZ DELUXE EDITION HC BOOK 05 (MR)     $29.99
SEP150294     EARTH 2 WORLDS END TP VOL 02     $24.99
SEP150265     GOTHAM ACADEMY #12     $2.99
SEP150266     GOTHAM BY MIDNIGHT #11     $2.99
AUG150263     GRAPHIC INK THE DC COMICS ART OF IVAN REIS HC     $39.99
OCT150222     GREEN LANTERN #47     $3.99
OCT150151     HARLEYS LITTLE BLACK BOOK #1     $4.99
SEP150327     IZOMBIE OMNIBUS HC (MR)     $75.00
SEP150301     LEX LUTHOR A CELEBRATION OF 75 YEARS HC     $39.99
OCT150181     LOBO #13     $2.99
OCT150234     LOONEY TUNES #228     $2.99
OCT150184     MIDNIGHTER #7     $2.99
SEP150226     PREZ #6     $2.99
OCT150155     ROBIN WAR #1     $4.99
OCT150233     SENSATION COMICS FEATURING WONDER WOMAN #17     $3.99
OCT150268     SHERIFF OF BABYLON #1 (MR)     $3.99
OCT150285     SURVIVORS CLUB #3 (MR)     $3.99
SEP150233     TEEN TITANS #14     $2.99
OCT150287     UNFOLLOW #2 (MR)     $3.99
SEP150304     WORLDS FINEST TP VOL 06 SECRET HISTORY     $14.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

JUN150340     DC COMICS BATGIRL STATUE     $124.95
JUN150350     DC COMICS COVER GIRLS CATWOMAN STATUE     $99.95


Sunday, October 11, 2015

Review CYBORG #1

CYBORG #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: David F. Walker
PENCILS: Ivan Reis
INKS: Joe Prado
COLORS: Adriano Lucas
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVER: Ivan Reis and Joe Prado with Adriano Lucas
VARIANT COVER: Tony Harris
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (September 2015)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

“Unplugged”

Cyborg created by Marv Wolfman and George Perez

Cyborg a.k.a. Victor Stone is a DC Comics superhero, part-man and part-machine. The character was created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Pérez, and first appeared in a special insert in DC Comics Presents #26 (cover dated:  October 1980). Cyborg is best known as a member of the young superhero team, the Teen Titans.  However, in September 2011, DC Comics re-launched the DC Universe, rebooting its continuity.  Cyborg was reestablished as a founding member of the superhero team, the Justice League.

Although he was featured in a few Teen Titans spin offs, Cyborg never had his own comic book title.  With the launch of the “DCYou” initiative, he has one, aptly titled, Cyborg.  It is written by David F. Walker; drawn by Ivan Reis (pencils) and Joe Prado (inks); colored by Adriano Lucas; and lettered by Rob Leigh.

Cyborg #1 (“Unplugged”) opens “somewhere in another galaxy.”  This is the scene of a battle between the bestial “Technosapien” and the armor-wearing “Tekbreakers.”  The scene switches back to Earth, specifically S.T.A.R. Labs in Detroit, Michigan.  Outside, it is a scene of protests; inside, Victor Stone has returned to meet his father, Silas Stone, who is a noted scientist.

Victor hopes that his father can help him understand why the machine that gives him his Cyborg powers is evolving.  The problem is that this machine is also his body, and he needs to know what is causing these changes.

Cyborg #1 is intriguing.  Writer David F. Walker isn't offering anything groundbreaking here.  I expect that Walker will occasionally delve into the toxic relationship of the Family Stone.  There is also Sarah, a woman obviously in love with Victor, and she has spent too much time on the sidelines.  Of course, an alien threat looms on the horizon.

I'm reading Cyborg for a number of reasons.  First, I have been a fan of the character since I started reading New Teen Titans back in the day.  Secondly, he is one of the coolest African-American characters in comics, and one of the few who is both original and very powerful.  Thirdly, this new Cyborg comic book is thus far the only “DCYou” title written by an African-American writer.  In fact, it is the only DC Comics title currently written by a Black man.  So I got to support – good or bad, I want to support this comic book, although I think it will be good.  By the way, so much for the diversity of the “DCYou.”

Also, the art team of Ivan Reis and Joe Prado has once again delivered stellar work.  I think I would buy this comic book just for their art.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.


Tuesday, April 21, 2015

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 22, 2015

DC COMICS

FEB150240     BATMAN 66 #22     $2.99
DEC140386     BATMAN 66 HC VOL 03     $19.99
JAN150377     BATMAN 66 TP VOL 02     $14.99
FEB150238     BATMAN ARKHAM KNIGHT #3     $3.99
FEB150146     CONVERGENCE #3     $3.99
FEB150194     CONVERGENCE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #1     $3.99
FEB150196     CONVERGENCE BATMAN & THE OUTSIDERS #1     $3.99
FEB150198     CONVERGENCE FLASH #1     $3.99
FEB150200     CONVERGENCE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1     $3.99
FEB150202     CONVERGENCE HAWKMAN #1     $3.99
FEB150204     CONVERGENCE JUSTICE LEAGUE AMERICA #1     $3.99
FEB150206     CONVERGENCE NEW TEEN TITANS #1     $3.99
FEB150208     CONVERGENCE SUPERBOY & THE LEGION #1     $3.99
FEB150210     CONVERGENCE SWAMP THING #1     $3.99
FEB150212     CONVERGENCE WONDER WOMAN #1     $3.99
FEB150281     EFFIGY #4 (MR)     $2.99
JAN150372     JUSTICE LEAGUE 3000 TP VOL 02 THE CAMELOT WAR (N52)     $14.99
FEB150272     MAD MAGAZINE #533     $5.99
FEB150287     SUICIDERS #3 (MR)     $3.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES
NOV140348     BATMAN ANIMATED NBA CREEPER AF     $24.95
NOV140356     BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE BY IVAN REIS     $79.95

Sunday, October 12, 2014

I Reads You Review: THE MULTIVERSITY #1

THE MULTIVERSITY #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITER: Grant Morrison
PENCILS: Ivan Reis
INKS: Joe Prado
COLORS: Nei Ruffino
LETTERS: Todd Klein
COVER: Ivan Reis and Joe Prado with Nei Ruffino
VARIANT COVERS: Chris Burnham with Nathan Fairbairn (after Joe Shuster); Bryan Hitch with Alex Sinclair; Grant Morrison
48pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (October 2014)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

“House of Heroes”

The Multiversity is the latest comic book event series from DC Comics.  It is also a long-awaited event series, as this project was first announced several years ago.  The Multiversity is a limited series consisting of interrelated one-shot comic books set in the “DC Multiverse.”  Specifically, this is the Multiverse as it exists after The New 52, the re-launch of the DC Comics Universe that occurred in 2011.

If I understand correctly, the series will be comprised of eight comics.  Grant Morrison will write all eight, but each comic book will be drawn by a different artist.  The first issue, The Multiversity #1, is written by Morrison, drawn by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado, colored by Nei Ruffino, and lettered by the great Todd Klein.

The Multiversity #1 (“Hall of Heroes”) opens in a college dorm room, where a young African-American man is trying to understand what may be a haunted comic book.  The story moves to Earth-7, where Nix Uotan, the Superjudge and last of the Multiversal Monitors, saves a superhero, Thunderer, from certain doom at the hands of five demonic invaders:  Dame Merciless, Hellmachine, Lord Broken, Demogorounn, and Intellectron.

Meanwhile, Superman of Earth-23 finds himself spirited away to the Monitor Watchstation, also known as Valla-hal the “House of Heroes.”  Here, the greatest heroes of Fifty-Two worlds have been summoned to protect the Multiverse.  None of them have any idea of what they face.

If I had to guess (and I have to since I'm trying to communicate with you, dear readers, through this review), I would guess that The Multiversity is influenced by DC Comics' now-legendary comic book crossover event, Crisis on Infinite Earths.  I think the JLA/JSA crossover events that occurred in the original Justice League of America comic book series, every year from 1963 to 1985, also inspires The Multiversity.  In fact, I have read a few of those annual crossover stories, and The Multiversity #1, in terms of storytelling and in Ivan Reis' art, reminds me of them.

Basically,  The Multiversity #1 is old-school DC Comics (pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths) mixed with Grant Morrison's penchant for weirdness and mythology, and his... taste... for Alan Moore and Michael Moorcock.  It's a fun read.  I don't know if this event is meant to be world(s)-shattering, but it sure doesn't seem like it.  It's more goofy fun than anything else.

I won't lie to you.  This is far from a great comic book, but it is, for the most part, good.  You know, there are enough Black and African-American superheroes in The Multiversity #1 to make a Tarzan movie or at least, a Milestone Media comic book, so I can't help but like it.  I am going to follow this series in its entirety because of this first issue, although I had planned on not reading past the first issue.

B

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.


Tuesday, August 19, 2014

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 20, 2014

DC COMICS

JUN140219     BATMAN AND ROBIN #34 (ROBIN RISES)     $2.99
APR140275     BATMAN ARKHAM UNHINGED HC VOL 04     $24.99
MAY140377     BATMAN ARKHAM UNHINGED TP VOL 03     $16.99
JUN140209     BATMAN ETERNAL #20     $2.99
MAY140369     BATMAN INCORPORATED TP VOL 02 GOTHAMS MOST WANTED (N52)     $16.99
JUN140227     BATWOMAN #34     $2.99
APR140272     BRIGHTEST DAY OMNIBUS HC     $75.00
JUN140303     FABLES #143 (MR)     $2.99
JUN140243     GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS #34     $2.99
JUN148151     HARLEY QUINN #0 DIRECTORS CUT 2ND PTG     $4.99
JUN140255     INFINITE CRISIS FIGHT FOR THE MULTIVERSE #2     $3.99
JUN140181     INFINITY MAN AND THE FOREVER PEOPLE #3     $2.99
MAY140365     JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK TP VOL 04 THE REBIRTH OF EVIL (N52)     $16.99
MAY140368     KATANA TP VOL 01 SOULTAKER (N52)     $19.99
MAY140408     LUCIFER TP VOL 04 (MR)     $29.99
JUN140145     MULTIVERSITY #1     $4.99
JUN140162     NEW 52 FUTURES END #16 (WEEKLY)     $2.99
JUN148150     NEW SUICIDE SQUAD #1 2ND PTG     $2.99
JUN140236     RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #34     $2.99
JUN140260     SCRIBBLENAUTS UNMASKED CRISIS OF IMAGINATION #8     $2.99
JUN140247     SENSATION COMICS FEATURING WONDER WOMAN #1     $3.99
JUN140206     SUPERGIRL #34 (DOOMED)     $2.99
JUN140178     TEEN TITANS #2     $2.99
JUN140291     TEEN TITANS GO #5     $2.99
JUN140184     TRINITY OF SIN PANDORA #14     $2.99
JUN140311     UNWRITTEN VOL 2 APOCALYPSE #8 (MR)     $3.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

FEB140310     BATMAN ARKHAM ASYLUM HARLEY QUINN STATUE     $124.95
FEB140312     BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE BY JAE LEE     $79.95

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 9, 2014

DC COMICS
APR140289    AMERICAN VAMPIRE SECOND CYCLE #4 (MR)    $2.99
APR140292    ANIMAL MAN TP VOL 06 FLESH AND BLOOD (MR)    $24.99
MAY140249    BATGIRL #33    $2.99
APR140276    BATMAN BRUCE WAYNE FUGITIVE TP NEW ED    $29.99
MAY140226    BATMAN ETERNAL #14    $2.99
MAY140253    BIRDS OF PREY #33    $2.99
MAY140399    COFFIN HILL #9 (MR)    $2.99
MAY140202    CONSTANTINE #16    $2.99
MAY140240    DETECTIVE COMICS #33    $3.99
MAY140243    DETECTIVE COMICS #33 COMBO PACK    $4.99
MAY140404    FBP FEDERAL BUREAU OF PHYSICS #12 (MR)    $2.99
MAY140156    GRAYSON #1    $2.99
MAY140261    GREEN LANTERN CORPS #33 (UPRISING)    $2.99
MAY140197    INFINITY MAN AND THE FOREVER PEOPLE #2    $2.99
MAY140355    INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR TWO #7    $2.99
APR140266    JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA TP VOL 01 DANGEROUS (N52)    $16.99
MAY140169    JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #3    $3.99
MAY140172    JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #3 COMBO PACK    $4.99
MAY140182    NEW 52 FUTURES END #10 (WEEKLY)    $2.99
MAY140162    NEW SUICIDE SQUAD #1    $2.99
APR140258    NIGHTWING TP VOL 04 SECOND CITY (N52)    $14.99
MAY140406    ROYALS MASTERS OF WAR #6 (MR)    $2.99
MAY140390    SCOOBY DOO WHERE ARE YOU #47    $2.99
MAY140360    SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 LANTERN #4    $3.99
MAY140223    SUPERBOY #33    $2.99
MAY140216    SUPERMAN WONDER WOMAN #10    $3.99
MAY140218    SUPERMAN WONDER WOMAN #10 COMBO PACK    $4.99
APR140261    TALON TP VOL 02 THE FALL OF THE OWLS (N52)    $19.99
MAY140203    WORLDS FINEST #25    $2.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES


DEC130367    DC COMICS SUPER HEROES GREEN ARROW BUST    $49.95


Monday, August 12, 2013

DC Comics Rocks July Comic Book Sales Charts

Superman & Batman Team-up to Top Comic Book Sales Charts

DC Entertainment Dominates July with Impressive Results Coming out of Comic-Con International: San Diego 2013

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Super Hero comic book sales soared in July with SUPERMAN: UNCHAINED #2 and BATMAN #22 continuing their reign atop the comic book sales charts at the #1 and #2 positions, respectively, moving DC Entertainment up the ranks as the month’s top publisher in dollars, according to Diamond Comic Distributors, the largest comic book distributor in the world. Additionally, JUSTICE LEAGUE #22 – the first part of “Trinity War,” a crossover that sees the three Justice League teams at odds – took the #4 spot.

The sales figures closed out a historic July for DC Entertainment (DCE), as the company rolled on after a momentous Comic-Con International: San Diego 2013. The show kicked off with the unveiling of a customized JUSTICE LEAGUE-inspired KIA Sorento—the final car in a series of 8 featuring each member of the Justice League—and launched a charity auction on eBay benefitting the We Can Be Heroes giving campaign. To date, the campaign has raised nearly $2.4 million.

Thousands of fans swarmed DCE’s massive booth, an all-star collection of Superman costumes from the character’s various film and TV incarnations, leading up to a star-studded celebration of Superman’s 75th Anniversary, which featured a special guest star: an original issue of ACTION COMICS #1 – the comic book that started it all and made Comic-Con International: San Diego possible. Warner Bros. Interactive (WBIE) also had a great Comic-Con International: San Diego 2013, offering fans hands-on playable stations featuring upcoming games Infinite Crisis, Scribblenauts Unmasked and Batman: Arkham Origins.

The news that was the talk of the town and beyond came courtesy of Man of Steel director Zack Snyder, who made a surprise appearance in Hall H to confirm that the next DC Super Hero movie is in pre-production, slated for a Summer 2015 release. Snyder also teased a potential storyline featuring two of DC Comics’ most iconic Super Heroes – Superman and Batman – together on the big screen for the first time!

“Superman and Batman are icons, pure and simple. Their popularity stretches across all media,” said Diane Nelson, DC Entertainment President. “Having them paired together on the big screen is something fans are extremely excited about, and seeing both heroes – and their team, the Justice League – topping the comic book sales charts is further proof of that.”

“Batman: Zero Year,” re-telling the origin of the Dark Knight in DC Comics – The New 52, continues to be a dominant force in terms of sales and critical acclaim, with the work of writer Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo raking in the accolades. As if that weren’t enough, Grant Morrison’s own, epic Bat-saga came to a close in July with the touching, shocking and always engaging BATMAN INC. #13, marking an end to the beloved seven-year tale with a major cliffhanger and press coverage including USA Today and The New York Post.

JUSTICE LEAGUE #22, the first part of the summer “Trinity War” crossover that pits the three Justice League teams against each other, pairs A-list writers Geoff Johns and Jeff Lemire with the best artists in comics, including Ivan Reis, Doug Mahnke and Mikel Janin. The story leads into this September’s FOREVER EVIL #1, by Johns and superstar artist David Finch – the first line-wide event in the history of DC Comics – The New 52. For a primer on “Trinity War” and FOREVER EVIL, fans can check out a special “Justice League 101” video – narrated by Johns himself – that gives fans a crash course on all things Justice League.

Over at Vertigo, issues #1 and #2 of THE WAKE by Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy have sold out and gone back to press along with other key new launches like TRILLIUM and COLLIDER, making for an impressive 2013 for the genre-defying imprint. Writer/artist Jeff Lemire’s sci-fi love story TRILLIUM weaves together the lives of two souls separated by thousands of years and hundreds of millions of miles in a phenomenal, oversized flip book. In Fabletown, bestselling author Lauren Beukes – whose new novel The Shining Girls has been tabbed as a key summer read – hit the top 10 in graphic novel sales with FAIREST Vol 2: THE HIDDEN KINGDOM, revealing the story of Rapunzel in Japan.

“The second half of 2013 is going to be an exciting, innovative and important few months for us,” said Nelson. “From Neil Gaiman’s return to the world of Sandman, the fantastic 3-D Motion covers adorning our Villains Month titles and the epic crossover that is FOREVER EVIL, we hope fans are ready for a fun ride.”

July digital sales saw continued dominance of Digital First title INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US (ranking #1-4) while newly launched Digital First title BATMAN ’66 also scored strong sales during its first month of release, with three digital chapters ranking in the top 20 for the month (ranking #6, 13 and 17) . As the Trinity War event heats up several related Same Day Digital titles were popular in July including JUSTICE LEAGUE #22 (ranked #5), JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #6 (ranked #8), JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #22 (ranked #11) and TRINITY OF SIN: PANDORA #1 (ranked #18). On the eBook front, following the dramatic Comic-Con film announcement there was a huge jump in month-over-month sales of Frank Miller’s BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS.

Fans visiting the DC Entertainment websites before Comic-Con International: San Diego 2013 were dazzled by newly-designed video sections, which featured an across-the-board switch to YouTube as the online video player for the site. The redesign and player switch helped bump up traffic for the site’s regular “Con Away From Con” coverage by 67 percent over the prior year.

DC Collectibles also had a great showing in San Diego with its “Con Exclusive” products including new “Super Best Friends Forever” figures and a Man of Steel variant statue posting strong sales.

On the book trade side, SOLO: THE DELUXE EDITION, BATMAN Vol. 2, BATMAN AND ROBIN Vol. 2, SUPERMAN: THE GOLDEN AGE Omnibus Vol. 1, BEFORE WATCHMEN: MINUTEMEN/SILK SPECTRE, BEFORE WATCHMEN: OZYMANDIAS/CRIMSON CORSAIR, SUPERMAN Vol. 2 appeared on The New York Times Hardcover Graphic Book Bestseller list while RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS Vol. 2, AQUAMAN Vol. 2, Vertigo’s SWEET TOOTH Vol. 6 all landed on The New York Times Paperback Graphic Book Bestseller list.

MAD Magazine had a very strong presence at Comic-Con International: San Diego 2013, where Editor John Ficarra highlighted the upcoming release of INSIDE MAD - the follow-up to last year's #1 New York Times bestseller, TOTALLY MAD. The week after the convention, MAD released issue #522 while also preparing for the August release of issue #523, which will feature Spy vs Spy depicted as major figures on the cover for the first time. Meanwhile, THE IDIOTICAL blog continued their daily spoofs, including "A Public Service Announcement to the New Royal Parents."

About DC Entertainment:
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world. DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched We Can Be Heroes—a giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League super heroes—to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.


Saturday, June 8, 2013

The New 52 Review: Constantine #1

CONSTANTINE #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITERS: Ray Fawkes and Jeff Lemire
ARTIST: Renato Guedes
COLORS: Marcelo Mailolo
LETTERER: Sal Cipriano
COVER: Ivan Reis and Joe Prado with Rod Reis
VARIANT COVER: Renato Guedes
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (May 2013)

Rated T+ (Teen Plus)

The Spark and the Flame Part 1: “The Price We Pay”

John Constantine: Hellblazer is dead? Long live Constantine?

After first appearing, in full, as a supporting character in The Saga of the Swamp Thing #37 (June 1985), John Constantine starred in his own comic book, Hellblazer. Twenty-six odd years later, that series came to an end with Hellblazer #300 (April 2013 cover date).

With Constantine #1 (May 2013 cover date), John Constantine is headed in a new direction. Once tempted by magic to the point of his near-destruction, Constantine seeks to “maintain balance and prevent anyone from becoming too powerful.” That is a direct quote taken from Constantine #1. The maintainer of balance: that’s John Constantine’s place in The New 52.

Constantine #1 opens in New York City where Constantine lives in a pet story, Dotty’s Pets. He already has a new mission – get Croydon’s Compass before his rivals, a group called “Cold Flame,” obtain it. You’d be surprised at the membership of Cold Flame, but I’ll say that Zatara is/was one of them. Dragging along a reluctant acquaintance, Chris, Constantine heads to Norway for a battle in which someone does pay a rather high price.

Same old John: knowing him always costs someone his or her life. What can I say about the new Constantine comic book? Well, the first issue lacks the occult detective, London-noir, street hustler, Richard Stark-vibe of Hellblazer. Constantine the comic book is colorful and slick, like the 2005 film, Constantine, but without Keanu Reeves’ sincere-thespian stiffness. Magic explodes as if it were a mutant power, with crackling bursts of energy. It’s a bit like Harry Potter without the wands.

Constantine is interesting. If you’re looking for the old thing – the way Hellblazer was – that’s gone. I like this new thing. I’m not in love with it, but I like it.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Albert Avilla Reviews: Green Lantern #13

Green Lantern #13
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Geoff Johns
Pencils: Doug Mahnke
Inks: Christian Alamy, Mark Irwin, Tom Nguyen, Keith Champagne & Marc Deering
Colors: Alex Sinclair with Tony Avina
Cover: Ivan Reis, Oclair Albert, and Rod Reis

“Actions and Reactions” (Spoilers)
This is a “Rise of the Third Army” tie-in and the beginning of the Simon Baz Green Lantern era.

The president and Amanda Waller are discussing their concerns about Simon becoming a Green Lantern. Simon is out in the Florida Keys while the ring is mapping his neural pathways. Simon gets a conflicting message from Hal and Sinestro, but they do agree that the Guardians need to be stopped. The tattoo on Simon’s arm is glowing green and causing him pain.

Simon returns to Dearborn where his sister is being ostracized, because he is a suspected terrorist. Simon meets with his sister to enlist her help in his attempt to clear his name. Then, we get minions of the Guardians assimilating two truck drivers. Okay, they are not very discriminating. Simon is trying to avoid the cameras on a building when he gets sneaked. It’s the Justice League that sneaks him. What ever happened to honor? What about innocent before proven guilty?

We’ve been through the set-up process for two issues now. Now, it’s time for some fighting. I want to see what Mr. Baz brings to the table. Once the League is involved things should jump off nicely. I don’t want Simon talking his way out of this predicament. Drama has its place, but superhero fantasies are about earth shattering action. This is an emotional story, thus far; Johns has done a good job of making us sympathetic to Simon’s plight.

Good art, but it is not the kind of art that will bring that sense of awe. It doesn’t stand out from the crowd. Mahnke does a good job with the characters’ faces; that seems to be his strength.

I rate Green Lantern 13 Read a Friend’s Copy. #3 (of 5) on Al-O-Meter Ranking


Monday, October 29, 2012

Albert Avilla Reviews: Aquaman #0

Aquaman #0
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Ivan Reis and Joe Prado

(Spoiler Alert)
The formula for success is team Geoff Johns with a good artist and let them do that thing. This story is a prime example of this formula. This story is a prime example of this.

Aquaman has been revealed to be an Atlantean. Before he dies, Thomas Curry gives his son a message to give to his mother. Then, Aquaman escapes a group of reporters into the sea. Then, Johns lets the artist do their thing. They take us on a fabulous journey through the oceans depths that National Geographic would envy. He battles a Great White Shark using his ability to control ocean animals to end the battle. Aquaman surfaces in a storm in time to save a yacht from crashing on a rocky coast. The man he saves tells Aquaman of another Atlantean named Vulko. Aquaman finds Vulko, who tells him that he is the rightful king of Atlantis. Vulko takes Aquaman to Atlantis.

Johns does one of the things that he is excellent at doing. He lets the artist shine. This is a great collaboration between writer and artists. A large part of the story was told through the art. The splash page with the shark, the panel where Aquaman saves the yacht, and the final two pages were masterpieces among masterpieces. I could go on about other scenes, but you should enjoy this on your own. The story reads quickly, but the joy of the story comes from the visual story telling.

I rate Aquaman #0 Buy Your Own Copy.


Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Albert Avilla Reviews: Justice League #12

Justice League #12
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Geoff Johns
Pencils: Jim Lee, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, David Finch
Inks: Scott Williams, Sandra Hope, Jonathan Glapion, Mark Irwin, Matthew Banning, Rob Hunter, Joe Weems, Alex Garner, Trevor Scott

The Graves storyline comes to a conclusion. We learn that the spirits of the League's loved ones are really spiritual parasites called Pretas, and with their help, Graves starts to take the League down. Steve Trevor frees himself despite being on the edge of death to help the most powerful heroes on Earth. Once Trevor shows up the League realizes that they are not fighting the spirits of their loved ones. The League uses teamwork to defeat Graves; they are becoming the team that we expected.

This is a very eventful story. Green Lantern decides to quit the team as a sacrifice to protect the team's image. It is a sign of the times when you risk your life to save the world, and you have to consider how you are perceived by others while doing it. Green Lantern plays it off like it’s not a major concern, but we know how important the League is to him.

The major bombshell dropped on us is The Kiss. I glad the cover wasn't just sales hype. Superman kisses Wonder Woman in a moment of shared loneliness and understanding of how much they have in common. There will be debate about who kissed whom, but that is not the purpose of this review. Is it a moment of weakness or the beginning of the affair that will rock comicdom? I hope it is not a hook up; I couldn't live with the drama of Wonder Woman being Superman's baby mama. They are both young people, and everyone should have that passionate relationship that burns hot and quickly. It would be shocking if this actually leads to something meaningful. There is definitely story potential here. The New 52, what are you going to do? Blow the roof off the mother or shoot blanks?

All that needs to be said about the art is Jim Lee.

I rate Justice League #12 Buy Your Own Copy.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

I Reads You Review: JUSTICE LEAGUE #6

"The Jim Lee Project"
JUSTICE LEAGUE #6
DC COMICS

WRITER: Geoff Johns
PENCILS: Jim Lee
INKS: Scott Williams with Sandra Hope, Batt, and Mark Irwin
COLORS: Alex Sinclair with Tony Avina and Hi-Fi
LETTERS: Patrick Brosseau
COVER: Jim Lee and Scott Williams, with Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVER: Ivan Reis and Joe Prado with Rod Reis
40pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

So two months after I read the fifth issue, I finally read Justice League #6 (entitled “Part Six” or Justice League Part Six”). This new Justice League comic book series, launched the last week of August 2011, is essentially the flagship title of “The New 52,” DC Comics’ re-launch of its superhero comic book line, which also began the last week of August 2011.

As the issue begins, seven superheroes: Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Aquaman, Green Lantern, The Flash, and Cyborg, who are not part of a team and who are not all friends, have gathered to stop an alien invasion of Earth. Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Green Lantern, The Flash, and Cyborg, in a united front, try to takedown the leader of this invasion, Darkseid. Meanwhile, on Darkseid’s world, Batman attempts to rescue Superman, who is being tortured by Desaad.

For this opening story arc of the new Justice League, writer Geoff John’s offers what is simply just one big battle that allows him to introduce his new version of the Justice League team lineup. It’s a fairly good story, but, it is also really a single-issue (at most, two-issue) story stretched to six issues i.e. trade paperback size.

To be honest with you, dear reader, I am following this series for Jim Lee’s art. When I review issues not drawn by Lee, you better believe that I got those as freebies. Back to Lee’s art: what glorious art it is! Lee summons his inner Jack Kirby by delivering pencil art full of super powers on display and super-beings in motion. Lee brings out the Kirby bat on such delicious splash pages and spreads as the one featuring Wonder Woman stabbing Darkseid in the eye, Superman flying into Darkseid’s midsection, and the Cyborg boom tube explosion. Ahhh, I think I need a cigarette.

A-

There is a Pandora back-up by Geoff Johns (writer), Carlos D’Anda (artist), Gabe Eltaeb (colors), and Sal Cipriano (letters).


Wednesday, March 7, 2012

I Reads You Review: JUSTICE LEAGUE #5

JUSTICE LEAGUE #5
DC COMICS

WRITER: Geoff Johns
PENCILS: Jim Lee
INKS: Scott Williams
COLORS: Alex Sinclair with Gabe Eltaeb
LETTERS: Patrick Brosseau
COVER: Jim Lee and Scott Williams, with Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVER: Eric Basaldua with Nei Ruffino
40pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

The subject of this comic book review is Justice League, the flagship title of “The New 52,” DC Comics’ re-launch of its superhero comic book line, which began August 2011. As I’ve done in previous reviews of this new Justice League series, I come in praise of it.

In the previous issue, Darkseid was revealed as the villain behind the worldwide invasion of earth by alien/extra-dimensional forces. As Justice League #5 (“Part Five”) opens, Superman and Flash are taking their shots at Darkseid – to no avail. Batman and Green Lantern agree to a truce in their petty rivalry as The Dark Knight hatches a plan for a rescue mission. Meanwhile, Green Lantern leads the charge of the heroes still standing.

As I learn to enjoy Geoff Johns, at least while I’m reading Justice League, I also realize that he has stretched this story beyond reason. After five issues, Johns has written what would have been about a single issue’s worth of story for Stan Lee back in the 1960s. Of course, Lee’s frequent collaborator, artist Jack Kirby, would have squeezed the action into smaller panels than the ones drawn by Johns’ Justice League collaborator, artist Jim Lee.

Honestly, I would not still be reading this if not for Jim Lee. (I love you, Jim Lee!) As long as he is drawing it, I’m down. Well, I didn’t read his Superman arc with writer Brian Azzarello, because reading it bored me severely.

For extras, there are two pages of Wonder Woman sketches by Cliff Chiang, two of Aquaman by Ivan Reis, and two pages of Cyborg by Jim Lee. There is also a two-page sneak peek of Suicide Squad #6-7, with art by Clayton Henry.

B+


Sunday, November 20, 2011

The New 52 Review: JUSTICE LEAGUE #2

"Superman-handled"

JUSTICE LEAGUE #2
DC COMICS

WRITER: Geoff Johns
PENCILS: Jim Lee
INKS: Scott Williams
COLORS: Alex Sinclair
LETTERS: Patrick Brosseau
COVER: Jim Lee, Scott Williams, and Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVER: Ivan Reis, Andy Lanning, and Rod Reis
40pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

DC Comics re-launched its superhero comic book line with 52 #1 issues – “The New 52,” back in September. The first new #1 was Justice League #1, written by Geoff Johns, penciled by Jim Lee, and inked by Scott Williams. Now that the introductions to the new JL have been made, it is time for the long haul. Is this series good?

Justice League #2 (“Part Two”) brings together the first members of what will become the world’s greatest super team, but this is an inauspicious beginning. Batman and Green Lantern made a mistake in the way they approached Superman in order to question him. Now, Superman is stomping their asses into the ground, and Flash comes to the rescue, but will he fare better? Meanwhile, S.T.A.R. Labs scientist, Silas Stone, and his son, Victor, find their family feud interrupted by an invasion.

I didn’t expect much of Justice League #1, but was pleasantly surprised. Suddenly, I had bigger expectations for #2, which I am happy to say were exceeded. Up to this point, I have been unimpressed with Geoff Johns, but he writes a Justice League that is funny, lively, energetic and fast paced. The characters work purely as superheroes; John’s focus seems to be to make them heroes – men of action rather than men of psychoanalysis. [Oh, I’m so dark and moody because my parents were shot right in front of me, I got a Jheri curl, and went to the Far East to learn magical kung fu.]

As for the art, I think this is the best work that Jim Lee has done, both in terms of being eye-candy and storytelling, since the 1990s. Scott William’s precision inking and Alex Sinclair’s gleaming colors make it even better. For me, at least, The New 52 is about superhero comic books that are fun to read, and Justice League exemplifies that.

A

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

The New 52 Review: AQUAMAN #1

"Aquatease"

AQUAMAN #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Geoff Johns
PENCILS: Ivan Reis
INKS: Joe Prado
COLORS: Rod Reis
LETTERS: Nick J. Napolitano
32pp, Color, $2.99

Aquaman is a DC Comics superhero created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger. Aquaman debuted in More Fun Comics #73 (cover date November 1941) and, for the better part of two decades, was the star of backup features in DC’s anthology titles. Beginning in Adventure Comics #260 (cover date May 1959), the character was given an origin story, new powers, and a supporting cast.

With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” Aquaman returns in a new self-titled comic book series. In Aquaman #1 (“The Trench” Part One), Aquaman returns to the public eye, but people still consider him a joke and/or are very curious about him. Meanwhile, trouble rises from the ocean depths.

What can I say about Aquaman #1? It’s all tease and setup. The art is nice, although the coloring is a bit garish. Writer Geoff Johns spends most of this issue dealing with how fans perceive Aquaman, addressing that through peripheral characters who mock (cops, restaurant patrons) or question (the self-appointed journalist blogger) Aquaman. How Aquaman’s powers work or his status in Atlantis is really fanboy stuff. The real conflict and dramatic tension will come from the invasion, and that’s pushed off for another issue. Of course, that’s how it works in padded, write-for-the-trades land.  This is not a first issue; it's a "#0" issue.

C+