Showing posts with label Jim Campbell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jim Campbell. Show all posts

Friday, February 21, 2020

#IReadsYou Review: SPIDEY #1

SPIDEY No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Robbie Thompson
ART: Nick Bradshaw
COLORS: Jim Campbell
LETTERS: Travis Lanham
COVER: Nick Bradshaw with Jim Campbell
VARIANT COVERS: Humberto Ramos with Edgar Delgado; Skottie Young; Gyimah Gariba (Hip Hop Variant)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2016)

Rated  “T”

Spider-Man created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko

The Spider-Man that readers first met in Amazing Fantasy #15 (cover dated: August 1962) and then, in The Amazing Spider-Man #1 (cover date: March 1963) was secretly a teenager and high school student named Peter Parker.  Over the years, a legion of Spider-Man writers depicted Peter Parker graduating from high school, going to college, becoming a college graduate student, a working stiff, a freelancer, an employee, etc.

If my memory is correct, Peter Parker was living on his own and might have been a grad student in the first Spider-Man comic books I ever read.  However, the first time I encountered Spider-Man in comics was a reprint of the story from Amazing Fantasy #15.  That was a seminal moment for me as a burgeoning comic book fan.  From that point on, I basically always favored the teenage Peter Parker, so the first time I saw an adult Parker, I found it odd.  It is not that I did not like a grown-up Parker; I simply preferred reading about a teen-aged Peter Parker being Spider-Man.

So my interest was piqued when I read that as part of the “All-New, All-Different Marvel,” Marvel Comics was going to launch a comic book that focused on the early days of Peter Parker's adventures as Spider-Man.  Entitled Spidey, this series is written by Robbie Thompson; drawn by Nick Bradshaw; colored by Jim Campbell; and lettered by Travis Lanham.

Spidey #1 finds Peter Parker having to be the Amazing Spider-Man on his way to class at Midtown High School.  It is the field trip to Oscorp that causes the real trouble when Doctor Otto Octavius crashes the party.

I tried to be a cynical old guy and not like Spidey #1, but it is the kind of throwback, retro Spider-Man comic book that I like to read on occasion.  In fact, I am ready for the second issue (which I think has been released as of this writing).  This is an action-adventure comic book that recalls classic Marvel, but without the storytelling density.  After all, early Marvel Comics squeezed an epic into practically each issue their most popular series.

Spidey writer Robbie Thompson offers something like a comic book version of the Saturday morning animated television series, “The Spectacular Spider-Man” (2008-2009).  Thompson pretty much sticks with standard characterization on all characters, including the supporting players, Gwen Stacy and Flash Thompson, so readers will recognize the characters they have come to love.  Thompson also manages two Spider-Man-in-action sequences, while offering the high school melodrama that is integral to any Spider-Man comic book

Artist Nick Bradshaw does his best Art Adams circa Monkeyman and O'Brien, but Adam's detailed style is made practical rather than stylish in Spidey.  Appearance aside, Bradshaw's storytelling is solid, balancing lite high school drama with explosive action.  And as every Spider-Man comic book artist should do, Bradshaw makes Spider-Man look good in action.  I don't know if Bradshaw will be remembered as a great Spider-Man artist, but he is starting off as an effective one.

So if readers are looking for a Spider-Man comic book for young readers, rather than complaining they can find Spidey.  It will entertainment them, also.

B+

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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Friday, July 12, 2019

Review: Friendly Neighborhood SPIDER-MAN #1

FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN No. 1 (2019)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Tom Taylor
PENCILS: Juann Cabal; Marcelo Ferreira
INKS: Juann Cabal; Roberto Poggi
COLORS: Nolan Woodard; Jim Campbell
LETTERS: VC's Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Nick Lowe
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida
COVER: Andrew Robinson
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Juann Cabal with Nolan Woodard; Joe Jusko
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (March 2019)

Rated  “T”

Spider-Man created by Steve Ditko and Stan Lee

“Mother of Exile: Part One”


Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man was a Spider-Man comic book series that ran for twenty-four monthly issues (cover dated: December 2005 to November 2007) and one “Annual.”  A new volume of the series recently debuted.  The new series is written by Tom Taylor; drawn by Juann Cabal; colored by Nolan Woodard; and lettered by Travis Lanham.  Marvel Comics promises that this new series will give readers “the most local Peter Parker ever” (CBR.com; October 5, 2018).

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1 opens with Spider-Man saving some neighbors.  Peter Parker is doing a lot of that, but his latest neighbor in need, a young woman named Leilani, is in some kind of weird trouble.  And the troublemakers hit really hard.  Plus, in a second story, Peter's Aunt May is having health issues that she is hiding from her dear nephew.

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man has potential.  I might keep reading just because of the ending of the first story.  The art by Juann Cabal is good, but not great, although it does look pretty under Nolan Woodard's smooth colors.  Travis Lanham's steady lettering centers the story and gives Tom Taylor's script a little bite and a little edge which it needs.

There is a second story, which is written by Taylor; drawn by Marcelo Ferreira and Roberto Poggi; colored by Jim Campbell; and lettered by Lanham.  As for this story:  I don't know why we need an Aunt May health scare arc.

6 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Thursday, October 31, 2013

I Reads You Review: ALL-NEW X-MEN #15

ALL-NEW X-MEN #15
MARVEL COMICS

WRITER: Brian Michael Bendis
ARTIST: David Lafuente
COLORS: Jim Campbell
LETTERS: VC’s Cory Petit
COVER: Stuart Immonen and Wade von Grawbadger with Rain Beredo
28pp, Colors, $3.99 U.S.

Rated T+

By now, some of you, dark readers, know the premise of All-New X-Men, one of the titles born out of Marvel Comics’ Marvel NOW initiative.  At the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning, Storm, Wolverine, Beast, Iceman, and Kitty Pryde try to keep Professor Charles Xavier’s dream alive.  Meanwhile, Cyclops/Scott Summers, one of the original X-Men, has become a highly controversial figure, and he is now the public face of a new mutant revolution.

In a desperate bid to stop Cyclops from triggering a mutant apocalypse, Beast/Hank McCoy (who was dying at one point) goes back in time.  He brings the original X-Men:  Cyclops, Jean Grey, Iceman, Beast, and Angel, back with him.  Beast hopes that what they learn in his present/their future, they can take back to their time and keep a dark future from happening.  The teens decide to stay and fix what is wrong… now.

All-New X-Men #15 is a stand-alone issue that focuses on the original X-Men.  The story opens with the return of Rachel Grey to the mansion.  Is she ready for the original Jean Grey?  More complications arise for young Jean during a vehicle repair session with the adult Beast.  What she inadvertently learns from him could change the group dynamics of the original X-Men.

Meanwhile, young Scott and Bobby (Iceman) decide to “blow this popsicle stand.”  They basically run away from home/the school to be with real people and to do things that real teenagers do.  They end up at a street market, where they make new friends.  But will their mutant powers get in the way?

I am reviewing All-New X-Men #15 in order to praise guest artist, David Lafuente.  His work here reminds me of Mike Allred’s art for the late X-Statix, one of my favorite X-Men comic book series.  I think Lafuente’s alt-comix and semi-retro style is perfect for telling character drama-based (with some comedy) stories starring the original X-Men.  This is one of my favorite issues of what is my favorite X-Men comic book.

I am not quite at the point where I want to call Brian Michael Bendis one of the all-time great X-Men writers.  That would put him (in my estimation) with Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Chris Claremont, John Byrne, and Grant Morrison.  But he’s getting close.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.




Wednesday, April 4, 2012

I Reads You Review: THE STRANGE CASE OF MR. HYDE #4

THE STRANGE CASE OF MR. HYDE #4 (OF 4)
DARK HORSE COMICS

WRITER: Cole Haddon
ART: M.S. Corley
COLORS: Jim Campbell
LETTERS: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
32pp, Color, $3.50 U.S.

The Victorian suspense thriller, The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde, unites the real-life Whitechapel Murders and this event’s most famous player, Jack the Ripper, with characters from the novella, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by author Robert Louis Stevenson. This comic book miniseries from writer Cole Haddon and artist M.S. Corley comes to an end with the fourth issue.

The narrator and central character of The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde is Inspector Thomas Adye of Scotland Yard. Assigned to discover the identity of the Whitechapel Murderer, Jack the Ripper, Adye seeks the help of Dr. Henry Jekyll, who is also Mr. Edward Hyde. Apparently, Jack the Ripper is using the same formula Jekyll created and subsequently used to turn himself into Hyde. The formula makes the Ripper a physical marvel and a nearly-unstoppable monster – perhaps stronger than even Hyde.

As The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde #4 begins, Adye and Jekyll race to Whitechapel to apprehend the man who has been revealed as Jack the Ripper, Dr. John Utterson, Jekyll’s old friend and confidant. Adye hopes they are in time to save ginger-haired prostitute, Mary Jane Kelly, from becoming the Ripper’s next victim and ghastly art piece. But to stop the Ripper, Adye may have to allow Jekyll to ingest his serum, and that would mean the return of Hyde. Soon, Adye will find himself caught in the middle of a battle between two horrible monsters, and he will have to be the most cunning if he is to survive.

The final issue of The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde gave me the slam-band ending I was expecting from what has been one of the best comic books I’ve read in the last year. Part Guy Ritchie/Robert Downey, Jr. Sherlock Holmes and part Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill’s The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde is a high concept Victorian thriller with a lively narrative.

Writer Cole Haddon is inventive in the way he executes this series because every scene offers a surprise. At least as I read it, Haddon usually does the opposite of what is expected, and the resolution is filled with surprises and promises of more good things to come. As far as I’m concerned, Hyde’s fate is a happy ending.

Artist M.S. Corley is Haddon’s equal. His woodcut-like drawing style offers quirky graphics and solid storytelling. This gives the story the visual appearance of being from the past, as if this comic once existed in a 19th century magazine. Style aside, however, the art brings to life this pop confection of murder investigation most foul and Victorian fiction and culture. Corley can take pride in the fact that his work stands out in a way that much comic book art does not.

A


Saturday, February 25, 2012

I Reads You Review: THE STRANGE CASE OF MR. HYDE #3

THE STRANGE CASE OF MR. HYDE #3 (OF 4) DARK HORSE COMICS

WRITER: Cole Haddon
ART: M.S. Corley
COLORS: Jim Campbell
LETTERS: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
32pp, Color, $3.50 U.S.

Published by Dark Horse Comics, The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde is a four-issue comic book series from writer Cole Haddon and artist M.S. Corley. The series connects Jack the Ripper with characters from the novella, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by author Robert Louis Stevenson, to create a riveting suspense thriller and Victorian murder mystery.

The narrator is Inspector Thomas Adye of Scotland Yard who is trying to catch the Whitechapel Murderer (Jack). He seeks the help of Dr. Henry Jekyll, who is also Mr. Edward Hyde, because the man who is Jack the Ripper is apparently using the same formula that turns Jekyll into Hyde.

As The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde #3 opens, London is made aware that Leather Apron, the man whom Inspector Adye arrested for the Whitechapel murders (in the second issue), is not the culprit. Jack the Ripper dares Adye to attend a party at the Griffin House, the London residence of Lord Griffin, a personal advisor of the Prime Minister.

Certain that he will need help handling the monstrously strong Ripper, Adye brings Dr. Jekyll with him to the party. However, Adye comes to believe that the Ripper has tricked him or has he? And the Ripper’s identity is revealed.

The third issue of The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde is practically a Victorian buddy movie and action comedy. The bawdy humor is as smooth as it is salacious. The action comes in novel set pieces that are bloody, but equally inventive.

Many readers probably saw the results of the big reveal that comes at the end of this issue at least earlier in this issue. Writer Cole Haddon seems to believe that the fun of reading is in getting to revelations rather than picking through clever tricks to hide the truth. Artist M.S. Corley’s quirky graphics and solid storytelling bring this fun to life in a way that makes you want to read your favorite passages over and over again.

A


Monday, February 13, 2012

I Reads You Review: THE STRANGE CASE OF MR. HYDE #2

THE STRANGE CASE OF MR. HYDE #2 (OF 4)
DARK HORSE COMICS

WRITER: Cole Haddon
ART: M.S. Corley
COLORS: Jim Campbell
LETTERS: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
32pp, Color, $3.50 U.S.

The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde is a four-issue comic book series published by Dark Horse Comics. The film weaves together the Jack the Ripper legend with characters from the novella, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde, by author Robert Louis Stevenson. Ultimately, the series pits Mr. Edward Hyde against the Whitechapel Murderer (Jack the Ripper) with, Thomas Adye, a London police inspector caught in the middle.

Inspector Adye believes that the Whitechapel Murderer is empowered by the same serum that turned Dr. Henry Jekyll into Edward Hyde. The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde #2 finds Adye returning to the bowels of Scotland Yard to meet with Hyde’s creator, Dr. Henry Jekyll, and now, Adye has to make a deal with this devil. Soon, Adye, Jekyll, and two police officers are off to Whitechapel where violence, bloodshed, death, and a taste of Hyde are waiting for Adye.

As I wrote in my review of the first issue of The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde, this is a great read, and it remains so. I love the eye-catching visual style of series artist, M.S. Corley, which recalls woodcut engraving and Kevin O’Neill’s art on the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen comic book series. Corley’s unique graphics capture a down and dirty, but attractive late-century London, and convey the tension and excitement of the action sequences. Think of this as Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes in comics.

The best thing that writer Cole Haddon gives the readers in this second issue is more of Dr. Jekyll. Haddon’s supernaturally sly Jekyll has a devilish charm that would scare even the Devil himself. I found myself anticipating his every word, so much that I’ve read the pages in which he appears several times.

A


Sunday, August 7, 2011

I Reads You Review: THE STRANGE CASE OF MR. HYDE #1

THE STRANGE CASE OF MR. HYDE #1 (OF 4)
DARK HORSE COMICS

WRITER: Cole Haddon
ART: M.S. Corley
COLORS: Jim Campbell
LETTERS: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
32pp, Color, $3.50

The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde is a recent four-issue comic book published by Dark Horse Comics. The film weaves together the Jack the Ripper legend with characters from the novella, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde, by author Robert Louis Stevenson. Ultimately, the series pits Hyde against Jack the Ripper.

The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde #1 focuses on Thomas Adye, an inspector with the Metropolitan Police Department. It is 1888, and London is in a state of fear because of the murder of several prostitutes. Ayde, who uses the most modern methods and science of police work, has been brought in to more or less save Scotland Yard.

During his investigation, Ayde uncovers evidence that suggests these murders are similar to the Edward Hyde murders from 5 years earlier, but Hyde is dead. Or is he? Ayde takes a trip deep into the bowels of Scotland Yard to meet with Hyde’s creator, Dr. Henry Jekyll, where he may have to make a deal with the devil.

To put it simply, The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde is a great read. Two things stand out. First, is the stunning art by M.S. Corley, which stylistically combines Kevin O’Neill’s work on League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and woodcut engraving. With Jim Campbell’s colors, Corley’s work seems perfect for a comic book offering a Victorian murder mystery.

The second powerful element here is the writing by Cole Haddon, especially the character writing. In terms of personality and dialogue, the characters are well drawn and propel this intense, but evenly paced story. Ayde is perplexing, but ultimately intriguing, and Haddon’s Dr. Jekyll easily surpasses Alan Moore’s Jekyll in League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. If the rest of this series lives up to this first issue, The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde will be fantastic.

A