Showing posts with label Max Dunbar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Max Dunbar. Show all posts

Monday, January 31, 2022

I Reads You Juniors: January 2022 - Update #96

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

NEWS:

DC TV - From Deadline:  Actor Grant Gustin of The CW's "The Flash" is finalizing a new contract that will pay him $200,000 per episode and ensure that "The Flash" gets a ninth season.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  Writer Tini Howard talks about the new direction of the "Catoman" comic book series that begins with issue #39.

MARVEL - From ComicBook:  "X-Men" cover artist Russell Dauterman shares a look at Jean Grey's new uniform.

BOOKS - From TruthoutMayor Gene McGee of Ridgeland, Mississippi, is withholding $110,000 in funding from the Madison County Library System - the entirety of the first-quarter funds that the city owes to the county’s library program - because he objects to the "homosexual materials" in the library.

DC TV - From BleedingCoolJames Gunn would like there to be a second spin-off of the film, "The Suicide Squad." HBO Max's "Peacemaker" is the first.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From TheDailyBeast:  Marvel Cinematic Universe actress, Evangeline Lilly, "Wasp" in "Ant-Man and the Wasp," attended Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s anti-vaccination rally last week ... and bragged about it.

BANNED COMICS - From NBCNews:  The McMinn County, Tennessee school board voted to remove "Maus," cartoonist Art Spiegelman's Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel about the Holocaust, from the district's curriculum after officials objected to eight instances of profanity and an image of a nude woman.

SONY SPIDER-MAN U - From WeGotThisCovered:  The script for "Spider-Man: No Way Home" is online in its entirety.

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:   In "Batgirl," Ivory Aquino will play Alysia Yeoh, the first trans character in a live-action DC Comics film.

SONY SPIDER-MAN U - From EWSam Raimi, who directed Sony Pictures' original "Spider-Man" trilogy said that he found it "refreshing" that three stars from his films, Tobey Maguire, Willem DaFoe, and Alfred Molina, appeared in "Spider-Man: No Way Home."

DC CINEMA - From Esquire:  In an "Esquire" interview, director Matt Reeves says his upcoming film, "The Batman" is influenced by 1970s cinema ("Chinatown", "The French Connection"), 1980s comic books ("Batman: Year One"), and Nirvanna.

DC PREVIEW - From BleedingCool:  Here is a first look at Max Dunbar's art for "Batman Beyond: Neo Year #1."

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Today's "Batman/Catwoman Special" offers a new origin for Catwoman.

IMAGE COMICS - From BleedingCool:  "Farmhand #16" will mark the return of Rob Guillory's Image Comics title, "Farmhand," after a two-year absense.  The new issue will arrive April 13th.

IDW - From THRIDW Publishing is losing the license to produce "G.I. Joe" and "Transformers" comic books at the end of 2022.

MARVEL - From IGN:  Marvel will once again have two Captain Americas.  Sam Wilson will star in "Captain America: Symbol of Truth," and Steve Rogers will star in "Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty."  Both will spin out of "Captain America #0."

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  At 167 minutes long (not including end credits), director Matt Reeves' "The Batman" is set to be one of the longest comic book movies ever.

DC COMICS - From EW:  Writer Joshua Williamson takes readers inside DC's plan to kill the Justice League in "Justice League #75."

DARK HORSE - From BleedingCool:  "The British Paranormal Society: Time Out of Mind" is a new four-issue mini-series written by Mike Mignola, spinning out of the "Witchfinder" graphic and starting in April.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  The "life" of Wolverine will be told in "chronological order" in the new Marvel Unlimited Infinity Comic digital release, "The Life of Wolverine."

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' general manager, Daniel Cherry III, is leaving the company to work for Grammy Award-winning recording artist and producer, Kanye West, for whom he'd previously worked.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  Writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Chris Bachalo will have a story in "Moon Knight: Black, White, & Blood #1," the first issue of a new four-issue anthology comic book.

DC COMICS - From THR:  "The Corinthian," the serial killer from "The Sandman" comic book, will get his own ongoing comic book series.  "The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country" with the debut issue due April 12th.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From THR:  Disney+ debuts the first trailer for its Marvel Studios' series, "Moon Knight," which focuses on Marc Spector's multiple personalities.

DC CINEMA - From WeGotThisCovered:  In "The Batman," Bruce Wayne's father, "Thomas Wayne," will be played by "Game of Thones" actor Luke Roberts.

SONY SPIDER-MAN U - From THR:  This article goes into detail about how to watch the various "Spider-Man" films from home.  It also has details about pre-ordering "Spider-Man: No Way Home" on Blu-ray and DVD.

DC CINEMA - From ScreenRant:   Joss Whedon criticizes the cast of "Justice League" (2017) and their behavior during his reshoots on the film.

RUMORS - From ScreenRantMarvel Studios reportedly Ben Affleck to reprise is role as "Daredevil" for "Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness."

DC CINEMA - From People:  Actress Leslie Grace gives a first look at her "Batgirl" costume.  The film is due later this year on HBO Max.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  The lawsuit over the rights to the "Predator" film franchise between Disney and the brothers, Jim and John Thomas, the writers of the original film, has apparently been settled. So Marvel is moving forward with its new Predator comics and reprints.

From BleedingCool:  There will ONLY be 14 variant covers for "Amazing Spider-Man #1," which is due April 6th.

DYNAMITE - From BleedingCool:  The FOC (final order cutoff) for Dynamite's "Pantha #2" has been extended.

EN MEMORIAM - From MarkEvanier:   Pop culture historian and science fiction, fantasy, and mystery author, Ron Goulart, has died at the age of 89, Friday, January 14, 2022.  He was a prolific novelist and also a ghostwriter.  It is apparently common knowledge that he was the ghostwriter of actor Willaim Shatner's "TekWar" novels.  He also wrote a number of non-fiction books about comic books, including "The Great Comic Book Artists" and "Focus on Jack Cole," both published in 1986.

From MarkEvanier:  American cartoonist and comic book artist, Orlando Busino, has died at the age of 95, Tuesday, January 11, 2022.  He was best known for his long-running cartoon series, "Gus," which ran for years in "Boys' Life" magazine.  He also drew for Archie Comics, producing covers, illustrations and stories for the comic book series, "Tales Calculated to Drive You Bats."

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DC COMICS - From IGNGeoff Johns is writing a sequel to his 2011 comic book miniseries, "Flashpoint." "Flashpoint Beyond" is due sometime this year (2022).

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DC TV/PEACEMAKER - From DCUniverse:   DC has a hub for its HBO Max series, "Peacemaker."

From IGN:  Writer-director James Gunn does not want you to miss the intro to his HBO Max comic book-based series, "Peacemaker."

From AVClub:  Writer-director James Gunn looked to AMC's acclaimed TV series, "Better Call Saul," for inspiration when writing his HBO Max comic book-based "Peacemaker."

From THR:   Actors John Cena and Jennifer Holland talk about their "Peacemaker" dance sequence.

From THR:  Actress Jennifer Holland talks about her journey to playing Emilia Harcourt in "The Suicide Squad" and "Peacemaker."

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WEBCOMICS/MARVEL - From Marvel:  Marvel Comics and WEBTOON launch "Eternals: The 500 Year War" the "Marvel Unlimited" app and on WEBTOON.

MARVEL - From Marvel:  Writer Zeb Wells and artist John Romita, Jr. launch "Amazing Spider-Man #1" in April 2022.

RUMORS - From WeGotThisCovered:  Disney+/Marvel Studios "Moon Knight" may be heading back for reshoots...?

DC TV/PEACEMAKER - From WeGotThisCovered:  Writer-director James Gunn says DCEU spinoff TV series, "Peacemaker" (from "The Suicide Squad") is essentially a "massive prank" on DC Universe.

DC CINEMA - From Movieweb:  The MPA (formerly MPAA) has given "The Batman" film a "PG-13" rating. The movie is due in theaters March 4, 2022 and will begin streaming on HBO Max 45 days later.

DC TV - From CBR:  Writer-director Ava DuVernay has the "perfect reason" for wanting to helm a DC Comics television series, in this case "Naomi."

From CBR:  "Naomi" star Camila Moreno breaks down her role in the new CW series, introduces her character, "Lourdes," and teases her "very interesting" journey.

IMAGE COMICS - From THRWilliam Crabtree is the latest artist to sue "The Walking Dead" creator, Robert Kirkman, over profit participation regarding a comic book series being adapted to other media.  This time, it is the "Invincible" animated series, based on the comic book, for Amazon Prime Video.

LUNAR - From BleedingCoolLunar Distribution, the exclusive distributor of DC Comics to the direct market of comic books, is launching its own previews catalogue, "Next Phase."  Debuting in March, "Next Phase" will cover the titles being shipped by its other clients, such as Scout Comics and Ahoy.

DC TV - From Variety:    Emmy and Tony Award-nomiated actress, Danielle Brooks, talks about starring in HBO Max's "Peacemaker."  "I've never seen someone like myself in this world," she told writer-director James Gunn.

DC CINEMA - From IGNMichael Keaton explains why he left the Batman film franchise after the second film, "Batman Return" (1992), and did not return for the third film, "Batman Forever" (1995).

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  A look at "Secret X-Men #1" reveals a new costume.

SONY SPIDER-MAN U - From Variety:  Actor Andrew Garfield finally talks about "Spider-Man: No Way Home" and also about "Tick, Tick ... Boom!"

From Variety:  Actor Willem Dafoe says that criticism of the "Green Goblin" mask he wore in the original "Spider-Man" (2002), probably led to the redesign for "Spider-Man: No Way Home."

From ScreenRant:  Ten "Spider-Man" comic books that were cancelled too early.

COMICS - From Looper:  How George Perez changed comic books forever.

MARVEL - From HappyMag:  A 9.0 graded of copy of "The Incredible Hulk #1" (1962) has sold for half a million dollars.

MANGA - From MetropolisJapan:  Eight anime and manga to keep an eye on in 2022.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Bernie Mireault's comic book, "The Jam," is back for the first time in a long time.

IMAGE COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Writer Jeff Lemire has signed an exclusive deal with Image Comics, making the publisher the home of his working beginning in 2022 and beyond.

MARVEL - From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics announces its six "2022 Black History Month variant covers."  All are drawn by Joshua "Sway" Swaby.

From Newsarama:   #xmenvote returns for 2022.

SONY MARVEL U - From Deadline:  Sony Pictures has moved the release date of its superhero film, "Morbius," again.  The film moves from Jan. 28th to April lst, 2022.

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  A guide to Detective Comics' weekly 12-part weekly event, "Shadows of the Bat."

COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Comic book inker, Joe Prado, announces that he has started his own agency, "Prado's Art & Design Agency."

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  The Golden Age version of "The Vision" returns in "The Marvels #7" (Jan. 5th).

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:  A look at all 7 John Cena/"Peacemaker" variant covers from DC Comics in Jan. 2022.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:   Marvel Comics apparently has big plans for Miracleman, the character best known for the stories by Alan Moore.

From BleedingCool:  Scheduled for Sept. 2022 from Marvel Comics is "Miracleman Omnibus."  It will reprint "Warrior Magazine" (1982) 1-18, 20-21; "Miracleman" (1985) 1, 3, 6-16; "Marvelman Special" (1984) 1; "A1" (1989) 1; "All-New Miracleman Annual (2014) 1."  That is supposedly the entirety of Alan Moore's run with the character.

PREVIEWS:

From BleedingCool:  Five pages and two covers from "Star Wars #20," which is due from Marvel, Wed., Jan 12th.

From BleedingCool:  Five pages and three covers from "Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #20," which is due from Marvel, Wed., Jan. 12th.

From DCBlog:  Here are 8 pages from "Batgirls #2," which due due from DC Comics, Tues., Jan. 11th.

From BleedingCool:  Five pages and one cover from "Batman &Scooby-Doo Mysteries #10," which is due from DC Comics, Tues., Jan. 11th.

From BleedingCool:  Four covers and five pages previewed from "Elektra: Black, White & Blood #1," which is due from Marvel on Wed., Jan. 5th.

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JANUARY 2022 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze Publishing for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Action Lab for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for January 2022
From Archie:  Archie Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Bad Kids Press for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Black Mask Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Blacktooth Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Comix Experience for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  ComixTribe for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Legendary Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for January 2022
From CBR:  Marvel Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Entertainment for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for January 2022

FEBRUARY 2022 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  AWA for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Heavy Metal for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for Feburary 2022
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for February 2022

MARCH 2022 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Aardvark-Vanaheim for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Black Mask for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Heavy Metal for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Humanoids for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Vertical Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for March 2022
 
APRIL 2022 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  BOOM Studios for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics Batman's "Shadow War Crossover" for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for April 2022
From GamesRadar:   Marvel Comics for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "Star Wars" for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for April 2022

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Monday, May 28, 2018

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for May 30, 2018

IDW PUBLISHING

MAR180530    CROW MEMENTO MORI #3 CVR A DELL EDERA    $3.99
MAR180531    CROW MEMENTO MORI #3 CVR B FURNO    $3.99
MAR180471    GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #252 CVR A MESSINA    $3.99
MAR180472    GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #252 CVR B ROYLE    $3.99
APR180372    GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO TP VOL 20    $17.99
MAR180561    GUMBALLS GN    $19.99
MAR180454    JUDGE DREDD UNDER SIEGE #1 CVR A DUNBAR    $3.99
MAR180455    JUDGE DREDD UNDER SIEGE #1 CVR B QUAH    $3.99
FEB180474    LITTLE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE HC SHARKS    $14.99
MAR180479    MY LITTLE PONY PONYVILLE MYSTERIES #1 CVR A GARBOWSKA    $3.99
MAR180480    MY LITTLE PONY PONYVILLE MYSTERIES #1 CVR B MURPHY    $3.99
MAR180467    OPTIMUS PRIME #19 CVR A ZAMA    $3.99
MAR180468    OPTIMUS PRIME #19 CVR B COLLER    $3.99
MAR188497    SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #4 2ND PTG    $3.99
MAR180505    SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #5 CVR A GATES    $3.99
MAR180506    SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #5 CVR B PEPPERS    $3.99
NOV170491    STAR TREK DISCOVERY #4 CVR A SHASTEEN    $3.99
NOV170492    STAR TREK DISCOVERY #4 CVR B PHOTO    $3.99
MAR180410    STAR TREK TNG THROUGH THE MIRROR #5 CVR A WOODWARD    $3.99
MAR180411    STAR TREK TNG THROUGH THE MIRROR #5 CVR B CARITA    $3.99
MAR180543    SWORD OF AGES #4 CVR A RODRIGUEZ    $3.99
MAR180544    SWORD OF AGES #4 CVR B RODRIGUEZ    $3.99
MAR180470    TRANSFORMERS REQUIEM OF THE WRECKERS    $7.99
NOV170433    UNCLE SCROOGE #34 CVR B BARKS    $3.99
MAR180552    WEIRD LOVE #24    $4.99

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Review: MICRONAUTS #1

MICRONAUTS No. 1 (2016)
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Cullen Bunn
ARTIST – Breakdowns: David Baldeón
ARTISTS – Finishes: Fico Ossio; Max Dunbar; Jack Lawrence; David Baldeón
COLORS: David Garcia Cruz; Joana Lafuente, Thomas Deer; John-Paul Bove
LETTERS: Tom B. Long
COVER: J.H. Williams III
VARIANT COVERS: David Baldeón with David Garcia Cruz; Gabriel Rodriguez with Nelson Daniel; Jack Rivera (photographer); Casey W. Coller with John-Paul Bove; Butch Guice with Joana Lafuente; Michael Golden; Darick Robertson with Joana Lafuente; Adam Hughes; Stuart Sayger; Rob Liefeld with Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (April 2016)

Micronauts was a toy line that now-defunct toy company Mego manufactured and marketed, beginning in the mid-1970s and ending in 1980.  This science fiction-themed line was based on Japanese toy company Takara's “Microman” toy line.  Mego licensed Microman and other similar toys to create the Micronauts, which were both repackaged Microman toys and also modified and reconfigured versions of both Microman and other Takara toys.

In 1979, Marvel Comics began publishing The Micronauts, a comic book featuring a group of characters based on Mego's Micronauts toy line and also a few original characters Marvel created to appear in The Micronauts.  Marvel ceased publishing comic books based on the Micronauts in 1986.  In the 21st century, Image Comics and Devil's Due Publishing each published its own Micronauts comics for a short period of time.

Last year, IDW Publishing, which seems to specialize in publishing comic books based on licensed properties, announced that it had obtained the license to publish Micronauts comic books.  IDW recently published the first issue of Micronauts.  This series is written (and apparently conceptualized) by Cullen Bunn.  Artist David Baldeón provides the character designs and conceptual art, and draws the breakdowns from which several illustrators provide the finished art.

Micronauts #1 opens on the planet Saqqura where five Biotrons face the wrath of the “entropy storm” that rages against the planet.  Later, on Micropolis-12, Oziron “Oz” Rael and the crew of the “Heliopolis” find themselves tempted by a local crime boss.  Soon, Oz is leading Phenolo-Phi (Space Glider), Acroyear, and their guest, an “orbital defender,” named Larissa into what is either a big score or a big trap.

From its snazzy J.H. Williams III cover to its colorful interiors, Micronauts #1 sure is a pretty comic book.  It was hard to miss it on the shelf of a local comic book shop; to me, it stood out like a pretty candle on Bay Street.  The spiffy new character designs by David Baldeón are eye-candy and are obviously influenced by animation and anime.  I like them; these designs would make cool toys.

This first issue gives the reader just a taste of the opening story line, but I'm betting that the cliffhanger ending will make a large percentage of people who bought this first issue come back for more.  [In fact, I have already obtained a copy of the recently released second issue.]  For the time being, I believe in Cullen Bunn.  I am also somewhat enamored with the art, from page layout and composition to color and graphic design, this looks to be an exciting read.

There are also “extras” and back matter in this first issue, which include a page from Bunn's notebook, 10 pages of character designs, and also a script to inked art comparison.  Yeah, the $4.99 cover price is on the expensive side, but this first issue goes far in giving readers their money's worth.

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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Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Review: WAYWARD #6

WAYWARD #6
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

STORY: Jim Zub – @jimzub
ART: Steve Cummings – @stekichikun
COLORS: Tamra Bonvillain – @TBonvillain
LETTERS: Marshall Dillon – @MarshallDillon
COVER: Steve Cummings with Tamra Bonvillain
VARIANT COVER: Takeshi Miyazawa; Max Dunbar with Tamra Bonvillain; Steve Cummings with Tamra Bonvillain
28pp, Color, $3.50 U.S.

Wayward is back, y'all!  One of the best new series of 2014 has a new story arc.

After a three-month hiatus, Image Comics' Wayward returns to comic book stores this week.  Wayward is an intriguing new fantasy comic book series that launched at the end of last summer.  It is the creation of writer Jim Zub and penciller Steve Cummings.  Wayward focuses on Rori Lane, a half-Irish/half-Japanese teen girl.  Rori is trying to start a new life in Japan with her mother, Sanae, only to find herself connected to the magic and ancient creatures that lurk in the shadows of Tokyo.

Wayward #6 (“Chapter Six”) apparently opens three months after the events depicted in the issue Wayward #5.  The story introduces Japanese school girl, Ohara Emi.  She is an ordinary girl from an ordinary family, and she is the “quiet,” “obedient,” and “proper Japanese school girl.”  However, changes come into Ohara life when she overhears her classmates gossiping about the “missing students.”  Then, strange things start happening to her.

I got a reminder that Wayward was returning when writer/co-creator, Jim Zub, sent out an advanced review PDF copy of Wayward #6.  I like the introduction of a new character, but I think I spent most of my time reading this issue waiting for Rori.  Zub and Cummings have created magic with Wayward.  This comic book is like one big enchantment that draws me into the story.  I guess I am not the only reader who wants to live in the world of this series.

Still, I'm excited about the beginning of the second story arc.  As a reminder, Wayward's first story arc, “String Theory,” is being released as a trade paperback the same day as Wayward #6 will be calling to you in your dreams.

A-

[Wayward #6 contains another engrossing essay, “Tradition and Japanese Society,” by Zack Davisson (@ZackDavisson).]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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



Saturday, December 6, 2014

Review: Dungeons & Dragons LEGENDS OF BALDUR'S GATE #2

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS LEGENDS OF BALDUR'S GATE #2
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing @Wizards_DnD

WRITER: Jim Zub – @JimZub
ART:  Max Dunbar – @Max_Dunbar
COLORS: John-Paul Bove and Joana Lafuente
LETTERS: Neil Uyetake
COVER: Sarah Stone
VARIANT COVERS:  Max Dunbar with John-Paul Bove; Tyler Jacobson; Guido Kuip
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2014)

Tyranny of Dragons

The second issue of Dungeons & Dragons Legends of Baldur's Gate, the new Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) comic book from IDW Publishing, arrived a few weeks ago.  This comic book series is written by Jim Zub and drawn by Max Dunbar with colors by John-Paul Bove and Joana Lafuente and letters by Neil Uyetake.

Legends of Baldur's Gate #2 is set in the legendary Baldur's Gate (a city in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting of the D&D fantasy role-playing game).  In this “place of history and home to legends,” we meet a young female elf and wild mage named Delina.  On the run from stone gargoyles, Delina casts a spell to protect herself.  It goes wild and hits the statue of Minsc the Beloved Ranger and his hamster, Boo.  Soon, Delina is on the run with Minsc and Boo.

As Dungeons & Dragons Legends of Baldur's Gate #2 (“Part Two”) opens, Delina learns that the two thieves they just encountered are Krydle (a male) and Shandie (a female).  They agree to help Delina find her missing twin brother, Deniak.  However, powerful figures and dark conspirators are also looking for Delina and Minsc, as well as Deniak.

While the first issue was a kickoff issue and read as a simple introduction to the series, Dungeons & Dragons Legends of Baldur's Gate #2 settles into the heart of the story.  A central plot (the search for Deniak) solidifies, and the narrative comes together as writer Jim Zub adds to his colorful band of heroes.  I like Delina and company, and I think there will be good times with them.  It is obvious that Zub loves the D&D source material, always a good things when adapting a property as a comic book.

Artist Max Dunbar steps forward a little more.  His storytelling and compositions are stronger, as if he figured out that this comic book is his sometime while drawing this second issue.  Legends of Baldur's Gate #2 also offers four pages of conceptual art, designs, and sketches that Dunbar produced for this series, and it is some beautiful work.  Speaking of beauty, the colors by John-Paul Bove and Joana Lafuente positively shimmer on some pages.  Readers of D&D comic books as well as of sword-and-sorcery will want to take a trip to Dungeons & Dragons Legends of Baldur's Gate.

B+

www.IDWPublishing.com
DungeonsandDragons.com

Review by Leroy Douresseaux


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


Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Review: DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Legends of Baldur's Gate #1

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS LEGENDS OF BALDUR'S GATE #1
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing @Wizards_DnD

WRITER: Jim Zub – @JimZub
ART:  Max Dunbar – @Max_Dunbar
COLORS: John-Paul Bove
LETTERS: Neil Uyetake
COVER: Sarah Stone
VARIANT COVERS:  Max Dunbar with John-Paul Bove; Max Dunbar with Jim Zub; Raymond Swanland; Michael Komark
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

Tyranny of Dragons

Writer Jim Zub sent out PDF copies for review of his latest comic book series, Dungeons & Dragons Legends of Baldur's Gate.  It is a new licensed Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) comic book series from IDW Publishing.  This series is written by Zub and drawn by Max Dunbar with colors by John-Paul Bove and letters by Neil Uyetake.

Apparently, Baldur's Gate is a fictional city in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting of the D&D fantasy role-playing game (RPG).  I say “apparently” because it has been decades since I have read a D&D comic book or even played the game.

Baldur's Gate is located in the Faerûn region and is a coastal city on the north bank of the river Chiontar.  It is “a place of history and a home to legends.”  Dungeons & Dragons Legends of Baldur's Gate #1 (“Part One”) opens in the Upper City where a young female moon elf, Delina the Wild Mage, is on the run from two flying, stone gargoyles.

Her magic is not enough to stop them, but Minsc, a tall, imposing figure of a man, comes to her rescue.  He has a pet, Boo the hamster, and insists on calling Delina by the name, “Neera.”  She will accept the hamster and the new name, if Minsc can help her find her missing brother.

Simply put, Dungeons & Dragons Legends of Baldur's Gate #1 is the kickoff of a comic book adventure series.  Specifically, it is a comic book narrative structured as if it were a D&D campaign.  Writer Jim Zub grew up on D&D, as he writes in a “Welcome” essay at the end of this first issue, so the series may reflect what Zub loves about D&D.

Legends of Baldur's Gate #1 is not a great comic book, but it does have an intriguing premise.  And I have to be honest; I think I will always be interested in the idea of a D&D campaign.  In this first issue, the story is straightforward, so artist Max Dunbar is not required to convey any complex storytelling.  It is good enough and acceptable for Dunbar to draw big panels and splash pages because this story is three things:  vague introductions of characters, fights, and chase scenes, which are big panel-ready story elements.

I want to try the next one or two issues in order to see where this goes.  Right now, I'll give it a grade of “B.”  I do think that readers of D&D comic books will want to try Dungeons & Dragons Legends of Baldur's Gate.

B

www.IDWPublishing.com
DungeonsandDragons.com

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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