IDW Publishing frfom Diamond Distributors for February 21, 2018

IDW PUBLISHING

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Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 21, 2018

DARK HORSE COMICS

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Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 21, 2018

IMAGE COMICS
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Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for February 21, 2018

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

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Review: SUPER SONS #1

SUPER SONS No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Peter J. Tomasi
ARTIST: Jorge Jimenez
COLORS: Alejandro Sanchez
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVER: Jorge Jimenez with Alejandro Sanchez
VARIANT COVER: Dustin Nguyen
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger; Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

When I Grow Up... Part One

Jonathan “Jon” Samuel Kent is the son of Superman/Clark Kent and Lois Lane.  He first appeared in the comic book Convergence: Superman #2 (cover dated: July 2015) and was created by Dan Jurgens.  Jon is also the latest version of Superboy and first appeared as Superboy in Superman #2 (cover dated: September 2016).

Damian Wayne (or Damian al Ghul) is the son of Batman/Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul (the daughter of Batman nemesis, Ra's al Ghul).  Damian was an unnamed infant in the 1987 graphic novel, Batman: Son of the Demon.  In Batman #655 (cover dated: September 2006), writer Grant Morrison reinterpreted the infant as Damian Wayne, and he eventually became the fifth character to assume the role of Robin, Batman's crime fighting partner and sidekick.

Now, Jon and Damian are the newest superhero duo and have their own comic book, Super Sons.  It is written by Peter J. Tomasi; drawn by Jorge Jimenez; colored by Alejandro Sanchez; and lettered by Rob Leigh.

Super Sons #1 finds Jonathan Kent preparing for another day of school, which includes dealing with bullies.  However, it is difficult for Jon to have an ordinary day when his pal is Damian Wayne.  Clark and Lois may think that their son should go to bed early on a school night, and Bruce Wayne may think that Damian should hold to his school work promise.  The boys think differently, but will two truant 'tween heroes find more trouble than they can handle in Metropolis?

Just from reading articles around the World Wide Web, I gather that many people consider the better part of the last two decades to be a new “golden age” in American comic book publishing.  I certainly think that the last five years have been some kind of gilded age for teen superhero comic books.  From Miles Morales Spider-Man and Kamala Khan Ms. Marvel to recent Future Quest and The Unstoppable Wasp, there are a wealth of cool titles from DC Comics and Marvel Comics featuring young heroes, adventures, and superheroes.

Yeah, this is just the first issue, but I have high hopes for Super Sons.  Writer Peter J. Tomasi is a reliably quality writer of superhero comics, and I liked the way he handles Damian Wayne.  I think that artist Jorge Jimenez may be the star creative force here.  His drawing style seems like a quirky smoothee blend of anime, Joe Madureira, and Patrick Gleason.  Yet his graphical style makes this story read like an adventure tale as much as it reads like a traditional superhero comic book.  I heartily recommend this comic book, especially for teen readers, because I think the teen me would have been crazy about a Superboy-Robin comic book.

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: FIRE PUNCH Volume 1

FIRE PUNCH, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Tatsuki Fujimoto
TRANSLATION: Christine Dashiell
LETTERS: Snir Aharon
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-4215-9717-1; paperback (January 2018); Rated “M” for “Mature”
208pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $17.99 CAN, £8.99 UK

Fire Punch is a science fiction and action manga from creator Tatsuki Fujimoto.  The series began publication in the Japanese manga magazine, Shonen Jump+, in April 2016.  [The series' original Japanese publication has apparently ended in January.]  VIZ Media recently started Fire Punch's English-language publication in a series of graphic novels under its VIZ Signature imprint.

Fire Punch introduces Agni and Luna are siblings.  Like “the Ice Witch,” they are among “The Blessed,” people born with abilities to perform miracles.  Not all of “The Blessed” are friendly.  Some are murderers, like the man who destroys Agni and Luna's village.

Fire Punch, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 8) opens on a world of ice and cold.  It wasn't always that way, until “the Ice Witch” made it so.  Agni walks this world, an instrument of revenge – a walking thing of fire and regeneration.  In the city of Behemdorg, he will find his target.

The Fire Punch manga opens with surprises.  It is a tough-minded, dystopian thriller that goes in unexpected directions.

Fire Punch Graphic Novel Volume 1 introduces a world that is icy and snow-covered, but this unrelenting whiteness is not “as pure as the driven snow.”  Creator Tatsuki Fujimoto offers four chapters that are edgy and a narrative that is so mercurial that it challenges the author's breakdown of this story into chapters.  Initially, Fire Punch feels likes a juvenile fantasy, but it takes a violent turn and becomes a cold-blooded thriller.

I think that the characters will dominant this narrative, which is now dominated by this series' muscular settings and tough environments.  These characters are dangerous, and Fujimoto delights in making everything about them unexpected.  When it comes to surprises, this story continually delivers a Fire Punch to the gut.  Seriously, Fire Punch is dark, invigorating, and startling and it makes an early bid as one of the best comics of 2018.

A
9 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 for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

--------------------

Review: TAKANE & HANA Volume 1

TAKANE & HANA, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Yuki Shiwasu
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
LETTERS: Freeman Wong
EDITOR: Amy Yu
ISBN: 978-1-4215-9900-7; paperback (February 2018); Rated “T” for “Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Takane & Hana is a shojo manga from creator Yuki Shiwasu.  A romantic comedy, the series uses the familiar “opposites attract” scenario to focus on a female high school student and a young businessman and heir, who both have strong personalities.  The series originally began publication in the Japanese shojo manga magazine, Hana to Yume.

Hana Nonomura is 16-years-old, and she is about to meet a man who could be her husband.  Why?  Her 23-year-old sister, Yukari, has refused to go to an arranged marriage meeting with 26-year-old Takane Saibara, the heir to a vast business fortune.  Hana and Yukari's father works for the company owned by Takane's family.  Fearing that he might lose his job because of Yukari's refusal, their father convinces Hana to be Yukari's stand-in and save face for their family.

As Takane & Hana, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 4) opens, Hana is sitting with her father in the room where the arranged marriage meeting is to be held, but the perspective groom, Takane, heir to the Takaba Group, is a no-show.  When he does finally arrive, Takane proves to be snobby and condescending, but he is about to discover that Hana may still be in high school, but she is no push-over

[This volume includes a bonus story, “Takane & Hana & Jr.,” an afterword, unpublished scene, and character introductions.]

The Takane & Hana manga is a high school shojo romance in which one of the star-crossed lovers is ten years older than the other.  Still, readers will recognize the familiar tropes of young shojo manga in love

Takane & Hana Graphic Novel Volume 1 is a manga narrative feeling its way in its early chapters.  These first four chapters don't equal exceptional material, but Takane & Hana has potential.  All it needs is a third character (or more) to come between the lead characters.  What creator Yuki Shiwasu offers here promises that more fun is coming.

B+
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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