Conan the Barbarian #2
(W) Jim Zub (A) Roberto de la Torre, Dean White (CA) Alan Quah
In Shops: Aug 30, 2023
SRP: $3.99
CONAN and his new ally, BRISSA – a deadly Pictish scout, fight back-to-back against a savage horde… only to discover that each success creates a new obstacle to victory over the “ARMY OF THE LOST.”
Conan the Barbarian #2
(W) Jim Zub (A) Roberto de la Torre, Dean White (CA) Alan Quah
In Shops: Aug 30, 2023
SRP: $3.99
CONAN and his new ally, BRISSA – a deadly Pictish scout, fight back-to-back against a savage horde… only to discover that each success creates a new obstacle to victory over the “ARMY OF THE LOST.”
Lord of the Jungle #6
writer: Dan Jurgens
artist: Benito Gallego
covers: Philip Tan (A), Dan Panosian (B), Josh Burns (C), Moritat (D), Dean White (E)
FC | 32 pages | Action Adventure | $3.99 | Teen+
We have reached the finale, where Tarzan’s actions of the past come home to roost and a grave wrong must be righted. In order to keep a promise many decades in the making, Tarzan will go to great lengths, but it will cost the son of Greystoke dearly! Concluding the epic tale by Dan Jurgens and Benito Gallego!
There is a reason why comic book fans are obsessed with origin stories. As there are layers to each character. How did some of those things become part of them is the question that we seek in these types of tales. When did they realize who they were going to become?
These sound like typical questions, but the answers for, even us, mere mortals, are often confounding and ever-changing. That is the escapism of superheroes gives us such freedom. That is also finding ourselves within their journeys is essential in discovering ourselves. In Avengers 1,000,000 BC #1, we get the origin of Thor and what makes him one of the most identifiable heroes in comics today.
We are taken to the dawn of humanity, where we discover the ancient predecessors of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, the Prehistoric Avengers. They stopn Lauffey, a frost giant whose wrath wreaked havoc because of the lost of his love, laying destruction wherever he roamed, but they banish him to Utgard, but not before losing the black Panther in the fight. Months later, Thor ambushes Phoenix in a shotgun wedding, one that did not go his way, leaving everything on fire on her way out of Asgard, leaving Avengers dissembled, not knowing who to trust. By issue’s end, Lauffey returns to carry out his revenge, as the child born from Gaea, Odin and Phoenix, named Thor emerges.
Overall, Avengers 1,000,000 BC #1 is an exciting exercise in world building, one which shows Aaron’s storytelling skills. The story by Walker and Aaron is impressive. The art by the creative team is gorgeous. Altogether, our favorite heroes, in a way the world has never seen them before.
Story: Jason Aaron, Kev Walker Art: Kev Walker
Color: Dean White Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 10 Art: 9.3 Overall: 9.6 Recommendation: Buy
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle
Marvel’s big summer event is gearing up and officially starts with A.X.E.: Eve of Judgement #1, a “zero issue” in a way that gets readers caught up on what’s going on. The event will pit the Eternals against the X-Men with the Avengers caught in-between.
A.X.E.: Eve of Judgement #1 is rather interesting as it focuses completely on the Eternals. We’re taken through their rather complicated factions and history, setting up the conflict to come. We’re introduced to a people whose role has been recently shaken but whose views still seem rather black and white.
Druig is now the Prime Eternal, guiding his people towards the future. He still sees their role as protecting the planet from deviation. What greater deviation is there than mutants who can live forever? For that, they must be exterminated. No debate. No real reason why. It just is. Make it so.
Writer Kieron Gillen takes us through the various groups and individuals all jockeying in an opening that feels almost Shakespearean in its duplicitousness. Secrets feel like they’re part of the every day when it comes to the Eternals with each individual set in their role and view of what must be done. There’s something rather classic in how “right” they feel they are. Maneuvering has already begun by so many of them as they plot the Eternals’ and world’s future. At no point is the case really made that Druig is right in his view. It feels like Gillen has planted the flag as to who is right and who is wrong in the conflict to come.
The art by Pasqual Ferry is a bit mixed. While overall it’s nice, there’s some very noticeable head scratching moments. A character is on the left and then suddenly on the right, then back on the left with no explanation. It’s jarring. Eyes feel like they’re bulging out of a head. There’s small details with Ferry’s work that add up. Dean White handles the colors which are used well as the settings change around and Clayton Cowles lettering adds dramatic flair at the right times.
A.X.E.: Eve of Judgement #1 is an interesting opening. It leaves no room to debate who is right and who is wrong. It treats the action Druig takes so nonchalantly as to make it feel like it’s not a big deal. It just kind of is. Maybe with what’s to come in the first issue it’ll flow a bit better but as presented, the comic doesn’t get me excited for what’s to come, it sets up what feels like a rather predictable narrative to fill our summer months.
Story: Kieron Gillen Art: Pasqual Ferry
Color: Dean White Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.4 Recommendation: Read
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle
Avengers Forever Infinity Comic #1 has launched on Marvel Unlimited! Written by Jason Aaron, with art by Kev Walker, colorist Dean White, and edited by Tom Brevoort, this tie-in to the current Avengers Forever series expands on the Multiverse Avengers story playing out in comic shops now. Before reading Avengers Forever#1, hitting Marvel Unlimited on March 28, readers should set the stage with the Infinity series that also builds on Aaron’s landmark Avengers (2018). New issues of the 4-part series will be available weekly on the app.
Across the whole of creation, a war is being waged—between the Multiversal Masters of Evil, a collection of the greatest scourges in the Multiverse, and the forces of Avenger Prime, who leads an organized resistance against their destruction from Avengers Tower at the heart of the God Quarry. This…is AVENGERS FOREVER!
Kang the Conqueror #1 (of 5)
(W) Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing (A) Carlos Magno (CA) Mike Del Mundo (VCA) Natacha Bustosm Juan Cabal, Carmen Nunez Carnero, Joshua Cassara, Iban Coello, Patrick Gleason, Peach Momoko, Todd Nauck, R.B. Silva, Skottie Young
Rated T+
In Shops: Aug 18, 2021
SRP: $4.99
THE ORIGIN OF KANG!
The man called Kang the Conqueror has been a pharaoh, a villain, a warlord of the space ways and even, on rare occasions, a hero. Across all timelines, one fact seemed absolute: Time means nothing to Kang the Conqueror.
But the truth is more complex. Kang is caught in an endless cycle of creation and destruction dictated by time and previously unseen by any but the Conqueror himself. A cycle that could finally explain the enigma that is Kang. And a cycle that begins and ends with an old and broken Kang sending his younger self down a dark path…
Kang the Conqueror #1 (of 5)
(W) Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing (A) Carlos Magno (CA) Mike Del Mundo (VCA) Natacha Bustosm Juan Cabal, Carmen Nunez Carnero, Joshua Cassara, Iban Coello, Patrick Gleason, Peach Momoko, Todd Nauck, R.B. Silva, Skottie Young
Rated T+
In Shops: Aug 18, 2021
SRP: $4.99
THE ORIGIN OF KANG!
The man called Kang the Conqueror has been a pharaoh, a villain, a warlord of the space ways and even, on rare occasions, a hero. Across all timelines, one fact seemed absolute: Time means nothing to Kang the Conqueror.
But the truth is more complex. Kang is caught in an endless cycle of creation and destruction dictated by time and previously unseen by any but the Conqueror himself. A cycle that could finally explain the enigma that is Kang. And a cycle that begins and ends with an old and broken Kang sending his younger self down a dark path…
On August 18th, writers Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing team up with artist Carlos Magno, colors by Espen Grundetjern, and lettering by Joe Caramagna, to bring readers the definitive origin of one of Marvel’s most legendary villains in Kang the Conqueror #1! The new series will unravel Kang’s complex history, tying together all of his greatest stories and reuniting his alternative selves from across the timeline. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Kang is set to begin his biggest era yet. To celebrate the character’s first-ever solo series, some of the industry’s top artists have crafted outstanding covers that showcase the past, present, and future of Kang’s incredible saga. Included in this collection are covers by all eight of Marvel’s Stormbreakers depicting key moments in Kang’s history from his iconic first run-ins with the Fantastic Four and the Avengers to his epic showdown with the Young Avengers.
The man called Kang the Conqueror has been a pharaoh, a villain, a warlord of the space ways, and even—on rare occasions—a hero. Across all timelines, one fact seemed absolute: Time means nothing to Kang the Conqueror. But the truth is more complex. Kang is caught in an endless cycle of creation and destruction dictated by time and previously unseen by any but the Conqueror himself. A cycle that could finally explain the enigma that is Kang. And a cycle that begins and ends with an old and broken Kang sending his younger self down a dark path… Check out all 12 covers now before the release on August 18th!
Heroes Reborn has been an interesting event. It’s one that has shown its potential. But, that potential has never really been reached. The narrative has taken on a different delivery with a series of one-shots and a main series that’s been split. Half of the main event comic has focused on the members of the Squadron Supreme while the second half has dipped its toes into the bigger story of a world changed. This “final” issue continues that pattern. Heroes Reborn #7 has the Squadron Supreme attempting to figure out who the Avengers are while the second gives a better idea as to who is behind everything.
Delivering an event in a style that’s almost like an anthology is absolutely something different and new. But, it also has felt like not enough. Writer Jason Aaron has juggled his two tasks and done with what he could. The comic has had to build this world with a rich past and current present while also addressing the mystery before us. The mystery aspect has felt like it’s gotten shortchanged as the series has done its best “What if Marvel did DC?”. That riff on DC has been interesting and entertaining with numerous winks and nods. But, there’s something that doesn’t completely click about it all. It’s not really DC as more Earth-3 DC as the Squadron Supreme builds up a pile of bodies and we learn more of their thirst for war and destruction.
With the main event, you’d think this issue would wrap things up. Nope, it’s extended even further with the upcoming Heroes Return. That makes this seven-issue series feel even shorter in its goals. It’s the opening chapter in what will likely be dragged out further than it needs to. The issue for Heroes Reborn interestingly doesn’t seem to be the content or concept but its execution and packaging.
The art by Aaron Kuder and Ed McGuinness is solid. The comic looks great as each brings their styles to the issue. It looks great and that’s not a problem at all. Mark Morales ads his inks to McGuinness’ pencils with Dean White and Matthew Wilson handling color with Cory Petit on lettering. Everyone looks fantastic, the locations are interesting and the moments between characters flows nicely. The issue never pops though. There’s moments that should have been memorable but it never hits the reader. It could be due to the shortened storytelling pages but the imagery never stands out as epic and memorable.
Heroes Reborn #7 like the issue before both works and doesn’t. There’s some great ideas and concepts but it never quite clicks and flows. Everything feels too short and like it’s missing that moment that really hits you. The fact that it ends as just one chapter doesn’t help matters. This is another Marvel event that doesn’t hit the mark.
Story: Jason Aaron Art: Aaron Kuder, Ed McGuinness
Ink: Mark Morales Color: Dean White, Matthew Wilson Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW
