Tag Archives: excellence

Review: Excellence #2

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Excellence #2

Excellence #2 continues the entertaining tale that began in the first issue. Mixing action with emotion it keeps the story focused while still revealing so much more.

The issue revolves around Spencer Dales as he deals with his grandmother’s illness. Spencer is convinced there’s magic that can help her. But, the use of it breaks the established rules. While what follows is a bit cliche, writer Brandon Thomas delivers a story that stands out.

Excellence might be a spin on magic in the modern world but underneath it’s about family and expectations of a father for his son. Thomas infuses that with emotion as we’re again shown Spencer’s life through flashbacks that explain his current attitude. He’s brash and headstrong and a character we’ve seen so many times before. But, there’s still something fun about it all. There’s something we all can relate to and that’s due to the comic’s focus on family.

Thomas is also able to use the narrow plotline to still introduce us to Aegis and this new world. The comic does an excellent job of giving us new details so that we can learn more about the rules and this secretive organization. That introduction also includes a character who is most likely the main antagonist.

The art by Khary Randolph is fantastic. Along with colorist Emilio Lopez and letterer Deron Bennett, the visuals pop and stand out as unique. The characters and world presented stand out as both grounded and magical. New takes on a simple thing like an elevator makes the comic really stand out as unique. There’s thought put into it all. Every detail, especially in the character designs, helps tell the story and help fully realize the world.

Excellence #2 is a solid read. The issue adds depth to a fantastical world. It also makes sure to keep the series focused on an emotional connection we can all relate to. This is a series that’s a must get.

Story: Brandon Thomas Art: Khary Randolph
Color: Emilio Lopez Letters: Deron Bennett
Story: Art: Overall: Recommendation:

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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Usagi Yojimno #1

Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Crucified #1 (Scout Comics) – A contract killer is hired to take out a person that some believe to be the modern Jesus Christ. It sounds blasphemous and kind of awesome.

Drawing Blood: Spilled Ink #2 (Kevin Eastman Studios) – Written by Kevin Eastman and David Avallone, the series feels like a weird spin on real life. Kind of mockumentary style, and we’re digging it.

Excellence #2 (Image Comics/Skybound) – If you read the first issue, you know why this is on the list. It’s a solid new spin on modern magic and fantasy.

Go Go Power Rangers: Forever Rangers #1 (BOOM! Studios) – The series has been leading to this as the team must take on Alpha-1 and Rita!

Lab Raider #1 (Black Mask Studios) – Matt Miner’s series about animal rights activists is back. The politically infused series is a fascinating one that blends real-world action with comic aesthetics.

No Ones #1 (Cave Pictures Publishing) – The religious focused publisher has been interesting and this new series is about superheroes who have become corrupted after they kill a man.

Psi-Lords #1 (Valiant Entertainment) – The classic characters return to the Valiant Universe!

Superman: Year One #1 (DC Comics/DC Black Label) – Frank Miller and John Romita, Jr. taking on Superman? Yeah, that alone has us wanting to check out this series.

Usagi Yojimbo #1 (IDW Publishing) – Stan Sakai’s classic series has a new home at IDW and a new number one for you to jump in to and experience it.

Warlord of Mars Attacks #1 (Dynamite Entertainment) – Ack! Ack! Ack! Ack! Ack!

Excellence #1 is Excellent and Heads Back for a New Printing

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Image and Skybound’s all-new fantasy action series Excellence by Khary Randolph and Brandon Thomas will be rushed back to print in order to keep up with demand.

Excellence #1 introduces Spencer Dales, a young man born into a world of magic. His father belongs to a secret society of magicians ordered by their unseen masters to selflessly better the lives of others—those with greater potential. Now Spencer must follow in his father’s footsteps, but all he sees is a broken system in need of someone with the wand and the will to change it. But in this fight for a better future, who will stand beside him?  

Excellence #1, second printing (Diamond Code FEB198894) hits comic shops on Wednesday, June 12. The final order cutoff deadline for retailers is Monday, May 20.

Excellence #2 Cover A by Randolph (Diamond Code APR190138) and Excellence #2 Cover B by Sanford Greene (Diamond Code FEB198634) hits comic shops on Wednesday, June 19. The final order cutoff deadline for retailers is Monday, May 27.

Excellence #1, second printing

Around the Tube

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The Flash #70

It’s new comic book day tomorrow! What’s everyone excited for? What do you plan on getting? Sound off in the comments below, especially if it’s something we should check out! While you think about that, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.

The Comichron – April estimates: War of the Realms #1 tops 187k copies, Detective #1000 now #2 bestseller of 21st century – For those that enjoy the horse race.

Comicbook – Arthur’s Teacher Mr. Ratburn Comes out as Gay and Gets Married – Mazel Tov and awesome to see!

The Beat – Jeremy Whitley Announces The Unstoppable Wasp Will End with Issue #10 – A shame to see it go.

The Comics Journal – Eight of the Eleven Defendants Dismissed from Pickrodt Lawsuit – For those interested in this case.

Reviews

Comics Bulletin – Aliens: Dead Orbit
Newsarama – Detective Comics #1003
ICv2 – Dugout the Zombie Steals Home
Comic Attack – Excellence #1
Talking Comics – The Flash #70

Around the Tubes

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Giant Days #50

It’s new comic book day! What’s everyone excited for? What do you plan on getting? Sound off in the comments below! While you wait for shops to open, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.

WSOC – University of South Carolina gets more than 180,000 rare comic books – That’s a lot of comic books. Our site collection is somewhere between 25,000-30,000 comics. How big is everyone’s collection?

Reviews

Newsarama – Excellence #1
Talking Comics – Giant Days #50
Talking Comics – War of the Realms #3

Image and Skybound Entertainment Launch Visions of Excellence Variant line, Revealing the First Three Covers

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Image and Skybound Entertainment have announced that the forthcoming Excellence by Khary Randolph and Brandon Thomas will feature a very special line of variant covers, “Visions of Excellence,” which will showcase the work of creators of color.

The initial “Visions of Excellence” variant covers will feature artwork by: Khary Randolph, Sanford Greene, and Juni Ba.

Excellence follows Spencer Dales, whose father belongs to the Aegis, a secret society of black magicians that protect the world with unseen hands. When Spencer earns the right to join the Aegis, he’s given the chance to fight for a better future. But who will stand beside him?

Excellence ignites a generational war in this action-fantasy series, committed to one truth above all others—Excellence is Real.

Excellence #1 Cover A by Randolph (Diamond Code MAR190016) and Excellence #1 Cover B by Randolph (Diamond Code FEB198633) will be available in stores on Wednesday, May 8. The final order cutoff for retailers is Monday, April 15.

Excellence #1 Variant

Excellence #2 Cover A by Randolph (Diamond Code APR190138) and Excellence #2 Cover B by Greene (Diamond Code FEB198634) will be available in stores on Wednesday, June 19. The final order cutoff for retailers is Monday, May 27.

Excellence #2 Variant

Excellence #3 Cover A by Randolph and Excellence #3 Cover B by Ba will be available in stores on Wednesday, July 17.

Excellence #3 Variant

Khary Randolph and Brandon Thomas Sets Off a Generational War of Magicians in Excellence

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Khary Randolph and Brandon Thomas ignite a generational war in an all-new, action-fantasy series—Excellence—launching from Image Comics and Skybound Entertainment this May. This new series features a creative team comprised entirely of creators of color.

Excellence follows Spencer Dales, a young man born into a world of magic. His father belongs to the Aegis, a secret society of magicians ordered by their unseen masters to better the lives of others—those with greater potential—but never themselves.

Now it’s time for Spencer to follow in his father’s footsteps, but all he sees is a broken system in need of someone with the wand and the will to change it. But in this fight for a better future, who will stand beside him?

The conflict of the series explodes between a father and son that have a different idea as to who should benefit from their power and how long they are supposed to wait for things to get “better.” It’s about a generational rift that takes its visual cues from artists like Jim Steranko, Hitchcock, and Saul Bass and remixing them with anime, hip-hop, and video game influences.

Excellence #1 (Diamond Code MAR190016) hits comics shops on Wednesday, May 8. The final order cutoff deadline for retailers is Monday, April 15.

Excellence #1
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