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Review: Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1

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Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1

As a character, not too many make their mark like Elektra. She has become iconic in many comic fans minds through her many adventures and impact. She’s a character that has never been portrayed as being meek. Elektra has proven herself not only to be feared but as being damn deadly.

Her many character arcs throughout the years have shown why she’s a fan favorite. One such run is her arc in Punisher Max where she was the final assassin who gave Frank his best fight of the series. Then there is the classic Elektra: Assassin, which was a game changer and showed that at you don’t need superpowers to be a superhero. In Chip Zdarsky’s debut, Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1, we get a different story of her as the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen.

We’re taken to New York City, where Kingpin is Mayor and he outlawed vigilantism, deputizing a rogue band of villains as the new Thunderbolts to hunt down anyone who breaks that law. Elektra confronts Fisk, who lets her know about the file he collected on her, one that may cause serious damage. As we get her back-story of how she was trained by Stick and later on, by Aka of The Hand. By issue’s end,   The Hand tries to stop her from attending a meeting with the Avengers by sending someone who can matching her skill, Kraven The Hunter.

Overall, Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1 is an excellent debut that reintroduces the character to a new audience. The story by Zdarsky is super fun. The art by the creative team is beautiful. Altogether, this story already gives Elektra the depth that the character deserves.

Story: Chip Zdarsky Art: Rafael De LaTorre
Color: Federico Blee Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics

Review: Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1

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Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1

I’ll admit I didn’t keep up with Chip Zdarsky‘s run on Daredevil. I know the basics and read the first arc or so but I fell behind and never caught up. And, from my understanding, I missed out on a solid run. One of the major events was Elektra taking over as Daredevil while Matt Murdock was in jail, again, I got that basic bit down. With the “Devil’s Reign” storyline now a focus of the characters and quite a few others, Elektra as Daredevil gets her own miniseries which kicks off with Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1.

Written by Zdarsky, the miniseries spins out of Devil’s Reign #2 where Elektra’s history is used against her by the Kingpin. We learn there’s some secrets she holds and her past is being dredged up by an unknown force. The questions are who, why, and what is that past? Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1 answers that as it picks up after her encounter with Kingpin and she begins a mission to find out what’s going on.

Elektra’s history with Matt is complicated and feels like it’s been switched so many times, I’ll admit I can’t keep up with it. She knew him in law school. They were an item. Then she dropped out due to a family emergency. There’s also Elektra’s past which also feels like it’s been shifted around a lot. That one, I’m honestly not sure where it stands. But, Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1 keeps things focused and feels like it streamlines things in a way. We are taken through a “this is your life” type exploration as Elektra in modern times attempts to figure out who is after her. We get to see her training with Stick, her recruitment into the Hand, and some of her relationship with Matt. It makes things clear as to her focus and the abuse and training she endured through the years.

The issue’s story is fantastic as Zdarsky takes us into Elektra’s head. It’s mostly her thoughts as she attempts to piece together what’s happening to her while also reflecting on her life. Zdarsky brings a tinge of paranoia along with regret in a story that’s tense and sad in so many ways.

Rafael De LaTorre‘s art is fantastic. Along with color from Federico Blee and lettering by Clayton Cowles, the comic looks fantastic. There’s a general look to the comic of a dark cloud hanging over Elektra as she scrambles. This isn’t a flashy comic with lots of splash pages but instead there’s a tightness about the panels and focus of each of a woman whose world and past is closing in on her. The style and look perfectly captures the tone of the story and in many ways brings so much of the tension and reflection. LaTorre perfectly nails down close up shots of Elektra’s face as she looks out and ponders what’s happening.

Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1 is a fantastic issue. Far too often, event tie-in miniseries feel cheap and thrown together. This is a comic that’d stand on its own without the event. The story and art combine for a fantastic debut that has me wanting to go back and read what I have missed of Zdarsky’s run.

Story: Chip Zdarsky Art: Rafael De LaTorre
Color: Federico Blee Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics

Review: Black Panther #2

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Black Panther #2

When it comes to a story by John Ridley, I have a lot of expectations as to what I’m walking in to. I fully expect to be entertained by well-rounded characters who show depth. I fully expect to be challenged as far as my beliefs and thoughts. I hope there’s going to be some solid action. So far, his run on Black Panther has delivered all of that and more. Black Panther #2 picks up on T’Challa attempting to figure out who is attacking his undercover agents and also recalling them home from their mission.

Ridley has brought Black Panther down to Earth, literally and figuratively. No longer focused on galactic matters, he’s a King in transition as his country moves towards Democracy. He’s also a King that is dealing with the decisions of the past in his agents placed around the world ready to sow disruption if needed. Someone knows of his plan and is attempting to kill his agents. But who?

Along with a person who is clearly struggling with his decisions, Ridley is delivering a T’Challa that’s somewhat paranoid. He thinks it could be the Avengers that are doing this. It could be someone else. Lets face it, it most likely is. But, the fact that this man who has been shown to be so sure of himself isn’t, is a hell of a change. It creates a character who is now fallible. He can make mistakes and likely has made them.

And with all of that, we still get a hell of a lot of action. The comic has explosions and solid fights and more than enough to deliver a solid action basis. We’re getting a little bit of everything with the series.

The art by Juann Cabal is solid. With color by Federico Blee and lettering by Joe Sabino, the comic delivers a mix of everything. There’s the action as mentioned but there’s also humor and some very human moments. There’s a good balance of the big budget moments and the quieter ones where you can see the character reflecting on their decisions and moments. Cabal and the art team deliver a very human visual look at superheroes. It’s subtle and grounded.

Black Panther #2 is another fantastic issue. And that shouldn’t be surprising. Ridley and the rest of the creative team have put out fantastic comics in the past so, it’s not surprising they continue to. The series gives us a much more human look at T’Challa and a King who isn’t perfect. It’s superhero action that shows mistakes can be made and decisions can hurt others. It truly takes Black Panther from his cosmic adventures and brings him back to Earth.

Story: John Ridley Art: Juann Cabal
Color: Federico Blee Letterer: Joe Sabino
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology – Amazon – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW

Review: Snake Eyes: Deadgame

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Snake Eyes must take on an ancient threat while deadly secrets are revealed.

Story: Rob Liefeld, Chad Bowers
Art: Rob Liefeld
Color: Federico Blee
Letterer: Andworld Design
Ink: Adelso Corona, Cory Hamscher, Philip Tan, Ed Piskor, Jim Rugg, Chance Wolf, Whilce Portactio, Karl Kesel, Ryan Ottley, Paul Scott, Neal Adams, Tom Scioli, Marat Mychaels, Kevin Eastman, Jerry Ordway, Karl Kerschl, Eric Canete, Dan Panosian, Dan Fraga, Karl Altstaetter, Bjorn Hyne

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Amazon
comiXology
Kindle
TFAW
Bookshop

IDW Publishing and Hasbro provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
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Review: X-Force: Killshot

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X-Force: Killshot

Take the last issue of a miniseries and release that as a one-shot. That’s what X-Force: Killshot feels like reading. An issue released to celebrate 30 years of X-Force which officially launched in New Mutants #100 in 1991. Much like the recent Major X, X-Force: Killshot feels like a lot of good concepts but not executed in a way that’s interesting or to their full potential.

With a story by Rob Liefeld and a script by Chad Bowers, X-Force: Killshot is full of action and that’s about it. It quickly gets the plot out of the way to get to the meat of the story. Stryfe has a giant cannon that will cause chaos and it’s Cable’s job to stop him. To do so, a team from throughout history is put together to ensure success. Now, why there needs to be an assault and not just shoot the space cannon down isn’t discussed but as Deadpool says “maximum effort.” The story is that effort with an almost check list of moments featuring some of Liefeld’s creations that have been absent for some time. That’s maybe the most enjoyable aspect of the comic, the spotlight of these “classic” characters that are just not used today.

The writing and story itself is best to not dwell too much upon. Much of the dialogue feels like it’s spent in attempts of witty quips or reminding us who these characters are. There’s times it feels like the dialogue itself is out of order and doesn’t belong at all.

Liefeld handles the art with color by Bryan Valenza, Federico Blee, and Mirza Wirawan, and lettering by Joe Sabino. It’s exactly what you’d expect with the over the top exaggeration that has made him a favorite of so many. There’s even moments with logic defying weapons that feel like they appear out of the ether for just the right moments. There’s something fun to see Liefeld return to the characters he created bringing his flair and style with a bit of modern update in colors. But, comics aren’t all visual and there needs to be a story to work off of. That’s where the comic falls apart. It just feels like there’s a lot that’s missed and we’re brought in at the end of a story whose issues don’t exist.

X-Force: Killshot is a nostalgia fest for Liefeld fans and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s about the characters and the art and that’s about it. It’s best to not think about the plot too much. Just roll with it, sit back, and pretend it’s 30 years ago and comics haven’t evolved at all from the 90s.

Story: Rob Liefeld Script: Chad Bowers Art: Rob Liefeld
Ink: Rob Liefeld Color: Bryan Valenza, Federico Blee, Mirza Wirawan Letterer: Joe Sabino
Story: 5.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 5.0 Recommendation: Pass

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology – Amazon – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW

Review: Black Panther #1

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Black Panther #1

I love a good political thriller. There’s a tense paranoia that often accompanies them that keeps readers on their toes. In Black Panther #1 we get a debut that takes those aspects and infuses superhero action. After a galaxy spanning previous run helmed by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Black Panther is back on Earth dealing with a changed Wakanda. Now a fledgling Democracy, T’Challa must abdicate some of his power to Parliament while also being threatened by decisions he made as King.

John Ridley steps in as the new writer for the character bringing his mix of action, politics, and thought-provoking moments. T’Challa is now split in his duties across multiple fronts. He’s still the Chairperson for the Avengers. He’s still the King of Wakanda. He’s also the leader of the galactic society we met in the previous volume. And, he’s still Black Panther. Ridley makes sure to emphasize this is an individual being pulled in numerous directions and neglecting some duties because of that. He’s not completely focused on everything he needs to be and it’s impacting him.

As a leader in multiple fronts, he’s attempting to balance his role. That includes a new Wakanda that is attempting to become a Democracy, putting T’Challa in the awkward position of figuring how to balance his previous role and allow Wakanda to find its next steps.

And that’s an interesting theme in Ridley’s opening. Wakandan sleeper agents are being hunted and murdered. These are individuals placed throughout the world because T’Challa does not trust Democracy. As he puts it, while an ally can be elected today, an enemy could be elected tomorrow. It’s an interesting first issue on multiple fronts. It paints a man who is weary of the political direction in his own country, hinting we might see an adversarial government elected in the future. It also acts as a reflection of our real world challenges not just in the United States but beyond. That you can elect leaders who are not just bad for our own nation but those we once considered friends. Ridley as expected leaves us a lot to chew on.

Juann Cabal‘s art is solid. There’s some fantastic moments full of action and heartbreak and those are balanced well with the moments that are more focused on reflection. Cabal is joined by Federico Blee on color and Joe Sabino on lettering. While the comic looks great there’s also a lack of flashiness to it too. The enemies in the opening battle are kind of generic and the fight overall is good but lacks an epic feel about it. Where the art stands out is those quieter moments that lead to a surprise. There’s a solid capture of body language of the characters that really emphasizes what’s going on. Hands on top of each other or just sitting and talking, it nails down the little more emotional moments. And those moments get a punch as the action kicks up interrupting them.

Black Panther #1 is exactly what I was hoping for in a series written by Ridley. It delivers just enough to chew on and think about while setting up an action mystery that feels more thriller than spandex superhero action. After a galaxy spanning epic, the comic comes home in a more grounded, down-to-earth, focus of a man who may be split in too many directions and whose past decisions are coming back to haunt him.

Story: John Ridley Art: Juann Cabal
Color: Federico Blee Letterer: Joe Sabino
Story: 9.0 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.95 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW

Relive Classic Marvel Covers with New Homage Variants

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This January, your favorite artists will pay tribute to some of the greatest comic book covers in Marvel history with all-new Homage Variant Covers. Featuring new artwork from superstar artists David Yardin, Will Sliney, Mike McKone, Creees Lee, Philip Tan, David Nakayama, Pete Woods, Ken Lashley, Stephen Mooney, and Marvel’s Stormbreaker Peach Momoko, this exciting collection will allow fans to re-experience classic Marvel covers including takes on Wolverine, Spider-Man, Thor, and Hulk’s first appearances as well as other historic moments!

Check out all ten Homage Variant Covers now and pick them up when they grace the covers of your favorite series throughout the month of January!

  • AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #85 Homage Variant Cover by PEACH MOMOKO
  • VENOM #4 Homage Variant Cover by DAVID YARDIN with colors by CHRIS SOTOMAYOR
  • X LIVES OF WOLVERINE #1 Homage Variant Cover by WILL SLINEY with colors by RACHELLE ROSENBERG
  • AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #86 Homage Variant Cover by MIKE MCKONE with colors by CHRIS SOTOMAYOR
  • THOR #21 Homage Variant Cover by CREEES LEE with colors by RACHELLE ROSENBERG
  • CAPTAIN AMERICA/IRON MAN #3 Homage Variant Cover by PHILIP TAN with colors by FEDERICO BLEE
  • HULK #3 Homage Variant Cover by DAVID NAKAYAMA
  • DEATH OF DOCTOR STRANGE #5 Homage Variant Cover by STEPHEN MOONEY with colors by CHRIS SOTOMAYOR
  • IRON MAN #16 Homage Variant Cover by PETE WOODS
  • X-MEN LEGENDS #11 Homage Variant Cover by KEN LASHLEY with colors by JUAN FERNANDEZ

Preview: Kang the Conqueror #1 (of 5)

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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)
Mike Del Mundo
  • Todd Nauck and Rachelle Rosenberg
  • Skottie Young
  • R.B. Silva and David Curiel
  • Peach Momoko
  • Patrick Gleason and Alejandro Sanchez
  • Iban Coello and Alejandro Sanchez
  • Joshua Cassara and Dean White
  • Carmen Carnero and Matthew WIlson
  • Juann Cabal and Federico Blee
  • Natacha Bustos
  • Ryan Stegman, Jay Leisten, and Jason Keith

Early Preview: Kang the Conqueror #1 (of 5)

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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)
Mike Del Mundo
  • Todd Nauck and Rachelle Rosenberg
  • Skottie Young
  • R.B. Silva and David Curiel
  • Peach Momoko
  • Patrick Gleason and Alejandro Sanchez
  • Iban Coello and Alejandro Sanchez
  • Joshua Cassara and Dean White
  • Carmen Carnero and Matthew WIlson
  • Juann Cabal and Federico Blee
  • Natacha Bustos
  • Ryan Stegman, Jay Leisten, and Jason Keith

Journey Across the Timestream and Beyond in these New Kang the Conqueror #1 Covers

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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!

  • Mike Del Mundo
  • Todd Nauck and Rachelle Rosenberg
  • Ryan Stegman, Jay Leisten, and Jason Keith
  • Natacha Bustos
  • Juann Cabal and Federico Blee
  • Carmen Carnero and Matthew WIlson
  • Joshua Cassara and Dean White
  • Iban Coello and Alejandro Sanchez
  • Patrick Gleason and Alejandro Sanchez
  • Peach Momoko
  • R.B. Silva and David Curiel
  • Skottie Young
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