Tag Archives: frank d’armata

Exclusive Preview: All-New Venom #3

Posted on by

All-New Venom #3

(W) Al Ewing (A) Carlos E. Gomez
(C) Frank D’Armata (L) Clayton Cowles
(CA) Adam Kubert (VCA) Federico Sabbatini, Giuseppe Camuncoli
Rated T+
In Shops: Feb 12, 2025
SRP: $4.99

HERE COMES THE SON!

At last – the All-New Venom comes face-to-face with Dylan Brock! After all this time, how will symbiote and son react? Meanwhile, Madame Masque is making her move against A.I.M. – but is she doing it from inside a black-and-gold symbiote? As another suspect is eliminated, the answers are closer than ever…

All-New Venom #3

Timeslide #1 gives glimpses of what might come wrapped in an ok story

Posted on by
Timeslide #1

An X-Man from the future arrives in the present with a dire warning: One of mutantkind’s most hyper-advanced foes is eating his way through time, trying to stop the X-Gene from ever evolving in the first place. Only two X-Men can stop this chronal predator from achieving his goal-if they can tolerate working together long enough. Join Bishop and Cable on a trip through futures past, present and beyond. Timeslide #1 continues the tradition of an end of year comic teasing what’s to come.

Written by Steve Foxe, Timeslide #1 is a serviceable story with Cable and Bishop at the center taking on a threat launched by the Children of the Vault. The main story is fine with Cable and Bishop jumping around in time to key pivotal moments in mutant history. Foxe delivers a nice interaction between the two as they have a bit of tense history between them. None of that really comes into play beyond some tough guy talk.

But, it’s really the glimpses of what might/will come in the Marvel Universe that’s the draw and as far as that, the comic just so-so. While it’s interesting to see what is and isn’t teased and what images are used, beyond the reveal of Miracleman, the comics have been generally forgettable. It feels more like continued missed opportunity to really get readers excited for what’s to come.

The art by Ivan Fiorelli is nice. With color by Frank D’Armata and lettering by Joe Caramagna, it looks good but nothing is really memorable or excites. It’s perfectly fine and Cable and Bishop look good. The various moments all are recognizable but overall it feels like someone else trying to riff on what has come before in some “lost moment” comic series. Like the story itself, it perfectly entertains but doesn’t have a “fuck yeah” moment.

Timeslide #1 is a fine comic that has some teases and a serviceable story. I generally like the idea of what Marvel has been trying to do, but they’ve really gotten to the point where these teaser comics get me pumped for what’s to come. There’s something there, it just doesn’t quite do what it’s supposed to really be doing.

Story: Steve Foxe Art: Ivan Fiorelli
Color: Frank D’Armata Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

All-New Venom #1 is a familiar concept but still very entertaining

Posted on by
All-New Venom #1

The smiling, swashbuckling spider-hero New York loves to hate to love is back – and more fun-loving than ever! That’s right, it’s… Wait, it’s VENOM?! An all-new host is taking the symbiote in a whole new direction – but who? It could be the Journalist…the Terrorist…the Sidekick… or even the Mayor… We’re giving you all the clues, good believers – but you won’t know until the mask comes off! All-New Venom #1 treads a familiar path but still delivers a debut that’s a pretty fun start.

Playing the guessing game as to the identity of a killer or a superhero isn’t a new concept. It’s been done over and over and how it plays out is key. The length of the guessing game. The way the key suspects are introduced. All are important in determining if that sort of story works. Writer Al Ewing dives into Venom with an “all-new” take on the character and a new individual donning the symbiote.

All-New Venom #1 is a focused and almost claustrophobic in its debut. Taking place almost entirely in a court room, we’re introduced to four individuals who might be the new Venom and by the end of the comic, left guessing. And in that way, the comic is very much a success.

Ewing delivers a tone that’s fun and playful with a take on Venom that’s a cross between the brain eating monster of old and a wise-cracking Spider-Man. But who is underneath? We’re possibly given some hints and the suspects are introduced but the comic will leave you guessing. Ewing uses a witness in the trial to help set things up and muddy the waters as to who might be the new anti-hero. The characters themselves deliver a wink and nod to the concept when three come back together after the action realizing any of them could be the new Venom and each declaring their alibi is pretty flimsy. It’s a comic that’s very self-aware with its concept and plays into it when it can.

The art by Carlos Gómez is solid. With Frank D’Armata on color and lettering by Clayton Cowles, the comic visually looks good. The action is entertaining to watch and even court scenes between lawyers is visually interesting, especially in its use of panels. The visuals play off of Ewings winks and nods teasing who might be the new Venom with moments that’ll leave the reader pausing on panels and contemplating who it might be.

All-New Venom #1 is a familiar concept but it’s done well and seems to know its a familiar concept and runs with it. The writing delivers some action and some laughs and most importantly will keep readers guessing and want to come back for more to find out the answer. A good debut for the next chapter of the character.

Story: Al Ewing Art: Carlos Gómez
Color: Frank D’Armata Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 7.95 Art: 7.95 Overall: 7.95 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

Exclusive Preview: Venom #35

Posted on by

Venom #35

(W) Al Ewing (A) CAFU
(C) Frank D’Armata (L) Clayton Cowles
(CA) CAFU (VCA) Iban Coello
Rated T+
In Shops: Jul 03, 2024
SRP: $3.99

“VENOM WAR” PRELUDE – BROCK AGAINST BROCK!
Following CARNAGE’s battle with VENOM and his assault on the Garden of Time, Eddie Brock – all the Eddie Brocks – are in free fall… literally! The future of the entire Earth – and all of time – is now at stake. For both Eddie Brock and his son, Dylan, have glimpsed terrifying visions of each other’s future as Venom. For calamity to be averted, can either Brock suffer the other to live?

Venom #35

Hellverine #1 delivers an ok start with potential

Posted on by
Hellverine #1

When a Demonic Force known as Bagra-Ghul first came to earth, it brought Logan and Ghost Rider together to hunt it before it possessed Wolverine. But now, in the present day, what event will put the Hellverine back on the streets…and is he slashing his hellfire claws for good or evil? And, introducing the all-new Hellfire Warriors! Hellverine #1 does a fine job of catching readers up, but is it enough to get them to return?

Written by Benjamin Percy, Hellverine #1 kicks things off with an introduction to the character and the origin story. It’s enough that those who aren’t familiar can get an idea of what’s going on that lead to this point. But, from there, the comic jumps around as Hellverine brings wicked punishment to the twisted and guilty and the army decides to play with hellfire.

Hellverine #1 is an intriguing start whose real potential is shown in its final panel. The comic comes off as a goof of an idea that will get milked for all its worth and then be relegated to guest stars. Hellverine #1 feels like Weapon H but a different recipe. It’s not bad though. The ideas are interesting and a Ghost Rider that really delivers twisted justice that brings horrors is something that’d be intriguing. But, the comic has a tonal issue when it comes to that, never fully committing to the horror and feeling like it holds things back just a bit.

That comes visual from the art of Julius Ohta. With color by Frank D’Armata and lettering by Travis Lanham, the comics’ visuals feel like they riff bit too much on established properties at times (the Hellfire Warriors at times look like Wish Warhammer 40K Worldeaters) and the punishment never quite gets into the shock. The comic might have been helped if it went all-in as a “Red Band” comic and embraced its full Hellraiser.

Hellverine #1 isn’t a bad start and does what it needs to catching up new readers. But, overall, the comic feels like it’s holding back a bit and trying to mash together a bit too much and is a bit too predictable in where it’s going. But still, the last panel shows off an unexpected twist that might deliver a bit of depth to what’s to come.

Story: Benjamin Percy Art: Julius Ohta
Color: Frank D’Armata Letterer: Travis Lanham
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Exclusive Preview: Roxxon Presents Thor #1

Posted on by

Roxxon Presents Thor #1

(W) Al Ewing (A) Greg Land
C() Frank D’Armata (L) Joe Sabino
(A) Greg Land (VCA) Adi Granov, Nick Bradshaw

Rated T+
In Shops: Apr 17, 2024
SRP: $3.99

From the pages of IMMORTAL THOR – the ROXXON AGE OF COMIXX BEGINS! In his secret identity as A.I. spokesguru CHAD HAMMER, the son of Odin knows Mama Gaea is a TOP PRIORITY for heroes AND for business! But when a group of insane environmental activists take “saving the Earth” TOO FAR, it’s time to show them the wisdom on BOTH sides – AS THOR! But WHICH God of Evil is prompting the kids to rebel? Could it be…LOKI, GOD OF EVIL??? Featuring an all-star cast of heroes! MINOTAUR! EXECUTIONER! ENCHANTRESS! And the THOR-TRUCK! This is the story of THE ROXXIN’ THOR… and it’s a VITAL part of the “ABSOLUTE ABSOLUTION” MEGA-EVENT!

Roxxon Presents Thor #1

Predator vs. Wolverine #1 delivers pop fun

Posted on by
Predator vs. Wolverine #1

THE THRILL IS THE KILL! The bloodthirsty saga you’ve been waiting for! Wolverine has lived one of the longest and most storied lives in Marvel Comics history. Now witness the untold greatest battles of Logan’s life – against a Predator! Predator vs. Wolverine #1 feels like the debates we have in comic shops as to who would win in a fight and it’s a hell of a lot of fun.

While I enjoy entertainment and media that challenges me, there are times you want to sit back and turn your brain off. Loud explosions, bloody fights, the complete lack of physics, there’s a point you sit back and enjoy the ride. Predator vs. Wolverine #1 feels like that type of comic as it takes us through the ages as Wolverine takes on a Predator in the ultimate hunt.

Written by Benjamin Percy, Predator vs. Wolverine #1 is far more than its simple concept. It could easily have been just one point in Wolverine’s life as he battles a Yautja, but instead Percy delivers a dance through time as paths are crossed over and over. Each time period is presented by a different artist and in some ways that adds to the overall experience.

What Percy emphasizes and uses to an advantage is Wolverine’s inability to remember. Whily the Yautja learn over the decades, Wolverine’s mind is wiped over and over making him forget his previous encounters and starting over again and again. But, as a character, he has his own improvements over time as well. From bones to adamantium, from the wilderness to Weapon X, Wolverine’s memory feels like it’s used to balance the battle in some ways, making the hunt and fight that more intriguing.

Percy also seems to have some fun with it all too, especially one sequence with Team X that hearkens back to the original Predator film. There’s something fun and kind of awesome putting that team in the role that Schwarzenegger and his band held decades ago. That alone could be an entire series acting as an homage, spoof, and its own take on that story.

A trio of artists handle the different time periods. Ken Lashley provides the art for the present day, Greg Land with inks by Jay Leisten take us to Wolverine’s early days, while Andrea Di Vito handles the Team X segments. They’re joined by Juan Fernandez handling color for the Team X and present day segments while Frank D’Armata handles color for Wolverine’s younger days. Cory Petit is on lettering. While the art styles differ greatly, the switching doesn’t detract from the comic. It works here and helps in some way as the comic moves from one time period to the next. While some art is better than others, overall, it’s good, dynamic, and uses its time and settings well. The overall vibe is one that relies more on Predator‘s action elements than its stalking horror when it comes to its visuals delivering quick hits and sequences.

In the end Predator vs. Wolverine #1 is silly fun in the best possible way. When it was announced Marvel would be handling the Fox properties, we all imagined Alien and Predator attacks on our favorite Marvel characters and here we are. This is a brainless blockbuster in every fantastic way. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Story: Benjamin Percy Art: Ken Lashley, Greg Land, Andrea Di Vito
Ink: Jay Leisten Color: Juan Fernandez, Frank D’Armata Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

Mini Reviews: X-Men Red, Iron Man, Wolverine, and The Nasty

Posted on by
Wolverine #33

Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling reviews of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full one for.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Alfie

X-Men Red #11 (Marvel) – From the ashes of Sins Of Sinister arise the calm before the storm! War is coming! X-Men Red #11 by Al Ewing, Jacopo Camagni, and Stefano Caselli is the series’ triumphant return after a three-month hiatus. Even though the series went on break, the aftermath of the intervening Sins Of Sinister event and Storm & the Brotherhood of Mutants carries on in this issue. It’s an issue entirely of conversations with no action scenes. Luckily Al Ewing deftly navigates this with precision cutting dialogue filled with tension and excitement. The art is no slouch either. The scenes are well-crafted and filled with interesting back-and-forth layouts. Of particular note is one amazing spread toward the end of the issue. This issue is the rising tension before the much-teased Genesis War storyline coming up in the following issues. Even with that being said it’s still a great issue filled with moments readers won’t want to miss! Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Invincible Iron Man #6 (Marvel) – Tony Stark is broke and destitute, relapsed into drinking, and worst of all he’s lost his company to the ruthless Feilong who is mass producing Mutant hunting Stark Sentinels. But none of that matters since Invincible Iron Man #6 by Gerry Duggan and Andrea Di Vito is an 80s throwback. It’s a fun issue but ultimately unimportant to the ongoing narrative. The cover would lead you to assume the issue is a fight between Iron Man and the West Coast Avengers. However as has been the case a few times with this series, the cover lies! The real meat of the issue is a fight between Iron Man and the villainous White Queen, Emma Frost! It’s a fun brawl. Di Vito brings real joy with fast and frenetic action. Emma gets a lot of opportunities to use her telepathy in fun and creative ways against the Bullet-Head. The unabashed homage to the marvel universe of the 80s is a wonderful little thing to behold, sliding timescale be damned. Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

Wolverine #33 (Marvel) – Beast is on a warpath and the only man who can stop him is Wolverine! with a little help from some friends. Wolverine #33 by Benjamin Percy and Juan Jose Ryp is the latest installment of the Weapons of X arc. The issue largely focuses on gathering Wolverine’s various allies as they all converge on Beast. It’s a good issue but it’s certainly the build-up for the end game of this arc. The art by Ryp is colored by Frank D’Armata, normally I’m not a fan of D’Armata’s coloring work but with Ryp’s pencils, it fits. The art is detailed and gloriously grotesque in a way befitting a Wolverine story. Ryp can draw some of the most visceral gore you’ll find in big two comics. The issue also contains a backup story by Gene Luen Yang and Peter Nguyen. It’s a fine little backup with good art focusing on Wolverine and the little sister of Shang-Chi taking on a monster. It has cute expressive art but it’s a pretty throwaway story, but hey it’s an extra story for the same price, so you won’t see me complaining! Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Read

Brett

The Nasty #2 (Vault Comics) – The kids are trying to figure out what to do and if they can actually create a horror movie before a major festival comes to town. Then, there’s that whole slasher that’s hanging around and only one of them can see? The second issue feels a bit like Clerks III with the crew coming together and figuring out how to make a movie but it’s the ending that really made us take notice. There’s an intriguing direction for all of this to go from here. The art continues to be solid with a style that balances its humor, horror, and heart. Overall, an intriguing series that’s delivering something new with the horror genre. Overall: 7.95 Recommendation: Read

Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write. See you next week!

Please note that with some of the above comics, Graphic Policy was provided FREE copies for review. Where we purchased the comics, you’ll see an asterisk (*). If you don’t see that, you can infer the comic was a review copy. In cases where we were provided a review copy and we also purchased the comic you’ll see two asterisks (**).

Fall of X, G.O.D.S., Ultimate Invasion, and more in Marvel’s Free Comic Book Day titles

Posted on by

This year’s Free Comic Book Day will be packed with new beginnings including a prelude to the X-Men’s next era, Fall ofF X; an introduction to Jonathan Hickman’s bold upcoming projects, G.O.D.S. with Valerio Schiti and Ultimate Invasion with Bryan Hitch; the debut of a new Venom villain, and so much more. In addition to these exciting lead-in stories for fans and newcomers alike, Marvel Comics will also spotlight creators and characters from different cultures and communities in a special installment of the Marvel’s Voices program, Free Comic Book Day: Marvel’s Voices, and deliver all-ages Spider-Man adventures in Free Comic Book Day 2023: Spidey & His Amazing Friends #1 so that even the youngest readers won’t go home empty handed!

It’s one of the biggest days for the comic book industry, and this year promises to be the greatest one yet! Here’s what fans can looking forward to:

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2023: AVENGERS/X-MEN #1

Be the first to arrive at this year’s game-changing Hellfire Gala in a story by the current X-Men creative team: writer Gerry Duggan and artist Joshua Cassara. This year’s HELLFIRE GALA will be more dramatic than ever, and the tragic events of the night will lead mutantkind directly into FALL OF X.

Then join Duggan and superstar artist Javier Garrón as they reassemble the Avengers Unity Squad to navigate the dangers of FALL OF X and solve the mystery of the new Captain Krakoa in a prelude story to their upcoming run of UNCANNY AVENGERS. This action-packed story will also feature the debut of the STARK SENTINELS, a new line of mutant hunters who cause major havoc on the night of the Gala and in the pages of Duggan’s INVINCIBLE IRON MAN.

And score a sneak peek at one of the most talked about launches of the year, Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti’s G.O.D.S., an extraordinary epic at the crossroads of magic and science where Marvel’s cosmic pantheon will be boldly reimagined.

Written by GERRY DUGGAN & JONATHAN HICKMAN
Art by JOSHUA CASSARA, JAVIER GARRÓN & VALERIO SCHITI
Colors by MARTE GRACIA & MORRY HOLLOWELL
Cover by JAVIER GARRÓN & MORRY HOLLOWELL

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2023: AVENGERS/X-MEN #1

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2023: SPIDER-MAN/VENOM #1

Dive into the next story arc of Zeb Wells’ run of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN with a story that sees the return of two classic Spidey villains! Featuring incredible art by Patrick Gleason, this thrilling story also unleashes the full potential Spider-Man’s new suit!

Then, web-swing over to the symbiote side of things with current VENOM masterminds, Al Ewing and Cafu! The pair will pull back the curtain on a secret chapter in symbiote history where an experiment went horribly wrong…. Say hello to new Venom villain, FLEXO!

And get a glimpse into Jonathan Hickman and Bryan Hitch’s ULTIMATE INVASION, a saga that begins with a daring mission to revive the Ultimate Universe but ends with the promise of something all-new and vastly different than anything that’s come before…

Written by ZEB WELLS, AL EWING & JONATHAN HICKMAN
Art by PATRICK GLEASON, CAFU, BRYAN HITCH & ANDREW CURRIE
Colors by MARCIO MENYZ, FRANK D’ARMATA & ALEX SINCLAIR
Cover by PATRICK GLEASON & BRYAN VALENZA

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2023: SPIDER-MAN/VENOM #1

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2023: MARVEL’S VOICES #1

Spotlighting creators and characters across Marvel’s diverse and ever-evolving universe, this book will include a range of stories from previous Marvel’s Voices issues that star Ms. Marvel, Luke Cage, Wave, and more! Plus a brand-new Ironheart adventure by writer John Jennings and Paris Alleyne that debuts her deadly new nemesis, KHEM!

Written by JOHN JENNINGS, NYLA INNUKSUK, SABIR PIRZADA, ALYSSA WONG & CODY ZIGLAR
Art by PARIS ALLEYNE, NATASHA DONOVAN, ERIC KODA, STEPHEN BYRNE, DIÓGENES NEVES & EDER MESSIAS
Colors by ERICK ARCINIEGA, RACHELLE ROSENBERG, BRIAN REBER, FRANK WILLIAM & DIJJO LIMA
Cover by CHRIS ALLEN & PARIS ALLEYNE

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2023: MARVEL’S VOICES #1

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2023: SPIDEY & HIS AMAZING FRIENDS #1

Swing into adventure with Spidey, Ghost-Spider, and Miles as they face off against Green Goblin, Doc Ock and more in this spectacular special. Filled with easy-to-read comic stories based on the hit Disney Junior show, this book is perfect for the youngest readers aged 5-7. Young fans will even be able to test their wall-crawling skills with thrilling interactive activity pages! Kids will love this not-to-be-missed comic: the perfect primer for the newest generation of Spider-Fans!

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2023: SPIDEY & HIS AMAZING FRIENDS #1

Review: Timeless #1

Posted on by
Timeless #1

The year is wrapping up and Marvel has released another Timeless #1 teasing what’s to come in the year ahead. Between those teases is a story focused on Kang and a “missing moment” in time that he is unable to access. And, since it’s the one thing he can’t have, he must have it.

Written by Jed Mackay, Timeless #1 is another intriguing issue whose real worth is how much it pays off in the future. Last year’s issue is generally forgettable in its story and it’s one tease, the return of Miracleman, took much of the year to come to fruition. 2022’s Timeless #1 differs a little from last year. Here, we get a new nemesis for Kang, someone else who also wants the “missing moment” and has put together a team of superheroes to help get it. This mysterious character, Myrddin, has a greater plan and teases more characters that will come into play. The storyline will also continue in whatever Avengers series is to come after Jason Aaron’s run ends. It would seem like Loki of the past, Kang will be the impetus for this next team’s formation. But, how long and generally how it’ll all play out. Last year’s issue felt like a teaser catalogue wrapped up in a story while this year’s feels more of a story.

The art by Greg Land, Jay Liesten, Patch Zircher, and Salvador Larroca is solid with Kang being ripped through time at which point we’re teased what’s to come. New characters have a cool style about them delivering a weird mix of more modern characters and those of 90s Marvel. But, most importantly, Kang is the focus and it’s his struggles visually which pop. You get the sense this is truly a battle he’s having an issue with, both weakened, tired, angry, and desperate. The colors by Frank D’Armata pop, working in Kang’s purples and pinks as if both can easily fit anywhere. Ariana Maher‘s lettering adds to the drama and time displacement with a style and placement that helps with Kang’s flow through history.

Timeless #1 is an interesting issue. It feels like an improvement on last year’s version but in the end, how things play out from here will really be how it’s all judged. Is this the start of something greater or just a fancy catalogue of what’s to come? Only time will tell.

Story: Jed MacKay Art: Greg Land, Jay Liesten, Patch Zircher, Salvador Larroca
Color: Frank D’Armata Letterer: Ariana Maher
Story: 7.95 Art: 8.4 Overall: 7.95 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle

« Older Entries Recent Entries »