Tag Archives: frank martin

Those Two Geeks Episode 265: Shooting the Shit with Frank Martin

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Alex and Joe are joined by author and comics writer Frank Martin. The three chat about Frank’s work, comics, movies… really, it’s just a typical show.

You can find Frank at his website www.FrankTheWriter.com, and @FrankTheWriter on the socials.

You can reach Alex and Joe can be found on Twitter respectively @karcossa and @FirstRonin4 if you feel the need to tell them they’re wrong individually, or by email at ItsThose2Geeks@gmail.com.

Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay

Preview: Duke #3

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Duke #3

(W) Joshua Williamson (A) Jordie Bellaire (A/CA) Tom Reilly
In Shops: Feb 28, 2024
SRP: $3.99

Duke’s search for answers has led him to a classified holding site for America’s most dangerous prisoners. Now he’s the most wanted man in the world. Unfortunately, everyone seems to prefer him Dead over Alive.

Duke #3

The full list of variant covers is below: 

  • Duke #3 Cover A by Tom Reilly (Lunar Code 1223IM271) 
  • Duke #3 Cover B by Declan Shalvey (Lunar Code 1223IM272) 
  • Duke #3 Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive) (Connecting) by Tyler Boss & Jason Wordie (Lunar Code 1223IM273) 
  • Duke #3 Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive) by Priscilla Petraites & Frank Martin (Lunar Code 1223IM274) 
  • Duke #3 Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive) by Karl Kerschl (Lunar Code 1223IM275) 

Dead X-Men #2 Increases the Impossible Odds

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Dead X-Men #2

With mutant-kind attempting to fend off the eventual success of machines and the threat of Enigma inching closer, the previously dead X-Men travel through the various timelines of Moira X to gain a fighting chance. But after running into an alternate cyborg, Moira, and giving her the time-jumping technology, she plans on achieving her ultimate goal by traveling to her past lives. With the odds stacking against them even more, the six mutants must fight for the future in Dead X-Men #2.

With Fall of X signaling the end of Krakoa, Dead X-Men interacts closely with Rise of the Powers of X and the previous House of X and Powers of X due to the mutants going to the various timelines explored in those two titles. Considering how difficult the odds are for mutant-kind to overcome, Steve Foxe conveys how important the mission is and how this team is suited for it. I did not enjoy seeing the new X-Men team killed unceremoniously at last year’s Hellfire Gala, so I like Foxe bringing them back to play a significant role in this overarching story. You can tell that he loves these characters cause each gets a moment to shine while demonstrating their specific role in the mission. 

Considering how much this series utilizes the past timelines from HoX/PoX, Foxe fleshes out the timeline where Moira killed the Trash family and showed the aftermath of it. And while similar events from the main timeline have occurred, they come across more as echoes than direct replications. As a result, it presents the later part of the timeline as a snapshot that the X-Men are dropped into and have to find out when and where they are. Having a cybernetically enhanced Moira instead of Moira X as the villain adds an exciting twist where she is not directly connected to the machines but is still working to achieve their goals. 

An exciting aspect of Dead X-Men #2 is having three artists for the issue, Peter Nguyen, Bernard Chang, and Guillermo Sana, to showcase the explored timeline and locations. Each of their art pieces feels ideally suited for the timeline they’re presenting while meshing well and helping the reader not be taken out of the story. Frank Martin’s colors complement the differing art while providing visual cohesion across the story. VC’s Cory Petit lettering matches the story and emphasizes essential words within the speech bubbles. 

Dead X-Men #2 perfectly complements Rise of the Powers of X by showcasing Xavier’s other plans to fight the dominion. Considering how the newly elected X-Men were quickly taken away from the table, they are in great hands with Foxe as he demonstrates their combined power and prowess. Along with his strong knowledge of X-Men history, he has proven to be the perfect writer for this series. Even with the horrible future looming in front of mutantkind, someone has to take a stand and fight for the future. Foxe shows why this team of mutants is the X-Men.

Story: Steve Foxe Art: Peter Nguyen, Bernard Chang, and Guillermo Sana
Color: Frank Martin Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Story: 8.2 Art: 8.4 Overall: 8.3 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Wanted: Dead Or Alive! A First Look At Duke #3

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Skybound, Image Comics, and Hasbro have revealed new interior pages and variant covers for Duke #3 from writer Joshua Williamson, artist Tom Reilly, and colorist Jordie Bellaire. The latest issue of the Energon Universe’s acclaimed new limited series arrives in comic book shops on February 28, 2024.  

Codename: G.I. JOE continues! Duke’s search for answers has led him to a classified holding site for the America’s most dangerous prisoners including the enigmatic Baroness. Now he’s the most wanted man in the world. Unfortunately, everyone seems to prefer him DEAD over ALIVE. 

Duke #3

The full list of variant covers is below: 

  • Duke #3 Cover A by Tom Reilly (Lunar Code 1223IM271) 
  • Duke #3 Cover B by Declan Shalvey (Lunar Code 1223IM272) 
  • Duke #3 Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive) (Connecting) by Tyler Boss & Jason Wordie (Lunar Code 1223IM273) 
  • Duke #3 Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive) by Priscilla Petraites & Frank Martin (Lunar Code 1223IM274) 
  • Duke #3 Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive) by Karl Kerschl (Lunar Code 1223IM275) 

Dead X-Men #1 is interesting but not a starting point

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Dead X-Men #1

When the world turned against Krakoa, these five mutants lost their lives… but their mission as X-Men is just getting started. To preserve Xavier’s dream, they must accomplish the impossible – or die again trying! Dead X-Men #1 spins out of Rise of the Powers of X and that is its weak point.

Written by Steve Foxe, Dead X-Men #1 features the team of Frenzy, Prodigy, Jubilee, Dazzler, Cannonball, and Askani. The team make-up catches the attention, it’s an odd one we haven’t really seen before. That opens up a lot of potential as how the X-Men teams gel together is part of the fun. We get a little bit of that here but the main focus of the comic is the mission. Towards the end of Rise of the Powers of X, Professor X hinted at his plan to attempt to right the nightmare timeline that has been spun. It seems that Dead X-Men will focus on that mission.

The mission is interesting and involves hopping around various timelines trying to data dump Moira McTaggert’s memories to figure out a perfect point to engage her. The goal is to stop the madness before it starts. It’s the usual time traveling/timeline destroying insanity that is the X-Men and their current era is full of. It feels rather appropriate in a way to end it all like this. But, if you’re not fully bought into the current Fall/Rise storylines, then the series is one to ignore. It feels like it’s the core mission of what’s happening that’ll lead to what happens next.

Unlike say Wolverine (which I’m enjoying) or Resurrection of Magneto (which I am not), Dead X-Men feels like the “core” story for Rise of the Powers of X, that to itself is a series itself. It’s not a side story tie-in, it’s a vital piece of information. It can’t be picked up and enjoyed on its own, like the first two series mentioned, or the other “main” X-Men comics, it’s very much tied deep into one of the two main “event” comics, almost like an extra storyline that can’t be fit within those pages.

The team itself is interesting and while seemingly and odd one for this sort of important mission, that’s part of the story. Unfortunately due to the rather rushed urgency of the mission, we don’t get quite the personalities playing off of each other, it’s not quite the “fun” type of X-Men team you’d expect. They’re serious. This is serious.

The art features the trio of Jonas Scharf, Bernard Chang, and Vincenzo Carratu with color by Frank Martin and lettering by Cory Petit. It all looks pretty good but beyond the new settings and new takes on familiar characters, the visuals never quite pop. There’s some muddled moments actually and moments that should really hit, don’t quite do it. It’s one where the art services the story but doesn’t stand out from it.

Dead X-Men #1 isn’t a bad comic but it’s an “event” comic in every way. If you’re not bought into the current X-Men transition story, it’s one that won’t jump out. But, if you’re completely here for it, it’s a vital chapter of what happens next and how it happens.

Story: Steve Foxe Art: Jonas Scharf, Bernard Chang, Vincenzo Carratu
Color: Frank Martin Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 6.75 Art: 7.25 Overall: 6.8 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Mini Reviews: Hawkgirl, Fall of X, Gotham at War, and a blackout drunk PI!

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Uncanny Avengers #2

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.

Logan

Hawkgirl #3 (DC Comics) – Kendra, Galaxy, and Argus hit the road and fight the Court of Owls in Gotham with the assistance of Batman and Chef Alysia Yeoh in Hawkgirl #3. Artist Amancay Nahuelpan‘s visual tricks and skill with layouts get a workout beginning with a hilarious, yet epic riff on “I’m Batman”. He and writer Jadzia Axelrod continue to have wonderful chemistry as she puts captions revealing Kendra’s inner thoughts, and he brings the fisticuffs and handles the shift in timelines with style and grace. Letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou also adds flavor to Axelrod’s dialogue with his bubbles, font choices, and timely capitalizations and underlining and highlights some big emotional beats like Galaxy’s insecurity around Batman or Kendra’s nigh-metafictional rage about how she’s been treated by different characters in the DC Universe over the year. Hawkgirl #3 is a fun team-up, adds depth to Galaxy and Kendra’s characters, and also progresses the Nth metal mystery plotline as the book continues to be one of the cutest, gayest, and most badass current comics on the stands. Overall: 8.8 Verdict: Buy

Brett

The Blackout Bombshell #1 (Sumerian) – Written by Louis Southard with art by Dean Kotz, color by Patrick Buermeyer, and lettering by Buddy Beaudoin, The Blackout Bombshell #1 nails everything you’d want in a PI/noir story. The private dick is a… dick, a blackout drunk who can’t remember why he wants to find a mysterious woman. She also just so happened to show up at his door and tried to kill him. Then there’s an attorney who himself has some ethical and personal issues. An ever growing pile of dead bodies are mixed in and it’s all set in a post Vietnam world, and you’ve got an intriguing start that’s full of individuals you want to slap. The art is solid, using a noir-ish style but a more modern setting. It all comes together for a start that fans of detective stories will want to get. Overall: 8.5 Verdict: Buy

Avengers Inc. #1 (Marvel) – Writer Al Ewing, artist Leonard Kirk, colorist Alex Sinclair, and letterer Cory Petit deliver an intriguing Avengers team that mixes your typical spandex superheroes with a bit of a detective/crime spin. It all works well setting things up for what should be something a bit different from your regular Avengers title. The art by Kirk and the team is solid with colors popping to set up each scene. Overall: 8.25 Verdict: Buy

Catwoman #57 (DC Comics) – The third part of “The Gotham War,” writer Tini Howard, artist Nico Leon, colorist Veronica Gandini, and letterer Lucas Gattoni give us events from Catwoman’s perspective. It’s a decent entry in the crossover event as she must figure out how to proceed through Batman’s stubbornness. But, the comic also focuses a lot on the Red Hood, almost distracting from the title character. The end adds a bit of a wrinkle to the story but beyond that, the entry is rather forgettable. Overall: 7.25 Verdict: Read

Alpha Flight #2 (Marvel) – Overall, Alpha Flight’s entry in Fall of X has been entertaining by predictable. Written by Ed Brisson with art by Scott Godlewski, color by Matt Milla, and lettering by Travis Lanham, it hasn’t surprised too much. Still, it’s interesting to see this sort of resistance against Orchis and the government’s bending to their will. While the overall story follows the beats you’d expect, individual choices and moments stand out. The art is good and the characters all look like the Alpha Flight we love with some nice fights and dynamic moments. Still, the comic feels like it’s playing it a bit safe instead of pushing the underlying concepts and themes of Fall of X. Overall: 7.5 Verdict: Read

Dark X-Men #2 (Marvel) – Writer Steve Foxe, artist Jonas Scharf, colorist Frank Martin, and letterer Clayton Cowles continue to deliver what is the standout of Fall of X. The team is dysfunctional but on a mission that’s familiar, save mutants. But, it’s that dysfunction of this misfit team that really stands out and nails the spirit and classic feel of the X-Men. Add in solid art and some dynamic visual moments and you have a comic series you hope continues well after this storyline event ends. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Uncanny Avengers #2 (Marvel) – Writer Gerry Duggan, artist Javier Garron, colorist Morry Hollowell, and letterer Travis Lanham take on the newest unity team as they fight Captain Krakoa and the new iteration of the Mutant Liberation Front. There’s a lot of interesting moments but really we just want to find out who is under the mask of Captain Krakoa, and we’re given a major hint here. Overall, the comic is entertaining enough with some decent action and good art but it feels like a piece of a puzzle rather than a comic that stands on its own. It’s only job is to get the plot from point A to point C, when it could be far more. Overall: 7.75 Verdict: Read

Dark X-Men #1 makes evil fun

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Dark X-Men #1

Welcome to the Dark X-Men? Hope everyone survives this experience! There’s a new team of Dark X-Men after the Hellfire Gala. Madelyne Pryor and Havok lead the team with Zero, Emplate, Azazel, and Archangel initially making up the team but the addition of Gambit, Maggott, Gimmick, and Albert to come. It’s a team that screams dysfunction but that seems to be part of the fun of Dark X-Men #1.

Written by Steve Foxe, Dark X-Men #1 takes the fun in X-Men dysfunction and ups it a few levels. Havok is attempting to keep things in check. Madelyne Pryor is balancing her new role and her penchant for killing. Then there’s all the rest of the team members who have no issues with giving into their desires. It’s all part of the fun of the series.

But, what’s truly great about Dark X-Men #1 is how it makes sure to fit in to Fall of X. This isn’t simply a team of screw-ups and villains stepping in, it deals with the fallout of the new status-quo. Madelyne is the ruler of Limbo and there’s diplomatic aspects to it all. There’s mutants looking for safety. There’s Havok dealing with his personal issues. It takes all of the basics of the X-Men and turns it all up to 11 and then some. It’s everything that makes the X-Men great but twisted around a bit. It’s villains doing good… or at least trying to.

The comic features art by Jonas Scharf and it’s generally really good. A backup story focused mostly on Havok stumbles a bit in the visuals, partially because the rest of the comic is so solid. Frank Martin provides the colors and Clayton Cowles handles the lettering. The art does a great job of balancing the insanity of the comic itself. There’s small demons and goblins running around, there might be a car eating an Orchis soldier, it’s the small details that adds to the already solid style of Scharf. What’s also great is the comic leans into its more demonic aspects without going overboard and making it a horror focused comic. Like the comic series Dark Ride, the horror aspect is part of the look but not the defining look, this is still a superhero comic.

Dark X-Men #1 is a lot of fun. Action. Humor. It’s exactly what you’d expect going into it and has me excited to read more.

Story: Steve Foxe Art: Jonas Scharf
Color: Frank Martin Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Knight Terrors #1 continues an intriguing concept

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Knight Terrors #1

Who is Insomnia? Hello, ghouls and ghosts! Boston Brand, a.k.a. Deadman, takes readers through the current calamity in Knight Terrors #1, a short summer event. The world is trapped inside their nightmares, and Brand has taken over the body of Batman to do battle with Insomnia. But who is this villain? Why does he want revenge on the heroes of the DC Universe? Knight Terrors #1 delivers some of those answers.

Written by Joshua Williamson, Knight Terrors #1 is an interesting debut issue. It runs readers through a quick catch-up as to what’s going on but continues last week’s issue with Deadman standing against Insomnia. It’s an interesting battle with Deadman doing what he can to figure out who Insomnia is and what he wants. There’s some reveals but a lot of questions left to answer as well.

What’s interesting is Williamson’s choice to have Boston directly talking to readers. It’s one way to info dump and the art is fantastic but it feels a little odd compared to the rest of the action driven issue. It also is information that was told in the kick-off issue last week.

The comics’ visuals are solid. Giuseppe Camuncoli, Stefano Nesi, and Caspar Wijngaard all take turns on art. Together it’s an interesting mix of styles that generally works and the switch isn’t too jarring or noticeable. The comic also has a rather dark ominous tone about it without being depressing or dipping to far into the darkness. Part of that has to do with the color by Wijngaard and Frank Martin who stick to a lot of purples creating an almost glowing look to the comic. Troy Peteri‘s lettering too adds to the mood giving some a rather unique voice in the lettering.

Knight Terrors #1 is an entertaining debut. While the horror genre feels out of place in the warm summer and overall the comic doesn’t quite completely excite, it’s still a fun and intriguing event with a lot of potential.

Story: Joshua Williamson Art: Giuseppe Camuncoli, Stefano Nesi, Caspar Wijngaard
Color: Frank Martin, Caspar Wijngaard Letterer: Troy Peteri
Story: 7.5 Art: 8.3 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

Review: Action Comics #1050

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Action Comics #1050

With Dark Crisis over, there’s a new “start” to the DC Universe. The status quo for numerous characters has shifted as they head off in new adventures and in new directions. Action Comics #1050 acts as a bridge in a way between that event and what’s to come delivering a big shift for the Man of Steel and setting him up for what’s next.

With one main story and then a few codas, Action Comics #1050 turns back one major recent change for Superman with major implications. Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Tom Taylor, and Joshua Williamson, the issue impacts Clark, Jon, and the world as a whole.

Lex Luthor has a plan, and the plan is to make the world forget the secret identity of Superman and elevate big blue to the level of a god. He thinks humanity can be led to a better future guided by Superman but Superman himself needs a guiding hand. It’s a massive shift from a character who once saw Superman as an invading alien threatening humanity.

But, Lex’s shenanigans are an interesting one and the end results are intriguing. The world forgets Superman and Clark are the same people beyond a small set of individuals. Lex is thrown in jail for murder. And, we get teases of what’s to come in various series. It’s all a satisfying bridge from what was to what is showing off a major difference between Superman and Lex Luthor but also how they can be so similar as well. Both want what’s best for humanity at this point. They just differ heavily in how to get there. The downside to the issue is so much is devoted to a fight between Superman and Lex. While entertaining, there’s a point it feels a little dragged out. But, the ending is a satisfying one showing the weakness of Lex and the true strength of Superman. The Man of Steel in the end believes in justice, not revenge, and when he could easily kill, he still shows mercy and lets the “system” work.

The art by Mike Perkins, Clayton Henry, and Nick Dragotta is good. With color by Frank Martin and lettering by Dave Sharpe there’s some solid visual moments in the action. Where things really stand out is the emotional moments though. The shock of a character having a heart attack, the anger show by Superman in a panel, the realization of anonymity, it all really adds the real punches to the comic. While the battle between Superman and Lex has its interesting visual moments, it’s those more personal ones and the close ups that really stand out.

Action Comics #1050 is a pretty key issue setting up a new status quo for the character and setting up what’s to come. It’s not the spot to hop on for new readers but feels like a nice entry to shift from what was to what’s coming. It’s implications reverberate far beyond just the Superman comics and there’s potential there’s more to come than just what’s presented. As a Superman comic goes, it’s entertaining with a nice balance of what makes the character great and reminding us why he’s so super.

Story: Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Tom Taylor, Joshua Williamson
Art: Mike Perkins, Clayton Henry, Nick Dragotta
Color: Frank Martin Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Read

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle

Review: Dark Web #1

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Dark Web #1

Due to my middling thoughts on the latest issue of The Amazing Spider-Man which leads into Dark Web #1, I went into this event kick-off issue with some trepidation. The event sees Ben Reilly and Madelyne Pryor teaming up to seek their revenge against Spider-Man and the X-Men. The two see themselves as rejects and others, both clones. Reilly is the clone of Peter Parker and Pryor that of Jean Grey. Up to this point, Reilly has been abused, thinking his memories stolen, he sees himself as abused. Pryor, resurrected again, is ruling over Limbo as the Goblin Queen. Each see themselves as screwed over.

Written by Zeb Wells, Dark Web #1 i a stronger opening for the event as it gets the ball rolling on multiple fronts. While the motivation is presented here and there, it’s more the opening moves of Reilly, aka Chasm, and Pryor, aka the Goblin Queen, that are interesting. Not only do they recruit a new ally with major ramifications, they also go on the offensive.

What’s really fun about Dark Web #1 is how it perfectly fits the holiday season. There’s a bit of Halloween and a bit of Christmas, making the comic a fun bridge between our real world calendar. While it’s a sort of follow up to the classic story Inferno (mention briefly), the knowledge needed about that event is minimal. Instead, Dark Web #1 lays out much of what new readers will need to know and delivers far more than enough for those that have been following up to this point.

The art by Adam Kubert is great. With color by Frank Martin and lettering by Joe Caramagna, the visuals perfectly blend the “holidays” of the issue and story. What I particularly like about the visuals of the comic is the tinge of “horror holiday” it has about it. It feels like a Christmas story that goes off the rails and with how it’s depicted, it evokes some classics like Gremlins. It’s just twisted enough not going too deep in one pond or the other. The slow build up visually is excellent eventually delivering some scares as Chasm and the Goblin Queen’s plans get going. And further, the team does a great job of adding in the superhero aspects. With the scares and ice skating, we get a nice fight as well as a final full page that’ll have fans drooling with what’s to come.

Dark Web #1 is a solid start. While I was interested in the event, I’m now excited to see where it all goes with some unexpected directions and a nice focus on horror, the holidays, and the characters themselves. It packs a lot in and does an impressive job of balancing things. Even if you haven’t been keeping up, this issue will get you what you need and get you pumped for what’s to come.

Story: Zeb Wells Art: Adam Kubert
Color: Frank Martin Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Story: 8.15 Art: 8.45 Overall: 8.2 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle

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