Xena Vol. 2 #5
writer: Genevieve Valentine
artist: Julius Gopez
cover: Jenny Frison
incentive cover: Jenny Frison (“virgin art”)
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Teen+
The daring rescue of Chilapa and the captive Harpies has made Xena into Rome’s newest, greatest enemy… just like old times! It will bring the might of an empire to Xena’s doorstep… and Gabrielle is going to stop it, by any means necessary. All roads lead to Rome!
Xena Warrior Princess #4
writer: Genevieve Valentine
artist: Ariel Medel, Julius Gopez
cover: Jenny Frison
incentive cover: Jenny Frison (“virgin art”)
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Teen+
With half the Harpies taken hostage and on their way to Rome as war prizes, Xena and Gabrielle set off on a desperate rescue mission. The Harpies are ready for battle, and even Ares has joined the fray, but with Rome hungry for victory at any cost, they might already be too late. It’s battle on two fronts… and when Gabrielle faces a terrible choice, will she risk losing Xena to save the world?
Xena: Warrior Princess #3
writer: Genevieve Valentine
artist: Ariel Medel
cover: Jenny Frison
incentive cover: Jenny Frison (“virgin art”)
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Teen+
Xena and Gabrielle infiltrate the infamous Croesus’ Palace gaming hall to kidnap a Roman general, but are the stakes higher than they bargained for? Fortune can change on a single roll of the dice!
Xena: Warrior Princess #2
writer: Genevieve Valentine
artist: Ariel Medel
covers: Jenny Frison (a 90%),
Tony Fleecs “cute” (b 10%)
incentive cover: Jenny Frison (“virgin art”), Tony Fleecs (“virgin art”)
Fans & retailers, 2 covers ship in a 90/10 ratio!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Teen+
The fight is on! Xena and Gabrielle battle for their lives against the Harpies, who quickly reveal themselves to be more than they seem – but what happens when Gabrielle finds herself trapped between the past and the future?
With the resurgence of Xena: Warrior Princess in comic book form as well as an upcoming tv series reboot, the nagging question for me has been whether or not Xena will prove to be an iconic character that can succeed in various incarnations, or if those incarnations will all pale in comparison to Lucy Lawless’ bodacious depiction of the Amazon badass I hold so dear. (It’s admittedly a highly subjective assessment, given my long-held crush on Lucy Lawless). I have never read earlier versions of the comic book – in fact, I basically avoid comic spin-offs in general – so I’ve been biased against consuming Xena in any Lawless-free form for some time. Still, I tried to go into the re-launch’s first issue with enthusiasm and an open mind. Unfortunately, I still didn’t come away with much nice to say.
If you’re anything like me, your impression of the Xena comic will rest largely on what elements of the show you liked best. Folks who watched the show for the storytelling and world-building might come away with a more positive opinion than I did. A brief prologue establishes that Xena and Gabrielle awoke from a 25-year slumber to fight Olympus, and are now living in a time where their allies amongst the surviving gods are few and powerless. As Xena and Gabrielle escort two young girls on a journey to find their mother, they must determine why Harpies have been attacking Illyrian villages.
When I imagine the storyline being played out on the show or read the dialogue in the voices of Lucy Lawless and Renee O’Connor, it rings true to what I’d expect from the original series. However, my personal adoration of Xena hinged largely on the camp value; Lawless’ inhuman ability to be both goofy and hot at all times, the Bruce Campbell and Ted Raimi appearances, the budget special effects paired with kickass fight choreography. The fun that was had by the cast and crew while making that show trickled down to this particular viewer and while I’m sure some of the comedy will be more evident in later issues, it was minimal in the premiere.
That being said, most of my criticisms of this issue are aesthetic. The lettering and linework are too blocky for my eye, and there’s not a single character whose face I can consistently bear to look at, including Xena’s. The overall look suffers from a lack of detail and consistency, with too many supporting characters having ape-like faces or minimal features, and the coloring is more utilitarian than creative. I had tempered my expectations with regards to the story, but was deeply hoping the comic would give me something far more exciting to look at than what was delivered.
Story: Genevieve Valentine Art: Ariel Medel
Story: 6 Art: 3 Overall: 4.5 Recommendation: Read
Dynamite provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Xena #1
writer: Genevieve Valentine
artist: Ariel Medel
covers: Greg Land (a 50%), Jenny Frison (b 50%)
incentive cover: Greg Land (B/W art), Jenny Frison (“virgin art”)
Fans & retailers, 2 covers ship in equal (50/50) ratios!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Teen+
After the Twilight of the Gods, the world is precariously uncertain – and Xena and Gabrielle have been missing from it for twenty-five years. Even without Livia, the power of Rome is growing: Caesar is determined to conquer by lies what he can’t conquer by force, and the people at its edges know what’s coming. (All roads lead to Rome, and Rome is hunting.) Xena and Gabrielle scramble to stop him before they have to wage war against a man they once called a friend. But along the way, Xena will have to confront her past against a rogue band of women warriors, and Gabrielle, whose secret visions are becoming prophecy, will have to protect Xena – at any cost.
Celebrating 75 years of the Boy Wonder, Batman and Robin Eternal brings together the Batfamily in a sequel to Batman Eternal. Prepare yourself for six months of international intrigue, twists and turns, and new additions to the world of Batman and Robin.
Years ago, Batman and Robin worked the most disturbing case of their crimefighting careers – bringing down the organization of the ultimate human trafficker, the mysterious woman known only as Mother. At the time, Dick Grayson never quite understood the scope of that case, but now its darkest secrets are coming back to haunt him, and everyone else who ever worked with Batman!
This new weekly series features Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, and Harper Row, and from James Tynion IV, Scott Snyder, Tim Seeley, Steve Orlando, Genevieve Valentine, Ed Brisson, Jackson Lanzing, and Collin Kelly. It features the art of Tony S. Daniel, Paul Pelletier, Scot Eaton, Fernando Blanco, Roge Atonio, and more.
The first issue feels like the start of an epic movie, bringing together the various past and future Robins, and tying in to Grayson #12, which saw Dick Grayson returning to Gotham. This has Dick, Tim, and Jason dealing with some bad guys, but that all spirals from there to get us to the eventual story. It’s one long set-up, and one with an ending that got me to want to come back.
The art is solid with some beautiful action and colors that draw you in. I really enjoy the style, it’s not amazing, but just great to check out and look at.
This is a buy for Batman fans, those who aren’t may not enjoy it as much. It feels like the start of an epic action filled story. And do I see the groundwork of Bruce as Batman’s return? An intriguing comic that has me wanting to come back for the next issue.
Story: James Tynion IV, Scott Snyder, Tim Seeley, Steve Orlando, Genevieve Valentine, Ed Brisson, Jackson Lanzing, and Collin Kelly
Art: Tony S. Daniel, Paul Pelletier, Scot Eaton, Fernando Blanco, Roge Atonio
Story: 7.75 Art: 8 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Catwoman #44 continues to build towards an extraordinary crescendo as every crime syndicate begins to make serious plays for power, while Gotham is left hanging in the balance, awaiting a new criminal ruler.
The story opens with Selina Kyle, Killer Croc and Eiko, as the latter recovers from being recently attacked by Black Mask. From there, the narrative spends a good amount of time focusing on Selina and her own personal feelings towards how the crime syndicate has taken a toll of her. It is the first time she truly begins to accept that the life she is currently leading is not for her, and this causes her to become a sympathetic character trying to do good by herself. Underneath her optimism though, lies the danger of the world she has engrossed herself in and the ripple effects of her actions. Writer Genevieve Valentine does a phenomenal job creating a sense of tension around the happily optimistic Selina, by giving the supporting characters a large amount of time to grow and build their own tale. There is an obvious sense that all these stories will collide in horrific fashion and each panel creates more and more empathy for Selina and the difficult future that awaits her. The motivations and future actions of Antonia, Eiko, and Black Mask are all set up logically and in a way that truly sets up Selina’s entire criminal empire to crumble around her.
The artwork works well with the type of tale that is being told. The characters are emotive enough that the true feelings a character is dealing with are apparent, whether it be anguish, shock, or distrust, that many times words are not necessary to convey the point. The only true issue with the art, comes in the form of small white lines filling the majority of the black coloring in the issue. It is many times distracting, especially in clothing. In certain scenes, such as Killer Croc’s pants, Eiko’s shirt, or Antonia’s suit, it becomes so distracting it takes away from the natural flow of the story. But, other than these instances the art is very strong in convening a very personal, conversation driven narrative.
Overall, Catwoman #44 is a fantastic comic that sets up an exciting conclusion for the best crime drama DC Comics is currently producing.
Story: Genevieve Valentine Art: David Messina
Story: 9 Art: 7 Overall: 8 Recommendation Buy
This past Monday was a brand new episode of Graphic Policy Radio with first time guest Genevieve Valentine.
Genevieve Valentine is a science fiction and fantasy writer. In 2014 she took over as the writer for DC Comics’ Catwoman, sending Selina Kyle in a whole new direction as a key player in Gotham’s mob family. The latest issue hits shelves this week. Her first novel, Mechanique: A tale of the Circus Tresaulti, won the Crawford Award for a first fantasy novel, and was shortlisted for the Nebula.
Joining us in welcoming Genevieve to the show is frequent guest and cohost Emma Houxbois. Emma is the Comics Editor for The Rainbow Hub and co-host of weekly comics podcast Fantheon!
We talk Catwoman, fashion, Jem and the Holograms, movies and more in this episode!
This Monday is a brand new episode of Graphic Policy Radio with first time guest Genevieve Valentine. The show airs LIVE this Monday at 10pm ET.
Genevieve Valentine is a science fiction and fantasy writer. In 2014 she took over as the writer for DC Comics‘ Catwoman, sending Selina Kyle in a whole new direction as a key player in Gotham’s mob family. The latest issue hits shelves this week. Her first novel, Mechanique: A tale of the Circus Tresaulti, won the Crawford Award for a first fantasy novel, and was shortlisted for the Nebula.
Joining us in welcoming Genevieve to the show is frequent guest and cohost Emma Houxbois. Emma is the Comics Editor for The Rainbow Hub and co-host of weekly comics podcast Fantheon!
We also want your questions! You can Tweet them to us @graphicpolicy before or during the show.
