idw Archives - Page 4 of 4

Tag Archives: idw

Review: Winterworld #1

Posted on June 26, 2014 by

Post-apocalyptic story lines, like zombies, are starting to oversaturate the film and literature market. But, like anything, there are always exceptions to the rule. Afterlife with Archie is a prime example. Winterworld is another. The re-emergence of Chuck Dixon and Jorge Zaffino‘s 80s frozen earth tale brings a welcomed drop in temperature to an already hot summer. The story pairs a grizzled wanderer, Scully, with Wynn, a young woman looking to reunite with her family. As they traverse the barren, icy wasteland it’s apparent they aren’t the only ones out there.

I’m glad Dixon picked up his story again. Years have passed since it was first published and you can tell there’s an entire world he wants to expand on. He starts small, with the core duo, but leaves plenty of room to grow in characters and depth. Like the jungle in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, Dixon’s wintry world has the opportunity to become a feared and respected antagonist in its own right.

In what is being reported as a slate of talented artists, Butch Guice picks up the pencils first to create a gorgeously bleak world. He hooks you with the cover (seriously, how cool is that cover) and doesn’t let up. My only concern is the bad guys introduced at the end of story. Right now they look like Mad Max riders, but they are on the verge of looking like smokers from Waterworld. You can have similar titles, just don’t use similar villains.

IDW takes readers back to its bleak 30 Days of Night origins. Where it lacks in horror, it makes up in dreary, freezing cold. Put your wool cap on and get some hot chocolate, this Winterworld isn’t going anywhere.

Story: Chuck Dixon Art: Butch Guice
Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Turtles in Time #1

Posted on June 22, 2014 by

Confession: I bought it for the cover. I’m a huge Mouse Guard fan and when I found out David Petersen was doing the covers for IDW‘s Turtles in Time, I knew I’d be pelting them with money. While not quite its equal, the content of this issue was still worth my focused purchase. So how did they get here? After meeting a good-natured time traveler named Renet, the Turtles find themselves in a prehistoric battle to survive a dinosaur and Utrom onslaught.

A light and fun read, writer Paul Allor and artist Ross Campbell maintain an all-ages approach to this mini-series. After the thematic and moody City Fall arc, it is a brighter approach to the dark sewers and alleyways of the Big Apple. Allor keeps the chip on Raphael’s shoulder alive when he’s separated from the group, but softens him by introducing an adorable baby dinosaur.

Campbell’s child-friendly illustrations take years off the Turtles, almost as if it’s The Adventures of Young Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Rounding edges isn’t without its artistic quirks though. The blue scales on the T-Rex looked more floral than reptilian, almost like it’s wearing a half headdress. All is forgiven with the awesome Dinotopia-inspired mounted Utrom Hunters.

I was planning on spending $3.99 an issue on cover art alone over the next few months, but thanks to the IDW team, I get a good read to go with it.

Story: Paul Allor Art: Ross Campbell
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: The X-Files Season 10 #4

Posted on September 24, 2013 by

Dedicated fans usually bemoan movie adaptations of their favorite television series (akin to the eternally obnoxious sayings, “the book was WAY better” or “that’s not even the best song on their album”). For me, the opposite was true. Although I had seen a number of episodes, it wasn’t until The X-Files: Fight the Future came out on the silver screen that I was convinced it was one of the best shows of the 90s.

Despite overstaying it’s television welcome and a dreadful follow up movie (with an equally awful title, I Want To Believe, ugh), the show maintains an ever present fan base. These fans, like myself, will be relieved to know IDW‘s five issue miniseries The X-Files Season 10 is a fantastic and reverent continuity of the characters and mythos.

In this series, the former Special Agent’s discreet, mundane lives in rural Virginia (Spotsylvania County, just south of Graphic Policy‘s northern Virginia headquarters) are shattered when the FBI database is hacked and a mysterious group begins targeting Deputy Director Skinner, Dr. Scully, and a child very close to her and Mulder. This group, known as the Acolytes, is an assemblage of beings determined to help bring about the alien re-population of planet earth, as eloquently theorized by a familiar cigarette-smoking individual. Is it all just another alien conspiracy theory, or are their lives in danger from forces not of this world?

It is apparent that IDW Publishing and writer Joe Harris went above and beyond to stay true to the series and deliver to the fans. After seeking Fox’s approval, Harris met with series’ creator Chris Carter who agreed to come on board as executive producer. The script pays homage to the TV series with witty dialogue from Mulder and well-timed appearances from Agent Doggett, The Lone Gunmen, and The Smoking Man. While I was afraid the alien conspiracy plot was going to be a ‘been there done that’ storyline, it turned out to be a perfect continuation of the show.

As much as I enjoyed this miniseries as a whole, I, unfortunately, was not a fan of the artwork. Michael Walsh‘s illustrations, while unique, lacked the gritty detail I was looking for in an X-Files comic (I still can’t pinpoint what I envisioned, maybe Ten Grand‘s Ben Templesmith?). There was also a couple reoccurring artistic decisions that bothered me, including a blue light shining out of the Acolyte’s eyes that looked like a misplaced icicle.

I was going to wait for the next and final issue to post a review, but I wanted to get this up to convince anyone on the edge that it’s worth it. Old and new fans alike will appreciate what Harris and Carter have done for the series.

Story: Joe Harris, Chris Carter Art: Michael Walsh
Story: 8.5 Art: 6 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Judge Dredd Year One #4

Posted on August 10, 2013 by

Judge Dredd Year One take places ten years after the Atomic War, in a Mega-City One that is still recovering and rebuilding. Our immovable lawgiver is a recent graduate of the Academy and still in his rookie year as a representative of the Hall of Justice. Tasked to investigate a rash of paranormal incidents involving violent juveniles, Dredd has found himself trapped in a parallel Mega-City One with a band of judges unwilling to take back their fallen city. Can he motivate his peers and save their city with enough time to make it back to his own?

I have limited experience with the Dredd universe, and while ‘Year One’ sounds like a decent starting point, I’m pretty sure diehard fans would refer me to Wagner’s Judge Dredd Origins to find out how it all started. Regardless, this four book mini-series is still an interesting look at how a young, idealistic judge delivers hard justice on the streets of Mega-City One.

While one would assume nonstop wordless action, editor-turned-writer Matt Smith packed the pages full of dialogue (letterer Gilberto Lazcano was gainfully employed). And although I wasn’t wild about the supernatural tint, Smith crafted an engaging storyline that made me look forward to each subsequent issue.

Simon Coleby‘s visuals bring out the gritty streets and hollowness of Dredd’s current predicament. His pencils have an early 90s look to them, much like The Wake‘s Sean Murphy. Unfortunately, at times faces lose detail in close ups, thankfully this doesn’t detract from our helmet-wearing protagonist. Leonard O’Grady‘s colors compliment Coleby’s artwork, and although they pay homage to Dredd’s 2000 AD days, I’ve always disliked the green gloves and boots.

While the story and art were thoroughly executed, I mistakenly expected unending, futuristic action…yet Smith delivered a mature, extended X-Files episode. Just because I failed to manage my expectations going into it, doesn’t mean dedicated fans won’t truly appreciate this glimpse at Dredd’s early days on the force.

Story: Matt Smith Art: Simon Coleby
Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7 Recommendation: Read

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review