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Preview: Generations Zero #8

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GENERATION ZERO #8

Written by FRED VAN LENTE
Art by DIEGO BERNARD
Cover A by KHARI EVANS (JAN172145)
Cover B by LEIF JONES (JAN172146)
Variant Cover by PERE PEREZ (JAN172147)
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On Sale MARCH 29 (FOC – 3/6/17)

A (literal) battle of the minds!

Generation Zero are trapped inside the Heroscape – a twisted, extra-dimensional realm where they can explore the world as it looks through someone else’s eyes… And, unfortunately, it seems that most of their friends and neighbors have some pretty messed up stuff going on up there! They led insurgencies and counter-strikes, but can anything in this team’s precision military training prepare them for the darkness that lurks at the heart of Rook’s collective unconscious?

Preview: Divinity III: Escape From Gulag 396 #1

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DIVINITY III: ESCAPE FROM GULAG 396 #1

Written by ELIOT RAHAL
Art by FRANCIS PORTELA
Cover A by ADAM GORHAM (JAN172130)
Cover B by KHARI EVANS (JAN172131)
Cover C by ANDRÉS GUINALDO (JAN172132)
Character Design Variant by RYAN LEE (JAN172133)
Variant Cover by KANO (JAN172134)
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | ONE-SHOT | On Sale MARCH 15 (FOC 2/20/16)

Archer & Armstrong: Enemies of the State!

In the Soviet-controlled world of the Stalinverse, there is a place where liberty is sentenced to die…and it’s Gulag 396. A maximum-security prison where the only escape is through death, the gulag is the final stop for all enemies and detractors of the world’s oppressive authority. But when public enemy Obadiah Archer is admitted as the latest inmate, could his gospel of goodwill and optimism be the spark that ignites a new faith in the prison’s population…including the immortal undesirable known as Aram Addi-Padda?

Review : Harley Quinn #15

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harley-cv15_dsThere’s a “flying” squirrel that draws a line between all five of the equally intriguing stories being told in this killer issue of Harley Quinn. As ridiculous as using a squirrel flying through the air as a plot device to show the interconnectivity of a story might sound, the brilliant Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner make it work in such an effortless way that it never comes off as trite, gimmicky or irrelevant.

Palmiotti and Conner have a lot on their plates for this issue, Harley Quinn #15 has a little something for everyone, no matter which part of the story you were hyped up to get back to that week they have you covered. There are five different storylines going on in this action packed Harley tale and every one was essential to the arc. Palmiotti and Conner show that they are masters of telling a good story because with everything going on, not once does the story feel convoluted. I found myself genuinely excited when I would flipped the page and a new story line was waiting for me.

This issue clues us into part of Harley Sinn’s Arkham release deal as she learns more about her target from a seedy motel. Atlee and Harley split up from a battle with Zorcrom so Atlee can get reinforcements, leaving Harley to keep Zor occupied with a trip to Central Park. The mayor’s plan to fix the homeless solution has started to take shape and claims two new victims. And, if that’s not enough the issue starts off 150 years in the future with Devani prepping for what appears to be a government sanctioned cage match for her Batman sponsored quadrant against Harley.

With so many story lines there’s no wonder they went with three different artists to give us a little bit of change between stories. Khari Evans, John Timms, and Joseph Michael Lisner effectively bring the heat with their lines and drawings while Alex Sinclair kills it with his color work. Even Dave Sharpe‘s lettering is on point! Every single element of the visual portrayal of this story is meticulously thought out and executed making it feel like I was watching my new favorite cartoon and not just flipping through pages.

Amazing graphics, superior story and, character distinctive lettering aside, there were some other things I love about this issue that held just as much weight for me. I applauded, in my head, when Atlee went to get back up and she chose another woman! There’s something to be said about having visions of the final showdown with Zom being spearheaded by three strong, bad ass women! I also love that Harley doesn’t use her body to keep Zorcrom busy, she engages him with her intellect, despite the tight, nearly invisible clothes Harley is no sex object, she’s smart and funny and it’s issues like this that showcase it. It was nice to see her shrinking Zor, it was reminiscent of her days at Arkham when she was Dr. Harley.  I also enjoyed that the female villains have their own agency and motivations, none of which are forced by men. The autonomy that Palmiotti and Conner give their female characters is a breath of fresh air and, I’m here for it. This issue is like well-choreographed concert, it engaged me and left me on the edge of my seat, er couch, and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Story: Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner
Art: Khari Evans, John Timms and John Michael Lisner Color: Alex Sinclair
Story: 9.5 Art: 9.5 Overall:9.5 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Harley Quinn #14

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harley_cv14_dsThis weeks issue of Harley Quinn was full of all the things I love about the way Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner have been taking our favorite maybe sheroes story arcs. There were some growing pains and a sense that they were trying to shove too much into one issue but, not only did it all work itself out but, it has fueled the issues that followed. Palmiotti and Conner are kicking ass at defining who Harley is now, not only have they excelled at giving her agency, purpose, and focus but, they’ve managed to tackle some pretty serious social and relationship issues. They have also managed to serve up a healthy dose of girl power and sisterhood reminding us all that women really do kick ass. Despite her often psychotic and fractured actions, Harley Quinn has returned to being the penultimate “you don’t own me” bad ass boss chick role model that we got a glimpse of before.

Harley Quinn #14 starts off with a glimpse of what Ms. Berkowitz has in mind to help the Mayor solve his homelessness problem and it’s not only shady but, scary. We also discover more about how Harley pays the bills and, runs a crew. There’s something kind of empowering about the way she handles herself and her gang with her own hero for hire and , bad ass for kicks business ventures. If that’s not enough excitement for you there’s also a what’s in the tunnels story arc that’s about to take off. We’re treated to a front row seat as the insects come out of the dark, into the light and set loose their dark lord. Harley in her usual trouble maker with a heart uses some trickery to get this alien arsehole out of her hood to keep her home turf safe. But, she ends up needing help from an unlikely and new source in order to do battle with what promises to be a wrathful return.

The writing is on point as usual. There are multiple storylines going on but, hey are clear lines letting the reader know where the storylines switched over. There are also some killer social commentary quips and undertones that make the story touch on the readers humanity. The writers were even nice and clever enough to take a jab at Sunkist Stalin number 45 himself. I was also impressed that when the shizz hit the fan, Harley thought about all of the female heroes she could call to help out with their alien overlord problem.

Khari Evans and John Timms split the drawing duties for this issue with Alex Sinclair serving up some killer, mood appropriate color. It’s a really pretty comic, full of detail, providing a feeling that the scene is just as important as the words.

Overall this issue of Harley Quinn brings together some A-team level storytelling and artwork. Everything fits together and the words complement the art which aids in the ability of reader to get sucked in and enjoy the ride. This was a solid set up for a new arc and, a good precursor for the arcs that will follow. I appreciated the story and, enjoyed that it had a mildly political subtext with a good, relatable, entertaining tale dominating the forefront. It was a blast to read and I look forward to not only watching this story arc play out but, discovering what other arcs are lurking in the wings waiting for their chance to have a full fledged story arc of their own. Wherever this team decides to go I’m here for it and have full faith in their ability to keep us all wanting more.

Story: Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner Art: Khari Evans, John Timms, Alex Sinclair
Story: 9.0 Art: 8.8 Overall: 8.9 Recommendation: Buy

DC comics provided Graphic Policy with a free copy for review

Rahal & Portela Lead the Stalinverse’s Greatest Criminals in Divinity III: Escape From Gulag 396 #1

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This March, prepare to serve time with the Stalinverse’s newest enemies of the state: Archer & Armstrong!

Valiant has announced Divinity III: Escape From Gulag 396 #1 – the next can’t-miss one-shot special torn from the pages of the winter’s visionary comics event! On March 15th, join rising star Eliot Rahal and acclaimed artist Francis Portela as they sentence religious zealot Obadiah Archer and the unkillable libertine called Armstrong to a fate worse than death: A lifetime sentence in Gulag 396, the deadliest prison known to man. But in letting these two subversive criminal offenders into its walls, has this oppressive Gulag condemned Archer and Armstrong…or itself?

In the Soviet-controlled world of the Stalinverse, there is a place where liberty is sentenced to die…and it’s Gulag 396. A maximum-security prison where the only escape is through death, the gulag is the final stop for all enemies and detractors of the world’s oppressive authority. But when public enemy Obadiah Archer is admitted as the latest inmate, could his gospel of goodwill and optimism be the spark that ignites a new faith in the prison’s population…including the immortal undesirable known as Aram Addi-Padda?

Featuring covers by Adam Gorham, Khari Evans, Andres Guinaldo, Ryan Lee and Kano!

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Review: Ninjak #21

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ninjak_021_cover-a_choiTo the death with Dr. Silk!

Far in the future, it’s a race against the clock as two longtime allies – Ninjak and the Eternal Warrior – reteam to prevent Dr. Silk from conquering the secrets of life, death, and everything that lies in-between! But will their united might be enough to stop the lethal combination of Silk’s technical prowess and criminal psychopathy? Meanwhile, in the present, the Deadside cancer consuming Colin King presents more visions of the dark future yet to come… Will his battle across two timelines soon come full circle?

Do you ever read a comic and think and then realize that said comic did absolutely everything right, yet there was something missing? Some spark that wasn’t quite bright enough, or a character that didn’t jive with how you’ve seen them presented elsewhere?

I’ve been harder on Ninjak as a series than anything else Valiant have published over the past year and a half, because when done well it has this … this gumption about it that is tough to explain, but the closest I can come to without being too melodramatic is that there’s a certain magic to most Ninjak issues that propels it to the top of my pull list. When that magic isn’t there, however, it’s very noticeable, and Ninjak #21 – for me at least – is missing that something.

Quite what it is, I can’t quite put my finger on, because there’s nothing this issue does inherently wrong – the writing and artwork are solid – it just doesn’t do enough to make it stand out from the crowd, and for a Valiant comic that’s a shame*. Now before you think  I have nothing nice to say about the issue, there were some thoroughly enjoyable character moments (almost all featuring Ninjak) sprinkled throughout the issue, along with some very well done fight scenes early in the book.

Like I said this was never a bad issue, it just wasn’t as great as I hoped.

*You may have noticed my biggest problem with this comic is that it was merely good and not great. I’m aware that I’m judging the series by a higher standard, but when a publisher puts out as many consistently brilliant comics as this company does, then my expectations are going to be much higher than they are for any other company.

Story: Matt Kindt Art: Khari Evans, Andres Guinaldo and Eric Nguyen
Story:  7.8 Art: 7.75 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Read

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review.

Preview: Ninjak #21

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NINJAK #21

Written by MATT KINDT
Art by KHARI EVANS with ANDRES GUINALDO
Cover A by MIKE CHOI (SEP162069)
Cover B by RYAN BODENHEIM (SEP162070)
Cover C by MARC LAMING (SEP162071)
Variant Cover by JUAN JOSE RYP (SEP162072)
$3.99 | 40 pgs. | T+ | On sale NOVEMBER 23 (FOC – 10/31/16)

To the death with Dr. Silk!

Far in the future, it’s a race against the clock as two longtime allies – Ninjak and the Eternal Warrior – reteam to prevent Dr. Silk from conquering the secrets of life, death, and everything that lies in-between! But will their united might be enough to stop the lethal combination of Silk’s technical prowess and criminal psychopathy? Meanwhile, in the present, the Deadside cancer consuming Colin King presents more visions of the dark future yet to come… Will his battle across two timelines soon come full circle?

The prophecies foretold in BOOK OF DEATH continue to unfurl as New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (DIVINITY II, Dept. H) and acclaimed artists Khari Evans (HARBINGER) and Andres Guinaldo (Justice League Dark) push Valiant’s top super-spy past the point of no return!

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Preview: Britannia #3 (of 4)

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BRITANNIA #3 (of 4)

Written by PETER MILLIGAN
Art by JUAN JOSÉ RYP
Cover A by CARY NORD (SEP162060)
Cover B by ADAM GORHAM (SEP162061)
Variant Cover by JUAN JOSÉ RYP (SEP162062)
Variant Cover by KHARI EVANS (SEP162063)
Variant Cover by DAVE JOHNSON (SEP162064)
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | VALIANT PRESTIGE | T+ | On sale NOVEMBER 16 (FOC – 10/24/16)

At the border between civilization and the magic-laden lands beyond, Rome’s first detective is haunted by violence and visions of dark forces that defy all sense…

Antonius Axia’s disturbing investigation in the frontier colony of Britannia deepens…and with each disturbing new clue he uncovers, the farther his mind sinks into disarray! Connecting the clues behind the grisly rumors of horror in the empire’s northernmost reach, Antonius must gain an ally as dangerous as the darkness that now surrounds him. But who is this mysterious new partner, and will she lead Antonius toward the bright light of truth and salvation…or into the cold flame of eternal damnation?

Sense falls away to seduction as comics legend Peter Milligan (Shade, The Changing Man) and incendiary artist Juan José Ryp (NINJAK) march Valiant’s latest magnum opus toward its most insidious chapter yet!

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Review: Ninjak #20

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ninjak_020_cover-a_choiHis body consumed by a preternatural cancer in the present, Colin King’s mind has grasped a prophetic vision of the future – one that just might hold the key to a cure! But years from today, that quest will bring him face-to-face yet again with one of the world’s most perverse criminal and scientific minds: the devious Dr. Silk! Hoping to exploit the mysteries of the Deadside in his quest for immortal life, Silk has left rot and ruin in his polluted wake – until the newly allied team of Ninjak and the Eternal Warrior come crashing down on his plot to conquer not just the future…but all of eternity itself!

I’m not going to beat around here and pretend I’ve been a fan of this arc from the beginning; I haven’t. I feel like there was a lot of promise unfairly leveled against the future-set story featuring Ninjak and the Eternal Warrior because of the superb Book of Death: Fall of Ninjak, and the similarity of the two stories; granted, my expectations may have been higher than most.

Happily, I can now say that this is the issue in which the story started to turn around for me.

There seemed to be more of an understanding between the two lead characters in this issue, and I feel like that – and the dialogue that resulted from it – was what had been missing from previous chapters in The Fist and The Steel, and the comic was all the stronger for it. Despite the story being stronger this issue the art still hasn’t grabbed me; it isn’t horrible it’s just not to my preference. Your mileage may vary, however, but the back up story was a much stronger contribution to the comic visually. It was also a pretty cool sequence that you’ll appreciate a lot more once you read the full issue.

Overall, Ninjak #20 is better than the previous issue, coming much closer to the quality of comic that I’ve felt has been missing for several issues in the series. A welcome return to form.

Story: Matt Kindt Art: Khari Evans and Andres Guinaldo
Story: 8 Art: 7 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Read

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Preview: Ninjak #20

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NINJAK #20

Written by MATT KINDT
Art by KHARI EVANS and ANDRES GUINALDO
Cover A by MIKE CHOI (AUG162066)
Cover B by RYAN BODENHEIM (AUG162067)
Cover C by MARC LAMING (AUG162068)
Variant Cover by MICHEL FIFFE (AUG162069)
$3.99 | 40 pgs. | T+ | On sale OCTOBER 19th (FOC – 9/26/16)

“THE FIST & THE STEEL”…strangled by Silk!

His body consumed by a preternatural cancer in the present, Colin King’s mind has grasped a prophetic vision of the future – one that just might hold the key to a cure! But years from today, that quest will bring him face-to-face yet again with one of the world’s most perverse criminal and scientific minds: the devious Dr. Silk! Hoping to exploit the mysteries of the Deadside in his quest for immortal life, Silk has left rot and ruin in his polluted wake – until the newly allied team of Ninjak and the Eternal Warrior come crashing down on his plot to conquer not just the future…but all of eternity itself!

Walk the dark path toward tomorrow with New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (4001 A.D.) and explosive artists Khari Evans (ARCHER & ARMSTRONG) and Andres Guinaldo (Justice League Dark) as “THE FIST & THE STEEL” continues!

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