MARK WAID’S THE GREEN HORNET #3
Mark Waid (w)
Daniel Indro (a)
Paolo Rivera (c)
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Teen+
For the first time, Kato has seen the darkest side of his partner, the Green Hornet–and the fracture between them will bring pain and suffering to both men–and to the entire city of Chicago!
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Paolo Rivera b/w art retailer incentive cover
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Unsurprisingly, Mark Waid and co. presents another great issue of The Green Hornet.
In this issue, Britt Reid continues to go down. His success as the Green Hornet has gone to his head, and we find him taking greater risks than ever before, both as Green Hornet and Britt Reid. The evolution of his character is amazing; we’re only three issues in and Waid has already begun a transition from classic protagonist to dangerous anti-hero.
(Spoilers) Issue #3 opens to find the Hornet and Kato trapped by the police in a butcher shop; this scene, in the very beginning, illustrates to us Reid’s arrogance and his developing moral blindness, a theme which is carried on throughout this issue and colors our every interaction with his character. To get out of the predicament, he bribes and threatens Lt. Dugan, an honest cop with a sick wife. In doing so he crosses a line, and his following interaction with Kato proves to us that Kato realizes it as well, laying the foundation for his departure later in the issue.
The bribe isn’t the only moment of Reid’s moral collapse. He uses his paper to sling mud on one of his oldest acquaintances, using evidence that is even less than circumstantial. So sure is he in his own crusade that he has no problem libeling a colleague, and he doesn’t realize that his own journey is blinding him to his coming downfall. The colleague’s death at the end of the issue puts a capper on Reid’s lack of code, and foreshadows greater violence to come. And towards the end of the book, he decides to run for mayor, promising political intrigue as well. Britt Reid’s upcoming political run is an exciting prospect for a reader: access to new levels of power and influence will put further strain on Reid’s already weak moral compass.
Again, unsurprisingly, the art in this book is fantastic. Characters are always consistent and Daniel Indro is a master of shadow and mood. The opening scene in the basement of the butcher shop is close and cramped, giving the pages a sense of claustrophobia and danger. A third of the way through the book is a scene in which Green Hornet and Kato have to rescue their car from a tow truck. While that sounds incredibly boring, I know, the way it’s drawn is nothing short of electric. Everything flows so smoothly and Indro gives the cars such a sense of motion that the short sequence seems like a Hollywood car chase.
One thing that really impresses me about the art is its lack of flash. I realize that sounds like an insult, but it’s not. Too often artists resort to splash pages and dramatic, showy panels due to a lack of storytelling ability. Daniel Indro presents the reader with page after page of clearly laid out art design. This allows Indro and Waid to tell a complex story in an engaging and interesting way. Such a deep narrative would certainly falter under the weight of huge splash pages, and Indro’s evocative, competent art and easily readable pages are perfect for this kind of intricate and emotional storytelling.
Before he leaves, Kato accuses Britt Reid of acting like a god, “casting thunderbolts” from on high. I look forward to reading more of this series to see exactly how high Reid gets before his inevitable fall. I wonder who will cast the bolt that strikes him.
Story: Mark Waid Art: Daniel Indro
Story:9 Art: 8.5 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy
Dynamite Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review.
There’s a lot of comics out this week and some solid choices, but having read this issue last week, it stands out to me as my choice for pick of the week. Satellite Sam #1 is the latest comic by Matt Fraction, but this team he teams up with Howard Chaykin on art.
The series is a noirish murder mystery set in the early days of television. There’s such a great mix of setting, characters, everything. The look, feel, it’s the complete package of a series. This could easily be a contender for “best new series” when the year is up.
Check out below for the rest of my picks in alphabetical order.
MARK WAID’S THE GREEN HORNET #2
Mark Waid (w)
Daniel Indro (a)
Paolo Rivera (c)
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Teen+
Britt Reid has always been a hero to the people, whether in his civilian identity as a newspaper publisher, or as his costumed alter-ego. But in one terrible moment, the Green Hornet turns on the city that he’d sworn to protect, becoming their worst enemy!
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Paolo Rivera black & white art retailer incentive cover
Paolo Rivera “virgin art” retailer incentive cover
One of my favorite writers is Charles Soule and one of my favorite publishers is Archaia. So when I heard Soule’s Strange Attractors was being published by Archaia, I was super excited.
In order to set himself up with a cushy job post graduation, Heller Wilson takes on a subject for his PhD thesis at the behest of his advisor. This leads him to meet with Dr. Spencer Brownfield, a disgraced Columbia professor who spent his career researching Complex Theory, the idea that one can use mathematics to predict large-scale outcomes caused by minute changes in environment. At first, Dr. Brownfield seems crazy, but Heller soon discovers that the doctor’s research might be the only thing keeping New York City from destroying itself from the inside out! Includes a bonus section of complexity maps created by Robert Saywitz.
It’s a pretty out-there concept and one that’s creative and unique. Can’t wait to sit down and tear through it.
Below find out the rest of our picks in alphabetical order.
Mark Waid’s The Green Hornet #1
The Hornet faces his most dangerous enemy ever–an egotistical, arrogant Britt Reid! In his alter-ego as a powerful newspaper publisher, the Hornet has lost control, becoming a social crusader far too sure of himself and of his judgment. But when he finally goes too far, an innocent man pays a terrible price–and the legend of the Green Hornet begins its cataclysmic collapse!
I had been a fan of Dynamite‘s updated Green Hornet series kicked off by Kevin Smith. It felt like a nice update to the character and was an entertaining read until recently. The book took a dive in quality and I was a bit bummed. Then I heard a new series was launching with the original team of Britt and Kato and it’d be written by the talented Mark Waid. I was psyched.
Waid is a master writer of the pulp variety. His Daredevil run has been a modern classic and one of the best ever for the character. He’s taken long-standing icons and reinvigorated them, and in this first issue he brings a solid voice that gets the Hornet back to the basics.
This first issue is two-fold. It introduces the Green Hornet to new readers and also sets the character upon his path in a new, but familiar, way for the old fans. It’s a tricky balance and Waid pulls it off. Through a mix of dialogue and thought bubbles/caption boxes he lays out where this Hornet stands and what his mission is. Though I felt like I’ve seen this a bunch, Waid’s voice was new and interesting. It feels fresh and entertaining.
I’m convinced we’ll see some amazing things on Waid’s run. He’s already setting up a character, but most importantly a world, that’ll keep us entertained and engaged. Mark Waid is a master of the pulp genre, but overall he’s a master storyteller.
Story: Mark Waid Art: Daniel Indro Cover: Paolo Rivera
Story: 8.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy
Garth Ennis’ Red Team #2
The Rules: in which our heroes take a further step down a very dangerous road and lay out their battle plan. But not everyone is happy with the unit’s new direction, especially some of the other players in the game…
Garth Ennis, I generally think is a brilliant writer. The man can often make you think and at the same time present over the top violence to the point of satire. Red Team is a serious voice for the writer, about a team of cops who become corrupt and dish out justice on their own terms. Yes, this is a crooked/vigilante cop story, and it’s amazing.
Two issues in and this is gearing up to be one of the best new series of the year. It’s just amazing in every aspect. The presentation stands out to me. Each story is unveiled with both the narrative of the action, but also in an interrogation room. We know this rouge squad of cops goes wrong, we just don’t know when. We’re also presented how they went off the rails from the cops themselves. It’s an amazing presentation and narrative that’s worthy of a television series.
I’m a sucker for cop stories, so that only makes me more excited for this series. We’re two issues in and this is quickly becoming a series I need to immediately read when I get it in my hands.
If you’re a fan of police drama or crooked/rogue cop movies, this comic is a must have. It’s also a perfect comic to hand to people who are new to the entertainment medium.
Story: Garth Ennis Art: Craig Cermak Cover: Howard Chaykin
Story: 8.75 Art: 8 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy
Dynamite provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review
MARK WAID’S GREEN HORNET #1
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Teen+
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Daniel Indro
Cover Paolo Rivera
FANS, ASK YOUR RETAILER FOR THE
Paolo Rivera black & white art retailer incentive cover
Alex Ross sketch art retailer incentive cover
Paolo Rivera “virgin art” retailer incentive cover
The Hornet faces his most dangerous enemy ever–an egotistical, arrogant Britt Reid! In his alter-ego as a powerful newspaper publisher, the Hornet has lost control, becoming a social crusader far too sure of himself and of his judgment. But when he finally goes too far, an innocent man pays a terrible price–and the legend of the Green Hornet begins its cataclysmic collapse!
The things that divide us are stronger than the things that unite us. East of West is a Sci-Fi Western set in a dystopian America where all hope for the future rests in the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse…who just happen to be trying to kill the President of the United States.
A new series from the team of Jonathan Hickman and Nick Dragotta, not only is the concept intriguing but the artwork is pretty cool too. Hickman is a master storyteller who creates epic adventures. Any creator owned series by him, and you can expect to be challenged and forced to think through interesting concepts and philosophical ideas. Usually that’s surrounded by some kick-ass action.
Since it’s announcement this series has been on my radar as one of the top new ones I’ve wanted to read. If it’s like all of Hickman’s past work, we’re in for a hell of a ride.
