Tag Archives: max landis

Green Valley #2 Gets a Second Printing

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Image Comics/Skybound has fast-tracked Green Valley #2 by Max Landis and Giuseppe Camuncoli to a second printing in order to keep up with increased customer demand.

In Green Valley, the knights of Kelodia are the finest in the land, but they’ve never faced a power like the one that resides in the Green Valley… Welcome to the world of Green Valley… where nothing is ever what it seems.

Green Valley #2, 2nd printing and Green Valley #3 (Diamond Code OCT160612) will be available on Wednesday, December 14th.

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Review: Green Valley #1

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greenvalley01_cover“It all began with one mistake…”

These words appear on the bottom of the cover of Green Valley #1. Written in red Old English surrounding a coat of arms made up of the four Knights of Kelodia, a band of merry men who seem to joke their way through battle in a story that seems half King Arthur and half Lethal Weapon. Now before you scoff at that or let your imagination go wild to the point of confusion, this is very much a fantasy tale wrapped in a buddy cop comedy. I was pleasantly surprised at how funny the writing was in this book, not because I doubt Max Landis as a writer, I love his work, but more because when I first heard about Green Valley, I thought this was going to be a very dark and dreary bloody tale. Well, much like real life, it is both light and dark.

The first three-quarters or more of this book is fun, light-hearted, and made me smile. The pencils by Giuseppe Camuncoli, the ink by Cliff Rathburn, and the colors by Jean-Francois Beaulieu are so breathtaking that it made me feel like I was looking at a gorgeous cartoon that was paused on the best moments. Seriously, the colors in this book are incredible. The art overall makes me feel like it is somewhere between an anime and an old fantasy cartoon like The Hobbit.

The characters feel over the top, but in a good way. The back and forth banter between Sir Bertwald and Sir Ralphus is fantastic. This is where the buddy cop comedy comes into play. Even on the battlefield where they face an army of hundreds with their small group of four, they are cracking jokes and teasing each other. Yes it is silly but is done so well that you want more of it. The other half of the Knights of Kelodia are Sir Gulliver and Sir Indrid. While we see these two knights, this is very much the tale of Bertwald, and Ralphus.

No story would be complete without a villain, and we are given the massive, axe-wielding, self-proclaimed warrior king, Brutus Gargus of Pendergast. We only see Brutus in the beginning of the book, and then again once more, so we still do not know if he is truly the big bad in this book. Then again, there are a lot of things we do not know about Green Valley, but I cannot wait to find out more.

This book went from something I was thinking of picking up eventually simply because of the mention of knights, dragons, and the fantasy setting to an absolute must read. Do yourself a favor, and enter the Green Valley, it is beautiful.

Story: Max Landis Art: Giuseppe Camuncoli
Ink: Cliff Rathburn Color: Jean-Francois Beaulieu
Story: 8.5 Art: 9 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Skybound provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Max Landis’ Green Valley Comes to Skybound and Image

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Beloved screenwriter and creator Max Landis (Chronicle, American Ultra, Superman: American Alien) teams up with penciler Giuseppe Camuncoli, inker Cliff Rathburn, colorist Jean-Francois Beaulieu, and letterer Pat Brosseau for an all-new miniseries from Image/Skybound Entertainment called Green Valley.

The knights of Kelodia are the finest in the land, but they’ve never faced a power like the one that resides in Green Valley. This new nine-issue miniseries will welcome readers into a world where nothing is as it seems.

The idea dates back to when Landis was a kid. The idea persisted and grew and finally comes to life.

Green Valley #1 will hit comic book stores on Wednesday, October 5th.

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Review: Superman: American Alien #7

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Superman American Alien #7 CoverAfter a massive explosion rocks downtown Metropolis, Clark finds himself face-to-face with a white-skinned alien riding a flying motorcycle—and the eyes of the world are all on this so-called Superman! But when Clark’s attempt at reason fails and the bounty hunter reveals some unpleasant truths about Clark’s own alien origin, a brutal showdown begins!

Superman: American Alien #7 wraps up writer Max Landis‘ mini-series exploring different facets of Superman. Reteaming with the artist Jock, this issue is an interesting one in that it does a lot in a single issue and it all comes together in the final pages.

The issue has Superman going up against Lobo who is on Earth to deal with a bounty hunter thing. But, the introduction of Lobo does a few things, primarily introducing the concept of “aliens” to Earth. Up to this point Superman has jut been a guy with superpowers and the world doesn’t know his alien origin.

Landis does some smart things in that the way he introduces “aliens” feels almost in stark contrast to a certain film with Superman and the reaction is polar opposites. Landis is able to put Superman over to borrow a wrestling term, instead of casting him as the other and enemy. The resolution helps in that it’s fairly contained and destruction minimal in some ways.

He also uses it to reveal the truth about Krypton to Superman, making his emotion and reaction feel natural. But that’s part of the logic of Landis’ use of Lobo in this way. He too is the “last” of something, so while that connection isn’t completely spelled out for new readers, it is mentioned enough to see that was clearly on Landis’ mind. It also asks the question again, what to do when someone is the last of something and you need to stop them.

The art by Jock is interesting and I’m not 100% sold on Superman’s design here. It looks like he has armor on his shoulders at times, it’s odd. But, Jock can rock Lobo. I love the last Czarnian’s look. The action, plus Lobo, make up for any other issues I had and I honestly focused on that a whole lot.

The issue is a nice end cap to Landis’ series. It’s a solid story and the various themes feel like they come together here. For fans of Superman, this is a series that’s one you have to check out.

Story: Max Landis Art: Jock
Story: 7.65 Art: 7.55 Overall: 7.6 Recommendation: Read

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Superman: American Alien #5

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Superman American Alien #5 CoverNow regularly patrolling the skies of Metropolis as an anonymous figure known to some as “the flying man,” 24 year old Clark Kent has become a local celebrity. But when he overhears a report on his police scanner about a 20-foot-tall purple monstrosity that’s tearing the city apart…Clark encounters real power for the first time.

Writer Max Landis has been breaking down the basics of Superman with each issue focusing on an aspect about the character and taking us throughout his life. Last issue had him coming to Metropolis and in this issue his alter ego is starting to emerge as he dons an outfit that’s a combo of Jet from Rust and Batman (which is a great nod to last issue).

The issue is focused on of why Superman does what he does. What drives him, and what goes through his mind? It’s an interesting read that mixes in some decent action with Clark and Lois chatting and Superman’s first confrontation with Lex Luthor. It might seem a bit shallow in discussion and simplistic as to Superman’s motivation, but I still found myself lingering at times, especially in Lois and Clark’s chats. Landis is clearly choosing his words carefully and the chats show that off.

First up when it comes to the art, can we talk about the cover by Ryan Sook? Holy crap is it good. I want this art, and I want Sook on Superman as an ongoing!

The interior art by Francis Manapul is awesome. Manapul is a favorite artist of mine and I find his style is amazing when it comes to action, especially motion. He goes to town with some amazing design, but just fantastic art. What I think surprised me was Manapul with the quieter moments of Lois talking to Clark, it just pops and the small motions each make, their body position tell as much of the story as the words.

This series continues to impress me, and is easily the best Superman comic on the market right now. It has rarely faltered and kept me entertained while exploring the character. Such a fantastic series and I’m looking forward to the final two issues and see where Landis takes us.

Story: Max Landis Art: Francis Manapul Cover: Ryan Sook
Story: 8.4 Art: 8.6 Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Superman: American Alien #4

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SMAA_Cv4Clark travels to Metropolis for the Cerberus Summit, a rare meeting between three of the world’s most prominent young chiefs of industry: Lex Luthor, Oliver Queen, and the enigmatic Bruce Wayne. Landing an exclusive interview with any of the three would all but guarantee Clark a prestigious internship with the Daily Planet…but Clark runs into some unexpected competition when he meets another college journalist named Lois Lane.

I’ve generally really enjoying writer Max Landis‘ exploration of Superman. Bouncing around through his life each issue sports a new artist, this one is Jae Lee. After looking at his youth and teenage years, this one has Clark heading to Metropolis to begin his early career at the Daily Planet… with an internship. There he meets Lois Lane, who looks Asian? The art is a little odd at times in Lee’s distinct style.

What I like what Landis has done here is that he uses the rather bizarre third issue which had Clark being mistaken for Bruce Wayne by Oliver Queen. That continues here as Queen, Wayne, and Luthor come together for a meeting of the giants and Queen again mistakes Clark for Wayne.

While we do learn a bit more about Clark, I think the bigger thing here is a focus on Oliver Queen and Lex Luthor (and a cameo by a certain Batman and Dick Grayson). A lot of the issue feels like it’s Queen and Luthor discussing their visions, what they’re hoping to accomplish, and their philosophies. This issue isn’t about Superman as much as it is about the corporate pillars of the DC Universe.

What Landis does fantastic is giving Luthor a philosophy that’s hard to argue against. It’s his view, for good or bad, and it’s an interesting one, especially when he compares himself to Wayne and Queen. What drives those two to do good and Luthor to go his route? Some of that is laid out here.

As I said above Lee’s art is hit and miss. Some times I enjoy it, some times I don’t and this issue is a mix. Some of it, especially panel layout, is fantastic, but tere’s something I don’t completely dig, especially is character design. Lois, and Clark at times, look Asian at times, which is a little weird. Also is an issue is that Dick Grayson looks like a miniature version of Clark too, the faces don’t vary much. What I do dig is Lee’s Lex Luthor who looks fantastic.

Overall, the series is a solid one and I’m enjoying where it’s all going. This is one I think the whole will be better than individual issues, but those individual issues are pretty damn good.

Story: Max Landis Art: Jae Lee
Story: 8.2 Art: 7.2 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Read

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Superman: American Alien #3

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Superman American Alien #3When his plane crash-lands in the middle of the ocean, 21-year-old Clark Kent finds himself at a raging party on a massive yacht and is mistaken for the guest of honor: billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne!

Superman: American Alien #3 is an interesting comic. As a story completely on its own, it’s really fun, entertaining. But, when you start to think about the comic, it’s completely absurd in many ways.

Written by Max Landis, this third issue is an interesting one. Each comic has looked at one aspect of Clark Kent’s evolution in to Superman. This issue takes him to young adult hood and has him impersonating Bruce Wayne in a case of mistaken identity. Plus Oliver Queen is there… and add in Deathstroke! Yeah, it’s all a little weird and as long as you don’t think too hard, the comic is fun and entertaining. But, the situations Clark is put in to are so over the top unlikely with too many known characters that factor in later in his life. Then there’s also questions that are left open like what happened to the pilot that was with Clark. Yeah, silly is a good way to describe it.

The comic is supposed to be a way for us to reflect upon Clark’s humble beginnings versus that of Bruce versus that of Oliver, all of whom later become superheroes. But, a much more effective way would have three different stories bouncing between the three individuals at this similar point in their lives. The plot Landis uses to have this discussion is just too out there for me to really get in to it and enjoy the “debate.”

The art by Joelle Jones is great as always. Jones style gives us a cool design that makes it believable that Clark could be mistaken for Bruce. The hedonism is fun, the art matches the vibe really well and Clark actually was presented as drunk in as believable way as you can on the printed page.

I can see what Landis was trying to do here, I just think it could have been done in a better way that wasn’t so over the top unbelievable and a ridiculous scenario. As part of the overall series, this could work, but as a stand alone, it misses the mark.

Story: Max Landis Art: Joelle Jones
Story: 6.8 Art: 7.9 Overall: 6.9 Recommendation: Pass

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Superman: American Alien, the Most Relevant Comic Story in Pop Culture Today

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imgres-1Max Landis is writing probably the most relevant comic story in major comic pop culture today, Superman: American Alien. At least in my opinion. I swear, this story’s view-point of using Superman to shed light within American immigrant community is; bold, insightful and absolutely fantastic. As a natural citizen of the U.S., I have never come yo know the difficulties of coming to this country and trying to fit in, as one who faces coming from a different culture and country all together. The way Max is using Superman’s abilities when he’s coming of age and trying to figure them out as a symbolic theme as trying to fit in the norm of American lifestyle and or learning the American ways as an outsider is both heart breaking and deeply insightful.

The best part that I have come to really enjoy in this comic series so far is, each issue is a self-contained issue. So, if someone grabs one issue and not another, they wont’ be clueless on what’s going on. They will get a complete story within each issue. And let me just say, each one story that I had the pleasure of reading this far has been worth every penny I spent in my comic shop. The way he opens each issue up and gives such good dramatic deliverance of a story, in a small page count is utterly insane!

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Another facet I know readers will come to enjoy is the layers of back story each comic gives in the art alone. At the end of the issues you have, usually, a two page spread of things from the Kent’s home life that delivers a heavy back story into Superman’s backstory that we all remember hearing about and or new things this book is adding to the mythos of Superman. It really gives a real authentic look into a such an iconic fictional character, that you get a sense of how things would really have worked out for the Kent family household if Superman really did exist in our world. Which as a Superman fan, I am getting a huge damn kick out of. Hey, what can I say? I have a soft spot for old blue.

Now getting back to another important issue that this comic is telling us within its fantastic symbolism, is this.

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How becoming an American citizen as an immigrant can be viewed from all ages. You see, each issue is Clark/Superman trying to “fit in” as he is wildly different from everyone else around him and how he feels alienated. It doesn’t matter what age you are, coming to this country and trying to fit in must be hard as hell. Wether you are learning a new way of speaking, new culture, new histories and the different way of life thing all together, Max does a superb job at really encompassing all this and delivers such a powerful truth to the reader if they were to sit down and take a hard look through a fictional characters eyes how becoming an American can be so difficult seeking a new way of life in our country. Honestly, I am really hoping this dude gets en Eisner Award for his writing in this book. It’s beyond what you would expect from a Superman comic, but, it’s something we all knew we wanted in some way. And Max is driving it out the ball park.

And now for the art team… Man… The way Superman: American Alien changes its art style to fit each story is brilliant. Whether it’s a boy facing his fears of being different or a teenager trying so desperately to fit in, each comic has a unique look and feel that is so fitting for the story, that feels like your immersed in the story. I truly am amazed how well this book is coming out. The whole creative team behind this comic should feel proud on there work on this book.

Now I know its been a long while since I wrote for you fans here at Graphic Policy, so remembering our rating system is a little off, so I’ll say this:

Story: Amazing!  Art: Amazing! Over all: Perfect! Recommendation: Buy it!

Talk with y’all soon family

-Flip Knox

 

Review: Superman: American Alien #2

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Superman American Alien #2After Smallville experiences its first violent crime in years, teenager Clark Kent is pressured by his best friend Pete Ross to take matters into his own hands.

The first issue of Superman: American Alien was one of the best takes on the Man of Steel in quite some time. Writer Max Landis really nailed what makes Superman so special and magical.

Landis is joined by artist Tommy Lee Edwards for this issue which takes us to Clark’s teenage years and his powers are more pronounced. It also appears that a lot of folks know about them.

A situation comes forth and he has to decide to use those powers for good versus staying more low-key and not putting himself in danger. He’s still not completely bullet proof, and his control isn’t quite there. It’s an interesting story that’s a good second follow up, but it doesn’t quite have the innocent fun of that first issue.

This is a much darker tale, and Clark is clearly a teenage torn about using his powers. There’s some good topics that come up like his use of his x-ray vision, just as you think teenagers would discuss, and those moments are highlights for the issue.

I can see what Landis is trying to do and explore about the character, a mix about his learning to use his power to seek justice, as well as trying to not be found out. There’s also the relationship with his parents and friends. It’s an ok take, but doesn’t totally work for me.

Tommy Lee Edwards’ art is solid and I like a lot of his previous work. It really fits the tone of the story and works super well. There’s some solid work and small details that make a lot of the panels pop. I really like Ryan Sook’s cover, in fact loved it since it debuted in solicits.

The second issue of Superman: American Alien isn’t bad, it’s just a very different tone than the first issue, so it’s best to go in to the comic expecting it as single issues of an anthology that share a character. Still, the most interesting Superman comic I’ve read in some time.

Story: Max Landis Art: Tommy Lee Edwards
Story: 7.2 Art: 8.1 Overall: 7.3 Recommendation: Read

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Superman: American Alien #1

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Superman American Alien #1 CoverHollywood screenwriter and Eisner Award nominee Max Landis joins forces with top comics artists including Jock, Francis Manapul and Jae Lee to bring us Superman: American Alien, a 7-issue miniseries chronicling the life of Clark Kent and his development into the archetypal hero he will eventually become. But these are not the stories of the iconic “Superman” as you know him, but of the soft-spoken, charming, often-funny Kansas farm-boy behind the Man of Steel.

In the solicit for this limited series we’re told to expect a range of stories from heartwarming to gritty and violent. Superman: American Alien #1 is definitely in the former category with a story that gave me feels and put a smile on my face.

Landis for his first issue takes us to the early years of Clark as he’s just learning about his powers and before he knows what he is. In this case most of the issue revolves around his ability to fly, and with that comes the excitement, fear and more that’d revolve around that. He doesn’t have control, he doesn’t know what’s going on, he just knows he keeps floating into the air.

With that pretty simple idea Landis gives us a fun, funny, and heartwarming story. There’s just something very innocent to it all, and while the comic isn’t deep, it has tons of heart about it all. When you get towards the end, Clark’s enthusiasm is at a point its infectious.

It also is subtle in many ways. Landis lets us know what Clark’s parents are thinking in many ways just through the art. What is not said is as telling as what is said. That’s very much due to Nick Dragotta‘s art. I really like Dragotta’s art on East of West and it translates perfectly here with a style that enhances the innocence of it all in a weird way.

This is easily one of the best Superman comics DC has put out in a while, and I can’t wait to check out the rest of the series. This is another comic I came to the end and want a pairing of these two creators going forward with this character. Comics should be fun, and this comic is. The excitement of it all soars off the page.

Story: Max Landis Art: Nick Dragotta
Story: 8.4 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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