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Review: Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters #1

Posted on June 2, 2021 by Brett

Fans of Star Wars will know that Boba Fett took the carbonite encased Han Solo to Jabba the Hutt, but how did that happen? As it turns out, the events in between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi weren’t so smooth. Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters #1 tells that untold tale as we find learn Fett’s trip had a lot of sidequests and distractions.

Written by Charles Soule, the comic feels like it keeps Marvel’s additive focus. The Star Wars comics under Marvel has taken known events and time periods and added depth. They’ve filled in the gaps that we didn’t know and that includes the characters themselves. Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters #1 continues that. We get a bit more about Boba Fett and how he’s perceived. But, we also get that under the cool armor, he’s not always at the top of his game and can get tripped up. His reputation though, is one of a cool, calm, collected bounty hunter. He’s presented as one of the best.

Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters #1 is an entertaining comic in its focus on the Fett. But, it’s what’s added that’s surprising. We get an idea of who stole Solo from Fett before he could be delivered. The reveal is an interesting one folding in some Star Wars history and shows another example of how to mine such a vast history and still deliver something new that works. It’s an unexpected addition and one that potentially has a bit ramification for the Star Wars universe. Fans will be excited for this one.

The art is pretty solid. Luke Ross does a good job of depicting the various characters and the worlds. With Neeraj Menon on color and lettering by Travis Lanham it looks like the world of Star Wars. It’s both alien and familiar. The art isn’t completely smooth though. Boba Fett at times looks like he’s gained a bit of weight. It could be the angle but it’s a bit odd and definitely noticeable. Still, there’s a lot of characters packed into the issue and they’re all recognizable and look close to the real-world counterparts.

What’s also interesting is this isn’t a comic that has a ton of action. There’s definitely moments that punch but overall, the issue feels a bit more like a slow Western building up what’s to come. A lot of the comic is Boba being pissed as to what happened. There’s also the introduction to the mysterious group that stole Solo from him. It’s a lot of getting the ball rolling for the action to come.

Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters #1 is a solid start to the mini-series. The event overall is massive and it’ll be interesting to see how much one needs to read to really enjoy it. Hopefully, this main comic delivers the goods and now that all the players are on the board, we can really get to the action Boba Fett deserves.

Story: Charles Soule Art: Luke Ross
Color: Neeraj Menon Letterer: Travis Lanham
Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology – Amazon – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW

Review: Iron Fist: Heart of the Dragon #1

Posted on January 30, 2021 by Josh Rathbun

One of my favorite characters in the Marvel universe is Iron Fist and I’ve been excited for Iron Fist: Heart of the Dragon written by Larry Hama. Iron Fist: Heart of the Dragon #1 is pretty straightforward: A bunch of undead fighters are looking to kill off the dragons that Iron Fist is protecting and we have bad guys and gals such as Taskmaster and Lady Bullseye in the mix. Taskmaster gets the best of Iron Fist and the heroes are left with a lot of questions as an unexpected death shows up.

Hama mixes a lot of action with a bit of humor, which overall, makes for a pretty good story. It’s a given that Luke Cage is going to be around and his involvement makes for some of the biggest fun. And this is just my opinion but when Taskmaster is involved, I feel like he knows enough people’s fighting styles that he’s even going to beat Danny Rand. When the child Pei struck Lady Bullseye, I thought it was quite hilarious. I really like what I read of Iron Fist: Heart of the Dragon #1.

David Wachter did the art on this issue. I’m not at all familiar with him but he’s got a great-looking style. An Iron Fist book should be filled with action and this book is wall-to-wall action so Wachter had a lot of action sequences to pencil. I love the look and feel of what is put to the page. Neeraj Menon’s colors compliment the pencils and have the proper color pallette for a penciller like Wachter.

This was a really enjoyable first issue that’s got me excited for the next issue. Iron Fist managed to stop the bad guys in this issue. I have been reading Hama’s work on G.I. Joe for years and I’m glad to see him working on a character like Iron Fist. I might not like this as much as his work on the Joes but add in a fantastic artist and this ends up being just what a fan of this half of the Heroes For Hire needs.

Story: Larry Hama Art: David Wachter
Color: Neeraj Menon Letterer: Travis Lanham
Story: 7.0 Art: 6.0 Overall: 6.5

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology – Amazon – Kindle – Zeus Comics

Review: Iron Fist: Heart of the Dragon #1

Posted on January 20, 2021 by Brett

Writer Larry Hama brings his talents to Marvel’s Iron Fist. Iron Fist: Heart of the Dragon #1 kicks off a new adventure for the character which has him attempting to protect the Heavenly Cities as someone is hunting the dragons that power them.

The debut issue is an interesting one dropping readers mostly into the story and only slightly teasing details out. Iron Fist: Heart of the Dragon #1 feels much like Hama’s G.I. Joe work. There’s lots of focus on action sequences as the issue goes from one beat to another. It works in some ways but the packed in issue that has not one, but two major villains to battle, feels a bit too much like a video game. The first level has been cleared, so lets move on to the next.

In his journey, Iron Fist is joined by Fooh who feels more like a comedic extra and also the inventory screen in this video game like story.

Iron Fist: Heart of the Dragon #1 only slightly works as is. It might have been due to the high expectations from Hama writing but there’s something off overall. The comic is a bit choppy and doesn’t feature a natural flow as much as it does levels. First up is Taskmaster to battle and after is Lady Bullseye. There’s little explanation other than they have a mission to get a dragon’s heart, so it all comes off a bit as a thin plot mostly focused on the action. There’s a lot thrown in there but it’s all very thinly connected.

Dave Wachter‘s art is decent. With colors by Neeraj Menon and letterer Travis Lanham, the art captures the action and the packed in sequences. Iron Fist himself looks a little off with the face a bit too round and feels off. The eyes feel apart and face just looks odd. But, there’s some good action sequences and battles, each having a nice flow to them. As the comic moves along there feels like there’s more packed in which is handled without things being overwhelming and it being pretty clear to follow.

Iron Fist: Heart of the Dragon #1 is a bit mixed overall. It might have helped to have slowed things down a little and give more time to let the story be explained and details filled in. As is, the comic is pretty quick paced with the actual story being a little thin and specifics. There’s potential here with a turn your brain off sort of adventure. While it doesn’t meet of expectations, Iron Fist: Heart of the Dragon #1 still delivers some fun.

Story: Larry Hama Art: David Wachter
Color: Neeraj Menon Letterer: Travis Lanham
Story: 6.95 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology – Amazon – Kindle – Zeus Comics

Review: Star Wars: Darth Vader #2

Posted on March 11, 2020 by Brett

The debut issue of the series ended with a shocker, Darth Vader facing down Padmé Amidala. Though we saw her die, there she was, alive and well. Star Wars: Darth Vader #2 doesn’t keep the mystery going long and the explanation is pretty obvious. But, the comic continues to excel at exploring Vader’s motivations and close up a nagging question from the prequels.

Writer Greg Pak delivers a solid second issue that delivers some action but mostly focuses on Vader. Through flashbacks, we get the sense of an individual torn by his history and haunted by it as well. There’s an overarching familiar tone to the comic. Pak presents Vader as a looming ghost stalking faux-Padmé. There’s an infusion of the familiar slasher/horror trope of the slow plodding killer hunting down his victim. It’s a genre infusion that I’ve yet to experience in Star Wars. It’s also an interesting mix for a universe whose various recent releases have reached out more to other genres to explore the familiar world.

Raffaele Ienco‘s art is key for the issue. Star Wars: Darth Vader #2 uses similar visual queues as the first issue. It bounces between Vader’s memories and the current situation. Neeraj Menon‘s colors are important for that. Vader’s memories are shown in red giving us a cold but angry perspective. We see the world and memories through his eyes. Literally coloring our view of his world. We get to see his perspective and how it has warped his mission. It makes his motivations understandable as the reader. But, it also doesn’t justify them since we know it’s a false viewpoint.

Star Wars: Darth Vader #2 is a solid second entry that continues Vader’s quest. What’s interesting is it also seems to address the open question of who knew about Padmé’s death? Star Wars: Darth Vader #2 has interesting implications about information and how it’s wielded and controlled in the Star Wars universe.

Closing unanswered questions while adding depth to Vader, it’s a series that expands Marvel’s positive mark on the world of Star Wars.

Story: Greg Pak Art: Raffaele Ienco
Color: Neeraj Menon Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Story: 8.0 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.9 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Star Wars: Target Vader

Posted on February 17, 2020 by Brett

Darth Vader is on the hunt for a criminal syndicate but he doesn’t know that same syndicate has hired a group of bounty hunters to take Vader out once and for all.

Star Wars: Target Vader collects #1-6.

Story: Robbie Thompson
Art: Marc Laming, Cris Bolson, Stefano Landini, Marco Failla, Robert Di Salvo, Georges Duarte
Color: Neeraj Menon, Rachelle Rosenberg, Jordan Boyd, Andres Mossa, Federico Blee, Erick Arciniega, Giada Marchisio
Lettering: Joe Caramagna, Clayton Cowles

Get your copy in comic shops and bookstores now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Amazon
Kindle/comiXology
TFAW
Zeus Comics

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
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Review: Star Wars: Darth Vader #1

Posted on February 4, 2020 by Brett

Taking place after Empire Strikes Back, Luke has rejected his father’s offer which sends Vader on a mission of revenge. Star Wars: Darth Vader #1 kicks off the latest volume from Marvel focusing on Vader and his haunted past.

Story: Greg Pak
Art: Raffaele Ienco
Color: Neeraj Menon
Letterer: Joe Caramagna

Get your copy in comic shops! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Amazon
TFAW
Zeus Comics

Review: Avengers of the Wastelands #1

Posted on January 28, 2020 by Brett

Set in the world of Old Man Logan, Avengers of the Wastelands #1 has a new team form to stop Doctor Doom!

Story: Ed Brisson
Art: Jonas Scharf
Color: Neeraj Menon
Letterer: Cory Petit

Get your copy in comic shops! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Amazon
TFAW
Zeus Comics

Get a Sneak Peek at Star Wars: Darth Vader #1

Posted on January 10, 2020 by Graphic Policy Team

Get a first look at Star Wars: Darth Vader #1 from writer Greg Pak, artist Raffaele Ienco, and colorist Neeraj Menon (with covers by InHyuk Lee). Arriving next month, the series picks up in the aftermath of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back as a new mission for the fallen Jedi unfolds. In this brand-new story, Darth Vader will have to confront his tragic past as he digs for information on his son, Luke Skywalker! Check out the preview below and how Mike Del Mundo perfectly blends Darth Vader’s past and present in his stunning variant cover below.

Star Wars: Darth Vader #1 arrives in comic shops, on the Marvel Comics App, and on Marvel.com on February 5th!

Review: Star Wars: Target Vader #1

Posted on July 3, 2019 by Brett

Darth Vader has hunted many who have opposed him. Now, he’s being hunted be a hired band of bounty hunters.

Story: Robbie Thompson
Art: Marc Laming, Cris Bolson
Color: Neeraj Menon, Jordan Boyd, Andres Mossa, Federico Blee, Erick Arciniega
Letters: Clayton Cowles

Get your copy in comic shops now and! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Amazon
Kindle & comiXology
TFAW

Review: Star Wars: Target Vader #1

Posted on July 3, 2019 by Brett

While we think of Star Wars mainly in its battles between Rebels and the Empire, it’s so much more. The world features so many genres within and some are used more than others. Star Wars: Target Vader #1 shifts from the space opera to more of a crime story focus.

Written by Robbie Thompson, Star Wars: Target Vader #1 has Vader and Palpatine attempting to stamp out a crime syndicate running guns for the Rebels. Business is good though, and the crime syndicate has a mission too. Hire bounty hunters to take out Vader first.

Thompson delivers the first issue as a complete set up of what’s to come. That includes a trope-filled part where we’re introduced to our bounty hunters. You can imagine the movie screen pausing as the bounty hunter’s name pops up and a voice, or lettering, takes you through what they’re known for. That all helps create a different pace than we’d normally expect for a Star Wars story. The beats feel more like a heist story than what we’ve seen in the past.

The personalities make the comic interesting. While the excitement is a bit muted, we get a taste of just how dysfunctional this group will be. It gets you interested in what’s to come.

The art by Marc Laming and Cris Bolson (and a load of colorists) is pretty solid. There’s a nice shift from the normal humans as far as characters and the bounty hunters are varied in style and look. It helps create a ragtag bunch. What’s also nice is there’s enough design at times that characters are familiar. An example is a Jedi hunting droid who will remind you of a past character. Even with similar attributes the character is unique. But, due to the familiarity there’s a built up expectation as far as what the character will be like.

While the issue doesn’t totally excite, it’s more than enough to get you to come back. There’s something fun about Target Vader. It has a style and voice that feels different than what we’ve seen so many times before. It delivers a new reading experience for an established franchise. This is one to check out for Star Wars fans or just comic readers.

Story: Robbie Thompson Art: Marc Laming, Cris Bolson
Color: Neeraj Menon, Jordan Boyd, Andres Mossa, Federico Blee, Erick Arciniega
Letters: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review