After Earth One Shot

The official prequel comic to the upcoming film, After Earth, starring Will Smith and Jaden Smith. Hundreds of years after humans fled Earth to escape its toxic atmosphere, the remaining survivors colonize a remote planet and begin to rebuild civilization — but the society they create suffers from deep divisions, with scientific innovators and spiritual leaders often at bitter odds. Even worse, humanity has come under assault by a mysterious alien species, and mankind must band together to protect their new homeworld.

This one shot prequel is very interesting and has me wanting to check out the movie when it eventually comes out. The story though is a bit stilted in that it’s a prequel with the movie being the main story. So, by the time I got to the end, it didn’t feel complete.

But, the story is cool, and the art is solid. The world it sets up, the bad guys, it’s all there to be an awesome movie and for that reason I’m recommending the comic. It’s not for a bit until it comes out (I think) but if nothing else, this’ll get you piqued to see what’s in store for the big screen.

Story: Michael Jan Friedman, Robert Greenberger Art: Ben Lobel

Story: 7.75 Art: 8 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Buy

Green Hornet #29

A new criminal mastermind to deal with, a city flooded with high-tech weapons, a new public perception to manage, and a love life that veers wildly from nonexistent to complicated as hell: Britt Reid is a man with his hands full. Part two of the ARMS RACE arc finds Green Hornet and Kato battling an all-out assault from an imported villain seeking to wipe out all competition and make Century City his own.

What was once one of my favorite series has just dropped in quality with new writer Jai Nitz. The first issue of his first arc, I though might be just the first issue jitters. This second issue follows three different stories, an interesting concept that’s actually pulled off pretty well. My issue is the depiction of the characters, mainly the Green Hornet and Kato.

It’s hard to go into it without giving spoilers, but there’s some actions here while doing a stakeout that I think are just uncharacteristic and takes the tension between the two that’s been building and gets rid of it quickly.

Overall, not the best we’ve seen the series.

Story:  Jai Nitz Art: Jethro Morales

Story: 6.5 Art: 7.25 Overall: 6.75 Recommendation: Pass

Jennifer Blood #18

All Jen Fellows wants to do is bury Jennifer Blood once and for all – and she’s not the only one. Our third arc ramps up to a shocking climax as Detective Pruitt makes her move, Jen makes another difficult decision and several wrongs don’t make a right. You won’t believe where we go from here…

Uh, holy shit.

I’ve been wondering where this series would go after Jennifer’s main mission of killing her uncles was over. It’s taken a few issues, but again, holy shit. This series ramps up the blood shed and goes in a direction I wasn’t expecting at all.

The last issue had a shocking moment and this issue is riddled with them. I used to say this series was the female equivalent of the Punisher, but it’s now so different, so much more. We’re now looking at a character completely losing it and control over her situation unraveling and it’s a fascinating and entertaining ride.

Story:  Al Ewing Art by Eman Casallos

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Buy

Peter Cannon Thunderbolt #2

In “The Grand Illusion,” Peter Cannon heads to Japan on business, reflecting on how his act of rage unleashed a dragon upon the world and led this very private hero to become a very public celebrity. When he arrives in Tokyo, his more immediate concerns include fighting off a mysterious band of assailants—and coming face-to-fact with the mysterious, murderous Master Tiger!

This is an old school character done right. I read the first issue and thought the series was interesting, especially with that final panel of the story. This issue picks up on that, really focusing on Peter Canon and his choice. That’s the really cool concept of this series, it seems to know that and focuses on that.

So many series have teased about heroes pulling one over on the world to bring it together, but this series really explores that and sees what happens. There’s a great old school feel about it all and the art is amazing. I can’t wait to see where this series goes and it’s focus on a protagonist conflicted about his actions.

Story:  Steve Darnall and Alex Ross Art: Jonathan Lau

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Prophecy #4

The end is nigh! The end of the world, that is, now that sorcerer Kulan Gath has summoned powerful Mayan avatars of destruction to reduce the planet to ashes. Earth’s only hope is a motley band of warriors, including Red Sonja, Vampirella, Dracula, Pantha, Herbert West the Reanimator and more, who must stand against Gath’s minions. It’s a contest of champions, with the very survival of our world depending on the outcome.

Writer Ron Marz is the man it seems everyone is going to for their major events and he does them so well, so it’s not a shock at all. This series brings together so many characters together and while I know “of” most of them, I can’t say I read any of their series.

This story is a lot of battles, full of action, it’s “that” issue of the story and there’s nothing wrong with that at all. Bringing all of these characters together, Marz really pulls it off well, playing off their similarities and differences well. The art by Geovani is solid, not amazing, but there’s some great pages in there.

If you’re a fan of big events or these characters, this is a definite must get.

Story:  Ron Marz  Art: Walter Geovani

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Buy

Witchblade Demon Reborn #3

The Demon has been given a leave from hell. He’s been using his limited time on earth to create a bloody trap for Sara Pezzini. Now, as the Demon’s time runs out, the trap is sprung. Victims of the Witchblade’s justice, long since vanquished to hell, return, intent on destroying Sara and dragging her soul back to the pits with them. Sara and the Witchblade must fight for themselves, and for a purely innocent soul: Sara’s young daughter, Hope.

I didn’t read the series that came before this, but I know Witchblade. This series is interesting and much darker than what I’m used to and this issue really focuses on the many people Sara/Witchblade have killed over the years.

The story is a bit choppy, but not bad at all and overall a little trippy. Jose Luis’ art is what stands out compared to the storytelling. Overall, this is really for the hardcore Witchblade fans, but I still ask myself after each issue “why.”

Story:  Ande Parks Art: Jose Luis

Story: 7 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7 Recommendation: Read

Dynamite provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review