Tag Archives: tom muller

Alpha Flight #1 delivers a predictable but entertaining start

Posted on by
Alpha Flight #1

Alpha Flight has a new mission, saving Canada from the mutant menace!? Guardian, Puck, Snowbird, and Shaman return as Canada’s superhero team but now they’re doing to bidding of the government to abuse and detain mutants. That puts them at odds with Aurora, Northstar, Nemesis, and Fang, who are on their own mission t protect them. The Fall of X fallout continues with a focus to the north in Alpha Flight #1.

Written by Ed Brisson, Alpha Flight #1 is an entertaining comic. Unfortunately, it’s also rather predictable so far. Fall of X has delivered a new status quo and the anti-mutant hysteria has reached Canada. They’re bending over backwards to discriminate and abuse mutants, and Alpha Flight is one of the ways they’re going to do it. The concept of the a team split like this is something that drew me to the comic. The fact I loved reading Alpha Flight back in the day helped too. And Alpha Flight #1 reminds me of those older comics in a way. The team is very much in the “following orders” mindset which is something we’ve seen before but you can also tell there’s something more going on as well. Again, something we’ve seen before. The comic delivers a story that’s a bit retro in a way like that.

Scott Godlewski handles the art with Matt Milla on color and lettering by Travis Lanham. It’s all pretty solid. The characters look good. The action is solid. There’s also a weird dread about it all, even though everything also feels very clean and spot free. There are really solid moments visually though none so far I’d call epic. Again, it reminds me of Alpha Flight comics of the past in that way as well. It’s all good to look at.

Alpha Flight #1 is a good start. I’m not sure if it’s a series to read with each issue or collected based off the first issue, hence my “read.” I think the first issue is a bit too predictable in that way so if there’s more twists and turns to come, then that’d change things in the long run, but, it’s a fun and entertaining read and solid addition to Fall of X.

Story: Ed Brisson Art: Scott Godlewski
Color: Matt Milla Letterer: Travis Lanham Design: Tom Muller, Jay Bowen
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Children of the Vault #1 adds a new wrinkle to Orchis’ plan

Posted on by
Children of the Vault #1

The Children of the Vault are back, and they are determined to be humanity’s salvation! But not everything is as it seems, and every utopia has its costs. What is the motivation behind these highly evolved beings gifting the world with their advanced technology? Children of the Vault #1 has these intriguing villains re-entering the playing field as Orchis is well into their plan of wiping out mutants.

Written by Deniz Camp, Children of the Vault #1 is an intriguing comic though at times it doesn’t quite make sense. The Children of the Vault, now calling themselves the Children of Tomorrow, have awoken and are sharing their knowledge and technology with the world. You’d think this is something Orchis would have issue with, but it’s dismissed in a quick scene. It’s a bit of a headscratcher, and kind of frustrating in that it doesn’t make sense, but likely a plot point that’ll be returned to later on.

Where Camp’s story is really intriguing is Bishop’s mission. A one man army, Bishop is now destroying Orchis facilities but he needs help from Cable, who has been captured by Orchis. From there, it’s a solid action filled breakout, some humor, but the Bishop reminding us how much of a badass he is and how much bad blood these two have between them. While the force of Bishop and Cable is something Orchis should fear, the two’s history with each other sets up that this will be a rather rocky road. What’s also dipped into is how Orchis is winning everyone over, putting them in the sights of Cable and Bishop as well.

The art by Luca Maresca is pretty good. With color by Carlos Lopez and lettering by Cory Petit, the issue is packed with action and solid visual moments but also isn’t flashy. There’s a few scenes that could be seared into readers’ memories with great battles, but that’s not this comic. There’s an almost reserved and grounded aspect to it all. The comic’s visuals does do a great job of balancing the action, quieter moments, emotion, and humor. Each scene really hits its beat, with the visuals playing off of the writing nicely.

Children of the Vault #1 sets up a triangle of competing interests and hate and it’ll be interesting to see how it shakes out. There’s some clear possible allies here as well as possible enemies. Overall, it’s a “Fall of X” piece of the puzzle that’s frustrating in some ways but also creates an intriguing conflict ahead.

Story: Deniz Camp Art: Luca Maresca
Color: Carlos Lopez Letterer: Cory Petit Design: Tom Muller, Jay Bowen
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Unravel a burning unsolved mystery in Blacking Out

Posted on by

Fire and murder blaze across the deserts of Southern California in Blacking Out, coming soon from Dark Horse Books. Originally funded on Kickstarter, this noir crime adventure will be published for the first time as a hardcover graphic novel. From the minds of comics industry veteran and writer Chip Mosher and legendary artist Peter Krause, with colors by Giulia Brusco, letters by Ed Dukeshire and logo by Tom Muller comes this new dark thriller.

A disgraced ex-cop, Conrad, seeks redemption by unraveling an unsolved murder during Southern California’s fire season. Conrad follows a lone clue—a discarded crucifix—to unravel the death of Karen Littleton, whose body was found amid a blaze that scorched 10,000 acres. The search leads him to clash with the victim’s father and prime suspect, Robert Littleton, as well as hostile former colleagues on the local police force. All the while, Conrad combats his consuming alcoholism and fading faculties. 

Will his “questionable” methods net him a murderer, or will the grizzled detective be brought to his knees by heartbreak and addiction? Find out in this all-new edition of Blacking Out, a scorching crime noir comic set in a small town in the dry California desert.

The Blacking Out hardcover will be available in bookstores April 23, 2024 and in comic shops April 24, 2024. It is available for pre-order now on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and at your local comic shop and bookstore and will retail for $19.99.

Blacking Out

Shadowkat rises in X-Men #25

Posted on by
Shadowcat X-Men #25

After the mutant massacre at the Hellfire Gala, what becomes of the X-Men? X-Men #25 by Gerry Duggan and Stefano Caselli sets out to answer that question and establish the new status quo for the X-Men line. The issue serves as a launch pad for the Fall Of X, showing us the dire straits the X-Men and their allies find themselves in. It’s not an easy task to set this all up but X-Men #25 succeeds at what it sets out to do and then some. 

The focus of the issue is Kate Pryde and her journey to becoming Shadowkat. The change is more than just a new codename and costume, it comes with a much darker shade of Kate Pryde than we’ve seen in this entire era. She’s more tense and distant, a far cry from the heart of the X-Men that was once Kitty Pryde. Luckily the change is a well-motivated one. In the most stunning scene of the issue, we perfectly see what causes such a drastic personality change. Special mention has to go to Peach Momoko’s fabulous design for Shadowkat, it calls back to earlier iterations of Kitty’s costume while giving her a fresh new look.

Outside of Shadowkat, the issue has excellent world-building. Duggan deftly shows the reader how bad it’s gotten for the Mutants. It all feels wonderfully believable. There is a scene towards the end of the issue which calls back to a contentious moment from earlier in the run, while I initially had issues with that aforementioned moment it’s absolutely paid off here in this issue when it comes back around in a dramatic fashion. 

Caselli’s art has never looked better than under the coloring of Marte Gracia. While I loved his art on X-Men Red and the dragon ball sensibility he brought to that book, I was never quite a fan of how his art looked here in the flagship title. However, this issue has won me back over. The other artist for X-Men Joshua Cassara is a hard act to follow up but here Caselli surpasses my wildest expectations. 

X-Men #25 had a difficult task ahead of it, being the first issue for the Fall Of X and thus a burden of setting much of the stage for the new era. However, Duggan and Caselli craft an issue worthy of the flagship title, steering the ship into dangerous new waters. If you have any interest in the X-Men’s next chapter then this is one to pick up

Story: Gerry Duggan Art: Stefano Caselli
Color: Marte Gracia Letterer: Clayton Cowles Design: Tom Muller, Jay Bowen

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

X-Men: The Hellfire Gala 2023 delivers shocks we’ve seen before

Posted on by
X-Men: Hellfire Gala 2023 #1

Warning Spoilers(?)

“Welcome to the X-Men. Hope you survive the experience.” That has been said quite a lot over the years. So much that it’s become a joke. It’s a joke based on a truth. The X-Men have a high body count among its members where massacres, genocide, mass killings, mass murder, are all regular events. So, it shouldn’t be surprising that this year’s X-Men: The Hellfire Gala treads that rather overused “shock” to the extreme.

Each years’ X-Men: The Hellfire Gala has been a flag planted in the ground. The one-shot not only introduces a new team of X-Men but also sets up the year to come. It has done that with over the top moments that take the X-Men on an even grander scale. One re-introduced them to the world. Another terraformed a planet. Now, in 2023 we get a new “mutant massacre.”

Written by Gerry Duggan, X-Men: The Hellfire Gala crumbles the excess and grand concepts that were started years ago in House of X/Powers of X. I had problems with those concepts. They took what were a minority group that any minority could see themselves in and instead had themselves declaring they’re the “new gods” with a sovereign nation, acting benevolent while manipulating history, and overall flirting with nationalism. The X-Men have been torn asunder, forced back to their roots, hated, hunted, and a fraction of their population.

And when I say fraction, I mean fraction. While what has happened is sure to be undone to some level in the future, the sprawling cast is now but a handful and that is part of the problem with the issue. We’ve seen this all before. Many times. So, the only way to go is bigger. WAY BIGGER. It’s been done before so much “mutant massacre” is used in the comic. That’s just a bit of the stilted and at times dodgy dialogue from Duggan.

The comic features an X-Men squad worth of artists (maybe two squads). Adam Kubert, Luciano Vecchio, Matteo Lolli, Russell Dauterman, Javier Pina, R.B. Silva, Joshua Cassara, Kris Anka, and Pepe Larraz all contribute. Rain Beredo, Ceci De La Cruz, Matthew Wilson, Erick Arciniega, and Marte Gracia all provide color. The art is pretty solid with some muddled moments and a few panels that don’t quite work (what’s up with Cyclops’ hair in the beginning). It delivers the shock the story sets up and visuals that almost have the impact intended. Maybe if I wasn’t so jaded in this direction, the art would feel grander. But the art in some ways feels reserved, eschewing too many multi page spreads for packed pages and panels.

X-Men: The Hellfire Gala is entertaining in its own ways, but its shock at this point has little emotional impact. It’s been there. Done that. X-Men: The Hellfire Gala sets up an intriguing new direction for the X-Men to come. The idea of Wilson Fisk aiding the X-Men is intriguing. Nightcrawler’s teased direction has potential. The direction for Ms. Marvel is far too clear (the comic isn’t subtle in its foreshadowing). It returns the X-Men to their roots shifting them away from the benevolent gods of the past few years. Like Orchis, the comic delivers a swift brutal attack on the status quo for the line, leaving it in shatters and leaving lots of potential.

Story: Gerry Duggan Art: Adam Kubert, Luciano Vecchio, Matteo Lolli, Russell Dauterman, Javier Pina, R.B. Silva, Joshua Cassara, Kris Anka, Pepe Larraz
Color: Rain Beredo, Ceci De La Cruz, Matthew Wilson, Erick Arciniega, Marte Gracia
Letterer: Virtual Calligraphy,Design: Tom Muller, Jay Bowen
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

The Quiet Council Collapses Into Chaos In Immortal X-Men #12 

Posted on by
Immortal X-Men #12

Professor X, Emma Frost, Hope Summers, and Exodus are all barred from voting after the events of Sins Of Sinister. Nightcrawler has disappeared and left his vote for Storm. Storm has left both her votes to Colossus. Worst of all Colossus is under the mind control of his evil brother Mikhail Rasputin. What will become of the Quiet Council of Krakoa in Immortal X-Men #12!?

This issue is finally Colossus’s POV issue. It’s picking up the thread from X-Force centering on his mind controlled state. Under the pen of the reality warping Mutant The Chronicler Colossus is stripped of his free will, almost completely the subject of his master’s whims. I say almost completely because we do see that Colossus has limited control. He’s a slave to The Chronicler’s script but he can still try and bend that script in his favor, which mostly manifests in futile cries for help. Writer Kieron Gillen doesn’t conclude Colossus’s plot which surely will continue in X-Force. However, Gillen shines a light on how Colossus fights for control. 

The drama of this issue is akin to the series finale of Succession, it’s the same kind of dramatic tension and manic pacing that made that such an intoxicating finale. In many ways Immortal X-Men #12 is the climax to the building tension in the series, the Quiet Council collapses in what essentially amounts to a coup d’é at an exhilarating pace. 

Lucas Werneck’s art is as much of a delight as ever. Throughout this run, Werneck has done a spectacular job spicing up what’s essentially a political drama. The emotions are striking, each character perfectly posing in every panel. 

Immortal X-Men #12 is a reminder of what a strong series this is. It has startling implications for Krakoa that surely will lead into the Fall Of X come August. Gillen and co craft a fascinating look into the character of Colossus while telling a story of political intrigue and power grabs.

Story: Kieron Gillen Art: Lucas Werneck
Color: David Curiel Letterer: Clayton Cowles Design: Tom Muller & Jay Bowen
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

The X-Men Do Mutual Aid In X-Men: Before the Fall – Mutant First Strike #1

Posted on by
X-Men: Before the Fall – Mutant First Strike #1

The small town of Milford, New Hampshire, is rocked by a deadly supposed Mutant attack! How will the Mutants of Krakoa respond to such a devastating strike? With mutual aid of course! 

In preparation for the upcoming Fall Of X event, Marvel has been doing a series of Before the Fall one-shots. But what is the purpose of these one-shots? What are they setting up, and how will that affect the Fall Of X? X-Men: Before the Fall – Mutant First Strike #1 by Steve Orlando and Valentina Pinti is about showing the Mutants using their immense power for good, all the while the threats loom on the horizon. 

Through his work on various X-books, Steve Orlando has demonstrated an affinity for bringing back long-forgotten and underserved characters like Wicked, Nemesis, Brimstone Love, and even 90s Spider-Man villain Judas Traveler. Here is no different. This issue gives lots of forgotten characters moments of heroism during the humanitarian crisis. A lot of thought is given to the creative use of various powers. It’s interesting to see how the X-Men use their powers for aid instead of fighting some foe.

The art by Valentina Pinti and the colors by Frank William is serviceable. The expression work is good and the visualization of powers is creative. It doesn’t exactly blow me away, but everyone on the art side is doing a good job. I’m probably underselling it a little bit, but the fact of the matter is that the issue doesn’t have a lot of action. However, in those brief moments of action, I do think Pinti’s work shines. Overall it’s lively and expressive art and does everything it needs to do.

X-Men: Before the Fall – Mutant First Strike #1 isn’t an essential issue. That being said, it’s still a solid one. The issue doesn’t reveal much but it does give the Mutants one big heroic hurrah before the Fall Of X.

Story: Steve Orlando Art: Valentina Pinti
Color: Frank William Letterer: Travis Lanham Design: Tom Muller w/ Jay Bowen
Story: 8.0 Art: 7.5 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Read

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Prepare For The Fall Of X In X-Men #22

Posted on by
X-Men #22

When the X-Men’s greatest foes assemble, will they be able to withstand the onslaught? For the last few issues, the X-Men were up in space fighting the Brood, a conflict that has driven a wedge between Jean Grey and Cyclops. In X-Men #22 by Gerry Duggan and Joshua Cassara, we change focus to a more terrestrial but no less deadly threat, the anti-Mutant organization Orchis. Orchis has it out for the X-Men and mutantkind as a whole. With the upcoming Fall Of X event, things aren’t looking good for the merry Mutants. 

Much of the issue concerns the rising threats to X-Men. Orchis is making moves that we will surely come to term in full during this year’s Hellfire Gala. Like in a game of Dominos Duggan is carefully lining each threat up while we are left to watch in horror and anticipation. It’s good tension-building and it’s interesting to see in which ways the various threats are manifesting. The meat of the issue is an engaging standoff between the X-Men and Orchis agents who are kidnapping Mutants. It’s a fun fight with a lot of good little character moments.

Duggan’s writing is great but what made me want to do this review was the art. Cassara’s work is gorgeous as always. The action is extremely well choreographed and sequenced. The lettering by Clayton Cowles gives a meaty impact to each hit or move. When Free Comic Book Day 2023: Avengers/X-Men (2023) #1 came out. I wrote on my personal Tumblr how I was struck by the creative team of Cassara and colorist Marte Gracia. Gracia is perhaps one of the best colorists working today and he brings his A-game here. The colors are vibrant and bring a unique kind of life to Cassara’s pencils. I think what I wrote in my Tumblr post still rings true so I’ll quote from it here. 

“It’s interesting to see Marte Gracia color Joshua Cassara. When I first learned Cassara would be taking on X-Men I wondered if his style would fit. I was mostly familiar with Cassara’s work in books like X-Force or X Lives of Wolverine by color artists like Guru-eFX or Frank Martin. Who both have dark, moody styles. However, Gracia brings his characteristic flair. There is an almost Saturday-morning sensibility to the art. Cassara’s thick bulky men are perfect for this bright action. It’s tapping into the same vein of design as John Romita Jr’s art. It’s also notable how VC’s Clayton Cowles’s lettering works concurrently with the art. Each punch alongside sound effects feels weighty and impactful. It’s a combination of creatives I’d like to see more of on X-Men”

X-Men #22 is an interesting issue in the lead-up to the Fall Of X. It sets up plot threads while also delivering a satisfying single-issue story within that larger picture. With great art, it’s certainly an issue you’ll want to pick up if you have any interest in the ongoing X-Men narrative.

Story: Gerry Duggan Art: Joshua Cassara
Color: Marte Gracia Letterer: Clayton Cowles Design: Tom Muller w/ Jay Bowen
Story: 8.5 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

X-Men: Before the Fall – Sons of X #1 is a bit of a mess

Posted on by
X-Men: Before the Fall - Sons of X #1

A man of innumerable personalities and powers vs. the most powerful artificial intelligence in this universe: Legion vs. Nimrod! With Nightcrawler in Orchis’ clutches, David Haller and his allies will have to confront the mastermind who destroyed Warlock and nearly took Krakoa with him. X-Men: Before the Fall – Sons of X #1 feels more like a finale to the storylines that were as opposed to really setting up the much anticipated “Fall of X.”

With Sins of Sinister wrapped up, the X line of comics is in a weird spot as they must not only deal with the fallout of that event but also go back to previous plotlines as well as moved forward to the next storyline, “Fall of X.” It’s all a lot to pack in and X-Men: Before the Fall – Sons of X #1, written by Si Spurrier, seems to have that unenviable task of attempting. The short version is, Nightcrawler has been captured as part of a plan by Orchis to build up negativity towards Krakoa. They’ve manipulated mutants to attack, creating a situation where the public and governments may turn agains the mutant nation. Legion and his allies want to get Nightcrawler back, stop the bad guys… and they have to deal with the fallout of an alternate reality that only Mother Righteous can remember.

Much of the comic is dealt with deals and planning, catching readers up with what’s going on in a voice that feels like a fantasy. It’s all a bit jumbled and odd, bouncing around in focus and hinting at what’s to come. It also wraps things up rather nicely with numerous plots just wiping away a lot of potential and interesting things to explore in one fell swoop. It’s all a little odd in that a lot of what’s explored could have just been dropped with little to no impact to the story and world, an example being Banshee’s entire plotline. It serves little in this comic and its ending would indicate little going forward. It makes for a comic that at times feels like filler and other times rushed to get things wrapped up nicely before the next story can begin. And that next story is danced around over and over in ways that become eye-rolling, especially since much has been spoiled. It’s like when the hero says the name of the movie with a wink to the audience.

The art by Phil Noto is good. With lettering by Clayton Cowles and design by Tom Muller and Jay Bowen in the end the visual enjoyment will come depending on if you like Noto’s style. I myself go back and forth with it and while some works here there’s other moments that don’t for me. It’s completely subjective and your taste will vary. There are some panels that are fantastic, particularly Mother Righteous’ battle with Nimrod but overall there’s something that feels like it’s missing for me.

X-Men: Before the Fall – Sons of X #1 isn’t bad and as a finale to close the books on previous storylines, it does a decent job. But, that seems to be all it does and some of that with a wave of a hand. Coming after an event like Sins of Sinister too, it all feels like an odd timing of release. Those who got hooked from that even will be lost by it all. This is one for those who have been reading these series up to this point only, new readers will want to stay away.

Story: Si Spurrier Art: Phil Noto
Letterer: Clayton Cowles Design: Tom Muller, Jay Bowen
Story: 6.75 Art: 7.0 Overall: 6.75 Recommendation: Pass

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Sins Of Sinister Dominion #1 Caps Off The Event With A Bang

Posted on by
Sins of Sinister: Dominion

I’ve been unsure of my feelings toward the Sins of Sinister event. It has been an intriguing experiment in comic book storytelling. Three sets of issues focused on three distinct eras, year 10, year 100, and finally, year 1,000. Sins of Sinister: Dominion #1 by Kieron Gillen, Paco Medina, and Lucas Werneck is the final issue to this eleven-part saga, and by god what an issue it is. Whatever my opinions on the rest of the event, you have to hand it to the creative team for nailing this issue in every conceivable way possible

Sins of Sinister: Dominion #1 opens with the final battle for the Moria engine, Sinister’s creation which allows him to create save points in time that he can infinitely reset to. Functionally this means he can save scum as you would in an RPG, trying over and over again to get the result you want. Earlier in the event the engine was stolen. It’s the MacGuffin at the heart of the event. So the final battle begins with various players all vying for control of the engine for their sinister ends.  

Gillen crafts a fun issue, One that comes with a whole heap of startling and exciting revelations and developments. It’s a real page-turner that will keep the reader on their toes. You can feel the scale of what is being played here. There is some epic utilization of various powers. Sins of Sinister: Dominion #1 honestly has dizzying implications for the future of the X line. So often events can feel like big nothing burgers where everything goes back to a status quo with nothing changed. Not here, we get a lot of change which offers exciting new avenues for the next chapter of the X-Men’s story. Wrapping up an event is never an easy thing to do, but here Gillen succeeds by leaps and bounds.

I was a little apprehensive of Paco Medina’s art at first. To me, it didn’t quite fit the grim dark tone established for the one-thousandth year of the sinister era. However, upon further reading, it all clicked. Medina’s art has a manic energy, which perfectly fits this desperate scramble at the end of time. It reflects the desperation and panic of our leading characters. Medina also delivers on the big bombastic moments befit of a riff on Warhammer 40k. 

Similarly, everyone else is doing an exceptional job, Lucas Werneck’s work is amazing as ever and helps tie the event in further with his work on Immortal X-Men. The coloring by Bryan Valenza and lettering by VC’s Clayton Cowles is dynamic and perfectly fits the tone and story of the issue, helping bridge the gap between the two artists.

I’m blown away by this issue. It’s Gillen and co at their very best, truly delivering an exciting installment in this ongoing narrative that will send shockwaves throughout the line. Personally, I can’t wait to see where these creatives take the story next!

Story: Kieron Gillen Art: Paco Medina, Lucas Werneck
Color: Bryan Valenza Letterer: Clayton Cowles Design: Tom Muller, Jay Bowen
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

« Older Entries Recent Entries »