wildstorm Archives - Page 6 of 6

Tag Archives: wildstorm

Review – Sparta U.S.A. #4

Posted on June 5, 2010 by Brett

Sparta U.S.A. has been the fantastic series that came out of nowhere. I’ve been waiting for a crack in it’s excellence and the fourth issue seems to deliver that, though only so slightly.

Sparta U.S.A. #4, written by David Lapham and art by Johnny Timmons, is a mix of politics, philosophy and football and the fourth issue shifts it’s focus from Godfrey McLaine to football star Johnny Franks. And most of the issue seems to rush numerous plot points in an effort to move the story along. In a six issue series there’s a lot to move in and I can’t help but think it might of helped to expand it a few issues to allow better pacing for some of the crucial events that occur here.

I’m still not quite sure what to expect in the final two issues, but I’m hooked. This is a very unique series and I can’t wait to see where it ends up. I’ve enjoyed what’s come so far, let’s see if it scores a touchdown in the end.

Plot: As I said above the series is pretty dense and the pacing so far has been excellent, up to this issue. There’s just so many plot developments and little time given to some of them, that the issue comes off as choppy. But, it’s a key issue moving those plots forward. Overall, I imagine that read as a trade paperback this issue will make a lot more sense, but in of itself, it’s a bit hard to make sense of everything. Rating: 7

Art: Timmons’ art is still solid and fitting of the various different plot’s needs. It’s consistent and hasn’t wavered one way or another for all four issues. Rating: 8

Overall Rating: Definitely the weakest issue of the series but a vital one. There’s only two more issues to go and where I thought it was going is definitely not what reality is. I’m on the edge of my seat in anticipation to see the end game. Overall rating: 7.5

Recommendation: Read

Page count: 22 pages of story Price: $2.99 Release: Wednesday 6/3/2010

DC and Wildstorm provided Graphic Policy with an advance copy of this issue for FREE for review.

Review – A God Somewhere

Posted on June 4, 2010 by Brett

This weekend I took a nice vacation to the beach and was looking forward to reading an unexpected graphic novel that landed on my doorstep Thursday afternoon. I decided to see what was in store for me that night and by Friday I had tore through the entire graphic novel. A God Somewhere is good. Actually it’s great. It a must read, highly recommended purchase and top contender for graphic novel of the year.

Written by John Arcudi, illustrated by Peter Snejbjerg, colored by Bjarne Hansen, and published by Wildstorm, the graphic novel asks what happens to an average person who is given god like powers. It’s not a new concept, in fact it’s been explored numerous times, however this graphic novel’s take, dialogue, plot are entertaining, at times tragic and most important overall, thought provoking.

The story is of two brothers Eric and Hugh and their best friend Sam. Eric, the older protective brother is surpassed by his younger brother who has an excellent job and a beautiful wife. Eric is bestowed with extraordinary powers through a tragic event and his life is immediately turned upside down placing him again in the role of protector.

After a mysterious disaster, a young man named Eric finds that he has just as mysteriously developed extraordinary abilities. He sets out to be mankind’s first true superhero, but his solitary position in the world isolates him in ways no ordinary human could understand. A God Somewhere charts the arc of Eric’s evolution from man to something more, as seen through the eyes of his family and best friend.

We’re taken through events that see Eric deal with his new found power, how it affects his family relationships and how their friend Sam now has to deal with his best friend’s new found stardom and role. It’s three perspectives and as the saying goes power corrupts each differently.

The story is excellently paced with fantastic art and unique perspective. Yes, the story has been done before, but this is the rare comic that will haunt you for days, makes you want to discuss the deeper themes with someone else and best of all make you think. It has something to say, a point to make. It does that, and then some.

Review – DV8: Gods and Monsters #2

Posted on May 25, 2010 by Brett

DV8 wound up on my doorstep last month and I was thoroughly impressed. I sat on it for a month wondering if the second issue would be able to hold up to the same quality. I’m pleased to say that DV8: Gods and Monsters #2 definitely holds up to be as impressive as it’s first issue.

Brian Wood is a fantastic writer. I’m a huge fan of his writing and can’t think of too many instances (if any) of his writing letting us down. Pair that with artist Rebekah Isaacs who’s impressive in her own right and you have a fantastic combination and series.

The second issue picks up right were you’d expect it as it focuses on Bliss and the tribe she’s attached herself to. It’s about what you’d expect of a series of this type where people with amazing powers lord it over average humans. It’s not an original plot and has been done before, but there’s just a great quality here that makes it worth retreading familiar territory. Check out the full review below.

Review – Sparta U.S.A. #3

Posted on May 5, 2010 by Brett

“You find out life’s this game of inches, so is football.”

– Tony D’Amato, Any Given Sunday

Each time we see Sparta U.S.A. on the new release list, we hope there’ll be a package waiting for us from DC and Wildstorm containing the latest issue. We’ve given glowing reviews for the first and second issues. This week, we get an early treat as the issue was waiting at the door on Tuesday. The series continues on it’s mix of football, Americana, politics and fantasy with a little bit teased, but not enough to quite figure out exactly what’s going on.

This issue falls in the aftermath of Godfrey McLaine’s confrontation with the Maestro. The town is uneasy with McLaine’s return and sits on the edge of civil war. Everything is teetering and who knows which way it’ll fall. Politics, action, and mystery all with a football backdrop. Somehow it works, and we can’t be happier.

Review – Garrison #1

Posted on April 30, 2010 by Brett

Hmmm, I got home to find the first issue of the newest DC/Wildstorm mini-series Garrison in the mail. I knew nothing about it, never have seen a preview for it, didn’t notice it on the week’s release list. I was a blank slate. I wish it stayed that way. Though the comic took me about 10 minutes flat to read, it was 10 minutes I’d like to have back.

The series written by Jeff Mariotte and art by Francesco Francavilla feels unfinished like it was a rough plot and script that was polished at all and given a green light on the first try.

The plot involves a serial killer who may or may not be protecting the agent hunting him. We learn he’s a badass by the number of people he’s killed in his 9 week spree. We’re not quite sure the motive for a character that seems to pop in and out with ease. It may or may not be the future, as crime seems to have been dramatically dropped by some agencies I’ve never heard of. This is bad, real bad. Like, I feel bad to review and bash it bad. Sigh.

Plot: The story just has no depth. We know little about the lead agent, the killer just doesn’t seem ominous and the dialogue is laughable. This is a serial killer series for folks who don’t know any better. There’s promise in it all though, and with some rearranging of the events and some tightening of the dialogue, it’s an issue of could have been. There’s so much better writing out there, I suggest you spend your money on that. Rating: 4

Art: The art is just sub-par. For a series about an agent tracking a serial killer you’d expect some gritty art and a lot of shadows and shading. I didn’t really see much of that at all. The character designs are laughable. The killer looks like I could beat him up and in general there’s a lack of detail in the art. This is just bad. Rating: 4

Overall: I’ve already spent too many words on this review and I think you get the gist of it. If you want a good story and some solid art involving serial killers, check out any of the Vertigo Crime graphic novels. Overall Rating: 4

DC/Wildstorm provided Graphic Policy with an advance copy of this issue for FREE for review.

Review – DV8: Gods and Monsters #1

Posted on April 26, 2010 by Brett

I’ve seen previews of the comic series in the back of various other comics I’ve read over the past month. I’m a blank slate when it comes to DV8 and what’s come before. But checking my mail on Saturday I found a copy provided by Wildstorm.

The newest series by Brian Wood and Rebekah Isaacs is fantastic. I can’t praise it enough. The story is told as a flashback in a mystery style, unveiling just a little at a time and from the perspective of the character telling the story.

Beings with super powers are dumped on a primitive planet. Why? We don’t know. Where? That’s kind of unclear as well.

The story unfolds bit by bit as those mysteries are unveiled. Obviously something big went down, that’s clear from the first issue. This is just part one of eight and we’re looking forward to the next seven.

Plot: We’re huge fans of Brian Woods. Such diverse series as DMZ, Demo, Northlanders and Local are all examples of his masterful ability to tell a story and write characters of varying types. This series is no different. The plot is interesting and written in a way we want to learn more. It’s a action mystery with people that have super powers. It teases us just enough and gives just enough detail. Not too much, not too little. Small details are dropped to explain bits and pieces and all of it is relevant. While I might not be totally invested in the characters yet, the plot itself has me hooked. Rating: 9

Art: Rebekah Isaacs provides the visual beauty to Wood’s engaging words. The art has just enough detail to draw you in and not clutter the page and some great visuals. The pages are a beauty to look at and I can’t wait to see what this up and coming star has in store for us next. Rating: 8.5

Overall: Again, I knew nothing about this series and what came before. To me this is a blank slate. A super hero mystery that’s slowly unfolding and I really enjoyed it. If you’re looking for something fresh and new, this is well worth the purchase. Overall Rating: 8.75

Recommendation: Buy

Page count: 22 pages of story Price: $2.99 Release: Wednesday 4/21/2010

DC and Wildstorm provided Graphic Policy with an advance copy of this issue for FREE for review.

Review – Sparta U.S.A. #2

Posted on April 15, 2010 by Brett

I was pleasantly surprised to find a copy of Sparta U.S.A. #2 on my doorstep after being thoroughly impressed with the first issue. To catch you up the series follows the return of Godfrey McLaine (who’s drawn a lot like Colin Farrell) and his attempt to free his hometown from the grip of the Maestro.

The series so far is rich with subtle political themes and some not so subtle (the two main characters are red and blue). Keywords such as “commie”, “freedom”, “choice” are sprinkled throughout the dialogue and McLaine is even accused of being in the grip of a “dangerous political philosophy.”

One could say this is a simple allegory about modern day American politics but then writer David Laphan includes the Muslim concept of Houri and 72 Virgins throwing a wrench in the simple explanation. This shows the writer’s intent of an even deeper philosophical debate that this very well may also be a greater discussion about paradise and what being an American is all about.

Plot: David Lapham (Stray Bullets, Young Liars) continues his dig about political concepts such as “freedom” and “choice”. With the inclusion of the important number 72, we’d also thinks there’s even a deeper debate about the concept of paradise itself. The story can be enjoyed for the simple plot itself or for those that want a good philosophical read, there are rich underlying themes. We’re enjoying it on all levels. Rating: 9

Art: Johnny Timmons continues his excellent art that befits the story. The style continues it’s mix of clean and dirty we described in the first review that fits the “something’s not right” plot line. It’s nice to look at, but it’s the story that’s the focus here. Rating: 8

Overall: Whoever is smart enough to be sending this series to us, please keep it up. It’s one of our favorite politically charge comics on the stand. It’s there and present, but doesn’t beat you over the head or outright spell it out for you. It’s an enjoyable series at all levels and we highly recommend you give it a shot. It’s original, and refreshing and just plain good. Overall Rating: 8.75

Recommendation: Buy

Page count: 22 pages of story Price: $2.99 Release: Wednesday 4/7/2010

DC and Wildstorm provided Graphic Policy with an advance copy of this issue for FREE for review.

Review – Sparta U.S.A. #1

Posted on March 7, 2010 by Brett

Sparta U.S.A. arrive in my mailbox unexpectedly. I wasn’t expecting to receive a copy for review and also knew nothing about the comic book. It’s one in all honesty I would have passed over on the new release shelf. And that would of been a missed opportunity. Set in a Pollyanna American town called Sparta, the series is a sly look at the American Dream, ideals, and has a nice undertone of political commentary. The two main characters are the Maestro, a blue man who runs the town of Sparta and Godfrey McLaine, the hailed quarterback who’s returned after a three year disappearance but now he’s red.

I can’t help but feel that those two distinct colors, red and blue, were chosen as they are the two most associated with the two main political parties here in the United States. It’s clear these two colors are going to clash like the titans of the sport that’s prominently focused upon in the series, football, as well as the two parties that go head to head each election season.

From the DC release:

There’s never been a town more American than Sparta. In Sparta they believe in mom, apple pie and all-American football. They believe in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness through subterfuge, treachery, blackmail, and murder – just like the Maestro taught them as he learned it from the President of the United States. Sparta is such a great place no one ever thinks of leaving, which is good because the mountains are filled with deadly Yeti. It’s been three years since anyone tried, and he was never heard from again… until today.

Today, Godfrey McLaine, the greatest quarterback in the Might Spartans history, has returned from the mountains bigger, taller and redder than when he left. He’s also armed with tales of magic and a secret, which will expose the rotten core of the American Dream.

Though it doesn’t say it outright, this could be some of the most subtle and interesting political commentary out there.

Plot: Written by David Lapham (Stray Bullets, Young Liars) the series begins as a weird look at a town obsessed with football. But there’s more too it, with a hint of magic and fantasy. In the first issue we’re introduced to the major players and are shown all is not right in Sparta. Something is clearly wrong. We’re left with a mystery, but enough of a tease that it made me want to come back for more. Rating: 8.75

Art: Johnny Timmons picks up the art duty for the series with a style that’s befitting the story. I don’t know how to describe it, but it fits the
apple pie but something’s not right” plot of the series. It’s both clean and dirty at the same time. The character design is consistent and the level of detail gives enough to tell the story and not distract with interesting character designs. It’s nice to look at, but it’s the story that’s the focus here. Rating: 8

Overall: The series came out of left field, as I’d never heard of it, and wasn’t expecting to find it in my mail box. I’m very pleased I did as it’s an original story that befits the television screen as much as the comic page. There’s something familiar and fantastical at the same time. The themes seem pertinent and timely but not preachy and definitely doesn’t clock you over the head. We’ll see as the series progresses but we’re looking forward to what might be the most sly series of the year. Overall Rating: 8.5

Recommendation: Buy

Page count: 22 pages of story Price: $2.99 Release: Wednesday 3/3/2010

DC and Wildstorm provided Graphic Policy with an advance copy of this issue for FREE for review.