Author Archives: Brett

Zatanna: Bring Down the House #1 delivers some debut magic

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Zatanna: Bring Down the House #1

And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for…please put your hands together for Zatanna Zatara! The greatest entertainer in the crappiest hotel and casino of Las Vegas! Not that the ritzier spots on the Strip haven’t come calling, of course. But since a devastating instance of magic gone wrong that forever changed the course of her childhood, Zatanna would much rather live out her days as a top-hat-and-fishnets-wearing sleight-of-hand stage act than bother with real magic. These days, she doesn’t think much of the past at all. That is, until an interdimensional vortex cracks open during Zatanna’s act, and a terrifying demon crawls out to kill her. If she hopes to survive the horrors that follow it, she’ll need to take herself and her power seriously for the first time in a long time–and fast. Because when it comes to your past, you can run…but you can’t hide forever! Zatanna: Bring Down the House #1 is a fantastic start that delivers a lot of tricks and a little bit of magic for a debut issue.

Written by Mariko Tamaki, Zatanna: Bring Down the House #1 puts the spotlight on the beloved character in a DC Black Label series that’s intriguing.

Zatanna is a magician who doesn’t do magic. Instead, she works at a Las Vegas casino entertaining with tricks for those who buy a waterpark ticket. While offered a lucrative gig by another casino, she’s focused on her life and rather grumpy. Something from her past is bothering her and through flashbacks we get a sense of the trauma that sticks with her today.

Tamaki delivers a focused issue that has Zatanna being stalked in multiple ways, metaphorically and literally, as she struggles with her life. She’s clearly uneasy seeking out answers from others, a listless individual who feels a weight on her shoulders that’s holding her down and back. There’s a lot to relate to with that by readers. Tamaki mines the experience that we’re all haunted by our past, decisions, and mistakes, and we all struggle in some way to move forward. The amount may vary from person to person. It creates a debut that’s relatable and sucks readers in.

The art by Javier Rodriguez is solid. With color by Rodriguez and lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, the comic’s visuals are sexy but not distracting. Zatanna was always a titillating character and Rodriguez acknowledges that with the art with teases. The visuals also play off of Zatanna’s issues as well. Visual queues ups the paranoia and unease that Zatanna oozes. It captures a character that’s unsettled.

Zatanna: Bring Down the House #1 is a fantastic debut that does a massive amount of justice to a character who has a solid fandom. It’s a great start that brings excitement and a lot of depth and humanity to the character and sets up what should be another interesting release from DC’s Black Label.

Story: Mariko Tamaki Art: Javier Rodriguez
Color: Javier Rodriguez Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

Gatchaman #1 entertains but doesn’t excite

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Gatchaman #1

A mechanical terror has descended upon numerous cities and the world’s greatest scientists are disappearing. Our only hope: Science Ninja Team Gatchaman! As they battle these machinations from the international terrorist organization known as Galactor, their strength, willpower, and even vehicles are pushed to the absolute limit. If they fail…who’s waiting in the wings to take their place? Gatchaman #1 kicks off a whole new adventure for the classic anime series.

I have vague memories of the Gatchaman anime. I remember the designs. I remember the character personalities. And, I remember some of the battles, but overall, it’s a property I remember very little of. It’s not one that hits the nostalgia button for me. So, going into Gatchaman #1, I was intrigued to see if this new series would jog any memories or get me to want to go back and explore what came before. Unfortunately by the end, it didn’t do any of that.

Written by Cullen Bunn, the issue is a pretty basic beginning. A scientist has a new energy source. The bad guys send a giant monster to attack. Gatchaman and his team must fight the monster and save the day. It has a plot and execution that feels like it could have been an episode plot. It has a nostalgic, classic, feel about it. And without much else, it really plays to those who are massive fans of the property.

In an age where we have Power Rangers, Voltron, and so many more, Gatchaman #1 goes up against similar concepts with a bit more flash. So, in the end, the issue, and concept as a whole, feels a little quaint and dated. None of it is bad but it also doesn’t stand out and so much similar with so much more going for it, has come out in the decades since this originally debuted. The first issue feels a bit held back by its source material and clinging to it.

The art by Chris Batista is ok. There’s nothing bad about it, but like the story itself, it doesn’t stand out either. With color by Carlos Lopez and lettering by Buddy Beaudoin, it captures the look of what came before but it doesn’t use the comic page’s strength either. It’s pretty straightforward as far as visuals.

Gatchaman #1 isn’t a bad start but it also doesn’t stand out. For those who love the property, I’m sure they’ll enjoy the relaunch and maybe what’s to come will deliver some of the unexpected which will add excitement. But, as far as debuts, it introduces the characters and that’s about it.

Story: Cullen Bunn Art: Chris Batista
Color: Carlos Lopez Letterer: Buddy Beaudoin
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read

Mad Cave Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #2 is full of shocks

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X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #2

Cable, Exodus, Mirage, Wolverine, and more – Apocalypse saw great potential in twelve hand-picked mutants. But when a thirteenth contender crashes the tournament, endangering the lives of thousands in the process, will any survive to carry on in Apocalypse’s footsteps? Not if Mister Sinister has anything to say about it! X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #2 is n action-packed issue full of surprises as the group battles Genocide!

The debut issue of X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse was an interesting one that was a bit of mystery as to what was going on but also delivering a lot of background. Writer Steve Foxe packed the issue to catch readers up, provide motivation, challenges, and some action as well. The issue ended with Apocalypse’s son, Genocide attacking and forcing the contestants to do battle.

X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #2 is focused on the battle with Genocide as Steve Foxe adds a little more motivation for some characters but primarily focuses on the battle. We get a sense of who stands out as likely candidates to be the heir of Apocalypse and lead the mutant nation on Earth.

Foxe shocks in the issue though by seemingly killing some of the characters, surprises for the series but also headscratchers as to where things go from here for them. It does add a sense of danger to what’s to come and lives are now on the line. There’s some odd choices in dialogue and spending some time on one character’s invitation from Apocalypse when they are ones that look slain, but overall the comic is packed with action and excitement. It keeps the classic style the first issue established.

Netho Diaz‘s art too is classic in a way. With ink by JP Mayer and Sean Parsons, color by Alex Sinclair, and lettering by Clayton Cowles, the issue looks great in the battle. There are some issues though with some of the poses feeling rather odd and not natural. That’s most evident in the final panel that involves a confrontation. It just feels rather odd visually. But, Diaz has a flair for the dramatic and there’s a great use of closing in on his subjects to emphasize the moment by using something as simple as an eye and reaction to what’s seen.

X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #2 is an interesting issue that feels like one long fight but it removes some players from the board. It continues its throwback style in both story and look. Overall, like the first issue, the second feels like there’s going to be some long-term ramifications after this series wraps up.

Story: Steve Foxe Art: Netho Diaz
Ink: JP Mayer, Sean Parsons Color: Alex Sinclair Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

Sereno: The Nightwatchman has some fantastic visuals and a cool pop-serial style

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Meet SERENO, the Mystic Master of Light and guardian of New Teia, a city where magic and science intertwine by night!

An avatar of collective Paranoia, a shepherd of Nightmares, and a Cult of Hate are just the start of an evil conspiracy transforming the city. Can Sereno fight back while keeping super cat burglar Rufián from stealing… his heart?

Story: Luciano Vecchio
Art: Luciano Vecchio
English Translation Editor: Alexandro Segade

Get your copy 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.

Kindle

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Void Rivals #10 begins to put the puzzle pieces together

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Void Rivals #10

Secrets of the Sacred Ring revealed! Void Rivals finally puts the “energon” in their corner of the Energon Universe! Void Rivals #10 packs in the teases and reveals for an interesting issue that makes the bigger picture clearer.

Void Rivals has been an interesting series since its debut. The first issue launched the “Energon Universe” with a guest appearance by Jetfire. It was a surprise, kicking off the relaunch of Transformers and G.I. JOE with a series that had no real connection. Ten issues in, we’re starting to finally see that connection.

Written by Robert Kirkman, the previous issue featured Springer the popular triple-changer, in what felt like another guest appearance. Void Rivals #10 delivers the backstory to his appearance and it teases so much more. For ten issues we’ve gotten hints that Void Rivals was an underlying story about energy and resources and it’s in this issue we get the confirmation that Energon is involved. But, that’s not all and to say more would ruin the surprise and fun.

This second arc has been a very slow build and slog but it would seem that Void Rivals #10 and what’s to follow will make the wait pay off. There’s a lot packed in and it adds to the Transformers history in interesting an unexpected ways.

The issue also does a great job of playing up the aspects of the trio of universes that make up the Energon Universe. G.I. JOE is the organic side of things, the Transformers are the mechanical side of things and Void Rivals is that in-between blending the two. The implications should set things up for years to come.

The art by Lorenzo De Felici continues to be solid. With color by Patricio Delpeche and lettering by Rus Wooton, the comic continues its interesting look that plays up the aspects of the three worlds of the Energon Universe. While not robotic and not organic, the world of Void Rivals is a cold world. The designs feel like brutalist architecture, emphasizing the people of the story. This issue continues that though we get to see Springer’s headquarters, adding in the robotic nature of Transformers but still feeling like Void Rivals. There’s clearly thought in how the visuals of all three series stand apart but at the same time go together.

Void Rivals #10 is the highlight of the second arc so far. It begins the payoff and wait for what has been a slow go of a story. It’s implications are massive and will reverberate across all three lines of comics. For fans of Transformers, this looks like one that’ll be a must get.

Story: Robert Kirkman Art: Lorenzo De Felici
Color: Patricio Delpeche Letterer: Rus Wooton
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

Skybound provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

Absolute Power: Ground Zero #1 is a good introduction to the upcoming event

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Absolute Power: Ground Zero #1

As the DC Universe braces for the Absolute Power blitzkrieg, the key to capturing metahuman powers on planet Earth will at last be unlocked! Bridging the events of Batman, Superman: House of Brainiac, and Suicide Squad: Dream Team, this special oversize Ground Zero issue brings Waller’s total dominance to the doorsteps of the world’s finest heroes…using the combined might of Failsafe, Brainiac Queen, and the Suicide Squad to do it! Absolute Power: Ground Zero #1 is a good introduction to the upcoming event setting up Waller’s plan.

Absolute Power is the upcoming summer event that has Amanda Waller taking on the heroes of the DC Universe. Years in the making, the planning for the event has been meticulous with pieces of the puzzle being sorted and in Absolute Power: Ground Zero #1 they come together more.

With three stories by Nicole Maines, Mark Waid, Chip Zdarsky, and Joshua Williamson, Absolute Power: Ground Zero #1 adds three more pieces to that puzzle as we see Waller building her team to take on DC’s heroes. But, what the comic does well is show that no matter how far ahead you’ve thought, Waller is further steps ahead of that. She’s playing the long game and has no issue with getting her hands dirty to make her goal a reality.

Big events are always interesting as they often launch out of stories that have been years in the making but at the same time need to be relatively easy for new readers to dive in to. Absolute Power: Ground Zero #1 achieves that focusing on Waller continuing to put her plans together. It gives you a good idea of who these characters are and while it doesn’t fully reveal the plan, it delivers an ominous tone as to what’s to come. It also gives us some drama in those manipulated by Waller, drama where you can feel bad for those she bends to her will.

The art is solid. Skylar Patridge, V Ken Marion, and Gleb Melnikov handle the pencils while Patricio Delpeche and Melnikov handle colors, and Steve Wands the lettering. The comic looks solid capturing DC’s “style” and delivering action that’s fun and interesting to follow. The team also does a solid job of the emotional punches. We get some solid moments throughout as those manipulated by Waller struggle with their actions and Waller herself uses AI to manipulate another. It looks great.

Absolute Power: Ground Zero #1 is a nice chapter to the event that will likely get people interested in what’s to come. It does feel like it’d have had greater impact as the Free Comic Book Day release, but as is, it does a good job of keeping long time readers engaged and introducing what’s coming to new readers. It’s a tease of a potentially solid event to come.

Story: Nicole Maines, Mark Waid, Chip Zdarsky, Joshua Williamson
Art: Skylar Patridge, V Ken Marion, Gleb Melnikov
Color: Patricio Delpeche, Gleb Melnikov Letters: Steve Wands
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Purchase

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

Blood Hunt #4 continues with the surprises and excitement

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Blood Hunt #4

Doctor Strange and Clea court a dread ally – but at what cost comes this aid? Hunter’s Moon and Tigra do the same- but can this shadowy figure be trusted? And meanwhile, the Avengers are given the battle they so sorely crave in order to avenge their fallen friends. But in the darkness… a light? Blood Hunt #4 is another fantastic issue for one of the best events Marvel has released in years.

Four for four. Each issue of Blood Hunt has been fantastic, delivering action and a lot of surprises. As the previous issue ended, Blade dropped an ancient temple on New York City. In Blood Hunt #4 we not only get an idea as to what it is but also who’s been pulling the strings the entire time. Yes, some of the issue is predictable in that way but overall, it’s another chapter that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat.

Writer Jed MacKay has knocked it out of the park with this event that is tightly written and focused. Yes, there’s lots of tie-in issues and a some mini-series, but the main story is cohesive without all of that and impressively can be enjoyed on its own but also is a payoff years in the making.

Where Blood Hunt #4 gets really interesting is the ramifications to come. There’s some deals cut here that are unexpected and will shake things up when the dust settles. It’s also an issue packed with some “hell yeah” moments as the heroes and their allies take the fight to the vampire nation and Blade. It’s an issue that hits all the right beats.

That’s helped by the art of Pepe Larraz. With color by Marte Gracia and lettering by Cory Petit, the comic does a fantastic job of balancing horror and superhero comics. The visuals nail the big moments and will have readers excited for the battle to come in the next issue. There’s some panels that pop and a few characters who haven’t looked better. It’s all top notch visuals that nails the excitement and action delivering an issue that’s as fun to look at as it is to read the dialogue.

Blood Hunt #4 is another fantastic issue for a fantastic event and series. There’s so many moments in this issue that stand out and some fantastic visuals that pop. It’s an event that both feels grand and focused. It’s epic and also small at the same time. It’s also one of the best events Marvel has released in years.

Story: Jed MacKay Art: Pepe Larraz
Color: Marte Gracia Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 8.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

Green Lantern heads to HBO from MAX for Eight Episodes

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Lanterns

Lanterns, based on DC Comics‘ Green Lanterns has been picked up as a series for HBO. The DC Studios‘ series is going straight-to-series order with Chris Mundy as the showrunner and exec producer. As already revealed, Damon Lindelöf and Tom King will serve as executive producers and will co-writer Lanterns with Mundy.

The series will follow new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.

Green Lanterns are space cops who get powers from rings infused with energy.

The character Hal Jordan was portrayed by Ryan Reynolds in the 2011 movie Green Lantern. Nathan Fillion will play the Green Lantern Guy Gardner in the upcoming Superman film which will come to theaters in July 2025.

Hal Jordan was created by John Broome and Gil Kane and debuted in Showcase #22 in 1959.

John Stewart debuted in Green Lantern #87 in 1971 and was created by Neal Adams and Dennis O’Neil.

BOOM! Studios’ Filip Sablik leaving company

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Filip Sablik

There’s been a lot of rumors swirling about BOOM! Studios for quite some time. The latest news is a bit of a surprise. President of Publishing and Marketing Filip Sablik will be leaving the company for adventures unknown.

Sablik joined BOOM! in 2012 after being the Publisher at Top Cow Productions. Initially the VP of Publishing and Marketing, Sablik was promoted two years later to President.

Sablik has become a spokesman for BOOM!, representing the company at industry events, giving interviews, and more but has become a prominent respected voice in the industry as a whole. During his time at the company, it’s released numerous hits and moved into BOOM! Direct, leveraging crowdfunding to release projects in addition to traditional comic sales.

It’s unknown what his next steps are but at the same time of Sablik’s departure, BOOM! Studios’ Founder Ross Richie has returned to social media after being relatively silent for some time. Richie is currently the Chairman of the Board, a position he moved into from CEO in May 2021.

It’s unknown who might fill Sablik’s shoes at BOOM! but the company still counts Stephen Christy (President, Development) and Matt Gagnon (Editor-in-Chief) as part of its leadership.

Wherever Filip lands, assuming it’s another publisher, will be lucky to have him.

Deprog #3 adds a lot of background but also is a bit predictable

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With Les going undercover in the Adaptogentic desert bathhouse, Tate and Vera are staked out in a sleazy motel. As Les attempts to resist seductive hippie girls, Vera finally learns the backstory of Tate’s cult upbringing, which is weirder than anyone could have possibly imagined.

Story: Tina Horn
Art: Lisa Sterle
Color: Gab Contreras
Letterer: Apparatus Revolution

Get your copy 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.

Third Eye Comics

Dead Sky Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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