Alex K Cossa, Author at Graphic Policy

Author Archives: Alex K Cossa

DC Rebirth Roundup: Jan 31st’s Comics

Posted on February 6, 2018 by Alex K Cossa

Welcome to Graphic Policy’s DC Rebirth: Recap And Review where we take a look at the comics released under DC‘s Rebirth banner and try to work out just how accessible they are for new readers – we’ll also be providing recap of sorts for the relevant story beats up until the issue in question in order to help you figure out if the series is something you’re interested in.

Each comic will receive a rating of Friendly or Unfriendly based on how easy it was for new readers to pick them up; the ratings are based solely on the issues released in the post-Rebirth ongoing series. More consideration regarding the comic’s accessibility will be given for the specific issue being read rather than the series overall, but if reading a back issue will help, then that will be mentioned. You’ll also notice that each comic will get a rating that falls on Graphic Policy’s typical ten point scale, which is there to help you pick between issues if you only want to check out one or two.

Not every comic is covered week to week, and that’s because I sometimes forget to read them (although that doesn’t happen often), or I really can’t bring myself to pick up the issue. If I have missed an issue, typically I won’t go looking for back issues to catch up on events – this feature is all about accessibility for new readers, after all.

Deathstroke Annual #1 Leaning heavily on the previous events in the series, this isn’t the easiest annual to just pick up and read, but it does give you a sense of where the series is at currently, so in that sense it’s almost Friendly. 6.7/10

Detective Comics Annual #1 The origin of Clayface (re)told! This issue is very Friendly for new readers, and is also perhaps the best comic DC have put out all week. Exploring the tragic fall of Basil Karlo as he transforms into the monster Clayface, Batman is seldom seen here, instead becoming a bogeyman in the dark as we watch a man turn into a monster. 8.7/10

The Flash Annual #1 Wally West (the red headed Wally) was lost in the timeline for the entirety of the New 52, and now he’s back – but the world doesn’t remember him. This annual focuses a little on the fallout of a previous story in The Flash, but there’s no recap needed as the relevant details are all included. The annual itself tends to center around Wally West’s journey and sets the character up for the next year or two (or more) with some cool Speed Force moments to quench your thirst for Flash action. Yes, this is Friendly, and it’s also worth checking out if you’re interested in the Scarlet Speedster. 8/10

Harley Quinn #36 It has been a long time since I read this series, so there’s no recap to be had, but once you figure out that Harley has somehow been infected by the Man-Bat serum, you’ll find this Friendly enough if you do want to read it. I was reminded of why I haven’t missed the series, however. 5/10

The Silencer #1 A new character from the events of Dark Nights Metal, and thus no recap necessary (I say that because I have no idea where the original appearance for the character is – it could well be this issue for all I know). The comic’s Friendly, though with little obvious to tie in with Dark Nights Metal. Worth a read if you enjoy John Romita Jr’s art. 7/10

That’s a wrap for this week folks. I’ll see you next time!

Mini Reviews For The Week Ending 2/3

Posted on February 4, 2018 by Alex K Cossa

Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling short reviews from the staff of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full review for.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews.

Jon

Kill the Minotaur TPB (Image): This revisionist re-telling of the Greek legend of Theseus managed to hold my interest but I doubt that I’ll remember much about it next week. Co-writers Chris Pasetto and Christian Cantamesa show they can craft a good plot and artist Lukas Ketner graces his pages with a nice blend of Ray Harryhausen and H.R. Giger but the characters are largely trope ridden cliches and the team never manages between themselves to do anything that lifts this treatment above any of the hundreds of times you’ve heard this story before. It’s worth it if you find the single issues in the dollar bin or catch a sale on ComiXology or you find it on the shelf at your local library. Rating: 6 Recommendation: Pass

Motherlands #1 (DC/Vertigo): Tabitha Tubach is a bounty hunter trolling a surreal multiverse for wanted criminals and the daughter of “The Scarlet Sylph”, once one of the most renowned stars of the golden age of “huntertainment”, now disabled and retired. When Tabitha brings in a perp with information regarding one of the most wanted people in existence mother and child must team up to bring them in. Motherlands is far from writer Si Spurrier’s best work. The pacing didn’t feel quite right to me and I saw the last page cliffhanger coming about ten pages in advance. That said I’ve enjoyed enough of his other work (his Legion run was fantastic) to give this one at least one more issue to hook me. The characters are strong, there’s a lot of potential in the concept and the art by Rachael Stott is very good. Stott’s elegant style keeps things detailed without being cluttered and her sense of design provides us with a few weird visions that aren’t quite like anything we’ve seen before. There’s also a nifty bit where letterer Simon Bowland uses the shape of the word balloons to help indicate movement between worlds in the chase scene. Rating: 7 Verdict: Buy.

Eternal (Black Mask): Haunted by ghosts both literal and metaphorical shield maiden Vif must make a stand. This is a gorgeous book. Artist Eric Zawadski has a spare style that recalls Becky Cloonan and he adds lots of flourishes to his layout that enhance the story and draw you into the world of medieval Viking village. Colorist Dee Cunniffe assists the illusion with a muted a muted palette that brilliantly recall the spectres of cold and frost. Ryan K Lindsay’s story is good but it suffers from the constant leaps from past to present. This makes it hard to comprehend on a first read. Still it’s rich enough that you’ll want to read it twice. Rating: 7.5 Recommendation: Buy

Phoenix Resurrection Jean Grey #5 (Marvel) Even coming up with enough to say for a short review is a challenge. The art by Leinil Francis Yu is up to his usual high standard and Joe Bennett’s is adequate I guess. As to Matthew Rosenberg’s story… well, one mutant character I like is back and another is dead (for now) and yet I felt absolutely nothing after reading this. Maybe I would have a different response had I been reading the series straight along from issue#1, but if you can’t manage to eke out some emotion from the climactic moment in your story then you’ve failed in whatever it was you set out to do as a storyteller. The first part of Dark Phoenix Saga I read was the last and that inspired me to go back and read the whole thing from the beginning. This doesn’t do that at all. I’m hoping X-Men Red#1 will rekindle my love for mighty Marvel’s merry mutants because this issue left me cold. Rating: 5 (and that’s mostly because I like Yu’s art). Recommendation: Pass

Ryan

Animosity #12 (Aftershock)** – I wanna keep loving Sandor, but Marguerite Bennett is making it tough, as the secrets around everyone’s favorite over-protective dog continue to grow. Unfortunately, the suspense surrounding the current main plot — a humans vs. bees war — has been constructed in a bit more slipshod manner. It still makes for okay reading, but only that — okay reading. Fortunately, while the writing on this frankly over-franchised series has been slipping lately, Rafael De Latorre’s art continues to both shine and consistently improve. Overall: 6.5 Recommendation: Read.

Punisher Max: The Platoon #5 (Marvel/Max)** – The penultimate issue of Garth Ennis and Goran Parlov’s “Punisher In Vietnam” mini-series continues to ramp up the high-wire tension without letting up on either the razor-sharp characterization or the pitch-pitch combat writing. Frank’s left in a real pickle at the end of this one, and how it’s all going to play out is anyone’s guess — quite a feat considering that we all know our protagonist and most of the other principal players are sure to get out alive. Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Underwinter: A Field Of Feathers #4 (Image)** – Speaking of penultimate issues, there’s just one more to go in Ray Fawkes’ impressionistic horror series, and he sets the stage for what should probably be a terrific finale by giving away just enough of his hand in this admittedly heavily-expository installment — but not too much. The lush and atmospheric art seals the deal, and all in all I have to say that I’m missing this comic before it’s even over with. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Dark Ark #5 (Aftershock)** – Cullen Bunn and Juan Doe put their first arc on this series to bed with an installment that sees an accidental (and frightening) visit to the Ark by a gaggle on angels that ends with our protagonist seeing his mission changing in abrupt, and sure-to-be-fascinating, fashion. Good as the scripting is, though, for my money Doe’s stylish and darkly atmospheric art and colors are the real star of this book. Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Logan

Jean Grey #11 (Marvel) Dennis Hopeless and company’s solo story of time displaced Jean Grey and a major chapter in the ongoing “Phoenix saga” comes to a close as Jean battles the cosmic firebird in a kind of limbo between life and death. This purgatory-esque framing narrative provides a great opportunity for Victor Ibanez and Alberto Albuquerque to show Jean fighting in various cool locations like Limbo, the Savage Land, and best of all, the fiery pits of the Days of Future Past reality featuring the hound, Rachel Grey. But the comic isn’t just a fight for time, but young Jean coming to terms with who she is as a woman and X-Man without the Phoenix’s interference. Corresponding to the main story in Phoenix Resurrection, Hopeless finishes out his story by creating a reality where two Jeans can interact and learn from each other and not continually have to fight back and forth for the whims of a flaming avian plot device. I look forward to seeing what future writers do with them. Overall: 8 Verdict: Read

Patrick

Big Trouble in Little China: Old Man Jack #5 (Boom!)** – In the latest issue of this romp through the apocalyptic future that Jack Burton caused, we throw down with the Three Storms. “There will be no popping! This time will be much weirder!” This series is a hoot: John Carpenter & Anthony Burch’s script has a breakneck pace and Jorge Corona’s art is energetic and expressive, with a cartoony style that still really delivers on the action. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

NOW #2 (Fantagraphics)** – I am so, so very happy that this anthology exists! Not only does it give me the chance to regularly see work by artists I know like Dash Shaw and Sammy Harkham, but I get to discover even more work. At 120 pages it’s the perfect size, too, for a week of bite-sized reading. Highlights this time around for me: Tommi Musturi’s “Samuel”, with colourful landscapes that reminded me of a more formally-precise Peter Max, Anuj Streatha’s “National Bird” (with an absolutely brilliant image at the centre of it that I can’t get out of my head), James Turek’s “Saved” (“Let’s remember/Those throw away days/When going nowhere meant so much”) and Ariel Lopez V.’s hipster Twilight Zone piece “A Perfect Triangle” (and now that I’ve said “hipster Twilight Zone” I just want this artist to do more of them). Go give these people your money so they can make more art. Overall: 7.5 (because, after all, anthology) Recommendation: Buy

Shean

Star Wars DJ Most Wanted (Marvel)– Having watched the Last Jedi, honestly it was hard to find a reason to care about Benicio Del Toro’s mysterious character. So when I found out they were doing a prequel story,I wanted to give the character another chance, in hopes of finding out what would happen in the next movie.Unfortunately, that potential was never realized in this story. Sad to say, but fans of Star Wars, should keep moving, nothing worth your time here. Overall: 4 Recommendation: Pass

Punisher Platoon #5 (Marvel)**– We catch up with the Platoon soon after they get deployed into another high visibility area, one which leaves them more open then they know. Ly Quan, Frank’s “mirror” female version, finds her opportunity to pounce and that’s exactly what she does. This quagmire leaves Frank and the boys, in a position where they can neither retreat nor surrender, as Ly Quan has a taste for blood. By book’s end, it seems the Platoon is as good as dead, but as everyone who has read the Punisher knows, Castle has no quit in him. Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

Joe

Moon Knight #191 (Marvel) – After the wackiness of the last few but fun Moon Knight runs, I wondered where Bemis would take this run. I am happy to report that it is so far so good for Mr. Spector and his friends. The art is great, the plot is crazy fun, and the jokes are funny. Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Old Man Logan #34 (Marvel) – Marvel has continued it’s Legacy branded nostalgic trend of tapping into past storylines across their titles, as Old Man Logan digs deep into Madripoor, Silver Samurai, and The Hand. This was a fun issue, and I have enjoyed every issue of Old Man Logan, with this being no different. Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write. See you next week!

Please note that with some of the above comics, Graphic Policy was provided FREE copies for review. Where we purchased the comics, you’ll see an asterisk (*). If you don’t see that, you can infer the comic was a review copy. In cases where we were provided a review copy and we also purchased the comic you’ll see two asterisks (**).

Review: Quantum And Woody #2

Posted on February 3, 2018 by Alex K Cossa

“It’s the ones you love that hurt you the most…and, in the case of super-powered adoptive brothers Eric and Woody Henderson – aka Quantum and Woody – this is definitely going to leave a mark! Quantum has kept the truth about Woody’s biological father a secret, and now that Woody has found out about his brother’s betrayal, their once-promising superhero career has ground to a standstill. So now it’s time for one last shot at teaming up as our heroes head “down under” – ahem, to Australia – in search of Woody’s one true DNA match. Like father, like son? Let’s hope not.

You’ll believe two men and a goat can fly coach when the new adventures of the world’s worst superhero team continue with a slightly less collectible second issue from rising star Daniel Kibblesmith (The Late Show With Stephen Colbert) and dazzling artist extraordinaire Kano (Daredevil)!”

For some inexplicable reason I put off reading the foil embossed comic laying on my coffee table for almost as long as I had the review copy in my inbox. I enjoyed the first issue, but for whatever reason I wasn’t bursting out of myself to crack the spine on Quantum And Woody #2 – as I’m sure you could guess by the date of this review. Once I had read the comic, I was pleasantly surprised and wondered why I hadn’t read it already. The sibling relationship between Quantum and Woody drives the story as they veer from one end of the spectrum to the other; Daniel Kibblesmith never loses sight of the fact that even if these men hate each other, deep down there’s still a brotherly affection between them.

The book is still somewhat tough for someone unfamiliar with the characters to be able to pick up and enjoy, but seeing as how I am one of those people, I can tell you that for every little reference I didn’t get or question I had there was always something to remind me that it’s okay to not know everything. It’s okay to just sit back and enjoy the comic. That’s made so much easier because of Kano‘s art work. Quantum And Woody #2 has some wonderfully constructed pages from the paneling right up to the final toucheson the art itself. Any trouble you have following the story m the dialogue and narration boxes will end up being a moot point once you actually pay attention to the art and the story telling within the visuals.

Ultimately, this issue was a genuine surprise for me; a comic that over delivered on my expectations with a script that has an intelligence and deceptively deep plot hidden just bellow the surface all wrapped into an art style that packs enough visual humour to keep you smiling without overpowering the quality of the book itself.

If you’re not reading this, well, why not?

Story: Daniel Kibblesmith Art: Kano
Story: 8.8 Art: 9.0 Overall: 8.9 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Underrated: Books On The History Of Comics.

Posted on February 3, 2018 by Alex K Cossa

This is a column that focuses on something or some things from the comic book sphere of influence that may not get the credit and recognition it deserves. Whether that’s a list of comic book movies, ongoing comics, or a set of stories featuring a certain character. The columns may take the form of a bullet pointed list, or a slightly longer thinkpiece – there’s really no formula for this other than whether the things being covered are Underrated in some way. This week: Books On The History Of Comics.

Last week we looked at why comic book history was Underrated. This week, we’ll look at some books that, should you be interested, will help shed some light on the stories behind the stories.

Marvel Comics: The Untold Story by Sean Howe was published in 2012. Howe decided to write the book because the stories comic creators told in fanzine interview always seemed different from the official narrative. Starting with the comics published during the golden age, and the characters created by Jack Kirby, Joe Simon and Stan Lee, the book follows the publisher’s story to the new millennium up until the creation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with upwards of 150 interviews conducted by the author. GQ’s Joshua Rivera described the book as “one of the most comprehensive and well-researched accounts” of Marvel.

Bill The Boy Wonder written by Marc Tyler Nobleman with art by Ty Templeton. Presented as a childrens book, Bill The Boy Wonder tells the untold tale of Batman’s creation. By shining a light on who Bill Finger was, Nobleman’s extensive research led to Finger finally getting a byline credit whenever Batman appears. The book’s presentation is designed to allow as many people, of any age, to learn about Bill Finger – and it works.

Superheroes!: Capes, Cowls, and the Creation of Comic Book Culture by Laurence Maslon and Michael Kantor. Assembled as a companion piece to the three part PBS documentary series Superheroes, this volume chronicles the effect of superheroes on American culture through the various mediums they appear in, and conversely the effect of America culture on superheroes. Featuring more than 500 full-color comic book panels, covers, sketches, photographs of both essential and rare artwork, Superheroes is an in-depth look at this powerful presence in pop culture.

Super Boys: The Amazing Adventures of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster – the Creators of Superman by Brad Ricca. Published in time for the 75th anniversary of the Man of Steel, comes the first comprehensive literary biography of Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel, the co-creators of Superman. Brad Ricca’s Super Boys is the first ever full biography about Superman’s creators, and with more than ten years of research he made some interesting discoveries; the book reveals the first stories and pictures ever published by the Siegel and Shuster, where the first Superman story really came from, the template for Superman’s costume, and more than will be listed in this blurb.

The Art of the Simon and Kirby Studio by Joe Simon, Mark Evanier, Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. At nearly four hundred pages, this historical look at the art produced by the Simon and Kirby studio is a must for any fan of either artist. The reproduced comics allow you to actually see the corrections done to the artwork such as drawings over areas of white-out, the faint lines used as reference for writing the text, portions of the panels being pasted over with bigger pieces of paper with bigger corrected drawings, the yellowing clear tape… The look into the creative process of these men is captivating.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Visual History by Andrew Farago. Detailing the story of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from their humble beginnings in black-and-white comics to where they stand now as four of the most recognizable in animation and comics, this book features interviews with the characters creators and other key figures in the Turtle’s ascendancy. With reproduction artifacts from the Turtle’s history, including their debut, this hardcover book is worth looking into for any fan of the pizza loving teenagers.

This is by no means a definitive list of books to look up, but merely a selection to get you started, and there are obviously many, many more great books out there to delve into; far more than I have listed here (you’ll find a few purely from Amazon’s suggested list after looking these up). But that doesn’t mean we should stop learning about the medium’s history, eh?

Next week’s Underrated will look at some other aspect of the comic book world.

Review: Eternity #4

Posted on February 2, 2018 by Alex K Cossa

“At the farthest edge of human understanding, Abram Adams – the lost cosmonaut called Divinity – and his comrade, Myshka, have discovered the purpose of their existence in this universe… and in the next one beyond our own. Now, as a seemingly infinite pantheon of mythic gods and cosmic beings rises to meet them head-on, they’ll be forced to ignite a maelstrom of untold proportions to save their child from a fate worse than annihilation…”

My first reaction upon putting this comic down was that I couldn’t recall reading something that felt so complete upon the conclusion of each chapter as the Divinity/Eternity saga. Yes, there are always threads left for continuation in later miniseries, but for the most part each of the chapters are brilliantly self-contained arcs of comic book brilliance. Eternity #4 is no exception to that rule.

I can’t recall being as excited to read a comic as I was to read this issue (but it was probably another Valiant comic), because with this series the creative team have been producing some utterly fantastic work. This isn’t the typical superhero stuff you’ll find on the racks, instead bearing more of a stylistic relation to Jack Kirby’s outer space work than the spandex clad adventures. Matt Kindt‘s script could, with minor tweaks, very easily be translated into a noir style detective story – his story, despite the bright visuals found at the edge of the galaxy, can be broken down at its essence to Divinity and Myshka’s quest to find their kidnapped child. One could be forgiven for thinking that the story’s essence is deceptively simple, and in some ways it is, but then Kindt uses the most powerful man in the Valiant universe to explore non-violet conflict resolution. What happens when a man determined to rescue his child must also examine his non-violent beliefs?

The back drop to this incredibly well written story is frankly jaw dropping. Trevor Hairsine, Ryan Winn and David Baron produce some of the most exciting and visually impressive art as they explore concepts that are limited only by their imagination.

Eternity #4 lives up to the high standards set by the creative team’s previous offerings in the saga, as it brings the miniseries to a powerful conclusion. For me, this is an early contender for book of the year, and is an absolute must-read for any who have been reading the series, those looking for something a little different, or those who want to experience a comic that sets a high bar for the rest of the industry in every way imaginable.

Story: Matt Kindt Art: Trevor Hairsine
Inker: Ryan Winn Colourist: David Baron
Story: 9.5 Art: 10 Overall: 9.75 Recommedation: Buy

Although Valiant provided a FREE copy for review, I read the physical copy from my LCS for this review.

DC Rebirth Roundup: Jan 24th’s Comics

Posted on January 30, 2018 by Alex K Cossa

Not every comic is covered week to week, and that’s because I sometimes forget to read them (although that doesn’t happen often), or I really can’t bring myself to pic up the issue. If I have missed an issue, typically I won’t go looking for back issues to catch up on events – this feature is all about accessibility for new readers, after all.

Action Comics #996 If you don’t like time travel, and the confusion that an average story will cause when there’s a convoluted way of explaining things, then avoid this. It’s just far enough gone in the arc that a concise recap isn’t going to happen – at this point you’re better off waiting for a new arc. Unfriendly. 6.25/10

Batgirl #19 It’s been awhile since I picked up this series, so there’s no recap to be had, but because this is the first part of an arc it’s Friendly. 6.5/10

Blue Beetle #17 Blue Beetle fights a weird zombie thing. It looks really cool, but seeing as how I’ve missed a few issues I’m not sure on the specific plot details, and that unfortunately leaves this as an Unfriendly comic. 6.25/10

Detective Comics #973 You’ll get just enough of a sense of what’s happening here with the comic – and it’s one you really should be reading. Friendly. 8/10

The Flash #39 Another comic that, somewhat inexplicably, I’ve missed a couple issues of. Thankfully with a new arc kicking off in this, the 700th issue of The Flash, you’re able to jump right in to a Friendly issue once you find out that Iris West recently found out Barry Allen’s secret identity. 8.2/10

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #37 So even after reading the vast majority of the series, I wasn’t aware of the depths of the Green Lantern Corp’s history; thankfully it’s not as important beyond what’s given to you here through dialogue and exposition. The comic itself doesn’t need a recap (yay for the first part of an arc), and is quite Friendly. 8/10

Suicide Squad #34 If you’ve ever seen Star Trek, then you’ll know of the Redshirts. Those guys who just go on a mission to die? Well this is the second part of a tale about a Redshirt in the Suicide Squad who is convinced he’s going to die. Oddly Friendly, and remarkably enjoyable – especially if you can find the previous issue.

Teen Titans #16 A standalone story focusing on Starfire, Raven and Beastboy. No prior knowledge of recent events is needed, making this Friendly issue an ideal one to pick up for those curious about the team. 7.8/10

Wonder Woman #39 Wonder Woman’s newly discovered brother isn’t fond of living in the shadows, while a newly restored Darksied (honestly didn’t know he’d been gone) is gathering power in the Amazon rain-forest. Meanwhile Wonder Woman is about to fight an enhanced banshee like enemy with whom she shares a history. Kinda Friendly, quite good. 7.5/10

That’s a wrap for this week folks. I’ll see you next time!

Valiant Entertainment Has Been Sold. Will History Repeat Itself?

Posted on January 29, 2018 by Alex K Cossa

Valiant Entertainment has been fully acquired by DMG Entertainment, who sought to increase their former 57% stake into full ownership in order to expand into film, television and other media platforms.

“This is about taking it to the next level,” says Mintz, a former filmmaker-turned-entrepreneur. “I am not looking on expanding from a publishing standpoint but from a motion picture standpoint.”

Originally founded in 1989 Valiant became a successful comic book company by focusing on creating compelling characters with a focus on story telling, much like the relaunched company set out to do in 2012.

Why did Valiant require a relaunch?

In the mid 1990’s they were purchased by Acclaim Entertainment with intent to expand their reach in the video game market. You’ve never heard of Acclaim? That’s because the company went bankrupt in 2004, and cutting a long story short the Valiant characters were sold off. Eight years later Valiant Entertainment, with CEO Dinesh Shamdasani at the helm relaunched those same characters into one of the best shared superhero universes.

With DMG Entertainment purchasing Valiant, and three of the executives resigning (Dinesh Shamdasani, Gavin Cuneo, and Peter Cuneo via Newsarama, although Gavin and Dinesh are reported to be staying on as consultants), one has to wonder if the past is repeating itself if the company’s new focus is less on the comics than on expanding to new media, leading to a marked drop in the quality of the company’s comic book output.

Obviously only time will tell, but I’m remaining cautiously optimistic that, at least in the near term, the quality of the comics won’t dwindle – although I’m less than thrilled at Shamdasani leaving the company and characters he helped return to prominence, I’m less concerned about the repetition of history regarding Valiant’s comic book universe fading into the ether as DMG already owned a majority of the publisher and presumably could have taken these steps toward other media regardless of full ownership.

One still has to wonder why the creative shake up? Were there opposing opinions on the way the company should head creatively? Based on this tweet from Dinesh Shamasani, it’s possible, but it’s likely we’ll have to wait awhile before the full details emerge – if they ever do.

(via The Hollywood Reporter)

Mini Reviews For The Week Ending 1/27

Posted on January 28, 2018 by Alex K Cossa

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews.

Jon

DuckTales #5 (IDW): Even you haven’t watched the new DuckTales TV series these two stories of Uncle provide an entertaining series of hijinks and adventures featuring some of your favorite Disney Ducks by writers Joey Cavalieri and Joe Caramagna and artists Urbano, Greppi, Frare, Stella, Dalen, Razzi, Florio and Zanatta. The beginning is a bit to start with the plot lurching from event to event a little rapidly for my taste but the structure is solid overall and you can tell that the creators share a real affection for this world and these characters. The art is a spot on replication of the style of the TV show. Rating: 6.5 Recommendation: Buy.

Looney Tunes #241 (DC):After decades of cartoons, comics and other media it isn’t easy to come up with new scenarios for interspecies anthropomorphic mayhem but writers Sholly Fisch and Frank Strom and artists Robert Pope, Howard Simpson, and David Alvarez manage to do so with three stories of Sylvester the Cat in a theater, a library and an archaelogical excavation. There are several laugh out loud moments in each and the characters’ voices are captured so well that I wasn’t even distracted by Sylvester’s lisp or Porky’s stutter. A must for Loony Tunes fans and pediatricians’ waiting rooms.
Rating: 7 Recommendation: Buy.

Raven: Daughter of Darkness #1 (DC): Marv Wolfman and Pop Mhan return with a follow-up to last year’s Raven miniseries. That one flew under my radar but I’m definitely going to check it out. The good thing is that I don’t really have to because Wolfman does a great job of pulling in new readers who are only passingly familiar with the character and her complex continuity balancing frenetic action with compelling drama and well studied character moments. This one feels very much like Stranger Things rendered by the as a superhero story by Mhan’s always exceptional pencils. As Raven (aka Rachel) tries to figure out how to make her way in the ordinary human world, a mysterious girl capable of killing armed soldiers is on the loose. How is she connected to Raven’s destiny and what does the introduction of Baron Winters into the mix portend? I don’t know but after the cliffhanger I’m dying to find out. Rating: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Scooby-Doo Team-Up # 34 (DC): In the absence of Batman: The Brave and the Bold, writer Sholly Fisch and artist Dario Brizuela’s Scooby-Doo Team-Up remains the best way to introduce younger readers to the heroes and villains of the DC Universe. In this issue Daphne, Velma and Scooby join the Birds of Prey to solve the mystery of the giant mythical birds that are plaguing Gotham City. With its fast paced, humorous story and streamlined, approachable art, it’s almost as fun as a good episode of the classic cartoon. My one criticism is that they went for the sexier version of the Huntress’ costume in lieu of either of the superior post flashpoint variants . It looks out of place given the books overall tone and style. Rating: 7.5 Recommendation: Buy

Spy Seal Volume 1 TPB: This collected edition of Rich Tomaso’s Image series from earlier this year is a quirky curiosity: a fairly straightforward spy thriller cast with anthropomorphic animals and drawn in the style of Hergé’s Tintin minus the obsessively detailed backgrounds. It’s well executed and a clear labor of love but the combination of novelty and pastiche failed to hold my interest after about twenty pages or so. Rating: 6 Recommendation: Pass

The Demon: Hell is Earth # 3 (DC): After last issue’s gruesome cliff hanger the unexpected appearance of a figure from Etrigan’s past offers some much needed exposition and we begin to move toward the climactic confrontation with the party responsible for nuking Death Valley. As a fan of the character I’m really enjoying this newest take. Andrew Constant does a really good job of projecting Etrigan’s demented joy with some truly brutal rhymes. I liked Brad Walker’s work on Aquaman but he continues to do an even better job here, giving form to all of Hell’s perverse splendor. I really hope he continues to explore the darker corner’s of DC’s universe. I’d love to see him tackle Swamp Thing. Rating: 8. Recommendation: Buy

Logan

Marvel Two-In-One #2 (Marvel)– Chip Zdarsky and Jim Cheung’s Marvel Two-in-One #2 has your fully daily value of adventure, humor, and a heart that is three sizes too big. The Thing and Human Torch are looking for Reed Richards’ device for multiverse transport, and their journey takes them down memory lane and reminds them of their lost family. Cheung is a versatile artist who can bring everything from Kirby monsters to washed out undergrad flashbacks to life. He and Zdarsky reminded of why I used to love Marvel Comics, and maybe I still will if this book blossoms into a full fledged FF title. Overall: 9.3 Verdict: Buy

Sex Criminals #21 (Image)– Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky are back with some dirty jokes and relationship realness in this new arc of Sex Crims. They use a kind of a flip book structure to show how Jon and Suzie are in stable, yet unfulfilling relationships and kinda miss freezing time with orgasms and robbing banks. Chip Zdarsky can make the act of grocery shopping hilarious and kind of hot. Also, “cartslammo” is my favorite new sound effect. This is more of a new status quo establishing issue than a thrilling epic, but nails the “just okay” relationship. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Ryan

Sherlock Frankenstein And The Legion Of Evil #4 (Dark Horse)** – Jeff Lemire and David Rubin wrap up their mini-series with a superbly-illustrated issue that contains a major revelation sure to have implications for the main “Black Hammer” title, and set the stage for further intriguing spin-offs to come while they’re at it. Can’t ask for a whole lore more than this. Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Postal #25 (Top Cow/Image)** – Speaking of pleasing conclusions, Bryan Hill and Isaac Goodhart put their long-running (by contemporary standards) series to bed with a killer final installment that contains surprises aplenty and leaves things on a “Sporanos”-esque note of ambiguity that really worked for me, but might piss some others off. I know we’ve got a pair of one-shots coming up to ease the separation anxiety, but this book will be missed by many, and I’m definitely one of them. Overall: 8. Recommendation: Buy

Ringside # 14 (Image)** – Keeping with our finale theme, Joe Keatinge and Nick Barber pull a conclusion to their wrestling series out of thin air that actually works quite well, and while numerous plot threads were abandoned along the way as this intermittently-released title lost its focus, more or less every storyline that the creators actually stuck with is resolved in satisfying fashion here. Still not too keen on Barber’s art, but this was a better wrap-up than I had been expecting. Overall: 7 Recommendation: Read

Regression #6 (Image) **- I was very happy to see Cullen Bunn and Danny Luckert not only return for a second arc of their creepy-as-shit horror series, but to raise the stakes and scope of what they’re doing considerably with this opening salvo in a new “run” of issues. Luckert’s art is just plain awesome, and the characters and their various dilemmas are becoming more and more engrossing as events play out in these pages. Unease so thick you can cut it with a knife. Overall: 8. Recommendation: Buy.

Shean

Legion #1 (Marvel)– Considering the popularity of the television show, I was hoping this was going to be superior. Though it contains glimpses of promise, I just can’t buy into it. Overall: 5 Recommendation: Pass

Deadpool Vs Old Man Logan #4 (Marvel)– Fans get to see the “Versus” part in this issue as a particular fact separates the friends. As Logan and Wade tear through the lab to find the girl, Wade finds her but feels at odds with her. Logan on the other hand, tear through the scientists to find out she is more dangerous than either of them ever expected. The two friends clash and she shows them both who she really is. Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Patrick

Sex Criminals #21 (Image) **- Everything is fine as Matt Fraction & Chip Zdarsky bring us up to speed six months later in the lives of Jon & Suzie, sorry, Suzanne. The funny thing about where this series has gone is that, for me, the relationships are sostrong that I don’t need the chicken fat of porn jokes (which Zdarsky is damn good at), I don’t need the Kegelface subplot, I don’t even need Undercover Dewey (much as I do love him). The relationship stories are deep and real and awkward and funny and sad and great and horrible enough that I don’t need anything else. Suzie’s mom rebuilding their house just as it was, childhood room and all. Suzie’s mom and her “juicy crones” exploring their “deltas of venus” (and feeling the need to explain what that means to S.). Ana’s 34-year-old cat. This can be enough. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Black Magick #10 (Image) **- Greg Rucka & Nicola Scott continue to deliver in their magickal procedural. The circles continue to close in as the witch-hunter Laurent encounters Rowan’s familiar – and what is it about talking cats that brings out the best in their writers (Jim Davis notwithstanding)? Rucka & Scott master creeping dread here as Rowan’s cop partner Morgan’s wife gives birth and a pawn is born. Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

True Patriot Presents #7 (Chapterhouse)** – The all-Canadian anthology series continues with four stories. “Crude” is basically a swamp thing from the tar sands of Fort McMurray, only not scary or interesting. “The Red Ensign” is a fun black & white serial of a Canadian action hero vs. Nazi robot, courtesy Scott Chantler, in a lively cartoon style. “Dominion Jack” remains an incomprehensible mess of the worst superhero tropes, with horrible lettering not helping. J. Torres & Tim Levins’ “The Family Dynamic” is also bog-standard superheroing, but with no pretentions. Overall: 6 Recommendation: Skip (I bought mine, but I’m Canadian)

Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write. See you next week!

Those Two Geeks Episode Sixteen: The One Without A Topic

Posted on January 28, 2018 by Alex K Cossa

On the docket this week: The geeks didn’t have anything planned, and so they talk about a rather wide range of things that are mostly related.

As always, the Alex and Joe can be found on twitter respectively @karcossa and @jc_hesh if you feel the need to tell them they’re wrong individually, or @those2geeks if you want to yell at them together on twitter or email ItsThose2Geeks@gmail.com.

Thanks for listening, and we’ll see you ~~next week~~ in the future!

Underrated: The History Of Comics

Posted on January 27, 2018 by Alex K Cossa

The history of the modern comic book is often overlooked, and in many cases under appreciated. Now I’m not arrogant enough to pretend that in a 700-odd word column I’ll be able to give the subject the depth it deserves, but what I will do is tell you why you should give the history of the medium we love so much more thought that the typical “what issue did this happen in?”

While I am far from be an expert in the history of the medium, it does fascinate me, and it should fascinate you as well.

Learning about the struggles of the early comic book publishers, writers, and artists, has lead me to realize that their story is something that could very easily be retold in a comic. From the way Batman was created and tale of Bill Finger – the Legend That Should Be, to Stan Lee having to fire the entire Timely Comics bullpen (Timely would later have a name change to Marvel) twice, to the industry devastation of the book Seduction of the Innocent by Fredrick Wertham in 1954, and the senate hearings that resulted from the book that eventually gave birth to the Comics Code.

There have been numerous books written about the subject of comic history, and I’ve been trying to build a collection of them – a personal library if you will – to help me learn more than what can be found on Wikipedia about something that has over the past few years become of more and more interest to me. Books such as Sean Howe’s The Untold Story of Marvel Comics, Marc Tyler Nobleman’s Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman, and Brad Ricca’s Super Boys: The Amazing Adventures of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster – the Creators of Superman are only a handful that sit on my bookshelf.

Over the past two years I’ve amassed books that contain the year by year visual history of Batman, DC, and Marvel; a history of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; as well as an X-Universe history. I also recently acquired Superheroes!: Capes, Cowls, and the Creation of Comic Book Culture by Laurence Maslon and Micheal Kantor .There are many, many great books out there to delve into; far more than I have listed here, more than I currently have on my book shelf, and more than I think I can ever expect to own.

Reading not your thing?

I’ve found a few documentaries out there that are worth the time – Turtle Power: Definitive History of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle, and Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope. The three listed above are by no means an inclusive list of documentaries and I encourage you to hunt others down, whether from an online store or your own choice of online streaming service.

turtlepower def history.PNG And then there’s the utterly brilliant Batman & Bill that, technically, you can currently only find on Hulu that details the aforementioned creation of Batman.

The point I am failing to make is that there is a book out there to get you started no matter which publishing company holds your interest, all you have to do is look.

However you choose to learn about the history of the medium, about the creators and publishers that are such a huge part of our lives now, I encourage you to do it. Because I think not only does it help us appreciate where comics have come from, and what they have gone through, but that the creators of days gone by deserve to be remembered. What went before is just as important now as it ever was. One could argue even more so.

We just need to remember that.

Next week’s Underrated will look at some of those books I mentioned above.

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