Author Archives: pharoahmiles

Daredevil: Black Armor #1 is an exciting return of D.G. Chichester to Daredevil

Posted on by One comment
Daredevil: Black Armor #1

Now that the MCU is part of pop culture, it’s crazy to think there was a time when it was just considered something for comic book nerds. It’s now something talked about daily, with every decision, casting, plot point, and character dissected by fans. While initially launched as films, the universe expanded to the loosely connected television shows that spanned ABC, Hulu, Netflix, and then the more tightly connected shows on Disney+.

Daredevil was the breakout hit of that television expansion, coming after the lukewarm reception of the initial film starring Ben Affleck. The Netflix adaptation resembled more of the comics in both the characters and the look. Daredevil: Black Armor #1 returns us to a specific time in Daredevil’s history, when he donned a new costume and written by D.G. Chichester who returns to the character in this series.

Chichester wastes no time diving right into various aspects of this time period with Matt needing to fix his costume along with dealing with a rash of missing people in the area. He’s adopted a new name and background but he’s still the do-gooder, using his fists and brain to help those around him.

Chichester gives readers a little background as to the evolution and need for the new armor but doesn’t linger too long on the history. Instead, we get lots of action, some moments that feel very Daredevil, solid villains, and a reveal as to who is behind the missing people hinting at something more nefarious.

Netho Diaz’s art for Daredevil: Black Armor #1 is pretty dynamic and gorgeous. Along with JP Mayer on ink, Andrew Dalhouse on color, and lettering by Clayton Cowles, the comic looks sharp balancing the varied action. Some of that action might be a simple confrontation while others have the fists, and clubs, flying. Diaz and the team deliver a look that’s solid and takes you back to the time in some ways. Daredevil in his armor looks sharp and almost makes you nostalgic for the controversial costume it looks so good.

Overall, Daredevil: Black Armor #1 is an excellent debut issue that shows why Chichester is a true storyteller and makes you want to go and read his original Daredevil run. The story is exciting and while it doesn’t add to the time period it uses it nicely. The art by the creative team is gorgeous. Altogether, Daredevil: Black Armor #1 is one of the best debuts this year.

Story: D.G. Chichester Art: Netho Diaz
Ink: JP Mayer Color: Andrew Dalhouse Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant #1 is a fun debut issue that is part coming of age and part spy thriller

Posted on by
Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant #1

As you grow up, you begin to form what will become your identity. As you learn about your family, you actually find out about yourself. This si where we understand how we are the way we are. That is why it is important, that you have people who can guide you.

As you search for answers, those who have been there can guide you.  That is why teachers are important and why family history is as well.  So what happens when you find something new bout yourself and you find out that there is a great burden that may come with it? In Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant #1, Kamala is about to find out how her world is going to change as she becomes an X-Man.

Kamala has gone through a lot lately. She died. She was ressurected. She found out she was a mutant as well as being an Inhuman. This has caused her to to be unsettled and the comic reflects that with her fighting her nightmares as the comic opens up. She’s confronted by her identity and the important questions around them. But, that’s just a tease of the struggles to come as it’s the first day of a summer internship with Orchis! Having recently discovered that she is a mutant ,she joins the fight against the evil group and is tasked with investigating the corporation responsible for the Mutant Massacre. Something is going on by them within the campus, the question is what and it’s up to Kamala to discover it but she’s a hero at heart and what was supposed to be an undercover operation results in Kamala revealing Ms. Marvel has joined the X-Men as she saves some students resulting in a lot of backlash and raising flags for Orchis.

Overall, Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant #1 is a fun debut issue that is part coming of age and part spy thriller. The story that Iman Vellani and Sabir Pirzada have crafted is an absolute joy. The art by the creative team is gorgeous. Altogether, it’s a story that will exceed fan’s expectations.

Story: Iman Vellani and Sabir Pirzada Art: Carlos Gómez, Adam Gorham
Color: Erick Arciniega Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Ghost Rider/Wolverine: Weapons of Vengeance Alpha #1 is a thrilling debut

Posted on by
Ghost Rider/Wolverine: Weapons of Vengeance Alpha #1

As an avid comic reader, I enjoyed the comics from my preteen years. This was before all the bigwigs at Image left their jobs at DC and Marvel to form the company which has shown that is more than force in the comics industry. That era gave us some of the best books. I remembered getting into X-Men, not because of Chris Claremont, whom I discovered later, but because of Jim Lee’s art.

It was during that time when I found out why Wolverine was everyone’s favorite character. The animated show that came out only affirmed the reason why. Then came Hugh Jackman’s portrayal, which made him iconic. In the debut issue of Ghost Rider/Wolverine: Weapons of Vengeance, Wolverine teams up with Ghost Rider to hunt a mutant serial killer, one which ties these two.

WE fine Johnny looking for Wolverine in the darkest of places, which makes him wonder why after all this time? We go back in time to a  flashback, where Wolverine and Professor Xavier meet a prospective student, but what Xavier sees is too disturbing for him to admit the boy.  AS his suspicion was right, as he was something more monstrous, as he kills the other children at his orphanage and he comes back to Xavier’s School aiming to take them out as well.  By issue’s end, he would escape  but Wolverine in pursuit would run into  Ghost Rider, leading to their 1st meeting and the reason for the meeting in present day, to put this monster down, once and for all.

Overall, Ghost Rider/Wolverine: Weapons of Vengeance Alpha #1 is a thrilling debut that sees our favorite antagonists get some payback. The story by Percy is amazing. The art by the creative team is astounding. Altogether, it’s a story that fans of these two characters will absolutely love.

Story: Ben Percy Art: Geoff Shaw
Color: Rain Beredo Letterer: Travis Lanham
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Creed: The Next Round #2 dives deeper into the world

Posted on by
Creed: The Next Round #2

There are those family members that people just don’t like.  They find themselves either hated or not talked about at all. Whatever slight occurred lives on for years. The ones whom are not talked about at all simply do not exist.

Sometimes fractures in families just don’t mend. It becomes a sticking point that endures . The crazy thing is sometimes those rifts are deeper than political rivals. It eventually makes strangers of the people that you share common blood with. In the 2nd issue of Creed: The Next Round, we find Adonis’s daughter and Apollo’s granddaughter, Amara as she finds that one relative.

We’re taken back to Artemis house, where Amara is trying to convince her distant aunt to train her. Artemis’ reputation has preceded her and Amara wants to learn from someone just like her. As Artemis recounts her journey. We learn about her career as a boxer and how good she was and what lead her to leave the sport altogether. Meanwhile, Adonis meets a new technology company, one that may change all their lives. He also finds out that Amara went to meet with Artemis, which leads to a heated standoff between the two half siblings. By the issue’s end, Artemis starts training Amara in secret and a mysterious competitor steals the company Adonis was trying to buy from him.

Overall, Creed: The Next Round #2 is a story that fans will love as it dives deeper into this world. The story by Latoya Morgan and Jai Jamison is electrifying. The art by the creative team is beautiful. Altogether, a story that more than satisifies fans of boxing movies

Creative Director: Michael B. Jordan Story: Latoya Morgan, Jai Jamison Art: Wilton Santos, Joe Jaro
Ink: Wilton Santos, Maria Keane Color: DJ Chavis, Joana Lafuente Letterer: Andworld Design
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

BOOM! Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

Robotech: Rick Hunter #1 is a fantastic reintroduction to Rick Hunter and the world of Robotech

Posted on by
Robotech: Rick Hunter #1

As a child of the 1980s, I was lucky enough to be of the time when anime was still new to the United States. I remember when those videotapes started to show up on video shops and places like Suncoast Video. It was even more interesting to even find them in places like Tower Records which normally stocks music and books. We grew up watching shows like Speed Racer, it was a new world and showed us just how different Japanese animation was.

It was not until shows like Voltron came onto our screens that we saw just superior their IPs were. That is when I found Robotech, which was an epic space opera,  that succeeded where the original Battlestar Galactica failed. It showed how war changed people and just how similar we all were. In the debut issue of Robotech: Rick Hunter, we find one of the main protagonists, as he investigates a new threat, while meeting some old friends along the way

We are taken to a remembrance ceremony for those who perished when the SDF-1 was destroyed by the Zentraedi, where Rick being promoted to Major General, as he being put in charge of a major expedition. Right when he tries to settle in his new role, he gets a transmission from an old friend, Vince Grant,  as the Zentraedi has taken control of one of the UEEF’s flagships and they could only trust Rick with the mission. As he and the rest of Pegasus Squadron head back to Earth to retrieve the flagship, they encounter bogeys along the way, where they lose a fellow pilot but find the base they were supposed to land and refuel, under fire. By the issue’s end, Pegasus squadron try to regroup and the reader meets the leader of these rogue Zentraedi

Overall, Robotech: Rick Hunter #1 is a fantastic reintroduction to Rick Hunter and the world of Robotech. The story by Easton in is masterful. The art by the creative team is gorgeous. Altogether, Robotech: Rick Hunter is a story that diehard fans like me will love.

Story: Brandon Easton Art: Simone Ragazzoni
Color: Bryan Valenza Letterer: Deron Bennett
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Read

Titan Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

The Incredible Hulk #1 is a classic monster story

Posted on by
The Incredible Hulk #1

Years ago when I first discovered Rene Descartes, I never realized how much he would affect my outlook on life. As his writings were not only guideposts for life but a way to see the world. As his ideas on rationalism, is the method we use reason things out. As he was one of the early proponents on stoicism.

One of the main ideas that I often find myself revisiting is the duality of man. As it showed how humans can be more than one thing. No character has more exemplified this than the Hulk. In The Incredible Hulk #1 we find David Banner and the Hulk fighting for permanent control of the body, whilst unleashing every monster in the Marvel Universe.

We’re taken to some ancient ruins in Iraq a year ago, where a bunch of scavengers are looking for an easy payday but instead unleashes an ancient evil which awakens monsters who have not been seen in centuries. We fast forward to modern day, to a diner in Kentucky, where we fid David looking for a bite before the Hulk comes out, right when a waitress speaks to him, is when the Hulk decides to get into his head. Banner awakens in the classic way to the carnage left behind by the Hulk. Unfortunately it has caught the attention of the FBI who starts their own manhunt, but it just so happens the leader of the FBI Task Force has been imbued with the primordial Mother Of Horrors, the ancient evil that was unearthed a year prior in Iraq. It’s all a build up to the monsters of the Marvel Universe taking on the Hulk as the series plants it flag in its horror roots.

Overall, The Incredible Hulk #1 is a classic monster story which reframes everyone’s favorite mean Green machine. The story by Johnson is eerie. The art by the creative team is gorgeous. Altogether, it’s a story that will have you look at the Hulk in a different way, a much more different look than the 1970s TV show.

Story: Phillip Kennedy Johnson Art: Nic Klein
Color: Matthew Wilson Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

Deadpool: Badder Blood #1 is a fun debut that shows off Liefeld’s talent

Posted on by
Deadpool: Badder Blood #1

How many true friends does one have in a lifetime?. As friends do come and go, but there are ones with you until the end of the line. These are friends you can count on , at the drop of a hat. As they are your road dogs through thick and thin.

I have friends like that from high school. I have friends like that  through the military. I also have friends like that through past jobs.  In the debut issue of Deadpool: Badder Blood, Wade just happens to have such friends in Wolverine and Cable as he gets caught in Madripoor with Thumper, who is on rampage.

We are taken to Alaska, where Thumper has tracked down one of the scientists responsible for his creation, but thankfully Wolverine and Cable come to the rescue.  The two rescue the scientist and teleport to one of Cable’s safe houses where they meet up with Deadpool where Logan lets him know why Thumper was looking for him, and it is for far more nefarious reasons than the trio ever expected.  Deadpool heads to Madripoor where Thumper is building an army, which is why he goes to meets the island’s pirate queen, Tyger Tiger. By issue’s end,  Deadpool gets into a firefight with Thumper and runs into somewhat of a new frenemy.

Overall, Deadpool: Badder Blood #1 is a fun story that shows why Liefeld is considered one of the best in comics and has such a following. The story by Liefeld and Bowers is side splittingly funny. The art by the creative team is gorgeous. Altogether, a story that die hard Deadpool fans will enjoy.

Story: Rob Liefeld Script: Chad Bowers
Art: Rob Liefeld Ink: Rob Liefeld Ink Assist: Shelby Robertson
Color: Jay David Ramos Letterer: Joe Sabino
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Kindle

Star Wars: Empire #1 is a nice focus from the mainstay characters

Posted on by
Star Wars: Empire

When one feels oppressed, fear is everywhere. You fear what may happen to you next. Life is not exactly predictable, so a sense of calm is not something you can take solace in. One can only imagine how it would be to be occupied during wartime.

My Lola used to tell me stories of how they had to endure the cruelty of Japanese soldiers. What they saw and heard was just scratching the surface of the evils of World War II. As history has showed us, the evil that men do has no bounds when unchecked. In the one-shot issue of Star Wars: Empire, we follow a technician on Endor just when the Empire has taken control.

We meet a young technician, Rilo Grenth, who has been hired for top secret installation on Endor. As we soon find out his family’s business was pressured into taking the job, as he soon finds his accommodations far from welcoming.  As he tries making friends, but  it does not go well, which leads him to traverse outside and see how the planet is, this is when he encounters an Ewok one evening when he run tests, he accidentally discovers the plan for the Death Star, something he soon realizes is about to get him into a lot of trouble, and he does. By the issue’s end, Rilo goes to prison and soon realizes that his fellow prisoners are there for ridiculous reasons too.

Overall, Star Wars: Empire is a nice escapade story away from the canon mainstay characters. The story by Houser is hilarious. The art by the creative team is gorgeous. Altogether, a story that shows, sometimes going above and beyond, can be the wrong move.

Story: Jody Houser Art: Jethro Morales
Color: Dee Cunniffe Letterer: Joe Sabino
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Warlock: Rebirth #1 is a bit of a drag

Posted on by
Warlock: Rebirth #1

When the Guardians Of the Galaxy Volume 1 came out, I was more than excited not only because I was a fan of the comic, but I was a fan of the director. I feared the movie would not olive up to what so many readers loved about. I felt instant relief once I knew it was James Gunn. As I was a fan of his sleeper hit movie, Slither, where he carefully balanced horror with comedy.

Like many fans I was looking for all the Easter eggs, one of the biggest ones, being what may have seemed to be Adam Warlock. Unfortunately, that did not pay off in the 2nd movie, but was only teased in it. Thankfully, with the recent release of the final trailer for the last movie in the trilogy, it is no longer a gesticulation but confirmation.  In the debut issue of Warlock: Rebirth,  we find Adam in a precocious position, one in which his future and his past diverge with each other.

We are taken to Monster Isle, where we find Genis-Vell, Captain Marvel’s son, looking for any remnants of his father’s past there. We find out after Adam was weaponized, he returned to Earth to live life as a man, as some of his team takes Genis-Vell to Adam, we find him in a state of disarray. As something strange appeared, draining him of his energy. This strange object starts to call his name, and what emerges, is a carbon copy of himself, bur female, it is Eve Warlock. By issue’s end, we find out she is there to replace him and will stop anyone in her way.

Overall, Warlock: Rebirth #1 is a drag of a story. The story by Marz is promising at best. The art by the creative team is serviceable. Altogether, a story that should get fans hyped for his big screen debut, but falls flat.

Story: Ron Marz Art: Ron Lim
Ink: Don Ho Color: Romulo Fajardo Jr. Letterer: Joe Sabino
Story: 5.0 Art: 6.0 Overall: 4.0 Recommendation : Borrow

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle

Captain America: Unforgiven #1 is a satisfying conclusion to a great story arc

Posted on by
Captain America: Unforgiven

What I liked about the What If series on Disney+, is that it kept the spirit of the comic book.. As that anything can happen to any of our heroes, based on certain choices. The episode that I really enjoyed was the Marvel Zombies one, where we find a dystopia where some of our most powerful heroes at their worst. It made fans of both comic books more than happy.

I had wished that we saw more of that on the big screen. As we got a bit of a tease at the end of Eternals of Blade’s return. I wondered how else could Marvel dive into the supernatural genre? In the one-shot issue of Captain America: Unforgiven, we find Steve Rogers hunting vampires.

We find Steve Rogers restless and losing hope as one vampire, Redblood looks for world domination, while the rest of the X-Men/Avengers are scattered to the wind. We soon find Captain America as he confronts Nighteyes, a powerful vampire who he may be able to bring to his side while Redblood looks to continue, sacrificing hero after hero. The reader soon learns about the different factions amongst the vampires, leading to a power struggle between the two. By the issue’s end, Cap leads what remains of the Unforgiven against Redblood’s army, as they defeat them by uniting their strength with the Avengers and X-Men, realizing their true power lied in each other.

Overall, Captain America: Unforgiven is a satisfying conclusion to a great story arc. The story by writer Tim Seeley is powerful. The art by the creative team is gorgeous. Altogether, a nice bookend to one of the more exciting events in Marvel has had in years.

Story: Tim Seeley Art: Sid Kotian
Color: Edgar Delgado Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle

« Older Entries