Category Archives: Reviews

DC Weekly Graphic Novel Review: Shade the Changing Girl Vol. 1 Earth Girl Made Easy

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It’s Wednesday which means it’s new comic book day with new releases hitting shelves, both physical and digital, all across the world. We’ve got one trade from DC Comics.

Shade the Changing Girl Vol. 1 Earth Girl Made Easy collecting issues #1-6 by Cecil Castellucci, Marley Zarcone, Ande Parks, Ryan Kelly, Kelly Fitzpatrick, and Saida Temofonte.

Find out what the trades have in store and whether you should grab yourself a copy. You can find it in comic stores July 12 and bookstores July 18.

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.

Shade the Changing Girl Vol. 1 Earth Girl Made Easy
Amazon/Kindle/comiXology or TFAW

 

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review
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Review: Catalyst Prime: Accell #2

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Daniel DosSantos is Accell, the first speedster superhero in a brave new world, but just how fast is he? Accell’s quest to test the limits of his powers throw him into a sideways dimension where horrors exist, and death comes at him faster than the speed of sound.

I really enjoyed the first issue of this series from Lion Forge that’s part of their Catalyst Prime universe. While speedster superheroes are a dime a dozen, Daniel feels like he stands out a bit as a relatable guy who plays video games and is pretty unsure of himself and powers. And this second issue feels like it has a more of a focus exploring those final two points as Daniel heads into the desert to find out how fast he is.

Writer Joe Casey gives us an entertaining story that feels trippy at times. While it doesn’t quite stand out as original as that first issue and has a bit too much in common with a certain force about speed, it’s still interesting as there’s just enough to set it apart. What happens when Daniel goes really fast? What’s might happen? Well, we kind of find some of that out.

Things get trippy and the visuals feel like a nice LSD trip which is all made wildly entertaining by Damion Scott. The art, along with inks by Robert Campanella and colors by Sigmund Torre (both of Mosh Studios) is what sucked me into the story. It’s creative and interesting and had me trying to figure out what was happening. There’s even some nice creative use of pages with the flow and a point where you’ll need to rotate the entire issue. That use of movement is solid in the series and I hope we get more of that as it goes on.

The second issue is a little of a dip in story but the visuals more than make up for it. I want to find out more about what Daniel is seeing and experiencing and that wanting to come back is a success. Definitely an interesting series that’s getting its footing down to launch and make itself really stand out from the pack.

Story: Joe Casey Art: Damion Scott
Ink: Robert Campanella Color: Sigmund Torre
Story: 7.5 Art: 9.0 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read

Lion Forge Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

 

Review: Spider-Men II #1

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The moment five years in the making is finally here! The first time Peter Parker and Miles Morales met ended with a question – WHO IS THE MILES MORALES OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE?! Now that the Miles you know and love is with Peter in the Marvel Universe, you’re finally going to get that answer to who the OTHER Miles Morales is! And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!

Comics can be engaging and challenging and at other times they can be straight up fun. Spider-Men II, like the first mini-series, is in that latter category, not challenging the reader but instead allowing you to just read and enjoy the moments.

Written by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Sara Pichelli, this story will give us some answers that I’ve been waiting for as well as allowing us to see these two webslingers team up to do what they do best… make lots of fun quips and deliver web swinging action and this issue delivers on both.

We’re quickly introduced to a mystery that brings the two heroes together and in doing so gives us a hell of a lot of questions. We’ve seen in other series the mystery of what happened to the “Ultimate Universe” has been touched upon and here too we’re left with a question as to its fate.

While it might be helpful to have read the original event, mainly for that plot point directly above, one doesn’t need to as this first issue does a solid job of catching new readers up. It also does a solid job of delivering some entertaining moments for not just Peter but Miles. Here Miles takes the spotlight which feels like the flipside of the first volume and since the mystery of who the 616 Miles is, is at the center of this, it’s appropriate he gets center stage. And it’s done so in a fantastic way full of humor and entertainment and most importantly emphasizing he’s a teenage kid balancing this weird life.

The art is fantastic as expected. Pichelli is one of the best artists to handle Spider-Man and have loved this artwork for some time. There’s absolutely no flaw there with a fresh vibrancy about it all that matches the story and that is helped through the coloring, inking, etc., it just all comes together perfectly.

This might feel like a cash in but it doesn’t feel that way when read. I’d take this type of series over a lot of the recent Spider event stories as there’s just something fun about it all and while it feels epic it also doesn’t feel over the top. Add in the humor and banter and you’ve got a first issue that just nails it.

Story: Brian Michael Bendis Art: Sara Pichelli
Story: 8.0 Art: 10 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Transformers: Optimus Prime #9

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A Junkion machine finally gives long-injured Sideswipe a new lease on life! But when his brother goes missing, Sideswipe and Arcee return to Cybertron-and nothing will be the same between them ever again.

Comics can be entertaining and at the same time they can also provide an emotional cathartic release touching us deeply and in a way that get us to reflect on life in general. Transformers: Optimus Prime #9 is one of those comics where the life of Sidewipe is explored and we say good-bye to a long time friend.

Injured, the series for a few issues has been exploring the possibility of saving Sideswipe through Junkion technology and here we get our answer that is a truly deep comic that explores end of life care and letting go. Yes, Transformers explores a real world issue that will likely impact us all one day and does so in a respectful way that had me choking up. While not a super front and center character Sideswipe is one that I’ve felt like I’ve known for 30 years.

Writer John Barber mines a familiar trope but does it in a way that you’re well into the comic before you figure out what’s going on which then delivers the emotional gut punch. While hoping for the best we’re presented with the worst and get to see the emotional impact of difficult decisions as well as touching good-byes.

The art by Kei Zama is fantastic and IDW has done an amazing job of keeping a consistent look for their various comics that while each has a unique spin generally it all is coherent and looks similar. Here the story flows in a way that the art feels like it adds to the emotional journey.

Once again, Transformers has explored a real world topic in a way that you rarely see in comics and provides a touching comic honoring a character that has been around for decades. Like so many issues before, Transformers: Optimus Prime #9 once again shows why these characters are more than meets the eye.

Story: John Barber Art: Kei Zama
Story: 10 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Dark Days: The Casting #1

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The Joker’s surprise attack threatens to lay waste to all of Batman’s carefully laid plans. Will the Dark Knight be able to regain the trust of his closest allies, Green Lantern and Duke, and prevent the forces of darkness from consuming the DC Universe?! Will Hawkman’s warning stop our heroes from peering into the abyss?

One of my biggest issues with DC Comics is the decades of continuity and history. As someone relatively new to their comics (new being 6ish years) I still feel like there’s so much I don’t know and unaware of. That’s why events that feel like they mine that history make me nervous as a reader. That’s why I was pretty happy with Dark Days: The Forge, the first issue leading up to DC’s next big event.

Much like The Forge, Dark Days: The Casting mines that history but presents the overall package in a way that’s still enjoyable for those who might not know it. Written by Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV, Dark Days: The Casting takes us further into the mystery that has been plaguing Batman. It also takes advantage of the Multiverse, a concept that makes DC really stand out and it takes advantage of it in a way that feels new still. But, what Snyder and Tynion really do is build the tension. Through various threads the mystery is deepened and the players laid out on the table and even though this layers on so much to DC’s history, it still works and works really well.

Andy Kubert, John Romita, Jr., and Jim Lee deliver art that’s fantastic and characters like Batman, Joker, Green Lantern have never looked better. The mood of the comic is delivered on the page like a setting can define a scene. And boy do these creators throw a lot in there. The settings, characters, and each moment each feel epic in scale in a way that the concept of event comes across. It all is getting me even more excited for what’s to come.

Events have a bit ho-hum lately in comics but DC feels like it’s setting up a potential classic here with two comics that lay the groundwork for whats to come and build a mystery that when all the pieces fall into place feels like it’ll pay off. This is the prequel, not really meant to be read on its own. It has a goal to set up what’s to come and get us excited and it achieves that in every way.

Story: Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV Art: Andy Kubert, John Romita, Jim Lee
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.45 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Centipede #1

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“I’m no action hero. Mostly I just like pasta.” -Dale Trell

Well, if those aren’t words to live by, I don’t know what are. In Centipede #1, our protagonist, Dale Trell, has been in hiding for roughly three weeks after an unidentified monster has come to his home planet and jump started an apocalypse that has killed everyone else on STY-REK. He’s finally mustered up the courage to leave his shelter and take revenge on the unidentified monster.

Dynamite Entertainment takes on the challenge of bringing former Atari game to life in a new venture featuring the legendary console game—Centipede. Writer Max Bemis and artist Eoin Marron have teamed up to bring the classic to fruition. If the name Max Bemis looks familiar to you, it’s because he is the frontman for band, Say Anything.

Bemis relies on humor and backstory for this first issue. The most imaginative and fun aspect of this story is how Trell grew up with an obsession about earth life, mirroring humans obsession with aliens, and I’m looking forward to learning more about how this helps him navigate conquering the centipede. I’m also looking forward to seeing him come into contact with other survivors. I don’t see the story remaining very interesting if that doesn’t happen.

If you’re like me and love a good post-apocalypse story, then you should definitely check out this new series, and join me in the journey to see where it goes!

Story: Max Bemis Art: Eoin Marron Cover: Francesco Francavilla, Eoin Marron, Dan Schkade
Story: 9.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Dynamite Entertainment provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Spoiler Free Review: Harbinger Renegade #5

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HR_005_COVER-A_ROBERTSON“Toyo Harada’s former protege – Alexander Solomon, a “psiot” with the ability to predict and analyze potential futures – has been waiting for this moment. With the Harbinger Renegades – Peter Stanchek, Faith, Kris Hathaway, and Torque – now reunited as a result of his covert manipulations, his ultimate gambit can now begin. But he’s not the only one who has been watching. Major Charlie Palmer has just re-assigned a new division of the militarized psiot hunters codenamed H.A.R.D. Corps to active duty…and they’re about to bring a torrent of blood and calamity roaring into the streets of a major American metropolis for an all-out firefight.

The Harbinger Renegades. Livewire. Alexander Solomon. Generation Zero. Toyo Harada. Secret Weapons. Imperium. None of them are safe…and, when the smoke clears, a pivotal Valiant hero will become the first sacrifice of the massive Harbinger War that is to come.”

I will tell you right now: I was really excited to read this issue – so much so that I literally dropped the other features (because I frequently have multiple balls in the air at once) to read the comic. Understandably, Valiant are extremely cautious about spoilers for this issue, so I won’t reveal anything about the story itself beyond the preview text above. However, it will certainly help your enjoyment of the comic if you’re familiar with some, or all, of the comics and characters mentioned above (The Harbinger Renegades. Livewire. Alexander Solomon. Generation Zero. Toyo Harada. Secret Weapons. Imperium.)

HR_005_COVER_ADVISORY-OVERLAP

The comic comes with this as a wrap around cover to warn the audience as to the content inside.

So what can I say about this comic? Well it was perfectly okay. Rafer Roberts has written a story doesn’t quite live up to the hype generated by the machine Valiant set in motion for Harbinger Renegade #5, although it’s pretty solid, and honestly I needed multiple readings to really get the most out of it. Obviously I can’t tell you why without risking the spoilers – nor can I tell you some of the reasons I felt the issue didn’t work. Instead, I’ll move on. Artistically, the comic isn’t anything spectacular, but nor is it unremarkable; it’s just about good enough to serve the story without any major hiccups (but again I can’t discuss those). Essentially, where as a good story can lift a comic where the art struggles and vice versa, both story and art are on the same level here; they’re both just hovering between okay and good.

Out of respect for Valiant and their wishes I’ve avoided spoilers, probably far more than I needed to, so what I can say is limited. At the end of the day, this is the weakest of the five Renegade books that have been released thus far, which is a shame given the amount of push that Valiant have out behind it. Though I do wonder if that is a result of Harbinger Renegade #5 simply being a book that didn’t deliver verses it being a comic that just wasn’t able to live up to the hype. I’m edging toward the latter.

If you’re a Valiant fan, whether of the publisher in general or of this property, then you’re going to want to read this. Be prepared for it to be a little disappointing given all the buzz, but I also expect this to fly off the shelves because of the warning on the cover.

Story: Rafer Roberts Art: Darick Robertson
Inks: Richard Clark Colours: Diego Rodriguez
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.25 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review.

Review: Calexit #1

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Calexit #1 is a powerful, visceral, sometimes funny and sometimes hauntingly realistic piece of speculative fiction from the badass creative team of Matteo Pizzolo, Amancay Nahuelpan, and Tyler Boss. The premise is that California has seceded from the United States when Donald Trump has signed a law to deport all immigrants, but there ended up being a civil war between the liberal urban areas and the conservative rural areas. (I used to live in northern L.A. County whose current representative is a Republican taking NRA money.) Throw in Trump himself visiting and being a dictator on the state and cutting off electricity and water in an area that is prone to drought, and it’s a real powder keg. The combination of gut punching action as only the artist of the madcap Clandestino and Young Terrorists can pull off and real life political themes makes Calexit an entertaining and thought provoking read. If you’re a Trump supporter, the first page will have you tweeting about “snowflakes” from a bot account within 5 seconds.

Instead of staid, boring exposition, Pizzolo and Nahuelpan use humor, current events, pop culture, and plain human connection to build the world of Calexit. Jamil is a courier/smuggler/Han Solo type, who is set up to be the series co-protagonist and also sells anti-depressants to National Guard members because even their healthcare sucks in a universe where AHCA seems to be a thing. His breezy observations about the soldier guarding a statue from a D.W. Griffith film, the fact that superheroes don’t punch fascists any more, and his roasting of his client Steve Bannon look-alike (Complete with neck rolls) Eddie the Chimp add color to Calexit and its ideas without weighing down the story. Not everyone is a frontline fighter during times of revolution, and Jamil is just an ordinary guy with a malfunctioning A.I. personal assistant, who wants to survive by not pissing too many people off. Of course, this all changes with his “mission” on the final page. Jamil’s jokes and kind of moral compass of never selling weapons (But humans head are okay.) make him a character that is easy to latch onto.

Calexit #1 is yet another virtuoso turn for artist Amancay Nahuelpan following his work on Young Terrorists and Clandestino. He has a Quitely-esque eye for detail in perfectly capturing an upscale neighborhood near Hollywood and the famous El Capitan Theater that he promptly destroys in a hail of unexpected gunfire. His depiction of the main bad guy as evil Steve Jobs is kind of a coup, and the glasses and turtle neck complement his long, self-serving monologues. Nahuelpan is both a craftsman and a demolition man when it comes to his art, and Tyler Boss is a worthy partner in crime with his faded out greys for both bad guys in the issue and wistful sepias for the California desert. Some of the comic is set near Hollywood, but there’s no La La Land or even Lynchian glamor to palette just another hot as balls, dry, three digit Southern California day.

Even though it’s set in a dystopia, Calexit has its triumphant moments. It’s a hopeful comic, not a defeatist one as proud as the logo of the Mulholland Resistance that seriously needs to be made into a laptop sticker or T-shirt. It is meticulously crafted in worldbuilding, background art, and color choices by Matteo Pizzolo, Amancay Nahuelpan, and Tyler Boss and is a comic that pokes fun at summer blockbusters while having many “Viva la Resistance” kind of moments and directly opposing Trump’s cool regime and terrible treatment of anyone who isn’t a rich, Christian white man.

Story: Matteo Pizzolo Art: Amancay Nahuelpan Colors: Tyler Boss
Story: 9.0 Art: 10 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy

Black Mask Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Early Review: Redlands #1

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Welcome to Redlands, Florida. The police are failing to maintain control of their old-fashioned town, and a coven of killer witches plan to take everything from them. This summer, hide your bibles.

Redlands is the new series from Jordie Bellaire and Vanesa R. Del Rey is creepy, really creepy as we’re dropped right in the middle of a siege as small town police are surrounded by witches who are sick of them. The first issue is all about setting the mood and Bellaire and Del Rey brilliantly do exactly that with much of what we learn being brought to the reader through subtle details added to each panel.

It’s those small details that make this first issue really stand out and deliver. All of the police officers are white, there’s a Confederate flag on the wall, those things tell as much of the story as everything else. The colors by Bellaire too help set the mood with reds, yellows, and oranges dominating the hue like a fire on the page. That coloring and grittiness of the art sets a hell of a mood and one that’s clear as to what the vision is.

There’s a sexiness about it all too, one of danger and forbiddeness. The series is driven by the occult ad and everything together sets a mood that has me wanting more. It all comes together to feel like the beginning of a nightmare whose story has already begun and whose mystery we will unweave and learn about over time.

Along with the art, Clayton Cowles‘ lettering plays a fantastic role in giving us a grit about what’s spoken but the inclusion of interesting angles (handled by Del Rey) for gun blasts and noises creates a sense of motion for the action. One particular scene with a “slam” written out, that sound’s lettering is presented in a way that’s fresh and helps drive where the action is taking place adding to the flow of movement presented. Along with Cowle’s dialogue lettering, the sound effects help add to the atmosphere and gives us a better idea about these characters and world.

I’m not the biggest horror fan, but Redlands #1 is a debut that has me wanting to check out more and delivers the opening moments that have me hooked to find out the rest of the story. The worst part was I enjoyed the comic so much that it went by quickly and now I’m left waiting quite some time to read the second issue (damn early reviews!). An absolute buy as it’s a fantastic combination of story and art that come together to create a creepiness that has me excited to see what’s next.

Redlands #1 is out August 9, 2017.

Story: Jordie Bellaire Art: Vanesa R. Del Rey
Color: Jordie Bellaire Letters: Clayton Cowles
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: The American Way: Those Above and Those Below #1

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It’s been a decade since the Civil Defense Corps was exposed as a fraud created by the U.S. Government for propaganda purposes. While most of the heroes who survived the catastrophe have retired or disappeared, the New American still carries on, trying to keep communities safe amid the social turmoil of the 1970s. But with the nation split in two over civil rights and the changing political landscape, this isn’t easy. Some of the American’s former colleagues are on opposite sides of the law: Amber Waves joined a group of domestic terrorists, while Missy, a.k.a. Ole Miss, has thrown her hat into the political ring. As the ground shifts beneath his feet and new threats arise, which side will the American choose?

Unfortunately for me, I never read the original American Way series (though will be rectifying that soon). Even without that under my belt The American Way: Those Above and Those Below #1 is a perfect introduction to the world dreamed up by writer John Ridley and artist Georges Jeanty.

Ridley is one of my favorite creators delivering thought provoking entertainment and some of the most layered and relevant television in recent years with American Crime. So, since the announcement of this series I’ve been awaiting its release to see what Ridley might deliver and much like that groundbreaking television work, the first issue lays the groundwork for what feels like what will be a comic series that will challenge the reader to not just be entertained but also think.

The American Way: Those Above and Those Below #1 moves the original story forward in history, factoring in how real-life events might be affected by the presence of superheroes, and how those events change the heroes in turn. Taking place in 1972 the time in American history is just as important as the characters. History is a character here and understanding where the United States was at the time helps. Weaving entertainment with real history and socio-political issues is something that Ridley excels at and this first issue is no exception.

As I said, I never read the original series, but this first issue is a perfect primer to catch up and learn about this world that I want to see more of. The characters are quickly and interestingly introduced enough that you can figure out personalities, backgrounds, and issues, and even the major events of the previous volume are touched upon enough that you feel like you have enough to work with. Those that have read the previous volume will of course have more to work with than newcomers but being new to this world doesn’t put you at a disadvantage.

Artist Georges Jeanty along with inker Danny Miki and colorist Nick Filardi delivers the art that matches Ridley’s fantsastic story. The trio are able to deliver a world where superheroes fit in, our world, just with people with powers. There’s a grittiness to it all and the use of coloring helps set the mood and action for each scene. Letterer Travis Lanham also helps set the mood with slight changes to the lettering that helps bring out the personality of each character.

An amazing beginning that has me excited to see what Ridley will deliver in the subsequent issues and a set up that feels like we’ll get the depth he’s delivered elsewhere in comic form. Absolutely amazing on every level and it matches my anticipation in every way.

Story: John Ridley Art: Georges Jeanty
Ink: Danny Miki Color: Nick Filardi Letters: Travis Lanham
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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