Tag Archives: cam smith

Exclusive Preview: The Infernal Hulk #5

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The Infernal Hulk #5

(W) Phillip Kennedy Johnson (A) Kev Walker
(I) Cam Smith (C) Matthew Wilson (L) Cory Petit
(CA) Nic Klein (VCA) Giuseppe Camuncoli and Romulo Fajardo Jr., Adam Gorham and Edgar Delgado, SKAN

INFERNAL VERSUS ALMIGHTY! As Infernal Hulk prepares to deal his death blow against Earth, a being of unimaginable power descends from the heavens to save us: the Creator of the Marvel Universe himself! Everything on Earth will change after this shocking, never-before-seen battle for the ages: INFERNAL HULK versus THE ONE ABOVE ALL!

The Infernal Hulk #5

What happened to Bruce Banner? Infernal Hulk #3 teases the answer

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Infernal Hulk #3

What happened to Bruce Banner in that cave? As the monsters’ war on humanity rages across land and sea, Bruce Banner and Betty Ross have finally found their life of quiet normalcy, free from their past and the threat of the Infernal Hulk…or so they think. Is Banner really free? How long can they hide as the world burns down…and what happens when their nightmares find them? Infernal Hulk #3 gives readers more as to what happened to Bruce Banner and the life he’s now living without the Hulk.

If you’re not reading Infernal Hulk, you’re missing out. The comic has infused horror with superheroes in a way that delivers actual dread and fear. Writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson has tapped into something primordial, that you can feel the fear and imagine feeling it yourself in the situation.

In Infernal Hulk, an ancient being now controls Hulk having cast out Bruce Banner who is living a peaceful life with Betty Ross, both going by different names. Both have had the powerful beings that once inhabited them ripped out leaving each to deal with it in different ways.

Johnson dives deep into the trauma of it all. Both Bruce and Betty have experienced terror to get where they are and each are handling it differently. Bruce wans to move on and find some peace in his life. Betty misses what should could experience, a piece of her torn away making her weaker. Infernal Hulk #3 pulls no punches and delivers emotional depth that’ll hit readers. The issue takes the horror in a far different direction and it hits in a far different way. A different type of fear is present and it leads to the sadness of the situation.

The art by Kev Walker and Nic Klein is excellent. With ink by Cam Smith and Klein, color by Matthew Wilson and Klein, and lettering by Cory Petit, the comic is an interesting transition to that unease that lies underneath suburbia. Bruce and Betty go to their jobs and attempt to live their lives but the art even by itself creates an ominous feel to it all. There’s something to it that makes it clear things are not right and something is off. Then, there’s that page. The comic should have a very clear trigger warning (it might and the digital copy doesn’t or I missed it) that hits like a ton of bricks. The look in Betty’s eyes. The chaos that surrounds her. It’s an emotional punch delivered through the visuals and deliver trauma, horror, desperation, and fear, all in one image.

Infernal Hulk #3 is a strong contender for issue of the year (already). While it doesn’t spill everything that explains how Bruce Banner exists without the Hulk, but it gives enough to satiate readers for a while. It’s a hell of an issue that should not be missed.

Story: Phillip Kennedy Johnson Art: Kev Walker, Nic Klein
Ink: Cam Smith, Nic Klein Color: Matthew Wilson, Nic Klein 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: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Preview: 2000 AD Prog 2448

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2000 AD Prog 2448

UK and DIGITAL: 3 September August £3.80
NORTH AMERICA: 29 October $28.99 (Prog Pack)
DIAMOND: JUL250841
COVER: KARL RICHARDSON

In this issue:
JUDGE DREDD // THE WILD MAN OF BRIAN ENO by Ken Niemand (w) Cam Smith (a) Emilio Lecce (c) Annie Parkhouse (l)
THE RAVILIOUS PACT by T.C.Eglington (w) Steven Austin (a) John Charles (c) Simon Bowland (l)
SCARLET TRACES // EMPIRE OF BLOOD by Ian Edginton (w) D’Israeli (a) Annie Parkhouse (l)
NU EARTH WAR TALES // THE SURVIVORS by Karl Stock (w) Karl Richardson (a) Jim Campbell (l)

2000 AD Prog 2448

Exclusive Preview: The Incredible Hulk #27

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The Incredible Hulk #27

(W) Phillip Kennedy Johnson (A) Kev Walker
(I) Cam Smith (C) Matthew Wilson (L) Cory Petit
(CA) Nic Klein (VCA) Erik Larsen, Michael Walsh
Rated T+
In Shops: Jul 30, 2025
SRP: $3.99

HERO OR MONSTER?

Hulk has finally found the solitude he wanted: no more enemies, no companions, not even Banner. But deep in the Appalachian Mountains, when his peace is interrupted by a young boy in danger, Hulk wonders if Charlie was right about him… COULD he be a hero again after all? Meanwhile: One of Hulk’s newfound allies is taken, hinting at an unseen threat emerging! The ramp-up to a shocking new Hulk event begins here!

The Incredible Hulk #27

New Heralds Rise to Serve Galactus in new What If…? One-shots!

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One of the most feared beings in all existence is actively recruiting! This January, a new series of one-shots dares to ask the question: What if Galactus turned some of Marvel’s best and brightest heroes into his new cosmic heralds?

See Hulk, Gambit, Moon Knight, Rogue, and Spider-Gwen transformed by the power cosmic and tormented by new purpose in stories delivered by a lineup of superstar talent, including veteran Marvel talent and rising newcomers. These once-familiar heroes will be outfitted with new cosmic looks designed by visionary Silver Surfer artist Ron Lim, and imbued with divine power upgrades from their master that will test their humanity!

Twisting and turning Marvel history as we know, here are the five What If…? Galactus one-shots fans can look forward to!

WHAT IF…? GALACTUS TRANSFORMED HULK? #1

Written by MAT GROOM
Art by LAN MEDINA
Cover by RON LIM
On Sale 1/1

Galactus has conscripted Earth’s strongest warrior – the Incredible Hulk – into his service. But what will turn out to be the bigger mistake: trying to direct the fury of the Green Goliath…or giving the great mind of Bruce Banner a cosmic problem to solve?

WHAT IF…? GALACTUS TRANSFORMED HULK? #1

WHAT IF…? GALACTUS TRANSFORMED GAMBIT?  #1

Written by JOSH TRUJILLO
Art by MANUEL GARCIA
Cover by RON LIM
On Sale 1/8

Gambit is the most charismatic, most heroic and most capable thief on Earth – which is exactly how he grabs the attention of the Devourer of Worlds! With the Power Cosmic flowing through his veins, Gambit is unstoppable, but is he clever enough to steal the unstealable? Prepare for a heist, mon ami, one like the Multiverse has never seen before!

WHAT IF…? GALACTUS TRANSFORMED GAMBIT?  #1

WHAT IF…? GALACTUS TRANSFORMED MOON KNIGHT? #1

Written by ALEX SEGURA
Art by SCOT EATON & CAM SMITH
Cover by RON LIM
On Sale 1/15

When Khonshu, the Moon God, and Galactus, the World-Devourer, clash, Moon Knight is caught in the middle! To keep the peace, Moon Knight becomes the newest herald of Galactus – but his alters cause the Power Cosmic to manifest in startling new ways! Unless Moon Knight can conquer his new powers – and a few former heralds – the Earth itself faces extinction!

WHAT IF…? GALACTUS TRANSFORMED MOON KNIGHT? #1

WHAT IF…? GALACTUS TRANSFORMED ROGUE? #1

Written by ANN NOCENTI
Art by STEPHEN BYRNE
Cover by RON LIM
On Sale 1/22

When a young Rogue uses her mutant power to absorb the Silver Surfer’s Power Cosmic, the entire course of her storied history is forever changed! Now the rebellious mutant has been blessed with unimaginable power – but also the burden of serving as Galactus’ new herald. Rocket into space along with this iconic X-Man – it’s going to be a bumpy ride!

WHAT IF…? GALACTUS TRANSFORMED ROGUE? #1

WHAT IF…? GALACTUS TRANSFORMED SPIDER-GWEN? #1

Written by KALINDA VASQUEZ
Art by DANIEL PICCIOTTO
Cover by RON LIM
On Sale 1/29

After coming to the aid of a wounded herald of Galactus, Spider-Gwen is empowered and enlisted in the service of the World-Devourer! But despite her new role surveying the galaxy, Gwen can’t help her heroic streak. So when she encounters a world reminiscent of her home, will she ally with its alien residents and attempt to battle one of the cosmos’ greatest forces?!

WHAT IF…? GALACTUS TRANSFORMED SPIDER-GWEN? #1

Preview: Cable #3

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Cable #3

(W) Fabian Nicieza (A) Scot Eaton, Lan Medina
(I) Cam Smith, Victor Nava (C) Java Tartaglia (L) Joe Sabino
(CA) Whilce Portacio (VCA) Dan Panosian, Mark Brooks
Rated T+
In Shops: Mar 27, 2024
SRP: $3.99

PROTECT THE FUTURE – NO MATTER THE COST! Cable and his younger counterpart, Nate, are closer than ever to uncovering the origins of the Neocracy and putting an end to a bloody future before it can come to pass – but each step closer also brings them further into the crosshairs of the mysterious Parvenu! With the walls closing in, there’s no one else they can trust…but with the weight of the world on their shoulders, will Cable and Nate be able to bear the burden together or will they crumble under the weight?

Cable #3

Exclusive Preview: Cable #3

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Cable #3

(W) Fabian Nicieza (A) Scot Eaton, Lan Medina
(I) Cam Smith, Victor Nava (C) Java Tartaglia (L) Joe Sabino
(CA) Whilce Portacio (VCA) Dan Panosian, Mark Brooks
Rated T+
In Shops: Mar 27, 2024
SRP: $3.99

PROTECT THE FUTURE – NO MATTER THE COST! Cable and his younger counterpart, Nate, are closer than ever to uncovering the origins of the Neocracy and putting an end to a bloody future before it can come to pass – but each step closer also brings them further into the crosshairs of the mysterious Parvenu! With the walls closing in, there’s no one else they can trust…but with the weight of the world on their shoulders, will Cable and Nate be able to bear the burden together or will they crumble under the weight?

Cable #3

Cable #1 focuses on a threat bigger than Orchis

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Cable #1

All the signs are here: The Neocracy is coming – and with it comes not only the end of mutantkind, but all of the humankind as well! As if rescuing Young Nate from the ongoing threat of Orchis weren’t enough, can Cable root out this growing threat and decimate it before the Neocracy has a chance to take hold. But is he already too late to change the future? Cable #1 has the future hero dealing with a possible new threat beyond Orchis.

Cable #1 is an interesting comic. There’s something a bit throwback about it in its storytelling and its look. Part of the reason for that is Fabian Nicieza, one of the earlier creators to shape the character.

The story has Cable in “modern times” dealing with Orchis who has kidnapped Kid Nate to try to pry his knowledge from him. Really, the comic should be called “Cables” as the two must team up to take on a new threat growing the Neocracy.

The concept is interesting, preventing the threat before it happens. It’s a question I’ve had about the character for quite some time, why he didn’t stop Orchis before it was created? So, we finally get some answers to that… sort of. But, the villain itself is just ok. Neocracy is the next evolution of mutantking and humankind, yes another one, and it’s a bit too similar to the Dominion. It’s all a little too Terminator and the villains a bit too much like others, but overall, it’s an entertaining comic.

Part of that is the art by Scot Eaton with ink by Cam Smith and Victor Nava, color by Java Tartaglia and lettering by Joe Sabino. The comic has a bit of a throwback style to it with Cable sporting bit pouches and over the top weapons. There’s some fine action moments and good humor but overall, the comic looks like Cable comics of the past. Not bad but also nothing that really jumps out as too exciting.

Cable #1 isn’t a bad start and sort of gives a reason Cable hasn’t been more aggressive in stopping horrible timelines, but overall, it’s an ok read. There’s some decent humor, decent action, but nothing so far that really stands out as too exciting so far.

Story: Fabian Nicieza Art: Scot Eaton
Ink: Cam Smith, Victor Nava Color: Java Tartaglia Letterer: Joe Sabino
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.25 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

X-Men: Days of Future Past – Doomsday #1 delivers a surface level review of events

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X-Men: Days of Future Past - Doomsday #1

X-Men: Days of Future Past is a classic X-Men story taking us to a dystopian future where Mutants are hunted and rounded up. It has spawn takes on television, film, and inspired so many similar stories, some even in the X-Men comics. But, how did things build up to that world? X-Men: Days of Future Past – Doomsday #1 kicks off a new series that explores that.

Written by Marc Guggenheim, X-Men: Days of Future Past – Doomsday #1 begins to flesh out the 30 years of events that lead to the dystopic future we’ve come to known. After opening with “year 28,” the comic rewinds a bit with some quick hits and moments before settling on “year 18.” This is the year that featured some major key events, one a riff on another classic story, that lead to the detention of Mutants and the turning of the public not just against them but also heroes with powers as a whole. It’s all pretty basic with little surprises and shocks, feeling a bit void of emotion.

That’s part of the issue with X-Men: Days of Future Past – Doomsday #1. While the comic does fill in the gaps, the way it’s presented leaves out an emotional connection and punch that should happen. It feels much more like a bullet point of events instead of an impassioned allegory about unchecked hate and othering groups for political gain. It goes over the basics but leaves things generally at the surface level.

The art by Manuel García is good. With ink by Cam Smith, color by Yen Nitro, and lettering by Clayton Cowles, the comic has a bit of a retro style to it. What’s interesting is subtle changes in designs in this alternate world, reminding us that things have gone wrong. It’s small choices but they help make it clear we’re on a different timeline and path than what we are used to in these classic stories. The pages too are packed reflecting a first issue that covers a lot. There could easily be multiple splash pages but instead even the major visual moments share pages with a few more panels. It generally works but also feels like it emphasizes that this debut issue wasn’t given enough room to breathes.

X-Men: Days of Future Past – Doomsday #1 isn’t bad. It begins to fill in the gaps as to what lead to the world of “Days of Future Past.” It’s all logical and you could see how it’d shake out. But, the comic rushes through some of the history, leaving the emotional build to the side. It takes use through the history but never really builds to anything, instead it’s quick hits or we’re dropped into the key moment. There’s an emotional connection that feels like it’s missing.

Story: Marc Guggenheim Art: Manuel García
Ink: Cam Smith Color: Yen Nitro Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Review: Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7

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Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7

For quite some time, it’s felt like the DC Universe has just barreled from one event to the next and at times multiple events going at the same time. Resolution is short with an almost immediate build to the next Crisis. It’s an endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth… but on a multiverse scale. Dark Nights lead to Dark Nights: Death Metal, which eventually lead into Dark Crisis which was really Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths. But, with so many events, things have unfortunately blended together. Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 wraps up the latest leaving us pretty much where we began.

Written by Joshua Williamson, Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 wraps things up and delivers teases and story lines yet to come. It shakes up some characters and teams but overall doesn’t feel like the world of possibilities like previous recent events. Where Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 succeeds is its focus on a few characters, Nightwing becomes much more of the center for the DC Universe that’s to come and Black Adam gets much more depth. It’s in a way a passing of a baton to the next generation of heroes and in that way succeeds in elevating some of the characters. But, as a story, it suffers from some of DC’s past mistakes. A mumbled story where things are sort of explained away, others you just go with, and in the end a status quo that’s a bit head scratching. Mostly because it doesn’t seem all that different from where things began. It was a lot of action and drama that didn’t change a whole lot. Two armies go to battle for the end result to be the same borders.

Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 doesn’t so much feel like it charts its own path going forward by shaking things up. Instead, it feels like an attempt to make sense of a bunch of threads that have been weaved in the year since Death Metal ended. An attempt to get things more focused going forward. It’s not a follow up to the original Crisis on Infinite Earths, so much another sequel to recent events to get things settled that were left unanswered.

The art by Daniel Sampere, Jack Herbert, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Cam Smith, and Rafa Sandoval is really good. They’re joined by Alejandro Sanchez, Alex Guimaraes, Romulo Fajardo Jr., and Matt Herms on color, and Tom Napolitano on lettering. The main story art has some solid switches between the battle raging in the real world and the battle in the mind between Nightwing and Deathstroke. Black Adam also gets his spotlight with a single page that makes the anti-hero a much more complicated hero. Overall, there’s moments that pop but few that will live on as iconic. The teases at the end too vary with the final one really delivering a punch.

At the end of Dark Nights: Death Metal, a multiverse was born of infinite possibilities. At the end of Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 a new multiverse is born of infinite possibilities. The difference? I couldn’t really say. Beyond the small details, a lot of the two events feels exactly the same. While the event sends some characters and teams in new directions, overall, it was a lot of show to get us to a spot not much further than where we began.

Story: Joshua Williamson Art: Daniel Sampere, Jack Herbert, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Cam Smith, Rafa Sandoval
Color: Alejandro Sanchez, Alex Guimaraes, Romulo Fajardo Jr., Matt Herms Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Story: 6.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 6.75 Recommendation: Read

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle

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