Tag Archives: christa miesner

Review: Big Hero 6: The Series #1

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Big Hero 6: The Series #1

Big Hero 6 is a property that has morphed from its Marvel roots to the animated adventure that hit the big screen years ago. That hit film spawned manga, a television series, and now a comic by IDW Publishing based on the series. Thankfully, Big Hero 6: The Series #1 captures the all-ages enthusiasm that oozes from the film a show.

Delivering two adventures the comic oozes the positive and infectious enthusiasm the series is known for.

Written by Hannah Blumenreich with art by Nicoletta Baldari and lettering by Christa Miesner “Fred’s Comic Book Adventure” is the main story of the issue. With the team away on a field trip, Fred is left to his own devices as he imagines battling evil robots on his own. And that imagination is funneled into a comic chronicling his adventures.

What’s really impressive is the narrative and the art together. Blumenreich has fun with changing Fred’s adventures as his ability to draw limits him in ways. There’s some solid lessons there for readers but it also creates fun visuals for Baldari. There, the style of the art shifts from the “real world.” It delivers a visual treat as we get to experience how Fred sees things and the comic has some fun with that too. The comic within a comic concept has been done before but the team not only delivers an entertaining adventure but also has no issues poking fun at the concept as well.

In “Mini Maximum Noodle Dog,” Mini Max is forced to wait outside while Fred grabs food. Writer Joe Caramagna delivers a very cute story that’d work so well as an animated short. Baldari and Miesner again provide the art and lettering. It’s an adorable story that feels like a bonus to the main adventures. But, much like the Pixar shorts before the main film, it’s beyond enjoyable and more than welcome.

Big Hero 6: The Series #1 is an all-ages comic that captures the fun of the television and film. It delivers an enthusiasm that’s hard not to feel while reading. It’s infectious in a way. Definitely one to pick up for fans of the property or for parents looking to find a superhero comic for their young readers.

Fred’s Comic Book Adventure
Story: Hannah Blumenreich Art: Nicoletta Baldari
Mini Maximum Noodle Dog
Story: Joe Caramagna Art: Nicoletta Baldari
Letterer and Design: Christa Miesner
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: GLOW #1

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Glow #1

The Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling are ready to take on the world-or at least LA-in this comic based on the hit Netflix series! When the unthinkable happens and the women of GLOW find themselves ahead of schedule, Sam ruins the promise of a wrestling-free weekend with… more wrestling! Robbed of blissful relaxation and forced to raise money to fund their way to the event, the GLOW team is less-than-prepared for their opponents: real gorgeous lady wrestlers. What could possibly go wrong?!

Netflix’s GLOW was a surprise hit to me delivering a series that was a bit unexpected in its mix of drama, humor, some history, and wrestling. GLOW, the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, is based on the real sports entertainment that has a cult like following to this day. The comic spin-off takes a much more comedic spin to the material as the ladies must raise money to go to Wrestlefest.

Written by Tini Howard, the first issue acts as an intro for those who might be new to the characters and series. Through the need to raise money, we learn each of their personalities getting a good idea of how each stands out. That aspect of the comic is solid and really smart. Through the situation, and story, we organically learn about each character. For those expecting wrestling, that’s sparse in the comic which instead is more segments as we see how each raises their needed money.

The art by Hannah Templer with color by Rebecca Nalty and lettering by Christa Miesner plays off of the comedic tone of the series. It reminds me a bit more of a style geared more towards kids, which is odd since the show is absolutely not aimed at kids. But, there’s no reason the comic can’t be and the humor of much of the comic is driven by the art which creates an exaggeration by so many of the characters that there’s an almost anime like quality about it all.

GLOW the comic features the same characters as GLOW the television show but the two feel like two very different entities in their focus and tone. The television show is a much more serious adult drama with comedic elements while the comic focuses, at least for now, on the more comedic aspects of it all. And it still works. For those coming in from the show, the difference might be a bit jarring but for those new to it all, this debut issue is a fine introduction to this slice of entertainment history.

Story: Tini Howard Art: Hannah Templer
Color: Rebecca Nalty Letterer: Christa Miesner
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Marvel Action: Avengers #1

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Marvel Action: Avengers #1

A new era of all out Avengers action begins! A new team is formed to battle a mega-sized threat that is weirder and wilder than any of the superheroes have met before!

It’s a whole new era for the Avengers as IDW Publishing takes on Marvel‘s premiere team with Marvel Action: Avengers #1. Aimed at middle grade readers, the first issue is entertaining and thrilling enough that fans of all ages can enjoy it.

Writer Matthew K. Manning gives us the basics to start assuming the readers know little making this a perfect point for younger readers to start. As the action unfolds, small factoids are included allowing for an easy point of entry and catching up on the characters, their powers, and what to expect. That’s included for heroes and villains like. It’s a small detail but a solid one that keeps the entry level low.

The story itself is entertaining involving A.I.M., Madame Masque, U-Foes, not the biggest of villains, which is appreciated in a way. The material seems good for the ages it aims for, though an early explosion/bomb left me scratching my head (I’m not a great judge on that). There’s the expected violence of punching but none of it’s over the top and some of it is a little odd actually (how Madame Masque is eventually dealt with is an example). But, kids won’t be judging that at all.

The art by Jon Sommariva, color by Protobunker, and lettering by Christa Miesner is a solid style that reminds me a bit of Marvel’s animated series. There’s a nice design to the characters and the action flows nicely throughout with some nice use of panels. It all works and works really well.

The first issue is a good one that I’d have no problem handing to a younger kid who’s really in to the Avengers or the characters. It’s a solid entry to the world and characters succeeding where Marvel has stumbled, material made for non-adults. There’s also a nice sophistication to it that doesn’t talk down to its audience and should keep everyone who reads it engaged. A great start to a new take on classic characters.

Story: Matthew K. Manning Art: Jon Sommariva
Color: Protobunker Letterer: Christa Miesner
Story: 7.95 Art: 7.95 Overall: 7.95 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Preview: Goosebumps: Download and Die! #2

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Goosebumps: Download and Die! #2

Story: Jen Vaughn
Art: Michelle Wong
Color: Triona Tree Farrell
Letterer: Christa Miesner
Cover A: Michelle Wong
Cover B: Christina Kelly
RI Cover: Sara DuVall
Editor: Sarah Gaydos
Assistant Editor: Chase Martoz

Mitra’s new creepy phone is causing a rift between her and her friends—they just don’t believe it’s behind all the recent… disturbances. Is it too late to do a hard reset on her life?!

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Preview: Goosebumps: Download and Die! #1

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Goosebumps: Download and Die! #1

Story: Jen Vaughn
Art: Michelle Wong
Color: Triona Tree Farrell
Letterer: Christa Miesner
Editor: Sarah Gaydos
Assistant Editor: Chase Marotz

When Mitra and her two besties find a phone with the latest and greatest technology and apps, they think they are dreaming. But when push (notifications) come to shove, they might be living a nightmare!

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Preview: Skylanders Quarterly—Spyro & Friends: Biting Back

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Skylanders Quarterly—Spyro & Friends: Biting Back

Story: Ron Marz, David A. Rodriguez
Art: Jack Lawrence, Aurelio Mazzara Cover: David Baldeón
Color: Ander Zarate, Tom Farm Letterer: Deron Bennett, Tom B. Long Ink: Gaetano Petrigno
Editor: David Hedgecock Assistant Editor: Peter Adrian Behravesh Production: Christa Miesner

Spyro and Rollerball skirmish with a Drow battalion and encounter a strange new team of armored enemies with incredible powers! Plus, the madness reaches a conclusion in “Mirror, Mirror” Part 3, as Spyro and Kaos try to reverse their mind-swap!

FC • 48 pages • $4.99

Preview: Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters #2

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Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters #2

Story: Kevin Burke, Chris “Doc” Wyatt
Art: Nikos Koutsis Color: Mike Toris Letterer: Christa Miesner
Cover A: Aluir Amancio Cover B: Nikos Koutsis RI Cover: Philip Murphy
Editor: Joe Hughes
In Shops: Mar 07, 2018
SRP: $3.99

The Flex Fighters try to convince the Extreme Hazard Unit not to exterminate Mantoid… but they aren’t having much success! This leaves the team with only one option: monster jail break!