Tag Archives: frank barbiere

Review: Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1

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Howling_Commandos_of_SHIELD_1_CoverHidden deep beneath AREA 13 lies the clandestine headquarters of S.T.A.K.E.–a top secret division of S.H.I.E.L.D. housing aliens, mythical beasts, and all manner of extra-normal entities. Under the command of legendary soldier Dum Dum Dugan, these monsters step out of the shadows and defend the world against supernatural threats too dangerous for normal men as THE ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT HOWLING COMMANDOS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.!

I’ll straight up say, if the thought of Zombie Jasper Sitwell, Teen Abomination, Manphibian, Vampire by Night, Orrgo, Hit-Monkey, Man-Thing, Warwolf, and the LMD Dum Dum Duggan doesn’t put a smile on your face, this comic is not for you.

Written by Frank Barbiere with art by Brent Schoonover, Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 had me smiling throughout, and at parts straight up giggling in the absurdity (and fun) of it all. I loved Man-Thing’s inclusion in a previous incarnation of the Thunderbolts, and Hit-Monkey’s various mini-series had me entertained. To me, those two were the draws for me, but the use of Dum Dum, especially post LMD (life model decoy) revelation, and Orrgo are break outs in the issue. Orrgo especially had me laughing at his statements and I hope Barbiere plays up the character more and sees the potential that I do.

This first issue is very much that, tons of potential. There’s lots of bright spots, and some so-so, thankfully more of the former than the latter.

Schoonover’s art is entertaining and he captures a lot of the kinetic fun of it all. Some of the art is really solid and it matches the comedic nature of a lot of it with a slightly cartoon look to it. Basically, the art does a great job matching the vibe.

The first issue is a solid start. It definitely had the comedic and fun moments I was hoping for, and you can see Barbiere working through how the team will gel together. It’s a menagerie of characters that I wondered how they’d work together, and we’re seeing the answer is quite well. An entertaining start that has me interested in seeing what comes next.

Story: Frank Barbiere Art: Brent Schoonover
Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

There’s a New Team in Town in Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1!

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This October, to fight the monsters of this world, we need the monsters of the night! Marvel has released a first look at Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 – the brand new series from writer Frank Barbierie and Brent Schoonover!

Hidden deep beneath Area 13 lies the clandestine headquarters of S.T.A.K.E. – a top-secret division of S.H.I.E.L.D. housing aliens, mythical beasts and all manner of extra-normal entities. Under the command of the legendary soldier Dum Dum Dugan, these monsters will step out of the shadows to defend the world against all things that go bump in the night. Supernatural threats may be too much to handle for ordinary men and women, but this top-secret squad is anything but ordinary. Strap in, hold on, and get ready to meet the all-new, all-different Howling Commandos.

HOWLING COMMANDOS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 (AUG150776)
Written by FRANK BARBIERE
Art & Cover by BRENT SCHOONOVER
Variant Cover by DECLAN SHALVEY (AUG150777) & SKOTTIE YOUNG (AUG150778)
Kirby Monster Variant by MIKE DEL MUNDO (AUG150779)
Hip-Hop Variant by WILFRED SANTIAGO (AUG150780)
Design Variant by BRENT SCHOONOVER (AUG150781)
FOC – 10/05/15, On-Sale 10/28/15

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Preview: Black Market TP

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Black Market TP

Writer: Frank J. Barbiere
Artist: Victor Santos

Ray Willis is a broken man, a disgraced medical examiner making ends meet by preparing corpses at a funeral parlor. His scientific genius is being wasted…that is, until his estranged criminal brother Denny shows up on his doorstep, supposedly cleaned-up and proposing a once-in-a-lifetime partnership to cure not just cancer, but all disease. The catch? It exists within the DNA of superheroes. Collects all four issues of the critically acclaimed miniseries.

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Barbiere, Zamora, and Dynamite take us to The Precinct, a New Steampunk Series

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Dynamite Entertainment has announced the upcoming December release of The Precinct #1, the first chapter in an all-new steampunk science fiction comic book series written by Frank J. Barbiere and featuring interior artwork by Crizam Zamora.

In the sprawling, steampunk metropolis known as The Big City, it’s up to one group to keep the peace and uphold the law: the officers of The Precinct! Mortimer Hill is a veteran officer who has busted his fair share of criminals, but when mechanical monsters start causing trouble, he’ll need to use all his wits (and brawn) to get to the heart of the mystery. Along with his new partner, a representative from the enigmatic Alchemy Academy, Mort will face the biggest case of his career… and the most dangerous!

Dynamite will celebrate the debut of The Precinct with several cover options, allowing retailers and comic fans to satisfy their particular steampunk tastes. The acclaimed artist of Lady Mechanika, Joe Benitez, provides Cover A for the first issue, while Darick Robertson, the bestselling artist of The Boys, provides Cover B. A “Blank Authentix” edition will also be made available, featuring a blank cover perfect for aspiring artists or convention guests to design their own steampunk creations. Finally, Dynamite will create rare incentive variants and high-end collectible editions available through qualifying retailers: Black-and-White and Virgin Art editions by Darick Robertson, and a Virgin Art edition by Joe Benitez.

You can order The Precinct #1, which will be released in December, through Diamond Comic Distributors’ October Previews catalog.

Precinct01-Cov-A-Benitez

Preview: Solar: Man of the Atom Vol. 2

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Solar: Man of the Atom Vol. 2

Frank J. Barbiere (w)
Jonathn Lau (a)
Juan Doe (c)
FC • 104 pages • $16.99 • Teen+

Erica Seleski, the daughter of scientist/superhero Solar, has inherited all the powers of the Man of the Atom… but she doesn’t know how to use them! And thanks to these new, out-of-control abilities, she’s been thrown into deep space… where aliens aplenty want to catch her and steal her powers for their own. Welcome to the wildest lost-in-space adventure of all time, courtesy of writer Frank J. Barbiere (Avengers World, Five Ghosts) and artist Jonathan Lau (Kevin Smith’s Bionic Man)!

This volume collects issues 5-8 of the series by Frank Barbiere and Jonathan Lau, and features a complete cover gallery.

SolarV2TP-Cov-104pgs

AfterShock Comics’ Initial Slate of Writers  

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aftershock1As San Diego Comic‐Con kicks off this week, AfterShock Comics, the recently launched comic book company has announced its inaugural slate of award‐winning writers.

The list of AfterShock writers includes: Jimmy Palmiotti; Amanda Conner; Paul Jenkins; Justin Jordan; Phil Hester; Frank Barbiere; Marguerite Bennett; and Garth Ennis.

Launched in April 2015, AfterShock Comics is a comic book company that combines the creative edge of an independent comic book publisher with the strengths and experience of a traditional powerhouse. In addition to Editor‐in‐Chief Mike Marts, a former Marvel executive editor, Aftershock’s executive team includes: Chief Creative Officer Joe Pruett, an Eisner Award‐winning publisher and editor; Co‐CEO Michael Richter, an accomplished media and technology executive, most recently at Facebook, as well as an award‐winning filmmaker; Co‐CEO Jon Kramer, an entertainment entrepreneur with extensive worldwide production and distribution experience; President Lee Kramer, a film/TV production and development executive who has worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood; and Senior VP of Investor Relations Jawad Qureshi, an experienced Silicon Valley entrepreneur and investor.

In addition to unveiling its initial writers slate, AfterShock also announced an anthology of short stories. Those writers include: Jim Starlin, Amy Chu, Brian Stelfreeze and industry icon Neil Gaiman.

Preview: Broken World #1 (of 4)

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Broken World #1 (of 4)

Author: Frank J. Barbiere
Artist: Christopher Peterson

With a meteor days away from causing an extinction-level event on Earth, time is running out for Elena Marlowe. While most of the planet’s population and her family were approved by the government to escape on one of the giant spaceships headed to another planet, her application was denied due to her mysterious past. With the meteor fast approaching, Elena tries desperately to find a way to fake her way onto the last ship or else be left behind to die with the rest of Earth’s rejected denizens.

BrokenWorld_001_A_Main

Review: Avengers World #21

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Avengers World #21The last stand of A.I.M. … in the Savage Land! Thor and Hyperion unleashed! Can Namor survive The Cabal?

While much of the attention for the epic story leading up to Marvel‘s Secret Wars has been on Jonathan Hickman’s Avengers and New Avengers, for the last six issues, writer Frank Barbiere has transformed Avengers World from an “also” series, into one that not only equals Hickman’s main tale, but surpasses it in many ways. This issue is the apex of the series.

While Hickman gives us the main story of time winding down, Barbiere has focused the story on other aspects overlooked, filling in gaps. First Roberto Dacosta’s purchased of A.I.M. and attempt to save the world has been a lot of the story, but the thing I really liked about this issue is something else.

Barbiere has taken the questionable hero Namor and taken him from someone who will cross the line and do whatever it takes to survive into a broken, fallen hero. Namor was attacked and left for dead some time back and since has been running with Thanos’ Cabal, destroying worlds. Up to this point he came off as a strong leader, but we learn things aren’t what we’ve seen, Namor is broken and has become a sympathetic, broken king. As the issue plays out, it becomes clear what we thought was the story isn’t so much. Pieces of the puzzle are put together weaving a tragic tale. Barbiere has brought sympathy for the villain, and at the same time cast Thanos as an even scarier force.

Helping Barbiere is artist Jeff Dekal on cover and Marco Checchetto on interiors, and Andres Josè Mossa on color, all of whose art is jaw dropping. How they are all not headlining numerous series is a crime. The art for these past few issues have been amazing, and they’re all talents that should be headlining some big titles. Expect to see these name a lot over the next few years.

Avengers World is a series that’s flown under the radar, overshadowed by the higher profile Avengers series. Barbiere and Checchetto have turned it into a top tier series that not only entertains, but adds depth in both the greater world building and characters themselves.

Writer: Frank Barbiere Cover Artist: Jeff Dekal Interior Art: Marco Checchetto
Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy

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