Tag Archives: gods

Mini Reviews: Zawa, Petrol Head, and G.O.D.S.!

Posted on by
Petrol Head #1

Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling reviews of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full one for.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

Zawa + the Belly of the Beast #1 (BOOM! Studios) – In Zawa #1, writer/artist Michael Dialynas puts a colorful and unique spin on the dystopian genre. He crafts a world centered around processed food and a feast honoring a corrupt mayor that screams factory town, but has a little bit of a Nintendo aesthetic. For example, the mayor looks like a Kirby baddie. The protagonists of Zawa run a bakery and try to scrounge together fresh food and remember a time when food was art and not just convenience. It all leads to some good trouble involving the aforementioned beast of the comic who is this series’ wild card. Dialynas handles coloring and lettering duties using colored font any time a character mentions a “rare” ingredient as well as bursts of brightness any time they have a breakthrough. The whole thing ends up being a visually charming version of a well-trodden genre. Overall: 8.2 Verdict: Buy

Petrol Head #1 (Image Comics) – Petrol Head is the other new dystopia series that was launched this week, but it’s very different from Zawa. Rob Williams and Pye Parr channel classic 2000 AD comics with a day-glo sheen in this tale of domed cities, retired, gas (Or petrol for the Brits) powered racing robots, and sassy robot birds. I really enjoyed the flashback scene of Petrol Head in his prime, and the excitement of the racing scenes pair nicely with Williams’ satirical script of how the world is basically rigged. Parr’s designs for the different robots have both form and function, and it’s a sheer thrill ride to see Petrol head run over the robot cops from the O-Zone. (Yes, there are lots of great puns in this comic too.) Petrol Head #1 sets the table for this brave new world with action, hijinks, and a pitch black sense of humor instead of gloms of exposition, and I’m interested to see how this rag tag bang takes down the authoritarian corporations that run their world. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

G.O.D.S. #2 (Marvel) – Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti continue to cut off G.O.D.S. from the main Marvel Universe (Bye bye cameos) while having the bent of the series completely transcend and undergird it. And the final result is fantasy in a very sci-fi way as Aiko takes her soon-to-be sorcerer’s apprentice Mia to the Library of Worlds and offers this struggling, underprivileged college student a way to achieve. Even though G.O.D.S. is full of high concepts and powerful beings, Schiti’s skill with facial expression grounds the story and really let me connect with Mia. Of course, when you’re failing at life, the crazy white haired magic lady and library with supernatural beings might actually be appealing. Some other highlights of G.O.D.S. #2 are the flatness of the dialogue that Jonathan Hickman writes for Mia’s friends and the boringness of her life compared with the world of the Centivars. What sets apart G.O.D.S. from other Chosen One narratives other than the class consciousness is that Mia isn’t set up as some kind of messiah figure, but just gets to live an interesting life as the series progresses. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Preview: G.O.D.S. #2

Posted on by

G.O.D.S. #2

(W) Jonathan Hickman (A) Valerio Schiti (CA) Mateus Manhanini
Rated T+
In Shops: Nov 08, 2023
SRP: $4.99

Jonathan Hickman & Valerio Schiti continue to redefine the Marvel Cosmology! The Centum normally has twenty-five Primes, now only three remain. College isn’t worth the time or the money. There’s a hidden book in the hidden library that hides a hidden door. Kubisk Core is from Georgia, like that matters.

G.O.D.S. #2

G.O.D.S. #2 continues a middling experience

Posted on by
G.O.D.S. #2

The Centum normally has twenty-five Primes, now only three remain. College isn’t worth the time or the money. There’s a hidden book in the hidden library that hides a hidden door. Kubisk Core is from Georgia, like that matters. That word salad description? That really does sum up G.O.D.S. #2, a series that was pumped up with such hype but has delivered a ho-hum experience.

Pitched as a “redefinition of the Marvel Cosmology,” G.O.D.S. #2, like the first issue, feels like a story that both doesn’t fit the current Marvel Universe but also a Doctor Strange story with different characters. Written by Jonathan Hickman, G.O.D.S. #2 deals with the fallout of the debut issue with lots of discussion of recruiting new members, figuring out what happened, and the introduction of a new magical character. It’s all ok and if it was a creator-owned series with another publisher it might work better, but as is it weirdly just doesn’t feel like it fits the Marvel Universe. Like the first issue, the second feels like it’s a square being shoved into a circle hole.

There’s also the issue that while it acts like it adds this whole new experience and aspect to the Marvel world, it just feels like it’s a story meant for other magical Marvel characters. In fact, we get Doctor Strange, Clea, Wong, and Doctor Voodoo as part of the second issue taking what is pitched as this story of gods and their handlers/avatars and makes it feel like a low level magical threat Strange might otherwise deal with.

The art by Valerio Schiti is solid though. With color by Marte Gracia and lettering by Travis Lanham, the visuals feel much grander than the story itself. There’s so many interesting things shown but none of it feels expanded upon. It teases the grand story that hasn’t been delivered yet. But, it looks pretty and the characters are cool to look at.

G.O.D.S. #2 continues to show potential but never feels like it commits to its greater concepts. Everything feels rather pedestrian and like any other magical Marvel story. It’s been hyped up so much at this point, it’s hard to see it living up to expectations, the pitch, or hype.

Story: Jonathan Hickman Art: Valerio Schiti
Color: Marte Gracia Letterer: Travis Lanham
Story: 7.0 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Preview: G.O.D.S. #2

Posted on by

G.O.D.S. #2

(W) Jonathan Hickman (A) Valerio Schiti (CA) Mateus Manhanini
Rated T+
In Shops: Nov 08, 2023
SRP: $4.99

Jonathan Hickman & Valerio Schiti continue to redefine the Marvel Cosmology! The Centum normally has twenty-five Primes, now only three remain. College isn’t worth the time or the money. There’s a hidden book in the hidden library that hides a hidden door. Kubisk Core is from Georgia, like that matters.

G.O.D.S. #2

NYCC 2023: Get a glimpse at Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti’s G.O.D.S.

Posted on by

During the Marvel: Next Big Thing Panel, mastermind writer Jonathan Hickman and visionary artist Valerio Schiti teased the future of their revolutionary new series, G.O.D.S.! Launched last month, G.O.D.S. represents a bold transformation of the Marvel cosmology with the introduction of The-Powers-That-Be and The-Natural-Order-Things. These two opposing groups of mystics and scientists serve Marvel’s classic pantheon of cosmic entities, and their eons-old conflict has finally come to light!

In G.O.D.S. #1, fans witnessed Wyn, chosen avatar of The-Powers-That-Be, gathered with the 100 brilliant minds of the The-Natural-Order-Of-Things, including his ex-wife Aiko Maki, to prevent a reality-shattering Babylon Event caused by the mysterious Cubisk Core! Fans can see how this threat deepens in upcoming issues in the all-new G.O.D.S.: Coming Soon Trailer, featuring never-before-seen artwork!

You’ve met the heroes… Now, fear the villains! Science and Magic must stand together as game-changing shifts in the pantheon erupt and oblivion approaches! The trailer opens with Mia the Magic Girl, a young mage with startling potential, taking her first steps towards an uncertain destiny as she’s recruited by Aiko for the Natural-Order-Of-Things. And things take a dramatic turn when Wyn, his apprentice Dimitri, and Doctor Strange confront Cubisk. As they dive deeper into their new enemy’s plans and learn the power that’s behind him, they’ll discover the stakes at hand are greater than anyone could’ve imagined!

Check out upcoming covers and don’t miss a single issue of this once-in-a-generation Marvel saga each month!

Mini Reviews: G.O.D.S. #1 arrives!

Posted on by
G.O.D.S. #1

Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling reviews of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full one for.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

G.O.D.S. #1 (Marvel) – Jonathan Hickman, Valerio Schiti, and Marte Gracia set out to flesh out the magical side of the Marvel Universe and mostly succeed. Their take on the mystical arts reads like philosophy 101 meets a tabletop RPG with two players going through a divorce, but it makes for a lot of action and some heartfelt moments. I initially wasn’t sold on protagonist Wyn and his wish.com Dr. Strange energy, but his interactions with his wife Aiko (Amplified by Schiti’s nine panel grid layouts.) show how romantic he is. Wyn would rather find true love than upset the current magical order so I find myself rooting for him as he barters for magical objects with sidekick Dmitri in tow. G.O.D.S. #1‘s price tag is steep, but it feels like a full meal with a summer event level of stakes that still has room for filling out a whole section of the Marvel Universe and introducing compelling new characters. Wyn is like a Vertigo or Image protagonist stranded in the Marvel Universe and sans Dr. Strange and some cameos, G.O.D.S. #1 feels like Hickman’s new creator-owned universe rather than a take on a pre-existing property although some of the fight scenes evoke classic Steve Ditko psychedelia. Overall: 8.1 Verdict: Buy

Pharoah Miles

G.O.D.S. #1 (Marvel) – Neil Gaiman is one of those authors that you feel like as if he could be your best friend. His works always consist of characters that we always root for.  As most are flawed but have the capacity to be and do good.  It is their fallibility is where we identify with them the most. Gaiman’s American Gods is a perfect example of what fans love most about his works. We see how, despite the fact most of the characters are deities, their flaws are what rules them in the end. Gaiman seeks to show that despite their perceived power, they more human than us.  In the debut issue of G.O.D.S.,  writer Jonathan Hickman delivers a similar concept. The issue pulls back the veil, uncovering just how powerful deities are in a world filled with aliens, mutants and super powered beings. Overall, G.O.D.S. #1 is an engaging debut which more than excites. It adds to Marvel’s vast canon. The story by Hickman is masterful. The art by Valerio Schiti, and Marte Gracia is gorgeous. Altogether, the debut is a fun introduction to these exciting new characters and teases how they fit into the greater Marvel Universe. Overall: 9.0 Verdict: Buy

Get a look at the new vision of Marvel’s cosmology in G.O.D.S. #2 from Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti

Posted on by

This week, readers discovered a side of the Marvel Universe they never imagined existed in Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti’s G.O.D.S. #1! The highly-anticipated issue will return to comic shops with a second printing on November 1, and a week later, a new chapter arrives in G.O.D.S. #2. See all three G.O.D.S. #2 covers, the main cover by Mateus Manhanini as well as variant covers by Alan Quah and Mike Del Mundo, along with never-before-seen interior artwork.

This once-in-a-generation comic series kicked off a bold transformation of the Marvel cosmology with the introduction of The-Powers-That-Be and The-Natural-Order-Things. These two opposing groups of mystics and scientists serve Marvel’s legendary pantheon of cosmic entities, and their eons-old conflict has finally come to light!

In G.O.D.S #1, Wyn, chosen avatar of The-Powers-That-Be, gathered with the 100 brilliant minds of the The-Natural-Order-Of-Things, including his ex-wife Aiko Maki, to prevent a reality-shattering Babylon Event! The mystery behind this threat and its culprit, Cubisk Core, will deepen in future issues as Hickman and Schiti open the floodgates to this new mythology with new versions of Marvel’s classic abstract entities and more insights into the secret history and methods of The-Powers-That-Be and The-Natural-Order-Of-Things. In the all-new G.O.D.S. #2 preview, behold Wyn joining forces with Doctor Strange, Clea, and more to track down Cubisk Core. And then see Mia the Magic Girl, a young mage with startling potential, take her first steps towards an uncertain destiny as she’s recruited by Aiko Maki.

G.O.D.S. #1 will return to comic shops with a second printing on November 1. Check out all the art now and preorder G.O.D.S. #2 at your local comic shop today!

Around the Tubes

Posted on by
G.O.D.S. #1

It was new comic book day yesterday! What’d you all get? What did you like? Sound off in the comments below! While you think about that, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web to start the day.

Kotaku – Manga Plus’ New Two-Plan Subscription Service Has More Pros Than Cons – Any of you use this?

Reviews

Collected Editions – Catwoman Vol. 1: Dangerous Liaisons
The Beat – G.O.D.S. #1
Comicbook – G.O.D.S. #1
CBR – G.O.D.S. #1
The Guardian – Monica
Comicbook – Transformers #1

Preview: G.O.D.S. #1

Posted on by

G.O.D.S. #1

(W) Jonathan Hickman (A) Valerio Schiti (CA) Mateus Manhanini
Rated T+
In Shops: Oct 04, 2023
SRP: $9.99

JONATHAN HICKMAN RE-INVENTS THE COSMOLOGY OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE! WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE-POWERS-THAT-BE MEET THE-NATURAL-ORDER-OF-THINGS? The infinite détente between THE-NATURAL-ORDER-OF-THINGS and THE-POWERS-THAT-BE nears an end. Old acquaintances are reunited during a Babylon Event. The Lion of Wolves throws the worst parties. Don’t look under the table. There’s a John Wilkes Booth penny on the ground. This ENORMOUS EXTRA-SIZED first issue features DOCTOR STRANGE, who, while not boring at all, is easily the most boring person in the book.

G.O.D.S. #1

G.O.D.S. #1 doesn’t match the build up

Posted on by
G.O.D.S. #1

The infinite détente between The-Natural-Order-Of-Things and The-Powers-That-Be nears an end. Old acquaintances are reunited during a Babylon Event. The Lion of Wolves throws the worst parties. Don’t look under the table. There’s a John Wilkes Booth penny on the ground. G.O.D.S. #1 has had months of hype and build and the debut issue doesn’t live up to any of that.

When it comes to the various gods of the Marvel Universe, the execution has been weirdly muddled and at times contradictory. Depicted as forces, depicted as beings who make decisions, depicted as something grander than comprehension, depicted as a being you can touch, it’s been all over. Now, they have servants who walk among us and do… something, it’s not quite clear.

G.O.D.S. #1 kicks off the newest high concept Marvel comic from writer Jonathan Hickman and the end result is just a bunch of new characters who are cool but don’t deliver a ton. At the center of things is Wyn, a character who has the charm of Constantine and powers of… Constantine and Doctor Strange? While a possible nice addition to the Marvel Universe, the character is one that’s rather familiar… a fun familiarity. He has the charm, he has the cool, he saves the day, but we’re just presented a character who’s surface not substance beyond his relationship with Aiko Maki, his sort of wife, and Dimitri his apprentice/servant. In the trio we get a rehash of drama and back and forth that’s a bit Strange/Clea/Wong. It’s just in this case they all serve some higher powers. We’re not exactly sure the who, why, what, and more which leaves the comic to rely on the action(s) to hook the readers. And, while it’s all fine, it just delivers a comic that’s more style than substance. Like some of Hickman’s recent releases, the end result is a debut that has some good ideas but doesn’t deliver enough to really hook you or feel satisfying.

The art by Valerio Schiti is what stands out. With Marte Gracia on color and lettering by Travis Lanham, the comic looks great delivering action and designs that are fantastic. There’s absolutely an otherworldly vibe about it all in the characters and locations, making the comic feel a bit grander than some of the other mystical Marvel comics. The comic’s visuals does a solid job of “sexy and cool” and grand action with a slight horror tinge. An action packed sequence is preceded and followed by a quiet one featuring Wyn and Aiko discussing their relationship that feels like it’s Steven Soderbergh’s Out of Sight.

At $9.99 for the first issue, G.O.D.S. #1 is a “pass.” If it had a cover price of half that, it’d be a “read.” But, as is, the comic feels like a one-shot that has little connection to the Marvel Universe and impact featuring a trio that’s are a clone of Doctor Strange’s world. For a series that was built like it’d shake things up, it just introduces a bunch of new characters who deliver Hickman’s charm and cool concepts but there’s not much else beyond flashy art. It’s the blockbuster that is all style and little else.

Story: Jonathan Hickman Art: Valerio Schiti
Color: Marte Gracia Letterer: Travis Lanham
Story: 7.0 Art: 8.4 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Pass

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

« Older Entries Recent Entries »