Tag Archives: irma kniivila

X-Men Wedding Special #1 Serves as a Great Wedding Story but Not a Strong Marvel Pride Issue

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X-Men Wedding Special

Mystique and Destiny, one of the oldest gay couples in Marvel comics, decide to renew their vows in X-Men Wedding Special #1 by an ensemble of various creatives. Serving as this year’s Marvel’s Voices Pride, read about the wedding of the millennium with one of the comics’ most significant relationships, Betsy and Rachel, facing a dangerous threat by an old foe, a group of young mutants trying to find the perfect wedding gift and more. Although it works better to celebrate Irene’s and Raven’s relationship, X-Men Wedding Special #1 feels like a weaker substitute for the Marvel Voices Pride specials from the past years.

The best aspect lies in the overarching story “Something Borrowed, Something Blue” by Kieron Gillen, Rachael Stott, and Michael Bartolo, which focuses on the wedding of Irene and Raven as the pair have a secret scheme that the guests and their kids Rogue and Nightcrawler do not know about. Aside from the historical nature of the wedding, it also serves as a capstone for Gillen’s work with the pair during the Krakoan era. I enjoy how Gillen characterizes the chaotic and villainous sapphic couple whose love is immortal. Stott’s beautiful art, paired with Bartolo’s colors, conveyed the majestic and gorgeous nature of the wedding. The other stories by Tini Howard, Phillip Sevy, KJ Díaz, Wyatt Kennedy, Jenn St-Onge, Brittany Peer, and more are primarily good but range in quality. 

Outside of the original stories, the issue includes a history of Irene’s and Raven’s relationship, an interview with Chris Claremont, and reprints of two LGBTQ+ X-Men-focused Marvel issues. X-Men Wedding Special #1 does not justify its price tag, even with the included supplementary materials. Granted, it is a super-sized issue, but I wish the special contained more original materials and a more substantial publishing and presentation for the physical printed issue. Considering how last year’s Pride special included more stories, interviews, and other elements, X-Men Wedding Special #1 feels less impressive and a step down in quality and execution. 

Lastly, X-Men Wedding Special #1 serves as this year’s Marvel’s Voices Pride, which does not showcase a large variety of LGBTQ+ representation. By solely focusing on Irene, Raven, and some of the X-Men exclusively, it cuts out the other LGBTQ+ mutant and non-mutant characters teased on the variant covers. Similarly, what should be a meaningful celebration for two beloved queer characters becomes saddled with being the big LGBTQ+ special by Marvel comics. This decision cuts out queer and trans-non-mutant characters, along with not highlighting other spaces of the universe. The representation is more limited and does not portray the breadth of queer and trans characters in the comics. As a result, if Marvel released a 2024 issue of Marvel’s Voices Pride in addition to X-Men Wedding Special #1, my opinions would be more favorable due to the latter not being the sole major queer tentpole special for the year. Outside of being the monumental wedding issue of Irene and Raven, it is also their yearly Pride issue, which comes across as more corporate synergy than a stand-alone celebration.

Overall, X-Men Wedding Special #1 bolsters a talented team of creatives who celebrate a wedding centuries in the making, which conflicts with being 2024’s Marvel’s Voices Pride. I loved the wedding aspect, but I wish it had more stories and materials representing more queer and trans characters outside of solely X-Men ones. With Irene and Raven having Marvel’s first sapphic wedding, its memorability and impact get slightly lessened with the other aspects the issue needs to juggle. As a result, X-Men Wedding Special #1 cannot solely be about their wedding but also has to carry the weight of being this year’s Marvel’s Voices Pride. I prefer if this served as a stand-alone special issue along with having a Marvel’s Voices Pride 2024 issue. X-Men Wedding Special #1 celebrates the immortal love of Irene and Raven while struggling to showcase the diverse LGBTQ+ community in Marvel comics.

Story: Kieron Gillen, Tini Howard, Tate Brombal, Yoon Ha Lee, Wyatt Kennedy
Art: Rachael Stott, Phillip Sevy, Emilio Pilliu, Stephen Byrne, Jenn St-Onge
Color: Michael Bartolo, KJ Diaz, Irma Kniivila, Brittany Peer
Letterer: Ariana Maher
Story: 7.2 Art: 8.3 Overall: 7.3 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Lies Transform You Into a Monster in Your First Look at Lawful #1

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BOOM! Studios has revealed a first look at Lawful #1, the brand new fantasy series by author Greg Pak, artist Diego Galindo, colorist Irma Kniivila, and letterer Simon Bowland, about moral imperfection and monstrous consequences, available June 12, 2024.

Magical meets modernity in a walled city with strangely familiar architecture, where two young heroes with a sense of adventure get a grim reminder of their reality…

Because every mistake, every lie, every misdeed one makes in this world will cause them to transform into a monster. Bit by bit, one small change at a time. In the eyes of society, there is no distinction between being lawful and doing the right thing.

Lawful #1 features a main cover by fan favorite artist Qistina Khalidah and variant covers by Miguel Mercado and Erica Henderson.

Lawful #1

Skybound Comet announces Author Programming with the New York Public Library

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Skybound Comet

Skybound, in partnership with The New Yok Public Library (NYPL), have announced a slate of author talks with top Skybound Comet creators, which will run from August to October and be hosted online for NYPL patrons to attend.   

Acclaimed Skybound talent Michelle Fus (writer/artist and co-creator, Ava’s Demon series), Tri Vuong (writer/artist and co-creator, Everday Hero Machine Boy), Irma Kniivila (writer/artist and co-creator, Everday Hero Machine Boy) and Mairghread Scott (writer and co-creator, Sea Serpent’s Heir trilogy), and will be on hand to speak about their original graphic novels published through Skybound Comet, an imprint aimed at Young Adult (Ages 12+) and Middle Grade (Ages 8-12) audiences, but sure to captivate readers of all ages. 

Copies of their Skybound Comet graphic novels are available via the NYPL with a valid library card.  

The full slate of author talks is below.  

AUTHOR TALKS FEATURING SKYBOUND TALENT: 

  • NYPL Author Talk with Tri Vuong & Irma Kniivila (Everyday Hero Machine Boy)  
  • Date: Friday, August 18 
  • Time: 2:00 – 3:00 PM ET 
  • Location: Online via Google Meet 
  • Description: Join Pelham Parkway-Van Nest Librarian in a discussion with comic book writers and cartoonists, Tri Vuong & Irma Kniivila, as they talk about their latest graphic novel, Everyday Hero Machine Boy! While it is not required to attend the program, you can get a copy of Everyday Hero Machine Boy with your library card! 
  • Event Page
  • NYPL Author Talk with Mairghread Scott (Sea Serpent’s Heir)  
  • Date: Wednesday, September 6 
  • Time: 2:00 – 3:00 PM ET 
  • Location: Online via Google Meet 
  • Description: Join Pelham Parkway-Van Nest Librarian in a discussion with comic book and animation writer Mairghread Scott, as she talks about her graphic novel, Sea Serpent’s Heir! While it is not required to attend the program, you can get a copy of Sea Serpent’s Heir with your library card! 
  • Event Page
  • NYPL Author Talk with Michelle Fus (Ava’s Demon)  
  • Date: Tuesday, October 3 
  • Time: 2:00 – 3:00 PM ET 
  • Location: Online via Google Meet 
  • Description: Join Pelham Parkway-Van Nest Librarian in a discussion with writer and artist Michelle Fus, as they talk about their popular webcomic, Ava’s Demon! While it is not required to attend the program, you can get a copy of Ava’s Demon with your library card! 
  • Event Page

Review: Everyday Hero Machine Boy

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When he fell into the city Mega 416, Machine Boy left destruction in his wake. Years later, he wants to be a force for good and find out who he is.

Story: Tri Vuong, Irma Kniivila
Art: Tri Vuong
Color: Irma Kniivila
Letterer: Aditya Bidikar

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.

TFAW
Bookshop
Amazon
comiXology/Kindle
Zeus Comics

Skybound provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
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Preview: Everyday Hero Machine Boy

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Everyday Hero Machine Boy

(W) Irma Kniivila, Tri Vuong (A/CA) Tri Vuong, Irma Kniivila
In Shops: Sep 07, 2022
SRP: $12.99

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s… Machine Boy!
When Machine Boy falls from the sky into the domed city of Mega 416, he leaves a wake of destruction in his path… until Karate Grandpa is able to turn on his heart. Now, Machine Boy wants nothing more than to become a hero! Whether he is fighting giant bugs in the school’s basement, rescuing cats from trees, or making the perfect spaghetti sauce, Machine Boy is always looking for the best way to help others. But when his heart begins to interact dangerously with other debris from space, Machine Boy wonders if he can be a power for good after all.
Rising stars TRI VUONG (LEGO NINJAGO) and IRMA KNIIVILA (Year of the Dog) present a funny and engaging adventure that asks-can you override your own programming?

Everyday Hero Machine Boy

Can You Override Your Own Programming? A New Look at Everyday Hero Machine Boy from Skybound Comet

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Skybound Comet has revealed an all-new look at Everyday Hero Machine Boy, the upcoming new original graphic novel from rising star voices Tri Vuong and Irma Kniivila.  

Available everywhere books are sold September 2022, Everyday Hero Machine Boy marks the first Middle Grade release from Skybound Comet, a new original graphic novel imprint aimed at Young Adult (Ages 12+) and Middle Grade (Ages 8-12) audiences, but sure to captivate readers of all ages.  

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s… Machine Boy! When Machine Boy falls from the sky into the domed city of Mega 416, he leaves a wake of destruction in his path… until Karate Grandpa is able to turn on his heart. Now, Machine Boy wants nothing more than to become a hero! Whether he is fighting giant bugs in the school’s basement, rescuing cats from trees, or making the perfect spaghetti sauce, Machine Boy is always looking for the best way to help others. But when his heart begins to interact dangerously with other debris from space, Machine Boy wonders if he can be a power for good after all.   

Tri Vuong and Irma Kniivila create a funny and engaging all-ages adventure that asks—can you override your own programming? 

Everyday Hero Machine Boy (Diamond Code MAY218589, ISBN: 978-1-5343-2130-4) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play on Wednesday, September 7 and everywhere books are sold on Tuesday, September 13. 

Everyday Hero Machine Boy

Review: Marvel’s Voices: Identity #1

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Marvel Voices: Identity

The impact of Shang Chi and the Ten Rings cannot be understated. The fact that Marvel took a big swing by giving a movie to a character with no prior introduction, was risky. AS the fan base, other than the actual comic book readers, know who he was. The movie met the moment in this time and place.

 As with what happened when Black Panther was released, suddenly fans that never saw themselves were finally …seen. The movie much like the iconic Chadwick Boseman starrer,  also had a nuanced flawed and complicated villain , in Tony Leung’s Mandarin As the world waits for the Ms. Marvel TV show, the visibility of  AAPIs have never been as apparent . In what seems to be Marvel’s annual one shots showing diversity, we get Marvel’s Voices: Identity, showcasing some of the Marvel Universe’s mightiest Asian heroes.

In “ Secrets”, we find Jimmy Woo and Shang Chi, as prey in a  a challenge much akin to Saw coordinated by Crossfire, which finds them saying hard truths to each other, only to become closer for it.  In “ Fool Me Twice”,  Ms. Marvel meets a former love interest /fellow Inhuman/foe, who attempts to use her feelings about him against her but thankfully Shang Chi , shows up , to open her eyes. In “The Primeval Paradox”, Groot and Mantis take a trip to her home planet,   but instead elicits memories of her family who been long gone. In the last story, “While You Were Out”, Wong fights off a creature trying to enter the Sanctum Sanctorum.

Overall, Marvel Voices: Identity is an excellent collection of stories which offers the right bit of nuance, and just how super we all are. The stories by the different creators are immersive. The art by the different creators are beautiful. Altogether, an excellent  one shot that, I hope will continue for many years.

Story: Pornsak Pichetshote, Sabir Prizada, Jeremy Holt, Emily Kim
Art: Creees Lee, Eric Koda, Kei Zama, Rickie Yagawa
Color: Bryan Valenza, Brian Reber, Irma Kniivila, Sebastian Cheng
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.6 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology/Kindle – Zeus Comics

See what awaits for Marvel’s greatest Asian heroes in the Marvel’s Voices: Identity Trailer

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In honor of AANHPI Heritage Month, Marvel’s Voices: Identity returns to stands tomorrow with an all-new collection of stories starring some of Marvel’s most iconic Asian heroes! Crafted by an incredible lineup of AANHPI writers and artists from throughout the comics industry, this year’s issue will spotlight Shang-Chi, Ms. Marvel, Mantis, Wong, and Jimmy Woo in four action-packed and heartfelt adventures! Fans can get a first look at the action to come in the all-new Marvel’s Voices: Identity #1 trailer, featuring never-before-seen artwork!

  • Writer Pornsak Pichetshote and artist Creees Lee take Shang-Chi and Jimmy Woo on a vital mission with some unexpected surprises
  • Writer Sabir Pirzada and artist Eric Koda teams up Ms. Marvel with Shang-Chi in a story that explore these two heroes’ differences and similarities
  • Writer Jeremy Holt and artist Kei Zama spotlight the Guardians of the Galaxy’s Mantis, diving into the iconic character’s fascinating past and gearing her up for a bright future
  • Writer Emily Kim and artist Rickie Yagawa showcase the power and expertise of master of the mystic arts, Wong, in an exciting solo adventure

Marvel’s Voices: Identity #1 2022 continues the tradition of inspiring and uplifting storytelling that truly reflects “the world outside your window.” These stories celebrate Marvel’s ongoing, ever-expanding pantheon of heroes and the vastness of all Asian, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Island cultures and identities. Celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month with Marvel Comics by picking up Marvel’s Voices: Identity #1 tomorrow, digitally or at your local comic shop!

Preview: Marvel Voices: Identity #1

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Marvel Voices: Identity #1

(W) Pornsak Pichetshote, Sabir Pirzada, Jeremy Holt, Emily Kim (A) Creees Lee, Eric Koda, Kei Zama, Rickie Yagawa (c) Bryan Valenza, Brian Reber, Irma Kniivila, Sebastian Cheng (CA) Creees Lee
RATED T
In Shops: May 18, 2022
SRP: $5.99

THE GREATEST ASIAN SUPER HEROES AND CREATORS RETURN!
Just in time for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, comes a new spotlight on the best Asian super heroes in comics! Ms. Marvel! Shang-Chi! Wong! Mantis! Plus, more surprises to come from an amazing lineup of new and established AAPI creators!

Marvel Voices: Identity #1

Get a First Look at Marvel’s Voices: Identity #1

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Shang-Chi, Kamala Khan, Wong, Mantis, and Jimmy Woo headline Marvel’s Voices: Identity #1 2022. The second Marvel’s Voices anthology honoring Asian Pacific American Heritage Month will showcase brand new stories crafted by both emerging and established Asian and AAPI talent. Arriving on May 25, Marvel’s Voices: Identity #1 2022 will feature four action-packed and heartfelt adventures set throughout the Marvel Universe plus an introduction by Isabel Hsu, Senior Manager of Creative Development at Marvel Games and exclusive interview with longtime comic book letterer and industry pioneer, Janice Chiang. Right now, fans can get their first look at all four covers and preview each of the featured stories, including:

  • Writer Pornsak Pichetshote and artist Creees Lee take Shang-Chi and Jimmy Woo on a vital mission with some unexpected surprises
  • Writer Sabir Pirzada and artist Eric Koda teams up Ms. Marvel with Shang-Chi in a story that explore these two heroes’ differences and similarities
  • Writer Jeremy Holt and artist Kei Zama spotlight the Guardians of the Galaxy’s Mantis, diving into the iconic character’s fascinating past and gearing her up for a bright future
  • Writer Emily Kim and artist Rickie Yagawa showcase the power and expertise of master of the mystic arts, Wong, in an exciting solo adventure

Marvel’s Voices: Identity #1 2022 features colors by Bryan Valenza, Brian Reber, Irma Kniivila, and Sebastian Cheng. It features covers by Creees Lee and Romulo Fajardo, Jr., Jeehyung Lee, Stan Sakai and Emi Fuji, and Wooh Nayoung.

Marvel’s Voices: Identity #1 2022 continues the tradition of inspiring and uplifting storytelling that truly reflects “the world outside your window.” These stories celebrate Marvel’s ongoing, ever-expanding pantheon of heroes and the vastness of all Asian, Asian American and Pacific Island cultures and identities.

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