Tag Archives: janice chiang

The Center Holds #1 is an interesting start to a new superhero universe

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In a world where superheroes have become commonplace, heroes are required to join a union or else face serious financial liability for the damage caused during battles. Enter the Superheroes’ Union: A team-up of genius Scyber, psychic Lakshmi, the mysterious Keeper, and child prodigy Nekkotron, among others, as they battle villains and bureaucracy alike. And though the delicate balance of mitigating damage while saving lives is already tough enough, they’ve got their own worries with a constant stream of villains rising up to challenge them.

Story: Larry Hama
Art: M.D. “Doc” Bright
Color: Josh Burcham
Letterer: Janice Chiang

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.

Zeus Comics
Kindle

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

The Center Holds #1 Has a Lot Packed in to the First Issue

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The Center Holds #1

In a world where superheroes have become commonplace, heroes are required to join a union or else face serious financial liability for the damage caused during battles. Enter the Superheroes’ Union: A team-up of genius Scyber, psychic Lakshmi, the mysterious Keeper, and child prodigy Nekkotron, among others, as they battle villains and bureaucracy alike. And though the delicate balance of mitigating damage while saving lives is already tough enough, they’ve got their own worries with a constant stream of villains rising up to challenge them. The Center Holds #1 introduces a new superhero universe that shows a lot of potential.

Written by Larry Hama, The Center Holds #1 packs a lot in the first issue. There’s about a half-dozen characters introduced, a team, lots of dynamics, a new world, and some villains. That’s quite a lot. And the issue does a good job of doing it. Mixing action and some quieter moments, by the end of the debut, we get a good sense of the various characters and a lot of teases about them.

The Center Holds #1 is interesting as it keeps things rather broad. This isn’t a debut focused on one character, instead if delivers a little bit on a bunch and does so in a way that you leave wanting to find out more. Hama doesn’t make it clear exactly what’s going on with everyone, instead these heroes all have their quirks and secrets that leave you guessing and intrigued to find out more.

The world itself is interesting. While it’s similar to ours, there’s dynamics and details that make it feel futuristic in some ways and alien in others. It’s small details that flesh out what we can expect and builds a bit of a backstory too as we’re given clues as to where things stand currently.

The comic also marks the final work of M.D. “Doc” Bright. The art looks good with a style that’s a bit of a throwback in some ways. It feels a bit like early 00s or late 90s in some aspects but Bright’s style creates intriguing characters and does a great job of building mystery. The comic features colors by Josh Burcham and lettering by Janice Chiang. Together it looks good with some fun action.

The Center Holds #1 is an interesting debut that feels like a bit of a throwback in some ways and definitely matches Hama’s style we see in his current G.I. JOE run. The debut balances introductions and mystery and sets up a world that has dynamics that show off some potential. If you’re looking for an alternative superhero comic from the big two, this is one that’s worth checking out.

Story: Larry Hama Art: M.D. “Doc” Bright
Color: Josh Burcham Letterer: Janice Chiang
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

BOOM! Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Preview: Disney Fairies 4-in-1 Vol. 5

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Disney Fairies 4-in-1 Vol. 5

(W) Tea Orsi, Silvia Lombardi, Emanuela Portipiano, Valentine Camerini (A) Sara Storino, Rosa La Barbera, Letizia Algeri, Veronica di Lorenzo (C) Kawaii Creative Studio, Angela Capolupo, Andrew Phillipson (L) Janice Chiang

The Fairies from Pixie Hollow return for more magical adventures!

Join Tinker Bell and the rest of the Fairies in this giant four-in-one collection that features classic stories originally published in the volumes titled Tinker Bell and the Pirate Fairy, Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast, Tinker Bell and the Flying Monster, and Tinker Bell and a Far-Too-Secret Secret. It’s a wonderful time to return to Never Land!

Disney Fairies 4-in-1 Vol. 5

John Carpenter’s Tales of Science Fiction — Pause invites readers to consider what might happen if they were put into the same position

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For seemingly no reason, and with no advance warning, the world comes to a stop for everyone except one man, who goes on a mission to uncover the mystery in Pause, a new six-issue comics series from John Carpenter’s Tales of Science Fiction, an imprint of Storm King Comics. John Carpenter’s Tales of Science Fiction — Pause #1 will debut exclusively in comic book stores on February 26, 2025, with subsequent issues available monthly through July.

Written by Matthew K. Manning and illustrated by Conor Boyle, with lettering by Janice Chiang, Pause is a dark, compelling tale that begins on an ordinary night in Brooklyn as Henry Jacobs finds himself, as usual, having thrown back one too many. Henry is no stranger to the unexpected consequences of drinking too much, but he’s not prepared for what happens when he boards a subway and is the only person unaffected when, without warning, the world comes to a sudden stop.

Pause invites readers to consider what might happen if they were put into the same position. Would they stay in the nicest Manhattan penthouse, ignoring the frozen owner standing in the center of the room? Would they eat at the finest restaurants—food paused in time and still hot on the plates? And what if, with just a touch, anyone could be unfrozen … would they keep this newfound playground for themselves, or would they take anything? Anything at all might be possible—unless, of course, the wrong people were unpaused.

Pause #1

Won’t Back Down brings together dozens of comic creators to champion an individual’s right to choose

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In 1973, the Supreme Court gave women the right to make decisions over the care of their own bodies. A mere fifty years later, a rogue Supreme Court has taken that right away. Today, over 32 states have banned or severely restricted abortion.

We’re fighting back as best we can, with pens and brushes, paper and ink, and have produced a pro-choice anthology: Won’t Back Down, featuring the work of over 30 artists, writers, inkers, and colorists, and profits are being given to Planned Parenthood.

With Won’t Back Down, Trina Robbins has created an important anthology that celebrates women who fight for justice – for anyone interested in women’s rights, free speech, or simply great comics.

In addition to Robbins, contributors to the anthology include Lee Marrs, Alison Sampson, Steve Leialoha, Ken Steacy, Barbara Randall Kesel, Yanick Paquette, Signe Wilkinson, Christopher Golden, Marguerite Sauvage, Gene Ha, Carrie Tupper, Todd Klein, Twyla Dawn Weixl, Sabrina Jones, Stephanie Cooke, Leeann Hamilton, Jennifer Camper, Sydney Heifler, Kate Charlesworth, Dave McCaig, Deanna Soukiasian, Grace Gordon, Joelle Barreto, Isabelle Struble, Grace Desmarais, Tony Parker, Bridgit Connell, Michelle Madsen, Janice Chiang, Jessica Balboni, Perl Barry, Jennifer Camper, Eve Furchgott, Sharon Rudahl, Dee Cunniffe, Sayra Begum, Sofie Dodgson, Robert Triptow, Lisa Sharkey, Wesley Wong, Dominike “Domo” Stanton, Tom Orzechowski, Emily Bowen Cohen, Amy Chase, Dani Coleman, and Rori!

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.

Amazon
Bookshop

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

Storm King Comics’ Long Haul delivers another Dark & Twisted tale from Cullen Bunn and Heath Amodio, Andrea Mutti, Gigi Baldassini, and Valerio Alloro

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The sun-baked deserts and wide-open vistas of the American West may have inspired tales of romance and grand adventure, but Long Haul, the newest graphic novel from Storm King Comics’ “Dark & Twisted” imprint, isn’t one of them.

Written by Cullen Bunn and Heath Amodio, with artwork by Andrea Mutti, inks by Gigi Baldassini, colors by Valerio Alloro, and lettering by Janice Chiang, Long Haul is a sinister and violent tale of revenge rooted in the terrifying fact that there are more than 700 missing people along America’s interstate highways—hunted, taken and often killed by active serial killers.

In Long Haul, Sarah Blake is one of those missing: vanished on her way to work. Her disappearance proved too much for her sickly father to handle, and when he dies, her older brothers Danny and Carl are filled with rage and loss. With nothing and no one left to lose, the two men decide to spend whatever time they have left hunting down “long haul” serial killers, and uncovering the truth about Sarah.

Long Haul is available February 21, 2024, through StormKingComics.com and comic shops, followed by a March 5, 2024, release date at retail booksellers.

On their mission for revenge, Danny and Carl learn about a convoy of sociopathic killers known only as The Nine. When it becomes clear that one of The Nine stole Sarah from beside her broken-down car, the Blake brothers must violently work their way through the ghoulish gang—and their protectors—until they come to the horrific person who took her.

Long Haul

Spirit World #1 Is An Exciting Window Into The World Beyond!

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Spirit World #1

I am not typically a DC Comics reader, but when I heard that Alyssia Wong, writer of Doctor Aphra and Deadpool was going to write a new book over at DC starring an entirely new character well, my interest was piqued. So here we are! Spirit World #1 is by Alyssa Wong, artist Haining, colorist Sebastian Cheng, and letterer Janice Chiang. Spinning out of Lazarus Planet: Dark Fate #1 the book stars the new nonbinary hero Xanthe Zhou, who has the uncanny ability to turn paper origami into tangible objects with the snap of their fingers!

As mentioned above Spirit World #1 is picking up the story from Lazarus Planet: Dark Fate #1. The issue gives the necessary context but ends up a little disjointed if you haven’t read the preceding issue. Ideally, Number #1’s are supposed to be a jumping-on point. It’s disappointing to see this issue assume you’ve read an entirely different comic that sets up this one. One of my favorite aspects of Wong’s work on Doctor Aphra was how queer the main cast is. So it’s exciting to see this book starring a non-binary hero. The issue features Cassandra Kane aka Batgirl and John Constantine alongside Xanthe. Batgirl is trapped in the Spirit World while Xanthe and Constantine work to rescue her. 

In my eyes, the real draw of the issue comes with the art. Wong and Haining craft the wonderfully vibrant spirit world. It’s simply breathtaking, it feels vibrant and alive. Alive is the best word for the art of Spirit World #1. Every background is so detailed and gives off a lived-in sense. The action sequencing is dynamic and well presented as Batgirl runs around the Spirit World. 

Spirit World #1 is an exciting first issue with amazing art and a somewhat rocky narrative. Luckily the issue ends on an interesting hook which I’m excited to see play out as this series unfolds.

Story:  Alyssa Wong Art: Haining
Color: Sebastian Cheng Letterer: Janice Chiang
Story: 8.5 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

Storm King Comics announces Fetch: Book One the Journey from Storm Kids

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Storm King Comics has announced that the publishing house’s middle-grade graphic novel Fetch: Book One the Journey will become available for purchase on February 8, 2023. The Greek mythological fantasy story will be published under the John Carpenter Presents Storm Kids imprint.

Scribed by Mike Sizemore and illustrated by artist Dave Kennedy, with colors by Pete Kennedy and letters by Janice Chiang, Fetch: Book One: The Journey kicks off the 2023 slate of the John Carpenter Presents Storm Kids imprint. The release coincides with the 10th anniversary of Storm King Comics. 

Fetch: Book One: The Journey follows 12-year-old Danni, who is struggling to get over the loss of her dog, Pirate. At school, a friendly new teacher lends her an old school book that reveals to her the world of Greek mythology. Intrigued by the stories, Danni devours the book, stumbling across an illustration that looks familiar…She leaves the house in the dead of night, seeking out what she thinks could be the gate to Hades, the Greek Underworld, and perhaps a way to bring her dog back to the land of the living. 

What Danni didn’t expect was that her younger brother, Sammy, would sneakily follow her to tag along or that once in the Underworld she’d need a guide…her pick being the legendary Odysseus. On the flip side, two 21st century kids on a quest to save their dead dog was the last thing Odysseus was expecting. Adventuring in the Underworld since the fall of Troy, Odysseus is the last of his kind, a true Hero. But with enemies leaping on them at every turn and monsters and gods to overcome, this may be his toughest odyssey yet!

Fetch: Book One: The Journey will be available Feb 8th at comic shops and digitally online at GlobalComix. It will be available at book stores Feb 21st.

Fetch: Book One the Journey

Lazarus Planet Alpha doesn’t feel like a start but a continuation

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Lazarus Planet Alpha

Lazarus Planet Alpha kicks off the new year for DC with an event that has a planetary impact. A volcano on Lazarus Island has gone off raining down magical energy on the world. Its impact is transforming individuals, and when it comes to heroes impacting their powers. It’s a crisis that’ll call in the scattered heroes of the world to try and stop it, all lead by… Damian Wayne!?

Mark Waid continues his big picture story with Lazarus Planet Alpha, a debut that doesn’t feel so much as a start is it does the next chapter. Waid brings together his recent runs on World’s Finest and Robin vs. Batman to this event which sees the dots connected. Unfortunately, if you haven’t been reading those comics, the story feels like you’re coming into a movie well after it began. Lazarus Planet Alpha catches readers up and provides the info needed to understand what’s going on but it’s at a surface level. There’s something missing in the experience, mostly the motivation of the “big bad”. Batman’s hurt, we don’t really know why, and various demons are thrown around as having to be found or stopped and not much info is given on them. It’s surface level entertainment that can be enjoyed but you might be missing the lead ups to it that gives greater depth and a richer story.

What stands out is the art by Riccardo Federici. With color by Brad Anderson and lettering by Steve Wands, the comic is beautiful to look at and the art feels like it gets better as the comic progresses. Federici’s art delivers dynamic visuals that break panels and provides a mix of clear vision as to what’s going on but in a way that emphasizes the chaos the characters are experiencing. There’s also some interesting choices in what does and does not get a full panel to linger on the shot. One page you’d have expected it but Federici chooses not to which makes a full page image just a bit later hit even more. It stands out and not known if it’s intentional or not.

The comic also features a story focused on the Monkey Prince who will play a key role in the event. Written by Gene Luen Yang with art by Billy Tan, color by Sebastian Cheng, and lettering by Janice Chiang, the comic delivers a bit more information about some of the characters involved in the event. These backups if throughout the run of the series might flesh out what can’t be stuffed in to the main story but the tone and style is so different it almost clashes with the main story. It’s overall very good but just a whiplash from what leads into it.

Lazarus Planet Alpha isn’t bad at all, it’s quite entertaining and delivers some solid “summer box office action.” But, where it stumbles is its clear continuation of what has preceded it. The comic, despite being an “alpha” doesn’t feel so much as an easy entry for new readers as it does the next issue in an ongoing series. Still, it’s easy to catch up on the major things you need to now, it’s just hard to not feel like you’re missing out on… something. Still, the art is fantastic and worth checking out and depending on how much fun what’s to come is, it might be worth seeing what lead up to this point.

Story: Mark Waid, Gene Luen Yang Art: Riccardo Federici, Billy Tan
Color: Brad Anderson, Sebastian Cheng Letterer: Steve Wands, Janice Chiang
Story: 7.75 Art: 9.0 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle

Marvel’s Voices podcast returns for a Sixth Season

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Angélique Roché returns as the host of the popular Marvel’s Voices original podcast series with a thrilling new lineup of Marvel guests! In the all-new sixth season, a variety of storytellers join Angélique and select guest hosts for in-depth conversations about their creative processes, collaborations, and professional journeys, painting a full picture of the diversity of the Marvel Universe. Fans can listen to new episodes every Thursday on the SXM App, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
 
This season’s theme, “Marvel: A Window to Our World,” focuses on the global influences on the Marvel Universe. Throughout the eight episodes, the hosts and guests dive into how a variety of cultures and mythologies have played a key role in the creation of Marvel characters, and how their cultures and nationalities have influenced stories within the Marvel Universe.  
 
And while Marvel comics have made their way around the world for decades in English and dozens of other languages, the rise of digital comics has given access to many more readers worldwide. Marvel has not just become the world outside our window, but a window to our world, reflecting global culture and talent.   
 
The new season kicks off with Janice Chiang, the first Chinese-American woman letterer at Marvel. The remaining episodes feature an incredible roster of creators including Nigerian artist Adedotun Akande and writer Murewa Ayodele, Japanese comic creator Peach Momoko, South African writer and musician Mohale Mashigo, Juni Ba a writer hailing from Senegal and France, Argentine-American comic writer Fabian Nicieza, and Alejandra Lopez, the Puerto Rican director of the Spanish-language audio series “Wolverine: La Larga Noche.”  

In addition to the impressive line-up of talent, the upcoming Marvel’s Voices season will feature several “Creator-Led Conversations,” in which former Marvel’s Voices guests and current Marvel writers will guest host the show to talk with other creators about their work, careers, and current projects. The guest hosts include Karama Horne, Marika Hashimoto, and Tochi Onyebuchi. 

The weekly 8-episode series is produced by Isabel Robertson and Kara McGuirk-Allison, and executive produced by Jill Du Boff. 

Additionally, the Marvel’s Voices initiative is expanding into consumer products, with Walmart’s exclusive Marvel’s Voices artist capsule collection that spotlights the work, contributions, and lived experiences of Marvel creators and fans of color, as well as products from the Black Panther Legacy program. Created by artists Nardstar and Damion Scott, the new capsule collection features Walmart-exclusive Funko collectibles with additional exclusives coming later this year. Fans can learn more about the artists and new items, check out exclusive content, and shop the wider Legacy product assortment online at Walmart’s Marvel Hub! 

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