Tag Archives: JIM CHARALAMPIDIS

Immoral X-Men #2 delivers the hero in Sinister we deserve

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Brett

Hail the Pax Krakoa! Or perish! But to this hell age is born a hero. Say hello (again) to Rasputin IV…but what can one good chimera do in a universe of sin? The first century of Sinister’s plan has come to an end…and whether it’s better or worse may depend on the symbol on your forehead. Immoral X-Men #2 delivers a wild ride of an issue full of betrayal and (H)hope.

Told mainly from the perspective of Hope, Immoral X-Men #2 takes place 100 years after “Sins of Sinister” launched. The X-Men are waging war on a galactic scale crushing enemies with chimera bombs, wiping out all dissent. It’s the type of horrors that they experienced themselves on a grand scale. “Sins of Sinister” is a story about plans out of control and this is the perfect example of exactly that.

Writer Kieron Gillen delivers an intriguing issue that might be one of the best of the bunch. It stays focused on the issues that have spawned out of Sinister’s plans, and lays out the regret Sinister has for it all. And, it delivers a little hope that we might have a hero(es) who will correct the past, literally.

And that’s adds a little more depth to this event which spins the fractured, broken, twisted, apocalyptic future. Usually the individual who has caused the splinter in time is resolute and sure in their rule. Here, we have a villain that sees their mistake and flaw. And, they might want to correct it. Something we desperately need in the real world.

But the issue gets more intriguing as the cracks are shown within the out of control Quiet Council leadership, hinting at the ever growing chaos to come regarding their vision and direction for their people and world.

The art by Andrea Di Vito is solid giving us a sci-fi world that’s dark but light at the same time. There’s a cloud that hangs over everything but avoids the gloom of so many broken future storylines. With color by Jim Charalampidis and lettering by Clayton Cowles, the comic delivers a world that is slightly twisted and horrifying in many ways. There’s also the cool flash and concepts as we get to see Sinister’s work of the twisted mutants of the future he’s molded and grown.

Immoral X-Men #2 is an interesting issue. It doesn’t feel so much like a sliver of a greater story but a story itself. It shows off the potential of this event which started strong but turned bumpy in its structuring. Unfortunately, the next issue jumps ahead in time leaving us to put pieces together as to what happened between issues. And that’s the thing about “Sins of Sinister” and this particular issue. Unlike others, where we have to spend so much time guessing what has happened, this focuses on what is happening and where things go next. Like the story overall, it shows not what was, but what can be.

Story: Kieron Gillen Art: Andrea Di Vito
Color: Jim Charalampidis Letterer: Clayton Cowles Design: Jay Bowen
Story: 8.3 Art: 8.2 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle

Nightcrawlers #2 is an interesting concept

Posted on March 8, 2023 by Brett

“Sins of Sinister” has taken a different approach to events. Instead of more linear narrative told across a main title with tie-ins, we get an opening comic, three main comics, and then a finale. But, those individual series is where it gets intriguing. Instead of a story told across a few issues, each group of issues takes place in a time period. The first is 10 years after Sinister’s plan takes place, the second 100 years, and the third 1,000 years. So, instead of a flowing narrative, each issue has felt like a one-shot teasing the world. Nightcrawlers #2 takes place 100 years from the beginning of the event’s story focusing on the gene spliced holy thieves.

Written by Si Spurrier, Nightcrawlers #2 feels like continues the the overall concept of the event. The Nightkin were freed from Sinister’s control in the first issue, now serving Mother Righteous. 100 years have gone by and things have gotten out of control once again.

Mother Righteous is up to something having her Nightkin stealing artifacts from across the cosmos. It’s become a cosmic cult, following whatever Righteous’ plan is. But as she’s “a Sinister,” you can only trust what is said so much. Instead cracks are formed as lies begin to pile up and Righteous’ control isn’t as tight as expected. From the Nightkin’s perspective, things also spiral as it’s clear things aren’t as righteous as presented to them. It’s a solid concept but one issue is far too short to explore it.

The art by Andrea Di Vito is interesting. With color by Jim Charalampidis and lettering by Clayton Cowles, there’s a need for the visuals to tell a lot of the story, and they do. Small details add to let the readers know where things stand and where the world is at this point. The way someone is dressed, the look they give at a moment, it all comes together to add a little more depth to what’s going on. The chimera aspect of the characters too is key, with the visuals hinting as to what’s going on and who they are. It all comes together in an entertaining enough way.

Nightcrawlers #2 isn’t bad, but the format for “Sins of Sinister” doesn’t help the ambition. Each issue has teased the world and narrative and each could have easily expanded delivering more of a flowing story. Instead, the event feels like numerous one-shots taking place in a shared world where we need to piece together the details. It’s an interesting concept and idea but there’s a lot here and a lot thrown at readers that’s good and deserves to be fleshed out and expanded upon.

Story: Si Spurrier Art: Andrea Di Vito
Color: Jim Charalampidis Letterer: Clayton Cowles Design: Tom Muller, Jay Bowen
Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle

Exclusive Preview: Spider-Punk #4 (of 5)

Posted on July 28, 2022 by Graphic Policy Team

Spider-Punk #4 (of 5)

(W) Cody Ziglar (A) Justin Mason
(C) Jim Charalampidis (L) Travis Lanham
(CA) Takashi Okazaki (VCA) Taurin Clarke
RATED T
In Shops: Aug 03, 2022
SRP: $3.99

WANTED: HOBIE BROWN!
• Just as the Spider-Band in the Spider-Van had a Spider-Plan, they’re getting shut down by the big bad man!
• Hobie and team aren’t going to give up without a fight though…
• Witness the rise of one of the greatest bands in all of the Spider-Verse!

Review: Spider-Punk #1

Posted on April 6, 2022 by Brett

Punk, to me, is a left leaning “liberal” philosophy. It has disdain for authority, especially fascist stances. It’s welcoming to people of all types and at it’s heart is about letting individuals express themselves as how they see fit. Rigidity is not a pillar, there’s a liberalism about it in many aspects. Spider-Punk #1 wears that on its sleeve and then some with a debut that literally punches Nazis in the face.

Written by Cody Ziglar, the miniseries focuses on the punk rock version of Spider-Man who’d rather swing a guitar upside someone’s head as much as goop them up with webbing. The entire world’s heroes take a punk rock spin to them as Captain America is instead Captain Anarchy, helping take down the corporatists and fascists. The first issue has them taking on Kraven and the Hunters who have been hired to bring down the value of the neighborhood so it can be bought up and redeveloped. They’re fighting gentrification.

Ziglar does an amazing job of playing up the concept of it all both poking fun and having fun with the overall concept. This isn’t making fun of the left or right but at the same time lampoons them a bit, exaggerating things for a positive effect. Ziglar has fun with the world and it comes off that way.

The punk rock aesthetic is enhance by Justin Mason‘s art who is joined by Jim Charalampidis on color and Travis Lanham on lettering. It all comes together for a comic that takes on the “art style” one might expect from the punk rock scene but not also overdoing it. There’s some really solid panels, a few I’d love to blow up and put on a desktop or event print out. The art, the color, the lettering, it all matches the feel the comic is going for.

Yeah, there’s something ironic about a giant corporation that’s owned by another that’s very not punk putting out this comic. Still, Spider-Punk #1 is just a hell of a lot of fun. It leans into the concept without overdoing it and going up near the line of making fun of its punk world but never crossing it. It’s popcorn entertainment with a bit of a left message to absorb.

Story: Cody Ziglar Art: Justin Mason
Color: Jim Charalampidis Letterer: Travis Lanham
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology/Kindle – Zeus Comics

DC, Yen Press, and Magnetic Press all have New Digital Releases Available Now

Posted on December 27, 2021 by Graphic Policy Team

There’s seven new titles available on comiXology now from Magnetic Press, Yen Press, and DC Comics. Start shopping or check out the individual releases below.

Goblin Slayer #66

Written by Kumo Kagyu
Art by Kousuke Kurose
Purchase

This series is rated Adults Only
DISCLAIMER: graphic sexuality gore
Goblin Slayer, Spearman, and Heavy Warrior go out drinking—and get drunk enough to actually be willing to share some of their hopes and dreams… Read the next chapter of Goblin Slayer at the same time as Japan!

God Bless the Mistaken #3

Written by Nio Nakatani
Art by Nio Nakatani
Purchase

Read the next chapter of God Bless the Mistaken the same day as Japan!

Hinowa ga CRUSH! #47

Written by Takahiro
Art by Strelka
Purchase

This series is rated Adults Only
DISCLAIMER: graphic sexuality
Hinowa starts to build the foundation of her nation. Read the next chapter of Hinowa ga CRUSH! at the same time as Japan!

Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon #5

Written by Hirukuma
Art by Kunieda, Hagure Yuuki
Purchase

Read the next chapter of Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon the same day as Japan!

Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon #5

Shangri-La #4

Written by Mathieu Bablet
Art by Mathieu Bablet
Cover by Mathieu Bablet
Purchase

Civil unrest begins to blossom as the next generation of human is revealed. But forced-evolution is not the only secret the genetic engineers have been working on… the secret animoid farms prove to be equally shocking…

The Joker Presents: A Puzzlebox (2021-) #14

Written by Matthew Rosenberg
Pencils Jesús Merino
Inks Jesús Merino
Colored by Ulises Arreola Palomera
Cover by Reilly Brown, Jim Charalampidis
Purchase

THE PUNCHLINE! ALL THE MYSTERIES, DOUBLE-CROSSES, DISGUISES, EVERYTHING WILL BE REVEALED…but who will be held accountable for THE DEATH OF THE RIDDLER?!

The Joker Presents: A Puzzlebox (2021-) #14

Zatanna Special (1987) #1

Written by Gerry Conway
Pencils Gray Morrow
Inks Gray Morrow
Colored by Gray Morrow
Cover by Gray Morrow
Purchase

“Watch, and I will make you children again. You will not know the real from the unreal. And what you see will be a dream.” Summoned by cryptic visions of her mother, Sindella, Zatanna ventures to the secret city of the Homo Magi. Watch as she faces down snakes the size of Manhattan, a mysterious sleeping plague, and the secrets of her own history!

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Review: Domino: Hotshots #1

Posted on March 6, 2019 by Brett

Domino and her team are recruited for a new mission in this new mini-series that’s a hell of a lot of fun.

Domino: Hotshots #1 is by Gail Simone, David Baldeon, Jim Charalampidis, and Clayton Cowles.

Get your copy in comic shops today! 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

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review
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

comics #comicbooks #marvel #marvelcomics

Marvel Comics Review: Spider-Geddon: Covert Ops

Posted on March 5, 2019 by Graphic Policy Team

Spider-Geddon: Covert Ops combines two Spider-Geddon mini-series in one trade paperback. You get Spider-Force #1-3 and Spider-Girls #1-3 by Priest, Paulo Siqueira, Marcelo Ferreira, Szymon Kudranski, Ibraim Roberson, Oren Junio, Craig Yeung, Roberto Poggi, Guru-eFX, Joe Sabino, Jody Houser Andrés Genolet, Tríona Farrell, Jim Charalampidis, Cris Peter, Jim Campbell, and Joe Caramagna.

Get your copy in comic shops today and book stores on March 12! 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
TFAW

Review: Age of X-Man: X-Tremists #1

Posted on February 27, 2019 by Logan Dalton

The new X-Men event “Age of X-Man” is a crossover where X-Man aka Nate Grey from the alternate Age of Apocalypse future has created a perfect world. However, this utopia is built on a commitment to individualism so everyone lives isolated by themselves, and there are no intimate relationships whether platonic, sexual, or romantic. Overtly, there is no crime or drama in this universe, but Department X featuring Blob, Psylocke, Northstar, Jubilee, Iceman, and Moneta are the covert group that makes sure this status quo is kept. Writer Leah Williams, artists Georges Jeanty and Robert Poggi, and colorist Jim Charalampidis tell their story in Age of X-Man: X-Tremists #1.

Even though Department X are basically the secret police, Williams and Jeanty give X-Tremists #1 a joking tone from the get-go with Iceman roasting Jubilee for thinking a cookie sheet and wax paper are the same thing. (Why is something solid called a sheet though?) They are the class clowns of the team while Moneta is the team racist, Blob is the team dad (Complete with the bod and sayings out of a motivational book for junior high basketball coaches for it.), Northstar is aloof and too cool for school, and Psylocke just gets the job done. Despite Jeanty’s stiff art work, which is more like 1990s Mark Bagley than his work on the Buffy and Serenity comics, each Department X member has a unique personality that acts as a hook for a book about mutants, who arrest other mutants for falling in love.

Plus Georges Jeanty and Roberto Poggi’s work isn’t all bad. They nail a pair of great comedy scenes in X-Tremists #1 where Department X disdainfully completes one of Blob’s team building sayings, and Northstar stays in the car and uses his super speed to get “shotgun” before a try hard and possibly overcompensating for something, Iceman, can ice slide down to it. His and Psylocke’s deadpan expressions are hilarious, and Jim Charalamipdis adds a little burst of old school purple to her psychic daggers.

The fight scene in X-Tremists #1 is creative and well-blocked with Iceman making creative use of his powers to subdue to mutants, who have multiple offenses of engaging in an intimate relationship. One of them has the ability to transform into a rat, which creates a high energy series of panels from Jeanty and Poggi while Leah Williams throws in a wrinkle in her plot that makes the stakes different from Department X’s usual work. It will challenge the team’s ethics, and they have to choose between the mandates of their world and their empathy towards their fellow mutant. I’m interested to see which side each team member takes.

Age of X-Man: X-Tremists #1 introduces a cast of six characters while Leah Williams give each of them a distinct way of speaking and seeing the world and giving the book a moral dilemma of a hook that makes you want to pick up the rest of the miniseries. Georges Jeanty and Roberto Poggi’s facial and character work are nothing to write home about, but they and Jim Charalampidis do lay out a decent fight scene. This, and NextGen #1, are my favorite Age of X-Man tie-ins so far.

Story: Leah Williams Pencils : Georges Jeanty Inks: Roberto Poggi
Colors: Jim Charalampidis Letters: Clayton Cowles
Story: 9.0 Art: 7.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Uncanny X-Men by Kieron Gillen The Complete Collection Vol. 1

Posted on February 21, 2019 by Brett

Kieron Gillen steers the X-Men through Fear Itself, Schism, and Regenesis! Plus, Beast and Abigail Brand must save S.W.O.R.D. when Peter Gyrich stages a coup!

Collecting S.W.O.R.D. #1-5, UNCANNY X-MEN (1981) #534.1 and #535-544, X-MEN: REGENESIS and UNCANNY X-MEN (2011) #1-3.

Story: Kieron Gillen
Art: Steve Sanders, Billy Tan, Carlos Pacheco, Terry Dodson, Jorge Molina, Rodney Buchemi, Ibraim Roverson, Paco Diaz, Greg Land, Jamie McKelvie
Ink: Craig Yeung, Cam Smith, Dan Green, Nathan Lee, Rachel Dodson, Roger Bonet, Walden Wong, Jorge Molina, Paco Diaz, Jay Leisten
Color: Matthew Wilson, Andres Mossa, Frank D’Armata, Justin Ponsor, Rachelle Rosenberg, Jim Charalampidis, Jorge Molina, Dommo, Rex Lokus
Letterer: Dave Lanphear, Rob Steen, Joe Caramagna

Get your copy in comic shops today and book stores on March 5! 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
TFAW

Review: Astonishing X-Men: Until Our Hearts Stop

Posted on January 9, 2019 by Brett

Havok is back and trying to make up for his turn as a bad guy. His attempt to become an X-Man again has him bringing together a team that includes Dazzler, Warpath, Beast, and Colossus and puts them on a course to take on the Reavers and O.N.E.

Astonishing X-Men: Until Our Hearts Stop collects issues #13-17 and Astonishing X-Men Annual #1 by Matthew Rosenberg, Greg Land, Neil Edwards, Travel Foreman, Jay Liesten, Frank D’Armata, and Jim Charalampidis.

Get your copy in comic shops January 22nd! 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/comiXology/Kindle
TFAW

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