Marvel Action: Avengers #2
Matt Manning (w) • Jon Sommariva (a & c)
Fiendish foes have taken control of Tony Stark’s armor! With Iron Man out of the game, it’s up to the rest of the Avengers to keep Fin Fang Foom out of villainous hands.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Star Wars Adventures: Destroyer Down #3
Scott Beatty (w) • Derek Charm, Jon Sommariva (a) • Derek Charm (c)
Swallowed by the shifting sands of Jakku, the Imperial Star Destroyer Spectral has been lost for two decades, giving rise to rumors of hauntings and buried treasure. But an epic sandstorm has revealed the ruins of the starship, and renowned scavenger Rey now leads the race to claim whatever lies within!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
A new era of all out Avengers action begins! A new team is formed to battle a mega-sized threat that is weirder and wilder than any of the superheroes have met before!
It’s a whole new era for the Avengers as IDW Publishing takes on Marvel‘s premiere team with Marvel Action: Avengers #1. Aimed at middle grade readers, the first issue is entertaining and thrilling enough that fans of all ages can enjoy it.
Writer Matthew K. Manning gives us the basics to start assuming the readers know little making this a perfect point for younger readers to start. As the action unfolds, small factoids are included allowing for an easy point of entry and catching up on the characters, their powers, and what to expect. That’s included for heroes and villains like. It’s a small detail but a solid one that keeps the entry level low.
The story itself is entertaining involving A.I.M., Madame Masque, U-Foes, not the biggest of villains, which is appreciated in a way. The material seems good for the ages it aims for, though an early explosion/bomb left me scratching my head (I’m not a great judge on that). There’s the expected violence of punching but none of it’s over the top and some of it is a little odd actually (how Madame Masque is eventually dealt with is an example). But, kids won’t be judging that at all.
The art by Jon Sommariva, color by Protobunker, and lettering by Christa Miesner is a solid style that reminds me a bit of Marvel’s animated series. There’s a nice design to the characters and the action flows nicely throughout with some nice use of panels. It all works and works really well.
The first issue is a good one that I’d have no problem handing to a younger kid who’s really in to the Avengers or the characters. It’s a solid entry to the world and characters succeeding where Marvel has stumbled, material made for non-adults. There’s also a nice sophistication to it that doesn’t talk down to its audience and should keep everyone who reads it engaged. A great start to a new take on classic characters.
Story: Matthew K. Manning Art: Jon Sommariva
Color: Protobunker Letterer: Christa Miesner
Story: 7.95 Art: 7.95 Overall: 7.95 Recommendation: Buy
IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Marvel Action: Avengers #1
Matthew K. Manning (w) • Jon Sommariva (a & c)
A new era of all-out Avengers action begins! A new team is formed to battle a mega-sized threat that is weirder and wilder than any the superheroes have met before! This new ongoing series will be the perfect opportunity for middle grade readers, and fans of all ages, to experience the thrilling adventures of Avengers comics for the first time!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Star Wars Adventures: Destroyer Down #2 (of 3)
Scott Beatty (w) • Derek Charm, Jon Sommariva (a) • Derek Charm (c)
Swallowed by the shifting sands of Jakku, the Imperial Star Destroyer Spectral has been lost for two decades, giving rise to rumors of hauntings and buried treasure. But an epic sandstorm has revealed the ruins of the starship, and renowned scavenger Rey now leads the race to claim whatever lies within!
FC• 32 pages • $3.99
Star Wars Adventures: Destroyer Down #1 (of 3)
Scott Beatty (w) • Derek Charm, Jon Sommariva (a) • Derek Charm (c)
Swallowed by the shifting sands of Jakku, the Imperial Star Destroyer Spectral has been lost for two decades, giving rise to rumors of hauntings and buried treasure. But an epic sandstorm has revealed the ruins of the starship, and renowned scavenger Rey now leads the race to claim whatever lies within!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
In addition to writing Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the Batman / TMNT Adventures crossover for IDW, Matthew K. Manning has proven his knowledge of the Marvel Universe as author of the DK Publishing books Iron Man: The Ultimate Guide to the Armored Super Hero and The Avengers Encyclopedia.
Jon Sommariva’s kept very busy at IDW over recent years, illustrating several licensed projects aimed at all ages: Star Wars Adventures, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Amazing Adventures, and – partnered with future Avengers collaborator Manning – Batman / TMNT Adventures.
Star Wars Adventures Annual 2018
John Jackson Miller (w) • Jon Sommariva (a & c)
With Leia injured, it’s up to Luke to undertake a sensitive diplomatic mission with the easily irritated Sarkans! What should be a routine meeting soon turns into an action-packed adventure with the fate of the galaxy on the line!
FC • 48 pages • $7.99
Star Wars Adventures #4
John Jackson Miller (w) • Jon Sommariva (a & c)
With Leia injured, Luke must take her place on a diplomatic mission. Jedi used to be diplomats and he’ll have See-Threepio by his side. What could go wrong?
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Clue #5
Paul Allor (w) • Nelson Daniel (a) • Jon Sommariva (c)
The storm intensifies, both inside and outside the mansion. As the end of our tale draws near, Upton struggles to keep his employer’s secrets under wraps, and our guests continue to hang around—some more literally than others.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
