Tag Archives: matt hollingsworth

Punisher #12 wraps up Frank’s latest chapter

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Punisher #12

Punisher… no more! Punisher #12 wraps up the latest volume of the series as Frank must pay for his crimes as he confronts the Archpriestess as well as the heroes knocking on the Hands’ door.

Written by Jason Aaron, Punisher #12 finishes off Frank’s run as the tool of the Hand and the Beast. I’ve read the run off and on, generally disagreeing with Aaron’s story and take on the character. To me, there’s some contradictions to the character that creates some issues with the foundation of him.

The revelation that Frank’s issues went far back before his family’s death or his military service, the return of his wife, and the disclosure that she was going to divorce him really shakes the motivations of the character. Some of it contradicts the Punisher’s past (his being ok with his wife’s return), and it changes the character’s motivations going forward. In other words, this arc has some pretty big ramifications.

Where Aaron does really well is the Punisher’s “trial.” The various heroes, Doctor Strange, Wolverine, Black Widow, and Moon Knight each have their moment with Frank. But, Frank throws their experiences back at them. His point is clear and makes sense, to condemn him makes them hypocrites and just as guilty as he is. The nail though is Maria and how she throws all of Frank’s motivations into the trash. It takes out a driver of the character for decades, the wind from the character in some ways. It’s a moment that the next creative team will have to figure out.

The art by Jesús Saiz and Paul Azaceta with color by Matt Hollingsworth and lettering by Cory Petit is pretty solid. The two styles are very different and on their own would be great but together are a bit too different and it’s a bit jarring. Again, it looks fantastic on their own but overall the combo of these styles don’t quite work side by side.

What you think about Punisher #12 will really hinge on your thoughts about this current take on the character. It adds some interesting aspects to the character but overall it’s a big change for the character that could lay the groundwork for what’s to come.

Story: Jason Aaron Art: Jesús Saiz, Paul Azaceta
Color: Matt Hollingsworth Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

Guardians of the Galaxy #1 kicks off an action packed space western

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Guardians of the Galaxy #1

Grootfall is coming! For a bit now, we’ve been teased with whatever this event is and it’s role in kicking off a new volume of Guardians of the Galaxy. While Guardians of the Galaxy #1 gives us our first glimpse of the event, it really just opens up more questions than anything else, and that’s quite ok. The issue is the 15 minutes before the credits of the movie roll, delivering an action filled opener that teases what’s to come.

Written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing, the Guardians are a sliver of their former self. On a planet at the edge of the galaxy, they look worn, broken, and generally, not the heroes they once were. Kelly and Lanzing deliver a western dressed up as sci-fi as the team must not only save the town from impending planet wide doom but also protect them from the evil gang that terrorizes them.

Kelly and Lanzing deliver an interesting opening that starts off slow, and I’ll admit, a little bit of a drag. Like the western genre as a whole, it focuses in on that loan hero here to save the townspeople. It quickly expands from there, picking up steam as the story moves along until the ending which feels like a big budget escape sequence. It delivers adventure, excitement, tragedy, and teases a lot of pain and hurt in the Guardians’ past.

A lot of that is hinted at through the art of Kev Walker. With color by Matt Hollingsworth and lettering by Cory Petit, the visuals hint at a team that has seen some stuff. Damage to Star-Lord’s visor, the body language of the team, to what others are wearing, it all teases things went wrong at some point. Finding out what is part of the adventure to come. The team does an excellent job of blending the sci-fi and western genres to deliver a world where things don’t feel out of place and the concepts really work. Equipment looks worn and beat from the harsh environment, the clothing has a sci-fi look but also fits the desert/dust world around them. Things look lived in and used. It all adds to the story telling us a lot about this world, the people and most importantly Peter and his crew, without having to spell everything out.

What is Grootfall? What happened to the Guardians? Guardians of the Galaxy #1 teases a lot but answers little, instead focusing on a wild ride of an adventure that hits the right beats and becomes a cinematic wild ride once things really get going.

Story: Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing Art: Kev Walker
Color: Matt Hollingsworth Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle

Early Review: Guardians of the Galaxy #1 kicks off an action packed space western

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Guardians of the Galaxy #1

Grootfall is coming! For a bit now, we’ve been teased with whatever this event is and it’s role in kicking off a new volume of Guardians of the Galaxy. While Guardians of the Galaxy #1 gives us our first glimpse of the event, it really just opens up more questions than anything else, and that’s quite ok. The issue is the 15 minutes before the credits of the movie roll, delivering an action filled opener that teases what’s to come.

Written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing, the Guardians are a sliver of their former self. On a planet at the edge of the galaxy, they look worn, broken, and generally, not the heroes they once were. Kelly and Lanzing deliver a western dressed up as sci-fi as the team must not only save the town from impending planet wide doom but also protect them from the evil gang that terrorizes them.

Kelly and Lanzing deliver an interesting opening that starts off slow, and I’ll admit, a little bit of a drag. Like the western genre as a whole, it focuses in on that loan hero here to save the townspeople. It quickly expands from there, picking up steam as the story moves along until the ending which feels like a big budget escape sequence. It delivers adventure, excitement, tragedy, and teases a lot of pain and hurt in the Guardians’ past.

A lot of that is hinted at through the art of Kev Walker. With color by Matt Hollingsworth and lettering by Cory Petit, the visuals hint at a team that has seen some stuff. Damage to Star-Lord’s visor, the body language of the team, to what others are wearing, it all teases things went wrong at some point. Finding out what is part of the adventure to come. The team does an excellent job of blending the sci-fi and western genres to deliver a world where things don’t feel out of place and the concepts really work. Equipment looks worn and beat from the harsh environment, the clothing has a sci-fi look but also fits the desert/dust world around them. Things look lived in and used. It all adds to the story telling us a lot about this world, the people and most importantly Peter and his crew, without having to spell everything out.

What is Grootfall? What happened to the Guardians? Guardians of the Galaxy #1 teases a lot but answers little, instead focusing on a wild ride of an adventure that hits the right beats and becomes a cinematic wild ride once things really get going.

Guardians of the Galaxy #1 arrives in stores April 12.

Story: Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing Art: Kev Walker
Color: Matt Hollingsworth Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – comiXology/Kindle

The Guardians of the Galaxy blaze a new trail through a dark corner of the cosmos in a new trailer

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Next month, the Guardians of the Galaxy enter uncharted depths of space in a new comic run by writers Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing, the superstar duo behind Steve Rogers’ bold ongoing adventures in Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty, and drawn by artist Kev Walker, known for his recent acclaimed otherworldly artwork on Predator. Fans can get their first look at this exciting new era in a thrilling comic book trailer, featuring never-before-seen artwork!

Guardians of the Galaxy #1 introduces an overwhelming new cosmic threat to the Marvel Universe, one that emerged from the very heart of the team: GROOTFALL. This mysterious phenomenon will push Marvel’s beloved team of intergalactic super heroes to the Manifold Territories: an uncharted, lawless area of Marvel space filled with never-before-visited planets and undiscovered alien species. The Guardians have brought to their lowest depths and their found family is fractured like never before. Tying to outrun their tragedy, the Guardians rise as the Folds’ only chance at salvation. Can they rediscover their heroism and humanity on the bleakest frontier? Can they forgive the failures of their past? Or will they fade into the dark, eternally unforgiven? In the new trailer, fans can see the lineup of the new run in action including Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Nebula, and Mantis. They can also glimpse the devastating effects of Grootfall and witness the true, galaxy-bending might of what the Guardians are up against…

Check out the trailer and variant covers now and see the Guardians of the Galaxy’s bold venture into a new frontier when Guardians of the Galaxy #1 hits stands on April 12!

Grootfall approaches…

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Stay tuned for the Guardians of the Galaxy #1 trailer and a first look at this bold new era for Marvel’s greatest cosmic heroes. The new Guardians of the Galaxy is being written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing with art by Kev Walker, colors by Matt Hollingsworth and a cover by Marco Checchetto.

Guardians of the Galaxy Grootfall

Magical Threats are No Match for Stephen and Clera Strange in the new Doctor Strange #1 trailer

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Next month, writer Jed MacKay and artist Pasqual Ferry kick off a new era for the master of the mystic arts in Doctor Strange #1 and fans can get a first look at this thrilling new chapter in a spellbinding trailer, featuring never-before-seek artwork!

Having already reshaped the Doctor Strange mythos in titles like the Death of Doctor Strange limited series and the Clea-focused Strange series, MacKay will now begin a new ongoing series that sees Stephen Strange resume his duties as the Marvel Universe’s Sorcerer Supreme! The trailer shows Stephen Strange lending his expertise throughout the Marvel Universe and interacting with the likes of Spider-Man, Daredevil, Black Cat, and Doctor Doom. And he’s not alone! By his side against mystical threats will be his loyal wife, Clea! A powerful sorceress in her own right, Clea held down the fort when Stephen Strange met his untimely demise, and she isn’t backing down now. The two will need each other more than ever as a dark third party emerges and begins taking down Strange’s foes one by one… using methods no hero would approve of. 

Stephen Strange is back! Reunited with Clea and Wong, it’s back to business as usual for the Sorcerer Supreme. Have your children fallen into a deep nightmarish slumber? Are demonic refugees invading your home? Is your husband possessed by a satanic entity? Then call Doctor Strange! But when someone else begins to issue their own dark justice on Strange’s mightiest foes, Strange embarks on an interdimensional search for answers, only to discover the culprit may be closer to home than he thinks…

Check out the trailer as well as all seven covers and be there when the Sorcerer Supreme makes his grand return in Doctor Strange #1 on March 22!

Scott Snyder and Jock’s Wytches is heading to Prime Video with an animated series

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Another comic book series has been picked up for television. Wytches by Scott Snyder and Jock, is getting an animated series and heading to Prime Video.

The series is about a 17-year old whose family moves to a New England town after a tragic accident. But monsters that prey on darkest fears await them and lurk underneath the town.

Snyder and Jock will executive produce the series alongside Plan B Entertainment, Project 51 Productions’ Kevin Kolde, and Amazon Studios.

Wytches was a six issue limited series that was first released in October 2014 through Image Comics. It features colors by Matt Hollingsworth and lettering by Clem Robins.

Wytches

The Guardians of the Galaxy return in April for a whole new era

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The Guardians of the Galaxy return with a new ongoing series this April! Guardians of the Galaxy #1 will be written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, the superstar writing duo behind Steve Rogers’ bold ongoing adventures in Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty, and drawn by artist Kev Walker, known for his recent acclaimed otherworldly artwork on Predator. This hot new creative team will chart a course into dangerous new territory as Marvel’s beloved team of intergalactic super heroes venture to new, never-before-seen planets, encounter brand-new alien species, and discover long-hidden galaxy-bending truths that will make readers question everything they thought they knew about the cosmic side of Marvel!

The reason behind this daring journey into unknown? A new phenomenon known as Grootfall, an overwhelmingly powerful threat that will force the Guardians on a new mission that will test their limits as a found family. First seen in yesterday’s foreboding teaser, Grootfall will not only push the team to their breaking point but will also drive them out to the furthest reaches of space where they’ll encounter strange worlds in desperate need of the Guardians. Yesterday, fans also glimpsed Walker’s inspired new designs for the core cast of the new run: Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Nebula, and Mantis. And now, learn more about the upcoming new saga, hear from the creators, and check out the first issue cover by Marco Checchetto!

One year ago, the Guardians of the Galaxy were destroyed. Their optimistic future shattered by the betrayal of one of their own. Now they ride the space lanes of a lawless corner of the galaxy, trying to outrun their tragedy. Can they rediscover their heroism and humanity on the bleakest frontier? Can they forgive the failures of their past? Or will they fade into the dark, eternally unforgiven?

Strap in for a Guardians run like no other when Guardians of the Galaxy #1 arrives in April!

  • Guardians of the Galaxy #1
  • Guardians of the Galaxy #1
  • Guardians of the Galaxy #1

Review: Amazing Spider-Man #14

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Amazing Spider-Man #14

It’s been a bit since I’ve read Amazing Spider-Man, but with “Dark Web” approaching, I thought it might be a good time to swing on board. “Dark Web” is the upcoming crossover event between the X-Men and Spider-Man (and a few others) that has them taking on the Goblin Queen and Chasm. Amazing Spider-Man #14 begins to get things rolling in an issue that focuses on Chasm and his motivation behind what’s to come.

Written by Zeb Wells, Amazing Spider-Man #14 is a series of short stories by different teams of artists telling the story of Ben Reilly, aka Chasm. When we last saw him, Ben was vowing revenge against the Beyond Corporation and Peter Parker wanting his memories and life back. In his plot, Ben has found a perfect partner in Madelyne Pryor who is also a clone and having some issues with that. Granted dominion over Limbo she was looking to forgive and forget, but Ben has other plans. The two together making an interesting duo, as both have gone through similar situations a connection I hadn’t really made until this issue. Wells does a good job of giving us motivation and the anger that Chasm feels. But, while the issue does a decent job of catching up readers, there’s still a little bit of backstory missing for those coming into this new. There’s a lot to pack in though and the issue does an admirable job of fitting in so much. You get the basic overview, not the small details, enough to catch up and know what’s going on.

Where I think the issue falls a little short is the use of so many artists to tell the story. While the arc of it all works and makes sense, the art styles themselves vary so much. None of the art is bad at all, it’s good, but the styles are so different it’s jarring. Why this route was taken isn’t clear but it’s something that stands out to me in a negative way. There’s also some styles that work better than others as well, making the difference stand out a bit more.

Amazing Spider-Man #14 is an interesting issue. It feels like something that might normally be a “zero” issue or one-shot leading into an event. “Dark Web” kicking off in a regular issue that doesn’t feature Spider-Man or anyone else other than the villains is interesting in a lot of ways. Overall, it’s a nice issue that delivers motivation but doesn’t quite have that punch that really excites. Still, it’s more than enough to keep me interested in the event to come.

Story: Zeb Wells Art: Michael Dowling, Kyle Hotz, Terry Dodson, Ryan Stegman
Color: Richard Isanove, Dan Brown, Rachel Dodson, Matt Hollingsworth
Ink: Tim Townsend, JP Mayer Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.25 Overall: 7.35 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle

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