Tag Archives: Nathan Widick

A Quiet Place: Storm Warning #1 Brings the Popular Film Franchise to Comics

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A Quiet Place: Storm Warning #1

The world ended in a hush. The creatures came for the cities first. But in Pearl, Iowa—a tiny island town on the Mississippi—the mayor and townsfolk believe that’s someone else’s problem. Cut off from the chaos of the coasts, they think they can ride out the storm. But fire chief Lonnie Fry knows better. The creatures that hunt by sound are coming west, and unless the people of Pearl take drastic action, silence won’t save them—it’ll bury them. A Quiet Place: Storm Warning #1 is based on the film franchise, but you don’t need to watch the films to enjoy the comics.

Written by Phil Hester, A Quiet Place: Storm Warning #1 is a nice start to the popular horror franchise that keeps things focused. I’ve never seen any of the films, but it’s a debut that is accessible by anyone and really relevant to today’s world.

Hester introduces us to a small town, rather isolated from the world. And with that isolation comes a disbelief about what they’re witnessing on television, in the news, and warnings from others. They don’t believe there’s creatures on their way, a denial of the clear evidence before them. Hester delivers an allegory from modern times of a conservatism that’s built on false beliefs and denial of reality. This is a town set up for success and survival and refuse to do what’s necessary because it means they’d need to sacrifice something or be inconvenienced. A Quiet Place: Storm Warning #1 is our modern politics in a nutshell.

Hester provides the page layout with Ryan Kelly‘s pencils and inks delivering an issue that focuses in on the small town quality of it all but also the storm to come. With color by Lee Loughridge and lettering by Nathan Widick, the comic delivers a solid story of what is primarily adults yelling at each other. It’s a debate that you know will end badly and the art has a sadness to it, you can hate those who are clearly wrong, but the art also adds in a chance to pity them.

A Quiet Place: Storm Warning #1 is a welcoming debut that those new to the franchise can dive in and enjoy. It can be enjoyed on the surface level or appreciated for its deeper examination of how a minority, who are so wrong, can be the death of us all.

Story: Phil Hester Art: Phil Hester, Ryan Kelly
Color: Lee Loughrdige Letterer: Nathan Widick
Story: 8.0 Art: 7.85 Overall: 7.95 Recommendation: Read

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Godzilla: Escape the Dead Zone #1 shows there’s rooms for a variety of genres in the Kai-Sei era

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Godzilla: Escape the Dead Zone #1

Godzilla: Escape the Dead Zone is the dirty, grungy little sibling of the shining Kai-sei era flagship book, Godzilla. In the book, writers Ethan Parker and Griffin Sheridan and artist Pablo Tunica show every day life in the kaiju and radiation-infested Dead Zone, an area that used to be Seattle and has been left for dead by the United States government. The story centers around a mysterious half-kaiju, half-human figure that is treated like an urban legend by the locals until he appears in glorious Tunica Technicolor. For the most part, Godzilla: Escape the Dead Zone #1 sets up this particular corner of the United States as well as its protagonist’s role in it before kicking into the real meat of the series’ ongoing plot towards the end of the issue.

As a comic, Godzilla: Escape the Dead Zone is built on vibes, namely, anarchic one. Pablo Tunica’s graphomania is self-evident, especially when the desert winds swirl, and monsters come out of hiding. There’s a lived-in feel to his line art with the characters definitely looking like they survived some kind of monstrous disaster. I love that Tunica colors himself, and blasts of punk rock colors offset the post-apocalyptic gloom and add tension to the fight sequences. He also plays with anatomy with limbs swaying and rocking in this irradiated world. That’s all to say that this book has a bit of edge to it compared to other licensed books: it’s more street art than IP. The main character, in particular, looks really cool.

Godzilla: Escape the Dead Zone focuses on the folks that have been left behind in a world centered around giant monsters and the energy they emit. The monsters that appear in the book are relatively small-ish fries compared to Godzilla and the other Toho big guns, but with no military or sci-fi technology, they pose a dire threat to the denizens of the Dead Zone. There aren’t any heroes or villains in this world: just survival. From the first page, Parker, Sheridan, and Tunica strip away contemporary comforts and hurl you into the deep end of this dangerous world where finding a beer or a smoke could cost your life, but a human/monster hybrid with a giant tail could be your salvation.

Featuring bright colors, an end of the world aesthetic, and gnarly, feral monsters, Godzilla: Escape the Dead Zone #1 shows there’s rooms for a variety of genres in the Kai-Sei era.

Story: Ethan Parker and Griffin Sheridan
Art: Pablo Tunica Letters: Nathan Widick
Story: 7.7 Art: 8.8 Overall: 8.2 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Godzilla #1 has rich world-building, explosive action, and makes us want to experience more of the universe

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Godzilla #1

In Godzilla #1, Tim Seeley, Nicola Cizmesija, and Francesco Segala craft an entire universe centered around kaiju and the energy they emit, namely, kai-sei. There are familiar elements from the Godzilla mythos like his emergence in 1954, a hilarious take on Jet Jaguar, and of course, some monsters to fight, punch, and interact them, but Seeley and Cizmesija mix them all together in a way that sustains an ongoing comic book series (With two spinoffs!) instead of just a one-shot or series of miniseries. This first issue introduces our protagonist Jacen Braid, the newest recruit of G-Force, who has big “fight and kill God” energy and a boatload of trauma. There’s definitely some big monster action, but most of what I liked about Godzilla #1 was the interactions between the different G-Force members and their distinct philosophies in handling kaiju.

Godzilla #1 hits the sweet spot between shonen manga and superhero team comics. There’s a true explosiveness to Nicola Cizemesija and Francesco Segala’s visuals, especially the conflicts that center around kai-sei. Speed lines crackle, facial expressions get more dramatic, and special effects lettering from Nathan Widick takes front and center when G-Force goes to war or just spars against one another. Seeley uses the extra length of the issue to build a rapport between the team and drop hints at this brave new world before introducing the series’ hook. Braid is definitely angsty, but he kicks ass. Also, his past trauma makes him easy to empathize with like in a small, touching sequence with his roommate. Finally, he has what I think the kids call “main character energy” as in he’s not a faceless soldier or scientist, but an actual foil for the kaiju.

Godzilla #1 has rich world-building, explosive action, and makes me want to experience more of the universe that IDW is creating featuring the King of Monsters and his monstrous and human friends and enemies.

Story: Tim Seeley Art: Nicola Cizmesija
Colors: Francesco Segala Letters: Nathan Widick
Story: 7.8 Art: 8.4 Overall: 8.1 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Early Review: Godzilla: Escape the Dead Zone #1 shows there’s rooms for a variety of genres in the Kai-Sei era

Posted on by
Godzilla: Escape the Dead Zone #1

Godzilla: Escape the Dead Zone is the dirty, grungy little sibling of the shining Kai-sei era flagship book, Godzilla. In the book, writers Ethan Parker and Griffin Sheridan and artist Pablo Tunica show every day life in the kaiju and radiation-infested Dead Zone, an area that used to be Seattle and has been left for dead by the United States government. The story centers around a mysterious half-kaiju, half-human figure that is treated like an urban legend by the locals until he appears in glorious Tunica Technicolor. For the most part, Godzilla: Escape the Dead Zone #1 sets up this particular corner of the United States as well as its protagonist’s role in it before kicking into the real meat of the series’ ongoing plot towards the end of the issue.

As a comic, Godzilla: Escape the Dead Zone is built on vibes, namely, anarchic one. Pablo Tunica’s graphomania is self-evident, especially when the desert winds swirl, and monsters come out of hiding. There’s a lived-in feel to his line art with the characters definitely looking like they survived some kind of monstrous disaster. I love that Tunica colors himself, and blasts of punk rock colors offset the post-apocalyptic gloom and add tension to the fight sequences. He also plays with anatomy with limbs swaying and rocking in this irradiated world. That’s all to say that this book has a bit of edge to it compared to other licensed books: it’s more street art than IP. The main character, in particular, looks really cool.

Godzilla: Escape the Dead Zone focuses on the folks that have been left behind in a world centered around giant monsters and the energy they emit. The monsters that appear in the book are relatively small-ish fries compared to Godzilla and the other Toho big guns, but with no military or sci-fi technology, they pose a dire threat to the denizens of the Dead Zone. There aren’t any heroes or villains in this world: just survival. From the first page, Parker, Sheridan, and Tunica strip away contemporary comforts and hurl you into the deep end of this dangerous world where finding a beer or a smoke could cost your life, but a human/monster hybrid with a giant tail could be your salvation.

Featuring bright colors, an end of the world aesthetic, and gnarly, feral monsters, Godzilla: Escape the Dead Zone #1 shows there’s rooms for a variety of genres in the Kai-Sei era.

Story: Ethan Parker and Griffin Sheridan
Art: Pablo Tunica Letters: Nathan Widick
Story: 7.7 Art: 8.8 Overall: 8.2 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Pre-Order: Third Eye

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #9 Packs more Punch as the Brothers Contemplate Where it All Went Wrong

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #9

Already weakened, weary, and a little deranged, poor Donatello has now been captured by the Foot Clan! The remaining Turtle boys make a plan for an all-out war against Karai, but are forced to think twice when they hear the voice of reason… coming from the body of a dead rat? Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #9 is another amazing issue that delivers both punches in action and emotion.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has been one of the best comics on the shelves with the new volume’s launch. Written by Jason Aaron, each issue has featured a hell of an emotional story while delivering a solid villain and lots of action. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #9 is no exception with Donnie captured by D.A. Hale, and the dysfunctional trio left struggling to work together to find their brother.

And that’s what has made this series so solid. The Turtles are back together but they’re not clicking. Instead, we get to see squabbling brothers, each lost in their own way. While they have strength in skill they’re weak on the emotional side. This is a Turtle team that’s together and broken at the same time.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #9 focuses a bit on Michelangelo as he reflects on his recent stardom in his quest to find Donnie and also do a bit good. Through the focus on Mikey, we get a spiritual journey for the trio as they all reflect on how things are going and how they’ve gone wrong, even if it’s off panel. It’s a cathartic issue that lays things out and gets back a team that’s more focused and following the teachings of their Master Splinter. This is the hero at their lowest, recognizing they need to do something, and turning their journey so it’s a climb back on top.

The art by Juan Ferreyra is amazing and has been the entire series. With lettering by Shawn Lee and design by Nathan Widick, the comic looks amazing. The opening sequence of Mikey assaulting where he thinks Donnie is being held is exciting in both action and visuals with amazing page layouts and presentation. To say it’s a hell of a series visually is an understatement and this issue might be the best yet when it comes to that. There’s so much to linger and love as far as the page on the art, so much detail that not only delivers solid action but such emotion.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #9 is an issue of a series that keeps getting better. It’s amazing in its storytelling, its visuals, and its ability to get readers excited. At its core is a concept that’s familiar, the hero at their lowest and fighting back, but it’s executed so well. If you’re not reading this series, you’re missing out on one of the best monthly comics today.

Story: Jason Aaron Art: Juan Ferreyra
Letterer: Shawn Lee Design: Nathan Widick
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Early Review: Godzilla #1 has rich world-building, explosive action, and makes us want to experience more of the universe

Posted on by
Godzilla #1

In Godzilla #1, Tim Seeley, Nicola Cizmesija, and Francesco Segala craft an entire universe centered around kaiju and the energy they emit, namely, kai-sei. There are familiar elements from the Godzilla mythos like his emergence in 1954, a hilarious take on Jet Jaguar, and of course, some monsters to fight, punch, and interact them, but Seeley and Cizmesija mix them all together in a way that sustains an ongoing comic book series (With two spinoffs!) instead of just a one-shot or series of miniseries. This first issue introduces our protagonist Jacen Braid, the newest recruit of G-Force, who has big “fight and kill God” energy and a boatload of trauma. There’s definitely some big monster action, but most of what I liked about Godzilla #1 was the interactions between the different G-Force members and their distinct philosophies in handling kaiju.

Godzilla #1 hits the sweet spot between shonen manga and superhero team comics. There’s a true explosiveness to Nicola Cizemesija and Francesco Segala’s visuals, especially the conflicts that center around kai-sei. Speed lines crackle, facial expressions get more dramatic, and special effects lettering from Nathan Widick takes front and center when G-Force goes to war or just spars against one another. Seeley uses the extra length of the issue to build a rapport between the team and drop hints at this brave new world before introducing the series’ hook. Braid is definitely angsty, but he kicks ass. Also, his past trauma makes him easy to empathize with like in a small, touching sequence with his roommate. Finally, he has what I think the kids call “main character energy” as in he’s not a faceless soldier or scientist, but an actual foil for the kaiju.

Godzilla #1 has rich world-building, explosive action, and makes me want to experience more of the universe that IDW is creating featuring the King of Monsters and his monstrous and human friends and enemies.

Story: Tim Seeley Art: Nicola Cizmesija
Colors: Francesco Segala Letters: Nathan Widick
Story:7.8 Art: 8.4 Overall: 8.1 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #7 delivers one hell of an issue

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #7

The family reunion hasn’t exactly gone as planned for the Turtles. Even if they could put their sibling feuds aside, there’s no time for the brothers to celebrate. Hunted by a new Foot-enhanced police force led by the relentless D.A. Hieronymus Hale, the Turtle brothers must endure their worst gut-punch yet: New York City is no longer safe for the TMNT, forcing the mutant heroes to take drastic measures – relocating to the sewers of New Jersey! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #7 is another fantastic issue of a series that can’t be missed!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #7 is good, really good. It’s an issue that has you excited for what’s come before and what comes next. Action. Emotion. Twists. Turns. It’s a ride of an issue of a series that’s at the top of its game right now. Written by Jason Aaron, the Turtles are surrounded by a city that has been taken over by the Foot Clan and is focused on exterminating the Turtles. The brothers are disorganized and at each other’s throats fighting amongst themselves as much as taking on their foes. Further, the Foot Clan has gotten smart and using propaganda to turn opinion against the Turtles.

But, it’s the emotional punch that gets you. Aaron has tapped into something here, an aspect that I’ve never really experienced reading a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic. There’s been emotional moments but it’s hard to not read Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #7 and the previous issue and come away with sympathy for the brothers. There’s emotional pain for each of them and Donatello is a shell of the hero he once was. There’s a sadness underneath the anger.

The art by Juan Ferreyra is the icing and sprinkles on the cake. With lettering by Shawn Lee and design by Nathan Widick, the comic is a visual treat. The action feels frenetic and harrowing. The emotional moments are a punch to the gut. The comic can be summed up in how Donatello is depicted. The physical slump, the facial expressions, the emaciated look, it shows a level of detail that’s just fantastic. Add in some great page layouts and the combo is a comic that looks amazing to go along with a hell of a story.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #7 is another fantastic issue that picks up on the previous one and just goes to an even greater level. It’s one of the best ongoing series on the shelf right now and a series that should not be missed.

Story: Jason Aaron Art: Juan Ferreyra
Letterer: Shawn Lee Designer: Nathan Widick
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Nightwatcher #1 reveals a fierce defender

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Nightwatcher #1

What I loved about Daredevil, is that he saw evil and fought to correct it. As a Lawyer, Matt Murdock, was exposed to the criminal world in ways most of us could only fathom. He would find ways to correct what the justice system could not whether that was in the courtroom or in the streets. When the justice system failed, he became the fierce defender of Hell’s Kitchen.

As in the real world, when horrifying atrocities occur, we all wish heroes like Daredevil were real. While we hope for the justice system to work, in reality, it often fails which has us fantasizing about a hero to take matters into their own hands to mete out justice. In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Nightwatcher, we get a hero who fights those who would do harm to those affected by the Mutagen Bomb.

We’re taken to New York City, where the Nightwatcher is in the middle of a hot pursuit, where he is stopping one car thief from getting away with the car. This leads to scuffle between the two, which is more a battle of wits versus a battle of brawn, as Nightwatcher outmaneuvers the car thief at every step. We eventually find out that he was kidnapping mutants; a travesty Nightwatcher puts an end to this time.

Writer Juni Ba intersperses the action with what every day people think of what has happened with the Mutagen Bomb and how it’s impacted them. They also reflect on the new vigilante that has taken to the streets. Ba does a great job of delivering a visceral, realistic feel, to not just Nightwatcher delivering justice but how people react to the new world around them, warts and all.

Ba is joined by Fero Pe on art with color by Luis Antonio Delgado and lettering by Nathan Widick. The art does an interesting mix of jumping between Ba’s brutal action and the interviews. The transition isn’t always great but each segment is solid.

Overall, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Nightwatcher is a fun debut issue that’s packed with emotion and feels like a classic TMNT episode. The story by Ba is action packed. The art by the creative team is gorgeous. Altogether, a story TMNT fans will more than enjoy.

Story: Juni Ba Art: Fero Pe
Color: Luis Antonio Delgado Letterer: Nathan Widick
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Review: Star Trek #400

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Star Trek #400

Anyone that’s a fan of Star Trek will tell you just how affected they are by the franchise. One becomes immersed within the first few minutes. It’s far more than a military science fiction thriller but a study of the human condition. Each of the properties have done an amazing job of not just entertaining but discussing relevant issues in society.

There has never been a IP which outright talks about societal ills like Star Trek. It was the first show I watched where I felt like I was not alone. It made being smart feel like you stood out for all the right reasons. In the 400th issue of the long running IDW Publishing comic, Star Trek, a collective of creators come together to tell some tales in this connected universe.

In “Captain’s Log”, we find Kirk as he writes final Captain’s log, as he recalls what would a lifetime of memories. In “Soldier On”, We find O’Brien as he foils a Cardassian spy, alerting their military, that Starfleet is a formidable foe. In “Meanwhile”, Scotty wakes up from a nap to notice that no work has been done, and decides his day is already done. In “A Matter of Choice”,  we find out exactly where Wesley Crusher has been all these years and how did he end up  being a guardian of time. In “Starfleeter”, we find a young Keyla Detmer as she bonds with a young Klingon warrior, eventually becoming friends. In “A Perfect System”, a sentient being name Gary Mitchell realizes the mission of Star Trek makes his existence, none essential, as it is in good hands.  In “Where No Publisher Has Gone Before”, the impact of the franchise in comics is told .

Overall, Star Trek #400 is an excellent tribute to this franchise which has meant so much to so many people. The stories by the different writers is astounding.. The art by the different artists is incredible. Altogether, a worthy tribute  and an excellent addition to the canon.

Story: Chris Eliopoulos, Declan Shalvey, Mike Johnson, Wil Wheaton, Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, Rich Handley
Art: Luke Sparrow, Seth Damoose, Angel Hernandez, Joe Eisma, Megan Levens, Ramon Rosanas
Color: DC Alonso, Steve Dellasala, Ronda Pattison, Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Jake Wood, Neil Uyetake, Nathan Widick
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle