Tag Archives: reyn

Review: Reyn #6

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Reyn06_900pxThe freedom that writers and artists have at Image Comics is something that the rest of the industry attempts to emulate but mostly fail at it. The freedom I am talking about is one where there is no such thing as crazy idea, which in turn makes them the real “House of Imagination”. A good example of this philosophy is Kel Symons and Nathan Stockman’s book, Reyn, which as exactly their preview says:

Freelance swordsman and monster-hunter Reyn is the last of the legendary “Wardens” whose ranks long ago faded from the land of Fate into myth. Not a white knight, Reyn’s haunted by visions from his “guiding angel” Aurora, who sets him on a great quest against the mysterious Venn, teaming him with Seph, a woman with witch-like powers. Together they discover Fate holds an incredible secret.”

As a long time anime fan, I saw shades of Berserk and Samurai Champloo, in its concept, which not only grabbed my attention, but wanted to see just how close their story would stick with them.

Issue #6 begins a new story arc, as Reyn and Seph gets adjusted to what Fate really is as everyone on the crew feels as though they have been betrayed by each other and those long gone. They end up discovering a history that no one knew of, and the cataclysm that lead their ancestors to where they are now. While being acclimated to this new history and to the truth of their existence, they are suddenly attacked by the Venn who have been on a mission to destroy Fate. The issue ends with a fatality and will definitely get your throat to close up, as it is someone who no reader would have seen coming.

This new reality is comparable to the truth of the FOX TV show Wayward Pines, as it actually makes you see the series as something different then what it started out being, This is very much true in my case, as it had me comparing it to many hybrid sword and fantasy with outer space operas, but in the end it does what good science fiction should do, make the reader think. This issue has caused the character of Reyn to evolve from Han Solo in New Hope to Han Solo in Return of the Jedi. The tragedy that Seph faces will also evolve her character to one that is stronger.

This new story arc is off to a great start, as the collaboration between Symons and Stockman has made this story greater than its concept. Symons writing has strong balance of humor and drama to offset the action, which makes for smart storytelling. Stockman’s art is riveting as it captures all the nuances of space and the facial expressions of the characters are, at times, breathless. Overall, an interesting mythology and one that I will definitely be back next issue to see what happens.

Story: Kel Symons Art: Nate Stockman
Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Preview: Reyn #5

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Reyn #5

Story By: Kel Symons
Art By: Nathan Stockman
Cover By: Nathan Stockman
Price: $2.99
Diamond ID: MAR150588
Published: May 13, 2015

On the run from Venn, Reyn and Seph delve deeper into the enemy stronghold and make a shocking discovery.

Reyn05_Cover

Preview: Reyn #4

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Reyn #4

Story By: Kel Symons
Art By: Nathan Stockman
Cover By: Nathan Stockman
Price: $2.99
Diamond ID: FEB150626
Published: April 15, 2015

Reyn and Seph infiltrate the Venn stronghold hidden in the Rift.

Reyn04_Cover

Preview: Reyn #3

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Reyn #3

Story By: Kel Symons
Art By: Nathan Stockman
Price: $2.99
Diamond ID: JAN150702
Published: March 18, 2015

Reyn returns Seph to her father and the Followers of Tek, who ask him to join them on a mission to stop the Venn from destroying Fate.

Reyn03_Cover

Preview: Reyn #2

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Reyn #2

Story By: Kel Symons
Art By: Nathan Stockman
Cover By: Nathan Stockman
Price: $2.99
Diamond ID: JAN150702
Published: February 18, 2015

Reyn returns Seph to her father and the Followers of Tek, who ask him to join them on a mission to stop the Venn from destroying Fate.

Reyn02_Cover

Around the Tubes

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The weekend is almost here! How is everyone spending it?

Around the Tubes

SRQ Magazine – The Cultural Legacy of Comic Books – Some cool history.

Kotaku – Some Big Changes We’d Like to See in The Next Marvel Universe – What would you like to see?

 

Around the Tubes Reviews

The Outhousers – The Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw #3

CBR – Ivar, Timewalker #1

The Beat – Powers #1

The Bet – Reyn #1

Bleeding Cool – We Can Never Go Home #1

Review: Reyn #1

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Reyn01_CoverReyn is a freelance swordsman and monster hunter who also might be the last of the legendary “Wardens” of the land of Fate, whose ranks long since faded into myth. He’s haunted and driven by visions from a “guiding angel” who sets him on the path of a great quest— though Reyn’s hardly the errant knight-type. He’ll rescue and partner with the sorceress Seph, a member of a coven known as the Followers of Tek, hunted as heretics for their beliefs, but who may know what secrets Fate holds.

I’ve really been enjoying writer Kel Symons‘ Image series The Mercenary Sea. Reyn is his latest release, a fantasy series that has an interesting start, but doesn’t quite knock it out of the park.

I absolutely enjoyed the first issue, it’s a fun read, but the build up and mystery is dragged out a lot without enough to get me super excited for the second issue. The first issue really focuses on Reyn, as he kind of wanders. There are lots of set-up as to his being a “Warden” and some of the past history of the world, but overall it’s a lot of talk, with characters that feel a bit cookie cutter. That includes Seph, who might be the more interesting of the two characters, though it’s not her name on the title. Her abilities and personality seem like they’ll be a draw to the series. But overall, the plot of the first issue seemed like a very typical sword and sorcery tale.

The art by Nathan Stockman is a bit inconsistent as well. What really stood out to me were the female characters, some of whom fall into a stereotypical large chested, thin wasted, damsel trope, while others feature a much more down to Earth design you might see in Princeless. The former is over the top, and the latter not so much. So when you mix the two, it’s a bit weird. I’d much rather see a consistent feel to it, whether it’s an exaggerated look like we’ve seen in Battlechasers, or a much more down to Earth such as the previously mentioned Princeless. I do like Stockman’s design for some of the characters and creatures. The villains are a snake like being that are original in look, and the design could be very cool going forward. Also, I do dig Reyn and Seph’s design. It’s simple and solid.

The first issue is good, and fans of fantasy should check it out. The issue lacked a little bit of oomph that makes it stand out from the pack though. I’ll definitely keep reading at least through the first arc, and here’s hoping we see that something special to make this series rise above the pack of numerous other fantasy series out there.

Story By: Kel Symons Art By: Nathan Stockman
Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7 Recommendation: Read

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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March Book Two cover (300dpi)Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday. Lots of comics from IDW Publishing this made our lists!

Brett

Burning Fields #1 (BOOM! Studios) – Mixing politics with horror? Yes please! I’ve looked forward to this series that sees a detective head to Iraq to solve some murders.

The Kitchen #3 (Vertigo) – Under the radar, and awesome. The series is a 70s set crime series featuring the wives of the the mobsters.

March Book 2 (Top Shelf Productions) – My most anticipated graphic novel (and comic) of 2015 is out this week, and it’s so appropriate as it was MLK day yesterday. Expect this one to win awards at the end of the year.

Millennium #1 (IDW Publishing) – The X-Files spin-off gets its own comic series. It was an underrated television series, and I expect an awesome comic adaptation.

Zombies vs Robots #1 (IDW Publishing) – IDW’s popular book series comes to comics in an ongoing series. It’s zombies fighting robots people!

Edward

Burning Fields #1 (BOOM! Studios) – A noirish detective story, but set in the aftermath of the Iraq War.  Someone or something is killing people in a gruesome fashion on the oil fields, but a cover-up threatens the investigators from getting to the truth.  The story bills itself as Zero Dark Thirty meets The Thing and seems to be living up to it.

Dark Horse Presents #6 (Dark Horse) – This series flies a little below the radar, but channels the same creative concepts behind a lot of earlier comics (DC’s Showcase from the 1960s.)  Some of the stories are doomed to fail, but some are destined for the Dark Horse universe.  This issue has both sci-fi time travel and some undead fighting heroes.

Zombies vs. Robots #1 (IDW Publishing) – The launch of the first ongoing series which proved that the medium of comics is not tired of zombies yet, this time as the small handful of human survivors has to deal with competing post apocalypse scenarios.  And speaking of zombies…

Wonder Woman #38 (DC Comics) – It it only two issues into their run, but the Finches have been very divisive so far, both in terms of their comments to the direction of the character and in the output of the comics. Will Wonder Woman’s return to mainstream DC find firm ground or crash and burn?

Zombie Tramp #6 (Action Lab: Danger Zone) – It is still hard to know what to make of this series, but it is usually entertaining even if you owe your brain an apology in the end.

Evan

Holy F*ck #1 (Action Lab: Danger Zone) – This is a hilarious low-brow title with very well delivered religious satire. I can completely get behind this foul-mouthed stoner who’s-bisexual messiah.

The Valiant #2 (Valiant) – The art in this in issue is beautifully executed. I normally don’t like when I can’t tell which author was writing for each page but the art provided a smooth transition page to page.

George

Amazing Spider-Man #13 (Marvel Comics) – The latest story arc for Spidey is coming to a close and it’s the best one yet by Dan Slott.

Burning Fields #1 (BOOM! Comics) – Military horror mystery by Moreci, Daniel and Lorimer set in the Middle East. The story combines a dishonorably discharged military investigator with a mythic evil set in an already fragile locale. The story sounds amazing and the art looks fantastic.

Powers #1 (Marvel Comics/Icon) – Since the announcement of the TV Show this has been a much anticipated comic. Plus, Brian Michael Bendis is one of the best story-tellers out there. Powers #1 is a perfect jumping-on point for anyone interested n this Eisner Award winning tale.

Reyn #1 (Image Comics) – Kel Symons is building a fantasy world that sounds as amazing as the art by Nathan Stockman. If you’re looking for a new Comic Book to add to your pull list this is definitely one you should add and keep up with.

Rumble #2 (Image Comics) – If you haven’t already picked up, and read, Rumble #1 then do so immediately. This story has such a compelling plot that I couldn’t put it down before I read it and re-read it over and over again. We have yet to learn much of the backstory for the protagonist, but that’s a good thing.

Jesse

Borderlands: Fall of Fyrestone #6 & Borderlands TP Vol. 2 Fall of Fyrestone (IDW Publishing) – Borderlands is among my favorite games out there. I would be honored to review their comic line

Cartoon Network Super Secret Crisis War TP Vol. 1 (IDW Publishing) – These cartoons are my childhood. Seeing them come together is always good entertainment for me.

Dungeons & Dragons: Legend of Drizzt TP Vol. 1 Homeland (IDW Publishing) – After 15 years of Dungeons and Dragons experience of being both a player and Dungeon Master, DnD and (especially) anything with Drizzt would be among my top options.

Iron Man Epic Collection TP Stark Wars (Marvel) – I’m a huge Iron Man fan and would love to get my hands on some Iron Man comics to review and discuss in a large scale review.

Legendary Star-Lord #8, Legendary Star-Lord TP Vol. 1 Face It I Rule, Rocket Raccoon #7 (Marvel) – A huge Marvel fan and a huge fan of the Guardians. I’d love anything from Guardians of the Galaxy, but especially them on their own.