Tag Archives: tina cesa ward

Review: Delegates #8

Posted on by
Delegates #8

In the eighth issue of Delegates, we find our protagonists at the turning point, where they either give in or retract in a moment of confidence which could mean life or death.

Marla and Zahira are dealing with the repercussions of the androids killing the villagers and how little control they have over them. Daoud and Saito are doing their backup of Amina while she struggles knowing she’s needed elsewhere. As the protagonists try to guess what General Uba’s next move is, they make their own preparations to counter his actions. By issue’s end, one chess move by Uba leaves our heroes in a cloud of chaos but ready to react.

Overall, an action-packed issue which shows just how master storytellers unravel a plot. The story by Tina Cesa Ward is astonishing. The art by the creative team is magnificent. Altogether, one of the best issues yet from this spectacular series.

Story: Tina Cesa Ward
Art: Kendall Gates, Rebecca Harris, Heather Breckel, and Taylor Esposito
Story: 9.8 Art: 9.7 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

Advance Review: Delegates #6

Posted on by

The shock and dismay that settled in shortly after Donald Trump was elected President cannot be understated. The world’s collective gasp left the future so much grimmer and darker. The initial hope of a sustainable change was quickly dashed a few weeks into his term. Americans everywhere who had morals quickly realized just how hopeless our future is.

This is where the injustice felt, drives your purpose and even though you know the odds against you, you still believe even when everything you have done is right, and you still get disappointed, when the result is the opposite of what you hoped for. So many who have never experienced it before finally felt how it was not for justice to be served. Something persons of color regularly experienced and felt. When the world and voters everywhere saw who Trump really was, most of the world already knew and many others acted as if they were shocked. In the sixth issue of Delegates, we find Aminah, dealing with the aftermath of revealing what she truly is.

We find one of Aminah’s aides being interrogated by General Uba, who is questioning her about the rumors that Aminah is an android, looking to see if there is any validity to them. As Uba’s cousin, Captain Baptiste, is closing on in on Aminah and Marla, and so does Victoria, who is looking to extract the whole group. As they look to escape, Captain Baptiste finally catches up with them, but the village comes to their rescue leading to an all-out fight between the villagers and Baptiste’s men.

Overall, it’s a fun issue that ends this first story arc with a guns a blazing and some truths told. The story by Tina Cesa Ward and Bin Lee is smart, sweeping, and action packed. The art by the team is luminous and superlative. Altogether, an excellent issue that closes a great story arc and leaves the possibilities limitless.

Story: Tina Cesa Ward and Bin Lee
Art: Felipe Cunha, Rodrigo Urbano, Anwar Hanano, and Taylor Esposito
Story: 9.7 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.6 Recommendation: Buy

Imagine Bin provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Delegates #5

Posted on by

When a story makes an unexpected turning point, the reader is often left flabbergasted.  The initial shock comes because usually when the twist happens, it is right when the reader gets invested in the characters.  It is especially interesting when the writer subverts the tropes that would be employed in the plot that occurs. This takes a lot of leaving “breadcrumbs” throughout the story, clueing the reader in as you get closer to where the story needs to go.

As absurd as it sounds now, the movie, Sixth Sense, did this in spades when it first came out as it drew viewers in, with the story about this little boy, but the story really was about the therapist Bruce Willis played. The classic misdirection is what I am eluding to, and it is surprising, unbelievable, and ultimately satisfying. The comics world was recently surprised, when they learned that Captain America was always an agent of HYDRA. In the fifth issue of Delegates, our heroes unleash their newly kept secret into he public as it both shocks and dismay those who find out.

We catch up with Aminah and the rest of our heroes during her revealing what she really is to the people of Kayatimabe where they are currently stranded and on the run from bandits. What follows is a standoff between our heroes and the bandits, as the bandits see an opportunity to make money off Aminah and Marla must do everything she can to protect her. Aminah eventually reaches out to the bandits and the rest of the village to plead for a chance to prove her worth. By issue’s end, Aminah more than proves her worth but the company that created her is getting closer to where she is and looks to use her for their own purposes once again.

Overall, probably the most cerebral issue of the series, one that challenges notions about the advancement of technology and what it means to be human. The story by Tina Cesa Ward is fun, action packed and astounding. The art by the creative team is gorgeous. Altogether, a great issue that looks to push the book to new heights.

Story: Tina Cesa Ward
Art: Felipe Cunha, Rodrigo Urbano, Anwar Hanano, and Taylor Esposito
Story: 9.5 Art: 9.3 Overall: 9.7 Recommendation: Buy

Review: Delegates #1

Posted on by

The term “civil unrest” is oft used term these days, more as a reaction to morally bankrupt rulers than certain civil rights issues. The number of protests across America, has only sparked outrage across the world, as people all over the globe feel the same way. The most recent issue of gun violence, after years of incontinence by legislators has pushed a sea change in the people rising and saying enough is enough. Even Sir Pau McCartney showed up this past weekend at the protests, reminding everyone, that his best friend, John Lennon, died due to gun violence.

As important as these issues are here in America, it is even more so in Third World countries, and the way some governments there treat civil unrest can be fatal.  As most of us who live in this world know, not everything is black or white and one is not necessarily able to change things. Which is why the question becoming, with local police using paramilitary tactics, how soon it will before foreign government starts using technology to extinguish uprisings? This is the question that the creators behind Delegates seeks to ask and answer and does so, masterfully.

The reader is transported to the country of Fulawodaabe, as we are brought to the installation of president Kokumo, the country’s first woman to hold the seat, one full of hope to change the country for the better. Fast forward two years later, and the country faces protrsts , one that threatens Kukomo’s livelihood, which causes concern for some of her staff, including a a young woman, named Hembadoon, an American transport, who has the Kokumo’s ear. The insurgency becomes violent, and the rebels have invaded the presidential palace, leaving Kokumo to flee. By issue’s end, Kokumo and Hembadoon are at odds, as both of their secrets opens each other’s eyes to the lies Fulawodaabe has had to believe.

Overall, an excellent first issue that deftly blends a political thriller and science fiction in a tightly wrapped story. The story by Tina Cesa Ward and Bin Lee is genuine and smart. The art by the creative team is gorgeous and engaging. Altogether, an excellent debut issue will put its hooks in he reader and never let go.

Story: Tina Cesa Ward and Bin Lee
Art: Sabrina Deigert, Felipe Cunha, Leigh Walls, and Doug Gabark
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy