After a decade of development hell, FX and Hulu finally present Y: The Last Man, based on the comic of the same name by Brian K. Vaughan (Saga) and Pia Guerra, both of whom serve as executive producers on the show.
YTLM’s setting is in a post-apocalyptic world in which all the mammals on earth with the Y-chromosome spontaneously died. Except one: Yorick Brown, played by Ben Schnetzer (Warcraft) and his capuchin monkey, Ampersand. And while that population is mostly cisgender men (hence “The Last Man”), the comic briefly mentioned trans men were not affected.
https://youtu.be/0EEQ5Lj-cXM
Showrunner Eliza Clark (Rubicon) makes this even more explicit by introducing Sam Jordan (Elliot Fletcher, Shameless), a trans masculine character who doesn’t have a counterpart in the comic. She has also stated in interviews that many non-binary and intersex people died in the event alongside trans women and cis men, and that what specifically sets Yorick apart is his Y-chromosome. To further clarify this, Yorick’s mother (Diane Lane), a US Congresswoman who became the President because it’s believed that everyone ahead of her in the line of succession has died, says before his discovery “We’ve found plenty of men; just none with a Y-chromosome.”
While the show centers around Yorick, a professional slacker who proposes to his girlfriend despite not being able to afford cheese, we are shown how other people are navigating the world, post-event. Agent 355 (Ashley Romans, Hermione Granger and the Quarter-Life Crisis) is a spy who becomes Yorick’s bodyguard and her life is made harder by Yorick constantly doing stupid things like running off into police-only area because he thinks he saw his girlfriend.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdyxBewlS8w
Yorick’s EMT sister, Hero (Olivia Thirlby, Dredd), and her friend Sam are attempting to reach Yorick and Hero’s mother in DC. Kimberly (Amber Tamblyn, Joan of Arcadia) is the conservative daughter of the deceased president and is trying to stage a coup. There’s a lot of moving parts that intertwine, which makes it a very good thing that it ended up as a show rather than the film it was originally going to wind up as.
The show sheds a light on a lot of issues plaguing the actual world. The reason everything goes to crap in such a short time is that things like supply chains are male-dominated industries and without there being many women in the field, the world goes to a complete standstill. It can be a rough watch at times, but hey, so is real life. Not to mention Yorick is pretty much the absolute worst person to be the last man standing – he has no skills, can’t be bothered to follow directions and has the attention span of a fruit fly. I’m sure he’ll grow as the series goes on, but damn does he suck.
“You DON’T tug on Superman’s cape!”
Also truthfully, aside from being a trained medical professional, Hero is only marginally more sympathetic than her brother. She’s incredibly selfish and I kinda wanted to punch both Brown siblings in the nose while watching. Which says that Schnetzer and Thirlby are both incredibly good at their jobs. The entire cast is. 3.5/5 Y: The Last Whiskeys.
Good evening, geeks and geekettes! Spring seems to have stubbornly arrived, and with the coming of the warm weather are some of the better comics titles out there! We have some of the industry’s heavy hitters coming back, as well as some monumental, essential issues coming your way! Let’s just dive right in this Easter Fool’s Day, and see what’s what…
Colleen “of the Covenant” Vincent @CollyColSAGA #50 – Image Comics
Since its 2012 debut, Saga has remained one of the comic industry’s freshest and most beautiful titles. This intergalactic epic for the ages, continues to be weird and gorgeous and relevant. The fugitive interplanetary family at its center has been through so much loss and upheaval, it is nice to see them somewhat settled on none planet for a bit.
Horned Marko and his winged bride, Alanna enjoy a “date” complete with a scandalously explicit first panel. These two are still crazy for each other after seven years and it shows quite “fluidly”. Meanwhile, Hazel is being trained by her latest babysitter — prison escapee and trans woman, Petrichor and danger stalks royal turned jaded turncoat Prince Robot and his journalist allies, the snarky lovers Doff and Upsher as an old favorite returns looking …considerably different. Issue #50 is as full of joy and strife as ever and the consistency of have the same writer and artist seven years later keeps the quality high. Brian K. Vaughn has authored some great Image titles, but Fiona Staples’ artwork continues to bring these unique characters to life. Saga deserves its beloved status just as much today as it did almost seven years ago. 5/5 Bibles.
-Colleen Vincent
“Sister” Sarah G @DarthHistoryMOTHER PANIC: A.D. #1 – DC Comics/Young Animal
Disclaimer: I’m more of a Marvel/Indie girl, in the long run — but I can’t resist the lure of Gotham City. With that said, I was excited to read Mother Panic: Gotham A.D #1. I’d enjoyed the original series, but since this is a new take on the character, I was interested to see how i stacked up. While it had its moments, the story — written by Jody Hauser — didn’t catch my interest in the way that the original did. For a brand new reader, or someone who has a casual acquaintance with Batman’s beloved city, it stands up.
Ibrahim Moustafa‘s art is striking and bold, making it a visually stunning piece. Set in the time after the Milk Wars, Violet is back, but not really back. She’s dealing with a new timeline and familiar faces. Because I’m a fan of Young Animal and their comics’ take on familiar characters and settings, I’ll keep reading, if only to see where it goes. For me, the most compelling thing in this new Mother Panic comic is the appearance of the Joker – broken and crazy as he is. Oh, and there’s a Monty Python reference which automatically gives it an extra bible. Whether you’re a new or old reader, this one’s worth a read, especially if you’ve missed out on all of the Young Animals books up to this point. 3.5/5 Bibles.
-Sarah Obloy
“Cardinal” Roberto de Bexar @RobBex2DAREDEVIL #600 – Marvel Comics
With any seminal issue, you hope that who ever is in charge of the story at that time will push the character into a direction that will last for the next 100 issues. Case in point, in Uncanny X-Men 300, we saw Magneto’s acolytes; in Amazing Spider-Man 700 we watched Peter Parker “die” and Otto Octavious take over his mind.
So with Daredevil 600, writer Charles Soule and artist Ron Garney have take the Man without Fear into a new direction and it makes me wish I would have kept up with this run after Mark Waid and Chris Samnee, we see Wilson Fisk as Mayor and Murdock as his deputy Mayor and with Fisk as Mayor all superheroes have been outlawed. There is a lot to cover in the issue, but to quickly (he said ironically) wrap up this issue, all the street level heroes have been arrested, the beast from the Shadowland storyline is trying to make its way back to New York and the Hand have once again tried to assassinate the Kingpin which leaves… dun dun duuuuuuun… Matt Murdock as acting mayor.
Charles Soule is an amazing writer and he takes Daredevil into a whole new direction. How will a Matt Murdock survive being the Daredevil AND the Mayor?! It is a long worded issue, but totally and absolutely worth the read. It actually makes the $4.99 price tag actually worth it. Ron Garney’s artwork is as beautiful as ever. It is as crisp and clear today as it was nearly 20 years ago when I was fawning over it when he was drawing Captain America with Mark Waid. 4/5 Blind Bibles.
-Robert Bexar
“Inquisitor” Luke Anderson @LUKEPOISONERSHADOWMAN #1 – Valiant Entertainent
After a break of nearly 5 years we finally get more of Valiant’s occult-flavoured hero, Shadowman. One of the original Jim Shooter-created Valiant heroes, he’s been out of action for a couple of years since his excellent Valiant relaunch series — “trapped in the Deadside”, as people say — but now returns under the superstar stewardship of writer Andy Diggle (Green Arrow: Year One, The Losers, 2000AD) and heavy-hitting rising star artist Stephen Segovia (Dark Wolverine, Action Comics, Ninjak) …and not a moment too soon, with his voodoo-powered ally Lady Mambo nearly overwhelmed by Louisiana’s rising tide of Samedi cultists and swamp monsters. Very serious stuff, indeed.
After years trapped in the Deadside by Master Darque, Shadowman emerges from a portal with his powers unstable and his loa (voodoo spirit thing that he gets his powers from) extremely pissed off. This staus quo is a perfect jumping on point, which also distills the character’s core mythos and expands the Valiant universe’s recently-neglected supernatural lore. Diggle already has the Louisiana vodoun patois down; and Segovia’s thick, inky yet defined lines and big panels fill the book with a detailed gloom and an action-filled murkiness which distinguish the book grimly from most of the superhero fare available. For fans of old Shadowman games and comics, for sure, but also new readers who love dark and horror comics, Valiant continues to be the publisher I recommend most often, and Shadowman #1 is my latest reason why. 4/5 Years in the Wilderness.
-Luke Anderson
Felipe “The 3rd Deacon” Crespo @F7ovrdrvDAMNATION: JOHNNY BLAZE – GHOST RIDER #1 – Marvel Comics
Mmm…Spoilers ahead! Beware and enter at your own risk!
What makes Ghost Rider #1 such a good read? Well for starters, it begins how a lot of books end (hell, how a lot of series and events end) : Johnny Blaze dead, thanks to Mephisto. And this is where our story starts. With Blaze and Ghost Rider together, SEPARATED. In hell. Christopher Sebela‘s script does a great job of establishing the relationship between the Rider and Blaze. It’s interesting seeing the Spirit of Vengeance realize that he doesn’t have a need for Johnny anymore and in return, seeing Blaze scramble for reasons and what to say to convince him otherwise.
This is also one of the more interesting takes on Ghost Rider, and hopefully the series continues with this dynamic. Phil Noto‘s art perfectly pairs with the strong story, in large part due to his great facial expressions. Not to mention the issue is heavy on action, and even has a great Mad Max-like chase. There’s enough action and excitement to go around with this issue. My only real gripe is the stereotypical depiction of hell. Minor gripe, really, just more of the same look and palette. Hopefully the imaginary, hellish environment changes in the next few issues. 4.75/5 Smoking Bibles.
Hello my beautiful congregation! As always, we’re back with yet another new geek TV review, Marvel’s Runaways. While Marvel Television had a slight misfire with Iron Fist and a huge one with The Inhumans, the studio a home run with Runaways…
https://youtu.be/Z6_0dJkjFAM
For those not in the know (and why not?) Runaways is the brainchild of writer Brian K. Vaughn and artist Adrian Alphona, about a group of teenagers who–after discovering their parents are a group of super-villains– band together to right the wrongs committed in their names. Launching over a decade ago, the comic was lauded as one of the best new aspects of Marvel Comics. Runaways had adventure, comedy, drama and characters with depth — not a hard fit to witness on the small screen.
So what do you do when you are introducing a story to a [chiefly] brand new audience? You go to a tried and true winner. In this case, you go to a tried-and-true winner–and geek! Josh Schwartz. His resume oddly has the right sensibilities and nuances (The O.C. to deliver a show full of complex characters and, unlike The Inhumans or Iron Fist, has the instinct to ensure that no one was miscast and no one’s storyline got butchered.
Runime.
The episodes flow seamlessly together – yes, I know this is only about the pilot but the show is so good that by the time I finished this article I was already 4 episodes in. But why spoil all the fun Anyone who liked the dramedy stylings of The O.C. will instantly recognize that same style here; strangely enough, it blends perfectly with the series.
What confounds and confuses me is that, The Inhumans had ABC/Disney money, yet us geeks received, to be nice, cheesy CGI. Here, HULU gives us -– wait! Almost spoiled it… — pure awesomeness. You’ll love it. And like most Schwartz show, Runaways takes place in sunny California, which only adds to the aesthetic. Joining the fun are seasoned vets, James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Kevin Weisman (Alias), and relative newbies, Gregg Sulkin and Virginia Gardner; better, Rhenzy Feliz (Alex Wilder) and Lyrica Okano (Nico Minoru), pop right from the pages. The casting is simply terrific.
You really think there is a future in Comic books?
This show only got better after the pilot, if one can believe that. And unlike some of the other more recent — albeit risky — Marvel series, Runaways starts off with a bang and doesn’t let up. 4.75/5 Bibles.
PAPER GIRLS #4 – Image“Brother” Myke Ladiona @onemyke
Saga scribe Brian K. Vaughan’s Goonies-meets-Super 8 adventure continues its breakneck ride into awesome weirdness in the latest issue of Paper Girls. After three books chock-full of plenty “WTF” moments, some answers finally come to our favorite newspaper delivery girls of Stony Stream. Thanks to a couple of translation devices we’re given a little bit of the story behind the strange robed beings that have been running around 80’s America as well as a proper introduction to the other beings that are trying to kill them. The bizarro Logan’s Run (if it were envisioned by the love child of David Cronenberg and David Lynch) style backstory is slightly revealed to our girls by the robed people, who happen to be future teens, during an exciting chase through the sewers of Stony Stream.
Cliff Chiang’s illustrations (Wonder Woman, Green Arrow) of creatures that “The Elders” have seemed to militarize somehow fit the overall art style of the world of the story, while still being just as absurd as our heroes perceive them to be. Vaughan also succeeds in explaining enough of the story to keep the plot going, keeping us invested in the conflict between the different factions of visitors of Stony Stream, while still holding a lot back to retain mysterious. All the while, our girls are really put to the test — having to fight off psychic attacks from strange monsters as they confront some ugly character flaws within themselves. Paper Girls continues to be the awesome adventure it promised to be with it’s stellar debut issue and should be a must-have on everyone’s pull list this year. 4.75/5 Newspapers.
***Updates***
–Fistful of Comics (1/7): Paper Girls #4, Uncanny X-Men #1, Mirror #1 (early review), Four Eyes: Hearts of Fire #1.
UNCANNY X-MEN #1 – Marvel“Cardinal” Roberto de Bexar @RobBex2
First, let me say that I am really liking where Marvel is taking their X-Men titles post-Secret Wars. It’s apparent that writer Cullen Bunn (Magneto) and Greg Land (Iron Man) are hopping right in-line with the other X-Books, as fellow GHG staffer Lance “The Apostle” Paul once told me (and I agreed), they have this “old”school” feel to them. These comics remind me why I used to love X-Men. The writers on all these new books seem to have been reading 1990’s X-titles, as the nostalgic feel of holding an X-Men book in your hands as a teen is what had been widely missing in the X-Books.
Uncanny X-Men is no different.
Still slightly darker than the other X-titles, Uncanny seems to be replacing the X-Force title by throwing their darker and more vicious characters at us by way of a slightly de-powered Magneto, a reformed Sabretooth (which I’m really digging), an egotistical and cocky M, a lovelorn Psylocke and ***SPOILER*** the return of a cold-blooded Archangel ***END SPOILERS***. And, this is the part that came off the most messed up and fascinating at the same time: Readers now have 2 Warren Worthington III’s flying around and…this Archangel is just chillin’. He is used like a secret weapon, deployed as a counter-measure and then gets put back into his “cage” like the bird of prey, all the while saying nothing and showing no emotion or remorse. I am really excited to see how this Archangel came back (WRITERS NOTE: For those who weren’t reading it, and shame on you, Archangel had his mind completely erased back in Uncanny X-Force after he became Apocalypse).
Sure, Land is known for reusing his references, but in here he nails Archangel by toning down the sex and amping up the action. The dialogue is heavy-footed, but is needed and fun. We’ve gotten so wrapped up in these overly serious and overly realistic comics that, often, we’ve forgotten that comics are also meant to be fun. As we’re also re-introduced to some of these characters in a new setting, Bunn sets a nice pacing for them. Hop on now and enjoy the ride! 3.75/5 X-Bibles.
Mirror is a collaboration between Emma Rios (Pretty Deadly) and Hwei Lim (Spera) that attempts to bridge the gap between fairy tales and sci-fi. The story centers around scientists and mages (an interesting combo, to be sure) who are creating human and animal hybrids. As is expected, the creations struggle with their place in the universe and the creators struggle with the implications and repercussions of what they have made.
The presentation of the story isn’t straightforward and has a disjointed and dreamlike quality to it. While I found Mirror a bit hard to follow at times (wait, that actually sounds brilliant), the hazy style did add to the mystique of the overall plot. The art is absolutely gorgeous though, with delicate coloring and bold, clean inking, which reminded me of a Japanese art scroll at times with hints of Moebius for good measure. In fact, Mirror would not feel out of place in Heavy Metal as it has that sort of esoteric appeal and non-linear style storytelling that are the hallmarks of that particular magazine. If a slightly incomprehensible story isn’t an issue, then Mirror is an interesting jaunt into a beautiful universe. 4/5 Reflections.
FOUR EYES: HEARTS of FIRE #1 – Image“Monsignor” Travis Moody @TravMoody
Although I hadn’t read the original Four Eyes run from famed Deadpool scribe, Joe Kelly, and incredible throwback sketcher, Max Fiumara (Abe Sapien), back in 2010, there’s a lot to love about the depression-era follow-up, “Hearts of Fire”. If the daily comic strip stylings of Fiumara don’t hook you enough, Kelly’s multi-layered story of an underground dragon-fighting ring (that makes Mike Vick’s past crimes.. oh nevermind) set after the famed stock market crash, will. But it’s the adolescent innocence of protagonist Enrico, who does what he gotta do for the benefit of his family, and an overall sense of bravery, fear, and commitment that lay as the heart of the story in Four Eyes. There’s also a nice role-reversal, where one former assistant in those race/class-segregated times, the enjoyably stone-cold Mr. Fawkes, now serves as firm “big brother”/father figure to the young, blind boy searching for the person/thing who murdered his pops.
Of course, Four Eyes (the dragon–not me), is the more mystic and mature Disney story just the same, as the also vision-impaired, not-so-scalebound lizard shares more in common with the boy in this heart-wrenching tail than anyone ever could. So, only Fiumara’s tenacious, eye-popping (heh) designs keep the comic from becoming too PG. It’s an overall wonderful start to the sequel, that no fan of creator-owned comics, or — hell — dragons, should miss. 4.25/5 Ray Ban Frames.
***SUNDAY STASH*** (1/5)
OBI-WAN & ANAKIN #1 – Marvel“Dynast” Dana Keels IG/Twitter @hatandwand
Happy New Year, geeks! And with a new year, of course that can only mean one thing: new Star Wars comics(!!). Obi & Ani #1 picks up a few years after The Phantom Menace, with Obi-Wan Kenobi doing his damnedest to act as mentor and master to the young padawan, Anakin Skywalker. Sent on a peacekeeping mission that — of course — goes wrong, this dynamic Jedi duo find themselves on an alien world. But this issue #1 is more so told through flashbacks, breaking down the essence of these two characters and their relationships with each other–including some foreshadowing of Anakins’s relationship with the future dark Emperor. Charles Soule‘s (Daredevil) script is solid and nails the personalities of these two Jedi, while the art by Marco Checchetto (The Punisher) is a vibrant and clean fit for the Star Wars universe. Although not a whole lot happens outside of mere set-up in this ish, what is here is more than promising. 4/5 Green Lightsaber Blades.
“Bishop” Richard Zom @eyebzombie
Talk about a legion hall of geeks, right up the alley to your beloved Ringside Apostles. The comic, Ringside, is the tell all of what can happen in the business of indy wrestling. We’re talking the days of Monday Night Wars between the (then WWF) World Wrestling Entertainment vs. “dubya see dubya” (a.k.a. World Championship Wrestling). I mean… backstage politics, Vince Russo-like writers, card-subject-to-change type politics. In both issues of Image’s Ringside #1 and #2, wrasslin’/comic fans will get the whole scoop of crooked deals, personalities and egos that can kill or drive those in the wrestling game. The wrestling is easy; it’s learning how to claim your stakes in the business before they can curtain call your ass out that is hard. Writer Joe Keatinge (Tech Jacket) did the homework, as we see how old receipts can still be on a waiting list to pay someone back.
RINGSIDE #1 – ImageRINGSIDE #2 – Image
“The real world is not a work; sometimes Kayfabe can get you hung up” is what I have to say from the action in this bad boy, as you’re bound to feel like you’re in the locker room, or clocking in those strenuous highway miles from venue to venue for near-to-nothing pay or respect. Acclaimed artist Nick Barber draws this series like a rookie paying dues with the right amount on grit, pain, and sharpness that shows glossy pages are for Nancies. Colorist Simon Gough (Cobra, Snake Eyes) hits you hard with simple, very dry tones and shades–all adding to a degree of depth. And Letterer Ariana Maher has a steady handle for such crisp placement; her work comes off like a fresh cup of coffee or a stiff Clothesline to the face. Either way, it’s noticed and appreciated. See you at the next match. 4/5 Championship Titles.
ROCKET RACCOON & GROOT #1 – Marvel“Heirophant” Luke @LUKEPOISONER
Skottie Young, following the critical and breakout success of his 2014 Rocket Racoon series, makes a welcome return to writing the characters of… Mouse and Shrub? Yes, although this comic claims to be set a full 8-months after the madness of Secret Wars, there’s still plenty of weirdness afoot in the new Rocket Raccoon and Groot first issue; with Rocket and Groot presumed dead, and a fine pair of Rocket and Groot imitators gallivanting around the galaxy seemingly in their stead. But all is not as it seems… which is good, because it seems pretty strange so far.
This comic plays its cards close to its chest, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to recommend about it: how about the wildly chaotic and energetically cartoon-y artwork of Filipe Andrade (Captain America, Figment); or the crackling dialogue and narrative insanity of the aforementioned Young; and even an hilarious cameo from the new Guardian of the Galaxy team? It’s a lot of fun, and I can’t help but be reminded a little of the late 80’s-early 90’s work Keith Giffen did on Lobo and L.E.G.I.O.N., which adds a neat element to Marvel’s far-flung space continuity. For fans of GotG (obviously), but I’d also recommend this to anyone who enjoys the more wacky and Looney Tunes-esque books out there like Cable and Deadpool or Harley Quinn. So… that’s basically everyone, I guess. 4/5 Burning Bushes.
With the likes of E3, EDC (yes, a pair of us raved our asses off at the world famous Electric Daisy Carnival), and SDCC on the horizon, we looked towards our very own friends, fans, and followers — our geek church-goers, if you will — to give us a lending hand.
Yes, we passed the collection basket around, and came up with a few winners. In this comic world version of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?”, who will be the next disciple to be blessed with holy water, take their first communion and join the hottest geek review webzine on our journey to the promised land?
You make the choice. It’s our Sunday Stash: Fan Edition. Ah-fucking-men.
MICKEY MO– USE #1 – IDWTim “Saint Nilk” Hall @nilkilla
The first issue of Mickey Mouse, from IDW, is a collection of stories.
The first and longest story is entitled “The Lost Explorers’ Tale”. This tale is rather robust, in that it has a pancake cook-off, world travel, adventure, plot twists and several tongue-in-cheek jokes. For what I’d imagine is aimed as a children’s book, Andrea Castellan packs in quite a vocabulary with several learning opportunities, in the nature of geographic and biological in nature. Being the “meat” of this book, I think this is a great story and while possibly rote, it still has a good collection of Disney “magic”.
The second story is the introduction of a magpie named Ellsworth. He becomes, to his dismay, a pet to Goofy and between wisecracks, feeds into a rather cute short story. This is followed by a Pluto love story and the trials he puts himself through to get the attention of Minnie’s new dog. Yup, cute is the theme of the day, though this does touch upon the intelligence of crows and gives some warning as to their inevitable rise to become Earth’s overlords.
“My money’s on Timmy.”
Finally, there’s another story of Ellsworth. In this short, he has an adventure while trying to enjoy some time outside. Calamity and hilarity ensue. Overall the art of the book is standard Disney fare, yet there is plenty of fun to be had and it definitely starts out as an excellent subscription for the aspiring Mouseketeer in your household. 4/5 Mouse Ears.
THE SPIRE #1 – BOOM! StudiosMichelle “Magdalene” Kisner @RobotCookie
Si Spurrier’s The Spire is an interesting blend of fantasy and science fiction. The story centers around a woman named Sha, the head of the police force for the strange and exotic desert city that makes up the Spire. Sha is “sculpted” which means she is a mutant of sorts (though she looks human) and is imbued with special powers and abilities. While this gives her quite an edge over the “unsculpted” or normal people, it adds even more difficulties and challenges to her job.
By far, the best part of The Spire is the absolutely gorgeous art done by Jeff Stokely (Translucid, Six-Gun Gorilla). It takes notes from such classics as The Incal or Heavy Metal—the colors are bright and saturated and the lines are bold and strong. There also seems to be a slight amount of manga influence in the character designs, though nothing over-the-top. The action flows well, and there is some interesting panel work as well. The few splash pages are excellent too and are poster worthy. However, the former X-Force scribe’s story gets off to a clunky start and jumps around too much, which doesn’t let us have time to get to know the characters. There are definitely some intriguing plot threads that have been started though, and the overall atmosphere is well-crafted and unique. Hopefully this comic finds it foothold in later issues because this world has a chance to bring a unique perspective to the comic book universe. 3/5 Bibles.
RED SKULL #1 – Marvel ComicsFelipe “Deacon” Crespo @F7ovrdrv
Welcome to Marvel’s Suicide Squad vs Marvel Zombies! Want Crossbones talking about Magneto like he’s a scrub? Then you’ll enjoy Red Skull #1. As with most things Battleworld, things are a bit odd. We have Red Skull achieving a Batman-like mythos where some swear by him, and others say he’s just a boogyman after he tried to oppose Doom. The book introduces us with Crossbones, whom is now tasked with assembling a team to send out and verify if Red is alive.
From a storyline perspective, Joshua Williamson (Secret Wars: Battleworld, Birthright) does a good enough job setting up the tone and group dynamic– but I find nothing terribly exciting. It also doesn’t help that the reveal at the end feels clichéd at best and as something that could’ve been saved for a later issue. As far as Luca (Secret Wars: Journal) Pizzari‘s artistry is concerned, it fits the world well, but as with the story, it isn’t all that gripping. Although Red Skull #1 doesn’t really do anything wrong, it doesn’t really do anything great either. 2.5/5 Pre-Doom Bibles.
WE STAND ON GUARD #1 – Image Comics
Being a giant Brian K. Vaughan (Saga, Y: The Last Man) fan I obviously had to pick up We Stand on Guard #1. Teaming up with Steve Skroce (The Amazing Spider-Man), the book is beautifully illustrated and stuffed full of action. Some parts are incredibly graphic and some of the subtler parts are amazingly detailed. Mixed with Matt (Daredevil, basically everything else!) Hollingsworth’s coloring, this is one of the best books visually I have seen this year. While the facial expressions were superb, this “3:16” apostle absolutely fell in love with the designs of the US’ robots/drones. When searching for an analog or similarities, Skroce’s work here reminded me of Steve Dillon on Preacher.
As for the why, We Stand‘s story takes place 100-years in the future and focuses on a group of Canadian civilians defending their homeland from an invasion by the United States of America. Along with badass freedom fighters and giant freaking robots, the premise of the U.S. being the enemy is a fresh enough of an idea to cling onto–and that’s coming from a man who did two tours in Iraq. We Stand on Guard also jumps right into it with bombs exploding over Canadian territorial soil in retaliation to a terrorist attack on the U.S. While the issue plays out to appear a more conspiracy theorist’s daydream, the terrorist attack that spurred the States invasion of Canada turns out to be…something you need to run out to the comic book store and buy. 4/5 Bloody Bibles.
ONYX #1 – IDWChrisHatesHashTags @GoochmiesterC
Onyx #1 is an absolutely fantastic read… providing you have never watched a single Science Fiction/Action Film or TV show from the 1980’s ever! However to be fair, could we expect anything less from IDW who have spent years capitalizing on 80’s properties? So, it is hardly surprising that an original comic book run from IDW would borrow so heavily from other sources.
With a fairly straight-forward story from Chief Creative Officer Chris Ryall (Zombies vs Robots), you know the usual: alien species lands on Earth, rag-tag group of futuristic Marines go in to stop it, another alien arrives to stop the first alien and the Marines and the new alien team-up, have a whole bunch of trust issues and just need a time-out and group-hug before the oncoming onslaught. It is an admirable first issue with some halfway decent art from Gabriel Rodriguez (Locke & Key) however the influences weigh far too heavy on the issue sleeve. With heavy pinches of James Cameron’s Aliens and John McTiernan’s Predator, there is also some of John Carpenter’s The Thing wedged in there for good measure during the backstory of the new alien arrival.
On top of a series of generic looking Marine grunts, we have the lead protagonist Onyx who, by Ryall’s own admission, is a Frankenstein’s collection of Marvel’s Rom, Spaceknight and the 80’s version of the tin can Cylons from Battlestar Galactica. With all these heavy influences the first issue really struggles to find its own original footing; however if you’re young and didn’t live through the 80’s or you just love some good old fashioned Alien vs Predator fan-fiction with a bunch of characters that are neither Predators nor Aliens– then this is the comic for you. 2/5 John McTiernan Wet Dreams.
BARB WIRE #1 – Dark HorseRobert “Cardinal III” Tacopina @badmotorfinger
Allow me to confess, my knowledge of Barb Wire comes entirely from the so-bad-it’s-good film starring Pamela Anderson. It was such a horrendous film that after watching I had no desire to follow the further exploits of Barb in comic format. While I thought the concept of the character was cool everything else was dreadful. Having said that I was very hesitant of this assignment because that damn movie ruined the allure of Barb Wire. Much to my surprise I rather enjoyed this relaunching, as original scribe Chris Warner does a damn good job of introducing these characters in a manner that felt smooth and organic.
There was no need for previous knowledge on this particular property as Chris Warner laid basically everything you need to know on the table, which made this a title that a reader unfamiliar with Barb Wire can enter this world as a virgin and feel at ease with the story.
Barb is a kick-ass bounty hunter with a plethora of issues. She is a bounty hunter who runs a bar that is failing, employs knuckleheads, and has to contend with the fact that her whole world is crashing around her… yet she takes no crap from anyone. Make no mistake, Barb is a woman who is as quick to kick your ass as she is to helping you. The supporting cast here were fantastic and added some much needed levity to the book. Artist Patrick Olliffe (Spider-Girl, 52), and his supporting staff of inker Tom Nguyen (The Flash) and colorist Gabe Eltaeb (Green Lantern Corps), provided some great visuals with the exception being the title page where it appears that Barb’s arm was cut off. Overall, I found myself attached to this series and I will definitely add it to my pull list at least for the first arc. One last thing–if they decide to bring Barb Wire back to the screen I demand that they cast Ashley Benson in the titular role. 3.5/5 Bibles.
SAGA #24 – Image Comics“Monarch” Luke Miller @comicsbulletin
If the sight of a tiny, adorable otter wearing yellow overalls and galoshes whilst wielding a giant axe for the purposes of walrus-herding doesn’t kindle sheer, unbridled joy within your heart, then I’m not sure anything ever will. And you have my pity. Also, if that opening sentence doesn’t make you at least want to try reading Saga, then I’m not sure anything ever will. And you have my pity for that, as well.
Describing this book always feels like I’m rehashing a one of Stefon’s “New York’s hottest club” reviews. This book literally has everything. Teleporting bounty hunters, alien St. Bernards that shoot tranquilizer darts out of their noses, polygraphic cats, magic goat people, graphic violence, graphic interspecies spider sex scenes, talking sentient plants, the aforementioned otter, aristocratic robots… And that was just this issue. I haven’t even mentioned the fairies, tree based rocket ships, cyclopean romance novelists, or ghost nannies.
But perhaps the most amazing thing about this book is its consistency. We are now 24 issues and four complete story arcs in, and I have yet to be disappointed with any single issue. Despite all of that craziness, at its heart, Brian K. Vaughan‘s Saga is a story about the challenges of raising a child and maintaining a marriage. Everything else is window dressing — really pretty window dressing via Fiona Staples — but window dressing nonetheless.
The only downside is that this single issue probably can’t be enjoyed all that much without reading the previous 23. This series is much more Battlestar Galactica storytelling than Star Trek storytelling, and to that end, any single issue is going to fall a bit flat. But if you like your stories serialized, you’ll have no problems here. If you are a human being who has ever cared about another person, you should definitely give this series a try. I honestly can’t imagine you won’t be glad you did.
4.5 (out of 5) Brian K. Bibles.
DEATHLOK #1 – Marvel Comics“Cardinal” Roberto de Bexar @RobBex2
Deathlok has never really been an overly interesting character to me. It’s true, I’m not sorry; he was just never captivating– until now. Nathan Edmondson (Who is Jake Ellis?, The Punisher) does the dark side of Marvel like nothing I have seen in a long time. Reading this had hints of The Bourne Trilogy (before they went sci-fi with that last one). He also dropped the hammer in a few scenes that made my jaw drop, which doesn’t happen much in comics anymore. By the end of the issue I was upset that issue 2 wasn’t there waiting for me. His callback to the original Deathlok left questions lingering that I want answered, and judging by how he has handled his other books, he’ll bring everything around full circle. Also, finally, we get to see the black ops side of Maria Hill — as the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. — and it was very satisfying. Now, even the best writer needs a great compliment, and Edmondson has that with Mike Perkins. He brings a hyper realism to his work that makes the panels pop off the page. I loved his work on Captain America with Ed Brubaker. He knows how to bring his writer’s words to life and it is done in such a magnificent fashion. I sincerely dug everything that Perkins did with the re-design of this new Deathlok. Hell, I loved this whole new re-design of everything. Who he is, what happens to him after every mission, everything. Go now and pick up this book! Seriously, why are you still reading this? GO!! 4.75/5 Bibles.
DARK GODS #1 – Avatar PressRyan “Salvation” Scott @radio_adventure
Dark Gods is a title that could have meant any number of things, given that this is a comic book were talking about. However, the title at least, is pretty straightforward. This book takes the concept of humanities Gods and makes them dark.
The first issue of this new Avatar series absolutely flies by and is absolutely begging for a trade paperback. That’s not a particularly bad thing, but know that before you buy it. Justin (Green Lantern Corps) Jordan‘s story, in a nut shell, follows a guy named Resnick who is attempting some corporate espionage and discovers that his coworkers are not they seem. Dun dun dun! The eye-catching art is what makes this breezy read worth picking up. 3.5/5 Dragon Aged Bibles.
RASPUTIN #1 – Image“Pope” Jason Sacks @jasonsacks
Sometimes first issues knock you on your ass. They’re filled with kinetic action and tremendous character moments, teasers of future events, hints of background moments, and a cliffhanger that has you panting for the next issue. They’re the debut chapter of an adventure serial, and that chapter delivers the entire series in microcosm. And sometimes first issues are just compelling and interesting but just tell their story, like the initial chapter of a novel, as fragments of what will come. Those few early scenes don’t give the reader a strong vision for what will follow but do give the them a lot to chew on and some fascinating character moments.
Rasputin #1 is one of those latter sorts of premiere issues.
Riley (Green Wake, Proof) Rossmo‘s art and Ivan (Astounding Wolf-Man, Haunt) Plascencia’s colors are gorgeous in this book – moody and intense and involving and unsettling. It’s the kind of wonderful art we’ve come to expect from Rossmo, but that’s a high standard of awesomely disturbing beauty that he delivers here much as he’s done many times. But the story this issue is told almost entirely in pictures. We get a few words at the beginning and end, and some disconcerting scenes of domestic abuse in the middle, but the hook is missing for a reader to return. I’ve learned to trust Alex (Proof) Grecian to deliver a complex storyline as this longform serial plays out. Certain moments will pay off over time– but they need some refining, like the jewel this series will undoubtedly become. There is some fascinating business with what seems to be magical powers for Rasputin, but I’m not sure that’s enough of a hook to keep me picking up the floppy every month. 3.5/5 Forms of Murder.
ALL-NEW X-MEN #33 – Marvel
I’ll be honest; I haven’t cared about the Ultimate Marvel Universe since approximately 2006. I really wasn’t aware it had any sort of existing continuity outside of having a new, non-Peter Parker Spider-Man. Well, it’s still around, apparently, and the Young X-Men are visiting, albeit against their will and scattered around the globe. Of course, this also makes for extremely short, disjointed, and not very cohesive segments. Young Iceman gets 6 pages to fight the Mole Man. Young Angel and X-23 get 5 pages to explore the Canadian wilderness/Weapon X program with Blond Wolverine (Angel and Blondie made remarkable time from the Antarctic Savage Land in the last issue). Young Beast gets 2 pages in Latveria (thanks for checking in, Hank!) And Young Jean and Ultimate Spider-Man get 7 pages to get to Westchester and take part in the ongoing “Everybody Loves Jean” sitcom.
For me, the best part of Brian Bendis‘ All-New X-Men is the original, young X-Men reacting to 50 odd years of Marvel continuity. Having them react to a decade or so of Ultimate continuity in which they have no vested interest does absolutely nothing for me. I suppose if you really like 1960’s Marvel and whatever constitutes the modern Ultimate universe, this book has nailed your niche, otherwise, give it a pass. I’d have gone with 1.5 stars, but I gave it an extra half star because I got to find out that Ultimate Doctor Doom’s name is Victor van Damme. Because I want my tyrannical, goat-legged monarchs of fictional Eastern European nations to have realistic last names. 2/5 Ultimately Doomed Bibles. – Luke Miller
Sure, Land is known for reusing his references, but in here he nails Archangel by toning down the sex and amping up the action. The dialogue is heavy-footed, but is needed and fun. We’ve gotten so wrapped up in these overly serious and overly realistic comics that, often, we’ve forgotten that comics are also meant to be fun. As we’re also re-introduced to some of these characters in a new setting, Bunn sets a nice pacing for them. Hop on now and enjoy the ride! 3.75/5 X-Bibles.
