On top of this weeks comics that are pulled for me by mail order. I popped into my local comic shop and picked up Black Panther: Man WIthout Fear #513 from Marvel and Mighty Samson #1 from Dark Horse.
Interesting my feeling on both of the two were pretty much the same. Firstly the artwork on both was incredible. Francisco Francovilla continues to prove he's the king of pulp. His version of Black Panther is simple but sleak and he simply has a knack for capturing the perfect snapshot of a scene for each panel. I think Patrick Olliffe's work on Mighty Samson could be best i've seen him do. The detail on each page might point to why the comic is being solicited bi-monthly, but for art this good its worth waiting for. Especially impressive was his ability to portray the same character after an 18 year leap in time.
My problems with both book lied in the writing. Both David Liss (Black Panther) and the team of Shooter and JC Vaughan (Mighty Samson) created too much exposition. There was almost too much information to absorb in both comics. I know its 'damned if you do and damned if you don't' when it comes to first issues. You're always either 'writing for the trade' or there's 'too much information' but I think it should be possible to find a happy medium. You need to have just enough happening, just enough character introduction or action scenes, but we don't need everything right off the bat. introduce the reader a bit at a time rather than bombard us.
Even with that said, both books justify another visit with the next issue.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Black Panther: Man Without Fear #513 & Mighty Samson #1
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Wire Hangers #4 Advance Review
Wire Hangers #4 closes off the first volume of this genre bending series and its time to bring the players together into the depths of the Manhattan Detention Complex. A building nicknamed “the Tombs”. A name that probably holds no irony for the bodies that litter the floor after facing the man melded with Wire Hangers, Jonathan Cypra.
Detective Barillo and Journalist Anna Davis are the other main players who descend on the tombs, and seemingly resolve all outstanding storylines. But as the issue progresses it becomes apparent that this issue isn’t the end, this seems to be start of a mythos. As opposed to be left with all ends tied tightly together, the issue blossoms with possibilities of where the story could be taken from here. That doesn’t mean there are some resolutions regarding those who had been making Cypra’s life more hellish than it previously had been, though.
looking back on the issues of Wire Hangers that I have read, and thinking of all the parts together, its apparent that this has become more of a tour de force than I could have ever imagined. Across the the issues it has beautifully transitioned from Horror, to thriller, to crime procedural, and now with its final issue of this mini series, its a possible anti-hero origin. This has been a true Kaleidoscope of a comic, its a shame their won’t be an issue #5 next month, but I’m definitely hoping for a volume 2. There is just too much possibility here for there not to be.
Wire Hangers is published by IDW Publishing. Pretty much everything bar the lettering is done by Alan Robert, and it has a cover price of $3.99.
You’ll find it on the shelves on Wednesday the 25th of August or you could order the WIRE HANGERS TPB, coming in November with order code SEP10 0393.
Sunday, July 04, 2010
Final Cover To ‘LUCID’ #1 Unveiled
Press Release:
Archaia & Before The Door unveil final cover to 'Lucid' #1.
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Wire Hangers #3 Advance Review
It’s a hard life when you’ve got Wire Hangers intermingled within and without your entire body. You have to live your life as a recluse, hiding amongst the homeless, hiding the wounds a freak set of circumstances inflicted. Lest not forgot trying to cope with the mental scars carried from the sight of your mother hung from that tree.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
What’s More… For Wednesday 30th June
Monday, June 21, 2010
Archaia Solicitations for September 2010
Archaia have provided us with cover images and Solicitation text of their titles shipping in September 2010. Hit the jump link to have a look and if you want the Diamond order code just hover your mouse over the respective covers…
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Have you considered…. Broadcast
Diamonds customer order form date may have just slipped past but you may be able to order the odd comic or book if you work fast.
One book that may have slipped past your radar is BROADCAST coming from NBM Publishing. It’s a 180 page original graphic novel based on the night the infamous War of the Worlds adaptation was played across the airwaves of the United States.