Comic Book Review: The Valiant #3

The battle against the Immortal Enemy requires all hands on deck as Jeff Lemire and Matt Kindt do an in-depth character exploration of Kay McHenry and Bloodshot. Is it good?

Jeff Lemire and Matt Kindt begin with a little bit of exposition explaining the magic box, while introducing a bit of mystery as to how the whereabouts of the box were actually discovered, while reinforcing the all-encompassing threat of the Immortal Enemy. In case you didn’t realize how scary he is, Paolo Rivera reminds you with a bone-chilling image of his raw nature. Contrasting the raw nature and fear created by this image, the next image you see depicts courage, teamwork, and recognition of the threat in what I can only describe as the entire Valiant universe of superheroes including a goat with laser vision and a fleet of high-tech warplanes mobilizing to combat their new foe.

Rivera uses a number of different camera angles to depict the action sequences, whether it is a close up of a hero’s torso ready to launch a Molotov cocktail to an over-the-shoulder angle of Gilad swinging his axe.

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Comic Book Review: Transformers vs. G.I. JOE #5

Transformers vs. G.I. JOE #5 escalates the conflict between Decepticons and Cobra against the fragile alliance formed between the JOEs and the Autobots. There is a lot of twists and turns and a ton of complexity and Easter eggs for multiple read throughs, but is it good?

Tom Scioli’s artwork is once again top notch with its old school nostalgia; it really is the only thing on the shelf that has this unique look. His coloring is very bright and has a ton of colors on each and every page whether it is the yellow and red from gun blasts to the green of the JOEs uniforms and vehicles. Scioli’s panel choices are also extremely unique and varied. On one page he uses hexagonal panels cutting through the middle of the page adding a psychedelic effect to coincide with the mind trip taking place and being portrayed on the page. My favorite panel layout of the entire book breaks down Fortress Maximus into multiple boxes each displaying different action sequences taking place within him.

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Comic Book Review: Resurrectionists #4

A pattern emerges and Herihor’s power and one weakness are revealed. Is it good?

Fred Van Lente begins Resurrectionists #4 on a light note introducing some humor via an infomercial. The star is Greg Lennox, and the commercial is reminiscent of Jordan Belfort’s The Wolf of Wall Street except instead of trying to get rich quick, Lennox offers to protect your wealth even after you have died. The humor really preys on the idea of preppers and an impending catastrophic event. There is even a short jab at superhero films!

The story switches focus from Lennox back to our protagonists as they attempt to awaken their partners, specifically Mac. The Scout drops a ton of information regarding the names of the Resurrectionists in Egyptian lore and their English translations. The quality of the dialogue comes from Mac’s reactions as he listens to the Scout’s story. He is completely skeptical and believes her to be insane or at least disturbed and even questions Jericho’s mental status. It is great because it is how a typical person would react to the information being conveyed to them.

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Comic Book Review: C.O.W.L. #8

Arclight spins a story while the city of Chicago tailspins into chaos on the back of Warner and Stone’s deal. Is it good?

Kyle Higgins, Alec Siegel, and Rod Reis open C.O.W.L. #8 with a dual story mixing and matching Arclight’s recounting of the death of John Pierce with an on-going kidnapping of Alderman Hayes. Rod Reis does a good job of switching the panels up not keeping a consistent pattern on each page. This creates an emotional roller coaster effect for the reader moving from disgust with Arclight to anticipation and even a touch of fear for Alderman. The two stories also have different speeds. Arclight’s interview is slow and methodical while the kidnapping of the Alderman is chaotic and quick. The dual stories draw you in, wanting more.

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Comic Book Review: Lady Killer #2

Josie Schuller is back in action and the struggle between her professional and home life begins to take center stage. Is It Good?

First off, I am absolutely loving the covers Joëlle Jones and Laura Allred are putting together. They combine the class of the 1960s with a shocking display of gore all woven together with the perfect wording to put a sick smile on your face.

Jamie S. Rich and Jones begin the story with Josie’s next job. She is all dolled up in a hot little red dress, kitten ears and even a collar with a bell dangling from it. Hugh Heffner definitely had some influence on this issue. The entire club where she is working appears to be modeled after the original Playboy clubs; the only thing missing is the gambling.

After setting the stage, Jones takes over and puts on display her detailed fight sequences. She embraces the kitty cat costume and has Josie strike up a pose fitting for Catwoman as she prowls in the cloak room like a jungle cat stalking her prey.

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Comic Book Review: Imperium #1

What does it take to build a utopia? Is the price worth it? These are just some of the questions Joshua Dysart, Doug Braithwaite, Brian Reber and Dave McCaig are asking in Imperium. We have a different question. Is it good?

Writer Joshua Dysart and artist Doug Braithwaite open the book with a comparison. The opening page is a memory of the past, what the world was like: extreme poverty. On the next page they perform a good transition through an internal monologue showing what the world is now: utopian with giant skyscrapers overflowing and surrounded with vegetation.

Braithwaite dreams up a beautiful utopia, with sleek architecture, many of the buildings have sweeping edifices. There are blimp-like sky ships soaring through the sky and trains running through, above, and under the water. Once you get underwater, civilization continues with globe and oval-shaped pods housing more vegetation. There is one panel displaying hexagonal sections depicting food and energy harvest communities.

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Comic Book Review: The Life After #6

Enormous rabbits and an eyeless ninja keep The Life After #6 as strange as the previous five installments. Is it good?

Joshua Hale Fialkov and Gabo take a step back in time to open the new arc; unfortunately it does not catch or grab your attention especially if you are just jumping into the series. It is a rather dull conversation on rebuilding the Afterlife, but this time they will use computers! Thankfully, Fialkov injects some bureaucratic humor in the next two pages.

The humor continues throughout the issue whether it is Jude using a counting rhyme, Hemingway lamenting certain actions he is unable to perform in the Afterlife, or the Consultant’s reaction to an enormous rabbit. Nothing gets one giggling like “Holy fucking balls.” Gabo really sells the Consultant, drawing her in demonic form with a very human “surprise” face, jaw hanging wide open.

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