Hey There Folks!! This column is designed to bring you reviews of new comic book series that came out this week. We will try to focus on independent and original series for the most part. This week we have four series for you. They are from AfterShock Comics, Dark Horse Comics, DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Valiant Entertainment, and Image Comics.
You will usually find the books that we review in this space on our month list of New Number Ones. You might want to check over there to see what you can expect for the rest of the month.
This week we will bring you our thoughts on four books: Bang #1, Doctor Tomorrow #1, Godkillers #1, On the Stump #1, Plunge #1 and Wolverine #1
Check out the reviews below in alphabetical order:
Bang #1
Dark Horse Comics
Written by Matt Kindt
Art by Wilfredo Torres
Colors by Nayoung Kim
Letters by Nate Piekos
Cover art by Torres & Kim
This is a trippy sojourn into the world of international espionage. Matt Kindt and Wilfredo Torres present a gripping premise to start this series. As each page unfolds, the reader gains an understanding of what is happening only to be back to square one on the next. If you are into spy drama and alternate universes, this is the book for you. Torres’s style sets the perfect tone for this book and Nayoung Kim‘s colors keep your focus where it needs to be. Great start.
Doctor Tomorrow #1
Valiant Entertainment
Written by Alejandro Arbona
Art by Jim Towe
Colors by Diego Rodriguez
Letters by Clayton Cowles
Cover art by Kenneth Rocafort
Alejandro Arbona and Jim Towe are next up to revitalize a legacy Valiant character. They do a really good job at it. The initial issue presents interesting plot points that we want to see explored. The art is lovely. There is an electricity to the panels that comes through brilliantly. Diego Rodriguez‘s color work is important in that respect, as well. Good job with this one.
Godkillers #1
AfterShock Comics
Written by Mark Sable
Art by Maan House
Colors by Hernan Cabrera
Letters by Thomas Mauer
Cover art by Jeremy Haun with Nick Filardi
This book follows an elite multi-disciplinary military unit as it explores supernatural situations. Both the visual and written narratives of this issue are well done. The characters designs are good. We have to give a major kudos to letterer Thomas Mauer in the job he does identifying individual characters. The concept of this book is promising, and we are looking forward to more.
On the Stump #1
Image Comics
Written by Chuck Brown
Art by Prenzy
Letters by Clayton Cowles
Cover art by Prenzy
Check out our Preview Review for a deeper look into this book:
“Make sure you strap in when reading this one. Also you may want to look into getting some protective gear. The solicit gives a general idea on the whacko über-violent world that this story takes place in. There is a lot of punching and hitting, but the bizarre, mind-spinning aspect of the book is that the violence is in settings that we, in our society, do not expect it to be.”
Plunge #1
DC Comics / Hill House Comics
Written by Joe Hill
Art by Stuart Immonen
Colors by Dave Stewart
Letters by Deron Bennett
Cover art by Jeremy Wilson
This book is fantastic. Joe Hill and Stuart Immonen create engaging and interesting characters as well as an enthralling mystery. The foreboding tragedy that will ultimately befall some or all of these characters is palpable. Immonen’s return to sequential art is glorious. Dave Stewart‘s work in setting panel focus and tone is top notch in this book. Do not underestimate the job that Deron Bennett does with managing the magnitude of dialogue in this book. It is a significant amount of words but delivered in an unassuming manner. The entire team did an excellent job in the debut issue of this ultimately entertaining, thriller of a comic book.
Wolverine #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Benjamin Percy
Art by Adam Kubert & Viktor Bogdanovic
Colors by Frank Martin & Matthew Wilson
Letters by Cory Petit
Cover art by Kubert & Martin
The return of Wolverine to his own series is a rousing success. There are two separate stories presented in this issue and they are both excellently written by Benjamin Percy. Adam Kubert and Viktor Bogdanovic each use dynamic panel designs and present clear and exciting narratives in the two stories. Both involve Logan finding his way in the world of Jonathan Hickman‘s “Dawn of X” reality. The most significant part about this book is Percy’s grasp on Logan’s inner need to protect and defend his family and friends. This is a superb start to this series. Don’t miss it.
DISCLAIMER:
We use a 4 star rating system. It is simple and not to be taken too seriously. Everyone has their own impressions of art. These ratings are just to give our readers an idea of what we thought of the book, and they will be on the generous side, normally. So don’t expect to see a lot of 1 Stars. After all, it’s not often that you have a bad book on your pull-list.
The rating system is as follows:
OK
No
