Welcome to the latest installment of Preview Reviews.
This week we have two new number ones to review for you. The first is Orcs from the Kaboom imprint of Boom! Studios, and the other is Radiant Black from Image Comics.
You can find these books at your LCS on February 10, 2021.
Orcs #1
Boom! Studios
Written by Christine Larsen
Art by Larsen
Colors by Larsen & H.E. Gregory (Flats)
Letters by Larsen
Cover Art by Larsen
Original Solicitation:
For fans of The Adventure Zone and Critical Role, meet Bog and his misfit crew of Orcs as they adventure through the Known World courtesy of acclaimed cartoonist Christine Larsen.
After being banished from their Orcish village by King Hrograhgah (it was a simple misunderstanding, involving an acorn-related prank!), Bog and his crew venture out into the world to seek their fortune, and hopefully find their way back home again.
Tag along with Bog, Zep, Pez, Utzu and Gurh as they venture through the dreaded Eerieasallhel Forest, face off against Trolls, Gnomes, squirrels and more, and follow in the footsteps of the legendary Orc hero, Drod One-Eye!
Every issue of Orcs! is oversized, featuring more than 30 story pages.
PCS Review:
This book met all of our expectations. It is a fun, fast moving romp with plenty of twists and turns. Christine Larsen uses some interesting framing techniques in storytelling to keep the reader engaged in the the affairs of the interesting characters that she has created.
The visual aspect to the narrative is well-paced and creatively laid out. The use of color to hit thematic story tones is spot on. This book is really a visual treat.
Overall, this comic is entertaining and enjoyable, while doing a great job in building an intriguing story. We are certainly looking forward to the next issue.
Radiant Black #1
Image Comics
Written by Kyle Higgins
Art by Marcelo Costa
Letters by Becca Carey
Cover Art by Michael Cho
Original Solicitation:
For fans of INVINCIBLE and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers comes a brand-new ONGOING SERIES from acclaimed writer KYLE HIGGINS and artist MARCELO COSTA that reinvents superheroes for a new generation!
Nathan Burnett has just turned thirty, and things aren’t great: He’s working (and failing) at two jobs, his credit card debt is piling up, and his only move… is moving back home with his parents. But when Nathan discovers and unlocks the ethereal, cosmic RADIANT, he’s given the power to radically change his fortunes! There’s just one problem: The powers don’t belong to him. And the COSMIC BEINGS who created them want them back… by any means necessary.
PCS Review:
This book is a great start to this series. Kyle Higgins and Marcelo Costa craft a complete “not so” secret origin to the protagonist of this book. The real world scenario that puts the main character in the place to gain super powers is a major factor in the story, and the circumstances that deliver him to that event are both timely and excellently written. There is a real sense of empathy that is developed by the reader toward Nathan.
The art in this book is wonderful. The style is the perfect mix of slightly cartoony, superhero, and indie slice of life. Costa’s art strikes the right balance for this book which has a great action sequence, that takes up the middle part of the book, and plenty of emotional story beats. The color work and background details are the spices that complete this entrée. I need to say that Becca Carey does a fantastic job lettering this book. There are some expository parts of dialogue that the story needs, and the lettering adds to the weight and emotion of the scenes.
We are excited to see what comes next. This book is definitely going on the pull list.
