Steven's Reviews: Mars Attacks #2, Star Trek/Dr Who #2, Kiss #2, Danger Girl/GI Joe #1

Mars Attacks #2
IDW Publishing 2012
Written & Lettered by John Layman
Art by John McCrea
Colour by Andrew Elder

After a disastrous recon mission in 1962, Martian scout Zar has returned to Earth a half-century later as a general with an invasion force in two, the likes of which have never been seen by humanity.

I have to say that while the humor here is perfectly delightful it’s also expertly blended with a sense of realism to balance it out. So while the imagery is Kitsch a more serious tone in dialogue makes this even more fun. John has managed to find just the right balance and tone for this series to be tons of fun while not going too far in either direction. It isn’t too kitschy and it doesn’t try to take itself too seriously either so we’re left with a purely fun book to read.

I love how the captured alien from 1963, which with his buddies went ballistic at a country fair, lied to his tormentors. He managed to trick his captors into building a device they thought was a weapon and when used it blew up in their faces giving him the last laugh. I shouldn’t laugh since the White House was kind of in ruins but it was funny.

McCrea and Elder do such a nice job doing the balancing act as well. The art here is wonderfully detailed and brightly coloured giving that kitschy feel as well with a serious undertone to it. I’ve not seen the movie or read anything else related to this franchise as I’ve thought it too much stupid humor for me but from what I am experiencing here it’s an intelligent humor that has me smiling and looking forward to more.





Star Trek TNG/Doctor Who Assimilation2 #3
IDW Publishing 2012
Written by Scott & David Tipton with Tony Lee
Art by J.K. Woodward and the Sharp Brothers

Captain Picard has requested that some members of the crew test a recent upgrade to the holodeck, a program that simulates life in 1941 San Francisco. There, they run into three mysterious strangers, on claiming to be a “Doctor,” and they take them to the Captain. At that moment a transmission comes in informing the team of the Borg/Cybermen attack casting suspicion on the Doctor who knows a little too much about the new enemy.

Oh my stars and garters is this series ever so much more fun than I was expecting it to be. Their personalities are all spot on perfect and I just hear Matt Smith’s Doctor talking during his dialogue. The boys have done more than a superb job thus far.

I also have to say that while they have run from their enemies to regroup and figure out a strategy Data finds evidence that the Enterprise has once before come into contact with Cyber-Men. However it was Captain James T. Kirk and his crew who encountered them at an archeological dig. So it seems that we are going to get a flashback to Kirk, Bones and company, William Shatner cast, and the Doctor, Tom Baker and his colourful scarf version.

It is times like this that I curse IDW for their limited previews they send out because I’m dying to see more of this. Any fan of either or both franchises will know that this is a must have for its writing and art are just that incredibly good and reminiscent of their respective series. It really doesn’t get any better than this.





Kiss #2
IDW Publishing 2012
Written by Chris Ryall
Art by Jamal Igle
Colours by Romulo Fajardo Jr.

So we kind of get a few answers in the beginning of this the second issue. Though we do have to listen to “wicked” Lester’s rant and make threats before getting to them.

Lester has the four of them captured and in his ramblings we learn that their power, from their talismans, is closely related to the power of his master and that this master can absorb that power for his own. Which is why they aren’t dead yet, Lester wants to prove he’s a good disciple and well wants more power of course.

Also the four of them are avatars, the Catman, the Celestial, the Demon and the Starchild. Each one powered by their talisman. There is also a force that is there to guide them, She, who seems to be an almost heavenly being or that type at least.

Chris’ mystical take on the characters is a fantastic one. I like how each characters personality is closely tied into their avatar. So the Demon is brash and impulsive, the Celestial is thoughtful and more peaceful and so on and so forth. The Catman has empathy with any animals, creatures what have you and that is interesting as well. So far this is beyond expectation of it being a rocker book and has taken on more of the mystical super-powered save the universe type of book and I have to admit I’m behind this one hundred percent.

Then there is Jamal’s art which is pretty frakkin fantastic as well. Romulo’s colours set it all off nicely. This is a nice example of how well words and pictures can work together to make an exceptional book.



Danger Girl/G.I. Joe #1 (of 4)
IDW Publishing 2012
Written by Andy Hartnell
Pencils by John Royle
Inks by Philip Moy
Colours by Romulo Fajardo Jr.

First thing you notice is that the art here is pretty darn good. Very highly reminiscent of the Real American Hero comic, thank goodness too that it isn’t the cartoony style we’ve seen in recent Danger Girl mini’s.

The book opens with the Joe’s running an op and Cobra attacking. It’s an aerial battle between the two which will reveal which version of the Joes’ this is.

We don’t get to see how they meet in the first nine pages but I can hazard a guess that somehow Scarlett and Lady Jaye know the girls from some kind of past training. That is the most logical explanation but then again both organizations are so covert they don’t even know the other exists.

From what I can see this is going to be one hell of a fun ride so buckle up and get ready for the adventure to begin! Forget the summer box office the biggest event is happening here at IDW.

Review: Smoke and Mirrors #4

Sleight-of-hand performer Terry Ward has taken on a young protégé name Ethan. But in this world which runs on magic, Ethan had stumbled into a strange experiment by the Trade Circle—an experiment involving cats. Now the head of Trade Circle has taken an interesting in Ethan and Terry’s illusions… and he’s just arrived at Terry’s house, Ethan and Ethan’s mother in tow.

This continues to show Costa’s range as a writer. Granted he has excellent technical help in Armstrong but he’s managed to introduce a mystery with some very interesting characters who continue to grow and evolve with each issue. More than one mystery actually as I’d still like to know how exactly Terry ended up on this world as well as the cat experiments which bonded the one cat to Ethan.

I find myself looking forward to learning the answers to these mysteries and seeing what Terry is going to teach Ethan next. This is a fun series and a very nice departure from the usual cloak and dagger stuff that I know Costa for. Which probably makes it that much more interesting for me, though I think readers will appreciate the plot, the pacing, the characterization and this unique world he’s created, even if they haven’t experienced his previous works.

Review: The Crow: Death and Rebirth #1

I’ve never seen any of the Crow movies or read any of the previous books so this is all new to me. If all of them are similar to what I’ve read here than I may have to go back, find them and check em out. It’s a shame that IDW only gives out a ten page preview then again it’s pretty smart since now I want to read the entire story.

From what I can gather a bigwig at Bio Trope is somehow able to steal bodies or souls of women so she can stay eternally young or she’s sacrificing her to a demon either way something wicked this way comes. She and her story have piqued my curiosity.

This story takes place in Tokyo. Haruko is the chosen target and she has a fiancé, gaijin, Jamie from the United States. Theirs is a love story with a tragedy inside or at least a horror show’s thrown in. Somehow he is going to find out what is happening and hopefully rescue her. He is training with her father and can be her hero, and he’s already a conspiracy nut and looking over his shoulder so who knows.

So far I think there has been great characterization here. The story has already gripped me as a reader and makes me want to see more. As I’ve said it has this love story slash horror slash thriller aspect to it that is very well done. All around this is going to be a very fun ride.

Review: GI Joe #15

G.I. Joe is in trouble: after Cobra’s invasion of a Southeast Asian country was carried out successfully. G.I. Joe’s budget was slashed, General Hawk was relieved of command, and the existence of the covert unit was revealed to the world at large. Now, Duke steps into the leadership role and plans to get the G.I. Joe team back on its feet.

Scarlett anxious for action after the disappearance of Snake Eyes, leads a mission to disrupt Cobra’s mining operations in South America, but the mission goes quickly awry. Scarlett is captured, and Stalker and his team are forced to work in the mines. Scarlett escapes into the facility, Mainframe sneaks in wearing a Viper disguise, and Stalker and his team decide to make a break for it farther into the mines, in the hopes of finding another way out.

Main’s attempt to save Scarlett doesn’t quite go as planned; this is one woman who needs no rescuing. Instead she’s slightly miffed he stowed away and isn’t part of a larger rescue team. She has to cover his butt now too after all.

Duke has assembled an extraction team, which looking at it seems a bit like overkill to me. Still Scarlett is his most valuable asset I mean the woman is freakin amazing in both tactics and inspiring the troops, not mention her own skills in the field. I do like how they get their fuel and all that stuff I think it’s pretty smart.

Stalker and the boys find the lake and the crystals which have to have some kind of importance I just don’t know what yet. They find explosives and everything they need to make a stand, escape and cripple the mining operation.

I love and hate that IDW only gives me a ten page preview because it’s maddening when you want to see more, but it is seriously more than enough to draw you in and make sure you are picking up the issue. Chuck Dixon has some very mad skills and his writing just keeps getting and better and better. The intricate layers of plot and characterization, the multiple layers of different threads all reaching to a similar conclusion is just amazing.

I like the art it’s pretty darn good, it could be a little cleaner, crisper and more detailed but it is very nice.

Review: Battle Beasts #1

Interesting a story about humanoid animals who live in warlike society constantly at battle. The specifics of which aren’t revealed as of yet. However we do know that the three stars, a Ram man, a Walrus man and an Eagle man, have quit fighting and now have bounties on their heads. They essentially outlaws now constantly on the run and they a mysterious mission they are on as well.

Because this is a warring society battling takes up much of their time. They are already up against a force out for the bounty on them and they are vastly outnumbered as well. We do see they are hardened warriors whose skills who can more than hold their own.

I liked the narration and characterization that we got throughout the first ten pages. This was actually a lot better than I would have predicted. One of the perks of being a reviewer is finding books such as this that wasn’t on your radar but turns out to be one of the more interesting things to read. Granted it’s going to be a tad on the violent side but the art is simply fantastic and the story so far begs to be read to completion.

I may not have known who the creators of this were before but I can guarantee you I won’t overlook them again.

Review: Star Trek...

by Steven Leitman

Star Trek #10

IDW Publishing

Writer: Mike Johnson

Artist: Stephen Molnar

Colours: John Rauch

This is one of those stories based on the old television show. This is what has disappointed me the most about this series, the lack of originality. I understand that the new movie redefines the Star Trek universe and that this new crew supersedes the original, which I’ve watched my entire life. Still I find it unnecessary to tell the same stories with just basically new art.

Yes Kirk and Spock are establishing their relationship and Kirk and Bones are the best of buds already. Okay we get that so show us some new adventures that cement all the relationships and how they become such a close knit family. Including Chekov, Sulu and Uhura I mean these three are just as important to the mythos. These characters have been shown to risk everything for each other so I’d like to see more adventures of them growing into the family unit.

There is a great opportunity here to do things with this crew that wasn’t available the first time around and I feel it isn’t being taken or it’s being wasted.

Now on the opposite side of that coin for those new readers of a new generation that have never seen the original series this is a fun story. It’s almost camp in the way they find themselves in such a situation that they need to stun civilians and escape by their wits. Of course having Kirk report to Pike is also a nice twist.

I will say the art is pretty stunning here and the fact that these characters look so much like those who portrayed them in the movie is fantastic. This really book is targeted for those younger readers who’s first exposure to Star Trek is the latest movie. For that alone it’s a fun read and for long time fans it’s a nice trip down memory lane.

Review: Magic the Gathering: Spell Thief #1...

by Steven Leitman

Magic the Gathering: Spell Thief #1

IDW Publishing

Written by Matt Forbeck

Art by Martin Coccolo & Christian Duce

Colours by J. Edwin Stevens & Baileigh Bolton

Dack Fayden, Planeswalker thief, has stolen a valuable artifact from Ravnica, the Ancient Fang. Using his abilities to learn the artifact's secrets, instead he witnesses the destruction of his hometown through the eyes of the villain that committed the act: Sifa Grent. Dack sets out to track her down at her next destination: Innistrad. Once in Innistrad, he meets a cathar by the name of Ingrid Reichert. Ingrid aids him in tracking down Sifa, who has allied herself with a local vampire Baron. In tracking down the Baron, they learn that Sifa has travelled to Ingrid's hometown and plans to steal the souls of the inhabitants, just like she did to Dack's hometown. Dack and Ingrid manage to stop her, but she escapes and planeswalks away. Dack follows and finds himself in front of an enormous castle…

I like this it really is like you are reading a session from a well played game. Part of the appeal of RPG’s is that you can find yourself in a character doing things you’d never get a chance to do in real life. Here in Dack we get a chance to feel as if he’s the character you are playing and this is how you would progress in the game.

For those that don’t play RPG’s will like this though because it has all those elements that make up a good story. Action, Adventure, intrigue and a love hate relationship that keeps the motivation to find Sifa alive. Plus the skills he shows and situations he finds himself in are pretty fantastic. Both the inner and spoken dialogue is incredibly well done here.

It is a great story actually and one that is able to transcend the genre and become just a great read. These stories are perhaps the most overlooked and yet the most entertaining.

Review: Mars Attacks #1

To be perfectly honest I never did watch the movie I thought it tacky and stupid funny. Things that well aren’t really on my radar, granted I am familiar with enough to know that it did make quite an impact upon pop culture.

Review: Snake Eyes & Storm Shadow #14

Fist things first: there seems to be quite a few people involved in the visual side of things here. Since I only have a ten page preview to work with I’ll have to wait and see if there are any adverse effects to having such a large team or if it all flows together seamlessly.

Review: Eternal Descent vol.2 #5

Syrian remembers that he is looking for Lyra. Lyra is unconscious after taking a beating last issue. She wakes up to find that an old friend is among those who attacked her. So then we have the obligatory hate on hate thing but no girl fight really. Surprisingly however the dialogue here is beyond clever, between the two women its fun, witty, intelligent and down right entertaining.

Review: Kiss #1

I cannot believe I am about to say this but this looks pretty darn cool.  I unfortunately am old enough to remember the Kiss cartoon so to be honest I was somewhat intrigued and weary to take a peek at this book.  It’s Chicago in 1929 and prohibition is in full swing and organized crime is the name of the game.
 
Only things aren’t what they appear to be, mind you we really don’t see any of the Kiss members yet, I’ve only read ten pages mind you,

Review: Memorial #1-2

Schrodinger and Em find themselves in a tale of Neil Gaiman meets Wizard of Oz meets Alice in Wonderland as Chris Roberson takes his spin on the fantasy genre into overdrive. It’s a fantastic tale of tangible imagination with fables and fairytales glossed over into a seamless yet quippy story of Em, hunted for a key she possesses while experiencing a vast belt of new worlds. The villains and deceit of this story are polished as the tyranny and maniacal intent of those seeking the key are kept hush for now, adding to a quiet hysteria and eerie vibe here. Mistrust sinks in as the protagonist finds herself on the lam with little associates to trust, and when she does, it seems it could prove her

Review: Cobra Annual 2012 – Origin of Krake: New Commander

Krake’s ruthless acquisition of the talismanic title has been well documented and here the mantle’s bearer is given a much anticipated backdrop by Chuck Dixon. Krake’s origins are straightforward and pretty humanistic. They even embed a few strings of sympathy showing his hardships, trails, tribulations and testaments as a lone wolf making his way through the criminal ranks. It isn’t subtle how he reneges on Cobra’s hand early on and it’s nice to show that he didn’t respect the organization much yet saw it as a tool to ascend. How fitting he runs it as leader now.

IDW on iBook Store

IDW have launched 19 graphic novels in the iBook store this week. Robot 6 has an interview with Jeff Webber, director of e-publishing for IDW. here’s an excerpt: