Comics

Green Hornet: Year One #1 – Review

Another Green Hornet book you say? Ah yes, but this one is written by Matt Wagner (Grendel). Matt may not bring his pencils to this issue, but he brings his ability to tell a strong narrative without bulky dialog.  This issue is for all intents and purposes the origin of Green Hornet and Kato. It’s a great origin story, which is not usually the case.  Most origin stories are told after the characters inception which results in disjointed story telling, and the over-whelming need to tie in every story written before the origin. 

The unique aspect of this book is that two origins are told simultaneously. It makes the Green Hornet relevant and plays to Dynamite Entertainments strengths of licensed characters. There used to be one defining rule to licensed characters when performing in a medium outside of their own: they were bad, never livingup to the source material. That is until Dynamite Entertainment came to the scene. They treat the source material with respect and not only pay homage to it but expand upon it. This story pays homage to the characters as well as moving them forward for a new generation of readers.

Ghost Projekt #1

Ghost Projekt follows two American weapons inspectors who have been sent to Russia after a break in at an abandoned lab. They discover two things while at the lab: a cat and the words “Dosvidanya” chiseled into the wall of a sub-basement. The Anya, our friend with the gun from the cover, breaks up their party. She’s a Russian intelligence agent that had already gotten clearance from their director to learn everything they know. Specifically, she needs to know there are no chemical or biological weapons on site. What there is, is a strange cat and children’s cribs. Where does the “Ghost” factor into the issue then? That is indeed the mystery of the story.

Kevin Smith’s Green Hornet #1 – Review

There was a time in Kevin Smith’s career where he was a sought-after director on the fast track to being able to green light anything he wanted to make. At that time, he chose Green Hornet. Well, as things go in Hollywood, that didn’t happen. This left many people wondering what Kevin Smith’s version of Green Hornet would be like. Let me just say, it would not be like this comic book. The book itself is very good but hollow compared to other works by Kevin Smith. It just doesn’t have the “feel” his books normally have. Phil Hester (Darkness, Golly) contributes to the breakdowns of the book, which more than likely played a strong role.

RoboCop #1

RoboCop! The cover says it all. Part man, part machine, all cop; the future of law enforcement returns! Let’s say that the third movie never happened. Okay? Good, because that’s exactly what Rob Williams (Ghostbusters, Punisher Max), the writer, has done. Dynamite Entertainment really knocks it out of the park with this issue. Not only does Williams capture the feel of the earlier movies and the world of RoboCop, but he ushers him into a modern era. Let me explain. RoboCop 1 resembled the 80’s even though, it was the future. RoboCop 2 did the same thing for the 90’s, while still feeling like the future. The tone of this issue is very much of our own society today but still feels like the near future.

First Wave #1

First Wave is a pulp universe in which the character Doc Savage, The Spirit and The Batman exist at the same time, without it being a ridiculous company cross-over. The story of the first issue primarily follows Doc Savage and The Spirit as their world is introduced to us. Doc is characterized to be void of emotions as he attends his Father’s second funeral. Doc missed the first funeral while out of the country in solitude. The Spirit is characterized as the clumsy hero in the wrong places at the right times. Batman, who graces the cover, is nowhere to be found in this issue but I’m sure that means the second issue will be a Batman-heavy issue. The issue sets up a mystery surrounding the death of Doc’s father and an escaped scientist that is being hunted by a killer robot. Mostly, the issue focuses on introducing us to the two main characters and establishing the tone of the world.

Planetary #27

Planetary #27 is the conclusion of the series created by Warren Ellis (The Authority, Black Summer) and John Cassaday (Astonishing X-Men). If you are unfamiliar with Planetary, it’s about a group of archeologists that explore the weird. Planetary is a brilliant series with a strong story that pays homage to comics and stunning art that compliments the story from beginning to end. Usually, the last issue of the series is not the first issue you want to read. The amazing thing about Planetary is that any issue can rope you in and leave you wanting more. Upon completing the issue, I instantly wanted to break out my Planetary trades and begin the journey all over.

Nemesis #1

I would like to start by saying that the first rule of selling a product, be it a comic, a movie, a videogame or even a TV is that you do not insult your own previous work/product. Let me give you an example. Apple is releasing the iPad. They did not come out and say that the iPhone was a piece of crap, comparatively.

Before even opening the book, Mark Millar has told his readers that Kick-Ass is shit compared to this book. What does that say to all the people that bought and enjoyed Kick-Ass? What does it say to the people that worked on the book? Or even the artist of the book? It says that Millar’s previous work was in fact shit and that it was wasted time and money. You should have waited for Nemesis instead. Sorry if you bought Kick-Ass because it was shit, so says Mark Millar.