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Foreign Matter: Vol 1 Review Or In the Air

Previously…

A while back, during my first excursion into comics, I searched for examples of successful indie books. What worked, what didn’t and how others were building their fan base. In my search, I stumbled upon a comic called Foreign Matter, a story about the media, perception and what would happen if superheroes actually existed.

Situation

At the start of the book, the reader is treated to an article about a confrontation between Virtus, FM’s version of Superman, and Acturon, an atomic monster. The article details the battle and gives us a bit of insight into how the world views Metaheroes, as they’re called. Cut to a zombie attack in Champion city, a fictional metropolis akin to, well Metropolis. Here we’re introduced to the Champion Coalition, this worlds Justice League analog, complete with crime fighting billionaire, Phantasm Prime, and the seasoned Amazonian warrior, Femina. A number of other colorful characters such as the robotic genius Cranium Case and the genetically altered Gentleman who is as poetic as he is ferocious, round out the team. When our heroes discover that the source of the undead disturbance is Salma, a young woman unfortunate enough to open Pandora’s Box, a series of events unfold that expose the hero’s, vulnerabilities, short-comings and most of all their humanity.

Story

What writer Martin John has done in this comic, is take beloved superhero arch-types and made them fun again. Not unlike the hyper-violence of the Authority or the over sexed heroes in The Boys, John shrouds his characters in drama. From the moonlit rendezvous of Virtus and Femina, to the roof top intervention of Phantasm Prime, we have a recipe for a good reality T.V. show. However, drama isn’t the books only draw as members of the Coalition begin to die and Virtus’ mysterious origins come back to haunt him. The thing I love most about this story, is how it uses media, mainly fake ads and blogs, to inform the reader about the world without the need for exposition. That brings me to another great thing about the world of Foreign Matter, and that is ‘superhero as celebrity’. There seem to be whole careers built upon the coverage of Metahero/ Methuman activity, both in and out of the crime fighting world. This angle makes the book feel like a fresh take, instead of a Supreme Power rip-off.

Pictures

German Ponce’s ability to add realism to a fantastic landscape is another reason I dig FM. From the intricate designs on Pandora’s box, to Cranium Case’s various metal caprices, to the luscious lips on Femina , this world looks real. That being said I’d love to see this comic in color at some point and hope that both John and Ponce have that in the works. My only issue is that some background designs look like they were borrowed from other comics, such as the creatures wreaking havoc on the city.

The Real

The biggest impression I get from Foreign Matter, is that John and Ponce took time to develop it. From the story to the character designs, this doesn’t have all the tell-tale markings of a rushed indie book. On the contrary, it seems to be an attempt at the big leagues and if this is just the beginning, I cannot wait to see what else they have in store for us. You can pick up this book on Amazon.com or on Foreignmattercomics.com
Rating: 5/5

 

Watson and Holmes #1 Print Edition Review Or Uptown Saturday Night

Previously…

Last year upstart publisher New Paradigm Studioslaunched their digital comic book series Watson and Holmes. It was a modern re-imagining of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic characters with a new twist: the lead roles were African-American. The   series was enjoyable and after hearing they were releasing a print version of the first issue (including a few extras) I had no choice but to take a look.  

 

Situation

We open up with medical intern, Jon Watson at the hospital, attempting to save the life of a newborn found in a dumpster. Unfortunately, things take a turn for the worse and the child dies, just as young man is wheeled into the ER on a stretcher. Watson learns that besides being severely beaten, the victim has overdosed on drugs. This is where we’re introduced to the second part of our duo as Holmes enters, and informs Watson that the patient had overdosed on truth serum. Their fateful meeting leads to a mystery involving a gang member’s kidnapped sister, an exclusive nightclub that’s never in the same place twice and a group of mercenaries who may hail from Watson’s stint in the Afghan war. After finding out Holmes is not affiliated with law enforcement of any kind, Watson is left to wonder what his newfound partner’s motivations are.

Story

Writer Karl Bollers does a good job of us making us feel for our narrator (Jon Watson) right off the bat. His narration captures the essence of a compassionate man dedicated to helping people. Holmes’ hunger for mystery is a fixture of the character; it’s what he does, if not who he is. Holmes, especially in this incarnation, is almost an enigmatic force of nature, embodying the conundrums he attempts to solve. Watson, on the other hand, is a normal man who fought in the Afghan war, has a normal job as well as a family, and is swept up in the story’s mystery like a leaf in the wind. Bollers has not only constructed a good story but also asked one of the most important internal questions and that is “What drives a man?”

Pictures

Rick Leonardi does a great job of visually telling this story, and though I’ve read the comic in digital format, the print version is even more beautifully done. The pacing of the art on the page adds emotional weight to scenes (i.e. when Watson and co. fail to save the newborn) and a high-octane, adrenaline-fueled rush during chase scenes. Paul Mendoza’s color looks like a work from the Harlem Renaissance, using earthy colors that give an urban feel without looking grimy. GURUEFX’s digital re-master adds touches to the art that help the story come to life.

The Real

I never thought I’d say this, but the print version of Watson and Holmes is actually cooler than the digital version. There is something refreshing about the tone of this series and it’s not just that the main characters are African-American, but the way they’re portrayed as well. When contemporary comics feature underrepresented groups, they end up falling into categories that become caricatures; this story avoids that and makes them people, who happen to be African-American. That said, there are no questions of authenticity here either, as the characters keep certain cultural nuances that remind us where we are in the story and where the characters come from.  Watson and Holmes # 1 is now available at your local comic shop.
Rating 5/5

Not dead, just dreaming

So, I’m not closing up shop. I am a writer and it I wasn’t I’d go insane. I’m trying to do some restructuring, I need to get my comic projects together and test some old ones. I’m cutting back on mainstream reviews, I’ll leave those to Newsarama and CBR (Comic Book Resources). There are a lot of indie creators, who I know that need exposure and I want to help them get it. So when I come back you’ll know what to expect.

Hiatus

I’m going on hiatus for a while. I need to reevaluate my life, my choices , and what I want to do with any of the things I’ve written. I also need to see if I’m even an actual writer or just a guy who writes. I had a vision to discover my most perfect form of self expression, and influence the way people view art in the future. I must now decide whether or not either of those things are important. See you on the other side of forever.

Constantine #4 Review Or Running the Voodoo down.

 

Previously…

In February of 2013 DC comics did something very risky. They cancelled their long running Vertigo imprint title Hellblazer after 25 years and decided to fold the character into the New 52 DCU. The risk lie in the fact that main character John Constantine was known for sex, violence and debauchery none of which DC proper could show in their comics. The result was a book called Constantine, which feels much as you’d expect watered down. However just because their water in your vodka doesn’t mean it can’t get you tipsy, so I took a look at DC’s attempt to recapture the magic.
 

Situation

We begin this story in my favorite place, the middle of things and with one of my favorite characters Papa Midnight, voodoo crime boss of Harlem, getting ready to carve our boy John up with a Machete. Flash back three hours earlier we see John assisting Dotty, one of his many teachers in the art of the slight of hand, with her birds who apparently tell the future. He’s also preparing a convenient plot device/magic charm for use later. She lectures him about visiting those closest to him and not taking time off for himself before he leaves and witness’ a customer cheat a store owner out of money. While at his favorite bar Papa Midnight’s boys come looking for our anti-hero and escort him to their bosses hideout via crowbar beating. As it turns out Johnny stole something from Midnight, which Johnny claims was a service to the crime lord, and we’re right back we’re we started. The last few pages John get’s back into contact with his on again off again girlfriend Zatanna and hints at a coming war between superhero teams in the DCU.

Story

While never an avid reader of Hellblazer I did enjoy some of the stories and generally liked the character of John Constantine. While writers Jeff Lemire and Ray Fawkes tell a clever story, it lacks the weight of the classic series. John Constantine always had an air of regret clinging to him, this made him as much as a person to pity, as a sad bastard who deserved to feel guilty, and I feel none of that here. I’m not sure if there was an effort to make the character less dark or it just so happened that way, but the authenticity is lost here, and I feel less invested than I did in Hellblazer. I loved seeing Papa Midnight even if he looked more like a super villain and less like a boss, I prefer Mat Johnson’s version. Overall, this wasn’t a bad issue but don’t go into this expecting to feel the same way you did in the good ol’ days.

Pictures

One adjective used to describe John is ‘bastard’ and I feel that Fabiano Neves’ art captures that very well. From his sly bastard grin, to his somber bastard scowl Neves’ art reminds us, at least, visually of the Johnny we once knew. Marcelo Maiolo’s colors however are too bright for a comic featuring this character, which again maybe by design but they’re also off-putting, and I feel someone with a more subdued style like Dave Mccaig could’ve been brought on.

The Real

This is not Hellblazer, and it will never be Hellblazer. However, I can see why DC needed to add their premier magician into the mix of what’s to come. If you’re looking to read a new occult magic comic that’s not too dark and will eventually have superheroes in it, then pick this book up. The rest of you, do yourselves a favor and re-read your old Hellblazer stuff and if you’re looking for something new, Dark Horse has this really awesome series called Hellboy in Hell.

Rating 2.5/5

Engima Review #1 or Days of future now

Previously…

I love reviewing indie comics, especially ones by other black creators so I jumped at the chance to review, Kimberly Moseberry’s Enigma. A murder mystery set in distance bleak future, a concept that immediately brought Blade Runner to mind.

Situation

We open up in the 35th century with Detective Brook Guilds who catches us up to speed on a bombed out and depleted Earth. Humans have destroyed everything left the planet, destroyed the other planets they found and then came back to the their home planet. Brook narrates a great yarn woven by his grandfather about how the air became poisoned and how the earth littered with rubble. We also learn that those who have the money and influence live in elevated cities where crime is almost non-existent so when three headless people are found in a posh penthouse, you can imagine there’s gonna be some problems.

 

Story
We open up in the 35th century with Detective Brook Guilds who catches us up to speed on a bombed out and depleted Earth. Humans have destroyed everything left the planet, destroyed the other planets they found and then came back to the their home planet. Brook narrates a great yarn woven by his grandfather about how the air became poisoned and how the earth littered with rubble. We also learn that those who have the money and influence live in elevated cities where crime is almost non-existent so when three headless people are found in a posh penthouse, you can imagine there’s gonna be some problems.

Pictures

I give Ms. Moseberry credit for writing and drawing this piece herself. The art s not amazing but the character designs while sometimes inconsistent look nice enough. The backgrounds look like they are products of Ms Paint or a similar program, this hurts the look of the book. The colors work well with the pencils and inks to the credit of colorist, Jonathan Price whose skin tones and pallets help bring the book to life.
The Real
I love the concept of this book, that man is nothing more than a technologically advanced animal. Lines like “I asked my grandfather what about the poor people who could live up in the cities and he replied what about them.” Does a great job of telling us what the climate is like, but the book fails in showing us this. My advice would be to rework the script for issue 1 and hire an artist so the writer can focus on constructing a more cohesive story. This is being a first attempt I hope Ms. Moseberry does some retooling and reboot the story. I expect big things from such a high concept story and I will be keeping my eye out.

Rating 3/5

New 52 Batman #21 Review Or the very good year

Previously…

Just before the New 52reboot, DC comics had a horror writer by the name of Scott Snyder penning most of the Batman stories and adding his unique brand of scary goodness to the mix. When the New 52 started, he became the full-time writer for the main title and since then he has made Batman feel fresh and new again, so when he started the Year Zero story arc I decided to give it a whirl hoping to see more of that freshness.

Situation

We open up six New 52years’ past, with Batman wearing something I feel would be better suited on Green Arrow. Bat’s saves a kid from some unknown gang and in turn, the kid tells him that “He” thinks Batman is dead and that this mysterious “He” killed the city. Five months earlier, Bruce Wayne (in disguise) has been pissing off the Red Hood gang by stopping their leader from executing several business people who refused to join. Afterward, we’re privy to Bruce testing out some new boots that allow clinging to ceilings before his uncle, Philip Kane, visits him about running Wayne Industries. Bruce declines of course and goes about his way; the last few panels introduce a staple Bat villain, before he was an actual villain, talking to Philip about how Wayne Enterprises should continue.

Story

I enjoyed this issue even if the time difference from this and that of the New 52 don’t make any sense. The conversation between Bruce and Philip about the company, with Bruce stating that he and his uncle are strangers that want completely different things. I like the idea of the Red Hood Gang, a man who blackmailed rich people into joining him in corporate sabotage. The fact that no one from this gang knows who the leader or each other really are makes them more of a threat and harder to take down. I also love that since Snyder has started writing Batman he’s been saying that rich people are evil, and that is awesome in my book. The backup story was a nice touch, in which we learn where Bruce Wayne picked up his crazy driving skills, adding another piece to the puzzle of how Batman was born. This, like Snyder’s other Bat stories, has the makings of a great mystery. I just hope it ends like Night of Owls and not Death of the Family.

 

 

The Pictures

Greg Capullo has been rocking with Snyder since the New 52 started and I hope he never leaves. In the past he’s had some issues with consistency, but he’s been killing this Batman. So far, my only complaints are that Bruce Wayne looks aloof all the time especially in front of Alfred and Gotham City is just New York with a giant penny in front of a building. FCO Placenia colored this wonderfully from the vivid reds of the Red Hood Gang’s helmets to the envious green of our surprise villain’s shirt popping off the page.

The Real

For the first issue of a new arc it’s looking good, and as long as DC’s editorial let’s Snyder steer it in the right direction we should have another Black Mirror on our hands, from which we can all walk away satisfied. If they don’t, we might have another Death of the Family on our hands where we went in expecting a large shake up and instead nothing happened at all. I’d love Snyder to really take the reins on this one, adding that suspense we love and bringing the detective elements back to character as he does so well.

Rating 4/5

 All images credited to Comic Book Resources