Interview: Writer David Pepose Welcomes You Back to THE O.Z.

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August 16, 2021

interview david pepose the o.z. wizard of oz kickstarter preview

THE O.Z.‘s second Kickstarter launches today, and we spoke with writer David Pepose about the book, as well as his advice for aspiring comics creators. Plus: an exclusive reveal of Farid Karami’s epic variant cover!

What is THE O.Z.?
THE O.Z. is what you get when you mix The Wizard of Oz and The Hurt Locker. Years after Dorothy and her friends defeated the Wicked Witch of the West, Oz is in civil war. Dorothy’s granddaughter, a disillusioned Iraq War veteran, has to try and bring peace to the magical land.

About this issue:
Now leading the Resistance against the Scarecrow’s regime, Dorothy must join forces with the Tin Soldier, the Prince of Lions and Jack Pumpkinhead if she hopes to locate the all-powerful Silver Slippers and bring peace to the Occupied Zone… or as the locals call it, The O.Z.

The first issue of THE O.Z. was a brilliant re-introduction to Oz, full of familiar references and new, fresh emotional stakes. Issue #2 looks like it’s upping the ante on all counts.

You can read the first 11 pages of THE O.Z. #2 right here:

THE O.Z. #2 Preview

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Exclusive Reveal: Farid Karami’s Variant Cover

And read on for our full interview with Pepose:

Monkeys Fighting Robots: Issue #1 was a pretty explosive introduction to The O.Z. — how are you raising the stakes for issue #2?

David Pepose: Thank you! We’re raising the stakes in a big way in The O.Z. #2 — now that we’ve fully established Dorothy and a brief history of the Occupied Zone, we’re able to explore some dangerous new territory across the war-torn land of Oz. Dorothy’s managed to gain some ground for the Resistance, but as you’ll see in our Kickstarter preview, that reprieve is going to be short-lived — the location of the Silver Slippers has been revealed, and the Scarecrow aims to use them to invade the Multiverse. With Dorothy outnumbered and outgunned, she’s going to need reinforcements in a major way.

MFR: You’re adding some new players to the mix with this issue. What can you tell us about the Prince of Lions?

Pepose: I don’t want to spoil too much about him, but suffice to say, our take on the Courageous Lion is going to turn some heads. I’ll start by saying he’s Ruben’s favorite character to draw in the entire series, and will serve as sort of the rogue/stealth fighter of the book. For me, he was influenced a lot by Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther, primarily in terms of the heaviness of the crown — it’s one thing to be brave when you’re fighting just for yourself. But how does the calculus of courage change when you’re the ruler of the Animal Kingdom? In that regard, I think the Lion and Dorothy have a lot in common — their stories are each about proving themselves in the face of an impossible legacy, which I think will make them click together nicely.

MFR: Are you and your collaborators going after a different tone with this issue compared to the first? Are you looking to make it darker, or scarier, anything like that?

Pepose: I’d say we’re aiming for more intensity for this second installment, for sure. The first issue was all about setting up Dorothy and the world around her, but now that we’ve wrapped up our exposition, we’re able to really put the pedal to the metal with our action. Dorothy scored some victories in our previous issue, but I wouldn’t count on her winning streak lasting forever — she’s going to sustain some losses in this issue that are going to really keep her on the backfoot. But when you’re as desperate for redemption as Dorothy is, a good offense might be the best defense…

MFR: What did you learn from your first Kickstarter that you’re carrying into your second?

Pepose: Getting a sense of scale. When I started my last Kickstarter, I had no idea we would fund as quickly as we did, and the rest of the campaign was me coming up with stretch goals on the fly to keep our readers invested and to bring new backers to the scene. While I’m not trying to bring any expectations to the table this go-round — after all, there’s a pandemic going on — we’ve been hard at work to prepare ourselves for good news as well as bad. If you liked any of our stickers, enamel pins, or prints from our last campaign, you’ll want to tell your friends to back and share our campaign.

MFR: Now that you’ve had experience with both Kickstarter and traditional publishers, would you guide up-and-coming creators to pursue one over the other to publish their first work?

Pepose: I don’t think there’s necessarily a wrong answer here — there are pros and cons for both approaches, but I think that it’s mainly what speaks to a creator more. Working with a publisher means you’ll get more infrastructure behind you — particularly with printing and distribution — but the finances will be much less lucrative, because you have to cut in your publisher, distributor, and retailers.

Conversely, if you do Kickstarter, you’ll be learning everything from the ground up. But without having to cut in other parties, you’ll likely make it back into the black faster… it just might take a little longer to build up a bigger readership if you don’t have any ties to the Direct Market. Honestly, I see the Direct Market and crowdfunding to be two sides of the same pendulum, the same way that people look at creator-owned books versus licensed books. It ultimately doesn’t matter which one you start out with, because you’ll eventually want to be doing all of it.

MFR: Do you have any advice for writers in regards to overcoming creative block? Asking for a friend (who is me).

Pepose: For creative block, I usually have three recommendations. The first is to skip whatever scenes are giving you hassle, and just write the scenes you’re interested in — it’s much less daunting to write out of order, because you won’t have the blank page staring at you. Alternatively, you can switch gears to writing something else, just to get the gears turning — it doesn’t even have to be an assignment, it can be a conversation between characters, or even fan fiction. Lastly, though, is just unplugging — sometimes it’s watching a good movie, or listening to some music, or going out for a walk, or taking a nap. If you can’t figure out how to change the writing, changing your location or mindset can be just as helpful.

MFR: Who of The O.Z. cast has been your favorite to write so far, and why?

Pepose: Dorothy is probably the cop-out answer, since her voice really anchors the entire series — I can’t help it, she’s really a spiritual cousin to Detective Locke from my breakout series Spencer & Locke, so it’s hard for me not to love her. But beyond Dorothy, I think it’s a tossup between Toto and Jack Pumpkinhead. Toto is just the funniest way to deliver exposition in a book like this, but his role also got expanded in honor of our terrier Holly, who passed away just before the pandemic shutdowns. Jack Pumpkinhead, meanwhile, reminds me a lot of the comics version of Taskmaster — he’s just a blue-collar mercenary with a sense of humor and a job to do. Even before artwork started coming in, Jack’s lines always popped off the pages in my scripts, so he’s been a lot of fun to tackle.

MFR: What have you been reading/watching lately that’s helped fuel your creative juices?

Pepose: Tons of stuff lately. I’ve been on an ’80s sci-fi kick lately, with Terminator, Robocop, Predator, Total Recall… I saw James Gunn’s Suicide Squad recently, and the stellar team dynamics on that movie have been lingering with me for the past few days. When I want to switch gears, I’ll pop in something from Will Ferrell or Seth Rogen, who I think each have very fine-tuned voices for their work.

For TV, I’ve been catching up on Motherland: Fort Salem and Ted Lasso. On the comics side, I’ve been reading anything that Hickman and Ewing are doing — they are so next-level, it’s both inspiring and infuriating. James Tynion’s been doing some super-cool stuff lately, too, between the experimentation of Department of Truth, the wild structure of Nice House on the Lake, and the sheer additive streak of his Batman run. I’ve also really been digging Mark Russell’s Fantastic Four: Life Story, and Ram V’s Many Deaths of Laila Starr is just a masterpiece and a half.

But beyond that, honestly, I’ve been going back and reading the ’90s-era Spawn, Spider-Man, and X-Men, just to remind myself of why I fell in love with this industry in the first place — it’s so easy to see the work you have in front of you, that you don’t appreciate just how far you’ve come. I’ve been really lucky to have books like The O.Z. succeed, and it’s nice to pay homage to the trailblazers who helped get us there.

Thanks as always to David Pepose. You can check out THE O.Z. #1-2 – A Fantasy Classic Reimagined on Kickstarter right here.

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Review: DON’T BREATHE 2 Doesn’t Justify Its Existence

By

Eric Trigg

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August 15, 2021

Don’t Breathe 2 is an unpredictable sequel that fails to justify why it was necessary to be made. The story of home invaders biting off more than they could handle was a surprise hit in 2016. Its conclusion left room for a potential follow-up, but Don’t Breathe 2 isn’t the continuation many fans of the original would have hoped for. Held back by its questionable script, Don’t Breathe 2 is a disappointing sequel to one of the best home invasion films of the last decade.

Norman Nordstrom, the blind man featured in both films, returns for more twisted justice. He isn’t catching up with Rocky though, this time Norman has secured the daughter he desperately wanted again. In the original, three teens break into Norman’s home and discover that he had taken a woman hostage in order for her to forcefully give him another child. His plans were ruined, but now he has achieved his goal. Directed and co-written by Rodo Sayagues, the film stars Stephen Lang, Bobby Schofield, Christian Zagia, Brendan Sexton III, Steffan Rhodri, and Madelyn Grace. Don’t Breathe 2 follows Norman (Lang), who has saved a young girl named Phoenix (Grace) from a house and raised her as his own. One night, a group of gunmen break into their house and take Phoenix, which forces Norman to tap into his military background to save his “daughter”.

Stephen Lang stars in Screen Gems DON’T BREATHE 2.

Fede Alvarez helmed the previous installment and returns to co-write the screenplay for Don’t Breathe 2. The film suffers from poor dialogue, some of which could spark unintentional laughter from audiences. It doesn’t attempt to address the issues left by the ending of Don’t Breathe, such as Norman not being in prison for his crimes. Along with that, Norman was set up as a sympathetic war veteran acting in self-defense, but then it’s revealed that he has forced a woman to bear his child. His actions in the original film suggest he found pleasure in harming Rocky and her friends. This prior knowledge makes it difficult to consider Norman likable as a character to follow. Don’t Breathe 2 establishes that he has sheltered Phoenix from a proper childhood out of heartbreak and selfishness. He’s lied to her, but she is innocent in all of this, so Phoenix is the character audiences can at least grow attached to.

Sayagues and Alvarez have put together a screenplay of so many unlikeable characters. At one point, after Phoenix is abducted it seems like her kidnappers will be the heroes of this story, but there are no heroes in Don’t Breathe 2. The previous film didn’t provide overly sympathetic characters in the teen robbers, but certain scenes were present to help the audience understand their difficult life situations. These gunmen, don’t have sympathetic backstories, it just grows into more unlikeable traits. Redemption arcs are fine to explore, but Don’t Breathe 2 depicts Norman’s in a less than acceptable manner. The life he’s created for Phoenix demonstrates that he’s only gotten worse, and still hasn’t come to terms with being a monster. However, by the end of the film, he has made a difference in her life, but it’s up to audiences to decide if that makes him redeemed now.

Stephen Lang (right) and Adam Young in Screen Gems DON’T BREATHE 2.

Don’t Breathe 2 is riddled with foreshadowing, making this screenplay decent on some level. Sayagues captures the tension, just not on the same level as the original. The tracking shots during the initial break-in to Norman’s house will keep viewers anxious and on the edge. Paced rather quickly, Don’t Breathe 2 is a fun watch for its technical strengths and gory action sequences. Lang impresses once again as this battered war veteran who isn’t to be taken lightly just because he can’t see. Norman is unlikeable, but Lang captures the obvious inner turmoil within Norman quite well through his facial expressions. Grace’s portrayal of Phoenix is the heart of Don’t Breathe 2, she embodies the childlike innocence perfectly for audiences to want to see her get away from Norman and the gunmen he saves her from. Roque Banos’s score keeps your heart racing and adds extra stress during the near-death moments for Phoenix.

Stephen Lang (left) and Adam Young in Screen Gems DON’T BREATHE 2.

Don’t Breathe 2 has no reason to exist, despite talks that this was a good idea for a sequel to the original film. Perhaps that idea was scrapped last minute and fans have to accept this mess instead. Not nearly as neat as its predecessor, Don’t Breathe 2 should be the end of this series if this type of narrative is what’s considered worthy for a sequel that could have been much better.

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In Conversation With DEAD LEGENDS Writer James Maddox

By

Justin Munday

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August 12, 2021

Published by A Wave Blue World, the DEAD LEGENDS saga unleashes a new fury of fists and feet with DEAD LEGENDS II #1 on August 11th, escalating the action established in the preceding 5-issue miniseries. Writer James Maddox reunites with artist Gavin Smith, letterer Ryan Ferrier, and color assistant Milena Deneno for a new descent into epic storytelling that embraces the legacy of Kung Fu and Wuxia cinema history.

I was fortunate enough to get to talk to James about this new volume and his influences, the process, and his experiences working with the amazing art team on this ass-kicking adrenaline shot of a comic book.

MFR: This series wears its influences on its sleeve, ranging from Bruce Lee’s films to The Raid, and of course some classic comics like Shang-Chi and The Deadly Hands of Kung Fu. As a writer, how did you manage to maintain the line between homage and outright copy?

JM: In a genre that has a lot of history and influential titles, I found it was best to be aware (as much as is possible) of the ground that’s covered by other creators. Then draw a focus on the aspects, details and character traits that would make DL stand out as a unique experience. Sure, there’s going to be nods and overlap, but after doing our best to understand the works that laid the foundation of this genre, the main through-lines of Dead Legends are all me and Gavin.

MFR: We find ourselves in a Golden Age of kickass, unique women protagonists in comics and other mediums. Where did the idea for Yan and Red Death as the two leads in Dead Legends come to you?

JM: From day one, Gavin had the design made for Red Death as a staple character in the series, but it took some time and planning for us to come up with Yan. Once the groundwork for Yan was set, she took the spotlight and ran with it. And even though I’d like to think Dead Legends embodies an ensemble cast, the standouts from that crew have always been Yan and Red Death. Partly because of the history that brought them to this tournament, and partly for the brutality they employ to reach their goals.

MFR: Something folks may not realize is how insanely difficult writing and scripting a fight scene can be – much less dozens of them. What was your process like for coming up with all of the fight sequences through this series?

JM: Mainly, I wanted to balance the pages devoted to character drama and those dedicated to combat. To do that, Gavin and I worked out a system that essentially let us put our individual focuses on the page. I was more into the difficult choices facing these characters, while Gavin was able to use the allocated space to choreograph some brutal fights. Finding the balance to those two aspects takes some back and forth, but the collaboration has helped bring out the best of both approaches to this series.

MFR: The main cast is wildly diverse, both in terms of representation and personalities. How did you come up with the cast, and how did their voices develop as you wrote them?

JM: I approached the series with certain characters locked in. Red Death, Damon, Stalk and a handful of others had their design and voices from the start, but others found their way after the first pass of the issue 1 script. By the time I sent off the final draft, I felt the foundations for each of them were set and made moving forward to later scripts that much easier.

MFR: Gavin Smith draws the hell out of every page in Dead Legends, and Ryan Ferrie’s lettering is super clean. How did you all start working together, and what was your combined process like for this series?

JM: Gavin and I have been friends for years, and we’d always talked about collaborating on a project together. When a spot opened up in his schedule, I asked him what he wanted to draw most in a series, and he said a martial arts book and even showed me some of the characters that he’d want to use for the series (Blind Tiger was one of these characters). Things worked out, and here we are. Ryan and I have been con buds for a while, and he came on board because he liked the concept, and even though he was phasing out of lettering work to focus on writing, he did us the favor of taking on Dead Legends.

MFR: How did publisher A Wave Blue World contribute to the process behind this book? What kinds of tips and encouragement did they give to help achieve this vision of tightly-woven ass-kickery?

JM: Tyler and Wendy Chin-Tanner (the co-publishers of AWBW) have been a driving factor in getting this series into the hands of readers. Before he departed AWBW, Joe Illidge was on point in his role as editor and he strengthened the story for both volume one and two with his suggestions and critiques. But throughout the journey of this series, Tyler has pushed us to tell the kind of story we think is both fun and important, trusted us with constructing the vision, and provided us with the support to make it happen.

Writer James Maddox, artist Gavin Smith, letterer Ryan Ferrier & color assistant Milena Deneno continue their grindhouse epic in the wake of volume one’s catastrophic tournament!

“This comic is ultimately a challenge in balancing emotional storytelling with the action of classic martial arts movies and Kung Fu comics,” writer James Maddox explains. “The resulting approach offers relentless action that punctuates a story of loss, perseverance, and found families.”

The continuing story follows the trials of Yan, a young woman trained by her grandfather, Jee Sin—one of the most deadly and experienced martial arts experts in existence. After winning the last Dead Legends tournament and taking lethal revenge on her husband’s killer, Yan flees the competition’s self-destructive overseer and his army of merciless followers. Luckily, she has friends like Red Death and Stalk to aid her and the child. But new adversaries, including the unhinged Tigress, will resort to sinister tactics that Yan and her fellow refugees couldn’t fathom.

The resulting comic should resonate with fans of iconic cinematic martial arts film, including Riki-O: The Story of Riki, Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior, Bloodsport, The Raid: Redemption, Kill Bill, and the seminal oeuvre of Bruce Lee.

“This second outing allows me to dive deeper into both the technical roots of martial arts, as well as its more fantastic extrapolations,” artist Gavin Smith—who holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do��elaborates. “I can’t wait to show off the intricate web of issue four and some of Red Death’s most savage fight scenes. James and I were able to amplify the sheer chaos and brutality of the first volume.

Be sure to check out the first and this second volume of Dead Legends from publisher A Wave Blue World, available now!

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Marvel Comics Exclusive Preview: MOON KNIGHT #2

By

Anthony Composto - EIC

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August 12, 2021

moon knight #2 marvel comics exclusive preview

MOON KNIGHT #2 hits your local comic book store August 18th, but thanks to Marvel Comics, Monkeys Fighting Robots has an exclusive four-page preview for you.

About the issue:
Moon Knight has established his territory, and the people within it are under the protection of his Midnight Mission. But what happens when those very people are turned into weapons against him? When gangs of elderly residents leave a trail of bizarre violence, Moon Knight must put his body, mind and very soul on the line to get to the bottom of it.

The issue is by writer Jed MacKay and artist Alessandro Cappuccio, with colors by Rachelle Rosenberg, and letters by Cory Petit. The main cover is by Steve McNiven and Frank D’Armata.

MOON KNIGHT is currently being developed as a TV series for Disney+, starring Oscar Isaac as Marc Spector. It will be part of Phase Four of the MCU.

Check out the MOON KNIGHT #2 preview below:

Are you digging the new MOON KNIGHT run? Sound off in the comments!

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ComiXology Exclusive Preview: SNOW ANGELS SEASON TWO #3

By

Anthony Composto - EIC

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August 12, 2021

snow angels comixology comics exclusive preview

SNOW ANGELS Season Two #3 hits the internet August 17th, but thanks to comiXology, Monkeys Fighting Robots has an exclusive six-page preview for you.

About the series:
Milliken and Mae have never left The Trench—it’s all they’ve ever known. They were born in The Trench, and they’ll die there, just like all their people do. The two girls, eight and eleven, are a part of The Trenchfolk, a sprawling settlement of people living inside the massive ice walls of a vast, seemingly endless frozen trench carved into the surface of an otherwise icy wasteland. The Trenchfolk survive in this hostile world by following The Three Testaments of The Trench—golden rules repeated like a mantra from birth to death…

1. YOU MUST NEVER LEAVE THE TRENCH.
2. THE TRENCH PROVIDES.
3. THE TRENCH IS ENDLESS.

Milli and Mae don’t really know how their people came to live here. No one does, not even their wise and gentle Father. On Milliken’s twelfth birthday, their father takes the two girls on an overnight skate down the trench — a coming-of-age ritual to teach them how to fish the frozen river, how to hunt the wild Trenchdogs that wander its frigid banks, and how to give proper thanks to their frozen Gods — The Colden Ones. It’s the trip of a lifetime until the girls push beyond the borders of their humble land and awaken the Trench’s deadly defender…The Snowman! What follows next is an action-packed story of survival, loss and redemption.

SNOW ANGELS is by writer Jeff Lemire and artist Jock, with letters by Steve Wands. This issue marks the halfway point of the “second season,” which will run 6-issues and cap off the series.

Check out the SNOW ANGELS Season Two #3 preview below:

Are you loving SNOW ANGELS as much as we are? Sound off in the comments!

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AfterShock Comics Exclusive Preview: SEARCH FOR HU #1

By

Anthony Composto - EIC

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August 12, 2021

SEARCH FOR HU #1 aftershock comics exclusive preview

SEARCH FOR HU #1 hits your local comic book store September 8th, but thanks to AfterShock Comics, Monkeys Fighting Robots has an exclusive four-page preview for you.

About the issue:
Aaron Tse lives for his family, and if he’s not careful, he’ll die for its secrets.

When he left the military, Aaron Tse’s first thought was providing for his aging parents. His parents’ bar is experiencing hard times, and one night it’s shot to hell, with his parents critically injured in the attack.

But this was no ordinary robbery — Aaron’s mother reveals that she fled China to escape a blood feud between the Jewish and Chinese sides of her family…both of which are powerful organized crime families. Peace existed between these two families — the Hu and the Margolis — but now it’s been broken, and Aaron must protect his parents from further violence. Aaron hops a plane to the homeland he never intended to explore, on a path to revenge he never wanted to walk.

The series is by writers Steve Orlando and Jon Tsuei, artist Rubine, colorist DC Alonso, and letterer Carlos M. Mangual.

“A fast-paced, action-packed exploration of complex cultural histories, powered by a bloody family feud.”

Check out the SEARCH FOR HU #1 preview below:

Are you excited for SEARCH FOR HU? Sound off in the comments!

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Review: RESPECT Brings The Soul But Not Enough

By

Eric Trigg

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August 12, 2021

Respect brings the musical entertainment you’d expect, yet Aretha Franklin’s story seems half-baked. When the music isn’t blaring, it’s a sluggish look at Aretha Franklin’s life, but carried by strong performances. Respect still shines a good light on Ms. Franklin’s impact, her struggles, and how she overcame them to be this larger-than-life icon of soul music. It’s too long, but the powerhouse performances will keep you glued as Ms. Franklin’s story is told through Jennifer Hudson’s great performance.

Formulaic and standard are the best words to describe Respect since biopics on singers and music groups are happening more frequently. The difference is this time it’s Aretha Franklin’s story being told. Respect feels like it’s holding back at times, in regards to the trauma in Ms. Franklin’s life. Fans of the late musician should still find something to appreciate here. Directed by Liesl Tommy and written by Tracey Scott Wilson, the film stars Forest Whitaker, Marc Maron, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Hailey Kilgore, and Jennifer Hudson. Respect follows Aretha Franklin (Hudson), a preacher’s daughter who endures abuse but grows up to become the Queen of Soul along the way.

Set mostly in the 1960s, Respect depicts several crucial events from Ms. Franklin’s childhood to early adulthood. The film begins with C.L. Franklin (Whitaker), Aretha’s father, telling his daughter to come and sing downstairs for one of his late-night parties. From there, Respect taps into her journey as a singer and the hardships she faced. The abusive torment Ms. Franklin endured from her father and future husband, Ted White (Wayans), creates sympathy for the audience to get behind the soon-to-be Queen of Soul. However, between her early pregnancy as a child, racism, and her abuse from two other men, Respect never spends enough time with all of this trauma. It’s holding back on Ms. Franklin’s demons but fully embraces her accomplishments. Towards the end of the film, a drinking habit becomes a coping tactic for Ms. Franklin. One of the darker sequences in the film, so her trauma could have been told better to justify her drinking problem.

Wilson’s screenplay is at its best when it focuses on Ms. Franklin’s musical progression, studio time, and her eventual on-stage performances. These scenes are enhanced by every performer on screen. Hudson shines as Aretha Franklin, bringing her spin to the Queen of Soul. When she uses her voice, it will draw you in for the entire performance. Whitaker impresses as her troubled father that wants the best for his daughter, and Wayans is on another level here as Ted White. His abusive behavior is portrayed so well, it only makes Ms. Franklin’s eventual separation from him that much better. Hudson and Wayans’s toxic relationship was done to perfection thanks to their gripping performances.

Respect suffers mostly because of its pacing, the performances save it in the end. Ms. Franklin’s life was a journey indeed, but this was too long and time could have been spent elsewhere to make the narrative better. The film’s runtime is enough to dive into the demons referenced, yet there is a half-baked effort at highlighting the Queen of Soul’s struggles. Most of the film sees her navigating through the music industry in search of multiple hits, as she called them. Emotional sequences fall flat as well because of this sluggish pacing, such as Martin Luther King’s death not being that impactful. Pacing aside, gathering a roster of talented actors was enough to keep Respect engaging.

Respect is a solid attempt at telling the life story of Aretha Franklin, it just could have dug deeper. Held back by its PG-13 rating, the film never can fully tap into the darker aspects of Aretha Franklin’s life. Hudson’s performance will keep you engaged, and musically, fans will get enough out of this biopic. If there’s a glass half-filled feeling after, that’s because Respect is similar to that in terms of the overall execution.

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Review: THE UNBELIEVABLE UNTEENS – Deus Ex Black Hammer

By

Justin Munday

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Now iconic creator Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth, Moon Knight) teams up with artist Tyler Crook (Harrow County) for another winner in the world of Black Hammer. The Unbelievable Unteens #1 is Lemire taking a familiar but engaging approach to a story from the perspective of the culture he knows best. With a tight script and phenomenal artwork, this issue is a great start for what is sure to be another hit for the Black Hammer Universe.

“After signing at a comic book convention, Unbelievable Unteens artist Jane Ito finds herself visited by one of the characters from her own creation–but was it her own creation? Were the Unteens an actual school of teenaged misfit superheroes who battled supervillains under the lead of the mysterious Dr. Miles Moniker? And if so, who wiped their memories and why? As Jane’s world is turned upside down and she learns the true nature of her identity she discovers a sinister plot leading her to assemble a team she had suspected was purely fictional.”

Writing & Plot

Jeff Lemire writes a tightly paced and thoroughly engaging script for The Unbelievable Unteens #1. He handles the introduction of Jane Ito through an intimate and honest look through the lens of a comics creator. Jane’s fulfilling but draining career is viewed from a perspective we readers don’t often get to see. The first third of this comic is paced and set up in a beautifully character focused manner that lets us see into Ito’s world. The introduction of the main plot is thankfully just as entertaining.

Lemire pulls the whole “creator meets their art” trick we’ve seen before. His writing is just so clean and naturalistic though that it still feels refreshing. The Unteens themselves are a clear nod to young misfit-superhero groups like the X-Men, The Power Pack, and the Doom Patrol. Black Hammer has always functioned as a pastiche tribute to classic comics. Lemire maintains that idea in Unteens, and like other Hammer books builds the plot around rules set in this original universe. The slow-burn building of the story Lemire is stylistically known for is in effect here as well. This issue endears us to Ito and her newly animated creation, and eagerly starts us on this new journey.

Art Direction

The Black Hammer universe has seen a crew of outstanding artists over the course of its expansion. Now, Unbelievable Unteens #1 receives the gorgeous work of Tyler Crook. The Harrow County artist brings his animated watercolor style to Spiral City and fits right into its lore. Crooks animations are stunning and clear. Every animation across Ito and her new friend’s ghastly face is well-realized and relatable. The character designs themselves are unmistakable, making remembering everyone a breeze if/when more of a cast arrives in later issues. The environmental detail here is astonishing as well. Crook captures Jane’s mood through how she perceives her environment. Almost this entire comic is shaded in a foggy gray mist. From the con floor to Ito’s studio apartment, her weariness colors every panel. Crook juxtaposes this against the sudden bright sun of his Unteens flashbacks.

I will never tire of seeing the vivid shades Crook’s watercolor style brings to a comic book. Crook also letters the comic, and he of course nails this as well. His lettering has a clean modern look that can change almost intuitively in shape and style. His effect lettering is visually unique as well, making this another complete win of a project for the accomplished artist.

Verdict

The Unbelievable Unteens #1 is a stellar and engrossing start to this new chapter in the Black Hammer universe. Jeff Lemire’s script has him taking his well-known Black Hammer pastiche trick and applying it to another familiar comic book trope. However he keeps the concept fresh with a unique perspective and killer pacing and dialogue. Tyler Crook’s visual work is an absolute winner once again, with his detailed animations, great environments, and moody colors, crafting a fantastic version of Spiral City. Be sure to grab this latest comic from the world of Black Hammer when it hits shelves on 8/11!

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Review: DEFENDERS #1: A True Example of Ensemble Spell Casting

By

Jake Palermo

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Defenders #1 from Marvel Comics comes to comic stores on August 11 with a splash. Writer Al Ewing, with series artist and colorist Javier Rodriguez, mystifies readers by introducing the titular group. With additional inking by Alvaro Lopez and lettering by Joe Caramagna, these characters present themselves as larger than life.

Defenders #1 On First Impressions

Between Ewing and Rodriguez, making a good first impression is what matters the most. Ewing understands all of the characters he is working with, especially those who drive the plot forward. This is why Doctor Strange serves as the point-of-view, his great power and tactical knowledge make him an excellent leader. Plus, with how Rogriguez presents Strange’s magical capabilities, it’s impossible to look away. With Strange floating upside down and with the border of the page looking like the edge of a card, Rodriguez actually makes the scene look like a Tarot card.

As for the other characters, their portrayals vary to a degree. Despite an impressive presentation in Masked Raider’s introduction, it raises an important question. Why does he draw a gun on Strange when he just wants to talk? Other characters in Defenders #1 act realistically in comparison. Especially with how breakneck the pace becomes once the conflict comes up. Some of them like Silver Surfer and Red Harpy are going through troubles. Being plucked out of their places against their will leaves them more than a little peeved.

Extra Elements

With how much Rodriguez puts into the art, having some backup in the form of Lopez’s inking helps a lot. With so many abstract illustrations, Lopez helps lighten a creative burden. As for Caramagna, his lettering makes the magic coming from Strange twice as impactful. The bright blue bordered word balloons and font from the magic he utters give off a more powerful impression. Unlike when a scientist utters a spell from a book in a more diminutive font and word balloons. In this way, Strange feels like he’s in a completely other league.

Defenders #1 Assemble!

Defenders #1 opens strongly by showing off the awesome power and influence of Doctor Strange. Through Strange’s eyes come a perspective so dire, it leaves the reader wondering how this mish-mash ensemble will handle everything going forward.

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Review: HELLBOY & THE BPRD: THE SECRET OF CHESBRO HOUSE #2 is Action-Packed and Haunting

By

Zac Owens

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Dark Horse Comics’ Hellboy & the BPRD: The Secret of Chesbro House #2 strikes a brilliant balance. It somehow manages to be fun and terrifying all at the same time. Writers Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden, with artist Shawn McManus, colorist Dave Stewart, and letterer Clem Robins, work together to create a weird and wonderful issue.

Writing

Mignola and Golden really take advantage of how much they set up in the first issue. When issue #2 begins, Hellboy is already diving into action. And it’s all action for the entire issue. From the first page to the last, things are moving at an incredible speed. Yet somehow, Mignola and Golden still find time for moments of quiet horror. Dark rituals and skulls that whisper secrets give these action-packed moments an extra pump of adrenaline. You’ll have fun reading this, but you’ll also be up at night thinking about it.

Art

McManus brings a levity to many of the scenes. When we see a girl offered up to some demonic entity, we’re not as frightened as we could be. That’s because McManus doesn’t feel a need to milk these moments. But at the same time, McManus’ nonchalant treatment of these moments add to the terror. The fact that a possessed skull and a ghost with eight arms visually reads as “business as usual” makes each moment feel ignored by the characters. As though, letting the moment sink in would surely make Hellboy and the other characters go mad.

Coloring

We’ve still got the cool blue scenes where Hellboy stands out in bright red, like we had in the last issue. And much of the issue sticks to that motif. Occasionally, the color palettes seem to blend, creating a purple hue. But mostly, this issue is about a world where Hellboy stands out. He’s in a haunted house, fighting ghosts. Everything about it should mean that he’s right at home. But we see that he’s just not quite like the ghosts or the people. He’s the middle ground. When he fights a monster at the end, also shown in brilliant red, we see that the color of their skin is different. Hellboy might be from Hell, but his whole identity has been changed by the years he’s been on Earth.

Lettering

Many of the sound effects from Robins are playful and flashy. He fills scenes with them. They overlap each other, lead the reader from one panel into another, and give each panel they’re in a sense of chaos. Except for one page, where Hellboy beats a monster’s face. The “SPLUTCH” noise of his fist making contact looks more or less the same in the three panels we see. It makes Hellboy feel like the consistency in the madness. He’s reliable and he’ll get the job done.

Dark Horse’s Hellboy & the BPRD: The Secret of Chesbro House is fun and scary. It jumps right into the action from page one, and keeps the rollercoaster going until its last moments. But even in the chaos, this creative team delivers subtle horrors that will stick with you. Pick up Hellboy & the BPRD: The Secret of Chesbro House #2, out from Dark Horse August 11th, at a comic shop near you!

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