THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER – Power Broker | TV Review

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After two episodes of world-building, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier’s third episode becomes more focused on the spy-thriller/action-adventure aspects of the story.

The new Captain America, Sam, and Bucky are on the hunt for Karli Morgenthau. Neither have any leads. In an act of desperation Bucky helps Helmut Zemo (Daniel Brühl) escape from prison, leading Sam, Bucky, and Zemo to go to the city of Madripoor.

I am a fan of espionage action franchises like James Bond, Bourne, and Mission: Impossible and this episode was right up my alley. The majority of the episode focused on Sam, Bucky and Zemo in Madripoor, watching them go into sleazy clubs and meet dodgy people. These were scenes that could easily have fitted in Bond or Mission: Impossible. Zemo’s escape was clearly influenced by the escape scenes in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and Skyfall. The episode had an incredible action scene in a shipyard as one person had to fend off a load of bounty hunters. It was a change of pace for the MCU because the combatants were just highly trained agents and mercenaries, not superpowered beings.

Madripoor was a great location. It was a modern version of Tortuga, a place that’s a safe haven for criminals, pirates, and scoundrels. It was an Asian city and one of the locations the characters go looked like a dodgy nightclub in Bangkok. One of the characters had to drink a shot with a snake heart shot which reminded me of the opening of The Beach.

Whilst most of the episode focused on Sam, Bucky, and Zemo, Jack Walker, and Karli made an appearance in the episode. Jack’s darker side was hinted at again when he threatens a suspect during a raid. It’s certainly not the way Steve Rogers would have done it. Karli was shown in a sympathetic light. She was introduced to playing soccer with some kids in a relocation camp and grieves over a friend. But Karli crosses a line at the end of the episode. The point was to show what would drive people to commit terrorist acts.

In Captain America: Civil War, Zemo was only in the film to serve a purpose: get Captain America and Iron Man to fight each other. In this episode, he felt more like a character and made for a fun addition. Sam and Bucky stop bickering with each other and focus comedic energy against Zemo. Clearly, Zemo intends to try and get Bucky to re-join the dark side.

“Power Broker” worked as a spy story it did have one major issue: the overly expository dialogue. Characters were constantly explaining things to each other and it got annoying. There were moments where characters were explaining things they had already experienced (like the events of Captain America: Civil War and when two characters got injected with the super-soldier serum), but it came off as unnatural. It was done for the benefit of the audience instead of the characters.

“Power Broker” worked as a standalone episode due to the bulk of the story focusing on three main characters and taking place in one city. However, it suffered from some clunky writing and it felt a bit like a filler episode in the middle of six-episode miniseries.

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Exclusive Preview: GIRLS OF DIMENSION 13 #1 From AfterShock Comics

By

Matthew Sardo

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April 1, 2021

Exclusive Preview: GIRLS OF DIMENSION 13 #1 From AfterShock Comics

Check out an exclusive four-page preview of GIRLS OF DIMENSION 13 #1, a fantasy tale of discovery and empowerment from AfterShock Comics. The book is written by Graham Nolan, with art by Bret Blevins, Greg Wright drops the color, and you will read Carlos M. Mangual’s letter work.

About the issue:
Four young women are brought together by a mysterious invitation to live in a creepy building in NYC. They soon learn that the building houses a portal to the other twelve known dimensions and that a malevolent creature known as Abraxis has bound these dimensions together, enslaving them to his will. For centuries, the portal has been guarded by a gatekeeper to prevent the evil on the other side from gaining access to OUR dimension.

Now the gatekeeper, Anna Nightlinger, is missing, and the only thing standing in Abraxis’ way is a quartet of young women with powers and abilities they don’t even know they have…for now.

GIRLS OF DIMENSION 13 #1 hits your local comic shop on April 21. Enjoy the preview below.

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Preview: AMERICA CHAVEZ MADE IN USA #2 (OF 5) w/ Spider-Man

By

Matthew Sardo

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April 1, 2021

Preview: AMERICA CHAVEZ MADE IN USA #2 (OF 5)

Check out this exclusive three-page preview of AMERICA CHAVEZ MADE IN USA #2 (OF 5) from Marvel Comics. The book hits your local comic book shop on April 7.

AMERICA CHAVEZ MADE IN USA #2 (OF 5) is written by Kalinda Vazquez, with art from Carlos E. Gomez, Jesus Aburtov drops the cover, you will read Travis Lanham’s letter work, and Sara Pichelli is the cover artist.

About the issue:
LIFE. LIBERTY. AND THE PURSUIT OF A MASKED INDIVIDUAL…
The irony of America Chavez’s life suddenly shattering into a million pieces is not lost on her… But facing a mysterious threat who seems to know a whole lot about her – maybe even more than America herself? Well, now she’s on the brink of breaking apart.

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Review: Monkeys Vs. Dinosaurs In YOUNG HELLBOY: THE HIDDEN LAND #2

By

Justin Munday

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Series creator Mike Mignola and co-writer Thomas Sniegoski, along with artist Craig Rosseau, colorist Dave Stewart, and letterer Clem Robins return to the Hidden Land in “Young Hellboy” #2. This issue dives deeper into the jungle and the dark magics it holds, while having a clear focus on big Golden Age adventures with dinosaurs, giant apes, and lost civilizations. With a tight and fun script and outstanding visual work, this mini-series could easily go on to be a gem in the treasure trove that is the Mignolaverse.

“After meeting a missing adventurer and being taken in by the island’s Ohnar people, Hellboy and Professor Bruttenholm delve deeper into the strange island’s mysteries. Exploring a previous civilization’s ruins reveals more about local history . . . and grabs the attention of some gruesome foes!”

Writing & Plot

Writers Mike Mignola and Thomas Sniegoski double down on the classic sources of inspration in “Young Hellboy: The Hidden Land” #2. This issue opens with, well, a young Hellboy gushing over the adventures of the Golden Age pulp adventure comic he’s been reading (in true excited child spirit), only to be dropped into such a story himself. This comics sense of paying homage to an immensely influential genre is outstanding, and the comic’s inclusion of dinosaurs, survivalist jungle women, and sentient apes all come straight from the Golden Age of adventure stories. The wonderful thing about the Mignolaverse that makes this work so well, outside of just the writers’ efforts, is how the Mignolaverse is already a melting pot of genre stories as it is. This comic fits right into the rest of the Hellboy library, as the problems that tend to follow HB, Professor Bruttenholm, and the BPRD as a whole are here as well. The later stages of the comic go into full Mignola-mode, complete with dark magics and ancient beings carrying curses. While it obviously makes sense, it’s almost disappointing leaving behind the lost island adventure even for just a moment to introduce the conflict that needs to happen in a Hellboy book. This being said though, the upcoming ultimate villain we get introduced to still looks like it could be a good time (if ultimately a predictable one). Seeing our immeasurably charming and fun to read kid Hellboy go up against his first big bad with the help of a kickass jungle-living adventurer could very well be as much of a treat as reading this single fantastic slice of excitement is.

Art Direction

Any time a Mignolaverse book is discussed, the visuals are almost always the first elements to be judged. The art has to ‘feel’ like a Mignola work, like something that fits in the the creator’s own vision for Hellboy and the world he lives in. That’s why it’s so fortunate that we have the likes of Craig Rosseau on pencils and Dave Stewart on colors for “Young Hellboy” #2. Rosseau puts together a design language that manages to pay homage to the Golden Age adventure tales we’ve discussed at length while also having that uncanny yet fascinating aesthetic that we’ve come to know from Mignolaverse comics. Rosseau’s thick pencil lines and heavy inks disguises a ton of detail in its outward simplicity. The shadows and dimensions he gives characters and environments are full of life and animation, as well as a ton of kinetic energy. The panel direction is rife with a flow that floolows its characters and draws the eyes to their persoonalities and actions, as well as making excellent framing for the action and suspenseful revelations. The colors from Dave Stewart (a regular on Hellboy universe comics) are deep and rich, but also murky and dark in a way that adds to the combination of high-energy adventure and supernatural suspense this comic aims for. Clem Robins’s letters are a familiar and clean font used by most other books in the Mignolaverse, with a dynamic font size and great as always sound effect lettering. This is a stellar looking comic with an energetic and light yet simultaneously spooky visual style that is perfect for this story.

“Young Hellboy: The Hidden Land” #2 is a blast, held aloft by an unendingly enthusiastic and fun Kid HB, a classic sense of adventure, and pitch perfect visuals work. Mignola and Thomas Sniegoski’s script is smart and delightfully fun, with a perfect blend of Golden Age action, magic, and supernatural suspense. The visuals from Craig Rosseau and Dave Stewart are gorgeous and energetic, while still abiding by the sense of uncanny weirdness that fits in with the rest of the Hellboy universe. Be sure to grab this issue when it hits stands on 3-31!

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Review: SPAWN #316 – Who’s Friend And Foe?

By

Corey Patterson

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SPAWN #316 hits comic book stores on Wednesday, March 31st, the third and final installment of Todd McFarlane’s “Chain Gang” event. The fight against Omega Spawn is one of the most difficult in Spawn’s career, even with Medieval Spawn’s assistance. But an additional player has joined this battle of titans in the form of Plague, a mysterious force the protagonists and readers will find to be quite troubling.

Story

Last issue saw Spawn and Medieval Spawn on their last leg in the fight against Omega, but the arrival of Plague now gives them a moment of respite. The trouble is that our heroes have no clue as to which side this being is on. Its appearance is unsettling, especially for the big bad Omega.

Just when Spawn and his medieval comrade believe they have a chance to escape while Omega is distracted, a military group arrives to take out all the Hellspawn. Fortunately, the two are finding they work well together and manage to elude capture.

McFarlane’s script does a fantastic job of pacing this action-packed story so readers don’t get lost in the many sequences. It was also a thrill to see a powerhouse like Omega put in his place by a being completely alien to himself.

Artwork

Carlo Barberi’s penciling and ink work, Jay David Ramos’s coloring, and Tom Orzechowski’s lettering once again hit it out of the park when it comes to Spawn illustrations. The contrast between the figures of Plague and the other Hellspawn is clear for readers to see—from the simpler design of the former to the intricate details of the latter. The shades of black, silver, red, and green swirl throughout the action in stunning brilliance. We also loved

Conclusion

SPAWN #316 is the conclusion we were waiting for in this arc. The many potential door opened up could lead to more engaging stories going forward.

Do you think Plague will join Spawn’s team? Let us know in the comments below!

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Review: SHADECRAFT #1 Examines The Shadows That Follow Us

By

Corey Patterson

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From the creative mind of writer Joe Henderson comes SHADECRAFT #1, available in comic book stores on Wednesday, March 31th. This new series promises to explore the concept of “shadows”—whether they be those we literally see or the figurative forces that follow us. Readers will find a lot to identify with in the character of Zadie Lu, our main protagonist. An event in her past haunts her present, and she’ll find it difficult to leave unfinished work behind.

Story

The story sets up the character of Zadie on a dark evening stroll with her friend/crush Josh. Zadie wonders why he is walking her home. When he appears to begin confessing romantic intentions, she plants a kiss on him.

To her horror, a stunned Josh reveals he only wanted to pick up his Switch from her house. As readers, we can identify with the embarrassment through her well-written internal dialogue. We don’t know what she means by “get back to normal” just yet, but it reminds us of those times when things were going our way one minute and those circumstances were shattered to pieces the next.

Joe Henderson’s narrative guides us through a series of mysterious events surrounding Zadie. We learn of a tragic event that happened in her past, which seems to follow her every move. Unfortunately for Zadie, her past isn’t the only thing following her. A shadow with a mind of her own begins tailing her every step. But what does this force want from her?

Artwork

Lee Garbett’s penciling and ink work gives Zadie impressive expressiveness to help readers identify with her. In addition, Antonio Febela’s coloring does a brilliant job of giving the animated shadows depth—it’s as if we see them moving from panel to panel. And Simon Bowland’s lettering ties it all together with an effective use of fonts that capture Zadie’s sheer terror.

Conclusion

SHADECRAFT #1 is an exciting new series. We can’t wait to see where Henderson and team take the story next.

Why do you think these shadows are going after Zadie? Let us know in the comments below!

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Review: NOBODY Serves Up Unoriginal Action Fun

By

Eric Trigg

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Nobody may come across as a copy and paste of other titles, but it still delivers a thrilling tale from start to finish. The John Wick similarities are in your face, and given the film is written by the same person it’s hard to not make comparisons. Nobody doesn’t overstay its welcome, wastes little time, and features some terrific action sequences throughout. This unoriginal film won’t break new ground, but it still delivers an effective action film.

Fans of John Wick will spot the similarities shown throughout the film, and yet Nobody still doesn’t come across as a shameful recreation. A middle-aged man, who appears to be living the typical life has a past that he has been trying to let go of until it is needed to protect himself and his family. Directed by Ilya Naishuller and written by Derek Kolstad, Nobody stars Connie Nielsen, Aleksey Serebryakov, Christopher Lloyd, Gage Munrow, Paisley Cadorath, and Bob Odenkirk. The film follows Hutch Mansell (Odenkirk), a reserved individual who lets his family down one night during a break-in. This sparks division in the household, but during a bus altercation, Hutch’s hidden abilities are brought to the surface and his entire family is placed in danger as a result.

Bob Odenkirk as Hutch Mansell in “Nobody,” directed by Ilya Naishuller.

Kolstad’s screenplay provides everything you’d want from an R-rated action film. Blood-soaked violence, high stakes drama, and a lead character who surprises you as the film progresses. While Nobody wastes little time getting to the action, it still spends enough time developing its titular character for viewers to relate to him. Mansell is a family man trapped in his day-to-day activities. An aspect that makes him easy to relate to, as plenty of people go through this every day. He isn’t particularly happy with his life, and to make matters worse a couple of burglars drive a wedge between himself and his family. Kolstad implements moments of comedy that assist with providing a lighthearted vibe to this insanely fun film. As mentioned above, there isn’t much originality to be found here with this script, but it’s executed effectively.

Odenkirk impresses as Mansell, a rather surprising casting choice for this type of film. He portrays this role with ease, and the performance gets increasingly better with each obstacle thrown in Mansell’s direction. His rival in the film, Yulian Kuznetsov (Serebryakov) wants Mansell dead after he learns of his recent behaviors. Again, just like many other films before it where a character’s actions spark attention from a group of individuals they must take out. Kuznetsov is believable as this drug lord who will not rest until he takes out Mansell and his entire family. All the performances are solid, but Odenkirk steals the show here with his switches between fight or flight. Nobody is probably a one-time outing, but there is room for more, and Odenkirk thrives in this environment.

Hutch Mansell (Bob Odenkirk, seated with back to camera), Albert (Neil Davison, fourth from the left), Yulian Kuznetsov (Alexey Serebryakov, seventh from the left) with members of the Russian mafia in “Nobody,” directed by Ilya Naishuller.

Naishuller’s direction makes this an edge-of-your-seat treat, and there is very little downtime in between the bloodshed. Despite its quick pacing, Nobody never feels rushed, or messy at any point. Naishuller keeps viewers engaged with moments of tension, suspense, and well-shot action sequences galore. The music by David Buckley is a great addition to the film and makes the more comedic moments that much better. Naishuller captures the choreographed action in the best way possible, it’s truly a visual treat to watch at times. The tension is never absent once it’s introduced, so the director knew how to keep this film consistently thrilling once the burglars came into play.

This unoriginal, formulaic film impresses in more ways than one from start to finish. Nobody isn’t a complete retread of John Wick, it carves its path for sure. It delivers the action with high risks involved, a relatable lead character that is brought to life wonderfully by Odenkirk, who is very believable in this type of role. A series of Nobody films doesn’t sound likely right now, but they’d be fun if they are anything like this initial outing.

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SHADOWMAN #1: An Action-Packed Start To The Mystery

By

Jake Palermo

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Shadowman #1 out from Valiant Entertainment on April 28, reintroduces its title character to readers. Writer Cullen Bunn keeps the character and motivations at an easygoing pace. With the horror-action aesthetic by artist Jon Davis-Hunt and colorist Jordie Bellaire, a simple plot is easy to digest. Clayton Cowles’ lettering beckons the reader’s attention by enhancing all of the story elements’ expression.

Shadowman #1: Who Is Jack Boniface?

From an interview with Bunn from 2020’s C2E2 there’s a lot going into this series since his earlier Voodoo series Punk Mambo. But before any of that happens, Shadowman #1 serves to set-up the title character and the conflicts he will face. Jack Boniface is a semi-average person who just wants to play his saxophone. Only for his supernatural superhero life as Shadowman to take priority. Spirits coming out of the Deadside and wreaking havoc? He’s your guy, even if the smarmy death loa Baron Samedi is the one pointing him in the direction.

So when a cultish rich bunch are up to something, superhero fans like myself expect something big to come out of it. Only to find that this event barely counts as plot progression. These are cheap thrills at some poor souls and a spirit’s expense for a ritual. Surprisingly it’s rather good with the horror-action themes; Shadowman is quite capable against things going horribly wrong. Seeing ghost locusts burst out of a body can scare away regular men. But when Shadowman realizes that someone else set these events into motion, the reader can’t help but immerse themselves into the mystery. Things look like they’re about to get worse.

Action Before Horror

Shadowman #1 features action-style panel work by Davis-Hunt. This style makes a strong first impression by steadily displaying elements at play. As the reader approaches the site of conflict, there comes images to ready them for something big. A damaged mask with bloodstains, sharp pale teeth, and Shadowman’s dog tag gives way to a big action scene in a two-page spread.

Within this two page spread comes an action sequence where the panel size showcases how much time moves. One big image is practically frozen in time to give a short but sweet exposition in art and lettering. The first thing the reader sees is a white alligator-headed spirit with a height advantage over Shadowman. Bellaire’s coloring is a strong contrast to the darker Shadowman, like he wasn’t already a threat to the hero before. The fact that Cowles color-coded captions are heading towards Shadowman feels like the action is happening in slow motion until the smaller panels speed up the battle with the yellow backgrounds used to highlight moments of impact.

Don’t Skip Out On Shadowman #1

Shadowman #1 may not be the most impactful start to a series, but it does give new readers a chance to know Jack Boniface. Besides, action-horror thrives on how capable characters like him are against initial threats. It’s what this issue prepares in the background that will keep readers around.

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The Trials of School In MARVEL ACTION: SPIDER-MAN #1

By

Cat Wyatt

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IDW’s MARVEL ACTION: SPIDER-MAN #1, available March 31^st, is about to throw Peter Parker back into school – his favorite years. Sarah Graley, Stef Purenins, Philip Murphy, Maria Keane, Ronda Pattison, and Shawn Lee are at the helm of this latest Spider-Man attraction.

Marvel Action: Spider-Man #1 is the start of the third series of its kind. Once again, Peter Parker is the focus. His origin has been set, but his time in school is not complete. That makes this series pretty approachable for all audiences, knowing full well what sort of messes he’ll get up to in the meantime.

It’s worth mentioning that the school Peter is attending is…not a standard one. He’s heading to Oscorp Charter School, and fans that know his history well can probably safely start guessing what exactly is going on inside that building.

One small change is the perfect setup to lots of surprises, new plots, and interesting twists. Making this a fun Spider-Man adventure for all.

The Writing

Written by Sarah Graley and Stef Purenins, Marvel Action: Spider-Man #1 is a blast to read. It’s a lighter version of the sometimes overly heavy series many fans are familiar with. Yet there’s no doubt that mischief is just around the corner.

Sometimes literally, as the case may be. This series is already doing a solid job of showcasing the work/life balance that Peter just never seems to get a grip on. The struggle is real, especially in this series. The inclusion of his school (and the implications surrounding the faculty) make that pretty clear.

It’s worth noting that those who are familiar with Peter’s story will pick up on the implications right away. But a younger reader might not know what is about to happen and thus really enjoy the surprises that certainly await. It’s a nice balance, creating something nostalgic for some fans to read into while setting up surprises for a new audience.

Overall, Spider-Man #1 is proving to be the start of a fun and light series. While it may get darker at times, I doubt it will ever reach the heaviness that Parker’s series is sometimes known for (still miss you, Uncle Ben).

The Art

Marvel Action: Spider-Man #1 had a full team of artists helping to bring Peter’s latest adventure to life. Philip Murphy (art), Maria Keane (inks), Ronda Pattison (colors), Shawn Lee (letters) were all involved in this project.

Much like the story itself, this issue is full of a lighter style of artwork – one that almost feels bubbly at times. Peter’s proportions are played with from time to time, but it actually enhances the feeling that he’s constantly in motion.

Admittedly, the fight scenes in this issue are a lot more fun than usual, but for a different reason. The villains (by villains, I mean thugs – not proper antagonists) are goofy and heavily stylized in their wardrobes. It’s entertaining and adds a bit of levity to the situation.

This series’s reactions are over-the-top and humorous, making it pretty clear who the intended audience is. Still, it adds a certain amount of charm to the series as a whole and makes Peter come off as being even more endearing.

Conclusion

Marvel Action: Spider-Man #1 is a fun, lighthearted, and entertaining introduction to this latest Marvel Action series. It’s perfect for fans of all ages, especially if they’re looking for something a little less gruesome. There’s no doubt that this series has charm, and it intends to use it to keep readers coming back.

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Blue Wraith’s War In DRAGON AGE: DARK FORTRESS #1

By

Cat Wyatt

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Dark Horse’s DRAGON AGE: DARK FORTRESS #1, available Wednesday, March 31, is the start of a new Dragon Age adventure. Written by Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir, with artwork by Fernando Heinz Furukawa, Sebastian Heinz, and Michael Atiyeh, this series is ideal for fans of the BioWare game.

A flashback to set the scene, and start the series off right.

While Dragon Age: Dark Fortress #1 is the start of a new series, it does bring back many familiar faces. The games introduced characters like Blue Wraith into the mix, while the comics carried their stories onward.

Dark Fortress may be the most recent Dragon Age comic series – but it is not the first. It’s not even the first one including the same characters. Fans could pick up the story here, but the story will make more sense if they have read Dragon Age: Blue Wraith at the very least.

This is the first issue in a three-part miniseries, so buckle up and get ready for a whirlwind adventure. There won’t be a lot of time for hand-holding, but there will be plenty of action – we can safely assume that much based on the previous series.

That would be nightmare-inducing – literally.

The Writing

Dragon Age: Dark Fortress #1 is the start of yet another venture to save Thedas. It’s a plot that Dragon Age fans are familiar with. But probably not a plot we’ll grow tired of anytime soon. Written by Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir, Dark Fortress #1 wastes no time, throwing readers right into the thick of things.

For that reason, I feel like readers would do better having read some of the previous series beforehand. Many of the characters, their history, and their motivations might not make as much sense without that context. Though gamers will naturally recognize certain characters, so that is a plus. Everything else in the book can be inferred – it just takes more work.

Interestingly, while the series does kick off with a point of action, it is also an emotionally charged scene. One that provides a stronger connection to Ser Aaron. Does that imply that his role (or history) will be pivotal in what is to come? Only time will tell.

The issue also works to get readers caught up in some of the motivations for the other characters. Though naturally, there isn’t all that much time to do so. Some characters get left by the wayside, while the more relevant (and intense) emotions take center stage.

Meanwhile, other characters are struggling to deal with more recent events.

The Art

Dragon Age: Dark Fortress #1 is a stunning piece of work. Fernando Heinz Furukawa, Sebastian Heinz, Michael Atiyeh, and Nate Piekos of Blambot did a fantastic job of capturing that iconic Dragon Age look.

Granted, there are some changes – there always are when changing from one medium to another. The characters all match the style—especially those that made an appearance in any of the games (for obvious reasons).

In this instance, they all seem to look especially tired, worn out, or in some cases, emotionally compromised. The artistic team did an excellent job of portraying all of that, despite the variety of causes.

The colors and backgrounds found within Dark Fortress #1 are breathtaking. They are always in bold contrast with the characters. There are many shifts in perspectives and scenes within this issue. And the backgrounds are one of the easiest ways to tell when that has occurred.

Conclusion

Dragon Age: Dark Fortress #1 is a tense and thrilling start to a new adventure. It’s perfect for fans of both the games and the comics. It has been fascinating to see how the story progresses with each series, and this time will be no exception.

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