THE UNION #1 hits your local comic book store December 2nd, but thanks to Marvel Comics, Monkeys Fighting Robots has an exclusive four-page preview for you.
About the issue: The grand unveiling of The Union! A team of super heroes gathered from all over the United Kingdom, featuring Union Jack, Snakes, Kelpie, Choir, and their fearless leader, Brittania! But when disaster strikes on their first public debut the fledgling team is immediately pushed to their limits!
THE UNION #1 is by writer Paul Grist and artist Andrea Di Vito (with Grist also working on pencils). Inks are by Drew Geraci and Le Beau Underwood (also with Grist), colors are by Nolan Woodard, and letters are by Travis Lanham. R.B. Silva and David Curiel did the main cover.
The five-issue miniseries is spinning out of Marvel’s KING IN BLACK crossover event, which also begins on December 2nd.
Check out the UNION #1 preview below:
Are you looking forward to THE UNION? Sound off in the comments!
Marvel Comics readers who’ve enjoyed the X of Swords event wrapping up this week won’t have to wait long for the next chapter in Mutant history. Marvel has announced the next event from Jonathan Hickman will launch this December with REIGN OF X.
Says Marvel about the new event: “The REIGN OF X will see the forming of new teams, the return of major characters, new threats brought about by classic villains, and more game-changing revelations that will alter the X-Men mythos forever!”
You can check out a preview of the first issue’s cover and read the full Marvel press release below.
Are you ready for another Hickman/Marvel event? Did X of Swords leave you wanting more? Let us know what you think in the Comments section, and please share this post on social media using the links below.
AFTER THE DAWN COMES THE REIGN
Reign of X begins this December!
New York, NY— November 25, 2020 — Today, fans witnessed the startling conclusion of X of Swords, the sprawling crossover that represented the latest chapter in Jonathan Hickman’s grand vision for the X-Men, and learned that the REIGN OF X was upon us!
Hickman’s bold take on mutantkind began last year in the critically-acclaimed House ofX and Powers of X and continued in the Dawn of X, ushering in a slate of brand-new X-Men titles that took the comic book industry by storm. Now, the saga continues in REIGN OF X, a new era encompassing the upcoming story arcs in all your favorite X-titles. The REIGN OF X will see the forming of new teams, the return of major characters, new threats brought about by classic villains, and more game-changing revelations that will alter the X-Men mythos forever! Check out what’s to come in a mesmerizing teaser image by superstar X-Men artist Mahmud Asrar!
“The REIGN OF X is upon us … and here’s a sneak peek of what it will bring! Like Dawn of X and X of Swords before it, REIGN OF X has been meticulously crafted by Jonathan Hickman and all the other uncanny X-writers of our day, and we can’t wait for you to see what they’ve cooked up!” Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski explains. “In the meantime, eagle-eyed readers should take a CLOSE look at this magnificent montage of mutants drawn by Mahmud Asrar. Everything on this image was included for a reason and will have heart-pounding pay-offs in the near future for our favorite Krakoans. After the dawn comes the reign, and what a reign it will be!”
It all begins in December as the X-Men deal with the fallout of X of Swords and look to the future. Here’s what’s to come next month:
HELLIONS #7 by writer Zeb Wells and artist Stephen Segovia will explore the aftermath of the team’s brutal massacre in X of Swords.
Writer Leah Williams and artist David Baldeon continue to investigate mutant deaths and explore the complexities that come with resurrection in X-FACTOR #5.
Kate Pryde and Emma Frost finally enact their long-awaited revenge on Sebastian Shaw in MARAUDERS #16 by writer Gerry Duggan and artist Stefano Caselli.
Mutantkind sets their sights on the galaxy and beyond in writer Al Ewing and artist Valerie Schiti’s groundbreaking S.W.O.R.D. #1.
An old foe rises in NEW MUTANTS #14, the beginning of a wild new era for your favorite young mutants by writer Vita Ayala and artist Rod Reis.
Wolverine reunites with Maverick and Team X in WOLVERINE #8, a special over-sized milestone issue written by Benjamin Percy with art by Adam Kubert and Viktor Bogdanovic.
The search for Captain Britain is underway as Excalibur returns to Otherworld in EXCALIBUR #16 by writer Tini Howard and artist Marcus To.
X-Force will stop at nothing to protect Krakoa, even if it means interrogating their own, in the action-packed X-FORCE #15 by writer Benjamin Percy and Marvel’s Stormbreaker artist Joshua Cassara.
And Cyclops makes a fateful decision regarding the future of the X-Men in X-MEN #16, written by Jonathan Hickman with art by Phil Noto.
The future of mutantkind is here! Don’t miss X-Men history in the making when REIGN OF X begins next week! For more information, visit Marvel.com.
SPAWN #312 hits comic book stores on Wednesday, November 25th, bringing readers closer to the impending conflict between Hellspawn and the forces of both Heaven and Hell. This story jumps between many characters’ perspectives to give their take on these events, giving readers a chance to connect with figures other than Al Simmons himself. The result is a tale full of surprises each Hellspawn must face in their own way.
Story
Building off of the previous issues’ events, #312 expands upon Simmons’s recent breach of time itself. The story hones in on multiple versions of Hellspawn facing the ramifications of this reality, ranging from Gunslinger Spawn to Jessica Priest.
Each Hellspawn reacts differently to the impending threat. Gunslinger faces a horde of demons head-on, Priest carelessly runs about as if nothing is different, and Simmons spends his time hectically planning for what’s next.
Todd McFarlane’s narrative further differentiates each Hellspawn, showcasing each of their unique personalities. This helps readers fall in love with those characters that entertain them the most.
Artwork
This issue’s illustrations are astounding in their ability to capture the story’s action. Carlo Barberi’s penciling and ink work, alongside Peter Steigerwald and Jay David Ramos’s coloring, brings each character to life. The dark shades of black mixed with bright reds shows how each Hellspawn is connected despite their unique outfits. We also loved how Tom Orzechowski’s lettering placed the focus on Simmons’ by casting his dailogue within jagged, black borders.
Conclusion
SPAWN #312 is an epic connecting story that sets the stage for action on multiple fronts. While not the main tale in the Cult of Omega arc, this issue is integral in its effective character development.
Who do you think is the most powerful Hellspawn right now? Let us know in the comments below!
X of Swords Destruction out this week from Marvel Comics is the finale to the X of Swords crossover. Writers Jonathan Hickman and Tini Howard end the emotional arc of Apocalypse along with other events. Artist Pepe Larraz displays the scale of the stakes through its many characters. Colorist Marte Garcia converges the many sides from the numerous series together through bright colors. Letterer Clayton Cowles and designer Tom Muller add the details to bring the story together.
X of Swords Destruction: Tarot Meanings
Hickman and Howard put a lot into X of Swords as a whole; so much it’s impossible to fit everything in 44 pages. X of Swords Destruction #1 main achievement is the character development of Apocalypse. Apocalypse’s main motivation comes less out of his usual Social Darwinism and more out of love. The lengths he goes to reclaim his wife, Genesis, from the demonic Annihilation shows a new dynamic. Gone is the mutant overlord doing whatever it takes to win; his “humbling experience” from his own children displays a vulnerability that humanizes him. This same experience is what empowers Apocalypse to overcome what Genesis couldn’t and end the conflict.
When it comes to the rest of the plot threads leading up to X of Swords Destruction #1, it seems they are sidelined. Despite elements from Cable, Marauders, and a set-up to the upcoming S.W.O.R.D. series by Al Ewing, they feel more aesthetic. It’s almost as if this part of the finale is less of a conclusion and more of an advertisement. Many questions arise, like what happened to Solem, who vanished for no reason? Again this seems like setting up for a sequel that kind of spoils the overall story’s experience.
A Smorgasbord Of Appearances
X of Swords Destruction #1 features dynamic artwork by Pepe Larraz, particularly his ability to draw epic scenery. The many characters he can draw in one panel are remarkable with how the X-Men stand out among their enemies. The page with the Annihilation mask meanwhile shows the conflict between Annihilation, Genesis, and Apocalypse perfectly. With how reflections in the mask distort and form, it perfectly encapsulates the chaos going on around everything.
In the meantime, Marte Garcia takes the opportunity to tribute the other series that makeup X of Swords Destruction #1. Bright colors are used to indicate elements from different Dawn of X series; green for Cable, blue for X-Men, and (usually) purple for Excalibur. VC’s Clayton Cowles as letterer drives home the conflict with Annihilation with its black word balloons trying to overtake its host’s white ones. To top it all off, Tom Muller’s infographics fill the reader in on what they might miss between the panels.
X of Swords Destruction: Ready For The Next
As X of Swords Destruction ends its run, a new chapter in Dawn of X is ready for readers. With Apocalypse completing his arc, only time will tell what the future has in store.
WEREWOLF BY NIGHT #2, available from Marvel Comics on November 25th, cuts Jake’s teeth with his first big monster battle while Red Wolf and JJ track him down. Written by Taboo and Benjamin Earl, this issue reveals some interesting tidbits for the future.
Cover Art
Mike McKone’s cover is exactly what a reader is looking for in a monster brawl. Jake, in werewolf form, slashes and rips his way through the hybrids with feral energy. Amid the chaos, you’re instantly drawn to Jake’s eyes as his inner monster takes over the fight.
Writing
Picking up immediately after the end of issue #1 (read our Werewolf By Night #1 review here), Jake dives into an animalistic battle with the hybrids to save the caravan captives. The next morning, a battered but healing Jake finds he’s now on the run from the local law, Red Wolf, JJ, and the mercenaries hired by the Life Corporation.
The writing by Taboo and Benjamin Earl here – in a word – okay. This issue is more setup than a story with not much forward progress in the arc. It’s still an original premise, but it needs weight or emotional depth. I want to be invested in Jake’s situation, but you never get the sense he’s in any real danger or that he’s bothered by the burden of his curse, or that he feels much of anything.
The parts are there, the dialog is generally good, and the plot largely makes sense, but I need a reason to care about these characters. Right now, that’s the missing piece.
Pencils/Inks
Scot Eaton and Scott Hanna’s art for this issue is fairly solid. Of course, the big selling point for this issue is Jake’s epic battle. Eaton and Hanna deliver on that front.
Jake’s werewolf is full-on powerful in every frame. The leaping, slashing, stabbing, and biting acrobatics fill nearly every panel beautifully.
As a bonus, there’s an interesting few pages where Jake dreams of the werewolves in history, and it’s a treat to see Eaton and Hanna’s take on different werewolf forms. I especially liked the homage to the original Werewolf By Night. Overall, this was a visually enjoyable issue from Eaton and Hanna.
Coloring
Miroslav Mrva’s earned praise in issue #1 for the excellent application of moonlight glow on the desert scenes for authenticity. Mrva scores again with beautiful reds and yellows during a desert sunset. Color is the musical score of a comic, and Mrva shows fantastic mood energy in the colorwork here.
Lettering
VC’s Joe Sabino is fairly solid in the placement and readability. But somehow, the lettering did not integrate well with the artwork in this issue. The word bubbles and caption boxes are much brighter and sharper than the panels they inhabit. In isolation, the lettering is good. Combined with the art, it doesn’t mesh well.
Conclusion
WEREWOLF BY NIGHT #2, available from Marvel Comics on November 25th, takes a few steps forward on the story and treats the reader with strong visuals. If the writers can add some emotional punch, this has the potential to be a memorable book. WEREWOLF BY NIGHT #2 is a guarded recommendation.
X-O MANOWAR #2, available from Valiant Entertainment on November 25th, brings Aric face-to-face with the consequences of superheroes intervening in global conflicts. Dennis “Hopeless” Hallum’s story is equal parts robot smashing and social conundrum, and it proves to be this reviewer’s pick of the week.
Cover Art
Christian Ward’s painting of Aric striking a powerful pose is a strong cover. Aric stands out against the swirling cosmos, ready for battle. His fiery sword quickly captures the reader’s attention, but the cover lacks movement or energy. Otherwise, it’s a gorgeous cover.
Writing
Whew! This book’s been on hiatus for eight months, so I admit I had to go back to re-read issue #1 to remember what’s going on (read the MFR review of X-O Manowar #1 here). A robot accosts Aric while he flies in to stop a warzone battle in Ukraine. Issue #2 picks right up with Aric’s battle with the robot, only to learn the robot is a lure for a potentially more dangerous enemy …or is it an ally?
Hallum wisely toned down the fish-out-of-water elements from the first issue to focus on Aric’s obvious strengths while fighting battles on multiple fronts. Ultimately, Aric is confronted with the dilemma of choosing to interfere in human conflict to save lives versus non-interference in the natural evolution of governmental conflict. While not necessarily original, Hallum’s presentation of this dilemma takes this title to a deeper level of interest.
The story is well-paced, the action is exciting, and the arrival of the villain(s) and their “offer” makes for a mature and dramatic sophomore issue in the series.
Pencils/Inks
One of the main critiques from issue #1 was the claustrophobic panel design mixed with the rough art style. You couldn’t tell what was going on in some of the panels.
I’m pleased to report this issue has significantly better art. Emilio Laiso stepped up big time with more splash pages and full-length panels to let the art breathe when it needed it. Penciling and inking are more precise and detailed. I get a much better sense of what’s going on, even in the smaller panels.
It’s not just the skill that’s improved, but the visual storytelling is bigger and more epic. The opening fight sequence is hard-hitting, and the secondary attack by [REDACTED] is big enough to impress on you the horror of what’s happening. Laiso made this issue superior in every way to its predecessor.
Coloring
Ruth Redmond is the master of pop with this issue. Every panel that shows Aric in armor is bold. His golden armor highlights stand out to imply power. The boldest highlight comes during the explosion scenes near the end of the book where Aric is drenched with scorching flames as he howls in anger over the attack. It’s an impressive display by Redmond.
Lettering
Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou completes this issue’s fine artwork with loud, ragged paint strokes to depict the BOOM’s of the final explosion. It’s messy, ugly, and loud… just as an explosion should be—excellent lettering work here by Otsmane-Elhaou.
Conclusion
X-O MANOWAR #2, available from Valiant Entertainment on November 25th, improves on the first issue by magnitudes with better art, more thoughtful storytelling, an enigmatic villain (or ally?), and a strong moral dilemma for our hero. This is my highest recommended book of the week.
STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA #6, available Wednesday from Marvel Comics, brings us back to a character that is very talented at getting in over her head. Way over her head, as recent events have happily proven.
We’d advise against getting in her way…
It is well known that Doctor Aphra has a way of getting in over her head. That’s pretty obvious by now, right? After all, she got wrapped up in Darth Vader’s story, and instead of running for her life at the first opportunity, she continued with her planning.
Now, in Doctor Aphra #6, it looks like Aphra is about to start messing with another strong player in this universe. Granted, Domina Tagge is no Darth Vader, but she still has plenty of power to wield.
As the events in the previous issue proved, and will likely prove again in what is to come. That raises the question, how is Doctor Aphra going to get herself out of this situation? Or rather, what scheme is she going to come up with next?
Regal yet terrifying. Perhaps she will be the perfect counter to Doctor Aphra.
The Writing
Doctor Aphra #6 does an excellent job of setting Domina Tagge up as a woman not to be messed with. All of her power – and her decision making – is quickly put on display, through a lot of careful writing on Alyssa Wong’s part.
It certainly set the scene for what is to come. As did the introduction to this issue, for that matter. It was all quite clever, with hints of sardonic humor woven throughout. It seems like a new match for Doctor Aphra has formally been introduced.
This is an issue full of action and drama, of the sort that only Doctor Aphra can bring to bear. If you’ve read her past issues, then you can probably guess at least some of that content. With the action comes a hint of humor, as characters interact and get in each other’s way. Again, that’s something very familiar for her series.
Doctor Aphra #6 is full of intrigue as well, as the whole issue is really setting up for something more. A bit of a surprise there, as the previous issue would have led us to believe that a major confrontation was waiting.
That bounty is surely going to make Aphra’s life a bit more difficult.
The Art
The artwork in Doctor Aphra #6 is another impressive addition to her collection, as Aphra bounces around the galaxy, making friends and enemies at the same time. There are a variety of scenes portrayed within these pages, and every one is worth checking out.
Ray-Anthony Height (pencils), Robert Gill (pencils), and Victor Olazaba (inks) created some tense scenes here. Some are full of movement and action, while others simply full of strong, stubborn, and slightly terrifying women. Domina Tagge looks particularly regal, in a simple yet elegant gown.
Rachelle Rosenberg’s colors make everything pop, and then some. Her beautiful purple and starry backdrops are to die for, while the characters are given vibrant accentuations that make them stand out.
VC’s Joe Caramagna’s letters are the icing on the cake, so to speak. The subtle sound effects feel real, thanks in part to Aphra’s reactions, and in part to the placement and design of the letters themselves.
Even Black K can’t resist that amount of credits. No real surprise there.
Conclusion
Doctor Aphra #6 is another action-filled issue, but one with several twists along the way. In many ways, it parallels other major adventures for Aphra. That doesn’t bode well, even while leaving an opening for something exciting in Doctor Aphra #7.
FIREFLY: WATCH HOW I SOAR, available Wednesday from BOOM! Studios, provides some unique inside into a long-standing favorite from the show Firefly. Hoban ‘Wash’ Washburne takes center stage for this adventure.
A dark introduction to Firefly: Watch How I Soar.
Perhaps this should go without saying, but if you’re a fan of Firefly, yet haven’t seen Serenity yet, don’t read Wash’s story, unless you want some major spoilers. Likewise, reading the rest of this review may not be the best idea.
Firefly: Watch How I Soar is a graphic novel that collects five stories of the one and only Wash, pilot of Serenity. These stories revolve around the ultimate fate for Wash, the one waiting for him at the end of Serenity.
Coming alongside these five stories is a massive creative team, with Jeff Jensen, Ethan Young, Jorge Corona, Jared Cullum, Giannis Milonogiannis, Jorge Monlongo, and Jordi Perez all lending a hand to make the project fly.
Wash’s love of dinosaurs is still going strong.
The Writing
As mentioned above, there’s no escaping Wash’s fate in Firefly: Watch How I Soar. Naturally, that’s going to make this read a bit sobering, right out of the gate. These are the stories and images that popped into his head in those final moments.
Yet there is something beautifully uplifting about these five stories. Not just because they’re what Wash himself treasured, but because Wash truly was a positive person. Those bright traits shine through in, both in the subject and the writing itself.
The whole tale begins far in the past, showing off a very young (and adorable) Wash. It explains so much about his origins – and his fascinations. From there, the stories continue to show Wash growing up, making a point of showing those moments that helped make him the character we all know and love.
Except for the last story, which is quite the twist. I’m not entirely sure if this story helps to soothe the ache, or if it actually managed to tear open an old wound that fans had long thought healed. Perhaps it did a little bit of both.
Has Wash ever looked so exasperated?
The Art
Firefly: Watch How I Soar is a fantastic example of varied artwork. Each story, every single jump in time, brings with it a new style. It’s actually quite clever, and certainly worked well to keep things fresh.
The first art style portrayed has a very strong sense of flow, as Zoe and Wash sometimes literally float across the pages. It’s evocative, representing both their love, and the future that waits for Wash.
One of the most dramatic transitions makes a jump to what almost feels like watercolors, at least for a moment there. The colors are muted, with soft edges all around. Amazingly, that doesn’t take away any impact from Wash’s flying skills. If anything, it enhances them.
Other styles feel more classic, sometimes leaning towards a cartoon style. Each one has a different focus. The transitions in art style makes each change in scenery clear, without a word ever having to be spoken.
There are many details and moments worth noting and commenting on, but to talk about them in detail would spoiler many of the small surprises found within. One thing is clear, this entire graphic novel really did capture everything that made Wash who he is, and it shows.
A swampy beginning to this story, full of Wash’s imagination and more.
Conclusion
Firefly: Watch How I Soar is a little bit of everything. It’s heartwarming, it’s heartbreaking. It is the past, and the future. Any fan of Wash will likely enjoy this collection, for the past it portrays, and the future that could have been.
The Croods: A New Age is sure to have families across the world laughing this Thanksgiving. A worthy sequel pitting The titular family against their biggest challenge yet, another family. This is a slight improvement over the original’s weak story, and there’s a lot more heart this time around. It effectively establishes a purpose, which was lacking in its predecessor makes this a superior sequel.
Dreamworks’ follow-up delivers a story smothered in heart, colorful animation, and a message of accepting each other’s differences. The star-studded cast returns, the jokes are in large quantity, and it’s just an overall good time. The Croods: A New Age corrects the previous errors and is easily one of the best animated films this year. Directed by Joel Crawford, The Croods: A New Age stars Nicholas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Peter Dinklage, Leslie Mann, and Kelly Marie Tran. The Croods have come across their biggest threat, the Betterman’s, a more evolved form of humanity. Guy (Reynolds), who is searching for his tomorrow with Eep (Stone), begins to act differently after reconnecting with old friends. The two families are at war until a threat arises forcing them to put their differences aside.
Eep Crood and Hope Betterman in The Croods: A New Age
The film was penned by Paul Fisher, Bob Logan, and Kevin and Dan Hagerman who have collaborated in the best way here. Eep and Guy seem to have a steady relationship, but Grug (Cage), her father is still determined to keep the pack together. Once the Betterman’s are introduced the film takes off because they are a contrast to our titular family, so they instantly look down on them. The Croods love their caveman habits such as eating dry twigs for dinner, but the Betterman’s prefer fine dining and more luxurious attractions. The writers create turmoil between the families by revealing that the Betterman’s are old friends of Guy and his parents.
How the film addresses different lifestyles and looking down on others for what makes them who they are is wonderful. Guy has been looking for his tomorrow ever since his parents passed, and he begins to overlook his findings when Hope Betterman (Tran), an old friend reunites with him. The development of The two feuding families is the film’s strongest aspect, as it highlights an important message about parenting, and how life experiences can shape everyone differently. Aside from its messages, The Croods: A New Age will keep audiences laughing from start to finish thanks to a few jokes, so this will be a hit this holiday season. The Croods: A New Age stumbles a bit once a new conflict is introduced, but manages to still wrap up on a high note.
The Croods arrive at the Bettermans in The Croods: A New Age
The cast delivers yet again, and the new additions fit right in as if they were here since the last film. Stone and Reynolds do a terrific job making the chemistry between Guy and Eep seem believable. The rivalry between Phil Betterman and Grug Crood is hilarious thanks to Dinklage and Cage, who have one of the years best fatherly feuds. Crawford’s directional debut is solid, as he has put together an animated blast that has something for everyone to appreciate. It’s a beautifully shot film that features superb animation, and it’s some of the best in recent memory. Crawford understands how to evoke emotions from his audience and the film’s color scheme this time around is a massive increase.
The Croods: A New Age was a much-needed improvement over its predecessor, and perhaps that’s why this one seems so great. Still, this sequel is well made and includes terrific voice work from a star-studded cast. A cast that will keep you glued throughout the entire runtime, but the film’s underlying messages might cause discomfort for some parents, or it could be an eye-opener for others. The Croods are back for more, and fans of the original should have fun with this latest outing.
POWER PACK #1, available from Marvel Comics on November 25th, brings the titular, super-powered siblings back together after years of fighting solo across time and space. This time their biggest threat is the US Government. Written by Ryan North with art by Nico Leon, this first issue in the series finds the kid team caught up in the Outlawed event when all they want to do is kick butt.
Cover Art
Ryan Stegman’s cover work for this inaugural issue is generally good. Katie Power is the focus of this cover, and that’s reflective of the internal story. With Katie and Julie fully powered up, they provide some strong visuals to leap off the cover. I would have liked to see more energy in the composition because it lacks oomph.
Writing
Shenanigans. North’s story is best summed up as Brady Bunch-style shenanigans. The kids get together after several years apart, fighting evil. It’s their parent’s wedding anniversary, but they do the best to sneak out of the house to fight a villain terrorizing an orphanage.
The lies and excuses they tell to sneak away from their parents are amusing but ridiculous. The dynamics of the kids feel very natural for siblings. And the strangely naive reaction of the parents to their ridiculous excuses is humorous. For the most part, it works as a quirky little book.
That said, what doesn’t make sense in this book is an overly long crayon story at the beginning where Katie imagines telling their parents about their lives as superheroes. Katie is depicted as somewhere in the 8-10-year-old age, but her crayon drawings and manner of speech are closer to a pre-schooler. It’s really offputting. Either the artist totally missed the mark on drawing Katie too old, or North’s writing completely misunderstands how a 10-year-old speaks, draws, and behaves. It’s difficult to look past this misstep when Katie is the central character in this issue.
Pencils/Inks
Nico Leon’s art style was an excellent choice for this book. Lon uses diffuse lines and curves to give every character and setting a softness that feels like a cartoon without being cartoonish. It makes the book very accessible for younger readers, and it plays up the silly tone very well.
In addition to the excellent lines, Leon demonstrates remarkable use of acting through body language. Jack, in particular, is slouching, grinning, fist-pumping, and high-fiving at every opportunity. Even when the kids aren’t fighting or doing anything heroic, Leon uses body language to instill a constant level of action throughout.
Colors
Rachelle Rosenberg is a perfect colorist for Leon’s art style. The shading is bright and sunny on every panel to set a consistently cheery mood. I often point out artists using deep, dark shadows to amplify drama, but it can work equally well to use bright light for cheery energy. Rosenberg pumps up the cheer to add a light-heartedness to an already fun story.
Lettering
VC’s Travis Lanham’s lettering is clear and well-paced for a fairly light issue. I enjoyed the fact that Lanham took the opportunity to inject a little fun into this issue with dinner table sounds like “SMOOCH” and radio musical notes. Lanham had some fun with this issue, and it shows.
Conclusion
POWER PACK #1, available from Marvel Comics on November 25th, is a light and cheery start for the super siblings’ return. Despite Katie’s bizarre characterization, the action is fun, and the family interactions are amusing. The bright art pulls it all together. POWER PACK #1 is a recommended read.
