Review: DECORUM #3 A Daring Approach To Art And Visual Storytelling

By

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DECORUM #3, available from Image Comics on July 22nd, introduces Neha Nori Sood to the assassin school and its head instructor for the first and, perhaps, last time. Jonathan Hickman’s story reads like a dystopian Pygmalion, and Mike Huddleston’s art attacks your eyes like an abstract, post-modern scrapbook.

Cover Art

Huddleston’s cover, a woman punching a hippo-headed opponent, is weird. The trippy design of the background and the bizarre character renderings are a perfect fit for what you can expect inside. That said, I have no idea what the cover means because it has absolutely nothing to do with the story. The figure on the left looks somewhat like the school’s headmaster, but who knows. It looks cool. It’s weird. And that’s about it.

Writing

What do you do with an uncouth street rat like Neha Nori Sood? You recruit her to become a classy assassin. Hickman has assembled a world-hopping chapter in the Decorum series, where Neha is finally introduced to the Sisterhood of Man assassin school for her training with Imogen’s recommendation.

The interaction between Neha and Imogen is the highlight of the issue. Imogen establishes herself very quickly as the seasoned and refined mentor to Neha’s diamond-in-the-rough personality. The freshman introductions at the assassin school are highly amusing, and the headmaster (mistress) can stand up against the toughest of the tough foul-mouthed drill sergeants. It’s a bizarre and surreal issue that’s definitely not boring.

Pencils/Inks

Huddleston’s art is an acquired taste. Nearly every page and panel is a different type of art style, which intentionally(?) imbalances the reader to the surroundings. It forces you to analyze and focus on each panel as an individual work of art. That approach may not be to everyone’s liking, and as mentioned in the intro, it feels very much like a post-modern scrapbook.

If there’s one area that seems at least somewhat off, it’s the abundance of nearly blank white pages. This appears to be a stylistic choice prevalent in other Hickman titles. Most notably the X-Men-related series. Between each chapter in the issue, you’ll have two or more blank pages with nothing more than a few symbols in one spot. That’s fine if you’re looking to re-imagine the comic version of THX-1138 (1971), but here it gets tedious and wasteful.

Coloring

Huddleston’s colors are as abstract as the pencils and inks. Seemingly inconsistent from panel to panel but appropriate for the subject within each individual panel. Sometimes the colors highlight a character to express mood. Sometimes the only color is shading on a random object to draw your attention. If there’s rhyme or reason to the coloring, it’s not immediately apparent. And so, the coloring is a perfect match with the rest of the issue.

Lettering

Rus Wooton’s lettering gets high marks for acting as the glue that holds this post-modern fever dream together. You can follow the dialog quickly and cleanly. The characters have distinctive voices that reflect their personalities. And the cadence and volume of the speaker’s word bubbles help to inform the relationships between the speakers, especially between Imogen and the school’s headmistress.

Conclusion

DECORUM #3, available from Image Comics on July 22nd, is an excellent book for its daring approach to art and visual storytelling. You’ll either love it or hate it, but you’ll certainly never be bored by it. Pick it up for something truly different.

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Review: Witches, Fairies, And Malorex’s. Oh, My! In CANTO AND THE CLOCKWORK FAIRIES

By

Gabriel Hernandez

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Canto and the Clockwork Fairies, Zucker cover

CANTO AND THE CLOCKWORK FAIRIES, available from IDW Publishing on July 22nd, is a simple tale about a clockwork knight and his pet Malorex attempting to save fairies from a wicked witch. David M. Booher’s charming fable, meshed with Drew Zucker’s fanciful art, makes for an entertaining bottle issue in the ongoing Canto saga.

Cover Art

Zucker tells you everything you need to know with a knockout cover. The extreme juxtaposition in size between Canto (who’s already vertically challenged among the folks he meets) and the diminutive fairy renders an appreciation for how small and frail the fairies really are. The lilt of the fairy’s wings and Canto’s look of wonder give you the impression he’s holding a delicate flower that could wither with a strong breeze. Zucker gives you both ends of the spectrum brought together in harmony with a solid, metal protector contrast with a tiny, frail life in need of protecting.

Writing

Booher’s story is as simple as fable’s get: Strong, determined knight, saves the damsel(s) from the evil witch in a cave. What it lacks in originality, Booher’s story more than makes up for in execution and charm.

Despite his short stature and childlike demeanor, Canto’s a courageous knight in the purest form. The Malorex (a giant, pink/purple dog-like animal) is the analog for Canto’s trusty steed. And the fairies, with their charm bracelet bell voices, are every helpless princess trope rolled into one. It may sound like criticism of cliche, but it really isn’t. What makes the obvious tropes so entertaining is the sheer wholesomeness of the story execution. Canto’s plucky determination, the Malorex’s Chewbacca-esque loyalty, and the witches’ malevolent penchant for mutilation all combine flawlessly.

Pencils/Inks

Zucker’s designs for the characters are both familiar and fresh at the same time. This is a form of “Clockwork Punk,” so the setting is high-fantasy medieval, but nearly every character is infused metal and gears to simulate wind-up technology in the biotech. It’s a subset of the techno-organic genres that don’t get enough attention and done well, and it works especially well here because placing it in a high-fantasy, medieval setting allows Zucker to get away with a lot of the design choices by implying magic, which is a very smart way.

Another area that I don’t touch on much in reviews is panel layout. Zucker’s panel choices here are very well done for cramming, on some pages, up to eight panels on a single page without looking cluttered. The panels in this issue are expertly executed, not only for being placed just right to guide the reader’s eye but also for knowing when to go as far to the other extreme of using a single panel for punch—nice job by Zucker in this issue.

Coloring

Vittori Astone’s colors are a great match for the subject matter. Most of the story takes place in the gloom of a nighttime forest or the torch-lit shadows of a cave, but the colors that need to stand out pop. Every detail is visible, from the flowing red of Canto’s scarf to the tiny rust speckles on his helmet. The sparkling blue glow of the witch’s wand crackles with electricity, and the orange glow stands of the furnace fire from Canto’s helmet stands out as a faux smile when the panel calls for it. All the elements of power and emotion are accomplished through Astone’s color work.

Lettering

Deron Bennett’s lettering stands out for the unique take on fairy speak. Through the use of colored fill on the fairies’ word balloons, you get a sense of musicality when they’re speaking. There is a little room for improvement here in that the font choice made the words a little hard to read on some of the panels. For future issues, this could be helped with using more bold in the fairies’ lettering or by using a font that’s more clear to read when using a reverse bold.

Conclusion

CANTO AND THE CLOCKWORK FAIRIES, available from IDW Publishing on July 22nd, is the simplest of fables but is thoroughly enjoyable for stellar art and overwhelming charm. This is a highly entertaining bottle issue that’s completely worth the price.

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How Crimes Go Unnoticed In WICKED THINGS #3

By

Cat Wyatt

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WickedThings_003_Cover_Main — Lottie is looking harried on the cover of Wicked Things #3.

WICKED THINGS #3, available Wednesday from Boom! Box continues the tale of Lottie Grote and all the trouble her investigative life has gotten her into. This is an issue full of frustration and irony.

***SPOILER WARNING***

Thanks to her talent and determination, Lottie has managed to make enemies out of more than one character. Now that’s all come back to bite her, as she’s been framed for murder. She received a break that wasn’t much of a break when given the opportunity (read: order) to assist the police in their cases instead.

This is something that would work a lot better if the police actually, you know, listened to her. But respect, and trust as well, must be earned. The real question is, how is Lottie going to go about earning it?

Think she’s about to beat somebody with that coffee pot?

The Writing

Wicked Things #3 was written by John Allison, a fact that is made clear as day once Lottie opens her mouth. Allison has a way of designing his characters, and Lottie is no exception to that rule. This is a character that gets herself into the most extraordinary of circumstances, and her reactions are accordingly overdramatic.

It isn’t just Lottie’s plight that makes this issue intriguing. There are many factors at play here from the police officer in charge of monitoring her, to the IT guy, and all the way back around to the criminals eluding the police.

It’s all connected, of course. Yet thus far, it’s only Lottie that can see how it all ties together. Though technically, one could argue the readers know as well, assuming they were able to follow her quick, intuitive leaps.

As per usual, the entire issue, while dealing with some serious undertones, does have it’s funny moments. Lottie’s reactions are the highlight, naturally, but there are other moments as well. But it’s the comedic timing in regards to the reveals that really sells the whole concept.

It looks like Lottie isn’t the only one getting stressed out.

The Art

Wicked Things #3 was illustrated by Max Sarin, who did a delightful job of bringing Lottie and her excursions (tantrums?) to life. Lottie’s expressions are as over the top as her reactions, and it’s actually perfect.

The colors bounce between being intentional mind-numbingly neutral to bright and vibrant. The juxtaposition of the color palette between panels should be jarring – but it isn’t. It just feels natural in connection to Lottie’s personality.

Okay, so the addition of cute little green skulls around Lottie’s head doesn’t hurt. However, those same skulls are certainly intended to be more sinister. It’s yet another element that fans have come to expect from this creative team, yet still feels so perfectly at home here.

Trapped in a stuffy room with windows that don’t open. Talk about a nightmare.

In Conclusion

This was another fascinating issue in Lottie’s story. Wicked Things #3 is setting up for something bigger, with criminals clearly working on a master plan (that has thus far been ignored). It’s an issue that could have been depressing, if not for the characters that filled the pages with their determination and hope. Now let’s see how long it takes for them to sort out the mess.

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Review: An Intense Fight For Survival Ends In SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #29

By

Anthony Wendel

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The final chapter of the Zombot saga arrives and an epic battle unfolds in Sonic The Hedgehog #29 by Ian Flynn, Adam Bryce Thomas, Matt Herms, and Shawn Lee. Sonic and his comrades have been pushed to their breaking point fighting against a threat without limits which turned friends into enemies. The wrap up to all this feels like what fans have been waiting for.

Summary

This is it! Sonic and the remaining members of the Restoration team-up for their final fight against the ultra powerful Deadly Six.

Writing

The Zombot arc has been going for a while (14 issues) but managed to keep a consistent level of interest through its run thanks to the intensity and drama the story carried. Only a grand ending would be enough to ensure this series wraps up in a tight little package. Luckily writer Ian Flynn delivers such a conclusion.

The fight scenes are intense and feel like they have weight. All of the characters are shown to be at the end of their ropes but willing to stand their ground to the very last moments. The battle takes up most of the issue but when it’s all over, the fans will find themselves in awe of what they just witnessed. No spoilers here at its too good of an issue to spoil.

Artwork

The artwork by Adam Bryce Thomas showcases a great flow from panel to panel. The attention to detail comes off especially well with showing how the characters are tired and scared as the battle reaches its climax. If you look closely in the panels you will also see a shoutout to Neon Genesis Evangelion, complete with an AT FIeld.

The colorwork by Matt Herms offers some intense mood lighting for the panels. Adding to the sense of distress and hopelessness, the coloring works to set the mode the heroes are drained and don’t think they are going to make it out of this one. The colors take center stage when a certain event takes place involving Silver and Sonic (again, no spoilers).

The lettering by Shawn Lee captures the emotions of the character as the battle unfolds. There is a special emphasis on conveying the fear and exhaustion the characters are carrying with them as the battle wages on. At the same time, the sound effects manage to be present but not distracting from the story which is always a welcomed sight.

Conclusion

Sonic The Hedgehog #29 is an ending intent on leaving a lasting impression. From here, Ian Flynn will be using the next two issues to wrap up this arc and prepare for a new writer to take over. The creator will have to bring their best work to match an ending this impactful.

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Review: The Gates Between Worlds Is Closing In BIRTHRIGHT #45

By

Gabriel Hernandez

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BIRTHRIGHT #45, available from Image Comics on July 22nd, follows the aftermath of Lore’s death as Mikey and his parents race to close the portal that joins Earth and Terrenos. Joshua Williamson has written a nail-biter with his co-creator artist, Andrei Bressan, that keeps you guessing if they’ll make it until the very last page.

Cover Art

Bressan has hidden little, subtle hints in the cover about the plot of the book. Blood flows from a fresh battle, a new day dawns, and a mother cradles her child. These small elements Bressan peppers into a single image summarize the plot beautifully.

Writing

Hang on to your butt because there’s a lot of speed going in 30+ pages. Williamson places characters like a Grandmaster in chess, continually moving and yet thinking twenty moves ahead. Mikey’s parents race to get the sigil in place on the Terrenos side of the portal. Brennan pushes the limits of magic beyond anything done before to close the portals in record time. And the monsters scramble to retreat through the portal and straight into Mikey’s parents.

Williamson’s story reads like a top-notch action movie where all the pieces have to fall into place, or it spells doom for the characters, and of course, a little wrinkle at the end sets up a perfectly executed cliffhanger on the last page. This is a high-adrenaline issue.

Pencils/Inks

Bressan’s artwork is surprisingly detailed when you consider the amount of thick line work used in this issue. It’s an interesting contrast. Bressan uses thick line borders for characters and objects to create a high contrast between them and their surroundings. That contrast gives the object of focus a dramatic weight. Bressan then uses fine lines to flesh out the details within the border. It gives the characters and almost embossed texture that’s very striking and visually interesting.

What’s equally striking is Bressan’s design for magic casting, “magic mode” looks like Brennan is on fire with energy and spells. It’s a unique look, and again, visually exciting.

Coloring

Adriano Lucas’ color work pops throughout the whole issue, particularly when magic spells and portals are cast. When Mikey’s parents step through a portal on the first page, the panel practically flares out with light, energy, and power. When Brennan is casting his spells, the energy streaks, flares, and blurs in such a way that it keeps your eyes glued right to the image. Impressive work.

Lettering

Pat Brosseau’s lettering works well for keeping the reader’s eye moving through the panels without bogging down the pace. What’s not obvious is Brosseau’s subtle execution of the use of italics whenever the speaker is speaking with urgency or multi-tasking. It’s a small trick, but what it does is provide an element of urgency to the words that you wouldn’t otherwise get unless you could hear it in the speaker’s voice.

Conclusion

BIRTHRIGHT #45, available from Image Comics on July 22nd, is an adrenaline-pumping, visually fascinating issue in the series. The story has great character interactions with a lot of heart as everyone races to the goal, and the artwork practically glows.

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NOMEN OMEN #7: A Tale Of Magic And Starting Over

By

Cat Wyatt

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NOMEN OMEN #7, available this Wednesday from Image Comics, is a tale of love, magic, grief, and loss. Becky has had her life altered forever by all of those and more. Now, it’s time for her to find the path forward.

***SPOILER WARNING***

Nomen Omen has been a strange and disturbing series from the first moment. It is the tale of Becky and how magic has permanently changed her life. From the moment her two mothers had her thrust into their lives, Becky has never quite been normal.

Now she’s on a path that there is no turning back from. In the process of trying to gain back the heart that was stolen from her (literally), Becky has changed herself and her abilities to suit those she must fight against.

In Nomen Omen #7, we’re about to find out how Becky has been coping with all of those changes, and what she’s going to do about it.

The Writing

This unusual and haunting tale continues in Nomen Omen #7. ‘Wicked Game’ Part Two brings yet more changes to the scene – and no shortage of concerning scenes. Written by Marco B. Bucci, this is an issue full of intrigue, coping, and alarm.

There are many questions raised in this issue. Many yet still require answers. Yet that feels perfectly natural in a plot as ethereal as this one. There is no such thing as an easy solution or an easy answer. It’s a lesson that Becky herself has had to learn the hard way.

The insight into what the other side has been up to is…concerning, to say the least. As are the implications for who and what they actually are. These scenes have gone a long way in upping the ante for what Becky is up against.

What’s more intriguing are the implications raised about the people in her life. Yes, some are just as human and ordinary as they appear. But others? Maybe not so much. Only time will tell what complications they’re going to bring to the mix.

The Art

The artwork within Nomen Omen #7 is both brilliant and beautiful, with alarming undertones strewn about. There are some truly stunning images to be found within this issue. As well as a few alarming scenes. There is one notable scene that may be alarming to some, so it’s worth noting that it’s a dream (one that is cut short).

Jacopo Camagni is the one behind the lines and colors, which is so impressive when you think about it. They single-handedly created a world that truly looks to be infused by magic (and all of the wicked things that come with it).

Once again, this issue has made heavy use of the black and white imagery, all of which is in high contrast to the exceptionally bright scenes the magic brings with it. To have both color and black and white panels in an issue may be disorienting, but it feels…right here.

Fabio Amelia was responsible for the lettering, and they went above and beyond here. While there was a lot left unsaid in this issue, they worked smoothly with everything that was actually verbalized, adding in a few details to catch the eyes.

A peek at what is to come in Nomen Omen #8.

In Conclusion

Nomen Omen #7 is arguably one of the most alarming reads of the series, which is saying something. Becky’s life has steadily transitioned from ‘slightly abnormal’ to fully ‘other,’ and the series reflects that.

This is an issue that raised a ton of questions and only answered a few. Now to see what path all of the hints will take.

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Preview: Marvel Unveils A Truck Load Of Treats For October

By

Gabriel Hernandez

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July 21, 2020

Official Handbook Of The Conan Universe, Kaluta cover

The Pull List is Marvel Comics’ weekly YouTube show dedicated to discussing upcoming titles. In this week’s episode, the hosts cover a bevvy of titles slated for release in October, and we have a sampling of some of the best bits for you.

The announcement video covers more detail on the previously announced X Of Swords event, a first look at a Conan omnibus, and more info on the recently announced Werewolf By Night reboot. You can check out the full video presentation, the official Marvel press release, and a few select preview images below from Marvel.

Which October title has you most excited? Let us know what you think in the Comments section, and please share this post on social media using the links below.

MARVEL’S THE PULL LIST UNVEILS EXCLUSIVE PREVIEWS FOR UPCOMING MARVEL COMICS IN OCTOBER

New York, NY— July 21, 2020 — Today, Marvel released its special edition of THE PULL LIST, unveiling exclusive information for the hottest books coming to comic shops this October!

Tucker Markus took the reins of this special previews announcement solo, presenting the first look at a few bleeding-edge Marvel comics, with info all about new series, art, and creative teams heading to your local comic shop in three months! This special previews announcement gave viewers a first look at the highly anticipated X-Men crossover, X OF SWORDS and the celebration of 50 years of Conan the Barbarian’s Marvel Comics legacy in CONAN THE BARBARIAN #15 THE OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF THE CONAN UNIVERSE ANNIVERSARY EDITION. This latest episode also teased new eras for both the Fantastic Four in FANTASTIC FOUR #25 and Captain Marvel in CAPTAIN MARVEL #25 and exciting starts for the brand new WEREWOLF BY NIGHT and the new CHAMPIONS. The Pull List also shed light on KING IN BLACK, the next chapter in Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman’s landmark run on VENOM coming in December!

For more information, check out this special episode of Marvel’s PULL LIST at https://marvel.com/octobercomics. Tune in to Marvel’s Pull List each week for more exclusive news and reveals!

X OF SWORDS: STASIS #1

Written by TINI HOWARD & JONATHAN HICKMAN

Art by PEPE LARRAZ & MAHMUD ASRAR

Cover by PEPE LARRAZ

THE OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF THE CONAN UNIVERSE ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Written by ALAN ZELENETZ

Cover by MICHAEL KALUTA

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #15

Written by JIM ZUB

Art by ROGÊ ANTÔNIO

Cover by E.M. GIST

FANTASTIC FOUR #25

Written by DAN SLOTT

Art by R.B. SILVA

Cover by MARK BROOKS

CAPTAIN MARVEL #22

Written by KELLY THOMPSON

Art by LEE GARBETT

Cover by JORGE MOLINA

WEREWOLF BY NIGHT #1

Written by TABOO & BENJAMIN JACKENDOFF

Art by SCOT EATON

COVER by MIKE MCKONE

CHAMPIONS #1

Written by EVE L. EWING

Art by SIMONE DI MEO

Cover by TONI INFANTE

KING IN BLACK #1

Written by DONNY CATES

Art and Cover by RYAN STEGMAN

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When Determination Knows No Bounds In BATGIRL #47

By

Cat Wyatt

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BATGIRL #47, available now from DC Comics, is about to tie Batgirl’s plot with all of the chaos and danger that has been born from Batman’s series. As it turns out, no character is safe from the rampage that is occurring.

***SPOILER WARNING***

The events in Batman’s series have been steadily affecting all of Bruce Wayne’s protege, and arguably with good reason. It’s not like the Joker has ever been known for mercy, and he’s proven determined to make Batman hurt.

Thus fans are about to find Barbara Gorden wrapped up in a mess in Batgirl #47. This moment was teased (and with terrifying effect) in the conclusion of last month’s Batgirl. Now to see how it all plays out.

Barbara Gorden has no idea what she’s in for in Batgirl #47.

The Writing

They say that eventually, everything will come full circle. Perhaps that is true. In Batgirl #47, readers will find a series of events alarming similar to Barbara’s past – with several twists, of course. Barbara has grown a lot since that fateful moment – a moment that has haunted her for years.

Cecil Castellucci has proven, time and time again, that she can handle tie-ins, and do so in creative ways. This time around, The Joker demands full attention, leaving little room for subplots. Yet there are still tendrils to be found, reminding readers of everything Barbara stands to lose. And to fight for.

This is an issue that presents itself as a nightmare, while really providing Barbara with that chance to face her demons. That’s the Joker, for anybody that missed it. Her past has frequently been defined by this monster. Until now, both Castellucci and Barbara put their foot down this time.

As such, this is an issue as empowering as it is harrowing. It’s precisely what Batgirl’s story needed when it comes to facing off against the Joker. Now to see how it’s going to play out from here.

A Caveat

If you’re reading any other DC series right now, you might have some questions. Such as how Batgirl can be in two places at once. Presumably, there’s something going on here, but it has yet to be explained.

Intentionally or not, some interesting mirroring elements are going on here. The conclusion of Nightwing #72 left Batgirl unconscious, with Punchline, Joker, and Nightwing standing above her. The ending for Batgirl #47 also concludes with Batgirl being unconscious, but she isn’t alone.

It’s hard to consolidate those two scenes. No matter how you look at it, Batgirl is left in a vulnerable position. In one scenario, she’s fighting to save her friend. In another, she’s standing up for herself – and everyone she loves.

Ultimately, readers are left with many questions. Questions that the rest of The Joker War will hopefully answer in time.

Like rotting flowers…that’s a horrifying implication, is it not?

The Art

The artwork inside Batgirl #47 was perfectly capable of keeping up with all of the turmoil and intensity thrown at it. This was a battle through and through – including a battle of the minds and wills. Batgirl’s determination was showcased beautifully here, complete with a visual representation of how far she’s willing to take the fight.

Robbi Rodriguez was the lead artist for this project. Their lines resulted in a dramatic confrontation between Babs and Joker becoming something so much more. The expressions on both characters hit all of the extremes possible – which makes sense, given who we’re talking about. The fight scene was compelling, as was everything revolving around it.

Jordie Bellaire provided the colors, and they likewise did a wonderful job here. The colors are bold and pop from the background, with certain elements demanding attention. Blood dripping down Joker’s pale face, Barbara’s bright hair, the bright blue of electricity short-circuiting. It all enhances the story.

Finally, Andworld Design was responsible for the lettering, and it was the final touch this issue needed. The placement and repetition of lettering here were shockingly intense, adding so much to the story – and the fear of what was to come.

In Conclusion

Batgirl #47 was a compelling addition to the Joker War, providing Barbara with a chance to shine brighter than ever. The intentional mirroring to the past increased the fear and tension while allowing for a moment of catharsis.

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Review: Hope, Tragedy, and Perspective in YASMEEN #1

By

Justin Munday

-

Writer Saif Ahmed and artist Fabiana Mascolo bring us the first chapter of the kind of character-driven story seldom seen in the world of Western comics – or stories in general. “Yasmeen” #1 is a beautifully constructed and intimately written comic about a young woman and her family attempting to move past the terrors they’ve experienced in the past by finding a new home in a new land. With excellent character writing and fitting artwork, this could easily go down as one of the best comics of its kind.

“Iraq, 2014. Life couldn’t be better for 16-year-old Yasmeen as her family is able to buy a big new house. Then ISIS invades Mosul. Yasmeen’s Shia family barely escapes, while Yasmeen us captured by terrorists and sees her uncle executed. Yasmeen is sold to an ISIS fighter as a slave and must relinquish her innocence in order to save her three new Yazidi friends who are punished with starvation. Two years later, Yasmeen is reunited with her family in the United States. Her parents are so happy to be reunited with Yasmeen that they fail to see the state of depression that she has fallen into after two years of slavery and torments. Now faced with a new life, Yasmeen must learn to survive in a society that both fears and hates her and must overcome the horrors of the past in an attempt to find herself again.”

Writing & Plot

Writer Saif Ahmed‘s script for “Yasmeen” #1 carries the tension of its plot by one of the most competent uses of flashback-cuts I’ve seen in recent comics. Yasmeen and her family are seen at moments in the present having to adjust to life as a Muslim family new to America. At the same time, the circumstances as to their move from Iraq pop up with growingly dire events in each sequence. Ahmed’s writing here provides clear details as to the context of the conflicts that have occurred in the Middle East involving ISIS, without ever throwing gobs of exposition at the reader. Instead, he uses the voices of the characters and their knowledge and faith to simply speak as one would imagine they normally would. There is no overhead narration, making all of the storytelling come across naturally while still being informative. This also allows the reader to become immersed in these characters’ lives, as Ahmed’s dialogue sensibilities are fantastic. Each member of Yasmeen’s family has a distinct personality, and they overall have a highly relatable family life that makes them a total joy to read – and makes the tragedies they endure that much more heartbreaking. Through this script, Ahmed demonstrates that he clearly understands how to let such an intimate story tell itself.

Art Direction

Of course, comic stories “tell themselves” based on how the artist decides to visualize the script. Fabiana Mascolo‘s artwork in “Yasmeen” #1 is full of vivid human detail and gorgeous colors that humanize its cast and endear the reader to Yasmeen’s story in the ways stellar comic art should. Mascolo’s soft pencils craft a variety of faces that bristle with genuine humanity and emotion. Happiness, hope, reluctance, indifference, and devastation ripple across the myriad characters of this story, and they are given life with a stunning color palette. Her light, muted color choice is still rife with variations of shade to provide an array of detail on everything from architecture, clothing, and the varied skin tones of the people on every page. Mascolo navigates Ahmed’s script with a focused direction, fixating her talents on pivotal moments both humorous and devastating. In this comic, much of what isn’t shown on the page is what’s the most disheartening, and the creative direction of both Ahmed’s plot writing and Mascolo’s visuals make this such an intimate chapter of loss and tragedy.

“Yasmeen” #1 is as brilliant an opening issue as a comic series can have, and it is also one of the best single issues I have read all year. Saif Ahmed’s wise character crafting and plot direction make for an intimate read, full of relatable people and heartwrenching emotions. Fabiana Mascolo’s soft but detailed visuals provide vivid life and direction for the reader to get sucked into. This story offers a perspective that not many of us here in the Western world get to see, and seeing such a story be so well-constructed makes it easily one of the most recommendale comics I’ve read this year. Be sure to order a copy of “Yasmeen” #1 from your local comic shop by its release on 7/22!

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Review: THE FLASH #758 Prepares For Zoom’s Endgame

By

Jose "Jody" Cardona

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The Flash Faces The Legion of Zoom

As we approach the end of Joshua Williamson’s run, The Flash faces his greatest foes once more. After the defeat of Paradox, Eobard Thawne traveled across time to gather the greatest enemies of the Flash to form a team. As Barry tries to figure out his nemesis’ master plan, he keeps the younger speedsters and Iris at arm’s length to protect them. To his horror, however, the Scarlet Speedster learns of this new team and can’t help but panic when Grodd, Trickster, Turtle, Golden Glider, and Captain Cold attack the city in several places. How can Barry be in four places at once?

**Some Spoilers Below**

Story:

The Flash Family quickly runs into the city as they assess the damage. The villains only attacked within the span of five minutes and thirteen seconds, a reference to Barry Allen’s birthday. It becomes apparent to Barry that his Rogues are making their crimes based around himself and not his alter-ego. Realizing that means anyone close to him is in danger, The Flash sends his family away as he prepares for the next attack. He heads to his childhood home, as that would be the next logical area that would be attacked. Instead of finding Thawne, however, Barry finds unexpected foes in his future children, the Tornado Twins.

This issue escalates exceptionally quickly, even for the second part of a two-parter. We go from assessing the damage to the flat-out defeat of Barry Allen within pages of each other. This isn’t entirely a bad thing. With Williamson’s run coming to an end with the next arc, we need to make sure the stakes have never been stacked higher, and honestly, and he does an excellent job with it. Even though we had a paradox-creating monster a few issues back, there is something more terrifying with what Thawne has planned.

The biggest problem I have with this issue was honestly the wasted potential of the Legion of Zoom. We still have the coming arc, so there is a chance to see more, but we only saw the villains attack the city while apart once. When The Flash shows up here, it’s really the Tornado Twins that do the heavy lifting. With Thawne’s final plan, it makes sense that we don’t get a savage beat down. However, with as much hype as we got since the end of Flash Age, you would expect a much more significant impact than there is.

Art:

We have two long time Flash artists returning for this issue, and they do a good job. The artist who covers most of the issue is Christian Duce, and any longtime reader of my reviews already knows his work on the series and how he succeeds in character designs. The stand out characters here are the Twins, giving them new menacing looks to fit their dark turn to evil. The other artist is Scott Kolins, who provides a terrifying fate for the Flash in the final pages. I won’t reveal what readers will see, but it sent a shiver of fear down this reviewer’s spine.

Conclusion:

Overall, this issue sets up the final arc pretty well. The plan of Eobard Thawne is one we’ve heard before in several comics, but the way it’s executed will have readers wanting to know more. The only real downside of the story is how underutilized the Legion of Zoom actually was, but for all we know, they’ll be back for the final story. The art team makes up for that little misstep with incredible artwork and character designs. This was a great issue as we move on towards the end.

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