Review: SPIDER-MAN: THE BLACK CAT STRIKES #1 Charms Readers

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Writers gave Peter Parker several romantic interests over the years. While Mary Jane and Gwen Stacey are the most iconic, his connection to Felicia Hardy (a.k.a. Black Cat) remains a recurring component of the books. That history is the focal point of Spider-Man: The Black Cat Strikes #1, out this week from Marvel Comics.

The book opens against the backdrop of an organized crime power vacuum in New York. We see Spider-Man interrupt Hammerhead’s crew carrying out a heist at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Everything goes as planned, but Black Cat shows up to retrieve a mysterious object hidden within one of the works, which sets in motion an intriguing story.

The Writing

Spider-Man: The Black Cat Strikes #1 delivers snappy writing, for the most part. Writer Dennis Hallum injects a ton of personality into the characters, making them feel simultaneously charming, yet believable.

An extended flashback detailing Peter and Felicia’s first meeting occupies a large chunk of the book. Slipping into a flashback before clearly establishing the main story isn’t typically advisable. However, Hallum manages to make it work here, using sharply-written dialogue to craft chemistry between Spidey and Cat. Some of Spider-Man’s dialogue is a bit awkward at points, but by and large, it’s a great showing.

While it’s nice to see these characters interact, it would be a pretty dull book without something to ground the narrative beyond the extended flashback. Fortunately, Hallum provides just enough of a hook behind Spider-Man: The Black Cat Strikes #1 to draw readers in. The storytelling is compelling throughout, with the book closing on a cliffhanger reveal.

The book doesn’t feel exceptionally dense or substantive from a thematic standpoint, nor does it feel like the opening chapter of a grand epic narrative. That’s not what Spider-Man: The Black Cat Strikes #1 is going for, though.

The writer’s strength here is the use of (mostly) excellent dialogue to sell the book’s charm. It feels like a smaller story, but it’s one that’s worth reading.

The Artwork

The illustrations by Luca Maresca do a solid job of bringing the action to life in Spider-Man: The Black Cat Strikes #1.

The artist tends to forego extensive detail. While some of the book’s backgrounds are finished, Maresca often opts for minimal or blank backgrounds accented by motion lines. This can cause a bit of confusion from time to time, as the reader doesn’t really have a frame of reference for the lay of the setting. The character designs are strong enough to compensate for the lack of though mise-en-scène, though.

Maresca’s characters feel very natural, possessing a lively, kinetic sense. They’re smoothly-stylized; with a very modern look to the designs. This dynamism carries over into the compositions as well, with panels constantly shifting perspective from one to the next. While there’s not as much of a continuum of motion from one panel to another, the lively action keeps things cohesive and engaging. The action on the page brings the characters to life and holds the reader’s attention. It’s a strong showing overall throughout Spider-Man: The Black Cat Strikes #1.

The colors by Rachelle Rosenberg contribute to the book’s stylized presentation. The artist employs an expansive palette, so there’s no especially dominant tone throughout. However, the softer look of the colors and the use of warm gradients give it a cohesive feel.

Final Thoughts

Spider-Man: The Black Cat Strikes #1 is a charming little story. The compelling characterization keeps the reader engaged, while the artwork is easy on the eye. I’d recommend it.

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Panel Breakdown: IRON MAN 2020 #1 By Dan Slott, Christos Gage, And Pete Woods

By

Matthew Sardo

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January 15, 2020

Panel Breakdown: IRON MAN 2020 #1 By Dan Slott, Christos Gage, And Pete Woods

Welcome to PANEL BREAKDOWN, a weekly series where we take a look at our favorite panels of a comic book. This week we are talking about the new Marvel Comics series Iron Man 2020 #1 (of 6) written by Dan Slott & Christos Gage, with art by Pete Woods, and you are reading Joe Caramagna’s letters.

Iron Man 2020 #1 is Slott and Gage’s setup for the Iron Man event of 2020 (aka read the title). Woods does a solid job with the interior artwork but also creates a breathtaking cover. There are two pages that have excellent panel layouts and we talk about them in the video below.

About Iron Man 2020 #1:

The future is now! Artificial Intelligences presents a clear and present danger to humanity and must be brought to heel! The Robot Rebellion battles for the establishment of robot rights! And Arno Stark IS Iron Man!

Do you have Iron Man 2020 on your pull-list, let me know what you think after you read it.

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HELLBOY: A Series on the Powers of Evil and Redemption

By

Zac Owens

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January 15, 2020

With Hellboy Winter Special 2019 hitting shelves this week, readers get the chance to delve back into the Mignolaverse. We see a miserly ghost given a second chance in the afterlife. Then we meet a twisted older man whose greed takes over him in a bloody climax. And we see men of God on a mission to stop an evil that may be more innocent than they expect. This particular winter special focuses on one of the things that make Hellboy such a moving series: the idea of redemption.

From its very premise, Hellboy and its titular character represent redemption. Hellboy is a demon from hell, summoned by Nazis to win the war. Yet Hellboy is our hero. The fact that he is a demon or Nazi-spawned, doesn’t stop Hellboy creator Mike Mignola from pushing us to believe in his humanity. By presenting us with the most maligned characters who feel deeply and love purely, and hiding evil in the most normal places, Mignola dares us to read books beyond their covers.

Ghosts, demons, monsters, and witches often find themselves in difficult circumstances in Mignola’s series. Circumstances of their own design. But even beyond damnation and consequences, their humanity outweighs their sins. Mignola supposes that perhaps the most human thing of all is to have a conscience. We may be tempted, even subdued, but it’s in the quiet moments when no one expects us to bounce back from our wicked ways, that our small acts of goodness send the monsters screaming.

HELLBOY IN HELL #4 by Mignola. Even in Hell, Sir Edward Grey begins the journey of his redemption and finds kindness and humanity among the creatures there.

Much of what Hellboy also deals with is the normalcy of evil. There is many an issue where it seems that it is Hellboy against the evil hordes of the world. And as I’ve mentioned, much of the evil is represented through ghouls and goblins. But the most sinister evils are always found in the most commonplace spots: Gentlemen’s clubs and board room meetings. The big baddies of this series and the companion series BPRD are, after all, a little girl and a monk.

BPRD: THE DEVIL YOU KNOW #1, written by Mike Mignola and Scott Allie, with art by Laurence Campbell. When it’s monsters and demons you can rest easy. But when it’s a little girl like Varvara, trouble is brewing.

So while Hellboy acts as an inspiration, it also acts as a parable to avoid evil. It warns us that evil most often creeps in through our wallets or our bitterness, rather than through witches and warlocks. But while we may commit evil acts, and surely we will, we are never beyond redemption. Mignola depicts the vilest creatures as having flutters of contrition. And if you still have a conscience, there’s always hope.

Pick up Hellboy Winter Special 2019 at your local comic book shop Wednesday, January 15th 2020.

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Review: IRON MAN 2020 #1 Feels Like The Start Of A Very Polarizing Event

By

Anthony Wendel

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The 2020 event starts here in Iron Man 2020 #1 thanks to Dan Slott, Christos Gage, Pete Woods, and VC’s Joe Caramagna. Will the new storyline be one for the ages, or is it heading down a dark road towards destruction?

Summary

The future is now! Artificial Intelligences presents a clear and present danger to humanity and must be brought to heel! The Robot Rebellion battles for the establishment of robot rights! And Arno Stark IS Iron Man!

Writing

You can say this much about Iron Man 2020 #1, it does make an impact. The issue makes it a point to show how Arno is different than Tony in many ways. From how he acts in his professional life, how he treats his parents, and how he performs as Iron Man. Arno is definitely not Tony. From there, it spells out how the Robot Uprising, which was building in the previous Iron Man series, has now reached its boiling point, and a lot of characters in the Marvel Universe will be affected. Iron Man 2020 #1 is a polarizing issue for sure.

After reading the issue, you are left with the feeling a lot is going to unfold but also saw a lot of extreme moments play out. The most straightforward comparison would be Mark Millar’s Civil War. During Civil War, Iron Man had to take the pro-registration side of the debate, lock up his vigilante comrades, and a lot of people looked negatively on him for his actions. Similarly, 2020 makes an extreme twist for a character and will result in fans of said character having to defend all the crazy actions which follow. It will be a divisive read for fans of Iron Man as they will either love or hate the idea.

Artwork

The artwork comes out fantastically, thanks to Pete Woods taking on pencils, inks, and coloring. There is a phenomenal two-page panel featuring as many robotic characters of Marvel Comics as possible. Quasimodo and H.E.R.B.I.E. are hanging out at a party together. Be on the lookout for Easter Eggs of forgotten characters present in the room. There are a lot of intense moments, and by contributing all the effort themselves, it feels like Woods accomplished a great deal.

The lettering by Joe Caramagna offers a significant auditory aspect to the issue. Once the leader of the Robot Rebellion is revealed, the chanting at the end of the issue is strong evidence of this. There are also some very imaginative ways the more extreme dialogue was censored.

Conclusion

The 2020 event seems like it is taking some big risk, and it doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence from the start. Iron Man 2020 #1 has set the stakes and shown some very intense players on both sides of the board. Sadly, if it doesn’t unfold just the right way, many may feel cheated about defending the path characters are taking.

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The Cost of Being A Superhero in RUNAWAYS #29

By

Cat Wyatt

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RUNAWAYS #29, out this Wednesday from Marvel comics continues the ‘Canon Fodder’ plot, bringing it to all-new heights. Fans of Doc Justice better think twice, as he’s quickly showing us the negative side of being a hero.

Gib looks slightly confused about the idea of Molly lifting him so easily…

***SPOILER WARNING***

A quick refresher before we dive on in; our struggling crew of adolescent heroes have found themselves taken in by a new hero. This ‘hero’ is known as Doc Justice, and you’re totally justified in questioning his motives. And his methods.

If the last few issues have shown us anything, it’s that Doc Justice has an ulterior motive for wanting to help out the Runaways. You’d think that a group that has been so consistently burned by adults would be more cautious in trusting one as smarmy as this guy. But we all make mistakes, right?

It’s becoming harder and harder to like this Doc Justice.

The Plot

Runaways #29 is a dramatic issue, full of revelations and building concern. Rainbow Rowell’s sense of foreshadowing is unparalleled, as we all sit and wait for the inevitable implosion surrounding this Doc Justice.

Perhaps that’s a bit unfair of us; but seriously, that dude is completely two-faced, and it will be satisfying to see him taken down. Especially if Molly is the one to do it – a good solid punch to his gut sounds nice, don’t you think?

This is an issue that has more conversation than action, but there’s still so much that happens here. There’s something major brewing, and it all has to do with this new ally of theirs. Seeing the Runaways split on opinions is slightly painful, but it also kind of fits with their M.O. – and they have been separated for quite some time.

There’s some unexpected conflict coming from other corners in this plot arc, and let’s not forget that whole Gib subplot. Though admittedly most of the Runaways seem to keep forgetting that part themselves. That probably isn’t going to end too well, is it?

One thing is certain – Rowell has done almost too good of a job making Doc Justice easy to hate. While we can understand why the crew is being conned by him, it’s still hard to watch. And yet we will read on (and look forward to seeing him get what he deserves).

The Runways..erm…J Team? are kicking butt!

The Art

Runaways #29 is an issue full of creative and interesting artwork. On the one hand, we have a huge variety of characters being shown, and in a most unique way. It isn’t every issue you get to see paper clippings, but it worked well as a storytelling method here.

Then there are the expressions on each and every character. Doc Justice looks perfect and slimy, Gert exasperated and concerned, and everyone else somewhere in the middle. Their emotions are right on their sleeves, and that works nicely for this team.

Andres Genolet (pencils/inks), Dee Cunniffe (colors), and VC’s Joe Caramagna (letterer) worked really well here, and with any luck, they’ll continue working on this project for quite some time. Or at least until this plot arc is resolved!

Meanwhile Gert is growing more concerned about the situation.

In Conclusion

Runaways #29 is a perfect build-up issue. Thanks to this issue, tensions are high, and we’re very eager to see how it all plays out. Knowing the Runaways, it’s going to end in some hurt feelings and a whole lot of danger.

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A New Wave of Violence and Danger in LUCY CLAIRE: REDEMPTION #2

By

Cat Wyatt

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LUCY CLAIRE: REDEMPTION #2 out this Wednesday from Image Comics has upped the ante on the werewolf attacks. This bloody tale is full of past loss and regret and is already proving to be an emotionally compelling read.

Lucy Claire is not a woman to be intimidated, if this cover of Lucy Claire: Redemption #2 is anything to go by.

***SPOILER WARNING***

When you picture a werewolf hunter, what comes to mind? Odds are pretty good that you’re picturing anything and anyone besides Lucy Claire. She’s a retired and disgraced hunter, one who has let her past drown her since.

But time waits for no man (or woman). So when the werewolves are back in town, there isn’t enough time for Lucy Claire to get herself back to her top mode of fighting. No, there’s too much threat in the air for that.

The Plot

Lucy Claire: Redemption #2 is an impressive feat of storytelling. Written by John Upchurch, this issue is surprisingly complex. It deals with emotional trauma in an intense yet respectful manner. And all while building the tension due to the rising danger.

There’s no doubt that Lucy Claire was born and bred to kill werewolves. The last issue made that much clear. But now we’re getting a better understanding of what that took – and how far she’s fallen since then.

Saying she’s fallen is putting it too simply. The emotional toll on Lucy Claire is a heavy one. The pain and trauma she’s still working through are evident on these pages – it’s inescapable and goes so far as to explain her behavior.

Lucy Claire: Redemption #2 showcased the true danger of the werewolves. As it turns out, they’re a much more complicated threat than one would imagine – which is saying something. They’re raw and brutal, and that’s really only the beginning of what is to come.

To balance out the intensity and emotional impact of this issue, there are a few lighter moments woven throughout. Most of these pertain to character interactions. But it’s also nice to see Lucy being more human and balanced.

The Art

Lucy Claire: Redemption #2 as is full of brilliant artwork as it is plot. An impressive feat, especially considering that John Upchurch provided all of the artwork as well. Yes, that’s right. Everything from the lines, to the coloring and lettering, was provided by a single person. No wonder the whole piece looks so cohesive!

The style in Lucy Claire is not to be ignored. The characters feel so alive, with their facial expressions showing even the tiniest of detail. Then there are the backgrounds, which are detailed and yet stylized – a perfect blend and backdrop, all things considered.

Then there are the werewolves. They’re delightfully threatening, though in this issue they’re also significantly altered. It may be surprising to see a bunch of green beasts running around, but it also felt oddly at home on these pages.

It’s probably worth mentioning that the fighting it brutal and efficient. There is flash and gore – of course, there is. But it’s also well planned, and carefully portrayed. The fights are not pages and pages long but instead fit nicely inside several pages –showing how a brutal battle tends to likewise be over quickly.

In Conclusion

Lucy Claire: Redemption #2 was an intense continuation of the series. The ante has officially been upped, with the werewolves gaining more threat with each passing moment. Meanwhile, Lucy is still clearly on a rocky road, and it’s probably safe to assume that this will cause her more trouble along the way.

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RISING SUN #1: A New Journey Begins

By

Cat Wyatt

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RISING SUN #1 is the first in a new series from IDW, launching this Wednesday. Dive into a world full of monsters, dragons, heroes, and conflict. This series starts off strong, full of brilliant artwork and internal conflicts.

A dramatic cover for a brand new series! Welcome to the world, Rising Sun #1

***SPOILER WARNING***

Rising Sun #1 begins a new epic series from IDW. Set in Japan during the 12^th century, this series follows several heroes from different clans. It may seem odd to see so many clans working together – and there’s no doubt that some would rather do anything but.

But there’s a greater danger on the horizon forcing their hands. Dragons and monsters have started rising up all over Japan. With the death toll steadily rising, our heroes are short on time for finding the cause and solution.

The first page of Rising Sun #1 and…well…that can’t be good!

The Plot

Ron Marz and David Rodriguez wasted no time in throwing us into the action in Rising Sun #1. Right off the bat, we’re shown all of our heroes battling it out against a stunning (but undoubtedly fierce and dangerous) blue dragon.

From there it doesn’t take long for readers to get a solid understanding of the gravity of the situation. What at first appeared to be a fairly straight forward plot quickly proved to be complex and carefully thought out.

This is the danger of men and monsters. There’s plenty of interactions and strife between the characters, and it goes without saying that they’re all in grave danger. The monsters are iconic, jumping straight from legend. But the real question is; why now? Why are they attacking now, and what can be done to stop them?

This was a fast-paced read – the sort that you will quickly burn through before realizing you’ve run out of pages. Some of our characters have already made their personalities clear, while others leave us wondering where they’ll fall in the grand scheme of things.

At least backup appears to be on the way in Rising Sun #1.

The Art

There’s no doubt that the artwork in Rising Sun #1 stole the show. The pages are bright and dramatic, proving to be the perfect blend of traditional art and comic book style. Our characters are dynamic and distinct, while the creatures they face are gigantic in scale yet no less stunning.

Martin Coccolo was the lead artist for this project, with Katrina Mae Hao providing the colors and Deron Bennett doing the lettering. Together they made this world come alive. The line art set the scene, while the colors took this entire issue above and beyond. It made for a memorable introduction for a series, one that fans will eagerly return to.

At least now we can see what was doing all of that damage in Rising Sun #1.

In Conclusion

Rising Sun #1 was an intense and creative read. In many ways, it was the perfect blend of styles and subjects. The fast-paced introduction was enough to catch out interest, and hopefully, the following issues will lean on the mystery and suspense, while slowly feeding us more of the truth.

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Review: The New Starbrand Is Revealed In AVENGERS #29

By

Corey Patterson

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The long-awaited revelation of the new Starbrand’s identity arrives in AVENGERS #29, hitting comic book stores on Wednesday, January 15th. After the Avengers sped into space to track down the new Starbrand, the Heralds of Galactus launched an attack on the heroes. They’ve claimed the Starbrand must die for the good of the universe. But the Avengers protect life at all costs; will they be able to take down beings like the Silver Surfer and Terrax in order to do so?

Story

The Avengers lineup are a force to be reckoned with on any day. But with each half of the group separated by light-years, their odds of victory may be in question. Readers are first brought to one end of the The Ravenstarr Maximum Security Galaxy as Black Widow, Ghostrider, Blade, and Boy-Thing find themselves facing a number of intimidating prisoners and a very angry Silver Surfer. Fortunately, the newly dubbed “War Widow” came prepared.

Despite pleas to the Herald’s better nature, he attempts to subdue the heroes, and the results aren’t great. Widow’s fighting prowess and armor unfortunately fail to do any damage against a being with cosmic abilities. But a surprise team-up between Boy-Thing and Blade levels the playing field, at least for a while.

The incredible resourceful of this Avengers’ team never ceases to amaze us.

On the other end of the prison galaxy, Captain America, She-Hulk, and Captain Marvel fight off their own batch of prisoners, as well as the Herald known as Terrax. This half of the team barely manages to hold their own, but a bright flash from a nearby star halts the action on both sides: the new Starbrand has been revealed.

Writer Jason Aaron leads readers through epic fight scenes and close-calls throughout the story, ultimately arriving at the pinnacle reveal of the Starbrand’s identity. The build up is scripted extremely well, hyping us up little by little with each panel.

Artwork

This issue gives readers the beautiful illustrations one would expect of an epic space battle. Ed McGuinness, Mark Morales, and Paco Medina’s penciling and ink work are fantastic, particularly when it comes to the star of much of this issue: War Widow. Her iron battle armor is sleek and cool, much like the hero herself. Jason Keith’s coloring provides varying shades of black and red to give it a distinct look, differentiating it enough from the War Machine armor of James Rhodes. In scenes like these, VC’s Cory Petit’s lettering follows the action seamlessly.

Comic Covers

Main Cover

McGuinness and Keith’s artwork for this issue’s main cover features the full Avengers line-up in space, honing in on their battle setting.

Marvels X Variant Cover

Ema Lupacchino and Rachelle Rosenberg’s variant cover shows us illustrations of one of comic book fans favorite couples: Black Panther and Storm. This Marvels X variant gives us a look at other heroes who are also fighting for justice.

Conclusion

AVENGERS #29 is a thrilling addition to this Starbrand Reborn saga, amping up the action just enough before the big reveal. We’re excited to see what happens next with the newly christened Starbrand.

What did you think of this issue’s big revelation? Let us know in the comments below!

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Review: RUINS OF RAVENCROFT: SABRETOOTH #1 Pays Homage To B-Movie Horror

By

Colin Tessier

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It’s not Halloween season, but we can still get our fix for scary stories though Marvel Comics’ Ruins of Ravencroft: Sabretooth #1 (on sale January 15.) Writer Frank Tieri borrows from the winning formula of his Absolute Carnage tie-in and applies it to a fresh set of characters. Here, he also adds new layers to that successful model. This self-contained story leaves the reader feeling satisfied while it plants seeds for the series’ next chapter.

Writer: Frank Tieri

Artist (modern day): Angel Unzueta

Artist (flashback): Guillermo Sanna

Colorist: Rachelle Rosenberg

Letterer: VC’s Travis Lantham

Absolute Carnage drew widespread praise because it masterfully combined the horror and superhero genres. To capitalize on this success, Marvel is producing more stories in the same vein and Tieri has been tasked with spearheading several centered around Ravencroft. Focusing on the mysterious institute further establishes the comic’s connection to Donny Cates’ event series because it was also featured there. But Tieri’s script reads like a horror movie, helping the series feel like an organic spin-off.

From the first page, Tieri satirizes tropes of the very story he’s about to tell: a mad scientist experiments, hoping to make monsters. Artist Angel Unzueta shows sketches of Frankenstein in a Ravencroft laboratory, and Misty Knight quips that she expects someone to shout “It’s alive!” The tongue-in-cheek beginning draws us in because it shows that Tieri isn’t taking this issue too seriously. Even when he includes other clichés, like a foreboding door and a monster mash, they work because Tieri is giving us a fun B-movie set in the Marvel Universe.

Ruins of Ravencroft Sabretooth #1 Black Knight — Tieri suggests that plenty of heroes have been confined within Ravencroft’s walls.

The first few pages lead us to believe the issue will focus on Reed Richards, Misty Knight, Wilson Fisk and John Jameson, a motley crew who decides to explore the haunting facility. Instead, most of the story features flashbacks to Ravencroft’s beginnings. Here, the horror aspects shine. Tieri’s script and artist Guillermo Sanna’s visuals combine to deliver delightful jump scares. When Sabretooth threatens a doctor, Logan, a surprising patient in Ravencroft, jumps into the panel and onto Sabretooth’s back before stabbing him in the throat. A few delayed reveals, like one character’s transformation into a werewolf elevate the consistent sense of dread that permeates the issue.

Ruins of Ravencroft Sabretooth #1 Wolverine — In Ruins of Ravencroft: Sabretooth #1, the sight of a helpless Wolverine is chilling

Likewise, Sanna builds the suspense while Sabretooth talks to an unseen patient. When we see it’s Wolverine, the sight of a lobotomized Logan is unsettling. Sanna uses vacant eyes and a slack mouth to depict Logan, who lies helpless in the confines of a straitjacket. Seeing the powerful hero in such a vulnerable state further establishes the hopeless mood of the scene.

Ruins of Ravencroft is a series of one-shots and, to an extent, that’s a shame. With this issue Tieri leaves us wanting more and it’s likely the next chapter will be its own individual story. But that’s the mark of a successful comic book and, at the end of the day, it’s why we keep reading them every week. Tieri’s script would work just as well as a goofy horror movie while the art team helps deliver some effective scares. With Ruins of Ravencroft: Sabretooth #1, Marvel continues to fuse horror and superhero stories and we can’t wait to see what other secrets are hidden in the spooky institute.

What did you think of Ruins of Ravencroft: Sabretooth #1? Where do you hope to see the seris go from here?

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Review: An Old Romance Blooms And A New Threat Emerges in AQUAMAN #56

By

Corey Patterson

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On Wednesday, January 15th, AQUAMAN #56 hits comic book stores with a new creative team and a new direction. Kyle Higgins has taken up the reigns of the written narrative, drawing from Arthur Curry and Mera’s recently rekindled romance to steer this ship toward different challenges. The two Atlanteans now know their love can survive the toughest challenges, and they’re ready to take on the world.

Story

A new day has dawned for our favorite aquatic heroes. Now that the threat of Black Manta is past, Arthur and Mera can plan their future together in peace. We get a look at their engagement party and see that two of the Justice League’s most famous members took the time to celebrate with their friends.

Watching the ultra serious Batman interact in social situations is priceless, and seeing Wonder Woman show Arthur and Mera how much they care about them is heartwarming. But when one of the couple’s friends brings up the subject of children, the two decide they’re in need of some fresh air.

Unfortunately, their break is short-lived when news of an attack on civilians reaches them. They soon discover the Trench has resurfaced (literally and figuratively) and appears to be waging war on the surface world.

Higgins’s writing in this issue gives readers an up close look at the chaos revolving around the lives of superheroes. Even after saving the world from Black Manta and countless threats, Arthur and Mera are still unable to allow room for their personal relationship. In this way, we see that these larger-than-life characters have real human emotions anyone can connect with.

Artwork

Aaron Lopresti’s penciling, combined with Matt Ryan’s ink work, present highly detailed depictions of our heroes in classic form; it’s as if they were plucked from a comic book from the 80’s and placed into our modern context. But don’t let the nostalgia fool you. There’s a clear modernity to Romulo Fajardo Jr.’s coloring and shading that gives this issue just the right amount of darker tones. This includes Clayton Cowles’s lettering work as well, which employs a strategic use of placement to allow the dialogue balloons to follow the action.

Comic Book Covers

Main Cover

Brad Walker, Andrew Hennessy, and Gabe Eltaeb’s main cover artwork features Arthur and Mera locked in an epic battle with the Trench. They appear to be straining to hold off the threat, making us wonder if they’ll be strong enough to stop the coming challenge.

Variant Cover

Skan’s variant cover illustration features the ocean prince surveying the creatures within the ocean depths, reminding us of what continually inspires the hero.

Conclusion

AQUAMAN #56 is a fresh start to the series, moving away from the more mythological foes toward an eminent threat from the past. The break seems a bit sharp from DeConnick’s storytelling, but it’s almost an inevitability when writers change.

Do you like the new direction of this series? Let us know in the comments below!

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