Welcome to Graphic Breakdown!
Today, we are going to review some damn fine funny books. Here we go!
Will Eisner’s The Spirit: Corpsemaker #1
Written and Illustrated by Francesco Francavilla
Published by Dynamite Entertainment
A few years ago, legendary comic book creator Darwyn Cooke did a stint on The Spirit. And it was awesome. It’s tough to be an artist and be compared to Will Eisner on this character.
There never will be anyone better. Cooke didn’t embarrass himself. and neither does Francavilla. This is a hell of a start to a series.
A series of unexpected disappearances and deaths hit Central City.
Initially, these cases seem purely unrelated: no apparent connection between the victims makes it easy for the police to just file them as runaways or natural deaths.
But when someone close to Ebony White disappears, The Spirit is on the case!
This is some great work. Francavilla is at the top of his game in the art. His writing has taken a significant leap forward as well for his previous work. There is passion and love on every page and I cannot recommend this enough! This could very well be the start of a classic run on a classic character!
RATING: A
Moon Knight #11
Written by Jeff Lenore
Illustrated by Greg Smallwood
Published by Marvel Comics
Another great Moon Knight story behind here!
Seriously folks, if you haven’t read this one you’re missing out. The stories are as compelling as they can be and this may be the best run on Moon Knight since the 1980’s.
The asylum wasn’t the first institution Marc Spector escaped, or the first that rejected him. Is Moon Knight stronger alone, or more vulnerable?
Trapped outside of reality, his survival depends on answers in his past!
The story by Lenore is top notch.
He can write this character like none other. Greg Smallwood is doing the work of his career too. It is strong, inspired, and just wonderful.
Pick up this book and the entire run thus far. It makes for some incredible comic book reading.
RATING: A
Death of Hawkman #5
Written by Marc Andreyko
Illustrated by Aaron Lopresti
Published by DC Comics
So this is another sadly disappointing issue on this title.
Hawkman can be so good if done right…yet here he just isn’t.
Bring Tim Truman back! John Ostrander! Anybody! This is a book that is lacking a strong creative team and vision.
As Despero’s insane scheme nears fruition, the casualties rise for both Rann and Thanagar—and to the mind-controlled survivors, only two men are to blame!
But Hawkman and Adam Strange are not only intergalactic outlaws—they are perhaps the only two beings in the galaxy who can stop Despero and his army!
But first, these two heroes must overcome insurmountable odds to save themselves and the populations of three planets as their mighty forces, led by Hawkwoman, come to exact vengeance upon them.
The writing is rather dull and the art compliments it. Both of these creators are capable of much better work. This series finishes up next month.
Let’s hope there is a stronger Hawkman title down the line.
RATING: D+
Generation Zero: We Are The Future TPB
Written by Fred Van Lente
Illustrated by Francis Portela
Published by Valiant Entertainment
Fred Van Lente is a hell of a writer.
Watching him work on this title, you have to admire him. This is a fresh take on comic books. It’s funny, well written, and just plain awesome.
Years ago, the children of the experimental strike team known as Generation Zero were taken from their families by Project Rising Spirit, a private weapons contractor, and raised to be psychic soldiers. After years of taking orders, they have fought for and won their freedom.
Now, the world’s most wanted teenagers have pledged to protect each other tooth and claw, while using their extraordinary abilities to right wrongs for a generation without a future… To fight for kids, just like them.
One of those kids is Keisha Sherman, whose boyfriend just turned up dead after a suspicious car crash in Rook, Michigan – a newly booming tech town that sprang from rags to super-riches seemingly overnight. When Keisha makes a desperate plea into her webcam, the local high school suddenly finds itself with several unusual new students…
But as word of Generation Zero’s presence spreads rapidly through the halls, this volatile band of teenage upstarts is about to discover that they’re far from the most extraordinary thing lurking behind Rook’s stainless-steel facade.
The story is strong and the art is great. Pick up this trade for only ten bucks. It’s a bargain and there are tons of awesome things happening in it. Give it a read then give it to a friend.
RATING: A
