Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown! The Friday edition!
Time to talk about comics!
Seven to Eternity #1
Written by Rick Remender
Illustrated by Jerome Opena
Published by Image Comics
This book reunites Remender and Opena again. Is it going to be any good? Early indications seem to be a resounding yes after reading this first issue. It’s a strong debut for a unique title.
The book focuses on Adam Osidis, a dying knight from a disgraced house who must make a choice. The choice is between joining a sad band of magic users to help them free themselves of an evil God, or accepting that God’s promise to give Adam what his heart desires.
Remender is a great writer who does his best work on creator owned titles. This is no different. And Opena’s art is the best of his career, full of passion. This will make him a star. This is like a Heavy Metal inspired tale and I just love it.
If you liked their work on Fear Agent, pick it up. But don’t compare it with that. This is a well developed book. If it continues to be of this quality, this may be one of the best new titles this year.
RATING: A
Dark Horse Presents #26
Written and Illustrated by a whole gaggle of creators
Published by Dark Horse Comics
So I am going to be completely honest. I only picked up this issue because of Troy Nixey.
In my youth, I hunted down a book Nixey created called Bill The Clown. I loved that comic. I would see and hunt down his work from Deadworld to more recent fare such as Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham as well as others. I liked his stuff very much.
Nixey eventually went and did film, but I missed his crazy mind.
So when I saw he was collaborating with Kaare Andrews (another film director and comic book creator) I jumped and picked up this issue for that reason only.
And I wasn’t disappointed. Their creation “The Black Sinister” is simply wonderful.
Great story and Nixey looks like he hasn’t been this inspired since Bill The Clown.
And that is great to see.
I also commend the book itself. While a little pricey, Dark Horse Presents is one of the classiest book still being produced. Looking for some of the best creators in the business? Look no further. I’m going to go back and pick up the missing issues (I have a gap between issues 13-25.)
This is high quality stuff. Pick it up. And welcome back, Nixey. We missed you here.
RATING: A
International Iron Man #7
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Illustrated by Alex Maleev
Published by Marvel Comics
This bananas new take on Tony Stark has done something pretty amazing with Iron Man: They made him interesting.
Not since Matt Fraction’s run a few years back have I enjoyed this book at all.
Bendis ends this series (not to worry! TWO new Iron Man books coming out) with a story of Tony Stark’s mother.
There is literally no Iron Man in the book at all. Yet, they just go with it.
They show who Tony Stark’s real father is (even though he looks just like Howard Stark…Howard is not longer the father in this tale)
I’m not going to lie.
Bendis and Maleev are taking some pretty bold chances here. Some of it I’m not sure really holds any water.
But they are so into it, I’m giving them a pass. It’s fun. Funny. And well drawn. So why not?
RATING: B+
BURIED TRASURE:
BATMAN: PREY
(collecting Legends of the Dark Knight #11-15)
Written by Doug Moench
Illustrated by Paul Gulacy
Published by DC Comics
I had forgotten I had this book. Back in the early days, Legends of the Dark Knight was the place.
You had creators doing top notch work. And I am damn sad this book is no longer around. You had Grant Morrison and Klaus Janson on Gothic. You had Matt Wagner doing Faces. And somewhere in there was this forgotten about gem.
This fits in after Year One, and shows the introduction of Hugo Strange and his efforts to kill the Dark Knight.
There was a semi sequel (#137-141) but man, nothing came close to this original tale. Moench shows us the psychological mindsets of these people. He does a wonderful writing job.
Paul Gulacy’s art is just underrated as well.
This book is a masterpiece and isn’t talked about as much. DO yourself a favor and track down a copy.
It’s damn awesome.
RATING: A
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