Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!
We have a special trade paperback and comic book week here…so let’s get started!
Rockstars Volume 1: Nativity in Blacklight
Written by Joe Harris
Illustrated by Megan Hutchison
Published by Image Comics
Man, I love Joe Harris. He’s a terrific writer. He’s incredibly underrated and deserves more recognition. This take on the music industry is both intriguing and original and extremely well thought out.
Back in the 1970, there was a bunch of unsolved “groupie murders.”
This cuts to present day Los Angeles where the murders seemed to have resumed. The only person to make the connection is Jackie Mayer, who knows everything there is to know about rock and who has an ability to see what other people might not. He joins forces with Dorothy Buell, and his cat to figure out this conspiracy.
I said a lot about the writing but the art is truly awesome too.
It’s a new look for comics we haven’t seen before and I love it. The storytelling is wonderful and inventive. I can’t get enough of this comic.
If you’re looking for something original and well done, this is it. It’s well worth the price of the ticket for this rock concert comic.
RATING: A
Mighty Mouse #1
Written by Sholly Fisch
Illustrated by Igor Lima
Published by Dynamite Entertainment
Here he comes to save the day! I love Mighty Mouse.
The cartoon is always a good time and this comic is no different. This is something completely cool.
That’s because they hired writer Sholly Fisch.
Mighty Mouse is trapped in another dimension with no way to get out. We cut to the real world. We see a boy named Joey who loves Mighty Mouse. He even wishes Mighty Mouse would team up with him.
Then, Mighty Mouse jumps out of the television into the real world.
This is an inventive take on a silly cartoon.
Somehow, Fisch makes it work and work well. The art is awesome. Lima is a star.
I can’t believe I’m saying this…but I can’t wait for the next issue of Mighty Mouse.
RATING: A
Josie & The Pussycats Vol. 1
Written by Marguerite Bennett and Cameron Deordio
Illustrated by Audrey Mok
Published by Archie Comics
I love the new Archie Comics. So this paperback collecting the first five issues of the new Josie and The Pussycats series was a given read for me. I loved it of course. This is comic books at their best.
This comic series retells the origin of Josie and the Pussycats.
It’s full of humor, silliness, and just fun storytelling. Bennett and Deordio write extremely well together and the joy of what they are doing permeates each page.
The art is really cool on these Archie books. They are doing a new style and it’s modern. It works well. I’m glad the new Archie Comics exist.
They certainly make me happy.
RATING: A
Motor Crush Vol. 1
Written by Brenden Fletcher and Cameron Stewart and Babs Tarr
Illustrated by Babs Tarr, Cameron Stewart
Published by Image Comics
This is one of my favorite new comic books of the past year. It’s like a jam piece and it’s awesome.
In interviews, the three creators said they each work on all aspects of the comic (writing drawing etc) and they are of one mind. It’s an exhilarating experience overall.
Domino Swift, our female lead, is a celebrity on the worldwide motorcycle racing league! At night however? She’s a vigilante who is looking for a narcotic called “Crush.” It’s fast paced and full of invention from start to finish.
It’s hard to tell who did what on this title because of the nature of the collaboration.
That’s okay though, because it’s so damn super cool.
This is a book that keeps you racing from the beginning and then ends leaving you wanting more. I hope we get more as soon as possible. I’m addicted myself.
RATING: A
Strange Attractors
Written by Charles Soule
Illustrated by Greg Scott and Soo Lee
Published by BOOM! Studios
When I first got this book, I thought maybe this was an update from the comic from years ago (created by Mark Sherman and Michael Cohen).
Sadly it had nothing to do with that comic book series….I wish it did. That was a crude comic for sure, but at least it was a little better than this one.
A mathematician named Heller Wilson has a theory about the city of New York. He approaches another doctor about it…and that doctor may be responsible for saving New York City for many years.
Now, however, there may be an impending disaster coming.
The book is rather dull on the writing front. There was nothing that truly grabbed me or got me too excited.
The art by Greg Scott and Soo Leeis killer. It’s beautiful. You can almost breathe in the city they create here.
That’s the selling point though: The Art. Besides that’s, there’s not a lot to hold onto.
RATING: C+
The Archies One Shot
Written by Alex Segura and Matthew Rosenberg
Illustrated by Joe Eisma
Published by Archie Comics
I couldn’t resist reviewing this title. It’s a double sized issue about Archie’s band, The Archies. The band members don’t particularly like each other and there’s drama to be had…both creative and romantic in this comic.
The book is basically a story about a dysfunctional band. It’s funny as all get out. It’s also very well written, which is the norm lately over at Archie Comics.
There’s also a lot of nice touches…making Jughead a drummer is brilliant. I was laughing and just hooked. The interactions between the characters make the whole affair worth it.
The art by Eisma is tops. From start to finish, this is a great comic book. This is what you should be reading for sure. A great single issue.
RATING: A
