REVIEW: Humalien #1 - 3

Created, written and illustrated by J. Adam Farster

Review: Will Dubbeld

Because preordering 20 lbs of comics weekly isn't enough, I'll always browse the newsstand at my LCS (Books, Comics, and Things in Ft. Wayne, IN plug plug plug). A trip or two ago I spied the first 3 issues of a book called Humalien.

"Dafuq is this?” I asked the clerk, intrigued by the Saturday Morning Cartoon cover art.

He'd not read the book, and told me "some guy brought it in and asked if we would put it on the shelf."

I'm paraphrasing here, but that's pretty much how it went down. A bold Indie creator hawking his nerd-wares door-to-door at all comic shops in his path, or that's how I imagined it, anyway.

I initially passed on the comic, wandering around and hoping I'd spy some hidden back issue gem or discounted tpb. As I readied myself for checkout I thought, "Ah, screw it. Imma buy this guy's Indie book."


BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO SUPPORT INDIE BOOKS.

I grabbed all 3 issues, briefly paged through 'em, and home we went.

Cracking issue 1 immediately introduces our hero, an electrokinetic young man named Ed and the first page tells you he pretty well fits the Brash Youth mold we all know and love. He tussles with some robots that reminded me of a less-beakey version of the flying Bio-Dredd from Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future, and we're off to the races.

You guys remember that show? No?
Fine . . .

Ed is rescued by a roguish alien named Plato and one robot-smashing escape later we start to get a feel for the book's direction. Ed is a cloned human created by three Evil Overlords called The Trinity for what I can only presume to be Nefarious Intentions. Ed was liberated from his cloning tank by a resistance of some sorts whose members, aside from Plato, include a Nervous Little Sidekick fellow named Kuhl and a gunslinging Sexy Purple Alien Girl.
The Trinity doesn't let this slide and sends a mysterious tough guy called The Executioner to collect Ed.

The next couple issues detail Ed's rescue from The Trinity's cloning lab, a great robot fight or two, and the introduction of Wyl, who fills our Grizzled Old Badass role. Issue 3 confoundingly left me with a cliffhanger, but the ride there is worth it.

Humalien is almost the perfect science fiction comic. It certainly isn't pretentious, hitting all the beats you would expect from a sci-fi book, and certainly isn't shy about embracing the genre archetypes. It reads like episodes of a 22-minute television show, making for an almost too-quick read, but maintains a steady cadence from issue to issue. It's very Star Warsy in the way we're rooting for a small, scrappy band of outlaws tear-assing around and sticking it to The Man whilst shooting laser guns and cracking wise. This is in no way a detriment and frankly is a breath of fresh air in a world of mega-events, pretentious highbrow comics, and the slowly creeping return of gritty '90s-style books.

Farster's art is, as previously mentioned, Saturday Morning Cartoony and reminded me quite a bit of Genndy Tartakovsky or perhaps Jhonen Vasquez art. There isn't really a comic art style that equates. J. Adam isn't trying for a photo-realistic book or aping Jim Lee's hyper-detailed work, he's drawing a damn funnybook and oughtta be proud.

Issues 1-3 are available from humaliencomic.com and the best way to ensure an issue 4 is to buy this book. Indie comics cost dollar bills and usually creators can only afford to squeak out 1, maybe 2 books annually. Projects like this need readership support and the support of brick-and-mortar shops. Ask your LCS real nice, and perhaps they'll order some copies for the newsstand.
I'll be waiting.

REVIEW: Batman/ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1

Creators:  Batman: Bob Kane w/ Bill Finger

                  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird 

Story: James Tynion IV

Art and Cover: Freddie E Williams II

Colors: Jeremy Colwell

Review: Daniel Simpson

I have been a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles since I was eight years old but I have just in the last few years begun to appreciate Batman. I've always enjoyed his rogue gallery and all its complexities but I never enjoyed the character as a whole. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1, published by both DC comics and IDW publishing, is the first of a six part story arc that has the Dark Knight meeting the totally awesome foursome from New York.

I opted to give it a shot.

The story starts out with ninjas surrounding scientists. Already you know what that means...the boys in green flash in and take out the ninjas. Little do you realize that this isn't the actual beginning of the story. Oh, no, it’s just the teaser page and everything that has happened up ‘til now is just one of the scientists recounting the event to none other than Batman himself. The story itself is as you would expect for an intro: slow going and doesn't really address why or how the lean green teens ended up in Gotham City. It does, however, introduce Killer Croc as one of what I'm sure will be many Batman villain cameos.

It's a very interesting mix of both comics’ styles, being both light and dark with the colors somewhat muted. The fight scenes (‘cause lets be honest that's what this comic is all about) are in general either very short, as in the scene where Shredder confronts the Bat, or rather anti-climatic, as in the fight between the Turtles and Killer Croc. The artwork as a whole is very good, although I question the Batmobile redesign.

I would hope in the following issues they address how the universes combined or crossed over or however it works out for them, but I think James Tynion IV has a very interesting story here. If it progresses the way it began to flow then this will be, in my humble opinion, one the better story arcs I've read in awhile.

As many crossovers are usually a two comic deal, and writers have to cram everything into two books, I believe that with a six book story arc this will definitely become an awesome story. The story is lacking some of the humor you would except from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but it does have its moments. I mean, come on, you can’t have wisecracking teenage mutants without a few jokes here and there and even with Batman you can’t be totally non-humorous. All in all it’s a good book as number ones go and there are so many places it can go. Hopefully it goes to those places and we, the readers, get an awesome graphic novel out of the deal. Honestly though, this is just my take on it as a fan of comics and of both of these character sets and I am very pleased that it doesn't pander to one audience or the other.

REVIEW: Wraithborn Redux #1

Story & Script:  Marcia Chen

Story & Pencils:  Joe Benitez

Inks:  Joe Weems

Colors:  Studio F., Mike Garcia

Letters:  Comicraft, Michael Heisler

Review:  Art Bee

This week when I went to pick up the comics in my folder at my LCS, I found a strange new title therein. Wraithborn Redux #1 captured my curiosity instantly. The cover and summary on the back were amazingly done and captivating. Even though that was enough, when I opened the cover to the first page one of the best looking pages ever met my eyes. There is a scene drawn with just about the best image of the moon I have EVER seen. I will warn you there are some spoilers in here, but most of this is given away in the summary on the back cover anyway. Trust me; this will not detract from your enjoyment of this remarkable comic.

After I read this, my thoughts immediately went to Spawn, by Todd McFarlane. As complementary as I am intending this statement, it reminds me so much of Spawn, and yet, this story is completely its own. Marcia Chen and Joe Benitez have put a lot of work and thought into the main character, Melanie Moore, as shown in the story structure in the first issue.

The story is broken down into four sections. The first section is set in the present time with Melanie fighting some demon and explaining she was imbued with the power of the wraithborn to protect the innocent. The second section flashes back to Melanie during the day when she is given the power of the wraithborn giving us a glimpse of this timid, weak, and sweet young lady, which is a vast contrast to what we saw in the first section. The third section whisks us halfway around the world to see Brother Valin of the Zanshin as he is prepared to receive the wraithborn from its current wielder, Aegeus. The fourth section shows us Aegeus has a change of plans with the wraithborn when his path crosses with Melanie’s.

Reading this comic had me very excited. It is very easy to fall in love Melanie even though some of her methods and views really are a little on the dark side. Even though Valin is only briefly introduced, I feel he has been fleshed out as much as Melanie and I can’t wait to see more of him in the second issue.

All of this brings me to the artwork. All I can say is WOW! This has been one of the most visually appealing comics that have come home with me over the last two years. The details alone are enough to make your eyes fall out and roll across the floor. I already mentioned the page with the moon, but another image that made me linger on it was page seven, panel one, at the top of the page. This panel is done all in shades of green with such an incredible detail that commands attention.

On the back cover there is a small passage about this comic, and I will quote it here:

"Wraithborn Redux is a special revised edition of the original Wraithborn series published by DC Comics, with new and edited scenes by the series’ creators, Marcia Chen (writer) and Joe Benitez (artist)."

This comic has been published by Benitez Productions, Joe Benitez’s own company, and he has a bombshell on his hands here. Even though I never did read the original DC title, I am glad he had the intelligence and resolve to pursue this project on his own. Please support these creators and read this comic series.

REVIEW: Power Man and Iron Fist #1 & Spider-Man #1

Power Man and Iron Fist #1

Writer: David Walker

Artist: Sanford Greene

Color Artist: Lee Loughridge

Letterer: Clayton Cowles

Review: Cody “Madman” Miller

I’m sure most comic book fans have at least read one(probably more) comic involving Luke Cage or Iron Fist, and chances are good that they were defending their comicdom tag-team heavyweight championship belts. As far as team ups go you’d be hard pressed to find a more capable and iconic super-duo. They’re right up there with pb&j . . . lasting. I enjoyed many a Power Man and Iron Fist in my youth, so pulling this book was a no brainer. I’m more of an Iron Fist fan than a passenger on the Luke Cage (he doesn’t like to be called Power Man for some reason, so we’ll respect that) bandwagon. I guess in my mind I’d rather have a super, glowing, kung fu grip then unbreakable skin and no neck. Hadouken!!!

All in all, a great first issue. Throughout the whole book Cage keeps adamantly reassuring everyone who asks if the Heroes for Hire are back in business that they are not. Obviously Cage is full of shit and I’m so happy he is.

Highlights in no particular order are; the boys get in a scrap with Tombstone and his merry crew over a magical necklace, Jessica Jones, Black Mariah. The dialogue was very “Tarantino” with a dab of “Seinfeld”. Huge fan of Greene's artwork in this book, with the exception of Tombstone . . . definitely the worst interpretation of Tombstone ever.

All in all I’m pleased with book and give it an 8/10.

Spider-Man #1

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis

Artist: Sara Pichelli

Inking assist: Gaetano

Color: Justin Ponsor

Review: Cody “Madman” Miller

I was among the mob of torch-wielding True Believers cued up to burn the Ultimate lines’ bridge when Marvel killed the Ultimate Peter Parker. I was weaned on Late-80s Spider-Man (In my eyes the classic Spider-Man.) so, believe you me, even though it was just “the other Spider-Man” I wanted none of it. It was personal. THEN! They wanted me to accept this new guy Miles as a “better option” than PBP?!!! Hell no. Not happening. I wanted no part of this Ultimate business anymore…ever. So of course I bought every issue of Ultimate Spider-Man and of the next incarnation Miles Morales: Spider-Man. I couldn’t stop really, it was that good. Bendis and artist Sara Pichelli were killing it with Miles. I was genuinely worried for him following the Spider-Verse/Secret Wars mess. Marvel had a stable full of new Spider-Toys, so would Miles unceremoniously ride off into the proverbial sunset? Obviously not, because here we are.

I must say this first issue continued the precedent of righteousness and doesn’t disappoint as Miles struggles with life as his double identity starts to catch up with him.

Highlights include: Shocker, Kangaroo, and Blackheart beat down the Avengers, Miles picks up Caps shield and beats Blackheart straight back to Hell, Blackheart promises he’ll be back, and as usual the Skottie Young variant cover is fantastic.