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The Layer Method
Our top Secret time-saving technique for creating and merging balloons and tails in Illustrator.
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Thursday, September 9, 2010
Tim's Reviews
This week, Judgment day takes a look at a couple of new titles from IDW and a few others goodies...
Rogue Angel #1 (IDW Publishing)
Written By Barbara Randall Kesel
Art by Renae De Liz & Ray Dillon
Rogue Angel is Annja Creed, archaeologist and adventurer. Annja hosts a TV show called “Chasing History’s Monsters” where she tracks down legendary creatures as well as notorious serial killers. Annja has come to a small western town called Virginia City, a once booming mining town that is now a tourist attraction.
Rashmi, a friend from school, has asked Annja to come to the town to help her with her own mystery. Rashmi was a great admirer of Mark Twain, even when she was a young girl in India and has always had a fascination with the great American writer. Rashmi has discovered that Twain once lived in the town and was great friends with an African-American Scholar, James Ikeba. She has uncovered evidence that it may have been Ikeba’s stories that were the basis for Twain’s creations of Huck Finn and the escaped slave, Jim. This of course does not set well with people who don’t want to believe that Twain stole his inspiration from a black man, and some will do anything to make sure the proof remains locked away. Oh, and if I neglected to mention it, Annja has a mystical sword that she can virtually pull out of thin air to defend herself. The secret of her sword will be revealed in upcoming issues.
The books are action-filled with fantasy elements thrown in, but they also have a strong emphasis on historical facts. Kesel writes some of the strongest female characters in comics today without falling back on the usual female stereotypes. The art is very solid and the lush colors of Dillon are a nice complement. This is a solid start to this new series. Grade B+
Zipper #2 (IDW Publishing)
Written by Tom Waltz
Art by Casey Maloney
Created by KISS bassist, Gene Simmons, Zipper is an alien named Xeng Ral who has fled from his world where there is no such thing as individuality and all are a part of a great collective. Xeng Ral’s free will cast him as an outlaw amongst his race and he escapes to Earth and to the city of Detroit. Xeng Ral wears a cybernetic Exo suit which gives him numerous powers such as the ability to cloak his appearance so he can pass for human, the ability to translate any language, and various other physical abilities. This suit is adorned with zippers which earns him the nickname from a small-time hood named Ronnie J. whom Xeng rescues from a street gang.
There are two sub-plots at work so far in the story. The first centers on a fire and brimstone minister, Dr. Deveroux. Deveroux has been preaching to his flock about an alien invasion and Zipper looks exactly like the being he saw in his visions. The charismatic minister is preparing his congregation for a coming war. Trouble is also coming from Xeng’s race, the Etherians, who have tracked him to Earth and set four hunters on his trail. They are intent on bringing Xeng back so their collective can be made whole again.
I found Tom Waltz’ script to be very witty. The clash of cultures between the alien and the Motown street crook make for some interesting conversations and scenes. I’m most curious to see where the story goes regarding the Dr. Deveroux situation. What does connection does this minister have to Xeng Ral and his race?
Xeng’s look is courtesy of artist Casey Maloney. Xeng isn’t your typical superhero in terms of build and muscle stature. He is lean and lithe, more along the lines of Spider Man’s physique although even a bit thinner than him. Dusty Yee’s vibrant colors really seal the deal on the outstanding visuals. The contrasting color schemes fit the tone of the story perfectly. Grade A
Witchblade #113 (Top Cow)
Written by Ron Marz & Ian Edginton
Art by Sami Basri
Issue #113 of Witchblade is a bit of a breather after the First Born storyline. It’s a “settling in” issue for both Sara Pezzini and Danielle Baptiste, both of whom now hold a piece of the Witchblade. Sara is moving into a new loft in Greenwich Village and only uses her powers for the mundane task of moving a grandfather clock to the top floor. Meanwhile, Danielle is trying to get some answers about her purpose with the Witchblade from the curiosity shop where she found it. A nice prologue details the events of the past year so it makes a good jumping off point for new readers, particularly with the promise of more big changes to the title coming very soon. I really enjoyed the art of Sami Basri. It was a definite improvement over the Rick Leonardi art in issue #112. Leaonardi is a good artist, but his style isn’t a great fit for Witchblade. Not much development in this issue, but as I said, this seemed like a bit of a breather issue before the upcoming events. Grade B
Hero By Night Hardcover Trade (Platinum Comics)
Story and Art by D. J. Coffman
I read the first issue of Hero By Night probably last Spring and then never saw another issue. But then I had the chance to review this hardcover which reprints the four issue series and I was reminded just how much I enjoyed that first issue. Hero by Night is like a Silver Age comic story. It’s full of fun and adventure. It’s an ode to a simpler, more innocent era of the super hero.
Jack King is a twenty-something who is having a hard time adjusting to life as an adult and accepting responsibility. His father puts him in charge of a building he owns as the new superintendent but Jack is headed for failure in that as well. But then Jack makes a startling discovery in the building’s basement: A secret door, which leads to a tunnel deep underground. There jack discovers the secret lair of the Hero By Night, a superhero who disappeared and was presumed dead in the 1950’s. Jack discovers the old costumes and journals, but most importantly, the power ring which granted him his incredible powers.
At first Jack is content to merely sell the stuff on eBay, until Hero By Night’s arch-nemesis, the Iron Talon, kidnaps Jack’s girlfriend and demands Jack hand over the ring. Jack now has to play superhero for real and rescue his girl. Trouble is, Jack doesn’t quite know how to use his newfound powers yet and the clock is ticking! I enjoyed Hero By Night quite a bit. Coffman has a whimsical, cartoony art style, kind of old school, which is perfect for this story. I’m happy to say that Platinum is giving Hero By Night his own title starting this month as well. A great indy title! Grade A
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Judgment Day Archives
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Here at Judgement Day, Tim will review titles each week that stand out from the pack as being outstanding or truly bad. Everything from the mainstream titles to the smallest of the small press will be covered in Judgement Day.
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Discussion Forum
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Friday, February 8, 2008
• The End.
So long. Farewell. Auf Wiedersehen. Good night.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
• Closing time
You don't have to go home...
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
• Oni resurrects letters columns
Resurrection series features letter-writing contest
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
• And... we're back
With Red 5 info
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
• Happy Thanksgiving!
From aka Comics and Comic World News
• Happy Birthday, COMICRAFT!
Lettering powerhouse and CWN sponsor turns 15
Monday, November 19, 2007
• Surrogates movie ready to start production
Bruce Willis to star
More >>
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February 4, 2008:
November 20, 2006:
A Comic-Con without the Captain