Jeff Bouchard Comic Reviews

I enjoyed The Accelerators #1 and will be on the lookout for the next issue (set for July 17th.) If this is truly the first foray into comics for Porto (as his bio mentions) and Blue Juice Comics then I am excited to see what else they have in store for comic book fans. Anyone interested in something different from the norm, fans of sci-fi/time travel stories or even people looking for historical figures beating each other up (have I mentioned there is a conquistador fighting a redcoat?) should give this a try and put Blue Juice Comics on their radar.

Issues 24 and 25 are a great jumping on point for those not reading Animal Man and just another example why the book is one of the bright spots to come out of the New 52 from DC.

Avengers A.I. #7 is a solid standalone issue and for anyone not reading the series, I suggest picking it up and giving it a try. Each month the quality and storytelling of each issue reinforces my belief that I made the right decision to do just that back when the series was launched.

Brain Boy #1 was fun to read and certainly different from some of the other books on the shelf. The creative team has retained some of the quirkiness of the original 60s character but modernized him to appeal to today's comic book reader. There is a mysterious past of the main character, espionage involving government agencies and cutting edge technology being used against high level psychic powers. If those concepts sound interesting, I would give Brain Boy a try.

Layman and Guillory have built a very unique world in the pages of Chew and the series has hit various levels on the emotional spectrum from laugh out loud funny to leaving you saddened. Issue #38 moves the story further along " somewhat and I say that because it is never revealed to the reader what knowledge Savoy gains from his stint in prison. When this book is good, it is one of the best books on the shelf. In my opinion this issue left me waiting patiently to get some resolution to interesting story points that the creative team has intrigued its readers with without any payoff.

The creative team has littered the book with deeper meanings and symbolism, from the quote from a Russian philosopher, to the book used to hide Julians secret office, to the statement on the final page by Wick. Clive Barkers Next Testament is not perfect, but it does what a first issue is supposed to do. It creates a world that pulls you in, makes you think, question things and wonder what is going to happen to these characters. If you are looking for a book that is a little different than what you typically see on the shelf and one that will give you a layered reading experience, then give Clive Barkers Next Testament #1 a try. I am glad I did.

The dialogue is sharp and the story is well paced, blending elements of sci-fi, espionage and political thriller. There are a lot of story points in this issue and you certainly get your moneys worth. The creative team establishes several threads in Ghost Town #1 that I am looking forward to exploring in future issues including the big reveal on the last page.Dwonch and Company have provided comic fans with a unique spin on the time travel genre in Ghost Town #1. If this is any indication of the quality of books we will see being published under the Danger Zone imprint, I am excited to see what else Action Labs has in store for us.

The creative team behind Ghosted is Joshua Williamson (writer), Goran Sudzuka (artist), Miroslav Mrva on colors and Rus Wooton handling the lettering. I really like Sudzuka's art style, and Mrva's colors mesh well with it. His style is what I would describe as having a rough, pencil feel to it with tight lines and a liberal use of blacks and shadows in the panels. The two page splash of the Trask Mansion (the large house seen on the cover) is a nice example of how well their styles work in this book and the mansion and it's gnarly tree-dotted landscape looks like it would be right at home in an issue of Hellboy.Ghosted #1 puts a fun twist on a story we have seen before. The reveal on the last page pushes the reader to ask even more questions about these characters and their motivations. The creative team has built the groundwork for a story I am looking forward to following and I recommend picking it up and giving it a try.

This issue has action throughout in addition to some key developments that will affect Hal both personally and as a Green Lantern. It was a nice way for the new creative team to establish their direction for the book. Much like in sports when a new coach replaces a Hall of Fame one after they step down, there are big shoes to fill with the Green Lantern title. Geoff Johns revitalized the Green Lantern title and added to the mythos, no one can deny that. But if Green Lantern #21 is any indication, the new creative team has a wild ride in store for Green Lantern fans that will keep them on the edge of their seats.

Page count aside, Hellboy: The Midnight Circus is a prime example of what creators at the top of their game can do with a character and world they are familiar with. It is a beautifully illustrated story that provides a glimpse into the life of a young Hellboy. A great standalone story that fans of Hellboy won't want to miss; it is an approachable OGN that can be enjoyed by readers not familiar with Hellboy as well.

In this first issue the stakes are raised once again. As Iron Man laments, "I'm getting tired of end of the world scenarios". It will be fun to see how far the Avengers are pushed with this latest set of threats and how the team responds when there is danger coming from so many angles. Hickman and company have crafted a solid start to the event that is beautifully illustrated, with new characters and multiple storylines to explore.

Larfleeze #1 has some interesting elements to it and delivers a cosmic adventure that stands alone from the other Green Lantern titles while still being a part of that universe. As with most comedic characters and comics there is a fine line between just enough and too much. For my tastes, this issue went a little overboard and it affected my enjoyment of the book. Fans of Larfleeze or the Green Lantern comics might find the mix of cosmic adventure and humor just right for them.

Three issues into the series is certainly not a large sample size but Lazarus is exceeding all expectations for me. Expectations that were already high going in knowing the creative team that was on the book. Their attention to detail in building the world of Lazarus is exceptional. It is tough not to feel like this could happen while reading Lazarus and glancing at the headlines of a newspaper or turning on the evening news. And it is with that foreboding idea, that uneasiness, that Rucka, Lark and company pull you in.

One of the things I remember from the original series is that even though it was a team of younger heroes, they were heroes nonetheless and they did not shy away from any type of villain or situation and it looks like the creative team has set this new iteration of the New Warriors on a similar path. There are some familiar faces and several new characters that have a big challenge ahead of them right out of the gate. I look forward to seeing how this team comes together and represents the moniker of the New Warriors.

Overall, Nova has been an enjoyable book since it relaunched and I am glad I put my initial concerns aside and gave the book a chance. With each issue the creative team is rounding into form much like Sam and his newfound powers. It is good to see some Marvel Cosmic books back on the shelf and fans of that corner of the Marvel Universe should check out Nova if they were skeptical about the new series.

Pietrolino is a story about a mime, but through the silent actions of our protagonist we are able to see the emotions that we all experience in life. Like many of Pietrolinos performances, this story ends with applause for Jodorowsky and Boiscommun, who have lovingly crafted an homage to Marcel Marceau. By doing so, they also show comic books fans what beautiful stories can be told with this medium.

The creative team packed a lot of story into issue 1, including some great back-matter material in the form of a Prepnet Survivalcast Newsletter by Ryan K. Lindsay. The interesting characters, fascinating backdrop of an end-of-days survival colony and action towards the end of the issue put Sheltered #1 on my list of strong premier issues from Image Comics. I highly recommend this for anyone interested in post-apocalyptic stories or those that want a change from the superhero comics they may be reading.

Those following the Superior Spider-Man book will probably want to check Superior Spider-Man Team-Up out to see what the character is up to but I question the appeal of the book for general fans of the Marvel Universe.

I am glad to see The Occultist back and this time with a longer series where the creative team can explore the world that has been built. I'd like to learn more about The Sword and the powers its controller can harness. I find several parallels with the book and something like Amazing Spider-Man which is one of the appealing aspects to me. There is a nice blend of humor and action, and Seeley's dialog is funny without being over the top. There is also the growth, or lack thereof, with the protagonist as he learns to use his new-found abilities and get his personal life in order. Rob Bailey has a charming awkwardness about him that makes you want to root for him while at the same time realize that he is in control of a powerful and dangerous weapon. The Occultist #1 is a fun read and it sets up some interesting story points that I am excited to see play out over the next four issues.

The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys #1 is an inventive, beautifully illustrated comic that lays the foundation for what can be an extraordinary story and I highly recommend checking it out. For those interested in experiencing a little more of the Killjoys, My Chemical Romances music videos Na Na Na and Sing are set in this world. Even if you arent a fan of their music, comic book readers will get a kick out of the cameo by writing luminary Grant Morrison.

Transformers Prime Beast Hunters #1 is a fun book with a whodunit premise that has me interested to see where the story goes. It is accessible to new readers but there are a couple of spots where you might not fully understand the references, but it does not detract from the story and I still enjoyed it not having read all of the back matter. The one caveat I have is the book is operating in a small part of the Transformers universe. People not fully entrenched in that universe that are interested in the book should keep that in mind. A lot of the main characters they may be familiar with (Optimus Prime, Megatron, Bumble Bee, Starscream, etc) are not in the book. But fans of the TV series, the Dinobots or big fans of the Transformers should find this entertaining.

This is a strong first issue that builds a unique and fascinating world in a genre often found in comics. It pulls you in and makes you care about these characters in a short amount of time and sets itself apart from the other post-apocalyptic books on the shelves. I highly recommend checking out Wild Blue Yonder #1 and I am excited to see where the story goes.