Avengers: Rage of Ultron

Author:  Rick Rememder

Artist:  Jerome Opena, Pepe Laraz, Mark Morales

Publication Date:  March 2015

Publisher:  Marvel

Graphic Novel Challenge #16

I enjoyed the latest Avengers movie (“Age of Ultron”).  This original graphic novel was a much better story.  The art of Jerome Opena was near perfect.  The Avengers have had many great artists and Opena deserves to be on that short list.  His art was a perfect fit for Rick Remender’s story.  Remender seems to be channeling the spirit of one of my favorite Avengers writers-Steve Englehart.  The characters seem to be similar to a team that Englehart would assemble.  And the ending was heartbreaking.  Great characterization, great plotting, and great art combine to make this original graphic novel a classic addition to Marvel’s line.  The downside to this is that I want to see where Remender would take the story next.  Unfortunately he is not doing any work for Marvel over the next 12 months.  

Highly recommended.

D4VE

Creators:  Ryan Ferrier & Valentin Ramon

Publication Date:  Sept. 2015

Source:  Netgalley

Publisher:  IDW

Graphic Novel Challenge #15

The opening of this story is more like classic science fiction.  Mankind creates robots to serve them, the robots rise up, revolt and wipe out humanity.  Then what are they left to do?  The robots decide to imitate their creators.  They take humanity’s place complete with marriage, family, and corporate jobs.  D4VE was the hero of the revolt.  He was the master strategist of their army.  Now he is struggling to fit in to a 9-5 desk job with a family.  The creators do a good job of showing how the robots imitate humanity.  The story kicks into high gear when an alien race shows up.  I do not want to give away any more of the story.  Pick it up.  

Highly recommended.

Star Trek/Planet of the Apes: The Primate Directive

Authors:  Scott and David Tipton

Artist:  Rachael Stott

First Publication:  August 2015

Source:  Netgalley

Publisher:  IDW

Graphic Novel Challenge #14


One of the best words to describe this book is fun.  From the title “The Primate Directive” through the interaction of two of my favorite franchises (for more years than I care to remember) it was an entertaining mix of both universes.  The story is set during the time of the Organian Peace Treaty from the original Star Trek series.  The Klingons are frustrated by the non-violence pact they were forced into by the Organians.  Now their scientists have discovered an alternate reality that contains the Planet of the Apes.  True to form, they start supplying weaponry to a militant group of apes to enable them to conquer this Earth for the Klingons.  Kirk and crew discover the Klingons plans and follow them through to the other universe.  It makes for an entertaining story as the “good” apes team with the Federation to stop the “bad” apes and the Klingons.  One of my favorite parts is a connection between this series and the Apes movies.  I do not want to ruin it for other readers.  The artist does a good job of capturing the likenesses of the numerous characters.  They are easily recognizable.


Highly recommended if you are a fan of either series. 

Birthright Vol. 1: Homecoming

Writer:  Joshua Williamson

Artists:  Andrei Bressan, Adriano Lucas

First Publication:  March 2015

Source:  Comixology

Publisher:  Image

Graphic Novel Challenge #13

I read many comics each year.  This one stood out from the rest based on the first issue alone.  By the time I turned the last page, I had become a fan for life of “Birthright”.  It starts off like a somewhat traditional fantasy story.  A father and son are playing catch near the woods when the ball gets away from them.  The son goes after it and vanishes.  He ends up in a fantastical world.  The inhabitants tell him that he is the savior they have been waiting for.  Time runs faster back in the real world.  The loss of the son has a devastating effect on the family.  And that is where the story really catches the reader’s attention.  I will not reveal any more of the story.  It is best experienced when you read it.

The art is the other high point of the series.  At times, it reminds me of the classic John Byrne and Terry Austin team.  It perfectly complements the great story.


Highly recommended.  Once you start it you won’t be able to stop.

Lazarus Vol. 2

Writer:  Greg Rucka

Artist:  Michael Luck

First Publication:  August 201

Source:  Comixology

Publisher: Image

Graphic Novel Challenge #12

Volume 2 is similar to the first volume but even better.  We get to see more of the life of the non-privileged members of this world.  A select few get picked to be “lifted” to a higher status.  Most are excited by the opportunity but some see it as a chance to strike back at the Carlyle family.  As much as I raved about volume one, I thought this one was even better.  I can’t wait to read the next collection.

Highly recommended.

 

Lazarus Vol. 1

Writer:  Greg Rucka

Artist:  Michael Luck

First Publication:  October 2013

Source:  Comixology

Publisher: Image

Graphic Novel Challenge #11

A good friend kept raving about this series until I broke down and tried it.  Now I can’t get enough of this Greg Rucka and Mike Lark masterpiece.  The world is divided up by regions controlled by families.  Each family has a protector called a Lazarus.  This tells the story of the Carlyle family and their Lazarus.  First off, Lark does an amazing job of bringing this dystopian/future world to life.  The characters look stunningly realistic.  Unlike some artists, Lark makes this story flow.  You can have an enjoyable experience just by looking at the art.  But you will be shortchanging yourself if you don’t read the words.  Rucka has obviously put a lot of effort into building the backstory.  The story takes longer to read than the average comic but I never felt like it was a slow read.  The details he puts into it also helps to make it seem more realistic. He tells a great science fiction adventure/political intrigue story with one of my favorite female lead characters of all time.

Highly recommended.

Godzilla: Cataclysm

Writer:  Cullen Bunn

Artist:  Dave Wachter

First Publication:  March 2015

Source:  NetGalley

Publisher: IDW

Graphic Novel Challenge #10

When I see Dave Wachter’s name on a book, it goes on my must buy list.  In this case, I received a review copy from NetGalley but will also be buying a copy.  Wachter is the perfect artist for this book.  His classic art style combined with the monsters’ designs made for a very good looking book.  I would pause to stare at individual panels even though it would interrupt the story flow.  Even though I was interested based because of Wachter’s art, the story was up to the level of the images.  All I will say is that it is fitting that humanity brought this on themselves.


Highly recommended.