Long Walk to Valhalla Review

Long Walk to Valhalla is an original graphic novel by writer Adam Smith and artist Matthew Fox. Without giving too much away, this book is about two brothers' growing up in rural Arkansas.  The younger brother, Rory, must look out for his mute older brother Joe. Some years later, Rory meets Sylvia, a self proclaimed Maiden of Odin, who is charged with escorting Rory to the afterlife. That description is as far as the preview on the cover goes, so I'll stop there too.

Just know this book is a treat from beginning to end. The tale is a raw showcase of what growing up impoverished in the rural countryside must be like. There isn't much joy to be found in the lives of our protagonists. The colors by Matthew Fox help convey that. I've never seen a grayscale comic look so beautiful. Like an old movie, you forget this isn't full color. The blues, grays, black and whites are a treasure to behold. Fox also does the lettering, which helps the book ooze personality.

I can't say the more abstract aspects of the book make much sense to me, but as a plot device it works. Beyond that, the characters all experience growth. The showdown towards the end show that Rory has indeed learned from his past. There isn't a dull moment in the story, and I found myself finishing the book in an hour.

On a personal note, being from Arkansas, it's extremely cool seeing local talent make a beautiful hardback that creates a mythology I can call my own. There are references to towns around Arkansas, and I'm sure I've driven down the same roads that are in this book. I've met people like Rory and Joe's dad, I've met tight groups of friends from rural places, and I've fished for mudpuppies using bacon. Writer Adam Smith should be applauded for creating something so genuine. I can't wait to see what these two talents create next.

Who is this for? I'd recommend this for high schoolers and up. I'd also recommend going into this book blind. This is definitely worth reading. If you're from Arkansas, doubly so. This story is mature, emotional, and haunting.

Spider-Woman Vol 1 (2016) Trade Review

Momma's Fury 

The recent relaunch of Spider-Woman in an effort by Marvel to expand diversity among their comics. Writer Dennis Hopeless and artist Javier Rodriguez succeed in telling a story about a pregnant superhero. The story is playful, suspenseful, and will probably go down as the defining Spider-Woman story thus far.

This is technically volume one of this series, however, this book is actually the third Spider-Woman volume Hopeless has written. I haven't read the previous two chapters, but I can say the story here is straightforward enough to be a welcome jumping-on point. There is one character, The Porcupine, who I wasn't familiar with, but after few panels I understood exactly who he was.

That is the strength of Hopeless' story telling here: he takes characters who previously didn't have defined archetypes or strong personalities and makes them immediately relatable. I've never connected with Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew) before, but Hopeless writes somebody I care about and want to see more of. Jessica's relationships with her supporting cast also feel genuine, in particular her relationship with Captain Marvel and Roger.

Why not make Jessica Drew a mother? The character wasn't necessarily rocking the world before. Pregnant women and moms, however, need superheroes. When comics diversify by including more people, they become infinitely more interesting, and perhaps help readers gain a new appreciation for people, in this case moms. After all, appreciation and understanding are what fiction bring to the world, so it's fantastic to see Marvel going in that direction.

Rodriguez is the perfect artist for this more personal and emotional tale.  His facial drawings are all very expressive and add as much weight to the characters as the writing does.  His drawings of Jess at the beginning of chapter 5 had me cracking up. Also, there are multiple splash pages in chapter three that were very imaginative and full of detail. Jessica's rage in chapter four was quite the highlight. Colors were also great, with Ben Urich's office at the very end looking especially nice.



Who is this for? I'd recommend this to anyone who is looking for a superhero story with a less traditional protagonist. This book would also be a good gateway book for a momma bear in your life. The book is funny and light, but also engaging and suspenseful at times. It would be great for a first time comic reader.

The Mighty Thor Vol 1 (2016) Review

The Saga Continues

The Mighty Thor, by Jason Aaron, continues to be the standout title in Marvel's catalogue.  While this is technically the first volume of The Mighty Thor, I wouldn't recommend this as the place to start for newcomers.

Jason Aaron started the current Thor saga in 2012. This isn't even the beginning of the female Thor's saga; that would be Thor (2014) Goddess of Lightning. Aaron has been building the current "War of the Realms" storyline for years, so those jumping in here won't get the full pleasure of the story. With that said, this is the defining Thor story of our generation, and shouldn't be missed. Slight story spoilers below.

My favorite aspect of this book is the new Thor. Super hero stories should give us strength and role models. Heroes represent the highest aspirations of humanity. The lead in this book, Jane Foster, is battling cancer and undergoing chemotherapy. This is the exact type of person who needs a heroic story told about them. She is the hero here, and she faces all her challenges head on. There is a large supporting cast, but Jane isn't a helpless protagonist. Although other characters do heroic things, Jane is the hero of this story. It takes a lot of confidence to completely remove the star character of a series, but Jason Aaron did it and never looked back.

This volume sees the return of Loki to his mischievous ways. He's most interesting when his motivations aren't clear, as is the case here. In fact, the third chapter is my favorite because it features Thor and Loki's conflict. Loki from different eras all appear to taunt Thor, and to also bicker with each other.  Seeing Thor and female Loki fight is truly a treat. Lesser writers would perhaps try to ignore the other incarnations of Loki to streamline the story, but Aaron embraces it, enriching the narrative in the process.

Malekith the Accursed is the main villain here and, with help from the Roxxon CEO Dario Agger, their plan is to conquer every realm on the World Tree. Having modern war tech used in the context of high fantasy is visually very interesting. I really like the Dark Council that Aaron has brought together. There is certainly no shortage of Thor villains.

Speaking of villains, Odin also plays a very antagonistic role here. Friction between Thor and Odin builds throughout the book, and when the brawl finally happens it is very satisfying and brutal. The Serpent (who is Odin's brother, the God of Fear) is one of my favorite Thor villains from recent history, and is featured as basically the secret police of Asgard.  His showdown with Thor is a ton of fun.



With Thor facing enemies on so many fronts, he needs some allies.  The Warriors 3, Balder, Sif, and Odinson's mom Frigga all have Thor's back.  Frigga in particular has a prominent role here, as she's opposed to her husband's tyrannical rule, and is a very strong character in her own right.

On art, Russell Dauterman drawings knock it out of the park.  Everything he draws is very detailed and is realistic.  If Marvel prints the book in a hardback, you can bet the art is the best of the best. Highlights of the book are the battle on the rainbow bridge, multiple Loki's and the Light Elf world. Environments, faces, and character models are all perfect.  The only negative I can think of is Loki's beard; it's basically pubes.  Color Artist Matthew Wilson is also brilliant here.  The rainbow bridge specifically looks gorgeous.

Who is this for?  If you're current with Thor, this book continues the trend of excellence.  Read it.  If you're looking for a jumping on point for Thor, start with the 2012 Thor series and catch up.  This is one of the best tales being published.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IDW Collection Vol 1 Review

Turtle Power 

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IDW Collection is the successful relaunching of a streamlined Turtle series, written by Tom Waltz and series creator Kevin Eastman. Contained in this sturdy hardback are issues #1-12 of the main series, and 5 issues of the Turtles micro-series, all chronologically arranged. This series takes the old mythology and adds modern long-form storytelling, creating a rich reading experience. It's clear a lot of passion went into making this product. Slight story spoilers below.

Our heros begin by searching for their lost brother, Raphael. Raph's tale is parallel to the core cast, and he meets a certain hockey-playing vigilante early on. It's a touching moment when the two halves of the story finally reconnect. The relationship between our heroes feels genuine. You can tell they love each other; even while they bicker, they push each other to be better.

Their personalities feel genuine, and they don't read like simple archetypes. Michelangelo's voice sounds exactly like his animated counterpart, and is a joy to read.  Raph isn't a "rude dude" like in the cartoons, but is defensive and protective towards his family. Don and Leo's' personalities are largely unchanged, but their ideologically-opposed conversations are always entertaining, with Leo being more mystical and Don being more empirical.  Their exchanges expand the lore of the series. Finally, Splinter is the wise father. He's the backbone of the group, but also has a sense vulnerability about him.

Each of the core characters is given plenty of spotlight, but Raph is the main character in the first half of the book. He is the most interesting Turtle because of his newness to the family, but also because of his experiences living on the streets.  Don and Leo aren't given much to do until their individual 'micro-series' issues. After those issues, the characters feels balanced.

Whenever I reached a micro-series issue, I slightly resented being taken out of a proper numbered issue. However, these issues are all fantastic, and added character depth to the story. Don's issue was my favorite, where he teams up with a hippy scientist with an inferiority complex, and they develop a friendly rivalry. The scientist, Harold Lillja, is a new character to the series, yet he feels familiar. This is the series' biggest success, making everything feel familiar but somehow fresh at the same time.

Other new characters are Ole Hob and Alopex.  Hob is a gang-leading mutated alley cat whose origin is interconnected with the Turtles.  He is a good villain for the Turtles to face in the beginning of their journey.  Alopex is a mutated ninja snow fox, who is also an excellent challenger for the Turtles to face. Both of these characters have excellent designs, and make a great addition to the Turtle's rogue gallery.

Krang and Shredder are also here.  Unlike the TV show, they have an adversarial relationship, and the turtles find themselves in between the two factions.  It's much more interesting than having the villains on the same page.  Baxter Stockman is another bad guy with a big presence here . His mutagen plays the same role as the Super Soldier Serum in the Marvel Universe, and it helps streamline the origins of characters.  Finally, the chapters where the Turtles face the robotic Mousers stand out as the highlight of the book.

What would TMNT be without a strong supporting cast? Casey Jones and April O'Neil are both here, and feel true to their roots. Casey and Raph's relationship feels authentic as they become as close as brothers.  O'Neal is a college student, and besides being there for the Turtles origin, doesn't have a big role to play as of yet.

There are plenty of callbacks and easter eggs in these pages. The Turtles all wear red masks initially, as a nod to the original series. The old 80's Turtle comic art used to fill the pages at the end of each chapter gives a strong sense of nostalgia. The creators truly have a reverence for the past. This series is the perfect fusion of love for the past and a future with boundless storytelling potential. They did it right.

The main series art is by Dan Duncan, and the micro-series each have a different artist. Duncan has a great handle on these characters. I didn't feel lost or confused by any of the action. His lines are the right amount of thick and scratchy, with clean environments and negative space. However, my favorite art here is by Valerio Schiti, who draws Donatello's standalone chapter. It resembles the cartoon, with expressive characters and bright colors. Sophie Campbell's drawings in the Leonardo chapter are wonderful. Her art reminds me of Mouse Guard artist Peter David's art, and I had to double check to make sure it wasn't him.  Luckily, Peter David's Turtle art is showcased here as chapter covers, and I now crave a TMNT issue drawn by him.

Who is this for?  If you grew up watching TMNT or are into the current franchise, this is most definitely for you. Even if you know nothing about TMNT, this is the absolute best place to begin. I'd argue this is the best TMNT product ever made.

Extraordinary X-Men Vol 1 Trade Review

Extraordinary Times 

Jeff Lemire's Extraordinary X-Men is the core X-title of the "All New, All Different" relaunch. Storm is now head of the Xavier Institute, which is basically a refugee camp. After the events of Infinity, Black Bolt released the Terrigen Cloud, which has moved around the globe, poisoning and sterilizing any mutant in its path. Storm's mission is to collect the remaining mutants and keep them safe.

My complaints about this title are few, but they are for the editorial side of Marvel. First, it seems like the X-Men just overcame a very similar situation - sterilization - after House of M. During that decade-long story, the events that happened felt earned and the storytelling was very plotted, which leads me to my second issue. Here, it seems like an editorial swerve; that the writers and editors are fixing a missed opportunity, and that the M-Pox should have happened directly after Infinity, not years later. I understand why this direction was chosen, X-titles are more interesting with the X-Men on the ropes; however, it's unfortunate this feels like the editors are using the relaunch to fix a X-mistake.

Outside of that criticism, I really like this book. This is my favorite lineup of characters from any relaunched X-book so far. Everyone has a distinct voice and Lemire juggles the huge cast well (Nightcrawler being the one exception). Storm is a strong character in this book, and feels natural in her leadership role. Lemire also has a great handle on Colossus, and artist Ramos draws him fantastically. Magik, being one of my favorite X-Men, has a prominent role here and has some great scenes with her brother. It's nice to see her in a big role in a team book, and my only complaint is that she's sidelined for a few chapters.

Old Man Logan and Young Jean have a great rapport, and their relationship is truly the heart of the book. I really enjoy Lemire's handle on Iceman. Not many writers do Bobby justice, but here he's a complex character whom I enjoy reading. Nightcrawler is the McGuffin of the book, and the only main character who isn't done justice, simply because he's kidnapped the whole time.  I hope to see more of him in the next trade, because he's one of my favorite X-characters.

Cerebra is a nice addition to the cast, and boy does Ramos draw an awesome portrayal of a sentinel. Forge is here as well, playing the role of "The man in the van," or the support character. Rounding out the cast are The New X-Men's Anole and Glop. I'm always thrilled when New X-Men characters are used, since they are all interesting characters. They begin as background characters, but they have much more to do by the end of the trade, even becoming full fledged X-Men.

I haven't even mentioned the villains yet! Mr. Sinister is the main bad, and he commands a team of henchmen who are interesting characters in their own right. My favorites are Aries, who has an awesome design and looks great fighting Colossus, and Azimuth, who has a cool black hole power. Used correctly, Sinister should be an intriguing baddy. Here, his motives and methods ring true, and he even has some interesting character growth.

There is a lot happening in this series. Essentially, this trade is the team building book. Lemire succeeds by having a solid team together by the final chapter, and writing an entertaining story on the way there. Lemire does a great job juggling all the characters, their motives and relationships. This book has a unique place within the X-verse by having them not just antagonized by humanity, who fear and hate them, but by having them face a rival group of outsiders: the Inhumans. Does one have to fail for the other to succeed? Is there room for both groups of people in the world? If you're interested in exploring that, I'd recommend checking out Uncanny Inhumans, which features Beast searching for answers to the mutants woes.

My absolute favorite aspect of the book is the art. Simply put, penciler Humberto Ramos and colorist Edgar Delgado are an exceptional team, and really hit a homerun. It's the perfect fusion of anime, Saturday morning cartoon, some special X-factor of Ramos' very own. The action is kinetic, faces look wonderful, and Old Man Logan has the best grandfather mouth in the business. The colors here are also so vibrant, and in particular the colors on Colossus look fantastic. 

Who is the book for?  If you like team based X-Men, this is for you. This fits in continuity, naturally, but you don't need to know any of it to enjoy this book. If you can afford to only read X-title, and want to read something that is pushing the franchise forward, this is it.

All-New Wolverine Trade Vol 01 Review

Clone Wars

All New Wolverine lands under Marvel's "All New-All Different" branding. What makes it so different? Most noticeably, it doesn't star everyone's favorite furball Logan, but his genetic clone Laura Kinney, AKA X-23. If you're not familiar with X-23 don't worry, as Tom Taylor does a great job of getting newcomers caught up.

This series takes Laura on a quest to find the other clones created in her image. Her sisters are a big part of this volume, and Taylor does a good job developing the characters. Each one is a reflection of some characteristic of Laura; her innocence, her hot temper, and her wrath.

Outside of the core cast are many guest appearances. Young Angel is featured in the first issue. Their relationship isn't as prominent here as it is in All-New X-Men, but the relationship conflict is the same, and that consistency is nice. Other guest appearances include Taskmaster (a personal favorite of mine), Doctor Strange, and The Wasp. I love seeing Laura interacting with different corners of the Marvel Universe, and building relationships.

The art is consistent and imaginative, especially when it leans more towards Sci-fi. This consistency is a welcomed surprise, considering it's drawn by two artists, David Lopez and David Navarrot. That's good news going forward, knowing they can deliver quality art month after month, with probably no fill in artists. The only criticism I have concerning the art are the eyes. There is something slightly off about them, although it may just be a style thing, and it never kept me from enjoying the book. The character design on the clones and Wolverine, however, is wonderful. When they fully suit up, they look simply bad ass.

The colors, by Nathan Fairbairn, are great too, and give a strong sense of place. Paris, the sewers, and the microverse all have distinct feels.

Who is this book for?  Fans of X-23 or All-New X-Men. I don't think people expecting a traditional Wolverine comic would be thrilled with the new direction. However, if you enjoy the X-verse and enjoy strong characterization, high adrenaline action, and intrigue, this is the comic for you.

E3 2016 Musings

MEGA HYPE

The remainder of the year is now post-E3. It's hard for me to believe. What follows are the games I plan on playing. I thought about doing a list of all the amazing-looking games, but honestly everything looked amazing. My time is limited these days, and I know what appeals to me, so this is the Ben-list of what I'll be playing.

Recore - Probably my most hyped game of the show. This is a gamer's game. It looks like Mega Man Legends brought back to life, with crazy environmental puzzles this time. Hype hype HYPE.

Final Fantasy 15 - I decided long ago that this game is for me, and at this point I don't want to see anything else about it. I did watch the demo on the Xbox show, and the guy playing it couldn't beat the boss. Felt bad for him. I can't wait for all things FF15, including the anime and the movie. The new movie trailer looked awesome too.

Cuphead - Another E3, still no release date. Honestly, take your time guys. I have plenty to still play.

Zelda - I really want to play this, but the GamePad and my hands don't get along. The controller isn't ergonomic at all, and after about 30 min of play I need to stop. Maybe I'll find a solution soon :/

Kingdom Hearts - Bring it to Xbox and I'll be there.

Mass Effect Andromeda - HYPE. Disappointed not to see more of the game though. Easily my most anticipated game of 2017.

Sea of Thieves - This game looks like a ton of fun.

Scalebound - I have high hopes for this game, but it still has to prove itself.

Spider Man - Makes me jelly of the PS4.

Xbox Scorpio - Can't wait.

Who won?  Gamers did. It's a good time to be a video game fan.

All New X-Men Vol 1 Trade Review

X-Men With a Purpose

If you're to read only one X-title from the "All New, All Different" relaunch, this is it.  Hopeless takes everything that worked in Bendis' "All New" run, and combines it with some of the elements from Jason Aaron's "Wolverine and the X-Men," for a mashup that works brilliantly.

The core X-Men are all given time to shine, especially some of the previously underused characters, like Angel and Iceman.  Angel and Laura's arc is played out well here, and you believe in their relationship and want it to succeed.  I love Laura's arc here too: she is full tilt crazy - thrilled to do battle, giving no thoughts to her own safety - which does leads to interpersonal conflict.  It's the highlight of the book for me.  

Beast is given a new sidekick to play off of, which leads to some comedic moments.  Beast's new X-mobil is a fantastic idea.  I was skeptical with the direction Bendis took Iceman at the end of his run; the twist felt like an afterthought just to create controversy.  However, Hopeless commands that character development and makes it work.  Young Iceman is now interesting - he is full of doubt and uses humor as a shield, while questioning how his older self could live a lie for so long.  He's in denial and angry, and doesn't know how to talk about his feelings.  

Young Cyclops is the emotional core of this title, and I really like the direction the character is moving.  He struggles with living under the legacy of his older self - who he doesn't want to become - but it seems the more he struggles against it, the closer he comes to fulfilling his destiny.  Cyclops has some good moments, and reminds me why we all loved the character in the first place. 

The only characters that could use some more time to shine are Genesis and Oya.  Oya's chat with God in the last couple of chapters felt out of place.  What worked better was her protecting the church from being destroyed in the brawl.  As for Genesis, I'm glad he's a character that's being used, but he didn't have much more than a line here and there.  It's clear he'll be important in the next arc. 

The "Ghosts of Cyclops" are great villains.  I like how they aren't all on the same page, and some are more dedicated to the cause than others in the group.  They felt more real than the villains used in Bendis' "Battle of the Atom," and I look forward to seeing them again.  The resolution of the conflict was an emotional one, but it completely ignored the fate of the Ghosts of Cyclops. I hope that's fixed in the future, even one line concerning their fate would have been nice.  

Bagley on art is a great addition to the X-universe.  His work has a cartoony feel and the action flows well.  The fight scenes feel like watching a New X-Men cartoon.  The colors by Woodard are also brilliant.  In particular, I like how Angel's wings looked, and the panel in chapter 4 of Wolverine walking through fire.  Sweet stuff.  

Who is this book for?  X-Men fans looking for a well written, action packed series, that takes you back to the feel of Jason Aaron's run.  It is slightly continuity heavy, but newcomers should still be able to jump right in.  

Comic Trade Reviews Ahoy

Having recently returned from vacation, I devoured several comic Trades. Most of them are from Marvel's "All New, All Different" relaunch. Overall, I really enjoyed the relaunch. I'll post one review a day starting on Monday. Currently, I'm coming up with novel ways to score books, since I think grading or a numerical score don't tell the whole story.