A comiXologist Recommends
Han Solo #1 (Marvel Comics)
In a galaxy far far away, and also a digital device in your hand, comes a brand new story about our favorite smuggler, Han Solo. Han Solo #1 is written by Marjorie Liu (X-23) and illustrated by Mark Brooks (Cable & Deadpool). This is the first of five issues. The arc of the story will be filling in the gaps of Han Solo’s continued involvement with the Rebel Alliance. Without giving away too much of the story, the phrase “Just when I thought I was out… they pull me back in” is pretty fitting. Han never seems to find trouble; it always finds him.
Marjorie Liu has laid the groundwork in this issue for a fantastic arc, all of which involves our favorite parts of the Star Wars Universe: Leia, Han, Chewie, Scum, and Villainy. The dialogue is great. I could envision the timing and delivery of Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher while reading this book. I can’t wait to see where Liu takes Han during the Dragon Void Run. Mark Brooks’ art is amazing. Han and Leia look like their actor counterparts, and panel layouts feel like I am watching one of the movies. I have to say I was pretty impressed by the non-canon character designs, and the amount of detail that is given to each background and establishing shot.
I highly recommend this book to any level of Star Wars fan. This series, like the other Star Wars series, gives us more stories about the characters we love. Also I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of espionage, but also I would recommend this to fans of race movies since the Dragon Void Run plays a major part of the story. Either way, pick this book up, and may the force be with you.
Chris Zenyuch supervises comiXology’s launch team, the team that made the Kesel run is less than twelve parsecs.
A comiXologist Recommends (THWIP! CRACK! ETCETERA!)
Spider-Man (2016) #1
New this week, from the relatively unknown creative team of Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Spider-Man (2000-2009), Alias (2001-2003), Takio), Sara Pichelli (Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2009-2012) and Guardians of The Galaxy (2013-2015)), and Justin Ponsor (Ultimate Spider-Man (2000-2009 and Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2009-2012), SPIDER-MAN #1 swings into stores today. Following the events of Secret Wars (2015) (If you haven’t read it, YOU SHOULD!) This book follows (former Ultimate) Spider-man, Miles Morales. He is now on in the Marvel Universe, and this is where the fun begins.
Without giving much away, the story brings us into Miles’ [new] world, and the creative team really brings the world to life. Bends’ dialogue returns to it’s glory of being quick and witty. His well-written banter hits at all the right notes. For anyone new to Miles Morales, Bendis clearly lays out our heroes’ strengths, weakness, and abilities, so it’s really easy to pick up even if you haven’t read the previous comics. This issue #1 is like most issues #1s, it’s the tip of the iceberg, and the end of the book will leave you begging to know what happens next.
The art of Sara Pichelli and the colors of Justin Ponsor, are AMAZING all on their own. If you don’t have a favorite artist yet, look no further than Sara’s work. Her action, her poses, her narrative ability, they are all FANTASTIC. Sara’s work really has the ability to keep up with Bendis’ pacing, and doesn’t disappoint. Sara’s work is even further realized by the colors of Justin Ponsor. His work really compliments Sara’s work. (It’s like they have done this before ;] ) To me, his color is what completes this package. I think without Justin, the whole book could have a totally different vibe. With these three creators hitting on all cylinders in the first issue, who knows what is going to come out way month-to-month, but it can only be good.
I highly recommend this book for all types of fans, from new to old, radioactive to super, and everything in between. This creative team has the ability to take this story any where so get on this series now!
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Chris Zenyuch supervises book releases and file quality at comiXology. He was once bitten by a spider, but it turns out it wasn’t radioactive (bummer.) He enjoys long walks between dimensions and once accidentally found the Negative Zone. A highlight for Chris is when he got to meet Spider-Man, or well at least it was a guy who played him movie.
A comiXologist Recommends (the return of a childhood favorite)
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #0
After 22 years since it first aired, it’s Morphin Time! The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers are BACK in this issue #0 of the new series from BOOM! Studios. Granted the new series doesn’t fully start till March, but this issue gives us a little taste of what we can expect. Issue #0 is made up of three stories, the main story is about the Green Ranger, there is the on-going story of Bulk and Skull’s mischief, and last the tale is a straight Zord fighting. If you were a fan of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, you will dig this comic. These are all new tales about our favorite teenagers with attitude.
The first story first story takes place after Tommy Oliver broke Rita Repulsa’s mind control, and his coping with what happened while joining the Rangers to fight against Rita. The story was written by Kyle Higgins (Batman Eternal (2014-2015) and C.O.W.L.) and it really embraces the feel of the TV show it is based on. I felt like I was reading an updated episode about our favorite Angel Grove heroes. The art is done by Hendry Prasetya, (Power Girl and Voodoo (2011-2012)) which captures the spirit and pacing of the show. It’s apparent in his art that he loved drawing the Rangers, monsters and Zords because they are amazingly rendered. The story to me is like binge-watching the show, I need to know what happens next, and I can’t wait for the next episode.
The two backup stories are really fun reads as well. The first is a Bulk and Skull story written Steve Orlando (Midnighter (2015-) and Undertow) and illustrated by Corin Howell (Bat-Mite (2015-) and Transformers: Windblade (2015-)). This little story follows the hi-jinx of Angel Grove’s own Laurel and Hardy, Bulk and Skull. Again, this story nails the tone and feel of the 90’s TV show, even when Bulk is mocking what someone had just said. The final story is written by Mairghread Scott (Transformers: Windblade (2015-) and Marvel Universe Guardians of the Galaxy Infinite Comic) and illustrated by Daniel Bayliss (Jim Henson’s Storyteller and Translucid.) This story is nothing but fighting and ZORDS! Seriously, I could read a whole issue about Zords fighting bad guys.
Overall I have to say the whole issue was MORPHINOMINAL! If you were a fan of the TV show, I highly recommend checking this book out for a trip down Nostalgia Lane. Check out this new series when it starts up in March.
While teaching a Karate class at the Angel Grove Youth Center, Chris Zenyuch was transported to the far off place called New York City. While he was there, he was hired by comiXology to lead their book activation and file quality teams. In his spare time he likes to protect the world from alien invaders, but sadly Chris is still waiting for Rita Repulsa to make her monster’s grow, so he can show off his sweet Karate moves.
A comiXologist Recommends (a new Swamp Thang book with the best possible creative team)
Like the character he once co-created, Len Wein (Swamp Thing (1972) and Justice League of America (1960-1987)) is returning to the mucky, murky swamps to breath new life into Swamp Thing. This is Wein’s first time writing the character in nearly forty years. Without giving anything away, the issue serves as a great starting point to introduce and re-introduce readers to the character while also starting him on his newest adventure.
The team of Wein and Kelley Jones (Batman (1940-2011) and The Sandman) give the book a nostalgic,
evocative feel. These two creators make it feel like I have been to these
swamps before. The descriptive nature of Wein’s narration adds a level to
the art that I haven’t experience in a long time from a comic book. As an
example: “The mournful moan of the rusting midnight fright train…”
These vivid details enhance the surroundings inhabited by Swamp Thing, and only
deepen the world painted by Jones. Jones, who is no stranger to Swamp Thing
either (Batman (1940-2011) #521,) adds his own layer
of darkness and beauty to the story.
As I mentioned previously, this is a great starting point for fans old and new, so there is no reason to not give this creature a shot!
Chris Zenyuch is a Production Supervisor, in charge of overseeing file quality and book activations. In his spare time, he enjoys working on secret bio-restorative formulas, falling into the muck-filled swamps, and generally keeping a House of Secrets.
A comiXologist Recommends (their favorite from 2015)
STAR WARS. JUST STAR WARS.
My pick for ‘Best of 2015’ is Star Wars… All of it. I know, its the obvious choice, but as Bill Murray once famously sang, “Star Wars! Nothing but Star Wars! Gimme those Star Wars.. don’t let them end!” This year was full of it, and it was hard to ignore. There were Star Wars comics, video games, cartoons, action figures, books, trading cards, mugs, pugs, chewable vitamins…etc and it all culminated on 12/18 with the release of the seventh installment of the movie franchise.
This year Marvel started releasing new series, and they have been fantastic. From Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens - Shattered Empire to Star Wars (2015-) and Kanan - The Last Padawan all of them have been a delight. They did a great job of bringing us back to a galaxy far far away. If the Extended Universe is more your speed, we released back issues dating back to the original series from 1977. We released Star Wars - The Thrawn Trilogy and Knights of the Old Republic to Star Wars: Tag & Bink Are Dead (2001). There is so much here, you could keep yourself busy until Rouge One comes out in 2016. Hopefully next year’s offerings will be just as entertaining. So until then…
May the force be with you.
The force is strong with Chris Zenyuch, who supervises comiXology’s activation and sales team. Yesterday was his birthday.
A comiXologist Recommends
Howling Commandos of SHIELD #3 (Marvel)
T’was the week of New Years, when all through the house
Not a monster was stirring, not even the Zombie Jasper Sitwell.
The artifacts were hung by the crypts with care,
In hopes that the Howling Commandos of SHIELD soon would be there.
But seriously folks, Howling Commandos of SHIELD is one of the most fun ideas to come out of All-New All-Different Marvel line-up. In this issue, we pick up where we left off from issue #2, where the Commandos are responding to disturbance at an Egyptian Museum. From there the action picks up in more ways than one. While out on mission, Dum Dum Dugan is still trying to prove the usefulness of Zombie Jasper Sitwell (who had an accident with a rocket launcher in issue #1.) While back at S.T.A.K.E. H.Q., Nadeen, a girl with powerful supernatural abilities, is trying to figure out what is happening to her. This is a great issue, it’s full of action and humor. Frank J. Barbiere (Five Ghosts and Black Market) has set up an entertaining story that is just starting to hit its stride. Brent Schoonover’s style (Batman 66’ and Back to the Future) is akin to Jack Kirby (dots included) and Sal Buscema, because it has a retro feel that matches the tone and story perfectly. The pacing and storytelling for these first-time collaborators is really starting to mesh, and is only getting better.
If you are looking for a unique and fun series to start, and you like action with 1970’s horror feel, then by all means you should read this book. The series is still in its first few issues, so it is exciting to see where Frank and Brent can take it. For me this series is a stand out in the All-New All-Different Marvel line-up.
He sprang to his Quinjet, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere as they flew out of sight,
“Happy New Year to all, and to all a good-night!”
Growing up on a healthy diet of comics, cartoons,
and movies, Chris Zenyuch decided to move to NYC to join the Avengers. After being told,
“sorry, no unsolicited try-outs,” and “we get it. You’re strong, but please put
down the coffee table,” he decided to put that dream to rest, and work in
selling comics. Chris now works as a Production Supervisor looking after book and
sale activations. Today is his birthday.
