#blackbird comic

[franticvampirereads]

This was definitely not on the planned TBR for this month. But, it was pretty good so I’m not gonna complain. I really loved how much color there was in this! The artwork was gorgeous as well. For being a first issue in a series I think it was pretty good, if a little fast paced. I definitely want to read more. This is getting a solid 3.5 out of five stars.

Trigger warnings for this comic: drug abuse, alcohol abuse, off screen death of a parent

[latineheroes]

Nina Rodriguez in Blackbird #6

[dailyindiecomics]

DailyIndieComics’ New Year Countdown: Favorite New Comics of 2018 - voted by you!

Number 2: Blackbird by Sam Humphries and Jen Bartel - 34 VOTES

In this neo-noir fantasy, Nina Rodriguez is positive that a secret magic world ruled by ruthless cabals is hiding just beneath the veneer of Los Angeles. The problem: everyone thinks she’s crazy. The bigger problem: she’s not crazy—she’s right. Can she unravel the mystery before the Great Beast catches up with her?

[midniter]

Blackbird #6 by Jen Bartel and Sam Humphries (Image Comics)

[aeryns]

i’m like ridiculously proud of this drawing i did?? it’s a redrawing of the cover of issue 3 of blackbird and im proud

[comicweek]

Best of Image Comics 2018 According to r/ImageComics

[comicweek]

October 2018 Review

October 2018 is in the bag and here are the things I reviewed during that period. As always you can follow what I do week to week by looking at the schedule box @comicweek 

Comics (Thursdays/Fridays)

Comic wise it was an overall solid month, focusing on the start of new or returning series.

Blackbird #1

Blackbird has a lot of potential it just needs to work out the storytelling friction between writer Sam Humphries and artist Jen Bartel. Let Jen Bartel tell the story visually! Bartel’s art is beautiful, and along with layouts from Paul Reinwand, can make some good pages that don’t get a chance to show instead of tell. This is easily the most disappointing comic of the month for me. The second issue comes out this week, hopefully it is an improvement.

Moth and Whisper #2

Moth and Whisper is a fun book that I think is getting slept on a little bit, it’s a heist plot in a cyberpunk future that’s telling the story of kid growing out of their parents shadow (who just happen to be the two best thieves ever.) And the protagonist, Niki, is genderqueer which is something you don’t really see anywhere. Of all the books this one is probably worth checking out when it gets collected.

The Unstoppable Wasp #1

The Unstoppable Wasp and Agents of GIRL are back and that makes me very happy. The first Unstoppable Wasp series was a delightful introduction to Nadia Van Dyne, that both dealt with the legacy of Ant-Man and built her own shingle with GIRL. Now it’s back for more adventure from writer Jeremy Whitley and the art team of Gurihiru. It’s a good first issue, and now I’m just waiting for the collection pre order to go so I can get one for my cousin.

The Books of Magic #1

The Books of Magic returned in a solid first issue. If you’ve read the story of Timothy Hunter before you know what to expect. However, beginning a new Hunter story post-Harry Potter world poses some interesting challenges that writer Kat Howard appears to meet. With some excellent art by  Tom Fowler and Jordan Boyd, things get off to a good start.

DMT: Black Panther and the ‘Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda’

Finally I recommended y’all read/continue to read Black Panther from writer Ta-Nehisi Coates. His run on the character has been one of the most interesting things Marvel has published in their main line for a while and we have gotten to see Coates grow into writing for comics. Now he’s taken things up a notch with artist Daniel Acuna by taking T’Challa to space. It’s Black Panther x Star Wars in the best way possible.

Also check out the Webcomics Weekly column I co-run, where we review old and new webcomics each week. Currently I’m on a read through of Blood Stain. 

Television

Titans 

“Titans”

A month after the DC Universe service launched, Titans began airing. This isn’t a good pilot, there is no through line even if there are good individual scenes. As is the case with most television though, things improve and episodes 2-4 are much better and more functional pieces of television. Fans may not like the aesthetic choices, but as it’s own thing it is justifying itself.

Arrow (Tuesdays)

“Inmate 4587”

 “The Longbow Hunters”

“Crossing Lines”

Arrow returned for season 7 with something to prove after a mediocre season 6 and new showrunner Beth Schwartz. Three episodes in and I think Beth Schwartz has shown she knows what makes Arrow tick at the core (she started there as a story editor in the room.) It has spun a lot of old Arrow concepts in directions, flash forwards instead of flashbacks, Felicity acting like old bad Ollie, the prison is the new Island, a general introspection about the role of vigilantism in the story world. Three episodes in and things are looking promising.

Daredevil (Sundays)

“Resurrection”

“Please”

Daredevil has returned with former Arrow and Man in the High Castle writer, Erik Olsen running things. While the show has gone through 3 showrunners in 3 seasons, this might be the best one. Olsen has approached things with simple yet effective visual ques and made the series a better overall television show. Matt Murdock is playing dead and recovering from The Defenders, so we get to see the supporting cast grow beyond being pillars to prop up the emotionally abusive lead character. At the same time Vincent D'onofrio is back and stellar as Wilson Fisk, who is clearly planning something. The show also introduces a longtime DD foe that forms the core triumvirate of the season: Benjamin “Dex” Poindexter aka Bullseye.

Thus far Daredevil isn’t just good by Netflix Original standards, it’s plain good television.

Coming Attractions

Well I read through Postal again in prep for an extended column series on that series. Hopefully that’ll get going here before November is done, but with Grad App season upon us it might get pushed. Still looking for some sourcing  as well.

Mother Panic: Gotham A.D. collection comes out on November 13 digitally, which means I really should dust off my Violet Paige and the cybernetic body essay I’ve been kicking around for 4 months.

More comic reviews along with thoughts on Arrow and Daredevil.

[rjaystreet-archive]

Comic preview. Retooling for WEBTOON.