by Gavin Foo
THE WAKE #6
Writer: Scott Snyder
Art: Sean Murphy
Colours: Matt Hollingsworth
Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher
Cover: Andrew Robinson
I gave up. I gave up trying to guess what could be in store with this issue - and I’m really glad I did, because this world has unfolded in a totally different manner that I could never have expected.
We are now in the last half of this 10-part series, and now we are fully introduced to Leeward, our new protagonist. It is 200 years later, in a world and landscape changed beyond recognition. Snyder and Murphy have even created new colloquialisms for this new world, and new infrastructure.
THE WAKE #6
Writer: Scott Snyder
Art: Sean Murphy
Colours: Matt Hollingsworth
Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher
Cover: Andrew Robinson
I gave up. I gave up trying to guess what could be in store with this issue - and I’m really glad I did, because this world has unfolded in a totally different manner that I could never have expected.
We are now in the last half of this 10-part series, and now we are fully introduced to Leeward, our new protagonist. It is 200 years later, in a world and landscape changed beyond recognition. Snyder and Murphy have even created new colloquialisms for this new world, and new infrastructure.
The world building is phenomenal, and there are lots of details to take in - the population of Wallton is reduced to living in an enclosed outpost, harvesting algae and surrounded by protective walls. Leeward is seen holding an old airlines map in her repurposed airplane home, which reads ‘Skinner Airlines’ on the top corner (American Vampire easter egg, anyone?). Be there some genetic link to Lee Archer from the first half of her name and using eyedrops?
The costume designs are also particularly spectacular, with a mishmash of styles and recycled clothing, hints of culturally different yet complimenting accessories. Matt Hollingsworth has a whole new palette to play with, especially now that we have scenes on land. There are more earthy colours yet the context through the combination of these colours create for a great sci-fi look. - 8/10
The costume designs are also particularly spectacular, with a mishmash of styles and recycled clothing, hints of culturally different yet complimenting accessories. Matt Hollingsworth has a whole new palette to play with, especially now that we have scenes on land. There are more earthy colours yet the context through the combination of these colours create for a great sci-fi look. - 8/10
THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS #18
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Art: Nick Pitarra
Colours: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Rus Wooton
It gets weirder in Los Alamos. Storylines merge in a calculated manner as an extracted alien from a multi-dimensional experiment conducted by Einstein and Feynman runs rampant, while General Westmoreland hunts it. This leads to the General and alien going head to head, in a pretty bloody manner.
Elsewhere, Oppenheimer approaches the captive scientists and offer only one of them a deal, in which we finally see the culmination of Project Charon, already having brewed much curiosity over the past few issues.
The streak of amazing covers has not gone unbroken as the 18th minimalist, well-designed signature cover adorns the front of this book. The colours by Jordie Bellaire still maintains its freshness whilst continuing to maintain all designs and themes, enhancing the panels and character designs of artist Nick Pitarra.
The Manhattan Projects has maintained great consistency in both its stories and artwork, constantly drawing me back to read whatever culminates next.
…and for the longtime readers - the ending to this issue is one hell of a kicker! - 8/10
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Art: Nick Pitarra
Colours: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Rus Wooton
It gets weirder in Los Alamos. Storylines merge in a calculated manner as an extracted alien from a multi-dimensional experiment conducted by Einstein and Feynman runs rampant, while General Westmoreland hunts it. This leads to the General and alien going head to head, in a pretty bloody manner.
Elsewhere, Oppenheimer approaches the captive scientists and offer only one of them a deal, in which we finally see the culmination of Project Charon, already having brewed much curiosity over the past few issues.
The streak of amazing covers has not gone unbroken as the 18th minimalist, well-designed signature cover adorns the front of this book. The colours by Jordie Bellaire still maintains its freshness whilst continuing to maintain all designs and themes, enhancing the panels and character designs of artist Nick Pitarra.
The Manhattan Projects has maintained great consistency in both its stories and artwork, constantly drawing me back to read whatever culminates next.
…and for the longtime readers - the ending to this issue is one hell of a kicker! - 8/10
B.P.R.D.: HELL ON EARTH #116
The Reign of the Black Flame / Part 2 of 5
Writers: Mike Mignola / John Arcudi
Art: James Harren
Colours: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Clem Robins
Cover: Rafael Albuquerque
Cover Variant: Richard Corben
Day 2 - New York. It is finally morning as the two teams push forwards, moving deeper into the city. Johann’s team uncover more information from a group of civilians on the local situation, whilst Director Nichayko’s team meet some resistance - with the fearless Agent Howards leading the charge, usually of his own initiation, with his deadly caveman acrobatics.
The result of an accumulation of events, from the discovery of Fenix to the return of Liz - it feels like the Mignolaverse team have been brewing and building up to this arc. With an all-star cast of B.P.R.D. agents new and old, the story is bubbling and frothing with all the Ogdru-invoked chaos surrounding them. Getting more tense as we progress, the situation looks grim indeed, as one team uncovers the Black Flame’s iron grip on New York, whilst the other runs into Zinco troops aplenty.
James Harren’s artwork is pure eye-candy as he continues to astonish with his expressive, fast-paced style whilst the details of a cluttered and devastated New York allows Dave Stewart’s colours to really shine. Clem Robins has done a great job on this issue, especially with the multitudes of decapitations, explosions and machine guns.
The issue concludes with two powerful panels - one a classic take, of the Black Flame with his back turned, standing atop one of the empire state building’s gargoyles, overlooking the city. The other of Liz, reinvigorated with Vril, ready to be unleashed. Things are getting pretty exciting on Hell on Earth. - 9/10
IMAGE
Black Science #4
Dead Body Road #3
Deadly Class #2
The Manhattan Projects #18
Three #5
DARK HORSE
The Massive #20
VERTIGO
The Wake #6
Dead Boy Detectives #3
MARVEL
Hawkeye #15
Origin II #3
Uncanny Avengers #17
Wolverine #2
Wolverine & the X-Men #42
COLLECTED EDITIONS
Invincible Volume 19 - The War at Home [paperback]
The Reign of the Black Flame / Part 2 of 5
Writers: Mike Mignola / John Arcudi
Art: James Harren
Colours: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Clem Robins
Cover: Rafael Albuquerque
Cover Variant: Richard Corben
Day 2 - New York. It is finally morning as the two teams push forwards, moving deeper into the city. Johann’s team uncover more information from a group of civilians on the local situation, whilst Director Nichayko’s team meet some resistance - with the fearless Agent Howards leading the charge, usually of his own initiation, with his deadly caveman acrobatics.
The result of an accumulation of events, from the discovery of Fenix to the return of Liz - it feels like the Mignolaverse team have been brewing and building up to this arc. With an all-star cast of B.P.R.D. agents new and old, the story is bubbling and frothing with all the Ogdru-invoked chaos surrounding them. Getting more tense as we progress, the situation looks grim indeed, as one team uncovers the Black Flame’s iron grip on New York, whilst the other runs into Zinco troops aplenty.
James Harren’s artwork is pure eye-candy as he continues to astonish with his expressive, fast-paced style whilst the details of a cluttered and devastated New York allows Dave Stewart’s colours to really shine. Clem Robins has done a great job on this issue, especially with the multitudes of decapitations, explosions and machine guns.
The issue concludes with two powerful panels - one a classic take, of the Black Flame with his back turned, standing atop one of the empire state building’s gargoyles, overlooking the city. The other of Liz, reinvigorated with Vril, ready to be unleashed. Things are getting pretty exciting on Hell on Earth. - 9/10
IMAGE
Black Science #4
Dead Body Road #3
Deadly Class #2
The Manhattan Projects #18
Three #5
DARK HORSE
The Massive #20
VERTIGO
The Wake #6
Dead Boy Detectives #3
MARVEL
Hawkeye #15
Origin II #3
Uncanny Avengers #17
Wolverine #2
Wolverine & the X-Men #42
COLLECTED EDITIONS
Invincible Volume 19 - The War at Home [paperback]
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