by Chris Davidson
Deadly Class #1
Writer – Rick Remender // Artist – Wes Craig
Rick Remender has continually proven himself as a compelling writer with Black Science, Uncanny Avengers and especially Uncanny X-Force under his belt. I had not actually heard of this book until the day it was released, but seeing his name on the cover I just knew I had to buy it.
I didn’t know what to expect opening that first page, what I discovered was a very personal story about Marcus Lopez. Set in 1987, Marcus is homeless, alone and in desperate need of finding a reason to continue living. We follow his search over the span of 11 months, we learn how tough it is on the streets, we learn about his horrific past and what he holds dear to himself. By the end of this first chapter he does find that reason to live, however, the choice he needs to make is not so straightforward. I feel the person that unquestionably gives this book its visual identity is the colourist Lee Loughridge, he has worked with Remender previously on Fear Agent. The two work well together and Loughridge helps convey the required emotions through the usage of colours; one such moment occurs in a very touching moment on a bridge where various purples present the sombre mood perfectly. I should also mention Wes Craig’s art, initially it was harsh on the eye but I quickly became accustomed to it. Action feels as though it has a lot of kinetic motion and the slanted panels heighten the pace.
Deadly Class #1
Writer – Rick Remender // Artist – Wes Craig
Rick Remender has continually proven himself as a compelling writer with Black Science, Uncanny Avengers and especially Uncanny X-Force under his belt. I had not actually heard of this book until the day it was released, but seeing his name on the cover I just knew I had to buy it.
I didn’t know what to expect opening that first page, what I discovered was a very personal story about Marcus Lopez. Set in 1987, Marcus is homeless, alone and in desperate need of finding a reason to continue living. We follow his search over the span of 11 months, we learn how tough it is on the streets, we learn about his horrific past and what he holds dear to himself. By the end of this first chapter he does find that reason to live, however, the choice he needs to make is not so straightforward. I feel the person that unquestionably gives this book its visual identity is the colourist Lee Loughridge, he has worked with Remender previously on Fear Agent. The two work well together and Loughridge helps convey the required emotions through the usage of colours; one such moment occurs in a very touching moment on a bridge where various purples present the sombre mood perfectly. I should also mention Wes Craig’s art, initially it was harsh on the eye but I quickly became accustomed to it. Action feels as though it has a lot of kinetic motion and the slanted panels heighten the pace.
Black Widow #2
Writer – Nathan Edmondson // //Artist – Phil Noto
I was curious and eager to see what Marvel wanted to do with the new Black Widow comic post Avengers film; she is the second of the two minor heroes from the film. The other minor hero being Hawkeye, who Marvel and Matt Fraction took in a more light hearted direction. This now being the second issue of Black Widow it’s quite obvious that it’s going in a more earnest direction, how could it be any other way when she has such a sorrowful history and a red ledger she’ll never quite clear.
I’m invested in this journey with Edmondson, as I am interested in where he’ll take her and what adversities she’ll come against. We start this chapter with what appears to be the end of a car chase and what looks like the end for Black Widow; we are then taken back in time to the start of her latest assassination target. The job that she accepts does not go so well and she is blindsided by a third party who is intertwined with her past.
One would be mistaken for thinking Phil Noto used real life painting techniques to create the shading in his art as it’s a completely digital work. Colours are dialled back and aren’t as vibrant as what you’d find in a regular capes book. Black Widow isn’t a regular capes hero so it helps set the tone well. His art is far from elegant; it’s rough in a manner of speaking but also beautiful within his own style.
Writer – Nathan Edmondson // //Artist – Phil Noto
I was curious and eager to see what Marvel wanted to do with the new Black Widow comic post Avengers film; she is the second of the two minor heroes from the film. The other minor hero being Hawkeye, who Marvel and Matt Fraction took in a more light hearted direction. This now being the second issue of Black Widow it’s quite obvious that it’s going in a more earnest direction, how could it be any other way when she has such a sorrowful history and a red ledger she’ll never quite clear.
I’m invested in this journey with Edmondson, as I am interested in where he’ll take her and what adversities she’ll come against. We start this chapter with what appears to be the end of a car chase and what looks like the end for Black Widow; we are then taken back in time to the start of her latest assassination target. The job that she accepts does not go so well and she is blindsided by a third party who is intertwined with her past.
One would be mistaken for thinking Phil Noto used real life painting techniques to create the shading in his art as it’s a completely digital work. Colours are dialled back and aren’t as vibrant as what you’d find in a regular capes book. Black Widow isn’t a regular capes hero so it helps set the tone well. His art is far from elegant; it’s rough in a manner of speaking but also beautiful within his own style.
Wolverine and the X-Men #40
Writer – Jason Aaron // Artist – Pepe Larraz
This is an issue that needed to be highlighted, not necessarily for the drama unfolding at the Jean Grey School, but for the drama occurring between Scott and Logan (AKA Cyclops and Wolverine). If you have been reading comics for at least the past two years you will have read or heard about the Avengers VS X-Men, it was pretty god damn epic. There have been radical changes to the mutant landscape since the climax, that seems to be staying put and due to certain reasons the world hates Scott. This issue sees Scott trying to rationalize with Logan about what happened, why it happened and that he doesn’t feel good about it. It all makes sense and hopefully Logan will finally open his eyes and see the truth.
The art by Pepe Larraz doesn’t offer anything outstanding or unique, it serves its purpose. He does have the potential to offer some stunning art work and it can be seen in an almost full page panel of Krakoa surfacing. Matt Milla’s colours are vivid adding a highly animated feel to the panels as well.
Writer – Jason Aaron // Artist – Pepe Larraz
This is an issue that needed to be highlighted, not necessarily for the drama unfolding at the Jean Grey School, but for the drama occurring between Scott and Logan (AKA Cyclops and Wolverine). If you have been reading comics for at least the past two years you will have read or heard about the Avengers VS X-Men, it was pretty god damn epic. There have been radical changes to the mutant landscape since the climax, that seems to be staying put and due to certain reasons the world hates Scott. This issue sees Scott trying to rationalize with Logan about what happened, why it happened and that he doesn’t feel good about it. It all makes sense and hopefully Logan will finally open his eyes and see the truth.
The art by Pepe Larraz doesn’t offer anything outstanding or unique, it serves its purpose. He does have the potential to offer some stunning art work and it can be seen in an almost full page panel of Krakoa surfacing. Matt Milla’s colours are vivid adding a highly animated feel to the panels as well.
And here is what is currently on my pull list for the week!
Marvel
All New Invaders #1
All New X-Men #22.now
Avengers #25
Avengers World #2
Black Widow #2
Captain America #15
FF #16
Hawkeye #16
Iron Man #20.inh
Mighty Avengers #5
Wolverine And X-Men #40
X-Men #9
DC
Animal Man #27
Batman #27
Justice League #27
Image
Deadly Class #1
Marvel
All New Invaders #1
All New X-Men #22.now
Avengers #25
Avengers World #2
Black Widow #2
Captain America #15
FF #16
Hawkeye #16
Iron Man #20.inh
Mighty Avengers #5
Wolverine And X-Men #40
X-Men #9
DC
Animal Man #27
Batman #27
Justice League #27
Image
Deadly Class #1
RSS Feed
