Hey y’all. I just spent the last 5 days in Atlanta, attending DragonCon and attempting to find Ludacris. I was not very successful in the later, unless Luda was disguised as an otter at the Atlanta Aquarium. Which I sadly doubt was the case. Anywho, I’m back, so comics time is now.
Wayward #1
Jim Zub/ Steve Cummings/ John Rauch/ Marshall Dillon
Image $3.50
It’s rare for my wife to beat me to the punch when it comes to launch of new comics, but it was the case with Wayward‘s debut. Apparently one of the covers (there’s roughly a million of them btw) caught her attention months ago via Tumblr, and it made a big enough impression on her that she made sure I picked it up for her last week.
There’s a lot to like in this debut issue of Wayward. It has a cool story hook, solid art by Steve Cummings, fresh dialogue by Jim Zubb, and John Rauch‘s outstanding coloring that really makes this book pop out at times. It’s not exactly the deepest read, but a cute and fun debut with some ultra violence.
My only problem with Wayward is that there’s a character who comes off as several manga/anime cliches rolled into one. Hopefully the character will be developed more as the series continues, but her debut leaves something to be desired. Aside from that it’s a fun read, assuming you go into it thinking it’s the next Saga or The Wicked + The Divine. The book certainly doesn’t pretend to be, and it’s ultimately stronger for it.
All New X-men #31
Brian Michael Bendis/ Mahmud Asar/ Marte Gracia
Marvel $3.99
Mahmud Asar comes back this month to launch the newest story arc in All New X-men, and his art here is much stronger than his previous fill in from earlier in the year. Issue 31 sees the team go after a new mutant all by themselves, and results in the 5 young X-men ending up in another Marvel universe. Which one you may ask? One that writer Brian Michael Bendis has been heavily involved in for years.
Asrar’s art is solid, but I think it’s a bit of a step down from the previous issue. His art isn’t as dynamic as Immonen or Pichelli’s, and a lot heavier on the black inks than the two of them, but still is serviceable. He handles the few actions scenes well, and his final page is particularly solid, definitely getting the reader hyped for what’s to come.
And even with a new artist, Bendis and series colorists Marte Gracia strive, making ANXM #31 another enjoyable issue. I’m curious to see what this storyline has in store for the readers, and am hoping that it continues to upkeep the level of excellence brought to this book by Stuart Immonen.
Saga #22
Brian K Vaughan/Fiona Staples
Image $2.99
WHELP!
The painful event we knew was going to happen finally hits critical mass in Saga #22. BKV and Fiona Staples have been slowly been building up to it for months, but now the poop has hit the fan something fierce and things are going to get real bad real quick.
It’s impressive what Brian K Vaughan and Staples can do and do so well in a 22 page comic. We’re finally introduced to a long teased character, reintroduced to a few returning favorites and still have plenty of room for the story to advance. And by advance I mean destroy the readers in a mere 4 pages.
And those 4 pages man. Everything from the body language to the dialogue is perfect, making this, what is surely the first of several heart crushing blows, all the more devastating.
They say it’s always darkest before dawn, but man, this sort of darkness makes me sad. A great comic none the less, just one that you should not read without something to hug near by.