New Amazing Spider-Man #1 (2022) Review

27 Wednesday Apr 2022

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, Marvel Comics

Tags

60th Anniversary, Amazing Spider-Man #1, Amazing Spider-Man #1 (2022) Review, Amazing Spider-Man #1 review, Human Torch, John Romita Jr., Marvel, Marvel Comics, MJ, Peter Parker, Scott Hanna, Spider-Man, Zeb Wells

Review by Paul Bowler

So, what exactly did Spider-Man do web heads? That’s the burning question behind Marvel’s April 27 relaunch of Amazing Spider-Man #1 (2022), as Peter Parker’s life spirals out of control in the run up to Spider-Man 60th Anniversary celebrations. Probably the biggest draw for this latest reboot is acclaimed Spider-Man artist John Romita Jr’s return to Marvel after a long stint at DC, and that this run also sees the return of JR.JR.’s longterm inking collaborator Scott Hanna as well.

Amazing Spider-Man #1 also sees fan favourite writer Zeb Wells – who spearheaded the ASM Beyond storyline — taking up the reins for his first solo run on a Spider-Man title. The issues starts with a bang, or at least the aftermath of some game-changing event for the wall crawler, before fast forwarding six months to where we discover Peter is well and truly down on the old Parker luck again, and this time it looks like there might be no way back for him. He’s at odds with the Avengers and the FF, dodging debt collectors for medical bills, there are rifts with his friends, MJ doesn’t want anything to do with him, and even Aunt May has cut him loose. Throw in the imminent threat of a gang war between Tombstone and the Rose, with Doctor Octopus scheming in the background along with a new mystery villain, and it quickly become apparent why Peter isn’t exactly behaving like a friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man these days.

Art wise John Romita Jr. brings his A-game to the table, with his distinctive angular line art totally firing on all cylinders here to give the book a highly stylised look and feel. JR.JR’s art style is one that people either love-or hate, but I feel it totally suits the somewhat downbeat air of mystery and suspense that Zeb Wells is clearly striving to hook us with and get everyone on board for this new era. John Romita Jr’s work is perfectly complemented by Scott Hanna’s intricate inking style, and together they nail some great character moments and hit all the right emotional beats, especially the scene where the Human Torch drops in to see how Peter’s doing, and the big action-set piece where Spider-Man takes on the Gamma-irradiated gangster Digger is another highlight. The vibrant colors by Marcio Menyz also really stand-out, and ASM lettering aficionado Joe Caramagna does a fantastic job with making this issues dialogue heavy sequences flow smoothly.

Fanfare and hype aside Amazing Spider-Man #1 certainly provides a good set-up for something that has a lot of potential — especially if that jaw-dropping reveal at the end of the issue is anything to go by! Did we really need another relaunch and volume of Spider-Man? Well, probably not, but then that’s modern comics these days. I did enjoy the story and the art in Amazing Spider-Man #1 a lot more that I was expecting to be honest. I will certainly stick with it for a few issue and see where it goes from here. My only real concerns are the big plans Marvel have coming up for Spider-Man, the X-Men, Avengers and Eternals that will apparently begin to unfold in their Judgement Day Free Comic Book Day special, especially what’s apparently in store for MJ and Peter – which I find particularly unsettling. Until then I’ll be looking forward to seeing how this new Amazing Spider-Man volume shapes up in the months ahead, this book has a great creative team, here’s hoping they can deliver on the promising start they’ve made here with this first issue.

Follow @paul_bowler

About The Author

Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook

Publisher Marvel Comics / Writer Zeb Wells

Artist John Romita JR. / Inker Scott Hanna

Colorist Marcio Menyz / Letterer VC’s Joe Caramagna

Cover Artists JR.JR, Scott Hanna & Marcio Menyz

Doctor Who Legend of the Sea Devils Review

17 Sunday Apr 2022

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, Doctor Who

≈ 22 Comments

Tags

13th Doctor, Chris Chibnall, Dan Bishop, Doctor Who, Jodie Whittaker, Legend of the Sea Devils, Legend of the Sea Devils review, Mandip Gill, Sea Devils, TARDIS

Doctor Who Legend of the Sea Devils

Review by Paul Bowler.

Gets set for a swashbuckling adventure with Legend of the Sea Devils, written by show-runner Chris Chibnall and playwright Ella Road, and directed by newcomer Haolu Wang. The Sea Devils make their long awaited return in the modern era just in time for the penultimate story of the 13th Doctor’s era.This blockbusting Doctor Who Easter Special is an action packed adventure set on the high-seas in 19th century China. Its also something of a celebrity historical as the 13th Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) and her travelling companions Yaz (Mandip Gill) and Dan (John Bishop) encounter a historically real-life character – the fearsome Pirate Queen Madam Ching (Crystal Yu)! However, the TARDIS teams visit to the 19th century quickly goes awry when a small costal village comes under threat from the Pirate Queen and the deep-sea menace of the Sea Devils she’s inadvertently unleashed on the world.

From the moment we learn the TARDIS has been sent off course to China there is an almost palpable sense of excitement in the air. Jodie Whittaker is quite simply marvellous in her role here as the 13th Doctor in this episode, and her bright and breezy incarnation sails through the dramatic beats of the story with ease as she confronts her old foes – the Sea Devils. I really like the dynamic between this TARDIS team, Mandip Gill really comes into her own in this story too, and John Bishop is a pure delight as Dan. The growing closeness between the Doctor and Yaz which became apparent in Eve of the Daleks (2022) is another narrative thread that has been carried over into Legend of the Sea Devils as well. This episode sees some major costume changes for the Time Lord and her companions, the Doctor’s costume get a slight revamp with a striking oriental style top, Yaz has a beautiful double wrap-around skirt and best of all Dan gets to dress up as a pirate!

Along with the regular cast the episode also features Crystal Yu as the legendary Pirate Queen Madame Ching. Yu gives a great performance as the tough-as-nails Pirate Queen, who is searching for a lost treasure. Madame Ching’s quest soon finds her encountering the Doctor and crossing swords with the Sea Devils alongside the Time Lord as the amphibians return from the ocean depths. The cast also includes Arthur Lee as Ji-Hun and Marlow Chan-Reeves as Ying Ki who each play key roles in the swash buckling shenanigans of Legend of the Sea Devils.

It has been 50 years since the Doctor first encountered the aquatic Sea Devils. Chris Chibnall and co-writer Ella Road have crafted a really fun and exciting return for them here. Many fans, myself included, have long hoped these classic monsters who first appeared in 1972’s The Sea Devils, the 3rd Doctor story written by Malcolm Hulke, would return at some point, and I’m happy to say they’ve certainly done them justice with Legend of the Sea Devils. These new look Sea Devils may have swapped their string vests for the garb of buccaneer Pirates, but they’ve still retained their iconic look and distinctive whispery voices.

The Sea Devils chief Marsissus is played by Craige Els (Karvanista in Doctor Who Flux), he’s brilliant as Marsissus, especially during his confrontations with the Doctor, and the seafaring Pirate action when the Sea Devils strike provide many spectacular sights to behold as this story unfolds!

Legend of the Sea Devils not only provides a fantastic showcase for the 13th Doctor and her friends, it’s also a triumph for the production team who have clearly gone all out to make this episode really special. The fact Legend of the Sea Devils was also filmed under COVID restrictions makes what’s been achieved all the more impressive. Everything from the fishing village to the massive galleon ship sets, exquisite costume designs, period detail, along with the terrific new Pirate Sea Devils, stunning visual effects and Haolu Wang’s stylish direction all combine to make Legend of the Sea Devils a throughly enjoyable and thrilling adventure.

This Easter Special works incredible well as a standalone adventure, with giant sea monsters, pirate ships, the oceans, sword-fights and an ancient coastal village! Its nice to see the main cast in one last regular adventure before the inevitable tumultuous machinations of a regeneration story, before Jodie Whittaker bows out with end of the 13th Doctor’s era in the Doctor Who BBC centenary Special that will air in the autumn of 2022.

Check out the first look at Doctor Who’s feature-length Centenary special!

Follow @paul_bowler

About The Author

Gunslinger Spawn #6 Review

06 Wednesday Apr 2022

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, Image Comics

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Gunslinger Spawn, Gunslinger Spawn #6, Gunslinger Spawn #6 review, Image Comics, Omega Island, Spawn, Spawn's Universe, The Clown, TODD McFARLANE, Violator

Gunslinger Spawn #6

Review by Paul Bowler

The Gunslinger’s epic battle with the Clown reaches its thrilling conclusion in Gunslinger Spawn #6! Yes, the Clown is back with a vengeance along with the hulking Violator, and a mini army of feral Clown-like drones called Omens. Together they brutally overpowered Gunslinger Spawn with the soul intent of making him their partner in a scheme to force Spawn to reopen the Dead Zones.

Todd McFarlane’s razor sharp script sees the Gunslinger returning to Omega Island with the Clown. Here we are privy to just how the Clown has made the Violator and his minions so complicit to his will, and further revelations await at the ghoulish banquet Clown has set out to seal his unholy partnership with Gunslinger Spawn. The Gunslinger isn’t the most powerful Hellspawn, far from it, but his ingenuity and guile easily allow him to drink the Clown under the table and trick his adversary into revealing how Gunslinger can return to his own time. McFarlane skilfully weaves this boozy shindig into the very narrative of the series itself, entwining it with Gunslinger’s desire to avenge his sisters death, along with his skill with magic, and the ability to control wolves to turn the tables on the Clown.

The art by Brett Booth, with Inks by Sal Regla and Adelso Corona, for Gunslinger Spawn #6 are a feast for the eyes. Every page is packed with detail and visceral power. Clown and Gunslinger’s whiskey fuelled, gastronomic celebration is a whirlwind of dark horror and rowdy bravado. The payoff is equally impressive as Gunslinger springs his trap and the Clown realises just how badly he has underestimated this deceptively underpowered Hellspawn. Ivan Nunes colors provide a subtle side-order of exquisite clarity to the proceedings, as tones and hues meld with the subtle shifts in temperament as the feast spirals into a flesh rending finale for some welcome just deserts.

Gunslinger Spawn is rapidly becoming my favourite book in the new Spawn’s Universe of titles from Image Comics. Top notch writing and art are a mainstay of this book. The character also continues to evolve and grow with every issue. He’s still very much a fish out of water in our time, but his motivations and abilities are really brought to the fore here in Gunslinger Spawn #6, and after his chilling showdown with the Clown in this issue I’m really excited to see where Gunslinger’s adventures will take him next.

Publisher Image Comics

Scrip / Plot Todd McFarlane

Art Brett Booth / Inks Sal Regla & Adelso Corona

Colors Ivan Nunes / Lettering Tom Orzechowski

Cover Brett Booth (inked by Daniel Henriques)

Follow @paul_bowler

About The Author