VANISH #1 REVIEW

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Donny Cates, Image Comics, NCBD, Ryan Stegman, Vanish, Vanish #1, Vanish #1 review

Vanish #1

Review by Paul Bowler.

The worlds of magic and superheroes collide in Vanish #1, the new creator owned Image Comics series from writer Donny Cates (GOD COUNTRY, Hulk, Thor) and artist Ryan Stegman (Venom, King in Black). Vanish delivers squarely on the initial premise Cates skilfully blends into the narrative of this opening issue; fusing a heady mix of dark fantasy, visceral gore and brutal superhero action to forge a blistering introduction to the fractured existence of Oliver Harrison. A former protege trained in the Out-World of Magic, at fourteen he vanquished the greatest threat to his realm, but the rules he broke to do so came with a high price. Now as an adult he drifts through a mundane existence in the real world, his past all but forgotten as his life drowns in a sea of mental instability, drink and drugs. But his efforts to hide from his nightmarish past take a sharp turn when he is saved from muggers by a hero named Pocket Rocket. Oliver’s dark past resurfaces with a vengeance during this chilling encounter and sets him on a quest to embrace his destiny as the chosen one once more.

Donny Cates takes a slow and deliberate approach to brining this new world of fantasy and heroes to life. What at first appears to be an everyman route to Oliver’s origin quickly takes a dark detour as Cates explores our anti-heroes chequered.past in what can best be described as  an R rated Hogwarts. From there we witness the cataclysmic events that brought Oliver Harrison to where he is now as an adult. Its an unflinching trek through magical worlds, where a gifted youth is thrown away, while evil sorcerers and heroes battle for supremacy and power. 

Stegman and Mayer’s artwork feels like a throwback to the early, days of Image Comics. There are some pretty distinct Venom flourishes thrown into the mix as well, especially during the grittier sequences . The flow of the story is perfectly matched in the visuals, concise page layouts give the action and characters scope to breath, and the overall level of detail crammed into every panel is little short of spellbinding. Sonia Oback’s colors further enhance the moody atmosphere and edgier tone of this new series.

The way everything is set up in this issue is almost as engrossing as the premise itself. It may be a bit OTT in places, but that’s all part of what makes this issue such a compelling and exciting  read. With its no-holds-barred mature themes and striking artwork Vanish #1 is easily one of the best new creator owned comics I’ve read in a long time. If edgier superheroes and dark fantasy are your thing, then Cates and Stegman’s new Vanish comic series  is sure to be right up your street.

Publisher Image Comics

Writer Donny Cates / Pencils Ryan Stegman

Inks JP Mayer / Colors Sonia Oback

Letters and Design Johan J Hill

Cover Stegman / JP Mayer / Jason Keith

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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

SPAWN #333 REVIEW

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Carlo Barberi, Image Comics, Medieval Spawn, Roy McConville, Sinn, Spane #333, Spawn, Spawn #333 review, TODD McFARLANE

Spawn #333

Review by Paul Bowler.

Schemes and betrayal mount in Spawn #333 following Spawn’s audience with his former mentor, Cogliostro, now known as the all-powerful Sinn! Their clash revealed just how much Sinn’s power has grown. In fact, Spawn got his butt well and truly kicked. Now Al has become totally obsessed with hunting down and stopping Sinn, but Spawn’s allies have all-but abandoned him, and a new even deadlier threat is growing. Recent issues of Spawn have seen Al becoming more and more isolated from his friends after he resolved to go it alone as the power struggle for Throne of Hell escalated. Spawn #333 sees friends and foes alike plotting against Spawn. Writer Rory McConville’s deftly juggles numerous plot strands and characters in this issue, with additional script by Todd McFarlane, and its these powerful-scenes and sinister machinations that form the driving force for much of the narrative. At times there seems a bewildering array of dark skulduggery brewing, each with the sole aim of taking Spawn down and wresting control of the Dead Zones from him. 

Even Haunt and Marc are seemingly prepared to betray Spawn, although Marc still feels uncertain about it and wants to try and reason with Spawn first directly. Meanwhile Sinn is conducting his own gruesome recruitment drive, but newcomer Cadiiclus, a former servant of the Clown, may yet proved Sinn with a way to seize the throne and reopen the Dead Zones without Spawn’s power.

This is one hell of a stylish looking issue as well. Carlo Barberi’s finely detailed artwork together with Jay David Ramos’ vivid colors make for a winning combination, and the dark brooding atmosphere they craft makes this a truly riveting issue to read. The characters are all superbly rendered too, no mean feat considering the wealth of different characters featured over the course of this issue, and there is a real sense of growing dread as so many different and opposing factions close in on Spawn. 

If you’ve been following recent developments across the Spawn’s Universe of titles then this issue of Spawn delivers on every level, newcomers though might find it all a bit overwhelming. Perhaps the biggest highlight of this issue cones in the furious exchange between Spawn and Marc. Its a dramatic, no-holds-barred diatribe of home truths and shock revelations that might well change their friendship forever. It is this tumultuous turning point, along with its mix of intrigue, plots and all-out action that makes this another cracking good issue, and essential reading for Spawn fans. 

Publisher Image Comics

Writer Roy McConville / Todd McFarlane (Additional Script)

Art Carlo Barberi / Colors Jay David Ramos

Lettering Tom Orzechowski 

Cover Artists Francesco Mattina & Carlo Barberi

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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