Superman Action Comics Annual 2021 #1 Review

13 Tuesday Jul 2021

Tags

Action Comics, Brandon Kent, DC Comics, Future State, House of El, Philip Kennedy Johnson, Superman, Superman Action Comics Annual 2021 #1, Superman Action Comics Annual 2021 #1 review, Superwoman, The Phantom Zone

Superman Action Comics Annual 2021 #1

Review by Paul Bowler.

Legacies of the past and the future entwine as one in DC Comics Superman Action Comics Annual 2021 #1, as writer Philip Kennedy Johnson revisits Future State’s House of El as Superman’s descendants of tomorrow face a threat established during the yesteryear of the present.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Future State for me was Philip Kennedy Johnson’s one-shot that explored the distant future of the House of El, where the legacy of the Man of Steel had merged with numerous other heroes and legacies of DC universe, and the despot villain Prythos (Kal El’s fallen son) wished to tear down everything that his family’s heroic dynasty stands for. This special Action Comics Annual ties-in broadly with Johnson’s current “Warworld Rising” arc in Action Comics, the issue opens in the near future where a mysterious old man is telling a group of children a tale of heroes from their own future. Events then flash forward to a time of great prosperity and hope for the House of El, where Superwoman, Lady Kara Zor El, is presiding over a wedding in the House of El, but before the nuptials can be completed Prythos gatecrashes the ceremony. It falls to Brandon Kent, the Superman of this era, to protect his family and save the next generation of the House of El from the menace of Prythos – killer of Darksied and the new Highfather of Apokolips!

Philip Kennedy Johnson delivers a welcome return to the empire of the House of El which he established in Future State, and this Annual sets up a wealth of possibilities for the both the future and the present of the DCU. Tales of the House of El takes the wedding backdrop and turns it into a thrilling all-out action adventure, one laced with heartfelt emotion, a perilous voyage through the Phantom Zone, the surprise return of an old Superman villain, and there’s even a hint of redemption in the air as the story races to get to the church on time for its joyous final act.

The artwork by Siya Oum and Scott Godlewski provides us with dynamic realisation of the richly textured narrative. From the gleaming opulence of the Sanctuary to the chilling vistas of the Phantom Zone, the characters are stylishly defined, and the action sequences impressively rendered throughout. Hi-Fi’s colours are, as always, of a high standard, and every scene is awash with vibrant hues that perfectly accentuates the fine detail of Oum and Godlewski’s work.

I throughly enjoyed this exciting sojourn back to the Future State era of the House of El portrayed in Superman Action Comics Annual 2021. Whether the open-ended nature of much of what transpires in this issue will actually impact or influence Philip Kennedy Johnson’s Action Comics run, of course, remains to be seen. I for one sincerely hope these plot threads and characters are revisited again at some point. Superman Action Comics Annual 2021 #1 is a beautifully crafted story, one where a child’s toy becomes a treasured relic and the future personification of the fundamental legacy of the House of El itself… hope.

Writer Philip Kennedy Johnson

Artist Siya Oum & Scott Godlewski

Colorist Hi-Fi / Letterer Dave Sharpe

Cover Scott Godlewski & Gabe Eltaeb

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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

FUTURE STATE GOTHAM #2 REVIEW

08 Tuesday Jun 2021

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, DC Comics

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Batman, DC Comics, Denis Cluver, Future State, Future State Gotham #2, Giannis Milonogiannis, Gotham, Jason Todd, Joshua Williamson, Magistrate, Next Batman, Nightwing, Red Hood

Future State Gotham #2

Review by Paul Bowler

Jason Todd vows to carry out justice in Future State Gotham #2, no matter what the cost! As Gotham reels from a devastating tragedy Red Hood finds himself newly promoted to the rank of Peacekeeper Red in the Magistrate’s regime. With the Next Batman seemingly responsible for the attack, Jason must bring down this new Dark Knight, but he’s got to get past Nightwing and the rest of the Bat-Family first!

Writers Joshua Williamson and Demis Culver have taken the dark concept of a Gotham City run by the Magistrate’s cybernetically enhanced Peacekeepers, established during DC Comics Future State event, and elevated it to a whole new level with this Future State Gotham series. Having sided with the Magistrate to hunt down outlawed superheroes, Future State Gotham #2 has Jason Todd struggling with a crisis of conscience as his role as Peacekeeper Red brings his betrayal of the Bat-Family to the fore and forces him to fight his former allies.

Battle lines are drawn, emotions run high, and not everything is as black-and white as we’ve been led to believe by Williamson and Culver. Jason Todd’s methods and actions have always made him something of a divisive character, and never more so than here in Death by the Family. Jason seems at loggerheads with everyone and everything in this issue. Theres a brooding sense of cross and double cross as the narrative unfolds, which in turn leads to some great character beats, and even a surprise revelation when Red Hood’s secret ally finally emerges from the shadows.

The Akiria themed artwork by Giannis Milonogiannis stylishly captures the frenetic action and pace of the issue. Action flows seamlessly from one scene to the next, with the with roof-top face-off between Jason and the rest of the Bat-Family and a high-octane dash to Blackgate which culminates in a showdown with the Next Batman all just some of the many visual highlights in this issue. I’ve always been a fan of black and white artwork like this in comics, and I think it suits the Cyberpunk tone of Future State Gotham perfectly.

Along with the major plot elements that begin slotting into place during this issue, which in turn gives a whole new context to Jason’s mission and indeed the series as a whole, there’s also a great back up story The Cavalry featuring the Next Batman by writer John Ridley and artist Oliver Coipel to enjoy. With its intricate storyline, strong characterisation and great art Future State Gotham #2 continues to impress with a striking Neo-futuristic take on the Dark Knight’s world and legacy.

Publisher DC Comics

Writers Joshua Williamson and Denis Culver

Art Giannis Milonogiannis

Lettered by Aly’s Troy Peteri

Cover Ladronn

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FUTURE STATE GOTHAM #1 Review

11 Tuesday May 2021

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, DC Comics

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

Batman, DC Comics, Denis Cluver, Future State, Future State Gotham #1, Future State Gotham #1 review, Giannis Milonogiannis, Gotham, Jason Todd, Joshua Williamson, Red Hood

Future State Gotham #1

Review by Paul Bowler.

Spinning out of the success of DC Comics Future State event comes Future State Gotham, an all-new ongoing series featuring former Robin Jason Todd: AKA the Red Hood. When a disaster strikes Gotham, all evidence points towards Tim Fox, The Next Batman, and Red Hood soon finds himself enlisted by the Magistrate’s totalitarian regime to hunt down this new Dark Knight.

Following the aftermath of events in Future State, Gotham is still run by a private Police force controlled by a mysterious figure known only as the Magistrate, and the law is enforced by his ruthless Peacekeepers. Written by Joshua Williamson and Denis Culver, with art by Giannis Milonogiannis, Future State Gotham #1 kicks off with an action-packed face-off between Red Hood and the Ventriloquist who has unleashed a gigantic robotic version of Scarface on Jason Todd’s neighbourhood.

Although costumed superheroes are outlawed in Gotham, Jason Todd has thrown in his lot with the Magistrate’s regime and works for them by hunting down the remaining heroes who dare defy the lockdown. Williamson delivers a fast paced issue, with Red Hood and Peacekeeper 3 teaming up to fight the Ventriloquist and Scarface, before a city-wide terrorist attack changes the landscape of Gotham forever. Jason is still reeling from the break-up with his on-off girlfriend, Ravager, there’s fraught clandestine meetings with former allies to contend with too, and a surprise promotion that finds him tasked with tracking down the new Batman as Peacekeeper Red!

Giannis Milonogiannis’ Akira inspired artwork impressively captures the Cyberpunk look of this near-future Gotham. The battle with Robo-Scarface, sweeping vistas of Gotham in the wake of an explosive attack, and the debut of Jason Todd’s new costume as Peacekeeper Red are just some of the many standout moments in this first issue. I really like black and white artwork in comics — I think it adds a whole new dimension to the characters and gives the story a very dramatic, noirish feel. I also expect Milonogiannis’ Akira style line-work led to DC Comics deciding to reprint a 1996 Batman story by Akira creator Katsuhiro Otomo as the back-up story for Future State Gotham #1 as well.

Joshua Williamson, Denis Culver and Giannis Milonogiannis look set to craft a bold new direction for Red Hood and a thrilling continuation of Future State with this new series. Creatively it’s also very different from the usual Bat-Books, which I find both refreshing and exciting. Future State Gotham blends a stylish noir vibe with compelling action and is certainly going to one to watch in the months to come.

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Publisher DC Comics

Writer Joshua Williamson and Denis Culver

Art Giannis Milonogiannis

Lettered by Alw’s Troy Peteri

Cover Yasmine Putri

Superman #29 Review

09 Tuesday Mar 2021

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, DC Comics

≈ 22 Comments

Tags

Clark Kent, DC Comcis, Future State, Jon Kent, Lois Lane, Metropilis, Philip Kennedy Johnson, Superman, Superman #29, Superman #29 Review

Superman #29

Review by Paul Bowler.

Following his innovative take on the future of the Superman family during Future State, writer Philip Kennedy Johnson takes the helm full-time for Superman #29, for the first in a two-part story that will unfold this month in both Superman and Action Comics. “The Golden Age” presents an insightful and moving character study where Johnathan Kent reflects on his father’s great legacy, just as a new threat strikes from outer space, attacking Clark and almost killing him! The young hero must finally confront the foreknowledge he gained during his time with the Legion of Superheroes in the future about Superman’s fate – one that might soon become a frightening reality…

Much like Philip Kennedy Johnson’s Future State work, his debut issue as lead writer on Superman also focuses more on character than the actual event, more specifically here he throws the spotlight on the complexities of Clark’s relationship with his son after the long time Jon’s spent apart from his parents. The fallout from Brian Michael Bendis’ era is keenly felt. However the “The Golden Age” which Johnson aims for centres on the adolescent belief that our parents are infallible, and the inherent consequences when that unwavering sense of fearlessness crumbles when Jon witnesses his father falter for the first time in battle.

Amidst the emotional turmoil of exactly how Jon chooses to have that conversation with his dad about what he discovered thanks to his time with Legion, and Clark’s heartfelt way of getting Jon to open up to him about what’s really worrying him, allows Johnson to explore a rich emotional narrative that empowers the dynamic between the characters like never before. There’s also the mystery of who-or-what is causing the intergalactic breaches, and with Amanda Walker scheming on the side-lines you can be sure things wont go well for anyone who gets caught in the crossfire.

The artwork for Superman #29 by penciller Phil Hester and inker Eric Gapstur, with colors by HI-FI provides a distinctly clean and uncluttered visual style and tone for the issue. The standoffishness of Jon’s somber reluctance to talk to his father — sure in the knowledge that Clark died once before and that the Legion of Superheroes told him it could happen again — is also cleverly portrayed through the page-layouts with subtle notes of body language that express Jon’s fears just as strongly as the dialogue.

In the tales of Metropolis back-up story by Sean Lewis, with art by Sami Basri and colors by Ulies Arreola we see an old fan favourite from the 80’s / 90’s, Bibbo Bibbowski placed front and centre as this hero-of-the-people tackles an alien threat attempting to manipulate the citizens of Metropolis. Its a tale that taps into similar vein as the back-up stories Lewis did for Future State, DC’s Infinite Frontier penchant for back-up stories also offers a chance to showcase totally different — yet just as relevant — adventures and I’m sure there is a wealth of possibilities to explore with this format that will nicely complement the main narrative of Philip Kennedy Johnson’s run.

Overall, Superman #29 is a deeply thought provoking and emotional study of the complex relationship between Clark and Jon; along with their standing in Metropolis and indeed the universe itself. Superman #29 gets Philip Kennedy Johnson’s run off to a great start, with its character driven storyline and solid artwork, it would seem the House of El could not be in safer hands.

Publisher DC Comics

Writer Philip Kennedy Johnson / Pencils Phil Hester

Inks Eric Gapstur / Colorist HI-FI

Letterer Dave Sharpe / Cover Hester, Gapstur and HI-FI

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Future State Swamp Thing #2 Review

02 Tuesday Feb 2021

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, DC Comics

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

DC Comics, Future State, Future State Swamp Thing, Future State Swamp Thing #2, Future State Swamp Thing #2 review, June Chung, Mike Perkins, NCBD, Ram V, Swamp Thing, Swamp Thing #2

Future State Swamp Thing #2

Review by Paul Bowler

Humanity strikes back in Future State Swamp Thing #2 to reclaim the world the new Swamp Thing avatar has nurtured and forged in his own image. Duped by Woodrue Wilson’s quest for power and revenge, a lone group of survivors have hatched a terrible plan that will plunge the world into darkness. Yet for all his enemies insidious deceptions Swamp Thing also harbours a terrible secret of his own, one that will call for the ultimate sacrifice lest the green be lost from the world forever…

As we move into the second month of DC Comics Future State comic book event, one depicting a possible future for the DCU in the aftermath of Death Metal, few have embraced this opportunity for such creative free licence like writer Ram V and artist Mike Perkins with their dark, apocalyptic Future State Swamp Thing.

In Future State, Swamp Thing is now the Green Father overseer of the world, sheer loneliness led to him creating offshoots of his own species blessed with his memories of humanity, and though he believed mankind was lost Swamp Thing’s encounter with a human survivor has finally led him to a desolate S.T.A.R labs facility in the frozen north. Now in this second, concluding issue writer Ram V explores the dark visions of the mysterious Undying Man, the gnarled Jason Woodrue: the Floronic Man! He has captured the hero who was once known as Obsidian and convinced the leader of this last bastion of humanity that by harnessing his powers they can save the world. Swamp Thing must lead his own kind and the last ragtag band of human resistance against Woodrue, but will humanities last sapling of hope survive to see the dawn of a new world?

Mike Perkins artwork renders every nuance of Swamp Thing’s determination to reach his goal in striking, almost visceral detail. Swamp Thing is quite literally prepared to walk through the fires of Hell to reach his goal. The depiction of the horrifically disfigured Woodrue is also vividly realised, with his seething ambition and desire for revenge at being rejected by the green fuelling his deranged scheme. The juxtaposition between Swamp Thing and Woodrue’s motivations are the backbone to this story. Neither have been all that honest with those who follow and trust them either. The dramatic line Ram V establishes between saviour and destroyer is masterfully blurred, with Perkin’s art sumptuously cultivating a lush spectacle of apocalypse and rebirth, while the intricate use of color by June Chung beautifully seeds the narratives rich emotional undercurrents as they flourish and bloom.

The powerful closing scenes are deeply heartrending as Swamp Thing confronts the enormity of what he has wrought upon the world, himself, and the constructs he’s crafted from his inner self and feelings. Future State Swamp Thing #2 is a magical, visceral and emotional addition to the legacy of Swamp Thing. When this event started I must admit I dismissed it, believing Future State would be just a rehash of DC’s abortive 5G event, instead Future State has proven a great showcase for new talent and creative teams, and I couldn’t be more pleased to have been proven wrong about my misgivings. Future State Swamp Thing has been the evergreen jewel in the crown of DC’s Future State event, like all good stories it leaves you wanting more, and more we shall have when the new 10 issue maxi-series by Ram V and Mike Perkins, with colors by Mike Spicer, debuts in March!

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Publisher DC Comics

Writer Ram V / Artist Mike Perkins

Colors June Chung

Letters Aditya Bidikar

Cover Mike Perkins and June Chung

Future State Robin Eternal #1 Review

12 Tuesday Jan 2021

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, DC Comics

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

Batman, DC Comics, Eddy Barrdow, Future State, Future State Robin Eternal # review, Future State Robin Eternal #1, Magistrate, Megan Fitzmartin, NCBD, Robin, Robin Eternal #1 review, Spoiler, Stephanie Brown

Future State Robin Eternal #1

Review by Paul Bowler

Future State Robin Eternal #1 provides a thrilling, action-packed new chapter in DC Comics line-wide Future State comic book event as Robin strikes back against the Magistrate’s oppressive regime in Gotham. A regenerative drug that could make his cybernetic forces immortal is en route to the city. Robin and Spoiler must embark on a daring heist at 20,000 feet to intercept it, but will Tim and Stephanie Brown’s emotional baggage jeopardise their mission or prove the key to its success?

DC Comics Future State has so far provided an intriguing glimpse into a possible future for the publishers core titles and characters. Future State Robin Eternal might not be the most catchy sounding addition to the line-up on glancing at the solicitations but new rising star writer Megan Fitzmartin (Supernatural) has clearly brought her A game to the table for this jaunt into a future vision of Gotham, and fans of Tim Drake’s Robin and his former girlfriend Stephanie Brown, a.k.a Spoiler, will find plenty to enjoy here. Tim Drake’s Robin has been pushed from pillar to post somewhat in recent times, so its great to see him being put front and centre like this in Future State.

Megan Fitzmartin crafts a fast-paced, action-driven story, laced with strong emotional beats for the character. It seems that Tim has soldiered on alone as Robin as the Magistrate’s regime took over Gotham – banning the masks and costumed vigilantes with his advanced technology and cybernetically enhanced forces. Believing that Batman, Bruce Wayne, has been killed, along with the betrayal of Jason Todd, and Dick Grayson in Arkham, this lone Robin is desperate to find a way to stop the shipment of a new drug derived from the Lazarus Pit that can make the Cybers unbeatable. Fitzmartin skilfully highlights just how Stephanie’s and Tim’s former history still makes things strained between them, and there’s a welcome reunion with an old We Are Robin member as well that’s also beautifully written into the narrative.

This futuristic looking Gotham is realised with some pretty amazing artwork too. With pencils by Eddy Barrdows (Detective Comics), inks by Eber Ferreira, and colors by Adriana Lucas, Future State Robin Eternal boasts a distinctly vibrant, almost Cyberpunk vibe that dynamically cascades across the stylish page layouts. From the stunning rainswept opening battle between Robin and the hulking Cyber high on the new prototype drug, through to Tim’s emotional scenes with Spoiler, along with his reunion with Darcy, and the inevitable team-up with Robin leading his allies on an exciting Mission Impossible style heist to intercept the shipment of the Lazarus Resin are all just some of the many highlights brilliantly crafted by the artistic team for this impressive looking issue.

While I don’t tend to go in for comic book events that much I have to say I’ve found Future State quite entertaining so far — from the issue I’ve read anyway. Future State Robin Eternal #1’s creative team seizes the premise of this possible future and runs with it for all its worth. The ensuing result proves extremely satisfying indeed, Future State Robin Eternal is a veritable showcase of creative verve, and the issues thrilling cliffhanger provides a great hook to bring us back for the conclusion in the next issue.

Publisher DC Comics

Writer Megan Fitzmartin / Pencils Eddy Barrdows

Inks Eber Ferreira / Colorist Adriana Lucas

Letterer Pat Brosseau Cover Irvin Rodriguez & Emanuela Lupacchino

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Future State Swamp Thing #1 Review

05 Tuesday Jan 2021

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, DC Comics

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

DC Comcis, Future State, Future State Swamp Thing #1, Future State Swamp Thing #1 review, Mike Perkins, NCBD, New Swamp Thing series, Ram V, Swamp Thing, Swamp Thing #1

Future State Swamp Thing #1

Review by Paul Bowler

Future State Swamp Thing #1 proves a most welcome addition to DC Comics Future State event. In the aftermath of a terrible war life has been reborn in Swamp Thing’s image. Humanity hides in the shadow of this new avatar of the green who now rules the Earth. The last survivors of the human race are on the brink of rebellion, but Swamp Thing is no stranger to violence, and if its war they want its war they will get!

The regular DC Comics line is currently taking a two-month break to make way for DC’s line-wide Future State event, which has been touted as a showcase for new creative teams on many of its core titles and characters that will offer readers a glimpse into a potential future for the DC universe. Fans of Justice League Dark will undoubtably be pleased that writer Ram V is on board here for Future State Swamp Thing #1 to retain the most recent take on the character through into Future State, and together with artist Mike Perkins this new chapter in the Swamp Thing saga flourishes in the creatively fertile soil of this compelling issues grim apocalyptic storyline.

Ram V quickly establishes how in this future the world has succumbed to both the failings of humanity and heroes alike, weaving a dark analogy of the present, with climate change, war and disease ultimately providing civilisations downfall despite all the heroes efforts during Death Metal – or perhaps because of it? Most of the human race is now missing or dead, and of the few remnants of humanity Swamp Thing has managed to retain, sheer loneliness has led him to create offshoots of his own species imbued with the personalities and memories of his various recollections of humanity. Swamp Thing has become the Green Father, but his attempts to recreate humanity in his own image has also given rise to all the best and the worst aspects of which that lies therein as well.

Mike Perkins artwork is at times gorgeously haunting and beautifully serine. From the strikingly expansive vista recapping the demise of the world though to Swamp Thing’s poetic storytelling to Calla, which in turn contrasts sublimely with conflict proved by the tenacious Indigo, and the warm kindness this Green Father still holds for humanity are all superbly illustrated by Perkins. The subtle use of color by June Chung is also excellent — accentuating the tone and fine detail of Perkins artwork perfectly.

The inmate weirdness of Swamp Thing’s world and philosophical magical undercurrents are masterfully woven into the narrative by Ram V, which, together with Mike Perkin’s spellbinding art, almost makes it feel like we’re observing a vivisection of the very essence of what makes Swamp Thing the indomitable character that he is as the layers of his being and psyche are slowly peeled away layer by layer before our eyes.

Future State Swamp Thing #1 certainly gets this opening week of Future State off to a good start. With the discovery of a mysterious fortress in the North and the surprise appearance of another prominent DC Comics character, there’s plenty of intrigue on offer to entice us back for the next issue. If anything, Future State Swamp Thing #1 wets our appetite even more for the 10 issue maxi-series, also by the creative team of Ram V and Mike Perkins, with colors by Mike Spicer, arriving in March.

I wasn’t going to bother with Future State much, apart from Swamp Thing really, but sadly as I write this first review of 2021 the UK is also going back into lockdown. Its a necessary measure, but I won’t lie, I am finding it a little depressing. Hopefully things will get back on track soon once the vaccine gets rolled out. I’m not looking forward to spending more weeks being apart from family and friends either. Fortunately I can do everything from home, and I’ve got my writing to keep me occupied. So, no doubt I’ll end up doing some more box-set binging, I might check out some of the other Future State books as well now I’ll have a bit more time on my hands. Fingers crossed the end of this COVID 19 pandemic isn’t too far off now, so take care, and stay safe everyone.

Publisher DC Comics

Writer Ram V / Artist Mike Perkins

Colors June Chung / Letters Aditya Bidikar

Cover Mike Perkins and June Chung

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