Category: Z-View

Z-View: Sherwood, Texas #2 by Berryhill and Hillyard

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Sherwood Texas is a five issue mini-series published by 12-Gauge Comics.

Sherwood Texas #2

Writer: Shane Berryhill

Artist: Daniel Hillyard

Colorist: Charlie Kirchoff

Letterer: Ed Dukeshire

 

ROB HOOD, shot and left for dead by members of the Nobles Motorcycle Club, has miraculously survived. After a year in hiding, Hood assumes the identity of a mysterious new member of the Jesters MC known only as “Loxley.” As Bike Week begins in Nottingham, Texas, the disguised Hood puts his plans for revenge into motion. Don’t miss the second installment of this bold re-imagining of the Robin Hood legend– only from 12-Gauge Comics!

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good

  • Andrew Robinson’s cover [shown above] is even better than last month’s.
  • Daniel Hillyard’s art.
  • Shane Berryhill story continues to update the Robin Hood mythos and add in a few twists.

The Bad:

  • The prospect’s odds of making it out alive — he’s in deep.
  • “Do you know who you’re stealing from?” Oh-oh!

The Ugly:

  • The Princess.

 

Sherwood Texas #2

Rating:

Z-View: Sherwood, Texas #1 by Berryhill and Hillyard

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Sherwood Texas is a five issue mini-series published by 12-Gauge Comics.

Sherwood Texas #1

Writer: Shane Berryhill

Artist: Daniel Hillyard

Colorist: Charlie Kirchoff

Letterer: Ed Dukeshire

 

Re-imagining the legend of Robin Hood as a modern day Spaghetti Western, SHERWOOD, TX is set inside the world of biker gangs, drug wars, human trafficking, and revenge.

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good

  • Re-imagining Robin Hood as a modern day tale told through motorcycle gangs.
  • Andrew Robinson provides the cover [shown above].
  • Daniel Hillyard’s art has a Brian Stelfreeze vibe that works.
  • “Well, well, Rob Hood, ain’t you the fiesty one.”

The Bad:

  • Disrespecting the Nobles.

The Ugly:

  • Breaking a pool cue on Little John and not phasing him.
  • Shot twice and left for dead.

 

Sherwood Texas #1

Rating:

Z-View: Winter World #5 by Dixon and Giorello

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Winter World created by Chuck Dixon and Jorge Zaffino.

Winter World #4 published by IDW Publishing.

Writer: Chuck Dixon

Artist: Thomas Giorello

Colorist: Diego Rodriguez

Letterer: Robbie Robbins

 

Great Jumping-on Point! Scully, Wynn and Rah-Rah are on foot without food or shelter in a brutal world where death stalks their every step. Their vehicle has been stolen by a mystery woman and killing cold, starvation, giant predators and a mountain range won’t stop them from getting it back! A new arc begins with the rich, illustrative artwork of Tomas Giorello! Bring your woolies, it’s going to be a long, cold winter!

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good

  • Thomas Giorello is an excellent choice for the artist for the next story arc.
  • Rodriguez’s colors continue to complement the art.
  • “Hate keeps Skitters warm.”
  • Rah-rah is one brave badger.
  • Pages 15, 19 and 20 especially shine.

The Bad:

  • What toll collectors get instead of candy.
  • What Scully finds instead of thieves and liars.

The Ugly:

  • Scully’s situation.

 

Winter World #5 is for mature readers due to violence.

Rating:

Z-View: Winter World #4 by Dixon & Guice from IDW

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Winter World created by Chuck Dixon and Jorge Zaffino.

Winter World #4 published by IDW Publishing.

Writer: Chuck Dixon

Artist: Butch Guice

Colorist: Diego Rodriguez

Letterer: Robbie Robbins

 

Scully and Wynn learn that the promise of paradise is a lie. Chuck Dixon and Butch Guice bring the first arc of this new ongoing to an explosive finale. What they thought was a sanctuary proves to be a death trap. The two friends are separated by their captors and Wynn faces a primordial horror on her own. The world is cold but the grave is colder as events race toward a deadly conclusion!

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good

  • Gerardo Zaffino provides a cover [shown above] that is the best of the series so far.
  • Each issue I’ve complemented Guice [art] and Rodriguez [colors] for their beautiful art — this issue is no exception.  What a great team!
  • “All right Nino. Let’s have a look at you. And please don’t have legs.”
  • Page 16 – Scully’s arrival was as welcome as Burt Reynold’s in Deliverance.

The Bad:

  • TANG – TANG -TANG – TANG
  • “Someone was lying.”

The Ugly:

  • Wynn’s situation.

 

Winter World #4 is for mature readers due to violence.

Rating:

Z-View: Winter World #3 by Dixon & Guice from IDW

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Winter World created by Chuck Dixon and Jorge Zaffino.

Winter World #3 published by IDW Publishing.

Writer: Chuck Dixon

Artist: Butch Guice

Colorist: Diego Rodriguez

Letterer: Robbie Robbins

 

Chuck Dixon and Butch Guice take you deeper into the next ice age as Scully and Wynn find a refuge of sorts in the last place on Earth that’s warm. It’s a communal paradise of farmers and fishermen who have made heaven from hell. But is all what it seems to be or, as Scully believes, is it way too good to be true?

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good

  • Chuck Dixon breaks the norm and takes us to an area that isn’t barren and frozen — with a reasonable explanation.
  • “We are not a cruel people.  It is only that resources are limited.”
  • Guice and Rodriguez continue to impress with the interior art and colors.
  • “I’ve never seen a stockpile like this.”
  • “The book is very clear on this.” [Love the book used.]
  • Scully’s response when Wynn says, “I like it here” while looking at some boys her age.
  • “Well, ask yourself one question, sister… Where’s Rah-Rah?  Why’s he still hiding from them?”

The Bad:

  • I’m not a fan of the cover above.
  • “Then just let me go.”
  • Wynn is getting too comfortable in La Nina.

The Ugly:

  • “We need you to be there to be this year’s La Nina.”
  • “Then you will wear the bell.  And take the blessings of us all with you.”

 

Winter World #3 is for mature readers due to violence.

Rating:

Z-View: Men of Wrath #3 by Aaron and Garney

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Men of Wrath is a five issue mini-series created by Jason Aaron & Ron Garney published by Marvel.


Writer: Jason Aaron

Artist: Ron Garney

Colorist: Matt Milla

Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher

Ira Wrath is ready to pull the trigger on the last remaining member of his family, and bring the story of his bloodline to a violent end.

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good

  • Ron Garney’s art.
  • Love the cover!
  • “I still never seen no ocean.”
  • “Now tell me little lady… was I lyin’ then?”
  • “Wasn’t always a preacher. Not in Phu Bau in ’68.”

The Bad:

  • Ira Rath is so bad he is willing to kill his own son for money.
  • It’s a long time since ’68.

The Ugly:

  • The history of the Rath family.

 

Men of Wrath #3 is for mature readers due to mature language and violence.

Rating:

Z-View: Men of Wrath #2 by Aaron & Garney

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Men of Wrath is a five issue mini-series created by Jason Aaron & Ron Garney published by Marvel.


Writer: Jason Aaron

Artist: Ron Garney

Colorist: Matt Milla

Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher

Dig deeper into the bloodstained history of the Raths, an Alabama family caught in a generational cycle of violence. Are all members of this clan of killers cursed to live and die by the sword, or can one of them break the chain?

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good

  • Ron Garney’s art.
  • Milla does an especially nice job of coloring the night scenes.
  • “I’d much rather bury one body than two.”
  • “Kid… I’m sorry.”

The Bad:

  • Catching rabies.
  • How Reuben Rath can earn some extra money.
  • The cover shown above is boring.

The Ugly:

  • Being put down like a dog… a “bad dog.”

 

Men of Wrath #2 is for mature readers due to mature language and violence.

Rating:

Z-View: Men of Wrath #1 by Aaron and Garney

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Men of Wrath is a five issue mini-series created by Jason Aaron & Ron Garney published by Marvel.


Writer: Jason Aaron

Artist: Ron Garney

Colorist: Matt Milla

Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher

Ever since Great Grandfather Isom killed a man over some sheep, a black cloud has hung over the Rath family. Now, over a century later, Ira Rath, the coldest hitman ever to walk on Alabama soil, has taken a job that will decide the fate of his cursed family once and for all. Writer Jason Aaron (Southern Bastards, Scalped) and artist Ron Garney (Weapon X, Thor: God of Thunder) team up once again, to bring you the story of a Southern family, whose only heirloom is violence.

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good

  • Ron Garney’s art.
  • Aaron’s idea of following generations of the Rath family.
  • If you like your crime stories about men who live outside the law and aren’t knights with dull armor, you’re in for a ride.
  • “He’s your father.”

The Bad:

  • Wrath does something so bad… so unexpected on page 7 that I had to go back and reread to make sure I wasn’t misinterpreting the art.  I wasn’t.
  • The size of the mosquitoes at Rath’s house.

The Ugly:

  • The “gift” Rath leaves his doctor as he walks out.

 

Men of Wrath #1 is for mature readers due to mature language and violence.

Rating:

Z-View: The Mercenary Sea #4 by Symons and Reynolds

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The Mercenary Sea is an on-going series created by Kel Symons & Matthew Reynolds published by Image.

Writer: Kel Symons

Art and Colors: Matthew Reynolds

MAD DOGS AND ENGLISHMEN” Stranded in a Chinese fishing village, Jack and company must rescue the British spy “Top Hat,” who’s been captured by Japanese soldiers.

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good

  • I like the cover.
  • I like how Reynolds used color and outline for Evelyn’s hair.
  • “I wouldn’t bet on that.”
  • Four issues in and this really feels like an old time serial.  Well played, Symons and Reynolds.

The Bad:

  • What happens when you appear to have the upper-hand and get overconfident.  “Whoever you are, you’re out of ammo.” Yeah, that may be true, but…
  • When shrapnel makes a mess of your insides.

The Ugly:

  • Not a thing with this issue!

The Mercenary Sea  should appeal to all who old time action and adventure.

Rating:

The Package by Elliot Blake & Alexis Ziritt /Z-View

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The Package is a graphic novel created by Elliot Blake and Alexis Ziritt published through Kickstarter and available on Comixology.

Writer: Elliot Blake

Artist: Alexis Ziritt

Cover: Alexis Ziritt

 

Hitman Fred Cutler is sent to Mexico by his boss to retrieve a package. The package never arrives, but hired killers do. When Fred comes to, he discovers a bomb has been sewn into his chest. And if he wants to live, he’s going to have to kill his boss, L.A.’s most notorious gangster, Rafi Vega.

The Good

  • I love the cover by Alexis Ziritt.
  • Elliot Blake has created an excellent revenge story with a couple of unexpected twists.
  • The pinups by Emma Rios, Andrew Maclean, Robert Wilson IV and Eric Bonhomme.
  • The running gun battle when hitmen show up in Mexico.
  • I could easily see this very cool graphic novel turned into a very cool movie.
  • The price.

The Bad:

  • When you don’t know enough to get quiet around Rafi.
  • What happens when you keep “testing” Charlie.
  • Waking up a few days after being shot to find a bomb has been placed into your chest.
  • Nearly everyone — definitely all the major players in this tale.
  • It’s too bad some people may be put off by the roughness of the Ziritt’s art.  For me, it works — gritty art to compliment a gritty crime story.

The Ugly:

  • When Fred finds out what the package is.

The Package  is a comic for mature audiences due to profanity and violence.  If you’re a fan of Sin City; Dead Body Road, Criminal and Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs, then you’ll dig The Package.  

Z-View: The Mercenary Sea #3

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The Mercenary Sea is an on-going series created by Kel Symons & Matthew Reynolds published by Image.

Writer: Kel Symons

Art and Colors: Matthew Reynolds

“BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA” Jack Harper and the crew of the Venture slip into enemy waters to rescue a British spy, code-named “Top Hat.” Only their old adversary, Captain Tono of the Imperial Japanese Navy, spoils the party.

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good

  • I like the cover.
  • The colors and sound effects lettering were especially nice this issue.
  • Nice cliffhanger on the last page.

The Bad:

  • In the first two issues I nitpicked about Reynolds‘ blurred backgrounds being used too often.  I didn’t feel they were over-used this issue and now I feel bad about picking those nits.
  • Being in a submarine under attack by depth charges.

The Ugly:

  • What happens after you tell a Japanese interrogator, “I have no bloody idea what you’re talking about…”

I look forward to the next issue of The Mercenary Sea.

Rating:

Z-View: The Mercenary Sea #2

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The Mercenary Sea is an on-going series created by Kel Symons & Matthew Reynolds published by Image.

Writer: Kel Symons

Artist: Matthew Reynolds

When the Venture is damaged in a trap laid by the Chinese admiral after Captain Jack Harper’s head, he’s forced to take the job offered by the mysterious American agent, Mr. Taylor, to rescue a British spy trapped behind enemy lines.

The Pitch: ”Hey, someone in comics should do a pulp action comic, you know a real throwback about a ragtag group of mercenaries led by an Indiana Jones-type who loves adventure and righting wrongs.”

“Let’s do it!”

The Tagline:  “Red Sails at Sunset”

The Overview: Jack Harper and his crew are wanted by the Chinese government for crimes against the state.  Admiral Shi Tang has sent soldiers to collect them for return to the motherland and execution.  If Harper’s team survives they have a job waiting… one that involves rescuing a spy with valuable information from behind enemy lines.

 

*** Beware – spoilers are found below ***

The Good

  • The issue begins with action.
  • Symons writing flows.
  • Reynolds’ art continues to impress.

The Bad:

  • While I like Reynolds‘ art I still think he overuses silhouettes and blurred backgrounds.  It’s not that I don’t like those techniques but if used too often they can lose their impact.
  • What happens to the Chinese soldiers that Harper’s crew took prisoner?  Why were they taken prisoner?  The Chinese team was sent in to capture and return Harper’s team to China for execution.  Harper’s team and the Chinese soldiers  were just involved in a major gunfight.  Are we to believe that Harper’s team just set the soldiers who tried to kill them free?

The Ugly:

  • The cover didn’t work for me this time.  I liked the idea, but felt the figures were too small and the blurred plane looked too small.

I look forward to the next issue of The Mercenary Sea.

Rating:

Undertow #1 / Z-View

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Undertow is an on-going series created by Steve Orlando & Artyom Trakhanov published by Image.

Writer: Steve Orlando

Artist: Artyom Trakhanov

Atlantis is the world superpower, and Redum Anshargal is its worst enemy. If you want to break free of the system, he can offer you a place at his side, exploring the wild surface world in his watertight city barge The Deliverer. He and his hostage-protege Ukinnu Alal hunt the Amphibian, a legend that could be the key to an air-breathing life on land. But as they become the hunted, can Anshargal’s team survive long enough to turn the tables on the godlike beast they set out for?

The Pitch: ”Hey, the world needs a comic set in Atlantis featuring a fully developed world from issue one, with a story that expects a lot from the readers, doesn’t dumb things down and features art smart enough to match the story.”

“Let’s do it!”

The Tagline:  “You can die right here or be reborn.”

The Overview: Ukinnu Alal was an Atlantean born to privilege.  Growing up, Alal‘s potential friends had to be vetted before he could even meet them,  Alal attended the best private schools. Upon graduation his marriage to a trophy wife and office job were pre-determined and waiting.  It wasn’t until Alal joined the military that he was truly free.

We meet Alal in the middle of a terrible undersea battle against soldiers led by Redum Anshargal. Anshargal‘s troops are brutally slaughtering Alal’s Atlantean soldiers. Alal faces certain death.  Anshargal appears and offers  Alal a chance not only to live but to join Anshargal in a quest to break free from the yoke of Atlantis and explore the world above.

*** Beware – minor spoilers are found below ***

The Good

  • Trakhanov‘s cover (shown above).
  • We are dumped into a foreign world that is fully developed.  We are strangers in a strange land and understanding may not come easily at first.
  • Orlando‘s story is dense and doesn’t dumb down for readers.  This isn’t a comic one can read in five minutes.
  • The artwork created by Trakhanov is very good.

The Bad:

  • This isn’t a comic one can read in five minutes.  Some readers won’t like working for their story.
  • The coloring is hit or miss.  Sometimes it is spot on and at other times makes the lettering hard to read or overpowers the linework.

The Ugly:

  • Going to battle against Redum Anshargal.

I liked Undertow and have a feeling that it is going to just get better and better with each new issue.  I want to know more about Redum Anshargal‘s back story.  It will be interesting to learn why Ukinnu Alal was allowed to live and more importantly why Anshargal has brought him into his inner circle.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Z-View: The Mercenary Sea #1

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The Mercenary Sea is an on-going series created by Kel Symons & Matthew Reynolds published by Image.

Writer: Kel Symons

Artist: Matthew Reynolds

Action and adventure set in 1938—The South Seas. Japan has invaded China. War in Europe is imminent. Ex-bootlegger Jack Harper captains The Venture, a refitted German U-Boat, with a crew of expats, mercenaries and treasure hunters. They do whatever it takes to stay afloat, often running up against pirates, headhunters, spies, and soldiers. They’re always one step away from the greatest score of their lives…or their certain demise.

The Pitch: ”Hey, someone in comics should do a pulp action comic, you know a real throwback about a ragtag group of mercenaries led by an Indiana Jones-type who loves adventure and righting wrongs.”

“Let’s do it!”

The Tagline:  “Nice work if you can get it”

The Overview: Jack Harper is the leader of a group of mercenaries who make their living searching out adventure and taking jobs that bring them into contact with pirates, cannibals, treasure and the occasional job that pays real money.

In the first issue we meet Jack Harper (romantic adventurer) and his crew…

  • Wulf Renner, a former German U-Boat captain with a mysterious past
  • Jarreau, a former French Legionnaire and resident cook
  • “Smokestack” Jackson, a heavyweight contender framed for murder and on the run
  • Toby, who used to work for mobsters
  • Milton Weatherborne III aka as “Doc” a disgraced British Army surgeon who lost his medical license and a patient when he operated while drunk.
  • Samantha, the team’s mechanic and daughter of a moonshiner Jack used to work with

*** Beware – minor spoilers are found below ***

The Good

  • The logo for The Mercenary Sea is one of the best in recent memory.
  • Love the cover.  Nice design, colors and execution.
  • Matthew Reynolds‘ art.  It’s got an animation feel to it that I like.  I first became aware of Reynolds’ art on an independent comic called Marlow.  I liked Reynolds‘ art then and he’s improved a lot.
  • Kel Symons introduces a fairly big cast, backstory and lays the groundwork for adventures to come without sacrificing a fun story.
  • Special kudos to Matthew Reynolds‘ coloring of the issue!
  • The first issue ends on a cliffhanger!  (As it should considering it’s source material.)

The Bad:

  • While I like Reynolds‘ art I think he overuses silhouettes and blurred backgrounds.  It’s not that I don’t like those techniques but if used too often they can lose their impact.

The Ugly:

  • Harper and his crew run into a tribe of cannibals in the jungle.  There’s a set-up and payoff on some humor that works.  I think it might have worked even better had the cannibal tribe (especially the chief) look like cannibals.  The cannibals looked more silly than scary.  So yeah, this “ugly” is that they weren’t “ugly” enough.

I look forward to the next issue of The Mercenary Sea.

Rating:

 

Additional Source Material: CBR.com Interview with Symons & Reynolds.

Z-View: The Saviors #2

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The Saviors is an on-going series created by James Robinson & J. Bone published by Image.

Writer: James Robinson

Artist: J. Bone

You saw.  You know.  No way they let you go home, cover your eyes, put your fingers in your ears and pretend this never happened.  You’re as good as dead.

In issue one Tomas Ramirez, a slacker content living in a small town, discovered that shape-changing aliens live among us.  Tomas discovered their secret and they discovered his… that he knew.

Issue two picks up where issue one left off — Tomas is on the run in the desert from one of the morphing aliens.  Things are looking bleak when a stranger new to town provides a chance for escape… if he can be trusted.

James Robinson lulled us into the story in issue one.  Issue two flies at a breakneck pace as Tomas attempts to stay alive.

J. Bone’s art continues to be a joy.

The Saviors  is a comic for mature audiences due to drug references and language.  If you’re a fan of 50’s alien invasion movies [“I Married a Monster from Outer Space,” “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” etc.], ,or well written, well drawn comics, then The Saviors is for you.

Rating: