Post by ryokowerx on Oct 6, 2011 10:21:22 GMT -5
(cross-posted from my Facebook account. I hadn't originally intended on picking up all the new #1s but the 50% off deal at DCBS turned out to be too good to pass up. Feel free to discuss, agree or disagree)
So what the hell is this? I'm going to try to write a review of each of the new #1 issues put out by DC Comics. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, DC Comics (home of Superman, Batman, etc.) is completely restarting most* of the history they have established with their comic books since 1939. (* some continuity remains but all events that remain are considered to have happened within a five year span of time) If you're still confused, think of it as everything being set back to square one and all these superheroes are new things to show up rather than a given part of the world.
Anything I say from this point on is my opinion and reflects only my feelings. Please take your nerd rage elsewhere if you disagree or at least be civil in your disagreement.
NOTE: I have not read Flashpoint #5 which kicks off this new history so I'm going to try to approach these issues as if someone completely new to comics were picking them up for the first time. If you're interested in what I have to say, I'd encourage you to go to your local comic book shop (if you have one) or you can buy them digitally at Comixology (http://www.comixology.com).
PLOT SUMMARY:
In Boston, Andrew and Mary, both vampires, are arguing over the future. Andrew believes that vampires and human beings can coexist with each other while Mary, his beloved, believes that humanity needs to be enslaved. The issue jumps back and forth in time between his memories of their final night together and the current in which Mary and her vampire army has massacred a bunch of people and Andrew's attempts to kill these newly-created vampires.
THE ART:
Andrea Sorrentino does the art and is very ably assisted by Marcelo Maiolo in the color department. In fact it is really is the colors that make I, Vampire so distinctive. It is used amazingly well with a blue palette signifying Andrew's memories of their final night, a color of depression as he realizes that Mary is lost to him, while the present is done in murky browns, a lack of vibrancy and a hint of decay. The pencils with heavy shadows is very reminiscent of some of Mike Mignola and his work on Hellboy but with less angularity. Likewise, the color symbolism continues with the dialogue boxes with Andrew's in a blood red and Mary's in a pink, with Andrew being the sire and she being created by him, a dilution of the blood or merely a symbol of femininity. Absolutely wonderful work done throughout with the visuals.
THE STORY:
Joshua Hale Fialkov is the writer and this is a name that you'll probably want to keep a eye upon. Dialogue is sparse and definitely not flowery but manages to give you insights into both of their personalities. Everything feels "right" when they talk - not like you're reading comic book dialogue. In just a single issue, you can see that Andrew still loves Mary despite her evil nature and he feels both remorse and responsibility for what she has done. Mary is manipulative, even going so far as to assume the form of one of Andrew's past loves, and views him as weak and too trusting even though she still loves him as well. Both of them on a collision course with each other and neither willing to blink.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
DC originally dropped the ball on this one when they made Twilight overtures about it. This is most assuredly not emo vampires. It is a romance, a twisted one but one nevertheless. Both Mary and Andrew have no compunctions about killing. If you're into gothic tales, paranormal romance or just like a really good story, this is a great value for your $2.99. It is also completely new reader friendly as you really need to know nothing to jump right into this. I'll be back for issue two and for every issue thereafter. Definitely one of the gems of the month.
NEXT WEEK:
All Star Western #1 and Justice League Dark #1.
I, VAMPIRE #1
So what the hell is this? I'm going to try to write a review of each of the new #1 issues put out by DC Comics. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, DC Comics (home of Superman, Batman, etc.) is completely restarting most* of the history they have established with their comic books since 1939. (* some continuity remains but all events that remain are considered to have happened within a five year span of time) If you're still confused, think of it as everything being set back to square one and all these superheroes are new things to show up rather than a given part of the world.
Anything I say from this point on is my opinion and reflects only my feelings. Please take your nerd rage elsewhere if you disagree or at least be civil in your disagreement.
NOTE: I have not read Flashpoint #5 which kicks off this new history so I'm going to try to approach these issues as if someone completely new to comics were picking them up for the first time. If you're interested in what I have to say, I'd encourage you to go to your local comic book shop (if you have one) or you can buy them digitally at Comixology (http://www.comixology.com).
WARNING! SPOILERS OFF THE PORT BOW CAP'N!
PLOT SUMMARY:
In Boston, Andrew and Mary, both vampires, are arguing over the future. Andrew believes that vampires and human beings can coexist with each other while Mary, his beloved, believes that humanity needs to be enslaved. The issue jumps back and forth in time between his memories of their final night together and the current in which Mary and her vampire army has massacred a bunch of people and Andrew's attempts to kill these newly-created vampires.
THE ART:
Andrea Sorrentino does the art and is very ably assisted by Marcelo Maiolo in the color department. In fact it is really is the colors that make I, Vampire so distinctive. It is used amazingly well with a blue palette signifying Andrew's memories of their final night, a color of depression as he realizes that Mary is lost to him, while the present is done in murky browns, a lack of vibrancy and a hint of decay. The pencils with heavy shadows is very reminiscent of some of Mike Mignola and his work on Hellboy but with less angularity. Likewise, the color symbolism continues with the dialogue boxes with Andrew's in a blood red and Mary's in a pink, with Andrew being the sire and she being created by him, a dilution of the blood or merely a symbol of femininity. Absolutely wonderful work done throughout with the visuals.
THE STORY:
Joshua Hale Fialkov is the writer and this is a name that you'll probably want to keep a eye upon. Dialogue is sparse and definitely not flowery but manages to give you insights into both of their personalities. Everything feels "right" when they talk - not like you're reading comic book dialogue. In just a single issue, you can see that Andrew still loves Mary despite her evil nature and he feels both remorse and responsibility for what she has done. Mary is manipulative, even going so far as to assume the form of one of Andrew's past loves, and views him as weak and too trusting even though she still loves him as well. Both of them on a collision course with each other and neither willing to blink.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
DC originally dropped the ball on this one when they made Twilight overtures about it. This is most assuredly not emo vampires. It is a romance, a twisted one but one nevertheless. Both Mary and Andrew have no compunctions about killing. If you're into gothic tales, paranormal romance or just like a really good story, this is a great value for your $2.99. It is also completely new reader friendly as you really need to know nothing to jump right into this. I'll be back for issue two and for every issue thereafter. Definitely one of the gems of the month.
NEXT WEEK:
All Star Western #1 and Justice League Dark #1.