Static: Season One #6
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Vita Ayala
Art: Kikolas Draper-Ivey
Letters: Andworld Design
Cover: Khary Randolph & Emilio Lopez
Everything about Static‘s first season has been some of THE most on point storytelling and character building to hit comics. Ayala has breathed new life into Virgil Hawkins and his corner of the Milestone Universe in a way that keeps us coming back for more. Showing off a hero’s journey that has been nothing short of superhero perfection as it all comes together here in his attempt to save the Bang Babies and shift the narrative of how these newly superpowered teenagers are seen by the public. It’s an insanely fast paced issue as the battle rages on that’s kept entertaining by some great dialogue whether between the characters or Virgil’s own inner thoughts and intense action sequences courtesy of Draper-Ivey. He just can’t miss as he continues to visually make each issue better than the last. Finding new ways to show off Virgil’s powers and then with these dynamic panel layouts you’ll be looking at one of the best drawn comics out right now. When things finally slow down, Ayala builds to the next season with yet another touching Hawkins family moment and a cliffhanger that will make longtime fans very happy about things to come! With an ending this good season two can’t get here fast enough! 4/5 – IS
Shadow War: Alpha #1
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Art: Viktor Bogdonavic
Inks: Viktor Bogdonavic & Daniel Henriques
Colors: Mike Spicer
Letters: Troy Peteri
Cover: Jonboy Meyers
The Shadow War kicks off with a touching mother/son moment before Williamson cranks it past ten with an assassination and all out chaos. Ra’s Al Ghul has plans to turn himself in to the authorities. Now, this potential move will open a Pandora’s Box of problems in Talia’s eyes as Ra’s has amassed centuries of hidden knowledge and secrets. However, it’s a decision that she’s forced to back but it all takes a turn when a bullet passes through her father’s head. The primary suspect is Deathstroke however, someone better tell him that.
The creative team nails what’s necessary to grab your attention for the beginning of this event. Williamson sets a great pace and delivers a balance of heartfelt moments between Batman and his son and the over-the-top action that is made even better with Bogdonavic, Henriques, and Spicer’s artwork! The big moments pop with intensity and the quieter sequences work even better in-between them.
There’s a few twists here and there and when dealing with an Al Ghul you really don’t know who to trust nor whose motives are actually true. My only gripe is the name of Deathstroke’s kid and every time I hear it it invokes an eyeroll. Other than that this is just a ridiculously fun issue. 3.5/5
Naomi: Season Two #1
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis & David F. Walker
Art: Jamal Campbell
Letters: Wes Abbott
Cover: Jamal Campbell
Naomi’s return is an entertaining one that Walker and Bendis lay out over the course of an therapy session for our young Justice League member. It’s during the session where we find out that not all is well and her parents might be hiding more from Naomi. The build up is tense and this character driven issue highlights what both of these writers do so well. Jamal Campbell’s art is by far some of THE best in comics RIGHT NOW! Every panel on every page is just eye candy that we probably don’t deserve. The attention to detail is welcoming especially when it comes to Naomi’s hair. This might not seem too important for some but for Black comic readers who have had to suffer with sub par depictions of our hair this is just beautiful. The rumored fight between Black Adam and Naomi is a jaw dropping double splash page that is made even better by the colors and the energy depictions.
An overall great way to start the series especially when the character development and art are so in synch like this! 4.5/5
Infinite Speech
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