Review Work

Nova #1
Writer: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Art: Sean Chen
Inker: Scott Hana
Colors: Guru EFX
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Cover: Adi Granov
Assistant Editor: Alejandro Arbona
Editor: Bill Roseman

“S-so, I guess I’m alone now…with powers I’ve only yet to learn about. But I’ve learned one thing. My powers must always be used for justice…no matter what the risk…no matter what the danger. For that is the destiny of…NOVA!” A weak spirited kid spoke these words named Richard Rider who felt that he would always be just another loser. That Nova is far from the powerful, class-A galaxy defender that we are introduced to here in the inaugural issue of Nova’s new series. Post Annihilation, the universe is in chaos, with whole worlds devastated and civilizations suffering the consequences of the most devastating war to hit the galaxy in ages. In steps Nova, confident and infused with the power of the entire Nova Corps answering distress call after distress call in an effort to save as many lives as possible. Under the pen of Abnett and Lanning, Richard Rider has become the hero he was always meant to be, finally living up to the destiny set forth way back when. Yes, I’m a Nova fan from way back, but never before have I liked him as much as I have in the past year plus. Going all the way back to his solo Annihilation miniseries, Abnett and Lanning have quite possibly established themselves as the definitive Nova writers. These guys are really taking the character to new heights. This issue is a non-stop sci-fi adventure ride with a final page that is going to make any fan begging to see a certain Shield Director get what’s coming to him, smile with anticipation. We see here that while Nova may be the last Centurion, he is indeed the most powerful one to ever live thanks to the influence of the Xandarian Worldmind, which in some panels even takes on a Professor Stein – like appearance, and sadly, the destruction of Xandar. ‘Planetfall’, an adversary that might have given a younger Richard Rider a two-issue run for his money, is dispatched with quips, well thought out attack strategies, and the requisite powerful punches. The war has forced Rider to grow up and become a true hero.

Powerful as he may be though, he is pushing himself way too hard and the Xandarian Worldmind, both out of a sense of self-preservation as well as concern, suggests that Richard Rider return home for some much needed rest. His decision to do just that is where we end essentially, after following Nova frantically trying to answer every distress call addressed to the now decimated Nova Corps.

Sean Chen’s artwork really captures the spirit of Rich Rider. We not only feel the anguish and survivors guilt he is dealing with, but it’s clearly visible in every strained expression thanks to Chen’s vivid attention to detail. He also nails the heck out of the various shots of Nova living up to the nickname The Human Rocket. This Nova’s not going to get pushed around the halls of Harry S. Truman high. Chen’s Nova looks like he’s ready to kick some serious intergalactic bad guy behind.

Nova is written here with a purpose. He is strong-willed and determined to save as many lives as possible in the wake of the devastation unleashed as a result of the Annihilation. Abnett, Lanning and Chen present a Nova that is not merely one part Spiderman and one part Green Lantern (nod to the GL Corps not withstanding). In issue number one, he comes across as his own character able to stand toe-to-toe, shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the most powerful in the Marvel Universe.

While, at times the dialogue can feel a little forced, the overall back and forth between characters is rather enjoyable to read. At times witty and equal parts tragic and inspiring, Nova #1 is one of the better debuts to come from Marvel in a good long while. In both dialogue and art it stands up to the debuts of two of the years other surprisingly good reintroductions, Iron Fist and Moon Knight. Nova #1 is that good. Richard Rider is not some punk kid anymore. Here he’s one of the best the Universe has at its back. Several cool moments happen in this book, but to tell more would be spoiling what should be a must buy for any fan of exciting superhero sci-fi.

9 out of 10

Unique #1 of 3
Writer: Dean Motter
Art and Colors: Dennis Calero
Letterer: Scott O. Brown
Cover: Dennis Calero
Editors: Paul Cibis and Jim Mclauchlin
Created By: Scott Mitchell Rosenberg
Publisher: Platinum Studios Comics

The premise of this new offering from Platinum Studios is incredibly interesting. While the story moves slowly in the beginning, it really starts to pick up the pace midway through and rockets to the cliffhanger sequence that ends issue one. Diving right into it, there are parallel worlds. Each world has a you, a me, there is a counterpart on multiple earths. Now this is nothing new to any reader of DC’s vast library of comics, but here it is handled in a more real world X-files type of setting. If you die on an alternate earth, you die here as well. There are exceptions to the everyone has a counterpart rule. People that exist soley in one reality with no other versions of themselves are called Uniques. This premise unfolds in the background and leads to the spiraling mystery that takes over the main protagonist’s life.

Following a surreal prologue that sets up the strangeness to come, things kick off in a doctor’s office, where Jon Geoffries is trying to come to grips with the strange dreams that seem to be plaguing him of late. Troubled and mentally fragile, John returns to his ho-hum job as Without spoiling things, events soon spiral out of control as

The artwork is reminiscent of Bryan Hitch and, in some spots similar to what Salvadore Larrocca is currently doing on Marvel’s New Universal title. The latter similarity has a lot to do with Calero’s color-use I suspect. Basically, this book sports some pretty good art…..overall. Unfortunately, there are several instances of over-photoshopped images that don’t always mix in well with the finely detailed pencil art. Some panels look less refined than others, the main problem arising when certain experiments to mix media through photo manipulation come across as jarring and effectively takes the reader right out of the story. Reading the story, and I’ll speak more on that in a minute, you get the sense that the team is going for something surreal as two worlds start to blend in and out of the same moment in Jon Jeffries mind (fix…). The problem is that certain backgrounds look empty and flat. Some panels sport colors that look oversaturated and others that appear blurry. There were a few instances where I couldn’t quite tell what was going on. The biggest problem results, however when it appears that photos were dropped in and reworked to fit the tone of the book. In itself not a bad thing, but when falling into sequence side-by-side with panels that look more naturally hand drawn it just doesn’t seem to work. Make no mistake, these issues aside, Dennis Calero is one talented artist. The experimentation in some places just doesn’t work for me.

As far as the story goes, it is a compelling one that presents us with an intriguing premise of a man caught up in the drama of two worlds. There’s a Neo-like moment that takes place in Jon’s normal Earth office that fans of the first Matrix films will no doubt get a kick out of. Let’s just say it’s amusing watching him try to avoid two well-dressed auditors in dark sunglasses who, as the story progresses, will continue to show up shadowing the steps of our unlikely hero. In fact, other men of equal fashion sense pop up on both worlds seemingly out of nowhere, lending credence to what I assume is a slight homage. Some scenes do get a little derivative, but mostly I’m willing to let that go to see how far the authors are going to take this concept of the Uniques.
In all, Unique is a good first issue that is all about experimenting with the medium. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. The payoff comes when Jon Geoffries makes the jump to another world. People in the world he knew exist in the new, but they are significantly changed, leading lives alien to our protagonist. Two worlds, the same but different. The jumps back and forth show us what’s really behind his somnambulism and hallucinatory dreams. When it works best, you’ll feel like you’re taking this crazy ride with Jon. Hopefully the next two issues will have more good than bad. It should be noted that Platinum is offering the reader 48 pages for $2.99 with no real ads until after the story concludes. Not bad at all in today’s market. There’s enough here to make me pick up the next two issues, if only to see if this book can really live up to it’s name by pulling all the concepts laid out chaotically in this first issue into something truly different and unique.

JOHN CONSTANTINE: HELLBLAZER # 230
“In at the Deep End” Part One
Writer: Andy Diggle
Artist/Inker: Leonardo Manco
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher
Cover: Lee Bermejo
Editor: Casey Seijas

It’s been about three years since I last picked up a Hellblazer book. I’d heard there was going to be a new team on the book, but hadn’t really given much thought to it until I saw the Lee Bermejo cover standing out on the racks. It perfectly captures the distinctive charm that is pure John Constantine. From the cocky smirk and devilish eyes, to a smoke pentagram that hangs in the air taunting the reader to take a chance, I was drawn off the fence right away.

Things kick off with John bound and on the wrong end of what seems to be a simple case of straight up payback. I won’t spoil the story, but suffice it to say that part one of “In at the Deep End” is a deep tale of lowlife crime and manipulative magic. There is payback, but not the kind we’re presented with to start. The story read like crime-horror with a double shot of Jim Beam-laced mysticism. It mixes genres without coming across as contrived. Diggle weaves a smooth tale filled with unique characters, genuine emotion, and enough twists to keep you in suspense until the very end. His dialogue snaps with an energy that beats along perfectly to the moody realism of Leonardo Manco’s visuals.

Manco’s work has grown more subtle and streamlined since his days on Marvel’s Hellstorm title. He renders each character in vivid detail, making each panel move with a certain cinematic pacing. There is a life to his art. One splash in particular screams off the page in a creepy tone that makes the reader feel uncomfortable in the way good horror is supposed to make you feel.

All in all, this first dip into Diggle’s opening tale works on many levels. Hellblazer #230 is a good jumping on point for both new readers and returning fans alike. It’s not the most original Constantine story ever written, but if you’re new to the book or coming back after a long hiatus, it is a cool story that definitely delivers a decent mystery. It will put a smile on the face of anyone with a wry sense of humor and a taste for subtle manipulations and magical one-upmanship. The last two pages set up a finale well worth checking out in thirty days.
Rating: 8/10
Reviewed by: Guy Copes