(Written by Corinna Bechko, art by Jonathan Lau, published by Dynamite.)
Marla Drake is invited to her friend Edi’s family home party, and she accepts based on the fact that Edi’s parents seem to be involved with the cult that stole her blueprints. They act suspiciously almost as soon as the girls arrive. It doesn’t take long for Marla to find that occult powers are at play and she may be in over her head.
Once again, the cover is misleading. There is no cheesecake in the book at all, and I worry a little that the skin flashing covers might drive potential readers away. It is almost like no one told cover artist Tula LoTay that Volume 2 is ridding itself of the objectification of Volume 1. Lau’s interior art is tight and dramatic, and the action scenes felt brutal and intense. Once again I admire Marla’s outfits and hair. I particularly love that when her hair is up, it is thick and almost wild. I am so used to tight buns or whip straight pony tails (sorry Vampirella), that such a small detail like that is striking.
This issue has been the most confusing so far, but it is intentional as Bechko is setting up mysteries that will be resolved in future issues. It is frustrating as a reader because it may be a month or two before I understand fully what is going on, but such is the struggle of the monthly collector. I will remind our readers that this is only the third issue, there is time to catch up!
(Megan Crittenden)
Marla Drake is invited to her friend Edi’s family home party, and she accepts based on the fact that Edi’s parents seem to be involved with the cult that stole her blueprints. They act suspiciously almost as soon as the girls arrive. It doesn’t take long for Marla to find that occult powers are at play and she may be in over her head.
Once again, the cover is misleading. There is no cheesecake in the book at all, and I worry a little that the skin flashing covers might drive potential readers away. It is almost like no one told cover artist Tula LoTay that Volume 2 is ridding itself of the objectification of Volume 1. Lau’s interior art is tight and dramatic, and the action scenes felt brutal and intense. Once again I admire Marla’s outfits and hair. I particularly love that when her hair is up, it is thick and almost wild. I am so used to tight buns or whip straight pony tails (sorry Vampirella), that such a small detail like that is striking.
This issue has been the most confusing so far, but it is intentional as Bechko is setting up mysteries that will be resolved in future issues. It is frustrating as a reader because it may be a month or two before I understand fully what is going on, but such is the struggle of the monthly collector. I will remind our readers that this is only the third issue, there is time to catch up!
(Megan Crittenden)
Wonder Woman #1 Rebirth
(Written by Greg Rucka, art by Liam Sharp and Paulo Siqueira. Published by DC.)
After ten years, Rucka returns to Wonder Woman, eager to return her to form after the New 52 radically changed both her origin and her character. Affected by the events of Rebirth #1, Wonder Woman realizes that she has been deceived after questioning herself with the lasso to uncover the truth. She is not the God of War, and she suspects that her father is not Zeus. The entirety of the New 52 feels to her a lie.
The story is very meta. Wonder Woman has had her story retold several times since Rucka left the book, and each new writer seems to want to give her a new twist and a new cast. What Rucka seems to be doing isn’t new, but it does feel cathartic as she crushes the supposed helmet of Ares and smashes a mirror reflecting her New 52 events.
The story is very meta. Wonder Woman has had her story retold several times since Rucka left the book, and each new writer seems to want to give her a new twist and a new cast. What Rucka seems to be doing isn’t new, but it does feel cathartic as she crushes the supposed helmet of Ares and smashes a mirror reflecting her New 52 events.
The art I feel is a step down from Cliff Chiang’s art, but it is serviceable. I do love the new costume. The skirt is fairly short but it does not feel like fan service. I do not love the sword and shield, but she seems to be using it against machinations only so far.
Wonder Woman: Rebirth #1 is a good jumping point for readers who did not enjoy the changes made to her during the New 52, but brand new readers may be a little lost. Hopefully as the series starts properly, especially with Year One, we will have a good jumping point for those new to Wonder Woman.
(Megan Crittenden)
Wonder Woman: Rebirth #1 is a good jumping point for readers who did not enjoy the changes made to her during the New 52, but brand new readers may be a little lost. Hopefully as the series starts properly, especially with Year One, we will have a good jumping point for those new to Wonder Woman.
(Megan Crittenden)
Vampirella #4(Written by Kate Leth, Art by Eman Casallos. Cover by Chrissie Zullo. Published by Dynamite.)
Vampirella and Slade finally face off at Slade’s house party, where Vampirella discovers she has befriended many movie monsters. She films them chasing extras and killing them, and sells the footage as horror movies. She offers Vampirella, Tristian and Juliette the same deal. Vampirella however is a vegan vampire and says no dice.
The art remains expressive and fun, but the writing in this issue felt a little off. There were a few great jokes, but the conflict felt a little contrived and as a reader I do not feel particularly invested. Why doesn’t Slade put Vampirella in the unbreakable handcuffs when she has the chance? What was the point of the party except for exposition? The next issue will be the conclusion to this arc, and this one just feels like the lead up to the next rather than one that stands up on it’s own.
