Category: reviews

Review: True Believers #1

The heroes of the Marvel Universe better look out! There’s a new team in town, and their not completely into the whole hero scene. In fact, if your a hero in the Marvel U., you better make sure all those dirty little secrets you don’t want the public to know are well guarded or you may end of like… You’ll just have to check out True Believers #1 to find out!

Written by Cary Bates (Flash, Star Brand, Superman) and illustrated by Paul Gulacy (Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu, Six From Sirius, Batman, Catwoman) issue one introduces us to the True Believers, a team of four computer hacking superheroes who use their powers and abilities to run a popular tabloid style blog that covers the slimier side of the Marvel Universe as well as the latest superhero gossip and dirt. The team’s leader, Mavis Trent who goes by the name Payback, also doubles as an adviser for S.H.I.E.L.D. I really, really dug the hell out of this first issue! The story is told from the view point of Mavis, who I found to be a really fun character to read. Bates’ dialog is very believable and has a great flow about it. This is the first time I have read any of Bates’ work, and so far I am thoroughly impressed. The story was very entertaining, and the cliff hanger at the end really leaves you wondering: did this really happen?

The art from Paul Gulacy is absolutely phenomenal! Once again, Gulacy is an artist I am not familiar with, but I thought the stuff he did in this issue was outstanding. Each panel was incredibly detailed and he draws some absolutely stunning women! I am really curious to see where this book goes. Based on the end of this issue, I’m wondering what kind of dirt we will be getting on some of our other favorite heroes? Definitely give this book a try, I can’t recommend it enough!

COVER BY: PAUL GULACY
WRITER: CARY BATES
PENCILS: PAUL GULACY
INKS: PAUL GULACY
COLORS: RAIN BEREDO
LETTERS: ARTMONKEY’S DAVE LANPHEAR
EDITOR: MOLLY LAZER & BILL ROSEMANN
Rated T+ …$2.99

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Review: She-Hulk #31

When She-Hulk and bounty hunting partner/Skrull Jazinda land in Detroit tracking down a premonition Jazinda has regarding the highly revered Skrull Talisman, the pair find themselves crossing paths with private mutant investigators X-Factor who believe the duo are after some friends of theirs. But are these “friends” really who they say they are? Get ready as the Secret Invasion infiltrates the She-Hulk’s world in She-Hulk #31!

She-Hulk #31 continues the story that began in X-Factor #33 and ties into the current Secret Invasion event. Since Peter David is writing both books, the story in this issue fits in seamlessly with the one in X-Factor. David does a good job of mixing humor and action and keeping the story moving forward. Having not been a reader of either X-Factor or She-Hulk, I found the story was easy to jump into and I was able to pick up enough information from the characters that I didn’t feel I needed to read all of the She-Hulk back issues to know what was going on. The Secret Invasion parts of the story feel as if they could potentially be a big part of the event, but seem almost a little too big for She-Hulk and X-Factor. Then again, Peter David might just be setting up something that is going to play out in one of the bigger Invasion books. Either way, I’m definitely enjoying the story and I’m looking forward to the next issue of X-Factor to see how this pans out.

I thought the art from the team of penciler Vincenzo Cucca and inker Vincenzo Acunza was pretty solid. I wouldn’t call it spectacular, but I felt it fit the story well. I thought each of the characters were well drawn and that there were some pretty good action scenes. However, at times I felt that some of the panels may have been a little lacking in detail. There was nothing that was just blaring out at me, but there were just a few places here and there I thought the artist could have added a little more detail to the surroundings.

In all, I really had a good time with this book. The story was fun and has me looking forward to what happens next. If your enjoying the Secret Invasion event, and haven’t picked this book up before, definitely give it a shot. I think you will be glad you did!

COVER: MIKE DEODATO & RAIN BEREDO
WRITER: PETER DAVID
PENCILER: VINCENZO CUCCA
INKER: VINCENZO ACUNZA
COLORIST: BARBARA CIARDO
LETTERER: DAVE SHARPE
EDITOR: BILL ROSEMANN
Rated T+ …$2.99

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