Singles Going Steady is Comics Bulletin’s weekly review roundup.
Thanos #1 (Marvel Comics)
(W) Jeff Lemire, (A/CA) Mike Deodato, (C) Frank Martin, (L) Clayton Cowles
Thanos is the kind of villain who leaves behind giant upsets in the landscape of the Marvel universe. He’s left behind people and scars all across the galaxy. One of these leftovers is the Black Order, his trusted lieutenants during his last bid to destroy the earth. They’ve moved on in his absence and taken a chunk of the galaxy for their own. Writer Jeff Lemire lays this out using the voice of an omnipotent narrator, a device which calls back to a previous era of comics.
As the title and the first splash page suggest, Thanos is coming back for the Black Order. That splash page is a dreamy usage of Frank Martin’s capable colors, and he goes on to pump the rest of the book full of similar deep moody reds and purples. The biggest break from these darker shades is the gold accents that Thanos, as well as his foes, use to break up their moody garb. The fact that Thanos came first and he is such an imposing power suggests perhaps that this fashion statement has trickled down into his underlings and challengers outfits. Mike Deodato, as always, delivers the crisp perfect lines that he’s been putting out for years. This helps plenty as we take a deep dive into the marvel cosmos with some less familiar characters such as Tryco Slatterus, Corvus Glaive, and Thane.
Thanos, the Mad Titan, is a storied villain with large scale plans and passions. It’s a blast to follow such a larger than life character as he attempts to get back whatever normal life looks like for an immortal god like being. It’s a power fantasy to end power fantasies. It should be interesting to see where Lemire takes Thanos and to what depths his foes, who are gathering in the shadows, will be willing to go to bring down the Mad Titan.
— Lukas Schmitt
Reborn #2 (Image comics)
(W) Mark Millar, (A) Greg Capull0, (I) Jonathan Glapion, (C) FCO Plascencia, (L) Nate Piekos
Neither Heaven nor Hell, Adystria is where good people go after death on Earth. Bonnie died as an old woman who gave generous amounts of love to others, and openly questioned life after death up until the day she passed. Arriving to Adystria as twenty-something, a battle was taken place: People versus creatures and grotesque humanoids, who fled in fear after Bonnie’s arrival. She reunited with her deceased father, now tiger-sized childhood dog, and many others who had witnessed her generosity firsthand. Prophecy said she would lead the people of Adystria to victory against the ruler of The Dark Lands, Lord Golgotha. Reborn #2 follows Bonnie and her dad as he explains how this new world operates, and accompanies her on a search to find her late husband.
Chain of circumstances in this world is similar to decision making in the episodic video games by Telltale Games. Generally, relationships Bonnie had with others during her life carried over to Adystria and the Dark Lands. Being a good person in the old world means being stronger in the new one, but does not necessarily mean the same for those who were bad. Sure it makes them look and act a bit more evil, but Lord Golgotha is terribly powerful, and has been leading his malicious army to attack Adystria for years. Bonnie’s selfless life has led to the revelation of she being the savior of Adystria.
Both Mark Millar and Greg Capullo created this series, and opened up a unique world of alluring possibilities. Everyone’s personal earthly decisions and attitudes will affect where they end up, so everyone Bonnie made nice to can’t possibly be Adystria-bound. Seeing Bonnie’s new life unfold as readers meet characters that are previously introduced or newly presented stimulates curiosity.
The art team combines for a radiant, soft cover that pleasingly contrasts with the inner pages. The panels consist of realistic, thin lines and expressive colors that resemble a classic storybook brightness that highlights the scenery of the fantasy setting. Whether to pick up the next comic in this series is unquestionable as Millar ends issue #2 with a suitable climax. This issue had the essence of a full blown, television sci-fi series. It had perfect pacing with both entertaining and informative elements of world building.
— Kristopher Grey
