Green Lantern: Legacy (Family Comic Friday)

I'm pulling from my massive to-read pile for today's post. Join Family Comic Friday as we meet the newest member of the GL Corps in Minh Le's Green Lantern: Legacy!

Green Lantern: Legacy TP
Written by Minh Le
Art by Andie Tong
Published by DC Graphic Novels for Kids
Pages: 143
Retail: $9.99

When a legendary member of the Green Lantern Corps passes away, the ring is transferred to her grandson: 13-year old Tai. That's right- this replacement is only 13! Does a child barely in his teens have what it takes to become the next great protector of sector 2814? The ring clearly thinks so and thus the youngest member ever admitted into the Corps begins his training.

But Tai's tenure as a Green Lantern may not last for long when he is confronted by a member of Sinestro's Yellow Lantern Corps. Suffering from years of persecution as a second generation Vietnamese immigrant, Tai is tempted by the villain's yellow ring to enact the revenge and justice he and the members of his community have so desperately yearned for. Will Tai succumb to his dark side?

Green Lantern: Legacy was a pleasant surprise. I was afraid that this new Lantern might be a complete reboot of the GL franchise and have done away with over 50 years of classic characters. If you have similar apprehensions, fret not! Many of your favorite Green Lantern characters are here including Jon Stewart and Kilowog.

I'm not sure where Hal Jordan is however. Hal nowhere to be seen or mentioned in this graphic novel. According to the book, Tai's grandmother was the Green Lantern who trained Jon Stewart. Could Legacy be an Elseworld-type story in which the ring selects merchant Kim Tran instead of test pilot Jordan? Or is this story another untold chapter of the DC Universe?

I really hope the answer is yes to the second question. I would like to see Tai added to the Green Lantern roster full-time. I know that there seems to be a disproportionate number of humans in their ranks. But hey--- What's one more great character???

This is award-winning author Minh Le's (Drawn Together) first foray into the DC Universe. And I hope he becomes a permanent fixture, just as I hope to see more of Tai Tran! Le's characters are very real. The kids sounds like kids. The villains are creepy. And while there's a very socially relevant plot behind this origin story, this isn't preachy. What Legacy does is make you think, love and empathize. 

I also enjoyed the artwork by Andie Tong (Star Wars). Its not exactly very clean. But it's a great mix of American, Asian and intergalactic cultures. Sometimes, I forgot who was behind the art as many panels look a lot like that of Battling Boy's Paul Pope. But that's not an insult as I really like Pope's artwork. It just means that I am adding Andie Tong to my list of artists to be on the lookout for more from!

Together Le and Tong created a flawless new member of the Green Lantern Corps. Tai's Yellow Lantern adversary is pretty good too. In a rotten sort of way! But I kinda wish that the creative team had done a slightly better job at hiding the Easter eggs that reveal who Tai's arch-enemy is. I hate to say it, but I knew who was going to be trouble for Tai and friends from the antagonist's very first introduced panel. And no! It's wasn't just my instincts kicking in. The evidence is there- clear as day and yet a little bit of a spoiler. 

Green Lantern: Legacy is a graphic novel perfect for readers 10 and up. There's a some fighting. But it's mostly the scenes of domestic terror and racism that may be a bit too intense for younger readers. This definitely is a graphic novel that promises to entertainment. But it's also a work that very well might be a helpful tool in addressing race and xenophobia to young readers.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Dragon Whisperer (Family Comic Friday)

Family Comic Friday takes a look at Dragon Whisperer from Red 5 Comics. The four issue fantasy epic is set to conclude in August! It’s a fanciful all-new tale about a young girl with a special gift and a captain whose life has literally been consumed by revenge!

Dragon Whisperer

Written by Alex Deluca
Art by Glen Fernandez
Published by Red 5 Comics
Retail: $3.95 per issue

Rosalinda is a young girl with a special gift. She is able to talk to animals. In her tiny
village, her abilities have made her the community’s de facto veterinarian. But when tragedy strikes her family, Rosalinda decides to leave her past life behind. Thus, she pursues a new job: cabin ‘boy’ of the powerful airship, The Carina!

The captain of the Carina is a man possessed. Cursed with immortality, Captain Faulk is tasked with destroying the last existing dragon in order to find peace in the afterlife. Upon discovering Rosalinda’s special abilities with animals, the girl is now to use her gifts in order to locate and to infiltrate the dragon’s lair. Then she will speak to
it, hopefully, luring the dragon out of their cave and into its doom.

There’s only one problem with that new plan: The dragon can speak with humans. And
it knows of Captain Faulk’s plan to kill him!

Dragon Whisperer has been a delight. Writer Alex Deluca (Star Trek: First Contact) has
created an entire universe for readers. Glen Fernandez was the right artist for this miniseries. The DC Comics Legends trading card artist blends ancient dragon lore with
steampunk technology. I even feel like there’s a smidgeon of Moby Dick added to this story as Faulk searches for his ‘white whale’ in the pursuit of the final dragon. In all, Fernandez’s work adds so much life to the world Alex Deluca created. Dragon Whisperer
is not just a story but an experience. 

After reading a sneak preview of issue #4, I am convinced that the story of Rosalinda is far from over. I think we shall see more of the Dragon Whisperer in the future. But in order
to do that, young readers who are fans of such series as Eragon and The Golden Compass will need to grab all 4 issues of Dragon Whisperer. 

A fantastic read for those aged 11 and up. It’s a book parents will approve of. Though the battle scenes in issues 3 and 4 are quite intense. There is some red ink being used in this fantasy story for the ages. But if that’s something that the young reader in your life is used to in books and visual media, then by all means, make the adventures of Dragon Whisperer a new classic in their remaining summer break readings!

Dragon Whisperer will debut on Wednesday August 5th, 2020. Issues #1-3 are available now in print and digital formats.

Worth Consuming!

Overall Series Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Blue Devil #2

Dan Cassidy survived his battle with the demon Nebiros. But his victory came at a terrible cost. He's now stuck in the Blue Devil costume! Hopefully, the scientists of STAR Labs can help with the problem.

While awaiting his test results, Cassidy is laying low in his newly purchased brownstone. That is until a costumed bad guy strongman goes into a rampage and crashes into the building. Let's just say, if the domicile was a car, it would be totaled! 

Not only is Dan Cassidy unwillingly the Blue Devil full time. He's now being forced to play the superhero game. I mean what else can he do? A super-villain just knocked over his house. Cassidy has got to make the dude pay! Right?

It's only the second issue and I am in love. Dan Mishkin and Gary Cohn have some great comedic timing. And I really love the artwork of Paris Cullins. A super fun issue that doesn't take itself too seriously. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Blue Devil #1

Dan Cassidy is the best special effects and make-up guy in the business. His new high-tech suit for the upcoming blockbuster, 'The Blue Devil', is state of the art. It's sure to win some accolades come awards season.

While Dan is a whiz at SFX, he's a dud with the ladies. He's got the biggest crush on the star of the picture; a bombshell named Sharon. But Dan just can't express it to her.

While touring the ruins to be used for the film's climax, Sharon unknowingly unleashes a demon named Nebiros. A former ruler of this world, Nebiros has been exiled to a dying domain for centuries and he mistakes Cassidy, in full Blue Devil costume, as his brother rescuer. 

But the demon soon learns that this devil fights on the side of the angels. And in a rage, Nebiros hits Dan with a beam of energy so fierce, surely our hero has died in just his first issue. 

I've had the complete run of Devil Devil collected for quite some time. I just never really brought myself to read it. I really like the character from his role in the supernatural super team book, Shadowpact. That's the main reason why I decided to collect this book. That and it's indirect connection with Duke University. (One of the character designers spouses was a big Duke fan and they created the character in a sort of tribute to her fandom to the Blue Devils.)

However, I've been burned by mid-1980s DC books in the past. Just last month, I read Paul Kupperberg's Power Girl miniseries from 1988 and it was a massive turd. 1986's Blue Beetle had a very rough start focusing more on soap opera style plots than heroics and that era's Captain Atom series was a mixed bag. Only Booster Gold was a pure delight during this time of revamped and new DC heroes (that I've thus far read.) There's probably some more amazing CRISIS era titles out there that are gems to read. But I am often hesitant to dip my toe in those uncertain waters thanks to previous experience. 

But the premier issue of Blue Devil was great- for a premier issue. The origin story aspect was very good. The introduction to a few characters was rough with insipid dialogue. And we've got that Sam and Diane relationship between Dan and Sharon to sift through. Yet for a 'pilot' issue, this was very good. The book has a great sense of humor and Paris Cullns' (House of Mystery) Terry Austin style artwork in whimsically awesome.

I'm not quite there. But I think I might be hooked on this fantastic little book.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Archie Comics Presents: Archie's Explorers of the Unknown (Family Comic Friday)

The world of Archie and the unexplained meet in this classic collection of stories. Learn more about Archie's Explorer's of the Unknown in this week's Family Comic Friday.

Archie Comics Presents: Archie's Explorers of the Unknown TPWritten by Rich Margopoulos
Art by Pat Kennedy, Bill Yoshida, Various
Published by Archie Comics
Pages: 176
Retail: $8.99

After a brief week off to welcome a new kitten into the Madman household, Family Comic Friday has returned! This week we take a look at Archie's Explorers of the Unknown. This action fantasy storyline originally debuted in the pages of Archie Giant Comics #587, all the way back in 1987! After another popular story a year later in the same title, Archie Comics produced a 6-issue miniseries that ran from 1990-1991. While that was all Archie fans saw of this band of fearless adventurers, Archie's Explorers of the Unknown has remained a cult classic title that has seen chapters reprinted often in the pages of Archie's Double Digest and other similar publications. But now for the very first time ever, all 8 chapters have finally been collected in one volume!

Archie's Explorers of the Unknown was a parody of Jack Kirby's Challengers of the Unknown title. The premise of the series was that Riverdale's original Archie Andrews was reading from his favorite book series, 'The Explorers of the Unknown'. As he read the book, Archie imagined his friends starring as the characters.

Reggie was a demolitions expert. Jughead was a fearless racecar driver with Betty as his brilliant mechanic. Moose was a stunt man. Veronica knew martial arts and Dalton was the team's genius inventor. When the book became a standalone mini, Chuck Clayton was added to the team as a jack of all trades adventurer who could scuba dive, mountain climb and cliff dive with the best of them. Archie himself rounded out the gang as the team leader 'Red', a soldier of fortune who specialized in cryptozoology.

The Explorers of the Unknown tackled the mysteries of the pyramids, the Bermuda Triangle and other elements of the unexplained while battling a group of buffonish villains such as the master of monster blue crabs, Dr. Crustacean. There were some thrilling aspects of Explorers. But this was early 90s Archie. So there was a heavy dose of silliness. A 13 year old me enjoyed this books. But I was also starting to grow out of Archie. Now in my 40s, I love this nostalgic trip back to Riverdale and beyond.

All of the stories were written by Rich Margopoulos. Margopoulos wasn't known for being an Archie scribe. His expertise was in writing horror stories for comics such as The Haunt of Horror and Eerie. But he managed to capture the Archie Comics spirit very well. Featuring artwork by a number of Archie superstars including Apt Kennedy and Bill Yoshida, Archie's Explorer's of the Unknown is illustrated in the classic 80s Archie style that is so timeless.

This is a collection for the whole family. Parents, guardians and even some grandparents will reminisce at a classic series from their youth. Kids will love seeing their favorite Archie characters interacting in new and thrilling ways. For a 176-page book with a cover price of only $8.99, this is a treasury that will bring together generations of Archie Comics fans!

Archie Comics Presents: Archie's Explorer's of the Unknown TP will debut in print and various digital formats on July 21, 2020.

This review was concurrently published on Outrightgeekery.com.

Family Comic Friday

The Madman household welcomed a new member to our family this week. Please welcome Ms. Harley Q! She becoming great buddies with her other Batman named brother, Alfred. 

So, excuse me not having time for a FCF offering this week. Worry not. I'll be back next week with a fun all-ages read that the whole family can enjoy!

This is a Flying Rat (Family Comic Friday)

Ace is super excited! His friend Taco the squirrel and Whoopsie the Moose got to star in their own books. Now it's Ace the pigeon's turn! But interrupting the fun is a flying rat. An actual sewer dwelling rodent equipped with a fully functioning jet pack!! Join Family Comic Friday as we take flight with the hilarious This is a Flying Rat from Oni Press!

This is a Flying Rat
Written by Andrew Cangelose
Art by Josh Shipley
Published by Oni Press
Pages: 32
Retail: $15.99

If you are from a big city like I am, you are familiar with the term 'a rat with with wings.' It's what we call those cooing staples of statues and monuments: the pigeon. Part of that moniker is due a pigeon's likeliness to eat just about anything. Peanuts. Popcorn. Half-eaten sandwiches. Plus, they poop everywhere!

This is a Flying Rat is the latest in a very funny series of graphic novel-type readers for students aged 4-8 years of age. Characters from the other books in the series appear in this book, making for a contained universe. But in this volume, there's essentially only 3 characters; Ace the Pigeon. The Flying Rat. And the narrator, whose straight man disclosure of pigeons facts set-up some great zingers between the two animal main stars.

Author Andrew Cangelose is a teacher. His expertise with youngsters makes Cangelose an ideal scribe to capture those little things that make kids laugh. But parents and guardians are going to love this book too! And the illustrations by Josh Shipley are so animated and vivid!

This is a Flying Rat is sure to be a classic with your family.

This is a Flying Rat is set to debut  on September 8th. This is a Taco and This is a Whoopsie, the first two books in this series are currently available for sale now in print and digital formats.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Catwoman: The Life and Times of a Feline Fatale by Suzan Colon

Take a look at the Catwoman's Guide To Life in this interesting look at the 9 lives of Batman's true love. 

There's tons of interesting stuff. Starting with a foreword by Adam West. We then get a look at the publication history of Catwoman. From her first appearance as 'The Cat' to her evolution as an anti-hero in Batman Returns and Batman: The Animated Series. Published in 2003, this book doesn't include the Fox TV series Gotham or the debacle of Batman and Selina's wedding bait-and-switch. 

Suzan Colon looks at Selina Kyle's arsenal. The first thing that makes Catwoman so deadly is her sexuality. But she's also got vehicles, whips and feline galore. Then you experience a day (and NIGHT) in the life of Catwoman. Finally, you get to enjoy a classic 1940s or 50s era Catwoman comic story by Bob Kane and company. 

This book has dozens upon dozens of great images culled from various comic book titles over the years. Suzan Colon gives thanks to the many artists and writers whose work she utilized in this book. But I really would have liked to have known what issues she took the images from. There's no acknowledgment of that here.

A fun read about one of Batman's most deadly yet loyal foes. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.