There’s a lot to cover on Wednesdays. We should know, as collectively, we read an insane amount of comics. Even with a large review staff, it’s hard to get to everything. With that in mind, we’re back with Wrapping Wednesday, where we look at some of the books we missed in what was another great week of comics.
Let’s get this party started.
Rain #2
Written by Joe Hill & David H. Booher
Illustrated by Zoe Thorogood
Colored by Chris O’Halloran
Lettered by Shawn Lee
Reviewed by Alexander Manzo
“Rain” #2 give the audience the central plot of this tragic horror story, and that is for the protagonist, Honeysuckle, to reach her girlfriend’s dad to tell him about the death of his daughter and wife. While it may seem like a relatively more minor point in the overall picture of things, it’s the only thing Honeysuckle can focus on to make sense and keep herself somewhat sane. David H. Booher finds a way to balance a story about grieving for the life of a partner and the fear of this strange cloud of needles beginning to spread around the country. What helps this story stand out is that it’s central-based and is the beginning of an apocalyptic event rather than in the midst of one. The fact that the main characters are still watching the news and checking social media for updates creates this doom and gloom vibe that they are almost trapped inside this Hell-like cage being tortured with no rhyme or reason. This issue also introduces another character that will, seemingly, join our protagonist on her journey that always plays in stories like this so the audience can get more than one viewpoint for the events unfolding.
The artwork by Zoe Thorogood is fitting for this story that is solely focused on the protagonist as nearly every panel doesn’t have much background and keeps the reader zoned in on what is happening. In comparison, the story itself fits the horror/science fiction genre, its primary focal point ties into the emotional journey of Honeysuckle. One scene in particular that blends both is when she walks into the city, and the two-page spread shows the aftermath of the needles and how they killed people in their everyday lives. The realization that hits Honeysuckle is that while her pain is valid, there is a city of people who also lost their lives with people perhaps looking for them. Thorogood also has fun with the expressiveness of her characters by not shying away from emotions and showing the fear with the wide-eyed look or even fear like from one of the cult members who are unsure of whether they are going to kill her or take her alive. There are some moments when the panel’s point of view is far back, and their faces get covered with shadows or switch entirely to a more generic look, such as when that same mentioned cult member sees his friend get stabbed, his face changes that can shock the reader just as much.
Final Verdict: 7.5 – The main story has come into focus with a new character coming into play, but it’s still a little slow in the pacing, which may not be for everyone.
Until My Knuckles Bleed #1
Written, Illustrated, Colored, and Lettered by Victor Santos
Reviewed by Quinn Tassin
“Until My Knuckles Bleed” #1 is much more triumphant in its ability to create a mood than in its ability to communicate a theme. Visually, this is Darwyn Cooke by way of David Fincher. The pencils have a timeless quality to them, using a cartoonish style, simple but incredibly effective character design, and lots of silhouettes. But instead of the bright colors often associate with such a design choice, Santos bathes the art with a muted palette and plenty of shadows. This is a comic responding to the comics industry of the ‘90s and it does great work at communicating a sort of layover grittiness.
That visual language elevates an otherwise uneven first issue. On the one hand, the malaise and aimlessness of the protagonist, a man once known as Damager who now works as a bouncer at a strip club, is strong. It’s interesting to see the life of a superhero thirty years after he was last relevant. The angle that Santos takes- that being a hero in the ‘90s was like being a soldier and the way that messes you up makes it hard to leave behind- is really interesting. It’s evocative of The Hurt Locker and it works well as an emotional core for the story.
Continued belowOn the other hand, you’ve got a little too much metatextual commentary going on about media in general. This is a comic that takes itself seriously enough that throwing in comments about streaming and reboots of the story of this world’s superheroes doesn’t quite land. There’s a certain humor that has to be present for things like that to work that isn’t really anywhere to be found in “Until My Knuckles Bleed” #1. The comic book signing in the issue’s final pages strikes the balance well. It’s a more natural extension of the tone of the story than some of the other commentary.
The other problem is where we’re left off. The tease of what’s to come- being recruited by the government to take part in what Damager sees as a potential grand finale- is great. But it feels like there needs to be more. You can see why the status quo isn’t satisfying but there needs to be a little more to make it clear why he’s lacing up one more time. There can’t just be something pushing the protagonist out of the status quo, we need to see what’s pulling him. Whether that’s a flashback to a moment where he knew what his purpose was or a more clear sense of what he’s needed for, the issue just needs a smidge more than it gives its readers to feel like a complete introduction.
Final Verdict: 7.9- An intriguing, visually striking response to the infamously extreme comics of the ‘90s.
Venom #5
Written by Al Ewing
Penciled by Bryan Hitch
Inked by Andrew Currie
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Lettered by VC’s Clayton Cowles
Reviewed by Alexander Jones
When Marvel creators tell stories centered around Venom, they tend to focus on the violent nature of Eddie Brock. Writers Al Ewing, Ram V, and artist Bryan Hitch have finally shown readers that “Venom” is about more than just Brock’s battles against other symbiotes. “Venom” #5 features a script from Ewing that officially starts to pay off plot threads from the first few chapters. Ewing also places a deeper emphasis on some of the science fiction elements of the title lingering beneath the surface. To put it simply, “Venom” #5 expands the scope of the character so wide that other creators are going to be able to tell better stories about “Venom.”
Over the past couple of years, artist Bryan Hitch has streamlined his art to make it more straightforward. “Venom” is the evolution of Hitch’s work with Robert Venditti on “Hawkman” as Hitch takes more straightforward hero elements and melds them with other planets and alien species! Hitch is even a solid artist when the script needs to slow down and focus on the character work. New character Meridius is given some characterization here through his expressions. Hitch navigates a careful balancing act to have this character emote yet still seem foreboding. The designs behind the symbiotes and the other planets are also stunning to look at.
In “Venom” #5 Ewing finally peaks behind the curtain and shows readers the basics of the new villain Meridius. Ewing expands the lore of the “Venom” property to explore where Meridius fits in the grander scope of the series. The most exciting part of “Venom” #5 is the ending of the story that will make readers reinterpret previous issues. Ewing drops the focus on Dylan and Eddie almost completely on this title to make Meridius and the new cast of characters have a stronger personality.
“Venom” #5 continues a trend of bringing a ton of suspense to the narrative. Readers expect something dark from the issue that Ewing teases up until the moment where something negative does indeed happen. Hitch’s art seems interested in bringing out the humanity of Meridius which also helps the title stand out. The mysterious, dejected nature of “Venom” #5 is intoxicating. Ewing and Ram V’s new villains bring even more tension than readers probably want for a title like this. If you want to see a template for how Venom can be more than just a derivative anti-hero, “Venom” #5 is for you!
Final Verdict: 9.0 – “Venom” #5 fleshes out the backstory of the symbiotes and new villain with an incredible amount of suspense.
