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.
Daredevil & Echo #2
Written by Taboo & B. Earl
Illustrated & Colored by Phil Noto
Lettered by VC’s Clayton Cowles
Reviewed by Alexander Manzo
“Daredevil and Echo” picks up right where the first issue left off, with the two protagonists going against Demagoblin in the old church they were investigating. What was set up to be an action sequence with witty banter was instead filled with a quick diversion by “blinding” Daredevil’s sonar and dropping Echo from a highpoint to escape. Taboo and B. Early does give a clue into who the big bad is, “The Blind One,” but then the rest of the issue focuses more on the flashback with Tommy Murdock and Creeping Death investigating similar murders happening in 1835. The writers do give a slight twist with Tommy being betrayed by a local priest who has his plan for bringing “The Blind One” to the world; the only downside is the accent for Tommy is clunky and takes the steam out of the moment by trying to decipher his dialogue. By the time we get back to the present with DD and Echo, they’ve split up, and without that chemistry or someone to bounce thoughts and theories on, the reader can feel like a bug on the wall of a man simply reading a book. His investigations take him to another church to find a book from the first church, which circles back to Tommy. The reader is given a why in this issue, and that’s about it.
Phil Noto’s artwork is a solid plus for this issue; despite lacking a big fight sequence, the smack-and-run sequence is enjoyable and delivers details. The initial splash page showcases Demagoblin flying through the church on a dinosaur-like skeleton while Daredevil is trying to pin down a clear “image” in the corner panels. When an artist is their colorist, it can feel like an easier translation for the reader to understand their intended goal and vibes to set. Such as the entire flashback sequence takes place in an underground cave, so it has this dark and eerie vibe to it that sets the mood for the priests’ eventual betrayal. Whereas during the present day, despite it being night, there is this brightness throughout to emphasize a point of hope. Soto does a good job of keeping the reader focused on the mystery at hand, but since he doesn’t give much background for other characters or possible clues, it makes it easy to see where things could go, which is a bit of a double-edged sword.
Final Verdict: 5.5 – Although mysteries can be fun to solve, there’s a reason we don’t need to follow the protagonists while they sit and read through every report.
The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos #1
Written by James Tynion IV and Tate Brombal
Illustrated by Isaac Goodhart
Colored by Miquel Muerto
Lettered by Aditya Bidikar
Reviewed by Quinn Tassin
“The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos” #1 is a special comic. It takes a standard premise — one about an ostracized but very special young boy with powers — and makes it feel original and fresh. A lot of the success of this issue comes through the elegant way that it lays a grounded foundation and then builds on that foundation in bizarre, wildly intriguing ways. We open on Christopher telling a pigeon his life story; he’s always had abilities that caused chaos and he’s been incredibly lonely as a result. Christopher is a good-hearted protagonist who’s starting this series in a state that’s immediately recognizable to anyone who’s been a teenager before an it makes it easy to develop an emotional investment. Moreover, by making the world around him so oppressively normal even for a handful of pages, it makes the whole “jock is actually a werewolf and he’s being killed by a phantom firing squad” development even more jarring than it innately is (seriously, this is an insane way to start your world-building).
Continued belowThen we see Christopher bring a pigeon back to life which is objectively less of a shock to the system than the previous development but it feels like Christopher embracing the new world he’s found himself in. The mysterious man who discovers the zombie pigeon is a great tool to stick the landing. The fact that it’s a quiet ending that’s oriented toward expanding this world is representative of what makes this issue so strong. This is a story where big, crazy things are going to happen but fundamentally, this should be grounded.
The artwork in “The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos” #1 is absolutely perfect. The design is incredible, not only for Christopher, but for characters like Hayden the werewolf jock, the phantom shooting squad, and the mysterious man. The issue is colorful and expressive but has a slightly muted palette to add to the grounded emotional tone. But this is clearly a comic that can deliver more visually insane moments with gusto. Hayden’s death, for instance, is wildly detailed and evocative. You can feel the fear, dread, and pure weirdness oozing off of the page when Christopher first discovers the werewolf and Hayden prepares for the worst. The moment of his death is brutal and bursting with energy. And of course, Christopher’s mission to save the pigeon is rendered beautifully. The sequence is filled with beautiful, bold blues when he’s using his powers and small things like using his machine as paneling (which controls the pace incredibly well) make for an excellent closing to his first issue arc. With the double-threat of beautiful, expressive art for the small moments and dynamic, exciting visuals in big moments, the visuals are wildly successful at immersing you in this world.
Final Verdict: 8.9- An excellent first issue helps a familiar story feel fresh
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #33
Written by Alyssa Wong
Illustrated by Minkyu Jung
Colored by Rachelle Rosenberg
Lettered by Joe Caramagna
Reviewed by Gregory Ellner
The relationship between Doctor Chelli Lona Aphra and Luke Skywalker has been… tumultuous in the best of times. They are not overtly opposed to one another, but they are at odds in some ways. As such, the opportunity to have them forced to work together is a fun exercise, one that Alyssa Wong fulfills with gusto. The interactions feel very human, the conversations showing a relatability to them that helps pull readers in while also showing how they are distinctly being manipulated. Yes, there are references to other books, and to overall events, but they are self-contained enough that there does not need to be any real external reading, with the result enhancing, rather than detracting from, the product as a whole.
Minkyu Jung’s artwork on “Star Wars: Doctor Aphra” #33 is very well constructed, with heightened animation and emotion both. The use of reflections helps the entire thing feel very uncanny, like something out of a horror story. Perspective shots also help to show the bizarre nature of the Sason Temple, especially when showing people leaving each other’s visual range.
Rachelle Rosenberg’s colors really bring “Star Wars: Doctor Aphra” #33 together. The violet in particular is disturbing but welcome, helping to showcase the utterly bizarre nature of the location even before its true nature is made clear. Other colors are normal, but the varying shades of violet on the walls give a sense of a hall of mirrors, even without the script.
Final Verdict: 7.0 – Haunting artwork complements good characterization in this latest installment to the trials of our rogue archaeologist.
