Graphic Novel Review: Wolf, Vol. 1: Blood and Magic (Wolf #1) by Ales Kot, Lee Loughridge (Colourist), Matt Taylor (Illustrator)

Image Comics
Published Nov. 11, 2015
144 Pages

Los Angeles, California: Antoine Wolfe, a hard-boiled paranormal detective with a death wish, has to cope with sudden responsibility for an orphaned teenage girl who might be the key to the impending apocalypse. The road to hell & back begins.

Enter the World where myths & reality meet. . .- Goodreads

Lately I have been coming across and issue with graphic novels written by white writers that have African American leads. I love the diversity but the issue is the first comic books lack a decent story. It is as if the author doesn’t know how to tell the story and therefore write a weak one, either testing to see if the public will like it or just not exactly sure how to tell the story.

Wolf is an interesting story; where myth meets reality. I love the concept and for the most part this particular volume isn’t a bad start to what can be an amazing story.

Wolf, himself, is a bit dull. There really isn’t much to him but at the same time, I am curious to know him because you know nothing about him other than his “ability.” There isn’t enough information or personality for me to like him but there is enough to make me curious and because of that I will read the second volume.

The story, overall, feels incomplete. Yes, I am aware that this is a series but even in the first volume you should feel some kind of satisfaction, something that makes you feel this isn’t a story that is being made up as you go along (no offense). It didn’t feel like a complete thought and the author was trying too hard to make it relevant, “hip” for teens or whoever.

Artwork was good; exactly what should be expected in a graphic novel. Overall, I do plan on reading volume two but hopefully it is better than volume 1.

 

2 Pickles

Graphic Novel Review (Spoilers): Alex + Ada, Vol. 1 (Alex + Ada #1-5) by Jonathan Luna, Sarah Vaughn

Image Comics
Published July 16, 2014
128 Pages

In the near future, robots are a real thing. But the last thing Alex wants is an X5 as an companion. When Ada arrives at his door, Alex realizes that his outlook may not be as accurate as he thought.

Let’s cut right to the chase. This graphic novel is predictable but it is one of those I know what is going to happen but I like reading it anyway.

As stated the story-line was predictable and I really didn’t like Alex. The whole concept is he went through a bad break up and is lonely, so he receives the X5 as a gift from his grandmother, He doesn’t like the fact that Ada is a robot, so he gets her hacked to be a human.

I think that is ridiculously because you want a human girl but you don’t want to put in the work to be with a human girl, so you use a robot and make her more human.  -_-

The story moves really fast and Ada falls into a fast stereotype of over-reacting female faster than any none human can.  But what I liked about this series despite the character flaws was how it showed that given the opportunity humans may not act so human at all. Granted this is not a new concept but it still was not horrible to read. It showed how jealous and petty people can really be when they don’t get what they want.

I enjoyed the artwork very much. It was bright and detailed not cliche in the least. It wasn’t sloppy and other than Alex being stale face most of the time, other characters displayed emotion in a realistic way.

As stated before this series is very basic but there something like-able about that you just keep reading it. This a I happen to see it read not I need to buy it read. So much more could have been done.

 

3 Pickles

Graphic Novel Review: Bitch Planet #1 (Bitch Planet #1) by Kelly Sue DeConnick (Goodreads Author), Valentine De Landro (Illustrator)

Image Comics
Published Dec. 10, 2014
32 Pages

Women who have done wrong be it a crime or disobedience in work or home are sent to “bitch planet” for punishment and to be cleansed. This novel centralizes around a group of women, who must work together in order to stay alive and maybe get off bitch planet. 

*Short Review*

I am completely aware that the summary really doesn’t explain anything about the book. But trust me, when I say this graphic novel is great and has so much potential to be the best thing ever I completely mean it.

The artwork is amazing. The illustrator did a great job on details down to the last sweat drop. What I most loved about the artwork was the believe-ability (if that is a word). These woman (and men) were realistic. Maybe not their circumstances (but let’s be honest, if men can ship us off to get a better woman if we misbehaved they would) but I can picture these women on the street without hesitation.

But the story is what kept me reading. I need to know more about each of these women. I need to know why “bitch planet” was created and what everyone has to do with it. I need to know it all! I am in love with the characters and their no nonsense. I am in love with the badass woman, Kam. She is perfect and I hope her backstory is amazing as who she appears to be.

Also A+ for diversity. I don’t just mean diversity in skin complexion but also in personalities and ethnic background.

Although this is a short review, I really can’t go on without actually telling you details of the story or without ranting how in love I am.

Overall, I will probably buy this series.

5 Pickles