By Robin Jones
Written by Rick Remender
Art by Matteo Scalera and Dean White
If you’ve not been on board with Black Science then you’ve been missing a treat. This sci-fi juggernaut is a trans dimensional yarn, rippling through time and space, probing at the very layers of humanity and human nature. Remender’s ensemble cast is one of various shades of grey, and with the protagonist, Grant McKay, out of action this issue, it gives his other characters room to breathe. What we get with Black Science #3 is the chance to explore the mind and nature of these “backing” characters, allowing their importance to proceedings to take greater precedence. However, it does lack the pace which the previous two issues had, the first especially, but with having such a large story to tell, it’s a necessary evil.
Through flashbacks we see just how flawed McKay is, we see more of Ward’s motives and in the present we follow Kadir and Shawn as they attempt to find help for the injured McKay. This issue is attempting to tie up loose ends left frayed from the previous two issues. The writing is intelligent, Remender’s description of trans-dimensional travel is believable and sound strangely achievable…if we had a Pillar of our own… however, we get to the heart of our Dimensionauts motives, a way and means of curing all known diseases and solving all humankind’s problems, as each dimension holds the possibility for untold resources, cures, technology and otherwise. Coupled with the reverse manifest destiny storyline and a technologically advanced Native American army fighting WWI era Germans, Remender’s story is frenetic and visually stunning.
This is where we get to Scalera’s art, as it is a thing of beauty. It is consistently good, with the back and forth of flashbacks and present moment action allowing for Scalera to either focus on large scale action, strange alien creatures, grim war scenes or dramatic, subtle scenes playing off the tension between characters. Scalera’s sci-fi armies, his Dimensionaut apparatus and such are inspired. His Native American mech is stunning, reflecting both the technology and the culture and character of its builders. It’s this attention to detail which helps make Black Science stand out! Then there’s the colours, the tones, the vibe and texture, which all add to the visually stunning work Scalera does in this book. I’d get it just for the art alone!
Ultimately, Black Science #3 is a solid read, which fans of the series so far will lap up. It’s progression, whilst slower than the first two issues, is deliberate and seems to be building to something much bigger for the next issue. Not every second of a story can be action, excitement and mass tension, sometimes story telling and information giving must take the fore, and this is certainly what Remender does with this issue, yet it still reads well and hasn’t done his story much damage. I look forward to seeing where McKay, Ward, Becca et take us in the next issue.
I give this 7 out of 10
Check out the whole Black Science series HERE!
For more comic views and reviews follow Robin on Twitter at @Hulksmash1985
Posted on February 3rd, 2014
Category: PULP FRICTION, REVIEWS
Tags: Black Science #3 Review, Comic Blog, Comic Reviews, Dean White, Image Comics, Matteo Scalera, Rick Remender, Robin Jones
By Robin Jones
With guest words by Mike Sambrook
Written by Rick Remender
Art by Wes Craig
Colours by Lee Loughbridge
Dust off the Nike air, break out the shoulder pads, whack on your snap bracelets, solve that Rubik’s cube, strike the pose…VOGUE… then find the nearest guy called Corey available to you and shout “GOONIES NEVER DIE” at him, because we’re going back Marty, back to the 80′s.
The buzz around Deadly Class has been smouldering away like St Elmo’s fire for weeks now, so finally we get the chance to sample Remender and Craig’s wares, and lo this writer wasn’t disappointed! We’ve seen schools for “Gifted Youngsters”, schools of “Witchcraft and Wizardry” and schools for Young Avengers, New Avengers, Tiny Titans, Teen Titans and the odd school of assassins, but Remender’s school is so much more than the sum of those parts.
So much is achieved in a single issue, with Remender’s writing providing us with a wealth of deep, interesting characterisation, there are ridiculously kinetic and frantic action scenes and the feel of the book is very much like the better thrillers of the 80′s. A particular scene involving our protagonist Marcus, a whole bunch of cops, a Day of the Dead celebration and a babe on a motorbike conjure up images of Black Rain and Point Break. Marcus’s back story is heartbreaking and grim, with the dark underbelly of the city of San Francisco, it’s depravity, it’s remorselessness, it’s cold heartedness becoming a living, breathing character in it’s own right. Halfway through Deadly Class though, the story is amped up, switching pace from the character driven set-up to a world of car chases (as described earlier), crazy kung fu, katanas and THEN we get introduced to the Asian mentor and figurehead of Kings Dominion School of the Deadly Arts. This comic has everything you love about 80′s action movies, thrillers and blockbusters all rolled into one beautifully worked book.
There’s a rag-tag group of misfits and miscreants who make up the rest of the core group of trainee assassins, each presenting a cool personality and fitting into their own demographic. There’s the streetwise kid with cornrows, kooky girl with day of the dead makeup, the nerd, the jock and then, there’s Saya, the afore mentioned motorbike chick, with the kickass moves and tortured back story. She will easily become a favourite of mine!
Now let’s talk about the art, as Wes Craig breaths life into every panel. There’s a flashback double spread page which is just beautifully drawn, his shift from character driven scenes, with their intense attention to detail and cinematic scope through to frantic action scenes, with backgrounds whizzing past in a blur of bullets and kung fu jump off the page, grab you by the hair, throw you in a sci-fi phone booth and send you hurtling into the action. All accompanied by the perfect tones of colour from Loughbridge, the drab washed out tones initially on show give way to bursts of reds and yellows as the action unfolds. They compliment Craig’s pencil work wondrously.
To sum up, I can’t pick a fault with this book. The story is fantastic, and has room for some brilliant characterisation, soul searching and set pieces. The art was pitch perfect, the colours similarly brilliant. It took me on a tip top, no hold barred rocket ride through my formative years watching films from the 80′s. Remender, Craig et all have got a sure fire hit on their hands, one which manages to leave you both swimming in nostalgia and being struck by the originality of it.
I give this 10 out of 10…easily…
Order Deadly Class HERE dudes and dudettes…
For more comic views and reviews follow Robin on Twitter at @Hulksmash1985
Posted on January 25th, 2014
Category: PULP FRICTION, REVIEWS
Tags: Comic Blogs, Comic Reviews, Deadly Class #1 Review, Image Comics, Lee Loughbridge, Rick Remender, Robin Jones, Wes Craig
By Simon Dixon
These last few years Image comics have been releasing a steady and impressive stream of new titles. Ranging from crazy sci-fi epics like “Saga”, to twists on the classic superhero genre like “Bounce”. A lot of these new series have been relatively good, but every once in a while a new series comes along that is head and shoulders above the rest; this time it’s Black Science. This book sits safely at the top of the pile of best new comics to be released this year.
Written by Rick Remender with art by Matteo Scalera and Dean White this dark and gritty sci-fi epic is something different and unique while retaining the classic themes that make a great sci-fi story.
Right off the bat we are dropped straight into the action; our main character Grant runs through a forest desperately trying to escape the creatures chasing him. Along with him is a member of his group Jen. They’re trying to make it back to their group; they only have a small amount of time left. The way Remender writes this whole scene you can feel the sense of panic that the characters are going through. You can feel it in the way they speak and through the way that Matteo Scalera illustrates them. It immediately draws you into the story and gives you a connection to the characters. You already feel for them before you even know them. He grabs you and never lets you go.
The whole story feels like a dark, creepy and pulse jumping story from a classic pulp magazine. Like a taste of a classic piece of sci-fi. Remender teases us throughout the entire issue; giving us all the information about where Grant has been and where he is going, what he’s been through and who he is. While also navigating you through an intense action sequence that sets up the story for issues to come. He does it in such a way that you don’t feel overloaded with information but you feel like you absorb it naturally while proceeding with the fast pace of the issue. This is probably the best first issue to a book I have ever read.
By the end of the issue I feel like I’ve been given all the information I need to progress in the story and I didn’t even know it was happening! That’s the mark of a great introduction. It sets us up for the journey we are beginning and teases us with an overarching theme we can sink our teeth into. The end of the issue is perfect and has me extremely excited for the next instalment.
The story isn’t the only amazing thing about this issue; the art is some of the nicest I’ve ever laid eyes on. At once it both excites and scares you with its darkness. It’s a visual masterpiece that pulls you and adds greatly to the fast paced feeling of the book. Every page is beautifully laid out with every panel bursting with exciting detail which adds to the realism of the story. From disgusting monsters to forests sitting on the back of giant turtles; everything is nothing less than a joy to look at. The detail fills you with so much understanding while bringing up so many questions about the world our characters inhabit.
This issue is a masterpiece of storytelling in both the writing and the art. It grabs you from the very get go and rushes you through an exciting yet scary adventure that ends with the start of the next. It sets up the series perfectly and leaves you excited for more. Do yourself a favour and go and buy this book! You will not regret it!
Story/Writing – 5/5
Art – 5/5
Overall – 5/5
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Posted on November 29th, 2013
Category: REVIEWS, WRITER'S BLOCK
Tags: Black Science #1 Review, Dean White, Image Comics, Matteo Scalera, Rick Remender, Sc-Fi Comics
Written by RICK REMENDER
Art and Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR
This isn’t your father’s Super Solider.
Rick Remender promised he was going to change things up with Captain America and he has, this isn’t your father’s Super Solider.
The Positive
The contrast in setting leads for a fantastic read as we see Cap in more of a sci-fi story as he travels through time itself.
Although Remender is taking Captain America in a different direction theme wise, he is still the same character wise. The contrast in setting leads for a fantastic read as we see Cap in more of a sci-fi story as he travels through time itself. Ed Brubaker did some amazing work with Captain American in the espionage genre and Remender looks to do the same in his own way.
The Negative
There was a little bit of controversy surround this issue of Captain America (spoiler) as this issue depicts Steve Rogers as a young child witnessing his Mother being beaten by his Father. Now, I don’t know a whole lot about Captain America and his character and this may be a part of his history but it’s the first time I’ve ever heard or read anything like this. The scene feels a little out of place and is a little cringe worthy although it does provide some character development for Steve.
The scene feels a little out of place and is a little cringe worthy although it does provide some character development for Steve.
The Verdict
This is a new direction for Captain America, and its pure super hero fun. I think a lot of readers will enjoy the sci-fi aspect of this book and I for one am looking forward to where this series is heading next.
For more comic views and reviews follow Ruben on Twitter at @Ruben_Mendoza and check out his YouTube channel over at http://youtube.com/rubenm33
Click here to view Captain America Vol. 7 comics
Posted on December 7th, 2012
Category: REVIEWS, THE BURRITO BANDITO
Tags: Burrito Bandito, Captain America Vol 7 #1 Review, Comic Reviews, John Romita Jr., marvel comics, Rick Remender, Ruben Mendoza
Written by RICK REMENDER
Art by PHIL NOTO
Cover by JULIAN TOTINO TEDESCO
Wolverine has the burden of knowing that all of this is his fault, because he was never there to be a father to Daken.
The Final Execution storyline has been going for while now, and with every passing issue the series continues to get more dark and hopeless. We are now behind the 8 ball as Evan (clone of Apocalypse) has been mentally and physically tortured by the New Brotherhood (lead by Daken, son of Wolverine) into becoming what the X-Force feared he would become. The Brotherhood systematically targeted each X-Force member and exploited all their weaknesses, leaving them to be tortured both physically and mentally.
Deadpool isn’t the same person, and shows great depth of character as he risks his life (with no healing factor) to save Evan against the entire Brotherhood even though he knows it is a losing battle.
The Positives
The entire series has been building to this final arc, Remender has pulled no punches and many characters have been pushed to their breaking points or worse, killed! As a reader you don’t feel safe when you read a Remender book so you are constantly on edge as to whose next to die. I enjoy the fact that during this entire series you have seen these characters grow and change right before you eyes. Psylocke has become even more headstrong and to me, is the unnamed leader of this group. Deadpool isn’t the same person, and shows great depth of character as he risks his life (with no healing factor) to save Evan against the entire Brotherhood even though he knows it is a losing battle. Fantomex gave his life to save the women he loved (Psylocke) and Wolverine has the burden of knowing that all of this is his fault, because he was never there to be a father to Daken.
The Negative
That this series will be ending later this year, though with the way the series is going…there may not be any X-Force members alive at the end of this anyway.
We are now behind the 8 ball as Evan (clone of Apocalypse) has been mentally and physically tortured by the New Brotherhood (lead by Daken, son of Wolverine) into becoming what the X-Force feared he would become.
The Verdict
I can’t say enough about this comic, it has been a fantastic ride and it’s really a shame that it will be ending soon. Rick Remender has crafted one of the best runs on a series I have ever read, the entire Uncanny X-Force reads like one giant comic and it’s amazing.
5 out of 5
For more comic views and reviews follow Ruben on Twitter at @Ruben_Mendoza and check out his YouTube channel over at http://youtube.com/rubenm33
Posted on November 17th, 2012
Category: REVIEWS, THE BURRITO BANDITO
Tags: Apocalypse, Burrito Bandito, Comic Reviews, Deadpool, Fantomex, marvel comics, Phil Noto, Rick Remender, Ruben Mendoza, Uncanny X-Force #33 Review, Wolverine
Written by Rick Remender
Art and Cover by John Cassaday
Rogue and Scarlet Witch have very big parts in this issue and it appears that Remender has big things planned for them in this series.
The Positives
This is a good start for Marvel NOW! As we get a good introduction to all these characters as well as some interesting fallout from AVX. We get a brief glimpse of Charles Xavier’s (spoiler!) funeral (which I believe could have had its own issue to be honest) and the formation of the Uncanny Avengers. Havok, Rogue and Scarlet Witch have very big parts in this issue and it appears that Remender has big things planned for them in this series. When the team was first announced, I was a bit skeptical but Remender does a great job at making the reader feel that every member belongs on the team for a reason, expect for one.
We get a brief glimpse of Charles Xavier’s funeral and the formation of the Uncanny Avengers.
The Negatives
The story is a bit on the slow side, and most of it has been spoiled through previews and various websites. I didn’t understand the inclusion of Thor; he doesn’t really bring anything to the table…except a hammer.
The ending is jaw dropping and will definitely bring back readers.
The Verdict
Even though it isn’t as catchy as Uncanny X-Force’s first issue, this still adds enough punch to make me come back for more. The ending is jaw dropping and will definitely bring back readers.
For more comic views and reviews follow Ruben on Twitter at @Ruben_Mendoza
Posted on October 14th, 2012
Category: REVIEWS, THE BURRITO BANDITO
Tags: Burrito Bandito, Comic Reviews, John Cassaday, marvel comics, Rick Remender, Ruben Mendoza, Uncanny Avengers #1, Uncanny Avengers #1 Review
Wow…just wow…the members of the X-Force are dropping like flies!
Written by RICK REMENDER
Art by JULIAN TOTINO TEDESCO
Cover by JEROME OPEÑA
Wow…just wow…the members of the X-Force are dropping like flies and now we are in the future with a new X-Force hunting members of our current X-Force! Uncanny X-Force is the only comic that I cannot break down into a good, bad and verdict type review. My verdict is to buy every single issue of the series so that we can all talk about how amazing it is and how mad we are about the characters that have died. If you are new to X-Force, I would not suggest jumping on with this issue as there is a lot going on and also time travel which is a confusing plot device as it is. Go with a point one for a good jumping on point and then play catch up. The way the story is progressing is breathtaking and also very frightening, Remender has made it clear…no character is safe!
Remender has made it clear…no character is safe!
The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants is back (lead by someone very familiar to Wolverine) as they kidnap Kid Apocalypse (Genesis) who plan to brainwash him into becoming Apocalypse. Wolverine and the team head in after him but are lead into a trap by clones of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants lead by (spoiler) Daken! Daken’s plan is genius as he attacks each member of the X-Force while they are at their most vulnerable. In the previous issue we saw the death of Fantomex who dies to protect Psylocke. The group isn’t safe for long as they are attacked at their base when Psylocke decides to time jump into the future where the X-Force is running the world through fear.
The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants is back (lead by someone very familiar to Wolverine) as they kidnap Kid Apocalypse
I can’t stress it enough, go out and buy this comic and hop on board with one of the best comics on the shelf today!
Click here to view Uncanny X-Force comics.
5 out of 5 stars
For more comic views and reviews follow Ruben on Twitter at @Ruben_Mendoza
Posted on August 16th, 2012
Category: REVIEWS, THE BURRITO BANDITO
Tags: Burrito Bandito, Comic Reviews, Daken, marvel comics, Rick Remender, Ruben Mendoza, Uncanny X-Force #28 Review, Wolverine, X-Men
Marvel fans knew that there would be major changes on the horizon after the Avengers vs. X-Men event, but few had any idea that Marvel would do a Relaunch.
Marvel fans knew that there would be major changes on the horizon after the Avengers vs. X-Men event, but few had any idea that Marvel would do a Relaunch. Dubbed Marvel NOW! This is more or less a direct response to DC’s New 52 (DC also rebooted their Universe last summer with very positive results) which will launch later this year. Marvel has made it clear that this isn’t a complete reboot but more of a new beginning for new readers to jump onto. While it’s a very exciting time for new readers (as well as old) there is some concern, Marvel has already announced the cancellation of several titles with more expected to come. Today, we will look at some of the new Marvel NOW! titles as well as some of the cancelled ones.
ALL NEW X-MEN – Brian Michael Bendis
It’s going to be very interesting to see how the X-Men handle the modern times, and how Bendis will expand on the characters themselves, plus Jean Grey is back!
Bendis on an X-Men title…YES! YES! YES! Although his stories don’t always come together, Bendis can write the hell out of characters (in a good way) and what better characters than the original X-Men. This new comic will focus on the original 1960s team of X-Men (Cyclops, Iceman, Beast, Angel and Marvel Girl/Jean Grey) as they are time warped into the modern day Marvel Universe. It’s going to be very interesting to see how the X-Men handle the modern times, and how Bendis will expand on the characters themselves, plus Jean Grey is back! The thing that worries me is time traveling is never a good sign for a character as it tends to complicate and confuse things. We already have a Cyclops, Beast, Angel and Iceman in the modern Marvel Universe, why do we need another of each of them? Is this a spoiler for the remainder of AVX, will these characters meet their demise and rather than erase them from existence we’re going to have the time traveling X-Men replace them? The universe doesn’t need two Cyclops…two Emma Frosts’ would be nice though…
UNCANNY AVENGERS – Rick Remender
Remender will be starting a new comic that will mash up the Avengers and X-Men into one All-Star team…The Uncanny Avengers!
Remender will be starting a new comic that will mash up the Avengers and X-Men into one All-Star team…The Uncanny Avengers! I really enjoy Uncanny X-Force and Venom (both by Remender) so I am really excited to see what he has in store for Uncanny Avengers. It is kind of troubling to see yet another Avengers/X-Men comic out on the shelf, which may overexpose some already too prominent characters (Wolverine…I’m looking at you bub). A cover has already been released for the October #1 issue which features; Wolverine, Captain America, Thor, Rogue, Scarlet Witch and Havok front and center, very interesting that Iron Man and Cyclops, two of the biggest names of both teams are absent from the series…or the cover at the very least. Remender has said that the first arc will feature a story with the Red Skull who plans to eliminate all mutants, which is a great story to start with. We are not only getting to see Captain America fight against his greatest enemy but it also plays into a common threat the X-Men have been fighting their entire existence. This will be the most interesting comic for the last half of the year, keep your eyes out for it. Plus, Remender isn’t afraid to kill off characters….just read X-Force. Be very afraid for these characters.
AVENGERS – Jonathan Hickman
The things we do know about the comic is that the comic will be bi monthly, and feature both popular and lesser known characters as well.
I’m very excited to see Hickman on the Avengers! Hickman’s run on Fantastic Four has been legendary and I expect no less from his Avenger run. The things we do know about the comic is it will be bi monthly, and feature both popular and lesser known characters as well. I also fully expect to get some cosmic events out of this too; this is going to be a fun ride. The Avengers is supposed to expand the roster to 18 which should bring some interesting interactions (in theory) between the characters as well as their stories. Comics tend to focus on action stories, with very good reason but I feel character interaction/development can be just as interesting and exciting.
CANCELLED
Current titles announced to be cancelled include The Mighty Thor, Captain America, Fantastic Four, FF and the Incredible Hulk.
With all the excitement of the new books coming out, there were some that were announced to be cancelled. Captain America, Fantastic Four, FF, Incredible Hulk, Invincible Iron Man, New Mutants, The Mighty Thor, Uncanny X-Men and X-Men Legacy. There will probably be more books cancelled and re-released with new numbering in the near future as well. Rumors have been swirling that Daniel Way will be leaving Deadpool (NOOOO!) soon and Dan Slott may also be leaving the Amazing Spider-Man after issue #700. I am fairly confident that most if not all of these comics will be renewed in one form or another but still it is kind of sad to see them go. I just jumped onto Uncanny X-Men and Incredible Hulk (just launched this past year) and they’re both going to be cancelled?! It is kind of suspect that both books lost steam at the exact same time, probably because there wasn’t a future for either comic. The Fantastic Four and Future Foundation cancellation is a big surprise, but with Hickman leaving for Avengers it was probably wise to start fresh rather than continue the series, the same can be said for Fraction and Iron Man. Marvel Now! will also see the end of Ed Brubaker’s epic Captain America run, although I haven’t been keeping up with Cap like I should (I mean…he’s Captain America and all) I did catch a few issues here and there of Brubaker’s run and loved it. Whoever takes over the shield (writer) will have big shoes to fill. X-Men will have a lot of their books cancelled after AVX and it’s going to be interesting to see if they combine what’s left of the splintered teams into one giant team or split them up with Wolverine and the X-Men (a couple of new teachers would be nice) I think a more modern X-Men comic should be in order (not like All New X-Men) maybe throw Fraction on it?
THE FUTURE AND BEYOND
Marvel has a lot of question marks going into the future and will surely suffer some growing pains.
Marvel has a lot of question marks going into the future; the shuffling of writers to different comics, the cancellation of several mainstream comics, and some writers leaving series’. Marvel is in store for some growing pains. I respect that Marvel can see their current approach has gotten stale and something needed to be done to freshen things up a bit. I’m not a big fan of the half rebooted universe, if you are going to reboot…reboot the entire universe and start from scratch. That’s where DC is finding mistakes, with a half rebooted universe you will certainly run into continuity problems. Regardless, it is a very exciting time to be a comic fan and comic collector. The future is Marvel NOW!
You can follow Ruben on Twitter at @Ruben_Mendoza
Posted on August 2nd, 2012
Category: NEWS & VIEWS, PREVIEWS & UPCOMING RELEASES, THE BURRITO BANDITO
Tags: All New X-Men, avengers, brian michael bendis, Burrito Bandito, Jonathan Hickman, marvel comics, Marvel Now!, Marvel Now! review, Rick Remender, Ruben Mendoza, Uncanny Avengers
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