Star Wars: Tie Fighter (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Star Wars: Tie Fighter
Writer: Jody Houser
Artists: Roge Antonio, Joshua Cassara, Geraldo Borges, & Ig Guara
Recent Release Date: October 15, 2019


Synopsis: Enter Shadow Wing! The Empire's salvation - the Rebellion's doom! As the war between the rebels and the Galactic Empire stretches on, it is the innocent people of the galaxy who are most at risk. An elite squadron of TIE fighter pilots is assembled to help protect Imperial interests - and hammer the Emperor's fury down upon the treasonous and violent Rebel Alliance. But how far is this untested team willing to go to preserve law and order? And are the pilots of Shadow Wing as loyal to the Empire as they seem?

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Review: This Star Wars comic follows the Shadow Wing Squadron of the Empire from the Battle of Hoth to the destruction of the second Death Star. This is part of a cross-media tie-in with Alpha Squadron. This book is full of references to other stories and characters, almost to its own detriment. 

There are a lot of interesting characters and a decent enough story, but there isn't enough focus. Too many peaks at other characters that aren't relevant to this story are given too much spotlight. There's even an asterick referencing the Solo tie-in comic Imperial Cadet. I wasn't sure which characters were new to this story and which ones were just references. 

I did enjoy the pacing, though. We really got to see the Shadow Squadron experience some stuff. It's an unusual style having every issue end with a flashback though. I'd love to see these characters reappear. What do they do after the Emperor is gone?

I give this book a 3.5/5. It's not enough of a story on its own. It relies too much on references and doesn't do enough on its own.   


--PAUL

Saban's Power Rangers: The Psycho Path (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Saban's Power Rangers: The Psycho Path
Writer: Paul Allor
Illustrators: Giuseppe Cafaro & Marcelo Costa
Recent Release Date: October 15, 2019


Synopsis: The Psycho Rangers are back! Created by Karone when she was still the evil Astronema, the Psycho Rangers were programmed with overwhelming hate for all things Power Rangers. They were defeated at great personal cost, but now someone has brought them back and they are more murderous than ever before. Who brought them back, and why? And can Former Lost Galaxy Pink Ranger Karone and her brother, Red In Space Ranger Andros, stop them before they bring the universe to its knees? From writer Paul Allor (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Clue) and the fan-favorite artist Giuseppe Cafaro (Suicide Squad, Power Rangers: Soul of the Dragon)!

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Review: This is the first of the BOOM! Studios Power Rangers comics that doesn't focus on at least one of the rangers from the original Mighty Morphin series. Karone/Astromena is the protagonist. The Psycho Rangers first appeared in In Space and returned in Lost Galaxy. The Green Psycho Ranger was previously introduced in the main comic series. Keeping all that in mind, this graphic novel may seem like it has the most barriers to entry than any other of the current comics but I think there's enough given context and a self contained story that you don't have to be too familiar with all the characters. You just need to know the basics of Power Rangers or be willing to do some RangerWiki searches. 

I absolutely loved this book. You're dropped into the middle of the action with little exposition. The necessary information is given in a natural way. I'm hoping for more books like this that follow more obscure characters to come in the future. I'd even be up for a follow-up to this book. 

Karone/Astronema is the star of this book. The moral grayness is a welcome change for Power Rangers. Boom! Studios is taking the stories from a campy, fun children's show and giving it more depth. The depth is there in the show, but it isn't delved into like these comics. This book is about finding your own identity. Your own community. Your own family. Names are also a big part of this story. The idea that contradictions create personalities. My favorite quote that really sums up the story is "Learning about other people's stories helps us take control of our own."

This is a modern story about empathy, identity and moral complexity. I would love to see a continuation of this story, whether in a direct sequel or having these characters appear in one of the main series comics. 

At the end of the book is a short comic story featuring the Supersonic Power Rangers and the origin of the Green Psycho Ranger. I was so happy to finally read this story. It was originally printed in the Year Two Deluxe Edition collection.

I give this book a 5/5. This is what Boom! Studios is doing so well with the Power Rangers franchise. Adding interesting stories that give a different perspective while adding to and inhancing the expansive Ranger mythology.


--PAUL

Steven Universe: The Tale of Steven (picture book) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Steven Universe: The Tale of Steven
Author: Rebecca Sugar
Illustrators: Elle Michalka & Angie Wang 
Recent Release Date: October 8, 2019


Synopsis: The official picture-book adaptation of “Change Your Mind” by series creator Rebecca Sugar!

In 2019, Cartoon Network aired a pivotal episode in its Emmy- and Annie-award nominated series Steven Universe: The hour-long special “Change Your Mind” revealed the highly anticipated culmination of Pink Diamond’s storyline.

A companion book to the series, The Tale of Steven tells the story of “Change Your Mind” in the same style as the New York Times bestselling The Answer.

Featuring an unusual and thought-provoking interactive format, readers will follow the story of Pink Diamond’s escape from Homeworld, Rose Quartz’s life on Earth, and the creation of Steven Universe, from multiple conflicting perspectives.

The Tale of Steven will be an irresistible keepsake for Steven Universe fans of all ages.

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Review: I recently caught up to the tv series, but I haven't yet watched the movie. This children's picture book adapts Steven's story as revealed in the finale to the tv series. The artwork is simple and beautiful. The design is so creative, having the reader physically move the book to read the different narrator's stories. Just like the tv show, this book gives young readers great things to think about when it comes to perspective and identity.

I give this book a 5/5. If you are a fan of the show, you will enjoy this book. If you know a young person who is obsessed with this show, this would make a great gift. For ALL ages!


--PAUL

Robots vs. Princesses Volume 1 (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Dynamite Entertainment via Edelweiss. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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Title: Robots vs. Princesses Volume 1
Author: Todd Matthy
Artist: Nicolas Chapuis
Upcoming Release Date: October 15, 2019


Synopsis: When plucky Princess Zara stumbles upon the Decimator defector Wheeler, she sets in motion events that will pit the spritely cleverness of fairy tale princesses against the raw power of giant robots!
The dream match you never thought you'd see begins here.

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Review: This book is bizarre. Robots versus princesses? It's ridiculous, but also a lot of fun. The story starts with a princess not prepared for her recitial. She needs a song and an animal. She decides to go into the forbidden forest in search of a dragon. In that forest, which is full of robots, is a robot who doesn't want to fight and decides to leave the forest for a better life. The two find eachother and begin a new era in which both worlds learn of the other's existence. 

This is a really fun concept, but it fell flat on me. I think I would prefer it in a different media format. A movie or tv show would fit this story better, I think. Especially with how many songs are sung. I give this book a 2.5/5. I wanted a deeper take on this and more unique and different character designs for the humans. 


--PAUL

Fairlady, Vol. 1 (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Image Comcis via Edelweiss. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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Title: Fairlady, Vol.1
Author: Brian Schirmer, 
Artists: Claudia Balboni, Marissa Louise, & Shari Chankhamma
Recent Release Date: September 24, 2019


Synopsis: Every fantasy epic ends with a war. But what happens when the war is over?

Writer Brian Schirmer, artist Claudia Balboni (Star Trek), and colorist Marissa Louise team up for volume one of Fairlady-the first book in an all-new series featuring the procedural case-solving of Magnum P.I., The Dresden Files, and Fables, but set in a vibrant, Rat Queens-like high fantasy world.

After posing as a man to join the army, Jenner Faulds returns home to The Feld for a new start as a "Fairman"-a specially licensed private investigator. But sexism didn't end on the battlefield, and as the only "Fairlady," Jenner gets stuck with the cases nobody else wants. Hitting the streets to solve The Feld's overlooked mysteries, Jenner finds that the smallest cases hide the biggest secrets.

Collects FAIRLADY #1-5.

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Review: I love the concept of this book. What happens after the epic battle ends in a fantasy war? What do the fighters do? Jenner Faulds goes into private investigating. Her job is a combination of bounty hunting and being a sheriff. This series has a police procedural feel. Each issue seems to solve one investigation. The world is expansive and really feels lived in. I enjoyed the details in the background of many of the panels. 

I want to see more of this world and its history, but to be honest I did not really enjoy the actual story. I give this book a 3.5/5. The world is great, the characters are interesting, and the art is on point. But, I just could not get into the story itself. I like the world more than the story.


--PAUL

Ophiuchus (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Image Comics via Edelweiss. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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Title: Ophiuchus
Creators: Alexis Leriger de la Plante & Natasha Tara Petrovic
Recent Release Date: August 27, 2019


Synopsis: OPHIUCHUS follows the story of the lone sentry of an ancient, inactive gate, until one day, a strange being breaks through and infects her with a virus. Shortly after, she is approached by two machines, who implore her to follow them to the center of the universe to put an end to the virus, a malevolent being which rots all worlds.

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Review: This graphic novel has a very unique art style. The shapes and colors used really contribute to a totally fantastical world. The world is vast and the characters that inhabit it are original and unique. This was a quick read, but a  little info dumpy. I think there was a twist ending, but I'm not even sure. This book was pretty ambiguous at times unless I just wasn't paying enough attention.

I give this book a 3.5/5. It is definitely super original with stunning artwork, but I didn't quite follow the story fully and there was a lot of info dumping.


--PAUL

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Vol. 9: Beyond the Grid (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Vol. 9: Beyond the Grid
Writer: Marguerite Bennett & Ryan Ferrier
Artists: Simone Di Meo, French Carlomagno, Francesco Mortarino, Bachan, Jeremy Lawson, & Walter Baiamonte
Recent Release Date: September 24, 2019


Synopsis: Join the Power Rangers as they’re drawn across time and space to combat a great evil in a place BEYOND THE GRID.

After the stunning conclusion to the hit comic book event Power Rangers: Shattered Grid, an all-new, all-star team of Power Rangers is drawn together from across time and space to combat a never-before-seen evil. As they fight to prove to themselves and each other that they have what it takes to survive in a dangerous new environment, these iconic Power Rangers must defeat the onslaught of an unfamiliar, terrifying new villain. Featuring an all new team of Rangers from across the Power Rangers universe comes an all new adventure! 

Join Marguerite Bennett (DC Bombshells) and artist Simone di Meo (Old Man Logan), along with Francesco Mortarino and French Carlomagno, as the Power Rangers discover what it means to be a team without their powers!

Collects issues #31-34 of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.

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Review: I have anxiously been awaiting this volume. Shattered Grid is over, but the multiverse must now deal with the repercussions of that. I constantly reconsider waiting until the collected volumes release to read these comics. I get spoiled for major plot points months in advance, but it's fun to finally see them play out. 

This team of rangers is a completely new one comprised of rangers from various seasons of the show. Thankfully, I have watched all the seasons with these characters but I am not as familiar with some of them as I am the original gang. The visuals of these rangers fighting side by side are awesome. I like the different dynamics and friendships that are forming within the group. I'm especially excited to learn more about Heckyl's past.

The art is great in this volume. This different universe without the morphing grid feels so alien. The zords are beautiful! There are a lot of full pages that were difficult to read for me. With the crease in the middle of the book, I felt like I didn't get the full effect. 

There's plenty of new elements that are introduced in this volume that I'm super excited to see where they go. Obviously, the Solar Ranger. Praetor. The Solarix. Zords!!!

I really enjoyed this volume, but I felt like it wasn't as pack full as previous volume. The storytelling felt less tight, but then again most of the characters were newly introduced. In previous volumes, I'm on the edge of my seat every time I turn the page. I had less of that feeling during this volume. I give this book a 4.5/5. I still consider this ongoing series the best comic series out there right now, but I just wanted more from this volume. 

"The New Adventures of Blue Senturion & Ninjor" has another issue at the end of this volume. It's such a fun story. The pair really complement each other well. There's a pretty great zord battle. And great references in the background of some of the panels.


--PAUL