FEATURE REVIEW - STAR WARS: REBEL HEIST #1

STAR WARS – REBEL HEIST #1

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

Writer: Matt Kindt

Artist: Marco Castiello

I am a little behind in my Star Wars comic book reading (there are a LOT of Star Wars, by the way). But, I have sat down and read Star Wars: Rebel Heist #1. This review was original intended to be written and posted the week the title was released, but my hospital stay delayed that.

Since we all know what Star Wars is, I won’t go into detail explaining it. This first issue stars a new rebel recruit and Han Solo . . . It is a first person tale of Hero Worship that eventually degrades into hatred.
In Rebel Heist #1 the story is told from the point of view of a nameless new rebel recruit who is excited to be part of the rebellion and enters a shady joint (aren’t they all) in search of his rebel contact: Han Solo.

Solo quickly saves the recruit's life and whisks him off on a mission, on board a ship the recruit mistakenly thinks is the Millennium Falcon.

In the beginning to recruit sees Han Solo as this perfect hero, in an almost pitiful case of hero worship, but as the mission becomes hard and ‘out-of-control’ in his view that vision of Solo changes. What begins as hero worship degrades into the recruit believing Solo is nothing more than a con man, flying by the seat of his pants – who has no idea what he is doing, and doesn’t care about anyone’s welfare but his own.

This is by far one of the best single Star Wars issues I have read in a long time. It is not so much a story as a character study. It is a study on the dangers of hero worship and how when one’s bubble is burst, the person who has the hero worship can spiral down with the beliefs as well.

Rating: 8

Until next time,

Ace Master

FEATURE REVIEW: VANDROID

VANDROID

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

Writer: Tommy Lee Edwards

Artist: Dan Mc Daid

According to a lengthy piece in the back of issue #1, Vandroid is based on a script for a never-completed film from the early eighties – and it feels like it.

Vandroid has that low budget, sci-fi film ‘we-have-no-budget-but-will-do-it-anyway’ eighties vibe to it. The kind of film where acting, script, plot, story didn’t matter, because the filmmakers were determined to get it done.

If you like cult films, and low-budget eighties action sci-fi (the ‘so bad it’s good’ type), then you will probably love Vandroid, because that is exactly what it is – only as a comics.

The plot is tried and true, some scientist’s mad creation works to well and goes on a killing rampage and can only be stopped by the unlikeliest of heroes. Every cliché you can think of is here, but done in a loving way.

The art even mimics how these film were shot, it looks low grade and grainy. Even character reactions seem to mimic bad/hammy acting – not quite right and a little stiff.

Like the film itself had it been made, and other films of this ilk, Vandroid the comic book comes with a built-in audience. Unfortunately, it also comes with the flaws of these kinds of film, and never truly rises up to be more.

Vandroid may be a fun homage, but it’s also average at best.

Rating: 5

Until next time,

Ace Masters

Flash Review: Coffin Hill

Flash Review

Coffin Hill

Issues #1 – 8

Published by Vertigo/DC

Written By Caitlin Kittredge

Art By Inaki Miranda

So, Coffin Hill is the tale of would-be-witch Eve Coffin, who returns home years after leaving and being shot in the head working as a cop.

You know this is going to go smoothly, right? It is a horror comic after all. Of course it doesn’t for Eve, but for us, it is a great time.

Coffin Hill is a title that fire on all brooms (thought I was going to write cylinders, didn’t you?), with intrigue, spells, magic, horror, great characters and stunning artwork.

Eva and her supporting cast are the main strength of the title, the characters are very well written and 3-dimensional.

As good as Caitlin Kittredge’s writing is, Inaki Miranda’s art is just as good, threatening to surpass the writing as the big draw of the title.

Rating: 8

NORE: Coffin Hill Issue 9 is on shelves this Wednesday (July, 9). Run out and pick it up, and if you haven’t read Coffin Hill yet, grab as many back issues as you can.

Ace Masters

FEATURE REVIEW: LUNITA

LUNITA

ISSUES #1, 2

PUBLISHER: Amigo Comics

WRITTEN BY: Xavier Morell

ARTWORK BY: Sergi San Julian

Lunita is a title I have found plagued with some problems. The first and foremost issue is that it feels like the second half of a story, or a sequel to a story we haven’t seen yet.

The second issue is that the story is muddled in explanation of the backstory. What is going on? Not really sure.

The third is a poorly written female DEA Agent who is in Spain on a case.

The story apparently has something to do with drugs (the DEA Agent) and a former Spanish Government Agency that investigated the supernatural that the titular Lunita is the only surviving member (it seems).

The first issue is bogged down in a lot of backstory that doesn’t further anything and slows the pace. By the time one gets to the second issue one wants something to happen, anything to lets us know what is going on.

The backstory that is explained – by shadowy characters who may be crime lords or the government, it isn’t clear – explains what happened, somewhat, to Lunita’s team. It is not well done and makes issue #1 feel more like issue 3 or 4, because we feel like we are missing a part of the story.

The DEA agent doesn’t help. She can be summed up like this: A hot, redheaded, big-busted lesbian.

While DEA is her job, it seems like all she wants to do is get laid. She propositions a female airport guard and Lunita, by offering to give a ‘tour of her hotel room.’

She seems more like someone fantasy then an actual character.

The artwork is passable, if a little cartoony. The characters and setting are well drawn and defined, and it is easy enough to tell what is going on.

However, the structure lacks, the plot is unclear, and the writing is weak.

Rating: 4

Ace Masters

FEATURE REVIEW: DEAD LETTERS

DEAD LETTERS
Created and Written by: Christopher Sebela
Art by Chris Visions
Publisher: Boom! Studios
ISSUES #1 - 3

Imagine waking up in limbo, no memories of your past other then it feeling ‘familiar’ when committing crimes, becoming a pawn in a war between two mob-like families and being courted by God’s personal assistant.

That would make for one hell of a day wouldn’t?

In Dead Letters that is exactly the case, Sam is in a ‘holding place’ for souls it has yet to be determined where they will be going, and may end up being worse than hell.
For me, Dead Letters works. It just speaks to me.

Essential, though a crime story, it is about a character thrust into a world beyond his making, trying to find himself, while playing all sides to his own end – which for the moment is to keep himself safe.

The scariest aspect of all this is that Sam feels most at ease when killing, even though he remembers nothing of his past before arriving here.

The writing is solid, gritty and dark. Sam quickly becomes a nicely-rounded character. The time is taken to let the story breathe, and unravel over a good pace. As Sam learns, we learn.

The artwork is gritty, dark, moody and dull (in a good sense), with nothing and no characters truly defined. It all works in the favor of the story. The artwork has a confused, off-kilter, yet familiar at-the-same-time feel to it, which actually mirrors Sam.

Over all Dead Letters is off to a good start in its first three issues and I plan on staying along for the ride.

I suggest you hope on board as well.

Rating: 6.75

Ace.