A story to be told!

Nat Turner#3 & 4
Publisher: Image Comics
Writer/Artist: Kyle Baker


No words needed.
By John L. Daniels Jr.

Imagine waking up on a beautiful sunny morning and you are working in a field tending to your own vegetable garden with your children they are helping you and you are laughing and smiling with them knowing that the work is strenuous but the work is bringing you all together as a family. Then thundering hooves of horses are heard and you realize something is wrong you sense danger not for yourself but for your children. you are chased sort after like an animal. All the men and women around you are captured, stripped, branded, and kidnapped on a sailing ship and bought to a land you have never seen and sold as property to due the bidding of someone who has split your family up and now you are their property and tending to their gardens and vegetable fields.

Kyle Baker, the Eisner award-wining artist who currently draws Plastic man for DC Comics. Baker’s publishing co. presents a miniseries depiction of the legendary slave freedom fighter Nat Turner. This is not the first African-American comic Baker has drawn, he co-created and drew the Marvel graphic novel “Truth red white and black about the first African American Capt. America in WWII. Baker previously published graphic titles of Birth of a nation, and King David.

Baker’s artwork is visually stunning with pencils that depict the story of slavery and the coming of the life of Nat Turner. Emotionally stirring-eyes are the key to the soul-every panel visually will touch the soul of each individual reader in a certain way. The gazed and sympathetic look of a slave witnessing another person next to them while dying as a rat crossed her face along with panels showing slave parents throwing their baby into a shark infested water so he won’t have to endure the scowls of slavery is heart wrenching.
Nat Turner #1 story was expressive and engrossing from the first panel to the last in this first issue.
the storyboards filled out with b/w pencils was graphically detailed and contain only one non dialogue word bubble the dollar sign which In detail expressed the whole motivation of slavery.



Baker’s message was clear and soul wrenching. The actual story was taken from the testimony of Nat turner from the official court records of his trial. The historical and factual presentation is enduring and informative for any reader. The final chapters 3 and 4 recounts the bloodshed Nat Turner and his rebellion on the dismantling of slavery, and his grisly outcome.This is the final of four in the mini-series Nat Turner #1 is an incredible and historic journey that needed to be expressed.

Being an African American, I was deeply touched by this quality-produced title and its story, expressed so eloquently with so few words.

This title deserves an Inqusitive rating of 5.00.

An Excellent Social Issue story!

After The Cape# 1
Publisher: Shadowline/Image
Writer/Plot: Jim Valentino
Creator/Dialogue: Howard Wong
Artist: Marco Rudy


A hero falls from grace!
By John L. Daniels, Jr.

After an extensive day of work, some of us do various things to wind down from the daily hustle and bustle of the workday. Some people Jog, Walk, or read a publication. Others cook the evening meals and relax with a nice comfortable bubble bath or shower.

Then there is the percent of people that must have to say a have a libation, a cocktail or two, maybe three or four to unwind. They also may hang out with a group of friends and go to a weekly or daily happy hour, talk a little shop and go home. Many of the later percentages of people drink Alcohol at the improper moments and maybe too frequently, and should stay home. The problem of Alcoholism surfaces in the common life of many individuals. The situation is hard for them to accomplish their daily workflow or responsibilities to co-workers, families, and sometimes teammates.



This is the scenario of the main character in the Image comic’s shadowline publication titled “After the Cape.” Captain Gravity is a member of a distinct super hero team. He is having a war with his abuse of Alcoholism. Yes, even heroes have to resist the pressures of staying sober to defend the world of villains and keep civilians safe. The story explores the hazards of a hero falling from grace and his alternatives to reclaim his dignity. Jim Valentino, and Howard Wong, Along with the artistry of Mark Rudy bring this powerful first issue, which is a Dynamic read to the comic community.

After reading the first issue of a four-part run, I felt for this character all his turmoil and deceit to his family while abusing alcohol. The story and dialogue was excellent and moved the inner feelings while reading the story. Maybe some of us have felt the backlash of abuse in some type of way. Maybe in our lives we have experienced seeing some our heroes fall. Ethan’s Secret Identity is Captain Gravity. He can use his powers to control it. How will this hero defy the common obstacles of this disease? Read the Shadowline and Image Comic production of “After the Cape” and be grateful to read an excellent new mini-series for the start of many great titles by Jim Valentino’s Shadowline titles starting this spring.

After the Cape #1 deserves an inquisitive rating of 5.00.

A Dark Age Saga Classic!

Astro City Special
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Artist: Brent E. Anderson
Publisher: Wildstorm Signature series
Cover: Alex Ross

Can two mortal enemies form a friendship?
By John L. Daniels, Jr

The intelligent writing by Kurt Busiek and the creative artistry by Brent E. Anderson presents a great first person tale concerning the conflict between Infidel and Samaritan. “The Eagle and the Mountain” is the unusual first person memoir by Infidel featuring his origin. It details how he becomes the sorcerer and scientist that he is today.

Infidel’s remarkable account of how he became the sorcerer supreme is informative and enduring for any Astro city fan. The indelible and courageous Time-Traveler Samaritan has been a thorn in Infidel’s side since the first meeting and confrontation. At the first confrontation, Infidel realized that Samaritan’s powers, which spawned from the “empyrean fire,” were just as strong and unique as his own were.



Infidel used his sorcery and scientific alchemy powers to build parallel worlds, and surround himself with others from different worlds. One of Infidel’s treacherous violations of law was his power of persuasion into slavery. Infidel would appear at specific disasters in time, such as the volcano disaster at Pompeii and the sinking of the Titanic, to ask people in distress a simple question, “Who among you wants to live?.” Infidel promised them a redeeming future. Instead, Infidel used them as slaves to build his citadels. Samaritan thwarted so many of Infidel's plans to destroy whole worlds and build his own realm. Samaritan and Infidel continuously and tirelessly fought so many battles and encounters for so many years that Infidel in his rage destroyed the entire world. Devastated and distraught Samaritan decided to take his last stand against Infidel. Are they the only two remaining in a vast open vortex? Here they stand two nemeses one the villain and the other a super hero and all they had left in the area is each other. What do they do now? Why, they have dinner together, of course; exchange pleasantries, and reminisce about the battles they had against each other.



While reading this impeccable story about Infidel, many villains, and superheroes rivalries came to mind. Most notable are Lex Luthor and Superman. If they read this eloquent first person memoir by this mad scientist and sorcerer named Infidel, could they actually become friends?

Although this special issue features Samaritan, it seems Kurt Busiek centered more on the background of the Infidel character - conjuring up a new plan for revenge on Samaritan. Buisek is par for the course. He guides the reader in a vast history lesson of the characters and writes an incredible story filled with a rich understanding of each characters persona. Brent E. Anderson’s exquisite workmanship is sensory for the eye. The panels of parallel worlds with the timeline increments flowed smoothly from panel to panel in correlation with the story. Any Astro City fan will appreciate this forty-page special, as well as a new reader. This epic story arc is between the Dark Age storyline based on the Astro City series, as the Contents page states, “Dive on in, the water’s fine.” This is truly a fine story!

Astro City Special featuring Samaritan deserves an Inqusitive rating of five.

A Vibrant Story of A young girls Dream!

Aya
Publisher: Drawn & Quarterly
Writer: Marguerite Abouet
Artist: Clement Oubrerie
Foreword: Alisia Grace Chase, PhD

The dignified tale of an African girl's coming of age experiences.
By JOHN L. DANIELS JR







As a youth you experience what I call “the ups and down of your peers” It is the social activity which you and your peers feel at the age you are at that time. This could mean
Adult, teen, or elder. Whatever age you are, you still are among your peers and you all experience different goals, challenges, and obstacles associated with that age group.

Aya is a vibrant, enduring, and highly motivated to go to school and become a Doctor.
Aya is the embodiment of a strong natured girl from the Ivory Coast circa 1978. Aya must maintain her dignity and motivation to realize her dreams of going to college. Although her father is working for SOLIBRA the Nations #1 Beer brewery, he doe’s not see her vision and in turn believes she is chasing it all away. Amid all the trials her peers endure, Aya perseveres and become the shoulder, the rock others rely on. Aya is a teen who wants to excel, her peers are living for the moment.

The writer Marguerite Abouet is from the Ivory Coast, is this an autobiography of her own exploits.



This is an incredible and entertaining book by Drawn and Quarterly. The presentation of the book is exquisite. The artistry of Clement Oubrerie visualization has every panel in glorious hues and vibrant ethnic textiles. The detail and expressionism adores for anyone, teen and adult. The amazing visuals of the panels bring the reader into the Ivory Coast and the town of Yop City. Although catered to the young teen genera, I feel this is great reading for the culture enriching reader, This Graphic novel will sweep you away.

Reading the Preface by Alisia Grace Chase, PhD engrossed me into feeling the emotional heart of the characters. Unbelievably I could not believe this title did not get any press. I applaud Drawn and Quarterly for their unique expressiveness to readers. The writer and artist should be proud of this book and should receive many accolades and awards.

I give this incredible graphic novel, an inquisitive rating of 5.00.

THE RETURN OF A CLASSIC DC TITLE!

The Brave and The Bold vol2 #1
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Mark Waid
Artwork: George Perez, Bob Wiacek

A Gallant team returns to a classic series.
By John L. Daniels jr.

When I attended the Baltimore Comic-Con in 2005, I was in the Auditorium when Dan Dido asked this question. “How many in here by a show of hands would like to see the return of the series The Brave and The Bold, featuring different team-ups other than Batman”? I raised my hand shouted, jumped for joy, lost my breath and was giddy the rest of the day. Now 2 years later it comes to past. The Batman and The Green Lantern teams up in a Sci-Fi who Dunn it I am sure fans will enjoy.

I was a huge collector of The Bronze age Brave and The Bold drawn by The Great late JIM APARO. He was one of my favorites, he did it all, penciled, inked, lettering, and edit. The main character of the series was Batman teaming up with various people from the DC universe.

The first issue of Brave and the Bold vol 2 #1 is exciting and keeps the readers guessing. Bob Wiaeck another one of my favorites at one-time penciled and inked Superboy and the Legion of Super-heroes. George Perez’s artwork dazzles, but the crispness is lost with the inking of Wiaeck’s, but this gives a much bolder look for the series, which I think is quite nice.



Readers got a preview of Batman and Green Lantern after the Indenity Crisis storyline, which as all know went strait forward into Infinite Crisis. The issue of Green Lantern #9 was published in-between both storylines from 2006; the chemistry worked so well in that issue written by Geoff Johns, that Waid picked right up from the flow of the characters from that story.

Kudos to DC comic’s staff for the Rebirth of the Best team up comic book series in years.

Could we see the return of Tor teaming up with Kamandi hmmmm!

An Inquisitive question from the Inquisitive Critiquer.

This issue deserves and Inquisitive rating of Five….