Stephanie Kay
Oct 13, 2007, 10:22 pm
<a href=" http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/1006/DeathblowCv1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src=" http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/1006/DeathblowCv1t.jpg" align=left hspace=10 alt="Deathblow Vol. 2 #1"></a> Reviewer: Zachary Ayotte, zachzealand@gmail.com
Story Title: And Then You Live: Part 1
Nine Shades Darker
Writer: Brian Azzarello
Penciller: Carlos D’Anda
Lettering: Rob Leigh
Colouring: Carrie Strachan
Cover Artist: Carlos D’Anda
Variant Cover: Stephen Platt
Assistant Editor: Kristy Quinn
Editors: Ben Abernathy and Scott Peterson
Published by: Wildstorm Comics (http://www.dccomics.com/wildstorm/)
Deathblow created by: Jim Lee and Brandon Choi
Delivering an engaging first issue is a difficult thing to do when it comes to comic books. Delivering an engaging first relaunch issue is, arguably, even harder. As a writer you have to give long-time fans the character they know and love while still introducing him to a new audience. It’s a tough balance. Fortunately, Brian Azzarello so far has proven himself up to the task.
This issue opens with what may be the most engaging opening scene that I have read in a long time. Azarello immediately draws the reader into the story by using a first person point of view. This allows the characters to address both Deathblow (though it is not clear that it is Deathblow at the beginning of this issue) and the reader at the same time. It is an incredibly effective technique in this issue, especially given the situation that unfolds in the first few pages. By the end of the first scene we, as readers, are a part of the story. We have been tortured, had our hand de-finger-nailed and have had a chili pepper stuck up our noses, and we want to know why.
While the opening scene is engaging, it is also a solid choice for this issue because it starts all readers out on a level playing field. Some relaunches go a little heavy on the origin retelling, in essence introducing the character all over again, while others require that you know something about the characters in order to understand what is going on. Neither is true of these opening pages. They are interesting and dynamic whether you know the character or not.
The serious tone and dark atmosphere of the opening scene are quickly juxtaposed by a brighter more casual bathroom scene. Azzarello used the first scene to draw us in. He uses this scene to get the ball rolling. The order that General Ruckus gives in this scene is essentially the catalyst for the rest of this issue. As a result, I found this scene to be the least interesting in the book. The levity and the character introductions were both necessary for the story but this scene felt sort of like a necessary first step, like having to fill up on gas before you go for a joyride. As readers, we want the story to get going but the bathroom scene has to happen before we can go anywhere. The first part of the scene could also be considered Azzarello’s commentary (either literal or ironic) on what he plans to do with this book. General Ruckus talks about change and how much he hates it. While this may be just another conversation, it could also be Azzarello telling readers that he isn’t planning on messing with the character they love.
From here on we get to the guts of the story. Literally. Strong writing and heaps of action dominate the rest of this book. Azzarello plays with a few character archetypes and gives us a sharp, well-paced story. He avoids weighing things down with unnecessary text by leaving the American soldiers’ mission sufficiently non-descript. We as readers don’t need much information in this issue, though as plot complexities come to the forefront in coming issues the story may become a little more info-heavy. Azzarello manages to sum Deathblow up in three panels (while simultaneously delivering one of the greatest lines in the book), allowing the story to move ahead without getting caught on necessary questions or complicated story elements. Essentially, Azzarello has trimmed the fat in all the right places.
The art in this issue is courtesy of artist Carlos D’Anda and colorist Carrie Strachan. Their work is excellently suited to this title. It is a great combination of detail and grit, dark and light, which compliments the subject matter nicely. The panels are clear and easy to read but are still edgy enough that they suit the story that Azzarello is writing. Some of the exterior panels at the Az’aralo (not the most subtle insertion) Training and Prison camp stood out as really strong scenes. The full-page helicopter panel was, in my opinion, one of the finer pages in this book.
Overall this book is fun and gritty. It isn't afraid to get it's hands dirty and play with the reader but still knows when to get serious. It wasn’t overly complicated plot-wise, but the end suggests that deeper waters may lie ahead. This issue starts with an enticing opening and doesn’t lose much steam as it progresses. It does a great job of introducing the premise and the characters on a superficial level while leaving room for growth in all sorts of directions in the coming issues. This first issue of Deathblow delivers on it’s name. It gives us a high body count and high expectations and from the looks of it, both are still on the rise.
OVERALL:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/wsfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/wsfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/wsfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/wsfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/wsnone.jpg
Buy Deathblow #1 online now from X-World and save! ( http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopexd.asp?id=20887)
Story Title: And Then You Live: Part 1
Nine Shades Darker
Writer: Brian Azzarello
Penciller: Carlos D’Anda
Lettering: Rob Leigh
Colouring: Carrie Strachan
Cover Artist: Carlos D’Anda
Variant Cover: Stephen Platt
Assistant Editor: Kristy Quinn
Editors: Ben Abernathy and Scott Peterson
Published by: Wildstorm Comics (http://www.dccomics.com/wildstorm/)
Deathblow created by: Jim Lee and Brandon Choi
Delivering an engaging first issue is a difficult thing to do when it comes to comic books. Delivering an engaging first relaunch issue is, arguably, even harder. As a writer you have to give long-time fans the character they know and love while still introducing him to a new audience. It’s a tough balance. Fortunately, Brian Azzarello so far has proven himself up to the task.
This issue opens with what may be the most engaging opening scene that I have read in a long time. Azarello immediately draws the reader into the story by using a first person point of view. This allows the characters to address both Deathblow (though it is not clear that it is Deathblow at the beginning of this issue) and the reader at the same time. It is an incredibly effective technique in this issue, especially given the situation that unfolds in the first few pages. By the end of the first scene we, as readers, are a part of the story. We have been tortured, had our hand de-finger-nailed and have had a chili pepper stuck up our noses, and we want to know why.
While the opening scene is engaging, it is also a solid choice for this issue because it starts all readers out on a level playing field. Some relaunches go a little heavy on the origin retelling, in essence introducing the character all over again, while others require that you know something about the characters in order to understand what is going on. Neither is true of these opening pages. They are interesting and dynamic whether you know the character or not.
The serious tone and dark atmosphere of the opening scene are quickly juxtaposed by a brighter more casual bathroom scene. Azzarello used the first scene to draw us in. He uses this scene to get the ball rolling. The order that General Ruckus gives in this scene is essentially the catalyst for the rest of this issue. As a result, I found this scene to be the least interesting in the book. The levity and the character introductions were both necessary for the story but this scene felt sort of like a necessary first step, like having to fill up on gas before you go for a joyride. As readers, we want the story to get going but the bathroom scene has to happen before we can go anywhere. The first part of the scene could also be considered Azzarello’s commentary (either literal or ironic) on what he plans to do with this book. General Ruckus talks about change and how much he hates it. While this may be just another conversation, it could also be Azzarello telling readers that he isn’t planning on messing with the character they love.
From here on we get to the guts of the story. Literally. Strong writing and heaps of action dominate the rest of this book. Azzarello plays with a few character archetypes and gives us a sharp, well-paced story. He avoids weighing things down with unnecessary text by leaving the American soldiers’ mission sufficiently non-descript. We as readers don’t need much information in this issue, though as plot complexities come to the forefront in coming issues the story may become a little more info-heavy. Azzarello manages to sum Deathblow up in three panels (while simultaneously delivering one of the greatest lines in the book), allowing the story to move ahead without getting caught on necessary questions or complicated story elements. Essentially, Azzarello has trimmed the fat in all the right places.
The art in this issue is courtesy of artist Carlos D’Anda and colorist Carrie Strachan. Their work is excellently suited to this title. It is a great combination of detail and grit, dark and light, which compliments the subject matter nicely. The panels are clear and easy to read but are still edgy enough that they suit the story that Azzarello is writing. Some of the exterior panels at the Az’aralo (not the most subtle insertion) Training and Prison camp stood out as really strong scenes. The full-page helicopter panel was, in my opinion, one of the finer pages in this book.
Overall this book is fun and gritty. It isn't afraid to get it's hands dirty and play with the reader but still knows when to get serious. It wasn’t overly complicated plot-wise, but the end suggests that deeper waters may lie ahead. This issue starts with an enticing opening and doesn’t lose much steam as it progresses. It does a great job of introducing the premise and the characters on a superficial level while leaving room for growth in all sorts of directions in the coming issues. This first issue of Deathblow delivers on it’s name. It gives us a high body count and high expectations and from the looks of it, both are still on the rise.
OVERALL:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/wsfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/wsfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/wsfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/wsfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/wsnone.jpg
Buy Deathblow #1 online now from X-World and save! ( http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopexd.asp?id=20887)