Sunday Number Ones is a weekly feature here at Comic Pants. We take the books that are premiering a first issue from that week and give a quick opinion on them. From time to time we may also include more than issue number ones in this feature. If a noteworthy one-shot or the first issue of a new story arc is released, we may talk about it in this feature.This week, we will cover 28 Days Later #1, Batman Widening Gyre #1, Blackest Night Titans #1 of 3, and King City #1.
Nick Budd Read and Thought:
28 Days Later #1Writer: Michael Alan Nelson
Artist: Declan Shalvey
Company: BOOM! Studios
Well, let me just say that if the creators of the 28 Weeks Later film had bothered to consult writer Michael Alan Nelson (Hexed) or maybe even allowed him to pitch in on the script, the outcome of that movie would be much different. To be blunt, despite the fantastic opener to the movie, the rest of it sucked. This comic, which feels more in tone with the first film, does not suck. Nelson's notion of continuing one of the original character's stories works very well, as does the suspense and tension that he builds as the story of that character returning to a world that she outright hates. The eerie tone set forth by Shalvey and colorist Nick Filardi is perfect for the dark and moody territory that this book encompasses. Shalvey's style reminds me a lot of a few of the guys who worked on Queen & Country, specifically Leandro Fernandez. All in all, a well executed start.
Blackest Night Titans #1Writer: J.T. Krul
Artist: Ed Benes
Company: DC Comics
As much as I've been enjoying the main Blackest Night series and several of the other "tie-ins", Blackest Night Titans falls short in a lot of ways. To start, artist Ed Benes, someone who's work has a very up and down, roller coaster-like feel to it, just doesn't bring his A game. Sure, there are some interesting splash pages and some decent stuff here and there, but there's nothing extremely exciting happening on the page, even when there is supposed to be. J.T. Krul, best known for his work on Fathom, provides the story, and even though he gets the proper points across, it too is lacking punch. I do appreciate seeing Hawk and Dove used though, as I like all of the incarnations of those particular characters, and let's not forget the uber creepy that is the cover. If you're really riding the high of Blackest night and got to catch them all, you know, like the fans of Pokemon, then you'll probably want to snag this one. If not though, and don't care much for the Titans, then it's a safe skip.
Batman: Widening Gyre #1 of 6Writer: Kevin Smith
Artist: Walter Flanagan
Company: DC Comics
I think a person's enjoyment of this comic completely hinges on the question: Do you like Kevin Smith? His crude sense of humor, the same sort of stuff that was in Clerks and Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, can be found throughout the entire issue as we watch Batman go up against people like Baron Blitzkrieg and Poison Ivy. For me, the humor is extremely lacking. The jokes don't register, and more to the point, they seem completely out of place and constantly takes the reader out of the story. Still, just because the story side is a tad disappointing, doesn't mean everything is bad here. Flanagan has really stepped it up here. The level of detail is fantastic, his anatomy is spot on and the flow of his panels is perfect. Never once are you confused about what is happening on the page and he entertains your eyes, which is nice. And I would be remiss if I didn't mention his great depiction of Etrigan. He really nails that. So yeah, if you like Kevin Smith or really enjoyed Batman Cacophony, then Widening Gyre is going to be right up your alley.
King City #1Writer/Artist: Brandon Graham
Company: Image Comics
For those not in the know or who were not lucky enough to grab this book when Tokyopop was distributing it, King City is a futuristic tale about a man named Joe and his transforming Cat. It sounds simple, for sure, but if you've ever read anything by Graham you know that there is always something more to it that keeps you turning the page. Really though, it's hard to get across just how good this book is, but heck, let's give it a try anyways. King City is quite simply the epitome of cool. Graham's ideas, things like Triple Level Minotaur Lock Vault Doors and Launch Boxes, are brilliant and the way those clever ideas are laid out on the page (in ways so unlike traditional comics) is entirely refreshing and unique. The humor and the action of the thing doesn't hurt either. Oh and let's not forget that this edition of the series is oversized, letting the art have more room to breathe. Overall, it's awesome that Image picked this series up. You can not get more entertainment for you buck anywhere else, believe me.
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