Advance Review: Leave on the Light #1

Writers: Bradley Golden and George Aguilar

Artist: Alex Sarabia

Rating: 6 of 8

Note: This is an advance review of Leave on the Light #1. I received a digital copy from writer Bradley Golden to review.

Leave on the Light #1

There are a number of ways to approach a story about crime. You could focus on how it affects the victim, or their families, like Broadchurch, which teemed with emotional intensity partly thanks to that focus. Alternatively, the central focus could be on the criminal themselves, instead of the victim, which can help add dimension to them This was done wonderfully in Breaking Bad, making you as invested in the criminal as the one trying to catch them.

Leave on the Light focuses on Detective Gary Marshall, who's both victim and pursuer. He's after someone who killed a mother and daughter in a way he finds eerily similar to a child killer. But since they were executed, he's hellbent on figuring out what's going on. Marshall himself is familiar with loss, as he lost his younger brother to cancer, which could go some way to explaining his gruff demeanour.

When it comes to the visuals, there are some standouts on display. One of these are the deep black of the clouds, as Officer McKinney races toward a lead in the case. The yellow at the top almost makes it feel like a supernatural presence, which could have be linked to the killer and the yellow streaks as they edged towards their first victim. Later, we see Marshall's face, mostly hidden by shadow, our main focus on his steely, unmoving eyes. It's a particularly striking image.

Overall, it's a mostly good issue, with a nice, hard boiled detective feel to Marshall. There're some very noteworthy visuals and there's a good, dark, mysterious atmosphere to it in writing and art. Though I feel the font size for Marshall's thoughts could be a bit larger and I feel the issue could've held off on showing the killer a bit longer early on. This could've increased the suspense and shock. I also feel it might be a bit better if they weren't shown in full, to increase the mystery and sense of dread. 

Superman: Year One #1 Review

Writer: Frank Miller

Artist: John Romita JR

Rating: 7 of 8

Superman: Year One #1

Sometimes, when a book, or film, is received negatively, I can understand it. It could've been the acting, the characterization, or maybe it was specific scenes that let people down. But other times, I don't really get it. This is one of those times.

After finishing the issue, I could hardly wait for more and I really wanted to see more of Miller's take on the Man of Steel. So, after reading, I was eager to see other people's takes on the issue. I was really surprised to see just how negative they were. I couldn't understand what they were seeing that I didn't.

For me, there was a lot I liked. Romita's art really stands out at times, like early on, with Krypton's destruction. There, he adds a lot of volume and a range of colour to the explosions. When baby Kal-El is rocketing away from the planet's destruction, we're treated to some truly outstanding visuals.

We get a great piece of sequential art as baby Kal gets closer and closer to Earth. We see his reaction besides Earth, showing him waking up, being surprised and almost afraid, then more accepting of his destination. 

But one of the best things Miller and Romita do is showing just how scared, alone and confined Kal really is when his pod closes. I do feel Miller used a bit more narration than he needed to, but it's still a very strong moment. Usually, whenever we've seen Kal rocketing to Earth, we've seen it from the outside and even if we've seen in, we don't usually get his point of view. This was a great decision, adding a new layer to his journey, only helping to add to the comic.

After Clark goes to high school, a lot of the issue's focused on some pretty constant, extreme bullying from a bunch of boys, but one in particular. It illustrates just how powerless anyone can feel in the face of bullying. How you want it to stop, how you'd want to stop it, but don't know how. How you might make it even worse by trying. It shows just how horrible bullying really is and I applaud everyone involved for tackling it and showing just how hard it can be to stop.

I do feel later on, the bullying took on a more sinister edge that it didn't need to, especially when it had already gone pretty far. I also wish that Clark had stayed with the person in question after, to be there and comfort them, given what happened and what nearly did. 

Near the end, Clark makes a surprising decision that might not entirely fit his character, but it could be an enlightening experience, one that could help shape him into who he'll later be. Ultimately, despite any flaws, it's an amazing issue and a great start to the series. I highly recommend it, though know at times it can be pretty upsetting, which is mainly down to the bullying and the strong feeling of helplessness. It can be a pretty different take on a young Superman, though refreshingly so. Give it a read as soon as you can!

Sonata #1 Review

Writers: David Hine and Brian Haberlin

Artist: Brian Haberlin

Rating: 7 of 8

Sonata #1

The issue's set on Perdita, a planet where the Ran have taken refuge. They tend to favour peace over conflict and try to negotiate where possible, which becomes difficult due to the uncompromising nature of the Tayans' leader. The Ran're running low on water and things may only get worse in an effort to obtain it...

One of the best things about the issue is the world it explores. From the beautiful, bird-like Thermasaurs Sonata and others fly, to the chilling otherworldliness of the Sleeping Giant, you really get the feeling of a whole other world. The team really came up with a unique design for the Sleeping Giant; it's a towering figure, with one central hole as their eye, a large mass of hair at its' top.

 

We see them only briefly, when Sonata's trying to protect some new arrivals from a couple vicious Grimkats, which are a sizable group of creatures with black muzzles, small, pointed teeth, spiky hair like a hedgehog's and three stick like things pointed out. Haberlin does a good job on the rain and though there's a lot of it, he gives it a light feeling. Due to the storm, maybe it should look a bit heavier, though reading the issue, I was fine with it.

There's a couple things to like about Sonata. She's not afraid to speak her mind, but doesn't force her opinion. She's keen to help when she can and despite the situation, she'd still have feelings for a boy, like any girl her age. If I had one criticism of the issue, it's that I feel it can be a bit wordy. I feel Sonata describes a bit much with internal dialogue and I think it'd be better if the issue used the art to explain things a bit more.

Speaking of art, the issue's got some great use of sequential art. In three panels, we get to see the Giant gradually turning, then walking away. Earlier, we see Sonata looking at her Thermasaur, Kee, then away and then back to kiss them. We learn a few things here; their relationship, why Sonata flies off on the next page, that there's a storm and a bit on how her father is with her. I was really impressed with it. So, apart from being a bit too wordy, this is a really good, enjoyable 1st issue and it'll be interesting to see where things go from here.

Superman: Leviathan Rising Special #1 Review

Writers: Brian Bendis, Greg Rucka + more

Artists: Yanick Paquette, Steve Lieber and more

Rating: 8 of 8

Superman: Leviathan Rising Special

Sometimes, you get to associate certain kinds of stories with certain characters. When it comes to stories with the Doctor, you come to expect time travel, or a lot of involvement from the Time Lord -  but now, that isn't always the case. When you go into a superhero film, you expect a number of trials and tribulations, but ultimately expect the hero to rise to the occasion and save the day.

Though with recent films, that hasn't always been the case. When your expectations have been subverted in such big ways, you're not sure how to feel. Are you disappointed it didn't turn out how you expected, or might've liked - or are you happy to be surprised? You might ask yourself this when reading Leviathan Rising.

Reading Superman, you might expect cosmic stories, explosive action and big threats only he can deal with. In Superman, you'll find all of the above - but in Action, you'll get something refreshingly different. Going into Bendis' run, I never would've expected stories asking 'what is truth?', or ones delving into how organized crime works in a city protected by Superman.

But I'm delighted I've gotten them. Similarly, I never thought we'd get more grounded, yet compelling, tales for the Man of Steel centered around espionage. Yet Bendis and team really make it work. Between the noir style utilized when the issue's more focused on Lois, or a beautifully simple conversation between Invisible Mafia's leader and Leviathan early on, the issue's consistently brilliant.

The piece with Lois gives you a feeling of what Greg Rucka's upcoming Lois Lane comic will be like, while Jimmy's story similarly gives you an idea of what to expect from Matt Fraction's Jimmy Olsen. There, you'll find the OTT, zany adventures you've come to expect from Jimmy, while with Lois, you'll get the hard willed investigative reporter you love, as well as a loving wife.

Of course, I can't go without bringing up some particularly noteworthy art. When we get to Supergirl's story, we see her cape billowing in a way reminiscent of Superman's in Man of Steel and when we see Leviathan later on, their mask reminds me of a wasp. It's a very impressive design.

Overall, this is a brilliant issue, that's very well drawn and incredibly well written. The one criticism I have is that I feel the Jimmy Olsen story isn't really necessary for the overall story and is a bit out of place in tone and art compared to the others. I definitely recommend you give this a read as soon as you can. It only helps increase my excitement for Event Leviathan come the 12th of June.