All New Soulfire #6 Review

ALL NEW SOULFIRE #6
Written by JT Krul & Frank Mastromauro
Art by V. Ken Marion, Mark Roslan, John Ercek & Erick Arciniega
Lettering by Josh Reed
Aspen Comics

 This will be a spoiler free review. 

 

                We get the aftermath of Malikai revealing that Michael is a fake and find that Malikai’s reveal had some unexpected effects. Meanwhile, Rainier shows why magic is such a force in this world and the price that Cole and Jayden will have to pay for find out.

WRITING:

                The issue is very well paced. There has been several different subplots that Krul has juggled but this issue, it deals with two main issues primarily: Malikai dealing with the aftermath of his actions and Rainier being confronted by Cole and Jayden. And while Malikai’s plot gets handled well, getting into some philosophical debates, the majority of the issue deals with some development for Rainier, Cole and Jayden.

                Krul does a good job present us with how deep Rainier’s plot is going as we do get some very powerful scenes with him, Cole and Jayden in the book. The issue flows extremely well. And while we do not get a mention of Abel this issue, unlike it states in the over, Krul uses the space effectively as he brings out more of Cole and Jayden this issue as a result. It is kind of a double edge sword there … not having Abel there but making sure to finish out a plot and develop characters that were already set in motion.
                That’s the only thing that really goes against it. Otherwise, the dialogue was excellent and the pacing was great.

ART:

                This book continues to be beautiful. Marion, Roslan and Ercek do so very well to breathe life into this book.  The artists give a good amount of detail, detailed clothing and characters that really stand out and good perspectives. Yet, I found in this issue that backgrounds were scarce. There are backgrounds with color and there are fully detailed background. I found that the non detailed background might be a bit much in some instances … but otherwise, this art continues to be amazing. Arciniega’s colors really bring out the best of Marion, Roslan & Ercek’s art, giving a great tone and mood to every scene. 

                The action in the issue was great and Marion, Roslan and Ercek convey emotion so very well that it really keeps your eyes glued. A great job by this team.

FINAL VERDICT:

               

                This was a good issue with developing plots, character development and answering some questions. That said, both covers for the issue feature characters not in the issue at all and the lack of backgrounds here and there was slightly disconcerting. Yet, these aren't that major in the grand scheme of things.   The art and characterization really are superb and this issue makes me want more.  I give All New Soulfire # 6 a 3.5 out of 5. 

All New Fathom # 7 Review

ALL NEW FATHOM # 7
Written by David Wohl
Art by Alex Konat, Mark Roslan, John Ereck & Erick Arciniega
Aspen Comics 

This will be a spoiler free review.

   OH MY GOD! Okay. The penultimate issue of the maxiseries lives up to the hype. While Aspen, Killian and Chance face Vana ... Muiria is attacked by our little princess ... all grown up. And NOTHING will be the same.

THE GOOD:
     Konat and the rest of the art team render one of the most beautiful books to ever hit the stands. Every detail, every background, every facial expression, every single being in this book is rendered to near perfection. Lively detail, wonderously multi-faceted colors and energetic panels let this book really fly. The art is nice, polished and clean with some great digital inking by Roslan and Ereck. Arciniega performs his best color work in this issue. And I can honestly say that Konat draws for this life this issue ... and makes it immortal. The emotional heaviness of the issue just explodes on to these pages and I could not be happier.
    Wohl writes an action packed, strongly emotional issue. This issue is definitely a point of no return with some of our characters and Wohl makes all the work he's done building up to it start paying off in more thans than imaginable. This issue actually made me feel very disturbed. Since reading the events of Fathom- The Elite Saga to this issue ... it all builds and builds well. Aspen is stronger and more confident than ever yet still has a great vunerbility to her character that Wohl allows readers to know; which really makes her one of the best female characters out there. This issue stands among one of the best reads this year ... between the action and the emotional tension, this book demonstrates why to love comics.

THE BAD:
    Bad does not exist in this book ... save for one particular event for one particular character. And I feel so sorry for  ********.


THE VERDICT:
    The art is superb beyond belief and this issue made me tear up. The writing is some of Wohl's best. This is definitely going down as possibly one of the best single issues of any comic I read this year. Grab this book. I give ALL NEW FATHOM #7 a perfect 5 ... out of 5. Buy it Wednesday!

1st Impressions: ALL NEW FATHOM # 1 Review

ALL NEW FATHOM # 1
Written by David Wohl & Frank Mastromauro
Art by Alex Konat, Mark Roslan, John Ereck & Beth Sotelo
Aspen Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                We open with a mystery as a tropical island of Belize as … from the depths of the sea a giant glacier appeared.  Then we shift to the Sea of Cortez off of Mexico when an oil leak happens in an oil rig in the sea.  Suddenly, Aspen comes in and cleans up the oil mess before it can cause major damage using her powers.

                Afterwards, Aspen makes sure that the company responsible does their part and goes off. She goes back to her place in San Diego. There, we see Judith, now recovered from the events of Fathom Vol. 4. She is working as Aspen’s assistant and relays her several messages … Belize not being mentioned. Yet, Aspen first takes on a Russian man who wants to hire her to examine the Blue named Luzhin. Luzhin offers her a state of the art facility but Aspen turns him down. Finally, she goes over to Belize to see what happens and finds some very familiar beings waiting in the depths of that glacier.

ART:

                You know, I was going on and on about V. Ken Marion during The Elite Saga.  Now, we have a new artist that is not new to Aspen Comics readers … Alex Konat. While his art was good before, he brings his A game here with vivid pictures,  kinetic action and an interesting style. Konat’s style is very detailed and inkers Roslan and Ereck make sure to amplify that with their inks. And it is not just the people but the background that are detailed. We get city streets, the depths of the ocean, oil rigs and glaciers … Konat, Roslan and Ereck pull out all the stops for a detailed first issue. And it works. I wasn’t crazy of the idea after falling in love with Marion’s art but Konat’s are is REALLY outstanding here: just different.

                Sotelo continues to be one of the best colorists in the business with vibrant colors and deep shading where needed. Sotelo really makes sure that the artists work explodes outward with her colors and only makes Konat’s work look that much better. There is this sense of whimsical curiousity in this art teams work that makes you want to keep turning the page. A definite strong showing.

WRITING:

                Wohl is here with Mastromauro plotting with him in this new series. And this issue is a good first issue.  We get reintroduced to Aspen. We are told a little of her back story; just enough for new readers to get a handle on her while older readers don’t feel like their intelligence isn’t be insulted … which is not easy when you start over with a new # 1. We got great character work with Aspen … seeing different facets of her already … from her business side … to a softer side with Judith … Aspen is far from the woman we first met 15 years ago back in Image when she first appeared.

                Wohl does a great job pacing the issue as well as no scene lasted too long. There is one gripe about the issue that just felt very … out of place … Luzhin.  While I am not sure that something will be done with him, his being there just seemed to be a little off from the rest of the story.  All the other story elements fit. Luzhin … I am sure this will lead to some building so I am not going to judge harshly yet … something about him makes me feel like he’s wrong …. That he does not belong in the book.

                Other than that, we got a strong first issue that is a great read; full of mystery, wonder and character development.  It is a new beginning and it felt like it here.

OVER ALL IMPRESSION:

                Besides Luzhin, the story is great.  The art is pretty damn good too. I still need to get fully solid on this creative side of things but very damn good.

RATING:

  I give  All New Fathom # 1 … an 8 … out of 10. Pick it up tomorrow.

Preview: ALL NEW FATHOM # 1

Script - David Wohl, Pencils by Alex Konat, Colors by Beth Sotelo, Letters -
Josh Reed

A new direction in the FATHOM Universe begins!  Michael Turner's
best-selling series has reached its milestone 15-year anniversary! However,
Aspen Matthews' adventure under the surface has no plans of slowing down!
Following the devastating events of 'The Elite Saga', Aspen Matthews finds
herself at a decisive crossroads in her life-with the memories of her past
no longer weighing her down, she is finally able to set about building a new
life in San Diego once more. But, being the daughter of two worlds is no
easy feat-and Aspen will quickly discover the winds of change oftentimes
lead directly into the perils of fate! The ALL NEW FATHOM starts right here!
Writer David Wohl, artist Alex Konat and colorist Beth Sotelo team up once
again to bring you the latest adventures of Michael Turner's most beloved
creation!

All New Fathom #1 is in stores on July 24!