Straight Forward Reviews : Fathom Kiani # 4

Kiani and Luzhin face off in a final battle. What will become of Kiani and her mission? Should you just wait until next month? Find out in a straight forward review.

Writer - Vince Hernandez

Artist - Giusepe Cafaro

Publisher - Aspen

Review by Jeremias de Leon

Story

Kiani fights Luzhin with his new powers as Casque decides to lend a hand and fight everyone else. When I say "everyone else," I mean everyone else by the way.

The dialogue during the fights do have some meaningful words mostly when it comes to Luzhin's ideals versus Kiani's but most of the book is just fights and people spouting how they can't be beaten or how they'll beat you.

The first three issues felt like they were actually doing a good job of building things up; and even though some things could be seen a mile away, like Luzhin's plans, it did have some nice character building. It felt like all that came together for a bit of an anti-climactic showdown. For a final showdown with someone who has super awesome powers stolen from the main character, Luzhin's fight was extremely short. There was a very nice epilogue after the fight however and it seems like the next issue will be having some really cool characters and action.

Art

The line-art by Giusepe Cafaro and colors by Wes Hartman are so detailed and vibrant that it just makes you want to keep reading and not put the book down until it's done. The action is great and the character designs are just downright pretty.

Verdict

Although the awesome build up did feel like it was kind of anti climactic with such a short battle, it did have it's cool moments and the epilogue did instill some excitement for the next arc. With that I give Fathom: Kiani # 4 an 8.5 out of 10.

Straight Forward Reviews : Fathom: Kiani Vol 3 # 3

Kiani comes back for a big dose of action in the latest issue of Fathom: Kiani.

Writer - Vince Hernandez

Artist - Giuseppe Cafaro

Publisher - Aspen

Review by Jeremias de Leon

Story

A spoiler free summary is as follows. Kiani agrees to follow Luzhin so she can have a better idea of what he really wants back in the previous issue. In this issue she knows what he wants and decides to act based on what she knows. What follows is a lot of action and more light being shed on Luzhin and even on someone from Kiani's past.

The book is written well, nothing has worsened from the previous issue, especially the dialog. As a matter of fact I'd say that the writing in this book fleshes out Kiani even more than the last two issues. All of this good writing was in an issue that was mostly action. The action all served a purpose and helped re-introduce older characters and advance the plot and was pretty satisfying too.

Art


In previous reviews I've mentioned how much I love Giuseppe's art and not a thing has changed. Actually I
think I respect it even more now seeing as this issue was mostly action and I was wondering how something like the battles shown in this issue would look. I was not disappointed. The most impressive thing in the art is how well faces and facial expressions are drawn however. Moments where Kiani and other characters are talking look like what they're saying has emotions and weight behind them.

Verdict

This issue has beautiful art, and a story that seems to be building up to some huge payoffs. While I did praise the dialog and general writing earlier I do have to say that it might feel a bit off due to the way the Blue speak. Which unlike normal humans in the comic seem to speak in very proper English and when they emote but still speak in that proper English it can seem awkward or unnatural. I still highly recommend this comic for everything else though and give Fathom: Kiani vol. 3 # 3 a 9 out of 10.

Preview : FATHOM: KIANI vol 3 #3

Vince Hernandez – Story / Giuseppe Cafaro - Art

Kiani has risen!

Kiani severs her ties with Luzhin and the Volna after discovering the true dangers such a powerful research facility is capable of. However, her escape does not go according to plan—as the Russians prove they are not easily dissuaded from their attempts to become the world’s greatest nation—even if it means killing her in the process!

FATHOM: KIANI vol 3 #3 is in stores May 7^th, 2014!

Straight Forward Reviews : Fathom Kiani vol 3 # 2

Kiani comes back this month for more action and intrigue in Aspen's Fathom Kiani # 2.

Writer - Vince Hernandez

Artist - Gisueppe Cafaro

Publisher - Aspen

Review by Jeremias de Leon

Story

Kiani makes some new friends and possibly many more enemies in the latest issue. A spoiler free summary is that Kiani meets a man who promises he can help her find what she's looking for and of course we're left to wonder if he really will do what he says about helping Kiani. Kiani herself does not trust him but decides that he's the only lead she has right now and that's all I'll say without spoiling.

The writing in this is well done. Although there's hints and glimpses of action, this issue is about the characters. Their dialog seems very well thought out and Kiani seems to be developing and growing as a character. The other character that wants Kiani for his research also gets fleshed out with a backstory. This issue really does a great job of rounding out it's characters.

Art

The art has been gorgeous in this book. There's lots of eye candy in this book from Kiani's complex hair, to beautiful scenery to a few awesome splash pages. The colors are beautiful as well and really add life to Giuseppe's lines. I've got nothing detrimental to say about the art here.

Verdict

If you want a book where you want a reason for the characters to be fighting and with lots of beautiful art you can do a lot worse than Fathom : Kiani. It has nice art, thought out characters and cool action. I highly recommend it. I give Fathom : Kiani Vol. 3 # 2 a 9 out of 10.

Straight Forward Reviews : Fathom : Kiani # 1

Kiani has come back for a third chapter of stories. This time coming back to the surface world a changed person after the events of The Elite Saga.

Writer - Vince Hernandez

Artist - Giuseppe Cafaro

Publisher - Aspen

Review by Jeremias de Leon

Story

The story starts off in a way that seems like the right thing to do for introducing a new arc and re-introducing a character. It's a little cliché to have her run into normal people who happen to have a kid that thinks the protagonist is cool. But at the same time it makes sense for her being someone from below the waters and doesn't really hang out much on the surface before to be in a remote area and run into locals that would either be fishers or farmers. She can't just pop up from the ocean depths into the middle of a major urban population. It doesn't waste time with these locals either and when they are seen they do seem to do some good in humanizing her. If not that, at least grounding her.

The other part of the story focuses on people who want to obtain her for scientific purposes. Although there is action in this comic, most of it is focused on setting the stage for what's to come and not so much on super powers and fighting. In this issue it's all about knowing who the characters are and what they want so you can get invested in them first.

Art

The art in this is gorgeous. If the reader is someone who can't keep their attention on something unless an explosion happens the beautiful art should keep them occupied. Which is a good thing since you'll want to know everything that's said in this issue. The colorist Wes Hartman seemed to know exactly which hues to use on every page and it really makes Giuseppe's lines come alive. Just about every page has at least one panel that I wouldn't mind having a really big version of to hang on my wall.

Verdict

This comic has gorgeous art both lines and colors. It has a story that seems to be different than most other comics about super powered people. It could be said this comic is therapeutic in a way, just pick it up and relax with the beautiful art and get inside the extraordinary life of Kiani. I give Fathom : Kiani # 1 a 9 out of 10.

Preview: FATHOM: KIANI (Vol 3.) # 1

FATHOM: KIANI vol 3 #1
Vince Hernandez ­ Story / Giuseppe Cafaro - Art / Wes Hartman - Colors /
Josh Reed - Lettering

Kiani has risen!

One of the most powerful figures in the Fathom universe returns for this
epic third chapter! Following the tragic events of The Elite Saga and the
shattering of her family ties, Kiani has risen above the surface and
seemingly disappeared amongst the large expanse of the human population.
However, with a power inside her that is capable of changing or
destroying--the world's landscape, her presence can only remain hidden for
so long!

Returning writer Vince Hernandez joins forces with Trish Out of Water artist
Giuseppe Cafaro to bring you the latest adventures of Fathom's most fierce
and beloved characters. Kiani is back and the world of the Blue will never
be the same again!

FATHOM: KIANI vol 3 #1 is in stores March 12th, 2014!

Preview: FATHOM- THE ELITE SAGA # 5

FATHOM: THE ELITE SAGA #5
Vince Hernandez ; JT Krul ; David Wohl ­ writers / Ken Marion ­ pencils /
Kyle Ritter - colors

The most epic storyline in Fathom's 15-year history reaches its finale!

The future of the Fathom Universe will be forged as Anya¹s quest to reunite
with her kidnapped‹and extremely powerful‹daughter brings her to a place
that Aspen Matthews remembers all too well. Here, in the place where it all
started, the battle for the baby¹s life, as well as their own, will be
waged‹and no one is certain to survive!

Aspen newcomer Ken Marion is joined by an all-star group of past and present
FATHOM writers, all coming together for a FATHOM story 15 years in the
making! Plus, fan-favorite artist Talent Caldwell returns with a stunning 5
part interconnecting cover that all leads up to an unbelievable new
direction in the All New FATHOM Universe!

FATHOM: THE ELITE SAGA #5 is in stores July 17th, 2013!

Preview: FATHOM- THE ELITE SAGA # 4

FATHOM: THE ELITE SAGA #4
JT Krul ; Vince Hernandez ; David Wohl ­ writers / Ken Marion ­ pencils /
Kyle Ritter - colors

The ending to the most epic storyline in Fathom's 15-year history draws
near!

The return of one of the most significant Blue citizens to ever live will
shatter the fabric of the Fathom Universe as we know it! While Anya will
learn that Anika's fate may be tied to the arrival of this person‹which
could lead to the baby's unfortunate demise!

Aspen newcomer Ken Marion is joined by an all-star group of past and present
FATHOM writers, all coming together for a FATHOM story 15 years in the
making! Plus, fan-favorite artist Talent Caldwell returns with a stunning 5
part interconnecting cover that all leads up to an unbelievable new
direction in the All New FATHOM Universe!

FATHOM: THE ELITE SAGA #4 is in stores July 10th, 2013!

1st Impression: FATHOM - THE ELITE SAGA # 3

FATHOM: THE ELITE SAGA # 3
Written by JT Krul, Vince Hernandez & David Wohl
Art by V. Ken Marion, Mark Roslan & Kyle Ritter
Aspen Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                We open with a match we never thought we’d see again. Aspen takes on Kiani as she accuses Aspen of taking her baby sister. As the two trade words and some blows for a moment, Anya comes up to Kiani telling her that she asked Aspen to help her. An very unofficial alliance was formed by the two alongside Kiani and Aspen, the three search for the baby only to find a trap waiting for them as Kiani and Aspen tackle the beings that stole Anya.


ART:

                V. Ken Marion gives us one of his best works to date this issue.  Marion’s pencils are electrifying this issue. The action was kinetic, gripping and magnetic. The poses and posture was authentic. The panel work were really eye catching. Marion gives us great action with a good amount of emotion and expression on the faces. The emotion of Anya and Kiani was really captured well.

                Roslan’s inks and Ritter’s colors really accentuated Marion’s art extremely well, making it vivid and even more captivating. Roslan’s inks were crisp and sharp , really bringing out Marion’s pencils while Ritter’s colors made the world of Fathom more vivid under the sea than any reader could imagine. Over all, a tour de force for the art team.

WRITING:

                We didn’t get Killian this issue. But honestly, that did not matter as we got an emotionally powerful and interesting confrontation between Kiani and Aspen.  It was full of tension, anger and full of egotism cause both Aspen and Kiani showed that neither was going to back down.  Kiani also had a great intensily powerful moment with her mother, Anya. It really highlighted Krul’s script writing and all of the writers creativity.

                Also, the reveal of who was behind the kidnapping added more weight to the saga and the issue. This event was personal and Krul really did a great job displaying that. Krul paced this issue excellently with multiple battles and well given emotional moments.  Really good dialogue only added to the plot and/or emotional impact of the events of the issue.  Superb writing.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                This issue was flat out amazing. Outstandingly, beautiful art! Layered, emotional powerful and balanced writing! This is how comics should be.


RATING:

                Powerful writing with mesmerizing art with a grand story with personal effects. Comics at it’s finest. I give Fathom: The Elite Saga # 3 a 10 out of 10.