1st Impression: MOLLY DANGER - Book One Review

MOLLY DANGER: Book One
Written by Jamal Igle
Art by Jamal Igle, Juan Castro & Romulo Fajardo Jr
Action Lab Entertainment

FLIPPING THROUGH: 

                We start with Coopersville Cop and Helicopter Pilot Austin Briggs flying towards danger as a Supermech, a super powered villain in this universe, is attack … with an actual giant mecha. The Super mech is called Medula and Medula believes that flesh is a prison for people and that they should be like him, having their brains joined in metal bodies.  No … I am not kidding. Medula and his giant robo causes trouble as the title heroine arrives … and gets smacked away from Medula and his robo into some buildings. Molly ends up near where Briggs is flying and Briggs, against orders, flies Molly back into battle where she punches through the robot … taking down Medula.

                After that, we see that Molly is a celebrity in Coopersville … a very secured one. Molly is watched nearly 24/7 as DART keeps tabs on her. Briggs, for disobeying orders, is reprimanded by his commander yet finds he is chosen to be a new pilot for DART … which he is EXTATIC about with him, his wife and his step son. His step-son, Brian, does not seem very happy with him.

                Meanwhile, the commander of DART, Lauren, talks with Molly about Molly’s want to hang out with some of the children. Lauren reminds her that she is not a ‘normal’ child. Lauren does this again when Briggs and a bunch of new staffers are orientated into DART.

                We find out during the course of the issue that Molly is actually an alien who is the lone survivor of a crash and that she’s in her 30s, even though she looks like she’s 12 years old.  Briggs ends up taking Molly on another mission against another super mech, a speedster named Slipscott. Between the quick thinking of both Briggs and Molly, they are about to capture Slipscott. This stunt, though, gets them both in trouble with the DARTs Commander. As the book continues, the two start to bond as we find Molly very lonely.

                As the book ends, we find that the super mechs have always worked separately. Yet, that looks as if that is about to change.

ART:
                The art. What can I say about the art? Oh yes. IT IS FREAKIN’ AMAZING!! Jamal Igle delivers the work of his career in this book. And that is no surprise, considering that Molly Danger is an idea that he’s had for over a decade. Igle’s clean pencils really shine in this. They are crisp, smooth and full of energy. Every last stroke is used to bring you into the world of Molly Danger, enthrall you with the characters or give you dynamic visuals that will burn themselves into your brain for years to come. Igle’s sense of anatomy for men, women, ethnicities and more are all on display as gives some of the best art I have ever seen … PERIOD.  Dynamic backgrounds, great eye for proportions, wonderful pencils.
                And I can honestly say, Igle picked the best inker and colorists for this book as we are delivered wonderfully strong, sharp inks from Castro. Castro makes sure that no expense was too small when inking this issue as they build upon Igle’s pencils and gives tremendous shading in his inks. Castro makes sure every line is defined in his inks. Fajadro Jr shines in this book with wonderfully vivid colors that match the set and tone of the panel. Fajadro Jr really knows how to use his light source well as he lightens or darken’s color on people’s faces on panels based on the light source. That is often ignored in comics save for dramatic effect. Fajadro makes sure that the color in this book is one of a kind and succeed.

                The character designs were great as they mixed the old school comic book style with some modern touches. This book’s art is one of the best I have ever seen in anything.

WRITING:

                Igle is best known for his art but this book proves he’s an excellent writer as well. Igle proves this book with a fully realized word, some originality to old concepts and manages to make complex characters while still keeping the book family friendly. To say that is no small feat in today’s comic book market would be an understatement. Igle does great making sure that we know this world is very different. Giving super villains their own name, having arguments between the city and DART and the fact that DART’s headquarters is also a museum are prime examples of Igle establishing this world of Molly Danger.

                Molly Danger herself is very complex. She’s a 30 year old in a childs body. She’s lonely but she is kept as a weapon. She obviously is not stupid by any means …given the vocabulary she uses at times. She likes what she’s doing but she is also very lonely. Yet, Igle keeps an air of mystery to her. The fact that Molly is not only a weapon but she’s also being used for merchandise and tourism is a great twist. Igle takes a lot of classic hero tropes and turn them on their ear. Lauren’s insistence that Molly is a weapon while still selling her likeness speaks volumes on how much DARTs NEEDS Molly; not only to save people but to just pay the bills.

                I also enjoyed the characters of Austin and Brian. Austin is a man who wants to do the right thing, even if it is against policy. That is seen time and time again this issue and it is a real noble quality that shines through. Brian is a character that was just starting to see development but his resistance in excepting Austin was a fresh approach and balanced out his love for Molly Danger.  There definitely seems to be a lot to come from both these characters.

                The fact that both supervillans had such different motives was also interesting as Slipscott was a man who wanted money while Medula … is honestly one of the most original villains in comics. A man who believes flesh is a prison and that machines are the way is definitely something new to comics. This type of innovation should be applauded as Igle uses it well. Again, addressing mature themes while not being overly gory or hyper sexual is a testament to Igle’s skill as a writer. This is classic comics writing style given a modern facelift and it works. I am beyond sold when it comes to Molly Danger.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:
                Superb Art. Wonderful pacing. Great Innovation. Complex characters. A fully realized and original world. I’m all in.

RATING:

                Molly Danger: Book One is one of the best book I have ever read. Anyone in your family can read it and enjoy it, regardless of age.  Molly Danger: Book One gets a 10 out of 10. Buy it, preorder it, buy it for your friends. You have to experience this for yourself.  The book is available for preorder now on Amazon and will come out October 15th, 2013.

Advanced Review: Molly Danger/Princeless FCBD Issue

MOLLY DANGER/PRINCELESS
Free Comic Book Day Issue

Molly Danger Story
Written by Jamal Igle
Art by Jamal Igle, Juan Castro & Romulo Fajardo Jr

Princeless Story
Written by Jeremy Whitley
Art by Emily C. Martin & Soojin Paek

Action Lab Entertainment

FLIPPING THROUGH:

            Since there are 2 stories in here, I will just give a brief overview of both of them. First, we have the much anticipated Molly Danger story from Jamal Igle that introduces us to Molly Danger and her world. We get greeted to Coopersville for the first time as it is under attack by a villain named Medula: a villain who had his brain put into a robotic body because he believes flesh is a trap. (WOW! Was NOT expecting that)

            We see Molly Danger spring into action alongside members of D.A.R.T.s agains Medula and his Giant Mech. Molly wants to have a little “chat” with Medula but he wants to free people of their flesh instead.

            Then the second story is a Princeless story from creator Jeremy Whitley. As Adrienne and Bedelia head into another city with a dragon, they find another “princess” locked in a tower. Adrienne decides to save her while Bedelia seems slightly annoyed by this at the beginning. What ends up happening is Adrienne gets into a fight with a knight who does not think high of women while Bedelia works on getting the “princess” Raven out of the tower.


ART:

            Right off the bat, we got 2 styles with 2 very different looks and stories. Yet, this works extremely well for each story. I will look at each story individually.

            Molly Danger’s story is, by far, some of the best art I have seen from Jamal Igle ever. There is a lot of energy. The lines are nice and clean. The backgrounds nice and detailed. The characters are all distinct and full of energy and flare. Emotions are easily and beautifully conveyed through Igle’s pencils and Castro’s inks.  Medula is menacing in a way that will stay with you but not gross. Molly is just a wonderful character. She makes quite an impression with this story as we see her strength and emotion rendered exquisitely. Castro may be one of Igle’s best inkers he’s ever worked with and the coloring job by Fajarbo Jr was amazing. Igle’s work never looked so good. Hell …this is certainly one of the best looking comic book stories I have seen in the last 5 years. Kudos to Igle, Castro & Fajarbo Jr.

            Emily C. Martin brings us a different style in Princeless. There are definite anime influences in her work and it really comes out well in her art. The inks are a little heavy but work well with Martin’s style. The women look strong and beautiful while the men look fairly strong themselves. Martin captures the arrogance of Zachary perfectly. She also renders the action and emotions of the panels well. This is a wonderous fantasy world and she makes sure we know it. Adrienne’s armor looks great on her, making her look strong and noble. And the colors from Paek really shine, making Martin’s art even better. Between Princesses, battles and a dragon …. Martin and Paek grip you with this story.


WRITING:

            Jamal Igle proves himself not just a fantastic artist but a very smart, mature writer. Molly Danger, on the outside, could be conceived as  something only for children. But Igle makes sure that isn’t true with this story. We have a villain who wants to rid people of their flesh bodies and embrace machines. We have an organization trying to make sure they keep collateral damage to a minimum. We have a group of D.A.R.T.s  soldiers who all have rolls in this battle. And we have a new heroine who is not what see seems. The dialogue within the story felt very really, nothing forced. Even Medula’s villain speech was quite a treat as he seemed to have this almost religious affinity for man to have their bodies destroyed and replaced with robotics.

            Molly may look young but there is a definite air of experience with her. Igle is not afraid to show her vulnerability in this story was well …which really helps readers connect with the character in a whole different way. I already want to know more about Molly, Coopersville, D.A.R.T.S , her rogues gallery, her mother and her world. This is my first Molly Danger story I have read and I already love the character. It is a testament to Igle’s creative avant garde that is Molly Danger and his writing. This is a labor of love and it shows and I look forward to so much more of it.

            Jeremy Whitley has always been a great writer. He really steps it up as we get to see Adrienne saving a “Princess” because it’s the right thing to do. There is a nobility that is an underlining theme in this story. And it is great to see. Adrienne and Bedelia are both capable woman. And I love that Whitley tackles the stereo types that women are supposed to be in the kitchen or are weak and that they should not fight. This story shows women being as smart … if not smarter … than some men and can fight just as well as men. I love the statements about equality and women are not all sex objects that he makes here. I enjoy Raven. I love Raven so much that I hope to see more of her in the future. There could be makings of an all female, RPG type party happening and I would love to see that.  With great, smart dialogue and wonderful pacing, this story was a treat to read.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

            Let me say this now …THIS is the book EVERYONE should get on Free Comic Book Day. I mean everyone. You. Your mom. Your kids. Your friends. Your dad. Your grandma. Your co-workers. Other writers and artists in the comic book and/or animation business. This has something for everyone. I IMPLORE you to pick this up on Free Comic Book Day. The art is fantastic. The writing is top notch. And it’s Free. This should have a price tag and it doesn’t. That is a great statement of the quality of not only these properties but of Action Labs itself.


RATING:

  Okay. I am gonna do this in 2 ways. 1 rating for each individual story then an over all rating for the entire book.

    Honestly, Molly Danger story gets a 10 out of 10. If you do not read this story, you are hurting your own soul.

   Princeless short story is a 9 out of 10. We get such great quality story with great art and wonderful themes. And God, I want more of Raven, Bedelia and Adrienne together. And it is an attack on humanity if you don’t read it.


            Obviously, since you got a 10 and a 9 for each story, this FCBD book gets a 9.5 out of 10. You go to the story and get this book. You get every single copy of it. Then you send it to your family and friends and pass it along. This is a book that EVERYONE needs to own!  And that’s it for me.