Straight Forward Reviews : Executive Assistant Assassins # 17

The Blood Origin continues in the latest Executive Assistant Assassins.

Writer - Vince Hernandez

Artist - Jordan Gunderson & Lori Hanson for pages 1 and 5

Publisher - Aspen

Review by Jeremias de Leon

Story

Hana and Mayu's plans are coming together as they find themselves allied with another assassin and a businessman for revenge on the murder of their loved one Li.

We see the details of their plan and some dissension among some allies as their ideologies clash. But they do end up respecting each other. The story also gets into some more background and even some espionage. Which, thinking about it does make sense. We usually just see these women stealthily kill or get into some open fights but they'd have to be really good spies too wouldn't they?

The dialog really stands out as you see the characters relationships either deepen or get explored. Especially the sisters Hana and Mayu who get their stories fleshed out in flashbacks.

Art

The art from both artists work fantastically for this story. They have this really nice east asian inspiration and the line art looks like it flows so well during the action scenes.

The flashback art have this great sketchy detailed but not detailed look to it. The main art has these details that are there and noticeable but not necessarily pronounced. It's perfect for feminine characters, which makes sense as this book are all about female leads.

Verdict

With great and fitting art and a storyline that has a lot of intrigue and decent character interactions, I happened to enjoy this issue quite a bit. I give Executive Assistant Assassins # 17 a 9 out of 10.

Straight Forward Reviews : BubbleGun # 4

BubbleGun returns this month with the 4th issue. Is it worth picking up to continue learning about the story of Molli and her friends? Well, you'll learn in this straight forward review.

Writer - Mark Roslan

Artist - Mike Bowden

Publisher - Aspen

Review by Jeremias de Leon

Story

The story in this issue builds up on the previous three and sees characters returning along with character growth for Molli. This time we see Molli really starting to come into her own and make big moves to get her sister and Asher, the cyber boy, back.

The dialog feels a lot more fluid and though there's a little bit of cheese but it makes sense. It's a bit hard to explain but given the situations the characters get in you would see that indeed it does make sense.

It feels like the story elements introduced in earlier issues has started to culminate into something awesome. Molli's character growth, the character reintroductions, and the stakes that they raised really make this issue feel fleshed out and worth reading.

Art

The art in this issue is wonderful. On top of Molli's wonderful character design the other characters look a little more defined in this issue. Their defining features seem to be enhanced more and it lets you know that each one is an individual that should be recognizable and not lost in the shuffle.

The action sequences are well done too, they look like they're taken straight out of an animation. Explosions and the like look like they are really damaging and that there is a lot of energy in them.

Verdict

This issue with it's great character designs, nice action sequences and a story that's starting to become much more interesting and makes you want to read the next issue as soon as it comes out. I have to give BubbleGun issue 4 a 9 out of 10.

Straight Forward Reviews : Executive Assistant Assassins # 16

The Executive Assistant Assassins stories continue with a new origin.

Writer - Vince Hernandez

Artist - Jordan Gunderson

Publisher - Aspen Comics

Review by Jeremias de Leon

Story

This particular assassin's story starts off with intrigue and reluctance. Living a rough life she's grown up quite capable in the martial arts. The story moves on from there with criminal activities and a tragedy and desire for revenge.

The writing in this has me recall stories of corporate espionage and martial art revenge movies rolled into one. So far it's turned out quite intriguing.

Art

With little in terms of action and since they caught my eye so much, I'd like to mention that the character designs in this issue are really well done. Something about them especially the way their hair is drawn that gives the issue some nice stylistic flair.

Verdict

The writing in this issue is top notch and the character designs and dialog are very intriguing. Fans of the issue may or may not feel the comic is too slow with the lack of action. But it's understandable in this issue with needing to tell the backstory to this character. The issue could have used a little more backstory on the characters themselves though. Like how they got to be so good at martial arts or why the main character's sister is a criminal. EA : Assassins 16 gets an 8.5 out of 10.

Straight Forward Reviews : All New Executive Assistant Iris # 2

Iris is back this month to kick more butt in issue 2.

Written by Brian Buccellato

Art by Pasquale Qualano 

Published by Aspen

Review by Jeremias de Leon

Story

Iris is on the trail of a child who has a lot of people looking to find her. Those other people looking to find her are doing so on the whim of a very wealthy, very powerful man.

The whole issue plays out a bit like a spy thriller. There's tension, chase scenes, stealth kills, all of that is in this issue. The dialog in this issue does this great thing where the story isn't being exposited by a single character in a big info dump but slowly being revealed like peeling open gift wrap. Which, when reading a comic about assassins and spies is how I would want the comic to be read.

Art

The art is very stylish in this issue. The layout of the pages are done in a way where it looks like you're looking at the whole page in motion rather than looking at panels in a comic book. The art direction in this is a cool take on portraying action and it pays off well in this book.

Verdict

Executive Assistant Iris is a tense, sexy, intelligent comic that deserves to be checked out. With stylish action and a story that is more thought out than one would think at first glance it has to be picked up. I give All New Executive Assistant Iris # 2 a 9 out of 10.

Straight Forward Reviews: Executive Assistant Assassins #15

We're back in the world of the Executive Assistants and this time we're looking at the new girl Daisy. Who has had quite the story so far. Does it keep up the intrigue? We'll find out.

Writer - Vince Hernandez

Artist - Lori "Cross" Hanson 

Publisher - Aspen

Review by Jeremias de Leon 

Story

Things come full circle as the origins of what made Daisy the person she is currently. In the issue we see a lot more inner monologue than dialog as Daisy starts to realize and accept who she is. There's also plenty of stealth action, so even though she isn't technically a ninja, one could say you get plenty of ninja action in this issue. Without any spoilers I'll also add that you see she really is about all the things she says in her first issue. She does one thing that really drives that home.

Art

Daisy herself always looks, to speak plainly, darn cool. No matter what she's doing she has style and even at some points looks intimidating. The action in the book looks great too. Blood spurts and punches all look like they're really gruesome and the moves and weapons the characters use look like they're thrown with deadly intentions. If I had to choose one issue I read this year so far to make into a motion comic or an animation, it would be this one.

Verdict

The writing in this issue is pretty solid. What shines especially are Daisy's inner thoughts. When you read the things she thinks to herself during the issue you really get why she says what she says at the end of the issue. You may not think it was right, actually, I'm pretty sure you won't think it was right and that she might need to be locked up. But you can buy that she really believes what she's doing and that it's who she really is.

The art as mentioned is really solid, and the action sequences are cool, again if you like ninjas, or stealth video games, you'll like what's in this issue.

I give Executive Assistant Assassins #15 a 9.5 out of 10.

Straight Forward Reviews: All New Executive Assistant Iris 1

This time in Straight Forward Reviews we look at the All New Executive Assistant Iris. I haven't reviewed an Iris book in a long while. It's been about the Executive Assistant Assassins lately. So what does the "first" Executive Assistant character have to offer in her all new book? We'll see.

(Note from now on like in our other comic review series First Impressions I'll include writer, artist and publisher. The artist I name will be the penciller. Also the story part of the review will be a summation where my opinions will be written in verdict)

Writer - Brian Buccellato

Artist - Pasquale Qualano

Publisher - Aspen

Review by Jeremias de Leon

Story

Iris is in Wuhan, Hubei province in China. (The comic doesn't tell you what province I just happen to know stuff like that from studying Chinese) to seek out a potential employment opportunity. When she meets her she also learns that there is competition. Iris and this other woman are pretty hostile to each other, and they agree on a way to find out who should be chosen. There's also of course crazy action that results and a bigger plot that looks like it's about to be unveiled.

Art

The art is excellent. The last time I reviewed EA: Iris I had some gripes with the art but the artist in this All New EA: Iris. Iris looks as great as ever and everyone else in the comic looks great too. Everyone looks like they're moving in every panel. Little details in each character's model especially Iris' really drive home that fact.

I have to say the art in this issue has gotten me feeling completely different about EA: Iris. It went from being pretty but a little spotty to one of my favorite issues to look at in her "All New" book. Time will tell if it will be one of my favorites of the year, but it's certainly fantastic.

Verdict

So is the All New Executive Assistant: Iris worth picking up? Well, the story probably won't win any awards but that isn't to say the writing is bad. Honestly the dialog seemed pretty natural for highly trained killers who competing for a job to say. It wasn't cringe worthy and it even made me give off a slight smile and go "hmm".

The art, as has already been explained is great and of course this being an Aspen comic the female characters, especially the title character Iris are awesome eye candy. The action that occurs in this issue, which could be called a warm up for what's to come, looked great too. So if you like either beautiful women or awesome, over the top action, why wouldn't you pick it up? I give All New Executive Assistant: Iris an 8.5 out of 10.

Straight Forward Reviews: Bubblgegun issue 3

Bubblegun is back for more cyberpunk action. What's one of Aspen's newer heroines up to now?

Writer - Mark Roslan
Artist - Mike Bowden
Publisher - Aspen 

Review by Jeremias de León

Story

This issue sees Molli and what's left of her team try desperately to get back her sister from the weird techno coma she's in. We see more backstory this time for the antagonists and some nice character development for Molli.

In short the story and dialog in this issue is all about leading up to the bigger stakes and action we'll see soon and it does a fairly good job.

There's some good storytelling here but all the different technologies in this sci-fi world could use some explaining. There were different variations of robot and cyborg being thrown around at different specific entities and for what the antagonists are after it seems that the differences between them are important but since the reader doesn't know it might as well be gibberish for now.

Art

A very varied color palette takes the spotlight in this issue, along with good emotive close ups of the character's faces. As this issue is pretty tense for the protagonists seeing their emotions does a lot for the storytelling.

Molli's character design is one of my favorite designs in comics this year, as I've probably already said in my reviews of issue 1 and 2. It really stands out here as she's doing a lot in this issue. Her design is one of those character designs that really makes the character look especially cool while in motion. Not unlike Cowboy Bebop's Spike Spiegel, when standing still he may have looked goofy but while in motion he pretty much defined cool. For Molli her two colored hair makes her look very unique and much like an action hero as in some panels where she's moving her hair in the wind looks very much like a flame.

Verdict

This book is a ton of fun, and subjectively, one of my personal favorites. Objectively, this has the potential to be a really well done series. Right now it could use some more fine tuning but it's really worth the read and I have faith it'll only get better from here. I give Bubblegun an 8 out of 10.

Straight Forward Reviews: Executive Assistant Assassins 14

Daisy is back again this month. Where does her story take her next? Or more importantly should you even be picking this story up again?

Review by Jeremias de Leon

Story

Things are finally kicking into gear as Daisy starts her executive assistant training. All the while this is happening forces are moving in to try and bring her back to her father.

This issue starts putting puzzle pieces together that explain why Daisy is the way she is from what you saw in the first issue of her story arc. Her internal struggle and acceptance of who she is done well.

The dialog highlights that struggle with Daisy. The antagonist of the issue and the headmaster's views on life and honor drive home Daisy's internal struggle. Which I have to bring up, did resolve itself a bit quickly. But it was still effective enough that it isn't jarring.

Art

The art is great in this issue. It's more gritty than previous issues and the action looks fantastic. When things hit or stab it looks like there was an impact or there was some shredding of flesh and it's perfect. The dark color schemes of most pages also add to the tone of the comic and it's fantastically done as well. No complaints here, matter of fact it's nothing but praise for the art.

Verdict

Daisy's transformation into an executive assistant and the gritty action packed art combine into a fantastic issue of EA: Assassins. I give this issue a solid 9 out of 10.

Straight Forward Reviews: Executive Assistant Assassins #12

This is straight forward reviews and this time we're looking at the newest Executive Assistant Assassins.

Review by Jeremias de León


Story

The story is, as the character Marty McFly from Back to the Future would say, "heavy". It's also quite engaging. It centers around the new assassin Daisy and her past just before becoming an executive assistant.

She goes through quite a bit and you see through her eyes what makes her the way she is in the beginning of the comic. Some would say that although it is extreme it's probably not impossible for someone in her position to be mentally unbalanced and make the choices she does. Or at least the writing made me believe that. Also worth noting you don't actually see her make the choices in this issue but what leads up to them. Spoiler free synopsis right there for you.

Also worth noting is the character interactions, Daisy feels really fleshed out and quite smart from the times she speaks to her father and other characters. Also her inner monologue reveals quite a bit of her personality. She doesn't necessarily seem psychotic but all the things she's felt has shaped her and it looks like she wants to make others feel the way she did.

Art

The art in this issue is, well, fantastic. The dark colors and the faceless people in the beginning of the comic with the normal colors and more realistic style in the rest of the comic make a nice contrast. With the beginning of the comic showing Daisy as basically a hyper trained killer and the rest of the comic she's a mostly normal girl though already showing she is very smart.

Verdict

This issue gripped me. I already gave out a 10 earlier and I don't give those out like candy but the writing in this issue was just so well done and Daisy's emotion and her struggle was so believable that I couldn't put the comic down. That's what a comic is supposed to do. Make you want to keep reading. So even though I don't want to see as that guy giving out two 10s already I have to give it a 10 out of 10.

Straight Forward Reviews: Fathom The Elite Saga 1

This time on Straight Forward Reviews we look at Fathom's new arc the Elite Saga. I always wondered after reviewing Aspen's other books if I'd get my hands on the book that's their namesake and Michael Turner's legacy. Well, this is my chance. Also yes, I know this issue is out already. Stuff happened and... well, better late than never right?

Review by Jeremias de León 

Story

With the events of the previous arc Aspen herself is in a way, cooling down. Meanwhile something big is brewing with the elite commander of the Blue, Killian, searching for his wife and child who fled from him. While Killian's wife and child are on the run they do everything they can, or at least the mother does everything she can, to stay safe while in the outer reaches where the capitol has little to no influence. Terrible things happen concerning Killian's child and it eventually reaches Aspen again.

Vince Hernandez, who also writers for Executive Assistant Assassins writes well on this series as well. That great writing is usually in the form of both dialog and inner thoughts of the characters.

Art

The stylistic choice for the art is perfect. Having many characters who are either underwater or from the deep blue depths the art having a wispy, almost sketched but still detailed style makes them look like the characters look like they definitely are either underwater or come from water. The use of blues and purples add to the atmosphere too. Also, Aspen herself looks great. But some part of me thinks you can't not make Aspen pretty. Nothing to complain about her.

Verdict

The Elite Saga is starting off strong. It could use just a little bit more exposition on to why some things are important. It seems more will definitely be revealed about Killian's child as the series goes on but just how did Killian's wife flee? How did Kiani get in the position she's in? Just a little more would have made this easier to swallow. None the less it's still a great book and the artist in me thinks it's worth having just on it's art and the world it takes place in. I give Fathom The Elite Saga 1 a 9 out of 10.

StraightForward Reviews: Executive Assistant: Assassins 10

The latest in Aspen's EA: Assassins is ready for us. Does it still hold up?

Review by Jeremias de Leon

Story

Things come to a head in this issue as the Assassin's fight for their lives against Mazutsu's forces and Rose. There is stuff here that I just can't spoil and it's done really well too. What I will say is that the writing in this issue is a shining example for how good this series really can be. The characters in this book are proving that they are definitely more fleshed out than what some passersby seeing this series in the stands might think. You're going to be more interested in them after reading this issue no doubt about it. I can't spoil what happens but man, is it heavy.

Art

Funny thing, the penciler and colorist are the same here as in issue 1 but there is an evolution in the art that if you didn't know better you might think they were a different team. The style isn't drastically different but the details have gotten better and the dynamism in the action panels are so much better than before. In terms of making your eyes happy, this book delivers.

Verdict

The latest in EA: Assassins has a lot going for it. The story is interesting and the art is better than before and there's something that happens that well, you'd think would happen to someone else. I give this issue a 9 out of 10.

Executive Assistant Assassins issue 9 review

The Executive Extinction event rolls on and here at TheBrokenInfinite we continue to report on the action, hiding behind an undisclosed rock, safe from the Executive Assistants and Mazutsu's fighting. As we'd probably be able to be taken out by pretty much anybody in this series.

Review by Jeremias de Leon

Story

As stated in the last issue's review things are getting intense, and in this issue if it's not already at it's boiling point it seems it will reach it soon. This issue isn't about the action so much as it focuses on backstory and fleshing out the motives of the characters. Namely Mazutsu and Ivy. We see why Mazutsu is bent on destroying the Executive Assistants, especially Ivy and why Ivy is doing what she is doing. Alliances and betrayals are the order of the day in this issue as well, as we see former allies fighting and former enemies becoming allies. It's all done with reasons too, so it gives the story a sense of unpredictability but it doesn't come off as arbitrary either. The writing has always been pleasantly surprising me since I first started reading this series and it continues to do so in this issue.

Art

Readers, would you believe the art has gotten even better since the last issue? It seems even issues I didn't really care about or picked up on are fixed. The characters always looked good but they also are posed and convey motion even more believably than before. Something I mentioned in a previous review, that the characters in a panel or two looked stiff or unrealistic. I again must mention that it was a rare occurrence then, since the previous issues are more than worth looking at. But moving forward if this kind of level of art continues the series out to be a sight to behold.

Verdict

This issue's focus on backstory and motive building more than the action is great. It gives it more substance. Plus there's still action so it never gets boring it also doesn't drag on with it's motive building. The characters don't spout long philosophic diatribe or go into random poetry every character gets to the point about what they're thinking or they're explanations for what they're doing. Perhaps because as hardened mercenaries/assassins thinking too much about what you're doing or saying isn't stressed. I was thinking for a while on what score to give it but seeing what it's done fleshing out the story and making the art even better I have to say this is a solid 9 out of 10.

Executive Assistant Assasins #7 review

It looks like I'm taking my first step into reviewing an Aspen comics book. Let's see what we have here... oh! It's Executive Assistant Assassins 

This is issue 7 and it's being reviewed by Jeremias de Leon

Story

There are female assassins who are banding together to try and take out a particular enemy they all have a grudge against. During the issue they try to start to work together instead of being lone wolves as they learn that isn't the best way to handle things right now.

This issue has some exposition on who and what exactly the assassins are after but the book is really focused on why. Their motivations are explored more than anything else and so is their enemy's. Also of note, is how this explorations is being done. Instead of walls of text from inner monolog it's all done from the characters interacting with each other and talking to each other, with dialog that's believable as well and not stilted or wooden.

Art

In short Executive Assistant Assassin's is well... pretty. Very pretty.  Not just the women characters either. There's a tiger and a leopard shown that are drawn really well, and the weapons each girl wields are really well drawn and sleek looking. One could say the guns are just as sexy as the girls. The action, and there's plenty of it, is drawn with dynamism and impact. Which is why there happens to be one panel that sticks out like a sore thumb. It's just one panel near the end of the book but it lacks any motion or conveyance of impact compared to the rest of the really well drawn book.

In short this is still fantastic art, that one panel aside this whole comic really is eye candy and I have a strong urge to continue reading the book to see more art.

The cover and interior art is just gorgeous

Verdict

At first glance it may seem a little bit cheesy with the story being about extremely sexy assassins wearing skimpy and tight outfits. But it's not terrible, and it's not fluff either. Check it out, it definitely won't hurt and you will get more out of it than you thought if you've never read Executive Assistant Assassins (or EA: Iris) before. If you have been reading before then I say don't stop now it's definitely not fallen off and the story is only heating up from here.

Sexy, tough, smart the women in Executive Assistant Assassins are the total package I give this an 8.5 out of 10.