Straight Forward Reviews : Unity # 9

The fight against the Armor Hunters heats up in Unity # 9.

Writer - Matt Kindt

Artist - Stephen Segovia

Publisher - Valiant

Review by Jeremias de Leon

Story

Livewire wrestles with who she is and if using the Armor some time ago when she thought Aric to be her enemy has any effects on her. While that is going on the enemies unleashed during Armor Hunters are causing destruction and Gilad and Ninjak are called in to take them out.

Livewire's flashbacks and pondering her humanity are quite well written and Gilad's flashbacks as a way to reveal how he comes up with his tactics are quite nice as well.

Art

The art in this book is fantastic. There's mostly action scenes and all of it looks as dynamic as it should. Some of the panels even look like they could be done as posters or wall scrolls and it gives the comic a reason to be picked up even if you weren't interested in the story.

Verdict

This issue furthers the Armor Hunters plot and delves into Livewire's and Gilad's psyches really well. The awesome drawn action scenes which are plenty in this issue gives all the more reason to read. I give Unity a 9 out of 10.

1st Impressions: HARBINGER: THE BLEEDING MONK # 0

HARBINGER: THE BLEEDING MONK # 0
Written by Joshua Dysart
Art by Khari Evans, Mico Suayan, Stephen Segovia, Lewis LaRosa & Ian Hannin
Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                We learn how the Bleeding Monk came to be. From how he learned of his gifts to becoming the man he is now and why he has decided to become the teacher for Toyo Harada. Spanning across time, this issue opens your eyes about Psiots and the Bleeding Monk himself.

ART:

                Going through different parts of within the Bleeding Monk’s life time, the four artists give very distinct looks and feel for each period. Each artist gives a great amount of detail with every panel, allowing readers to feel really submerged into the story. The art also reflects the various lives and “aging” of the Bleeding Monk: showing him from a young man to the Bleeding Monk we know today looking very old.

                The attention to detail and color this issue is striking as Hannin makes sure the four different art styles mess together with nice dark tones when needed. Each artist does a spectacular job of making this issue visually appealing, with memorable panel work and incredible detail. A superb job by this art team.

WRITING:

                Dysart spins more into the myth of the Bleeding Monk, bringing us quite the different origin story than anyone could have suspected. To the humble beginnings of the man that would become the Bleeding Monk, to the end of the issue were he meets Toyo Harada for the first time; Dysart crafts a very personal, painful tale of a man who finds his ultimate destiny and that time works different for him.

                The narration was well written, with good dialogue that allowed you to hear the character’s voice while still be relatable. Along with the narration, I found the choices of places and times equally intriguing. Dysart makes sure each moment of time chosen were pivotal points in the life of The Bleeding Monk. Also, Dysart hints that the Bleeding Monk might be the first Psiot ever in the Valiant Universe .. . adding more weight to why he has such strong interests in Toyo Harada and Peter Stanchek.
                The issue’s pacing  was great as well as the overall method of storytelling. Dysart does it again with this origin issue.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                A stellar origin issue with striking art and extemporarily writing.  Once again, another piece of the puzzle behind Harbinger’s mythology.

RATING:

  I give Harbinger: The Bleeding Monk # 0 a 10 … out of 10. 

Philly Comic Con: The Do's & Don't of a Career in Comics

Hello Infinites! Welcome to another convention report. It's Broken Infinite (former CBC) EIC Frankie Rodriguez. You know. The guy that almost killed Stan Lee. *sigh*

    Anyway, I mentioned that I had attended some of the panels during the Convention. Here is one of them. The Do's and Don'ts of a Career in Comics was on Friday night and it featured three artist: Carlo Pagulayan; most notably known for his art during Planet Hulk; Harvey Tolibao; currently artist on Green Arrow; and finally  Stephen Segovia;who is mostly known for Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates.

    As I sat down, the moderator gave the three artists the floor and allowed them to introduce themselves and their current works. As each of them talked, fans were excited to listen about how these men all broke into the comic book industry. After some comical antidotes from the trio, particularly Segovia chirping in to keep the audiences attention, they opened the majority of the panel for questions.

   After a fan how each artist learned to draw as the artist all pitched in their answers. Pagulayan stated with, "We're all self taught. We all didn't go to school for this. I would deconstruct Joe Quesada, Marc Silvestri . . . practicing all their styles while coming up with my own. . . I put in my first submission to a talent search in 1997 but it was lost in the mail."

 Segovia added, "When I was a kid, I wanted to be a sketch artist. . . I drew children's comics because there really wasn't any super hero comics in the Philippines."

And Tolibao chirped with sound advice to potential artist, "To be a comic book artist it's to be a comic book artist for life. You can't stop believing in yourself. I wanted to be a comic book artist since I was 4. If you want to be an artist . . . you need someone to who is in the industry who knows their stuff and tell you honestly about your artwork."

 Pagulayan continued more of Tolibao about being an artist and how to make it as a comic book artist. "You will have to take criticism and be your own worst critic. If you are aware of your own short comings, than work on it."

 "If you are gonna be an artist, buy comics. Study comics. Copy and learn the work of others and let that help you with your own work," replied Segovia.

   As more questions about breaking to the business were given out, the three artist shared stories about their experiences that many felt were good, inspirational ideas. Just before the panel closed, Harvey Tolibao left the attendees with these words:

  "If you want to make it in comics, you need to be comfortable. You have to love what you are doing."

After that, the panel wrapped up with fans thanking the artists for their time. It was a great panel with a lot of solid advice for any artist who wants to be in the comics industry.

   Ah ... that was fun. Hmm . .. what is next?