Resurrection #7 review
After reading the trade paperback Resurrection Vol. 1 and feverishly devouring up to issue 7 of the monthly comics, I am officially hooked on this series. Resurrection brings new life to the overexposed alien invasion genre. Sub-tagged with “The End is Only the Beginning,” this original plot follows humanity’s survivors after an alien invasion and occupation. Why did the aliens, referred to as “The Bugs,” leave after they conquered earth? What was their purpose? What’s left of our societies? Will they come back? When will comics ship (just kidding)?
A band of survivors have formed an uneasy alliance. Leaving the safety of Red Lion, PA, they begin their journey to Washington, D.C. Among their precious cargo is Bill Clinton, the current US President. As the group’s factions clandestinely debate their next move, they are quickly brought back together when a threat emerges. This issue opens up a new direction and another dilemma for our survivors. I loved it because I never saw this one coming. That’s good comic book writing!
Marc Guggenheim’s brilliant storyline and intelligent characters are keys to the series success. Similar to Kirkman’s The Walking Dead, Guggenheim’s narrative uncovers the human struggle in the wake of the unthinkable. The horror of the alien occupation is over, but life is still terrifying. When I can pick up a comic and remember the main characters from month to month, the author has written a fine book. The series progression never lulls and keeps getting cleverer. The characters have distinct voices and act like real people. Each book has a second feature, which isn’t a cheap through away. These pages maintain the series quality and truly further the storyline.
For comics, the best stories needs a talented artist to bring it to life. Artist Justin Greenwood gives Resurrection a boldly distinctive style I haven’t seen anywhere else on the racks. I love detail, but Greenwood’s approach relies on boldness. Thick, dark lines create a brooding atmosphere. With very little detail, each panel sharply conveys its point. This allows the reader to follow the action, helping the story to progress quickly. It takes a talented artist to trust that less is truly more. With simple lines, Guggenheim shows his talent by drawing a perfect fit to a powerful plot.
Resurrection is a well-rounded, never dull, refreshingly new, uniquely drawn comic. With Resurrection, Guggenheim and Greenwood prove they are mighty tag team in the industry. Comics should be fun and entertaining to read and this one is both. If this smartly plotted comic isn’t on your pull list, then you dumb.
4 out of 5
PREVIEW: Crogan’s March
Oni Press is about to drop Crogan’s March, the second volume of The Crogan Adventures series of graphic novels. Sporting a hardcover, black and white Sunday comics-styled frames, this book will run 216 pages for only $14.95. Not a bad deal when 20 pages generally runs 4 bucks these days.
Each book in the series will follow a member of the Crogan family tree. In this adventure, Chris Schweizer introduces us to Legionnaire Peter Crogan and his rag-tag unit as they try to survive the desert, an enemy army and a montrous creature with a taste for human flesh.
Check the usual outlets on Wednesday February 3.
Stumptown #2 review
Did you ever pick up a comic on a whim, not hearing any hype surrounding its release, and strike gold with your chance purchase? That’s what I did with Stumptown. Oh yeah, solid gold, baby.
Dex is a private investigator and proprietor of Stumptown Investigations. Writer Greg Rucka creates a female character, both flawed and loveable. The series first arc The Case of the Girl Who Took Her Shampoo, But Left Her Mini follows Dex as she seeks the whereabouts of a missing girl. Taking the case to settle a gambling debt, Dex is quickly pulled into a quagmire of shady villains with hidden motives and itchy trigger fingers. Rucka nails the atmosphere and intrigue behind the protagonist and the plot. I love the layers that Greg Rucka weaves and builds as Dex gets deeper into finding answers.
Artist Matthew Southworth draws a pitch perfect match for Greg Rucka’s extraordinary narrative. In a character driven comic, the artist must be able to convey the story without relying on action sequences and muscle-clad heroes. His silent panels are well structured and flow perfectly.
Get onboard right now so that you can say, I was there at the beginning. This is a smart comic that should be at the top of pulllists.
4.5 out of 5
Resurrection #5 review
Resurrection is a sleeper gem, a well-plotted post-alien invasion tale that would be a damn shame to miss. I hope it’s getting the accolades it rightly deserves because writer Marc Guggenheim has concocted a tight story. “The Bugs”, an alien race, invaded earth, left earth and our story begins during this time. Centering on a band of survivors, Resurrection chronicles their quest to rebuild society. Over the last few issues the characters and plot have been building and growing more and more interesting.
The story unfolds in Red Lion, Pennsylvania, a rumored safe haven of humans. The survivors arrive to find a ragtag settlement with some dark secrets. Guggenheim balances a frontline approach of survival as well as a storyline on national rebuilding. In this issue, a great reveal is exposed, as Red Lion’s secrets are unveiled. I certainly did not see this one coming!
Justin Greenwood’s penciling skills are sharp. He gives Resurrection a unique style with his blocky characters and almost cartoonish attributes. With a large cast, his simplistic lines provide easy recognition of all the major players.
You know it’s a good comic when you hate to see the issue end.
4 out of 5
What happens after alien invaders decimate the earth and then leave? What’s life like for the survivors? Resurrection, subtitled “The End is Only the Beginning,” follows the lives of humanity’s survivors after enduring the horrors of a mysterious alien occupation.
Author Marc Guggenheim effectively creates a post-invasion landscape that frightens and chills. Similar to The Walking Dead, the strength of the story is in the character interactions and the interpersonal struggles. Fledging societies strive to find law and order, while roaming bands of humans live a lawless existence. Our survivors Susanne and Frank travel to the town of Red Lion, PA in hopes of meeting up with a rumored settlement of other humans. Humanity living in fear might be a greater threat than creepy aliens.
Justin Greenwood’s art is a great fit. Simple in its bold lines, the panels are sharp and uncluttered. Technically, Greenwood’s ability to capture emotion and intention without hyper-details is impressive. His pages depicting the story of Frank’s family during the invasion are heart wrenching.
Resurrection is a solid read that’s easy to recommend.
4 out of 5
