ABSOLUTE MARTIAN MANHUNTER #5 (DC COMICS)

There’s no light at the end of the line. Middleton power stations are down. The city is under a blackout. Temperatures aren’t the only thing rising. The White Martian has unleashed the violence out of the citizens. As the city slips into the night, Middleton’s uncanny duo steps up to the plate.

It’s two against a broken city. Something has to give.

ABSOLUTE MARTIAN MANHUNTER #5 by Deniz Camp, Javier Rodríguez and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou enters the darkness in its’ latest chapter.

Let’s take a closer look at how this all plays out.

ABSOLUTE MARTIAN MANHUNTER #5 by Deniz Camp, Javier Rodríguez and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (DC COMICS)

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

Camp shows no hesitation in taking readers into a modern horror classic. The tone is set early with a dog’s tragic murder. It matches the foreshadowing of other heinous events. Jones’ reaction is cold but necessary. Both he and the Martian know the truth of the matter. The narration paints the dark landscape perfectly. It leaves readers with a dire view of Middleton with no end in sight.

The looming uneasiness never leaves this chapter. Camp takes readers further into the madness with multiple scenarios. None may strike a larger chord than seeing Jones’ son with some dangerous candy. The play on the hidden danger only elevates Jones’ fight. Just when things seem stable, a massive curve is thrown. The event twists the overall picture right before the close. In its’ final moments, the story adds in key conflicts. All of which boil to a head with the final page. It leads readers with a clear picture of the true form of the Absolute Universe.

Rodríguez’ use of light and shadows is the huge takeaway from this book. The opening murder is presented in a very unique manner. Having the shadows tell their own story only adds more intrigue to a highly rich tale. With each passing view of Middleton, this amplifies. There are few breaks in this tempo. One of which is the focus on his estranged family.

The simple panels paint the fractures of the Jones. Readers easily see the wear on Bridget Jones. It doesn’t slow pace down for long. The use of orange coloring brings the next conflict into view. Rodríguez balances the coloring for an intense view of Jones observing the chaos. It transitions to the close with an extreme action. The maneuvering of the panels easily juggle the multiple plots. It all gets overshadowed by a full page image that is simply jaw dropping. The fantastic closing page manages the fallout as events sink further away. Another masterpiece of storytelling.

OVERALL GRADE: 9.7

Darkness has fallen over Middleton and there is no hope in sight. Camp’s superb writing challenges the breaking point of Jones and the Martian. Rodríguez & Otsmane-Elhaou continues to raise the bar even higher with the phenomenal art. This continues to be a must read series with the next level creativity behind it.

Let me know in the comments below your thoughts on Absolute Martian Manhunter #5. Thanks for reading!

ABSOLUTE MARTIAN MANHUNTER #4 (DC COMICS)

Can you handle the heat? That is the question being posted in the Absolute Universe breakout hit. John Jones and the Martian have been tested early. Their partnership has put them on the trail of the White Martian. It has also caused Jones a breakdown of his family life.

ABSOLUTE MARTIAN MANHUNTER #4 by Deniz Camp, Javier Rodríguez and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou puts the unlikely duo in the hot seat as a heat wave takes over Middleton.

Let’s take a closer look at where events land now.

ABSOLUTE MARTIAN MANHUNTER #4 by Deniz Camp, Javier Rodríguez and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (DC Comics)

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

Camp continues to redefine the mythos of the Manhunter. As he assesses the situation, he finds more than bargained for. Using the heatwave as a cover is a very unique notion. The writing doesn’t shy away from the gritty aspects of the White Martian’s influence. It paints a disturbing picture that only grows. Readers watch as it turns out that is not the only grave challenge standing in front of Jones.

Bridget Jones steps into the spotlight for this chapter. Her frustrations with John come to a full-on implosion. Camp has been slowly building this over the chapters. It provides a monster pay-off. the dialogue is a stark view of a shattered relationship. The dialogue doesn’t hide Bridget’s pain. It elevates it into an inescapable level. Even with John trying to make headway, it falls flat. With how intense these pages get, it goes without saying how flawed John is as a character. This leads into the closing page. Events come full circle as more gas is thrown on an already combustible landscape.

Rodríguez continues to spotlight his skills with this series. The opening page involving the sun is eye catching. Coloring takes the scene to new heights. It makes the moment pop before heading into Bridget’s start. The use of Otsmane-Elhaou lettering brings out a deeper understanding of Jones’ wife. Only when the heat wave terror takes hold does the art shift. Readers see how the city is exploding with rage. The yellow coloring drives that point home before giving the spotlight back to Bridget.

Arguably, the strongest points of this chapter belong to their fighting. The grey and white tones reflect how empty she is inside. Even with the Martian watching inside John’s eye, nothing defers from her anger. The “Mind-Blowing” (literally) near full page speaks volumes. It offers readers a glimpse of how far Johns has slipped. Once events snap back into reality, coloring swings gears into a new path. It echoes a return to normalcy. The time is fleeting as the final page hits. Readers are left with little doubts on what is the endgame here. Another stellar chapter that keeps raising the game.

OVERALL GRADE: 9.4

Love doesn’t live here anymore. That is the message driven into readers as the Middleton heatwave sinks in. Camp pens an emotionally driven chapter with the writing. Rodríguez & Otsmane-Elhaou craft a visionary look at the chaos brewing with the art. There’s nothing like this experience on the shelves at the LCS!

Let me know in the comments below your thoughts on Absolute Martian Manhunter #4. Thanks for reading!

ABSOLUTE MARTIAN MANHUNTER #3 (DC COMICS)

An awakening has occurred in John Jones. After being caught in an explosion, Jones awoke to a new voice in his head. A green Martian appears to have bonded with the agent. Their newfound partnership is immediately put to the test. In dealing with an active shooter, the pair discover there is much more going on.

ABSOLUTE MARTIAN MANHUNTER #3 by Deniz Camp, Javier Rodríguez and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou continues its’ visionary take on the classic DCU character.

Let’s not wait another moment & dive into the mystery.

ABSOLUTE MARTIAN MANHUNTER #3 by Deniz Camp, Javier Rodríguez and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (DC COMICS)

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

Camp never shies away from the disturbing impact of the White Martian. With 24 homeless people lit on fire by 24 random strangers, Jones’ case is anything but ordinary. The initial banter with Dect. Mayweather leads into more shocking details. Seeing how the Martian is operating with Jones proves their uniqueness. Readers watch this unfold when suspects are questioned.

The telepathy at hand slowly peels back layers of the case. This does nothing to help with Jones’ home life. Camp shows the cracks forming in that foundation. It also verifies how much Jones has changed. In dealing with his new partner, there is an acceptance for the odd nature displayed. There’s little time to rest on this aspect. An event becomes the closing catalyst. Readers watch as the high pressure scene is poised to implode. This pushes to an unsettling confrontation and warning. When doing these stories, readers want different. There’s no shortage of that within these pages.

Rodríguez sets up the horrific crimes with simple panels. The story they convey hits big. Otsmane-Elhaou’s lettering takes the panels to another level. Once Jones and the Martian hit the scene, the art excels in their awkwardness. Seeing the Martian investigate provides a small break from the tensious scene. Even in the interrogation panels, their bond works to unlock some clues.

Once he returns home, Jones’s perspective is changed. The struggles he sees pop off the page. It’s a multi-colored attack on the pages which swings big. Even in its’ smaller times with family, the coloring shows how Jones is processing all the thoughts and emotions. There is little time to decipher all this. A full page image demonstrates another vicious attack. Readers watch in awe as the pair’s unorthodox methods start working until the close. A new player reveals themselves. Their disturbing entrance ramps up the danger. It leaves readers with a superb closing image. No matter when, the next encounter with the pair might be too much to handle.

OVERALL GRADE: 9.4

John Jones and his partner brave the unknown as mysterious deaths mount. Camp’s excellent writing exposes much of the new pair. Rodríguez & Otsmane-Elhaou construct more visual masterpieces as the threat mounts. There has never been a superhero story quite like this one.

Let me know in the comments below your thoughts on Absolute Martian Manhunter #3. Thanks for reading!

ABSOLUTE MARTIAN MANHUNTER #2 (DC COMICS)

Something has changed with John Jones. After being caught in an explosion, his perspective of the world is different. Returning to normalcy is out of the question. Jones now deals with an inner voice that may or may not be his own. Forget what you know. This is an absolute new version of a familiar hero.

ABSOLUTE MARTIAN MANHUNTER #2 by Deniz Camp, Javier Rodríguez and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou continues its trek through the Absolute Universe.

Lets take a deeper dive into the latest escapades.

ABSOLUTE MARTIAN MANHUNTER #2 by Deniz Camp, Javier Rodríguez and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (DC COMICS)

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

Camp pushes Jones into uncharted territory in this new installment. The dynamic between Jones and the Martian takes fascinating turns. It leaves readers questioning their partnership with its’ mystery. Jones is reluctant to buy into the new quo. This pushes the Martian to take hold. There are some awkward yet funny moments between the pair. It also provides readers a unique vision of how telepathy is used. There is also consequences with these gifts.

Seeing how Trigger Taylor is attacking innocents, Jones is thrusted into the conflict. Readers see the unconventional attack play out. It is one that is quite the risk. Camp leaves nothing unturned as the pair tries to subdue the shooter. Readers watch as the levels of subconscious lead into another discovery. The conflict concludes tragically while setting the stage for a greater threat. Its’ fallout leaves a somber mood as the pair isn’t ready for what is coming next.

Rodríguez kicks events off with a dark portrait of Taylor’s world. This leads into the psychedelic aspects of Jones and the Martian’s dialogue. The use of colors allude to more than meets the eye. A half page panel indicates this thoroughly. This continues as the Martian showcases what Jones is seeing. The art shows a stunning display of telepathy via half page panel.

This carries into Taylor’s full page vision. How Rodríguez uses Taylor’s body as an outline for his carnage is visually frightening. It sends a direct message to the readers before the pair makes their play to stop him. The Martian’s mental purging comes into focus via a full page vision. Nothing is more shocking than how Taylor is stopped. The full page panel jumps off the page as it closes events. With secrets revealed, the book closes with subtle yet noteworthy panels. A new partnership has been formed whether it was wanted or not.

OVERALL GRADE: 9.3

The next adventures of John Jones and the Martian tackle a deadly situation with this chapter. Camp evolves the concept of the Martian Manhunter to new levels. Rodríguez constructs a truly captivating world which never lets readers escape from. This series is transcending the concept of superheroes in its’ own vision.

Let me know in the comments below your thoughts on ABSOLUTE MARTIAN MANHUNTER #2. Thanks for reading!

ASSORTED CRISIS EVENTS #2 (IMAGE COMICS)

Like David Bowie once said: “Time may change me, But I can't trace time”. Time is having a bit of a crisis. Displaced events fill the streets on normal days. Nothing is ever as it seems. How does someone survive in this kind of world?

ASSORTED CRISIS EVENTS #2 by Deniz Camp, Eric Zawadzki, Jordie Bellaire and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou delves into this anomaly of times for another look at (un)ordinary life.

Let’s take a look at how the latest chapter goes.

ASSORTED CRISIS EVENTS #2 by Deniz Camp, Eric Zawadzki, Jordie Bellaire and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (Image Comics)

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

Early into this series, Camp continues to take readers on an introspective journey. Much like with Ashley in issue one, Jesús is a complex character. His introduction plays into the time displacement with some T-Rex hijinx. In a blink, the boy is a man at his father’s funeral. The writing steers into the personal conflictions of dealing with his father’s actions. It is very frank and slowly peels back their fractured dynamic.

The Red Heifer Meat Solutions provides a multitude of dramatic areas. Readers watch as Jesús and his father grow and fall while in employment of this company. It also sets up the emotional pains of their family. This all leads into some very tragic events. The fallout mirrors Jesús’ broken state. The writing keeps this level of trauma in the forefront. It ultimately leads into a poetic and dark close. With the broken time, moments are more fractured than ever. This leads into a bittersweet close. Camp unloads many emotions before departing in a blink of an eye.

Zawadzki and Bellaire open events with a full page T-Rex image ready to strike. It instantly sets a strong tone for the remainder of the book. The tender moments between Jesús and his mother make an immediate impression. Their bond resonates through the ever-evolving panels. This especially pops off the pages with Bellaire’s coloring. The use of Yellows fades out everything except Jesús’ immediate moments.

This especially works in the Meat Solutions plant. The versatility between red and yellow add a certain feel to the pages. The teal coloring of the father’s downward sprial makes this portion stand out but also covers up Jesús reaction. How the panels transition makes certain moments hit differently. This comes to play with Jesús’ tragedy. Once the chapter goes to the close, the art launches some time chaos in as its’ pace car. This leads into a sequence of broken panels reflecting the time crisis. It lands into an ending page fueled by a touching reminder of love and loss. There is MUCH to applaud with the art.

OVERALL GRADE: 10

Very rarely does a series debut with a challenging concept and raise the bar with each passing page. ACE has found a way to challenge the time concepts with an unmatched emotional counter punch. Camp’s writing hits all the marks. It’s matched by Zawadzki and company blending multiple elements through incredible imagery. There is nothing like this series on the market.

Let me know in the comments below your thoughts on ASSORTED CRISIS EVENTS #2. Thanks for reading!

ASSORTED CRISIS EVENTS #1 (IMAGE COMICS)

Time is broken. Alternate realities. Multiple eras merging at one point. Time paradoxes. Forget everything you know. It is a new day or is it? That is the question posed in Image Comics’ next BIG series. Knowing the creative team involved, the hype is very real.

ASSORTED CRISIS EVENTS #1 by Deniz Camp, Eric Zawadzki, Jordie Bellaire and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou ushers in a new thought provoking anthology series.

Let’s take a deeper dive into this brand new series!

ASSORTED CRISIS EVENTS #1 by Deniz Camp, Eric Zawadzki, Jordie Bellaire and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (IMAGE COMICS)

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

Camp presents many elements for this debut chapter Ashley is a reluctant lead in this new world. Her “normal” day is compromised by an ever changing environment. From day to day, there is no certainty of what to expect. Ice Ages to deadly viruses are common day occurrences. Hollywood filmmakers are cashing in on the damaged surroundings. All the while, Ashley is trying to live a normal life. The results are far from that.

Events take more of a personal turn as she moves onward. Readers see the toll taken as time displaces everything. The writing isn’t afraid to take events into dark places. Ultimately, this story is Ashley’s. Readers can sympathize with her fading hope. It centers to an antique clock with sentimental value. Even when there is some sense of compliance, moods turns quickly back into wanting normalcy. The close throws everything into the air as events change again. Its’ fallout leaves many questions in its wake. If this is any indication of what to expect, readers will be happily surprised at what they witness.

Zawadzki and Bellaire set up pages with unconventional panels. The technique mirrors the unstable periods crashing this world. Ashley’s “normal” start is sprinkled in with some of the time variables. A two page splash indicates she is part of a larger production…or vice versa. Bellaire’s coloring brings out the most of these displaced moments. It gives a very distinct uncertainty of what to expect.

The moments with Clock shops jump out from most scenes. From the lettering to the colors, everything about these pages pop. Ashley’s more regular moments are filled with steady emotional reactions. Trying to process what’s unfolding is not easy. The art team demonstrate the ever-changing expressions with ease. This leads right into the strong close. Using new coloring, the event feels different. Paired with the faster tempo and it leaves readers questioning much. This is exactly what you want for a debut.

OVERALL GRADE: 10

The concept of time displacement is always a gamble for comics. Within these pages, a new perspective is given. Camp crafts a story of pain and loss through a consistently evolving lead. Zawadzki and company take fresh approaches to display the combustible surroundings. The Hype is real! This is absolutely going to blow people away!

Hot me up on ODPHpod social media and let me know your thoughts on Assorted Crisis Events #1. Thanks for reading!