Graphic Breakdown: THE PRIVATE EYE, STRAY V. 1, IMPOSTER, FAITH #1 & More!

Hello. My name is Lenny Schwartz. I am a playwright and screenwriter from Rhode Island and New York. And for some reason, the powers that be at Forces of Geek decided to grant me a weekly column reviewing the latest in comic books. I’ve been collecting comic books since I was five and I’m a huge fan.

With this column I now have access to hundreds of comic books, graphic novels and short mini comics for free.

Yes I hate me too.

This column will spotlight comic books that are new, from the mainstream to the little known, past and present, spotlighting comic books you should be reading, comic books you should avoid, and comic books which should be used for your guinea pig cage.

Let’s Begin!

THE PRIVATE EYE Deluxe Edition 
Written by Brian K. Vaughan and Art by Marcos Martin.
Published by Image Comics

So to start, I am going to talk about a 50 dollar graphic novel. The Private Eye was serialized online as an experiment. People could pay anything for each issue. A dollar. A cent. They could have read the whole ten part series for 10 cents. Yet, it was a success. And you should spend the money to pick this up.

Why?


It’s just that good.

Vaughan’s detective story set in a futuristic landscape is the stuff comic book dreams are made of. The synopsis is thus: Set in an inevitable future of where everyone has a secret identity, THE PRIVATE EYE is an eerily prescient sci-fi mystery about an unlicensed private investigator who stumbles onto the most important case of his life.

To tell you more would ruin it, save to say that this is what good comic books are all about. Vaughn and Martin work together in harmony making the storytelling flow and the pages turn. Martin especially deserves props for killing it on the art, designing one of the most amazing cast of characters in recent years. One of the few books I’ll re-read again for sure.

LITTLE MAN IN THE BIG HOUSE 
Written by Ryan K. Lindsay with Art by Paul Tucker.
Published by Challenger Comics

So I got this 12 page comic from Challenger Comics. And I wanted to review it as it sounded fun. It’s a 12 page comic about a guy named Macbeth who was once a superhero who can change his size, and now he is a guard for a prison of super villains. The comic I read was about his day and how he has to quell a riot.

I wanted to like this comic more than I did. But let me be clear: Lindsay is a talented writer. The art is actually very good as well. It just didn’t mesh as well as I hoped. I wanted more fun out of it. More thrills. Instead it was incredibly standard. It also had flashbacks to something about Macbeth’s life…which could have worked as a longer piece I believe.

I’m giving this one a B-. Mostly because it had potential. It was completely untapped. Lindsay isn’t as developed as I want him to be as a writer…but he will be. And when he develops? Watch out. And Tucker is an artist to follow. He’s quite good.

Next time, I want 128 pages from these two and for them to make a classic. They certainly have it in them.

RATING: B-

IMPOSTER 
Written by James Patrick with Art by Martin Szymanski
Published by 21 Pulp Comics

Imposter came to me as an advanced copy from the comic book company 21 Pulp. I was intrigued by the art and the fact that it seemed to be getting decent reviews. I opened it up and read the first page. And I liked it. Good story on that first page. Good art. Then I turned to the second page.

That was the moment it all went downhill for me.

On Page 2 it went to some place called the “tether realm” and then it jumped back to the “black realm” then it jumped to the present…this is all before page 7. By this point I trudged through as best as I can, and then on page 10 gorillas appeared….and by that point well, I was done.

I finished the comic book. I should point out there were many other realms. Patrick’s story was tough to decipher for me. Mostly because I didn’t grasp the point of it. Except maybe I’m dumb and need Ritalin.

Szymanski’s art is fairly good but there is no teamwork going on…with a different writer Szymanski could be a star. So I’m not a fan of this book sadly. But hey, they are out there doing it. Creating comics. Just because I didn’t like it doesn’t mean there isn’t an audience for it. But for me?

RATING: D-

STRAY Vol. 1: WHO KILLED THE DOBERMAN?
Written by Vito Delsante with Art by Sean Isaake.
Published by Action Lab Comics

So I was not looking forward to this one. Here’s the synopsis of the comic book from Action Lab Comics: “STRAY tells the story of Rodney Weller, the former sidekick known as “the Rottweiler.” When his mentor, the Doberman, is murdered, Rodney has to decide if he wants to come back to the world of capes and masks and, if he does, who he wants to be.”

And you know what? I enjoyed it!

Sure it’s not great literature. But it’s good comic book storytelling. Delsante is a decent writer, and works very well with Isaake’s art. It’s clear, fluid storytelling. The story has more than one nod to Watchmen by way of The Tick.

The characters were fleshed out very well, and the art was clear and concise. It gets back to what comics are supposed to do…and that is to entertain. This certainly does. This comic won’t change the world. But if there’s a second trade? I’m reading it.

RATING: B

FAITH #1 
Written by Jody Houser with Art by Francis Portela and Marguerite Sauvage
Published by Valiant Entertainment

From the Valiant comic book Harbinger comes this title...Faith #1.

Faith first appeared in the 90s in Valiant Comics first Harbinger…when that ended writer Joshua Dysart brought her back for the recent reboot. Harbinger was one of my favorites of the 1990’s…and the reboot by Dysart was just as incredible. Now, we have a spinoff. I’m happy to say the trend continues. This is pretty excellent.

Faith is a plus sized heroine who is funny and good at what she does without ever being a stereotype. From Jim Shooter, to Dysart, and now to Houser, Faith is always written well, and proves that not everyone has to be a size 2 to be likable.

Houser crafts a great story in the first issue, and the art is excellent. The plot for this is described as: Zephyr (Faith’s code name) uncovers a deep-rooted alien conspiracy. Two-bit burglars and car thieves are one thing, but when the world needs a hero to stave off a full-blown extraterrestrial invasion, will Faith find herself in over her head…or ready for her biggest challenge yet?

The character is what sells the book and as written by Houser, Faith #1 is as good as recent comic books get…Highly recommended.

RATING B+

BURIED TREASURE PICK

EXIT THE COMPLETE SERIES by Nabiel Kanan.

I am starting a section called the Buried Treasure…you’ll see it every so often. 

Basically, it’s about forgotten books or stuff I loved growing up. And Exit written and drawn by Nabiel Kanan, is one of the best books nobody has read.

The story is simple: It follows a set of British teenagers suspended in time between finishing school and waiting for their “A level” test results which will, in some ways, decide their futures. What follows is a coming of age tale, that was simply mezmerizing.

The characters are lost in their heads and directionless wondering what the next move will be.

Kanan’s art is beautiful, black and white and as beautiful to look at as it is horrifying.

Look for this book. It’s impossible to find…maybe they will collect it.

I hope so. It’s some of the best comics has ever produced. And that’s saying something.

RATING: A+

And that is it for this week…tune in next week if I didn;t completely peeve you off.

And even if I did, come back anyway. You’re adorable.

Until then, I remain…

Lenny Schwartz