Hell Yeah #1
Twenty years have passed since the first superheroes burst on the scene and changed the world forever. Now a second generation of heroes is ready to defend the world against evil. Did that sound generic? Good, because that's how this book read.
There isn't anything new or exciting about Hell Yeah. Even the name feels ripped off (Kick Ass anyone?). I feel like I have seen incarnations of this story in a million different places. I know that this is only a first issue but shouldn't the reader at least know why the book is called Hell Yeah?
The art isn't horrible but isn't good enough to save this snooze fest. Andre Szymanowicz is kind of like a poor man's Darick Robertson. With a more of an interesting plot maybe this title would have stood a chance.
Prophet #21
I remember reading Prophet as a teenager. Well, I remember purchasing the book. I don't really remember the plot or who John Prophet was. I'm sure it wasn't very good. Luckily it seems like Brandon Graham and Simon Roy have taken the blank slate approach in restarting this Rob Liefield creation.
Prophet reads more like a video game then a comic but that isn't a bad thing. John Prophet is more of a tour guide then a character. There is narration along with the story but it's from the third person and there is very little dialogue. It's certainly a different way to present a comic book. There isn't much that you find out about John Prophet in the first issue, only that he has awaken on a strange alien planet to perform a series of tasks. As he travels through this environment and picks up new items there are word ballons describing them as if they were power-up from a video game.
Simon Roy's art is fantastic. There is a very European art book feel to this title. The earth tone heavy color palate is also a nice touch that brings some reality to this alien world. Prophet is an unique read that captured my imagination with it's style and strangeness.
Before Watchmen: Rorschach #1
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that this probably was the most anticipated book in the new Before Watchmen line. I know it was for me. As you know I love gritty, street level heroes. Batman, Punisher and Daredevil to name a few. No one embodies this style of anti-hero like Walter Kovacs.
There is nothing groundbreaking about this story and thats what makes it good. Brian Azzarello doesn't try to make Rorschach a more sympathetic character or add layers to his personality. He is the same guy who would rather get blown to bits then lie so the world could have peace.
There is a new drug cartel in town and Rorschach begins his investigation the only way he knows how. He breaks a guys arm in a peep show booth. Dude knows how to get results! Meanwhile, bodies of women with the words "I Can't Help Myself" carved into their flesh are popping up throughout the city. Seeing that Mr. Kovacs is a notorious women hater I'm not sure how much of his time he will spend on this case.
Lee Bermejo was an inspired choice as artist on the book. His realistically painted panels are beautiful and gruesome. He really captured the savagery of this world.
I've been waiting for another Rorschach tale ever since Dr. Manhattan disintegrated him in Antarctica. It's rare that something lives up to the hype but I'm glad to see that Azzarello and Bermejo were up to the task.-Soss
Panel of the Week: Bermejo deliveries a gory opening scene.
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