Gargoyles x Fantastic Four #1 (DYNAMITE COMICS/MARVEL COMICS)

Hello there! Padawan J here, the resident Star Wars expert from the ODPH! This week I'm going to be reviewing the crossover issue of Gargoyles x Fantastic Four #1 from Dynamite Comics!

The Manhattan Clan has teamed up with Marvel's first family

Gargoyles x Fantastic Four #1 by Greg Weisman (Writer), George Kambadias (Artist) & Jeff Eckleberry (Letterer) is an action packed adventure that has twist, turns & surprises from start to finish!

The Story

Greg Weisman brings his A game for this story, and it's a blast from start to finish. The story starts with the Human Torch, The Thing, Angela & Broadway all underground taking on none other than the Mole Man and his forces!

Meanwhile you have Reed, Sue, Valeria, Franklin, Goliath, Elisa, Brooklyn, Katana, Nashville & Tachi back at the Baxter Building preparing to help the group underground by preparing an anti-kaiju serum. But of course trouble ensues.

I really liked the pairings that Greg did in this issue, and they all work so well. I also liked the choice of villains in this as well because they all made sense and were well thought out. Admittedly there was a four legged cameo appearance from the Marvel side of things I didn't expect, but worked out so incredibly well.

The story really excels when it comes to the family aspect of things, and it makes for such a fun read. Seeing the kids from both groups come together and cause some chaos was such a blast to read. I'd really enjoy seeing a mini series run with just the kids, it would be so much fun.
The Artwork

George Kambadias does a tremendous job with the art in the issue, and especially with the way he draws the characters. The backgrounds really enhance how great the panels are, plus you've got the stellar coloring in the issue as well.

FINAL POINT: If this is the end of the Fantastic Four/Gargoyles crossover (and I don't think it is), than it's been an amazing two issue run between both issues. Greg's story is just simply spectacular and the artwork is stunning as well. This is an issue you cannot miss whatsoever!

Overall Grade: 10/10

Thank you for checking out my review! Be sure to reach out to me on Twitter & let me know what you thought of the issue!

THUNDERCATS: PANTHRO #1 (DYNAMITE COMICS)

After finding and saving Bengali, Panthero has put it on himself to find any other Thunderians who may have survived on Third Earth. However, his journey leads him to find out that things he thought were true were not.

credit: Dynamite Comics

Thundercats: Panthro #1

Written By Ed Brisson – Art By Dave Acosta

Colors By Arancia Studio - Letters By Jeff Eckleberry

Edited By Nate Cosby - Published By Dynamite Entertainment

***Minor Spoilers Possible***

One Man Rescue Mission

Panthro prepares his ship to go on a rescue mission, and after clearing everything with Tigre he’s on his way. As he scans Third Earth for signs of Thunderians that have survived he picks up an interesting signal. But as he investigates the area he gets sucked into what can only be compared to a prison. Once inside he is saved by a Thunderian named Grune, who had fought alongside Panthro’s father Pantero. Despite Grune not being impressed with his father, he is happy to have an ally to help escape the prison. But before long Panthro discovers that Grune is not who he seems to be and setting him free may be a huge mistake.

Not Quite an Ally

This issue is a good side mission that enlarges the Thundercats Universe. Ed Brisson does a great job keeping the reader guessing on who and what they can trust. The introduction of Grune adds more layers to the predicament the Thunderians find themselves in on Third Earth, revealing that what they thought they knew wasn’t real. Brisson really excels in this universe when he gets to create new mythologies and stories. The only thing that gives me pause with this book is the feeling that this story could have just been an issue of the main line series. It feels like they put this one-shot together for the sake of having it.

The art in this book is great and matches up with what we have become accustomed to in this universe. Dave Acosta does a wonderful job of showing us a new part of Third Earth and the dangers it hides. Acosta also does an awesome job with character design, specifically bringing the new character Grune to life. The colors match the art perfectly and stand as a testament to how good Arancia Studio is as a colorist. Every panel feels epic and really draws the readers’ eye in.

Final Thoughts

Thundercats: Panthro #1 is a good companion piece that shows the reader that we still haven’t scratched the surface of everything going on in the world of Thundercats. The new character and the situations that said character brings to the table add some new wrinkles to the overall story. This is a must pickup for Thundercats fans as this story will affect the main story going forward.

Overall Grade: 8/10

GARGOYLES: DEMONA #4 (DYNAMITE COMICS)

Hello there! Padawan J here, the resident Star Wars expert from the ODPH! This week I'm going to be reviewing the 4th issue of Gargoyles: Demona from Dynamite Comics!

Demona is continuing her journey through time with a singular goal in mind, vengeance. She’s been joined by her adopted daughter Angelika on that journey and this time their journey has brought them to Constantinople! So just what brings them there? Let's jump into it!

credit: dynamite comics

Gargoyles: Demona #4 by Greg Weisman (Writer), Frank Paur (Artist), Robby Bevard (Colorist) & Jeff Eckleberry (Letterer) is a great issue with some great callbacks to the animated series!

The Story

Greg Weisman does a fantastic job with the story and weaves together multiple perspectives for a mystery that is sure to keep you guessing right up to the very end.

Angelika & Demona have returned to Constantinople (in 1195) for a reason that Angelika cannot figure out. Demona has her reasons, and they become apparent as the issue goes on. I really liked how it was weaved together and came together.

I also get the feeling the building blocks are getting placed for possible spin offs, and future stories. If that ends up being the case, I'm fully on board with the idea. Any opportunity to explore this incredibly rich & deep world is one I would love to see.

The Artwork

Frank Paur & Robby Bevard do a fantastic job with the art in this issue and it really shows in the color. Frank does a great job with the artwork, and that comes through in just how detailed everything is. From the characters, to the backgrounds. You can look behind the characters in the foreground & see just how detailed everything is. I really loved the color Robby uses because it really adds to the depth of the detail provided by Frank, and it also helps everything pop off the page.

FINAL POINT: If you're a Gargoyles fan, you are NOT going to want to miss this issue. It has all the storytelling you're used to from the comics & the tv series, together with some artwork that is some of the best in the series.

Overall Grade: 9.0/10

 Thanks for checking out my review! Be sure to reach out to me on Twitter & let me know what you thought of the issue!

SILVERHAWKS #1 (DYNAMITE COMICS)

Quicksilver. Bluegrass. Steelheart. Steelwill. The Copper Kidd. Together, they form a unit defending the galaxy from the evil of organized crime! They are the SILVERHAWKS!

Their legendary cartoon debuted in 1986. A small Marvel/Star Comics run followed until 1998. Since then, the franchise had remained dormant until now. The half metal/half human squad returns in an all new series via Dynamite Comics!

SILVERHAWKS #1 by Ed Brisson, George Kambadais, Ellie Wright, and Jeff Eckleberry ushers in a new era of space justice!

Let’s take a closer look at how the return shapes up!

SILVERHAWKS #1 by Ed Brisson, George Kambadais, Ellie Wright, and Jeff Eckleberry (Dynamite Comics) - Cover: Lucio Parrillo

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

Brisson pens a solid re-envisioning of the classic team. It is very easy to jump in with little or no previous knowledge. Jonathan Quick comes across as the ever confident lead. His beginnings are overshadowed by the grand escape of Mon*star. This clearly ruins Commander Stargazer’s retirement. It just readers just enough calm before the action kicks into high gear.

Quick’s case turns out to be more than bargained for. The intensity picks up rather quickly. It is needed to connect to the readers. When modernizing cartoon properties, there has to be something new offered. The writing takes a simple heist gone wrong into new places. This also fits for Mon*Star’s attacks. Both lead into a natural closing point. With time as a factor, measures are taken. The closing point solidifies that leaving readers locked in for the future of the franchise.

Kambadais and Wright keep panels simple to start. The Quick build is based off the wanting of action. This shifts gears with Mon*star’s escape. The full page image of the freed prisoners elevates the escape. Stargazer’s dread hearing news speaks volumes on the panels. It pushes for a reaction to be made.

The ambush of Quick and his squad shifts gears into a more serious tone. A near full page image explodes off the page. It’s followed up by a half panel finishing the job. The excitement doesn’t slow down here. Mon*star watching his created chaos is given a full page splash. He caps it off with a half panel attack. This shoves the story into its’ close. It is a bittersweet moment as a passing of the torch happens. The result is a full page splash to send readers home on a happy note. Get ready to take flight!

OVERALL SCORE: 8.5

In space, justice soars! The return of the Silverhawks delivers on a modern sense to the classic story. Brisson taps into a slightly edgier feel for the origin issue. Kambadais and Wright construct an explosive look at Bedlama City once events start taking hold. It’s a great starting point for new and old readers alike to jump aboard.

Hit me up on ODPHpod social media and let me know your thoughts on SilverHawks #1. Thanks for reading!

SPACE GHOST #1 (DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT)

Welcome to an all new edition of Parlay Points!

For this entry, “I'll be dead long before you were born and I'll be dead long before you'll be dead.” Does that sound familiar? If so, you probably remember the 1994 Cartoon network classic “Space Ghost: Coast to Coast”

However, there is more to that character than just late night TV. Created in 1966, a mysterious hero was fighting the good fight in space. The character has lived on in the hearts of fans for decades. Now, the legend forges another chapter with a brand new comic series!

SPACE GHOST #1 by David Pepose, Jonathan Lau, Andrew Dalhouse and Taylor Esposito (DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT) looks to blaze its’ own trail in the outer cosmos.

Let’s take a closer look at how things play out here.

SPACE GHOST #1 by David Pepose, Jonathan Lau, Andrew Dalhouse and Taylor Esposito (DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT) - Covers by Francesco Mattina

Pepose wastes no time hitting the ground running with the action. Keeping the story centered around Jan and Jace made for a solid play. It allowed the title character to be a looming presence. The kids’ fight for survival is only amplified by this technique.

Readers watch as the classic characters get a revision with a darker overtone. The pacing allows for Space Ghost to flourish for a new audience. Each time he appears, it gives a sense of importance and awe. This is especially true with the final page. Events conclude with a thunderous exclamation point as a hero has emerged through chaos to save the day.

Lau’s imagery crafts a more serious feel to the adventure at hand. The action sequences pop off the page. It allows readers to get a sense of what the hero is unleashing on the bad guys.

The initial appearance of Space Ghost is greeted with a half page panel worthy of the legend. As the action builds, it’s capped off with a impactful moment of Space Ghost unleashing his anger onto the antagonist. Events conclude with a final page that fully solidifies the heroic statement made: “I’m Here”.

FINAL POINT: 9.7

The re-introduction of the Hanna Barbara legend shines with an exceptional debut issue. Pepose welcomes in new readers with a superb script. It is equally matched by electric imagery from Lau and Dalhouse. Fans looking for a thrilling superhero story can stop their chase right now. This book is ready to fly fast into the stratosphere!

Hit me up on ODPHpod social media and let me know your thoughts on SPACE GHOST #1. Thanks for reading!