Stained #2, 451 MEDIA GROUP
David Baron, Yusuf Idris and Steve Morris
"Emma is on a job to find a priceless painting, one she hopes will bring her biggest pay day yet. This 'simple' task escalates into a twisted game of cat and mouse, and those who stand against Emma are into something more horrific than humanly possible." - 451 MEDIA GROUP
Idris’s art work is acutely stunning. He often leaves hints of his early pencil/sketch marks in the finished versions of the panels. This organic element allows the characters to breath and stretch beyond the panel and page.
The momentum of the 1st issues continues with Baron’s crafty wordsmithing into this issue. The character of Emma is brilliant. She falls somewhere between lower class Bruce Wane and a dystopian Indiana Jones. As the story progressed I was starting to guess the next few turns and twists and BLAM, shit got twisted. This book is a must read. I say to David Baron and 451, keep producing this character! Emma rocks the CBV Buy Pile in Stained #2.
Darth Vader #1, Marvel
Charles Soule, Giuseppe Camuncoli and Jim Cheung
Having fallen to Obi-Wans blade and losing everything, the vanquished chosen one awakes to a new master. Now Darth Vader must follow a path which Darth Sidious has chosen.
Darth Vader #1 seamlessly picks up right where Episode III, Revenge of the Sith left off. Darth Vader begins his trials as the Emperor’s new apprentice. His first task is to build his light saber. An implement which will unleash a furious wrath of crimson pain and destruction to those who oppose the New Galactic Empire.
Soule’s story telling is well paced and captivating. There are even a few canon bombs dropped regarding long unanswered questions of the history of the Sith. Camuncoli’s nod to Ralph McQuarrie in the visual design of the book is obvious and appreciated. Vader’s back, and he sits on top of this week’s CBV Buy Pile.