Tokyo Ghost #1
Rick Remender & Sean Murphy
Image Comics
When I first read an online story about Tokyo Ghost I will admit I nearly had to clean the computer keyboard because of drool drop page.
I was first introduced the the writing of Remender with when I picked up the first Fear Agent graphic novel. I loved the story which reminded me of my youth with tales of Buck Rogers. I devoured the series and still rate it highly from start to finish.
Next came Black Science, a GN series I am currently following. It started strong, has wavered with #2 and #3, the characters whining a bit too much over the past over and over again. The storyline is also somewhat derivative of Fear Agent, as my son has noted repeatedly to me. Still in a world where comic books often fumble with pure scifi, and because of growing faith in Remender I hold out hope moving forward with Black science.
The faith I noted was bolstered by reading the first Low graphic novel, a pure gem if scifi.
So Toyko Ghost was anticipated.
In this one Remender and Murphy have created a wickedly wild cyber-enhanced world where humanity is addicted to all things cyber. It may be so enticing as a future vision given how ‘plugged-in’ we see the world already with everyone hunched over their cellphone screen at every opportunity.
In Tokyo Ghost it has grown far worse, and darker. Total Recall, Judge Dredd and Matrix all come to mind as I think back on the book. The artwork is spot-on for the flavour of the story so far.
But it is what is hinted at as the book comes to an end that really drew me in.
America, specifically Los Angeles in 2089, may have given itself over to becoming cyber zombies, but there is a rumour Tokyo is a tech-free zone, and Debbie Decay and her tech-addicted partner Led Dent are headed there.
That we could see the book switch to a ‘green’ manga-inspired world in the hands of Remender and his partner Murphy is quite a tasty thought indeed.
A good start to the a series with a world of possibility ahead.
Spawn Resurrection: Vol #1
Writers by Todd McFarlane and Paul Jenkins
Art by Jonboy Meyers
Image Comics
Many years ago I was an avid reader of Spawn. It was the first Indie book that really hit the ground with a following. That it was by Canadian creator Todd McFarlane was of course a huge bonus.
Years later I actually interviews McFarlane, so my interest in Spawn grew.
But life got in the way, and for a time I walked away from comics, Spawn included.
So when I saw Spawn: Resurrection Vol 1, I just had to dive back in.
This was like putting a familiar glove back on.
Yes time has elapsed. Spawn is back, resurrected as you might have garnered from the title, but it’s the same cool as all get out guy.
The story is rather fun, God talks to Spawn as a dog.
Satan is of course in play too.
Spawn is smack dab in the middle, with the soul of his former wife, and stillborn son, hanging in the balance.
This is Vol. 1, so there are no story endings here, but it sets the table.
So jump in and find out what has always made Spawn so great.
