Tag: tom king

Posted on by

Rorschach #1

Writer: Tom King
Artist: Jorge Fornes
Colorist: Dave Stewart

Rorschach is dead — has been for 35 years. So what does it mean when a man dressed in the oh-so-familiar fedora and mask makes an attempt on a presidential candidate’s life? Therein lies a tale rife with conspiracy theories, high-stakes political intrigue and moral quandaries that are anything but black and white.

Tom King wisely chooses to move the world of Watchmen forward rather than back, showing us what it looks like in the present day. He makes no attempt to ape the structure and style of Alan Moore’s masterpiece. Instead, King borrows the world and builds on it, taking Moore’s ideas to their logical conclusions in an updated context.

Likewise, Jorge Fornes’ style is completely his own. He nails the pulp noir style with heavy shadows and elegant line work, setting the scene for what is sure to be a mystery full of twists and turns. Yes, Rorschach is dead. But in the hands of this talented and passionate team of creators, the world that produced him is alive and quite unwell. Just as it should be.

Review by Harrison Stewart

Posted on by

Strange Adventures #1 Review

Writer: Tom King
Artists: Mitch Gerads & Evan “Doc” Shaner
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Covers: Mitch Gerads & Evan “Doc” Shaner

Who is Adam Strange? A hero? War criminal? Neither? Both? These questions drive Tom King’s latest post-modern deconstruction of the superhero genre. In the midst of a promotional book tour for his new wartime memoir, Strange finds himself at the center of a murder mystery where he is the prime suspect. Has the savior of Rann finally cracked? Or are there more sinister forces at work? A surprise, last-minute addition to the cast may have the answers. King is in his element here, taking full advantage of the miniseries format to tell a tight, suspenseful story about a lesser-known member of DC’s cosmic cast.

As for the art, this is one of the most gorgeous books on the shelves. Mitch Gerads, of Mister Miracle acclaim, once again joins King for a deeply human experience. His facial work is second to none, elegantly capturing the nuance of each emotionally charged scene. There’s a grittiness in his work that makes every panel feel perfectly grounded, even as a man soars across the sky with a jetpack. 

While Gerads handles the earthbound scenes, Doc Shaner delivers all the color-popping, cosmic action you would expect from a Silver Age staple. Shaner’s lines are strikingly clean, presenting every scene in perfect detail. In many ways, Gerads and Shaner are the perfect foils, each playing to their respective strengths to build something that feels simultaneously steeped in both realism and fantasy. The result is a must-read comic that promises to be one of the year’s best.

Review by Harrison Stewart