[Comic Book Review] Action Lab: Danger Zone's BANJAX Vol. 1 TPB

PopCultHQ received an advance review copy of the BANJAX Season One TPB from Action Lab Entertainment‘s Danger Zone imprint. Available Wednesday, November 13th, the creative team for this trade paperback features writing from Rylend Grant, art from Fábio Alves, colors by Edson Ferreira, and lettering from HdE.

Here’s PopCultHQ’s spoiler-free review of…

BANJAX Season One TPB

Writer: Rylend Grant
Artist: Fábio Alves
Colorist: Edson Ferreira
Letterer: HdE

Cover Artists:
Fábio Alves (Artist)
Edson Ferreira (Colorist)

160 pgs./ M / FC
SRP: $14.99

A disgraced, terminally ill former superhero launches a violent and misguided Death Wish-like campaign to purge the city of supervillains before he dies. His former protégé, currently the public’s point-and-wink superhero ideal, is tasked with bringing him in. The Rub? He isn’t remotely up to it.

PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
BANJAX Season One TPB

I remember when Netflix debuted the first season of Daredevil. It was such a rush witnessing an intense episode, filled with action and shocking moments, and the excitement knowing I could see what happens next immediately by going to the next episode. When it came to the final episode of the season, the intensity was high, the drama fierce, and everything played out brilliantly. And then there’s that moment where the final scenes of the season present a twist to blow your mind, leaving you dumbfounded at what just transpired, and that feeling of shock that makes you scream inside, “NO! You CAN’T leave me hanging like that!”

This is what you will experience reading BANJAX Season One.

Writing:

There’s a reason writer Rylend Grant scored a Ringo Award and nominations this year for his debut series ABERRANT. BANJAX, his sophomore outing, continues on the intelligent design he’s created for himself and his creative team. Grant knows how to deliver maximum output with his page count, stuffing an immense amount of value into the price of a comic book. Consistently. He also is great with allowing the other creators show off their talent to make the book come alive.

Rylend’s background in screenwriting notably strengthens each issue. There’s such a fun dynamic with Grant’s intertwining of the two protagonists’ viewpoints. The cinematic vibe felt in ABERRANT from Rylend’s writing is prevalent from the first few pages of BANJAX. While reading, you can’t help but feel this was made for the big screen. I think even Martin Scorsese would change his tune. Here’s to hoping this becomes a reality.

Art:

As incredible as Rylend’s script is, Fábio Alves gives a stellar performance with his illustrations in BANJAX. Impressive character stylings, such detail in his backgrounds, and just some wicked action sequences really put this series over the top. His work here could very well catapult him to another level in this industry. For comic fans’ sake, I certainly hope so. I, for one, would love to see more of Fábio’s work in the mainstream.

Colors:

Edson Ferreira crushes it in BANJAX Season One. His colors truly define the look to this wickedly dark tale. The grit, the seediness, the criminal, the deadly, all captured impressively thanks to Edson’s touch. And the reds! There are flashback moments in black and white that sometimes feature splashes of a stunning crimson, reminiscent of 300. Ferreira’s color art really stands out, all while keeping the look subdued to not take away from Fabio’s illustrations. Just really nice work.

Letters:

In just a four-issue miniseries, HdE showcased a wide spectrum of lettering skills. His balloons are perfect; proper tails, wonderful spacing, great use of butting & joining balloons, and placements. Caption boxes are on-point, dialogue is sharp, and he provided some remarkable sound effects and fonts. HdE proves he is a true asset to any comic book.

Intense. Powerful. Exhilarating. BANJAX evokes those and countless other words associated with what one might hope to feel from an action/adventure or superhero title. But Grant, Alves, Ferreira, and HdE give 150% in EVERY issue of the miniseries. Take any one of these creators out of the equation and I’m not sure it would shine as it does. You definitely get the sense that this is a cohesive creative team and a true group effort. The trade paperback is an ideal way to give BANJAX a look if you missed the single issues. You won’t find a better value for a collected edition trade this year. I thoroughly expect to see this title wind up on awards lists next year.