PopCultHQ reviews the just-debuted release of the STRANGE ADVENTURES #1 from DC Comics‘ Black Label imprint. Available Wednesday, March 4th, the creative team for this issue features writing from Tom King, art/colors from Mitch Gerads & Evan “Doc” Shaner, and lettering from Clayton Cowles.
Here’s PopCultHQ’s spoiler-free review of…
STRANGE ADVENTURES #1 (of 12)
Story: Tom King
Art: Mitch Gerads & Evan “Doc” Shaner
Colors: Mitch Gerads & Evan “Doc” Shaner
Letters: Clayton Cowles
Adam Strange is the hero of Rann, a man famous throughout the galaxy for his bravery and honor. After leading his adopted home to victory in a great planetary war, Adam and his wife Alanna retire to Earth, where they are greeted by cheers, awards, and parades. But not all is as happy and nice as it seems, as the decisions Adam made during battles on Rann come back to haunt his family and threaten the entire DC Universe. And now a surprise DC hero will have to choose between saving Adam Strange and saving the world.
A story like no other, Strange Adventures is an ambitious, thrilling, shocking, and beautiful 12-issue saga that will push Adam Strange to the breaking point-and beyond!
PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
STRANGE ADVENTURES #1
Adam Strange, hero of the planet Rann, has come home from his interstellar adventures. And he plans to retire peacefully on Earth with his wife Alanna, while promoting his fabulous book detailing his adventures on another world. Yet all is not what it seems, and in the shadows there is evil, mystery, and excitement brewing. The dynamic trio of Tom King, Mitch Gerads, and Evan “Doc” Shaner, are teaming up to bring DC fans and comic readers of all ages, a story unlike any other. Thrills, chills, and spills await in this first issue, and in all the others to follow.
Writing: Tom King’s writing is the sort of stuff that will be talked about for generations to come. From his novel A Once Crowded Sky, to the Mister Miracle series that netted him an Eisner, to his tackling of Batman as part of DC’s Rebirth phase. It is the sort of writing that can strip a character, whoever they may be, down to their essential self and core. Raw, emotional, and moving. These are the words best used to describe the sort of stories that Tom King tells best, and with Adam Strange, readers can expect more of that style in spades.
Art: Mitch Gerads and Doc Shaner, two fantastic artists, with two completely different styles. Mitch’s art is gritty and grounded in a realism that makes the characters feel of flesh and blood. Doc’s is of the colorful and cheerful sort that harks back to the comics of yesteryear. Together, these two artistic titans are bringing Adam’s stories on Earth and Rann to life, in a story that is shaping up to be epic.
Colors: As colorists and artists on the book, Mitch and Doc are nailing it on the color choices for their respective art. Mitch has colors that have more muted tones and textures, keeping in theme with his more grounded and real artwork. Doc has hues that are vibrant and bright, working in concert with his art that is reflective of the sort used during the Silver Age. Everything is coming up colors, colors, and more colors with for these two.
Letters: Clayton Cowles is one of the finest letterers in the industry. As a graduate of the Joe Kubert School, he has gone on to letter comics for a variety of books and publishers. Having worked with Tom and Mitch previously on Mister Miracle, he is clearly in his element on Strange Adventures. The dialogue and sound effects are crisp, and all add emphasis to the story under the careful hand of Clayton. Like the story, art, and colors, the lettering is literally out of this world.
Adam Strange is one of DC’s oldest heroes. His adventures go back to the Silver Age, at a time when space exploration was still a new concept in the real world and science-fiction reigned supreme among literary genres. Tom, Mitch, Doc, and Clayton are pulling from the energy of that bygone time, and combining it with their talents to tell a story that has it all – adventure, romance, heartbreak, deception, murder, and more. The story of one man who went to war on another world, and his actions are coming back to haunt him. This is a series that nobody will want to miss out on, as readers are taken to the outer limits of imagination and to the very depths of what it means to be a human being seeking closure.
5 Out of 5 Stars
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