[Comic Book Review] Image Comics’ ADVENTUREMAN Vol. 1 HC

PopCultHQ received advance review copy of ADVENTUREMAN Vol. 1 HC from Image Comics. Available December 9th, the creative team for this book features writing from Matt Fraction, art from Terry DodsonRachel Dodson, and letters from Clayton Cowles.

Here is PopCultHQ’s Spoiler-Free Review of…

ADVENTUREMAN Vol. 1 HC

Story: Matt Fraction
Pencils/Colors: Terry Dodson
Inks: Rachel Dodson
Letters: Clayton Cowles

Cover Artists:
Terry Dodson & Rachel Dodson

SRP: $24.99

Collects ADVENTUREMAN #1-4

WHERE HIS STORY ENDED…HER STORY BEGINS!

Everyone knows the story of how ADVENTUREMAN, the greatest pulp hero of all time, ended in a heartbreaking CLIFFHANGER with our hero facing his very execution…now, learn the startling truth about how, 80 years after his seeming demise, single mother Claire and her Adventurefan son Tommy light the spark of RESURRECTION! Can these inheritors of the Adventureman legacy rise up to face down the evil that bested the original?


Spoiler-Free Review 3

PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
ADVENTUREMAN Vol. 1 HC

Adventureman, the greatest hero the world has ever known, is dead. His exploits only now remembered in fictional renderings. Yet not all is as it seems in New York City. Great evil stirs and old memories are waking up. Now a new hero rises up to battle darkness and take up the mantle of Adventureman!

Writing: Matt Fraction has written some of the most top-notch comics of the 21st century. His storytelling style is gripping, and overflows with terrific heroes, dastardly villains, and gripping plots. Adventureman is another notch on his belt of triumphs. It is worth noting that Fraction showcases the best elements of the bygone pulps in this HC, wedded to his usual brand of beautifully layered and rich scripts. There isn’t a dull moment with Matt’s writing. A rich world laid out in purple prose, with fleshed out characters, both good and bad. Page after page of modern pure pulp perfection!

Art: Terry Dodson shines out artistically by playing in a world rift with pulp throwback goodness. Several things stood out with Terry’s artwork. First, the detailing on the locations and characters. Both of these are insanely life-like and constantly feel as if they will jump off the page. Second are the splash pages and battle scenes. For all the richness that pours out with transitional pages used to build the plot, the action panels and splashes are gorgeous.

Rachel Dodson crushed it as the inker for the HC. Her lines are rich and add depth to the various components of the artwork. An example is the various skyscrapers and cityscapes, both in the past and present. The inking on the art deco layouts versus the modern chrome and glass are very distinctive, showcasing the designs of the different building styles in way that is often lost in other works. A tip of the hat to fine inking from Rachel.

Colors: Terry also takes on the duty of colorist and, quite frankly, did a spectacular job. The colors he selected were well-thought out, complimented his art, and really helped everything coalesce together. People, clothes, locations, heart-stopping action sequences, all rendered in gorgeous colors that are appealing to the eye and pleasing to look at. Another win from Terry.

Letters: When Clayton Cowles is on the job, the lettering is always a superb job. He does it all with style and grace, from dialogue to explosions and things that jump out at one’s face. His work on the lettering for the various villains adds that extra spice that gives these evil interlopers a supremely sinister tone. Clayton has a wonderful gift as a letterer which really shines forth throughout this whole book.

PopCultHQ’s overall assessment:

Some are born heroes, others have heroic duties thrust upon them. Such is the case for Claire Connell, who finds herself pulled into the insane and exciting world of Adventureman! The HC is chock full of goodies, from the amazing story itself, to the bonus sketches, character breakdowns and extra art! Take time to treat yourself to an awesome and worthwhile book this week in the form of Adventureman!

PopCultHQ’s Rating:

5 Out of 5 Stars

Purchase ADVENTUREMAN Vol. 1 HC online:

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Publisher – Image Comics

Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of bestselling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has six individuals on the Board of Directors: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, Jim Valentino, and Eric Stephenson. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline Comics, Skybound Entertainment, and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

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