PopCultHQ

PopCultHQ received a review copy of BUBBLEGUN#1 from Aspen Comics. Available this Wednesday, May 17th on New Comic Book Day, the creative team for this series features writing from Mark Roslan, illustrations by Angel Tovar, with colors by Peter Steigerwald with Federico Blee, and lettered by Zen.

Here’s PopCultHQ’s spoiler-free review of the NCBD premiere issue of…

BubbleGun #1 of 5 (Vol.2)

Cover Artists:

Angel Tovar
Erick Arciniega
Adam Archer
Peter Steigerwald
Talent Caldwell

The BubbleGun crew return for more high stakes jobs!

Since the team rescued the group’s newest member, the cyber boy Asher, from the corporate megalomaniac, Drazic, their world has been in constant turmoil! Devyn and Molli find their bandit crew forced to do the bidding of an underworld gangster, Sir Penny, after borrowing and destroying his favorite ship, The Dark Lightning. Yet, even if they survive Sir Penny’s harrowing missions–how will they escape the clutches of a ruthless gangster plotting to kidnap Asher?!

Creator and writer Mark Roslan (Broken Pieces) is joined by penciler Angel Tovar and colorist Peter Steigerwald
on what’s sure to become one of comics’ biggest sci-fi, action adventure series of the summer!

Strap yourselves in because BUBBLEGUN is gonna take you on a wild ride!

<Preview Aspen Comics 5/17 Release: BUBBLEGUN #1 (Vol.2)>

PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
BUBBLEGUN #1 of 5

The BubbleGun crew is back, though not really in the position they wanted. Forced to do the bidding of the sinister Sir Penny to “re-pay” him for their damaging of his ship, the team is doing what they do best…tech heists. To pay off this debt, he tasks them with one last (possibly suicidal) job, one that’ll test their ethics and their patience…playing a role in helping this black market merchant of death produce the worst drug ever seen, Nectar.

Punk has never looked so good as it does in this second volume’s debut issue. BUBBLEGUN #1 does a fantastic job in getting readers up to speed with some background and context in the form of caption dialog from Molli. If you’re new to BUBBLEGUN, no worries. You can immediately get on board with the characters and the plot. The issue is a great introduction for new readers to what Aspen Comics has to offer. You’ll find the story is engaging, there are some fun panel layouts, awesome splash pages, and beautiful illustrations.

As sharp as this looks digitally, I will be picking up a physical copy of BUBBLEGUN #1. I can only imagine how spectacular it looks in print. Though there are a number for which I could choose, after reading issue one of BUBBLEGUN, I can assuredly say that Molli is my favorite female character in the Aspen Universe. Confident, fearless, and fun…just a superb protagonist.

Writing:

Writer Mark Roslan explodes in issue one, delivering an intense narrative and intriguing premise. The writing is intelligent, the pacing is terrific, and the story immerses you instantly. There was quite literally never a moment where I didn’t love the writing in BUBBLEGUN. Generally, issue one’s are about establishing the characters and storyline, with subsequent issues ramping up with excitement and appeal. If that’s the case here, then issues two through five will likely blow your mind. Simply out, this is sci-fi writing at its best. Great job by Roslan and am excited to see what’s coming next.

Art:

Illustrator Angel Tovar gives this second volume of BUBBLEGUN an amazing look. The characters are well-defined and the detailing is great. Tovar is also quite adept at the angling of some panels and the depth is remarkable. As much as I liked the first BUBBLEGUN series artistically, Angel raised the bar in this volume’s premiere.

What stands out the most for me in BUBBLEGUN #1 is the colors. Simply phenomenal. Steigerwald levels up with his contributions; the vibrancy, the illuminating glow found throughout, and some powerful secondary colors that are some sweet eye candy. All the creators in this issue have performed beyond admirably, but the coloring is just breathtaking the entire issue. No other way to put it.

Letters:

Adding Zen to Aspen titles was a wise move. He’s proven he’s got the skills to be that sweet icing on the cake for each title he touches. BUBBLEGUN #1 is no different. If anything, he rounds out this powerful team and I couldn’t imagine a better choice.

PopCultHQ’s overall assessment:

From cover to cover, BUBBLEGUN #1 is filled with a brilliant story, top-notch artwork, colors that pop more than Molli’s gun, and lettering from one of the best in the business. Issue one has set the stage perfectly not only for what’s destined to be a fantastic series, but all the makings of what will be a highly desirable. and necessary, collected trade upon the miniseries’ conclusion. Though too early to tell, this neon-infused, high-tech, action thrill ride may very well be the top sci-fi series available today. It’s certainly setting itself up to be.

PopCultHQ’s Rating:

5 Out of 5 Stars

BUBBLEGUN #1 can be purchased now on comiXology
or at your local comic shop and online retailers Wednesday, May 17th!

 Hear from Mark Roslan about today’s release of BUBBLEGUN!

UP NEXT:

BubbleGun #2 of 5 (Vol.2)

The BubbleGun crew return for more high stakes jobs! Treachery and deception are the order of the day, as the BubbleGun team learns the cold hard truth about the perils of working in the black market. Their “employer” Sir Penny has put his “Nectar” into production, and the market is booming. But, is the crew too far deep into Sir Penny’s tangled web of lies to survive?! Creator and writer Mark Roslan (Broken Pieces) is joined by penciler Angel Tovar and colorist Erick Arciniega on what’s sure to become one of comics’ biggest sci-fi, action adventure series of the summer! Strap yourselves in because BUBBLEGUN is gonna take you on a wild ride!

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Letterer: Zen – HCMP

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Publisher: Aspen Comics