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https://blacknerdproblems.com/nubia-the-amazons-3-review/
Writers: Stephanie Williams and Vita Ayala / Artists: Alitha Martinez, Dominike “Domo” Stanton, Mark Morales, and Romulo Fajardo Jr. / DC Comics
Nubia & the Amazons is quickly becoming one of my favorite books on the shelves. The expansion on this area of the universe that Williams, Ayala, and Co. are fleshing out is not going unnoticed.
I haven’t always been the biggest fan of stories in Themyscira. The dense language and magic/mythology-centered storylines usually just aren’t my cup of tea. But I’m finding out like I’m also finding out with the Black Manta book, that anything is better when it’s layered with representation. I’m much more engaged when there are different types of people in a story, as well as different types of people telling those stories. Nubia & The Amazons is teaching a master class in that right now.
Besides Nubia, the story is centered on new Amazons that getting a second chance at life after a tragic ending in Man’s world. They get a clean slate with the chance to live in bliss and happiness. It is a wonderfully weaved queer narrative about finding yourself, and the fact that it’s told within the context and rules of a fictional, mythological comic book island make it even stronger. When we can carve out spaces for ourselves in these larger-than-life places, it goes so far in making people feel like they’re seen and that they belong in places that aren’t always fictional. It’s so wonderfully done.
Nubia & the Amazons #3, in particular, follows Medusa as she possesses Amazons after slipping through Doom’s Doorway, the portal that connects Hades and Themyscira. Nubia feels some type of way because before she was Queen of the Amazons, her job, for as long as she can remember, was to guard Doom’s Doorway. She feels a sense of responsibility for what’s going on now. Heavy is the head who wears the crown, especially when it’s burdened with luggage from the past.
The story is positioning itself to reveal more of the backstories of the new Amazons, which is more and more likely going to feed into the conflict for Nubia. These new Amazons have been living in bliss since they arrived here, but what happens when they start to remember their lives before, and the pain and suffering are fueled by Medusa? Nubia is about to have a lot on her hands.
10 Snake-Headed Gorgons out of 10
Enjoying Nubia & the Amazons? Check out BNP’s other reviews here.
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The post Nubia & the Amazons #3 Review appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.
Writers: Stephanie Williams and Vita Ayala / Artists: Alitha Martinez, Dominike “Domo” Stanton, Mark Morales, and Romulo Fajardo Jr. / DC Comics
Nubia & the Amazons is quickly becoming one of my favorite books on the shelves. The expansion on this area of the universe that Williams, Ayala, and Co. are fleshing out is not going unnoticed.
I haven’t always been the biggest fan of stories in Themyscira. The dense language and magic/mythology-centered storylines usually just aren’t my cup of tea. But I’m finding out like I’m also finding out with the Black Manta book, that anything is better when it’s layered with representation. I’m much more engaged when there are different types of people in a story, as well as different types of people telling those stories. Nubia & The Amazons is teaching a master class in that right now.
Besides Nubia, the story is centered on new Amazons that getting a second chance at life after a tragic ending in Man’s world. They get a clean slate with the chance to live in bliss and happiness. It is a wonderfully weaved queer narrative about finding yourself, and the fact that it’s told within the context and rules of a fictional, mythological comic book island make it even stronger. When we can carve out spaces for ourselves in these larger-than-life places, it goes so far in making people feel like they’re seen and that they belong in places that aren’t always fictional. It’s so wonderfully done.
Nubia & the Amazons #3, in particular, follows Medusa as she possesses Amazons after slipping through Doom’s Doorway, the portal that connects Hades and Themyscira. Nubia feels some type of way because before she was Queen of the Amazons, her job, for as long as she can remember, was to guard Doom’s Doorway. She feels a sense of responsibility for what’s going on now. Heavy is the head who wears the crown, especially when it’s burdened with luggage from the past.
The story is positioning itself to reveal more of the backstories of the new Amazons, which is more and more likely going to feed into the conflict for Nubia. These new Amazons have been living in bliss since they arrived here, but what happens when they start to remember their lives before, and the pain and suffering are fueled by Medusa? Nubia is about to have a lot on her hands.
10 Snake-Headed Gorgons out of 10
Enjoying Nubia & the Amazons? Check out BNP’s other reviews here.
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The post Nubia & the Amazons #3 Review appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.
Writer: Kyle Higgins / Artist: Marcelo Costa / Image Comics
With each issue that passes, Radiant Black ceases to amaze.
Kyle Higgins has become increasingly more nimble at keeping this book on a tightrope between relatable down to earth character study and sci-fi/superhero blockbuster. What’s taking Hollywood so long to throw trucks full of money at this guy in exchange for the tv rights is beyond me.
Radiant Black #11 picks up with Marshall dealing with the fallout from his most recent RB escapades, the return of Nathan, and the hit his personal life has taken while dealing with all of the above. Just when you think you have this book figured out, it gives you something else to appreciate. Even the irreverent, unconventional hero has to face the choice of sacrifice for the greater good. Marshall isn’t really seen as a good person and most of the people in his life tolerate him more than they actually like him. The deeds he does as Radiant Black are actually teaching him what it is to be a better man, but he can’t show this in the parts of his life that mean something. It actually follows very closely in the vein of a classic Spider-Man tale.
Higgins’ script makes for a fresh, creative, not-so-preachy take on the hero’s burden while still giving us fun sitcom type exchanges to help the medicine go down. Visually, Marcelo Costa’s work is fun, but this week’s work in Radiant Black #11 just lacked the energy of past issues. This is likely, in part, due to the script calling for far less audacious sci-fi antics than the issue before. The action just didn’t quite jump off the page like it has previously, and the figures felt slightly lazier in their renderings.
Bottom Line: The artwork isn’t quite the home run it’s been in the past, but this is still a perfectly solid addition to a terrific series.
8.5 VR Troopers episodes out of 10
Enjoying Radiant Black? Check out BNP’s other reviews here.
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Writer: Samira Ahmed / Artist: Andres Genolet / Marvel Comics
One young Marvel hero I’m always happy to see remains mostly untainted by editorial mandates and being shuffled off to incompatible creative teams is Kamala Khan aka Ms. Marvel. It seems like the majority of books I’ve read starring our heroine seem to be by people who truly get the character. Ms. Marvel: Beyond the Limit is a miniseries that remains in sync with this thought.
While visiting her brainy cousin in Chicago, Kamala has a run in with a thief in a science lab. Somewhere along the way, the encounter leads to multiversal hijinks of hilarious proportions. There’s not a whole lot of action in Ms. Marvel: Beyond the Limit #1, but Samira Ahmed demonstrates the fact that kicking butt is only a fraction of why we love this character so much. Kamala isn’t just new to superheroing. She’s a semi sheltered kid that’s still what Shakespeare would call “a stranger in the world” and it’s fun to see the world through her eyes. Meanwhile, the sci-fi shenanigans she finds herself in towards the end of the issue….I literally LOLd reading in a room by myself.
Ahmed knows exactly how to throw Kamala in the thick of things while never allowing the character’s world to take itself too seriously. Meanwhile, the artwork Andres Genolet in Ms. Marvel; Beyond the Limit #1 offers up here is simply gorgeous. The diverse color palette combined with the attention to detail and creativity in every panel all make for visuals that keep the pages turning even in an issue that is mainly exposition, plot establishment, and character development.
Bottom Line: Samira Ahmed makes a book that perfectly blends superhero fun with coming-of-age sensibilities. If you like the majority of Ms. Marvel content, there’s no reason to believe you wouldn’t be into this title. It’s well worth the coin.
9.5 Embiggened Fists out of 10
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