Image Round-Up - June 19th 2013

The Image Round Up column aims to get some words down on Image Comics book published for the week. This weeks reviews are handled by William Tournas, Ricardo Guajardo and Hansel Moreno. He'll be dropping non-spoilery reviews the day before the books are available so you can best make up your mind on what to buy tomorrow. We offer this service because Image has been putting out some amazing content lately and it will be nice to shine a light on every single title they produce. This week our intrepid team looks at Invincible #103, Mara #5, Miniature Jesus #3, and Revival #11.


This week deciding to take aim and head out on an adventure the declares Mara #5 the COVER OF THE WEEK! Read William's preview for more info!

The reviews are graded according to the following scale:

Must Read. -- Do not miss this hot piece of comic action!
Buy It. -- For memories sake.
Check It. -- This is a toss up. Up to you really.
Byrne It. (skim it on the rack). -- Look at it but don't leave with it.
Avoid It. -- Steer clear.

Invincible #103

Story by: Robert Kirkman
Pencils by: Ryan Ottley
Inks by: Cliff Rathburn
Colors by: John Rauch
Letters by: Rus Wooton

Ricardo Guajardo:  Some might argue that Robert Kirkman has made himself known with his other work. This comic is just as good but has fallen under the radar, in my opinion, despite it passing the 100th issue landmark. Ryan Ottley along with Cliff Rathburn and John Rauch bring out the best of the cast as the book looks as gorgeous as ever by bringing sharp and detailed designs that keep the reader enthralled as the comic reaches its cliffhanger.

This issue continues to build up even further with more characters returning to the fold from the previous issues while the plots thickens, delivering an intriguing read. There is still characters that left me wondering where the story will go in the grand scheme of Robert Kirkman's plans. While The Walking Dead delivers in the horror genre by grabbing folks attention with tension, Invincible keeps the comic chugging along with superhero antics and suspense. Some folks might be tired of seeing capes in action, however those same folks might not have read a book that can let them enjoy it without insulting their intelligence.

Is this a issue that new readers can jump into at this point? Probably. What makes comics interesting is the back issue diving, which is essential to the overall experience in reading this series. Personally, I say risk the $2.99 and see if Invincible can bring a fresh take in the superhero genre to your life.

Verdict: Buy It!

Mara #5 

Story by: Brian Wood
Art by: Ming Doyle & Jordie Bellaire
Cover by: Ming Doyle

William Tournas: Whenever Brian Wood comes to a genre, he manages to find something new to explore and blow it out of the water in his own unique way. He continues this in the latest issue of Mara

With each issue of Mara I have no idea what to expect. It started out as a look into a future corporate society where atheletes are ordered as celeberties. Since then it has moved on to how a person struggles to keep their identity when they get godlike super powers. All done at an amazing pace.

When we last left Mara she has escaped Military confinement and flew into space. Her powers now fully realised, this issue continues with her internal monologing as tries to figure out where does she goes from here, and does she even belong amongst society anymore.

Ming Doyle and Jordie Bellaire excute the feelings and emotions of this story so well with their gorgeous art styles. From emotive descriptions on the faces of characters, to bursts of bright colours, Doyle and Bellaire bring their brilliant art to this book which has me just seitting at a page and just staring.

Verdict: Buy It!

Miniature Jesus #3

Created, written, and drawn by Ted McKeever

Ricardo Guajardo: Reading the previous issue made me realize how thought-provoking the series is and how unique the story of the inner demons of a junkie and his struggles. 

Ted McKeever really gives it his heart and soul to make sure that you are in the main characters' shoes as they are in the confusion of what is happening around them in the story.

This issue of Miniature Jesus brings up questions from the previous issue and I can't shake this feeling things are not what they seem. What gives this book an edge over other comics is that it has its own sense of unpredictability and mystery. You don't know where it's going or how it will end. I can't say if this is going to end well for the main character for at matter. Despite those words, I am still drawn to this comic due to the the highly detailed art and the plot holds up in a jarring experience (as it is written to be).

I have to give this comic my full on recommendation as the comic delivers an out of body experience that no other comic on the market can. You have to give credit to Ted McKeever for bringing this variety to a market where not many risks are taken. New readers can appreciate the trippy storytelling and enjoy how different this comic is from the other books.

Verdict: Must Read!

Revival #11

Story by: Tim Seeley
Art by: Mike Norton
Colors by: Mike Englert
Letters by: CRANK!
Cover by: Jenny Frison

Hansel Moreno: In Revival Tim Seeley and Mike Norton have placed a rural community in a pressure cooker. The dead have risen and the government has quarantined the area. Tension is rising amongst the "Revivers", the towns folk and those sanctioned to keep both groups from hurting each other.

Before I go on about the story let's take a moment to appreciate this amazingly dark and unnerving cover by Jenny Frisson.

In last weeks episode we left off with Em (seen here on the cover choking a fool) in a grave with a gun pointed at her. Although the issue covers several perspectives it grounds the series with a sense of family. We see how Em, Dana and their father deal with the towns rising tension. Near the end of this issue there is a shift in the narrative brought on by Em. It is a slight departure from the norm but it helps to lay the seeds for issues to come.

If you have been on the fence with this series this issue is a prime example of   how great this team collaborates together. If you're all caught up get ready for some more light to be shed on our friend in the woods. Yeeeessssssssssss.

Verdict: Buy It!

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