Bifrost
08-02-2006, 06:41 PM
Wraithborn
DC Comics (http://www.dccomics.com) (Wildstorm Studios (http://www.wildstorm.com))[/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT]
Creative Team
[INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][indent]Writer: Joe Benitez & Marcia Chen
Pencils: Joe Benitez
Inks: Joe Weems
Colours: Studio F
Letters: Comicraft
Current Issue:
#4 (http://www.dccomics.com/comics/?cm=4665)(of 6) (Dec 2005)
Cover by: Joe Benitez
If I had to sum up Wraithborn into one word, it would be "eyecatching". In fact, the sole reason I picked up the first issue of Wraithborn is exactly the same reason I started collecting Weapon Zero back in 1996.
That reason is Joe Benitez.
For me Benitez's sleek, wicked designs have always struck a chord and back in August, when I spotted Wraithborn's main character Melanie adorning the cover of CSN (barely clad in leather and blades), I had to put my name down for the first issue.
I was not disappointed.
http://forum.zgeek.com/gallery/files/1/9/8/wraithbornIssue4Panel.jpgThis very detailed issue goes a long way to prove that not only has Benitez's art matured a great deal, but also that his one real weakness - the ubiquitous heads and faces of his characters - is something he has left far behind. Although some of his monster designs are a little too familiar, Benitez does own a style unto himself and when he gets the opportunity to revel in his trademark armour and weapon designs, a reader finds themselves wowing out loud.
This superior quality has continued throughout the mini-series, in fact when Voodoo God Brijit (left, with her minioins) shows up in issue #2, Studio F's vibrant colouring combine with Benitez's detailed panels to create something to behold.
And yet, contrary to the belief of some major publishers, top-level art does not guarrantee a great comic.
Currently in its 4th issue of a 6-issue mini series, Wraithborn tells the story of a teenage girl who finds herself suddenly in possession of a great and terrible power (or is that possessed by?), much in the vein of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Unlike Buffy, Wraithborn takes itself pretty seriously. This is a tough ask when you're dealing with a flimsy teenage girl thrust into a world of supernatural beasts and it is here where I think the story falls down to a certain extent.
Benitez and co-writer (and fellow ex-Top Cow writer) Marcia Chen have done well to portray a weak, good-natured girl faced with a world of demons and magic, though I find the character of Melanie a little too weak to sympathise with her. She backs down even against a relatively soft schoolyard bully and the fact that she has survived 4 issues has been almost exclusively by good luck. Thus far in the series (issue #4), Melanie has yet to reach the ranks of hero or anti-hero in my opinion. But perhaps this is by design, afterall she has no mentor, no idea that she even has any power and is faced with a at least two demon hunters, one grumpy-arse Voodoo God and pack after pack of the Voodoo God's demon dogs - I suppose even the most gifted teenager would need quite a bit of luck.
http://forum.zgeek.com/gallery/files/1/9/8/Issue3fight01.jpgRegardless of the central character's timidity, I find myself captured by Wraithborn in a way I never was by Weapon Zero (Benitez's short-lived 1996/97 title). The primary story arc of the mini-series, that of the transfer of the Wraithborn power to Melanie, is well handled and each issue contains just enough information to keep the reader guessing. There are also several intriguing side characters in Wraithborn, such as Melanie's best friend Zoe, the Voodoo God Brijit and the demon hunters which pursue the Wraithborn power. The mystery surrounding these characters, the history between them and the brutal death of at least one of them are certainly enough to keep me reading.
Though not revolutionary in terms of its core mythology, the comic is well written and its potential is clearly great. Combine these facts with the superior quality of the artwork and colours and Wraithborn will hold its place in my standing order for the remainder of the 6-issue mini series and keep me hoping that it makes the copies-sold requirement to launch a regular series.
http://forum.zgeek.com/gallery/files/1/9/8/Issue3fight02.jpgI generally rate comics by how keen I am to read them once I receive my monthly order, Wraithborn is currently in the top 2. I think Wraithborn is worth a look for fans of supernatural and/or hero comics or any fan of detailed, exciting comic artwork. Keep your eye out for the TPB of the mini-series and cross your fingers for a regular series.
http://forum.zgeek.com/gallery/files/1/9/8/Issue3fight03.jpg
DC Comics (http://www.dccomics.com) (Wildstorm Studios (http://www.wildstorm.com))[/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT]
Creative Team
[INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][indent]Writer: Joe Benitez & Marcia Chen
Pencils: Joe Benitez
Inks: Joe Weems
Colours: Studio F
Letters: Comicraft
Current Issue:
#4 (http://www.dccomics.com/comics/?cm=4665)(of 6) (Dec 2005)
Cover by: Joe Benitez
If I had to sum up Wraithborn into one word, it would be "eyecatching". In fact, the sole reason I picked up the first issue of Wraithborn is exactly the same reason I started collecting Weapon Zero back in 1996.
That reason is Joe Benitez.
For me Benitez's sleek, wicked designs have always struck a chord and back in August, when I spotted Wraithborn's main character Melanie adorning the cover of CSN (barely clad in leather and blades), I had to put my name down for the first issue.
I was not disappointed.
http://forum.zgeek.com/gallery/files/1/9/8/wraithbornIssue4Panel.jpgThis very detailed issue goes a long way to prove that not only has Benitez's art matured a great deal, but also that his one real weakness - the ubiquitous heads and faces of his characters - is something he has left far behind. Although some of his monster designs are a little too familiar, Benitez does own a style unto himself and when he gets the opportunity to revel in his trademark armour and weapon designs, a reader finds themselves wowing out loud.
This superior quality has continued throughout the mini-series, in fact when Voodoo God Brijit (left, with her minioins) shows up in issue #2, Studio F's vibrant colouring combine with Benitez's detailed panels to create something to behold.
And yet, contrary to the belief of some major publishers, top-level art does not guarrantee a great comic.
Currently in its 4th issue of a 6-issue mini series, Wraithborn tells the story of a teenage girl who finds herself suddenly in possession of a great and terrible power (or is that possessed by?), much in the vein of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Unlike Buffy, Wraithborn takes itself pretty seriously. This is a tough ask when you're dealing with a flimsy teenage girl thrust into a world of supernatural beasts and it is here where I think the story falls down to a certain extent.
Benitez and co-writer (and fellow ex-Top Cow writer) Marcia Chen have done well to portray a weak, good-natured girl faced with a world of demons and magic, though I find the character of Melanie a little too weak to sympathise with her. She backs down even against a relatively soft schoolyard bully and the fact that she has survived 4 issues has been almost exclusively by good luck. Thus far in the series (issue #4), Melanie has yet to reach the ranks of hero or anti-hero in my opinion. But perhaps this is by design, afterall she has no mentor, no idea that she even has any power and is faced with a at least two demon hunters, one grumpy-arse Voodoo God and pack after pack of the Voodoo God's demon dogs - I suppose even the most gifted teenager would need quite a bit of luck.
http://forum.zgeek.com/gallery/files/1/9/8/Issue3fight01.jpgRegardless of the central character's timidity, I find myself captured by Wraithborn in a way I never was by Weapon Zero (Benitez's short-lived 1996/97 title). The primary story arc of the mini-series, that of the transfer of the Wraithborn power to Melanie, is well handled and each issue contains just enough information to keep the reader guessing. There are also several intriguing side characters in Wraithborn, such as Melanie's best friend Zoe, the Voodoo God Brijit and the demon hunters which pursue the Wraithborn power. The mystery surrounding these characters, the history between them and the brutal death of at least one of them are certainly enough to keep me reading.
Though not revolutionary in terms of its core mythology, the comic is well written and its potential is clearly great. Combine these facts with the superior quality of the artwork and colours and Wraithborn will hold its place in my standing order for the remainder of the 6-issue mini series and keep me hoping that it makes the copies-sold requirement to launch a regular series.
http://forum.zgeek.com/gallery/files/1/9/8/Issue3fight02.jpgI generally rate comics by how keen I am to read them once I receive my monthly order, Wraithborn is currently in the top 2. I think Wraithborn is worth a look for fans of supernatural and/or hero comics or any fan of detailed, exciting comic artwork. Keep your eye out for the TPB of the mini-series and cross your fingers for a regular series.
http://forum.zgeek.com/gallery/files/1/9/8/Issue3fight03.jpg