REVIEW: Armor-I
This new book, currently available digitally, is a mix of albeit the best bits, different sources. Thrown into the mix is some Smallville, Spider-Man, Green Lantern, and practically most new kid to school movies. However, using the best cuts of meat, doesn’t always a meal make.
Jason is the new kid in town. Suffering from being the oldest sibling, he is tasked with fitting in, dealing with his sister and of course, generally being the good guy. Unbeknownst to him, there is a war in the skies in which the future of the universe hangs in the balance. As such, with such a set up in place, you know where this story is going and quicker than you can say “Abin Sur” you reach the first issues destination.
Do not let the familiarity of the story put you off this book. Every story has to start somewhere and writer Marcel Dupree brings the various influences together well.  Dupree takes a bold step starting the book without any preamble, hoping that the reader can keep up. Thanks to this hectic start, by the time you meet Jason it feels more like a breather, before Jason’s troubles start of course. There are small glimpses of some of who will be the supporting cast in the story and how they interact within the world. Dialogue wise, Dupree has his finger on quite a lot of social aspects. In fact I had the “kids are spoilt by getting lifts everywhere” conversation only last night. For those keeping score, I lost the discussion.
Carlos Trigo’s art in the book is cartoony, helping to create a sense of fun throughout. Looking at the work critically, is there a touch of Mike Wieringo in there? Maybe a little Bruce Timm? Again, the influences on show do not detract from the overall look and feel of the art. Action panels are frenetic and there is a sense of pace throughout the book, with some strong camera angles chosen, even in the most mundane of scenarios. The book seems to have a kinetic quality as if you are just waiting for the scenes to explode across the pages. Inks at provided by Gulliver Vianei whose work emphasizes the cartoony style. The colors by Andrea Celestini add a four-color brightness to proceedings, which again helps contribute to the fun feeling when reading this book.
Along for the ride, is a back up story featuring Dupree’s other co-creation Baranzu which feature art by Joel Coteja, also a co-creator. Baranzu is a more methodical story. Where Armour utilises a fast pace, Baranzu is more slow and steady wins the race. The art is also less chaotic, instead there is a relaxed feel to the story, even the colors by Franco Reisco seem muted. This isn’t a bad thing, it’s just different.
Across both stories, there are some strong writing and striking, if different, art styles. There is a huge element of fun inherent in Armour, which with the conclusion will only get stronger. Each story has similar plotting’s so it will be interesting to see if they go in different directions.. As it, Dupree, Trigo and Coteja seem to be having a blast on this book, which is plainly evident on their pages.
Armor-IÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Baranzu
Writing – 4 Stars                                                                  Writing – 3.5 Stars
Art – 4 Stars                                                                          Art – 4 Stars
Colors – 3.5 Stars                                                                Colors – 4 Stars
For more information about Armour I, Baranzu and Evoluzione Publishing, check out:Â https://www.facebook.com/evoluzionepublishing/
Armour I is downloadable from Gumroad at https://gum.co/NSHHz and at DriveThruComics, priced at $2 for 3o pages.
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Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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