Claw

Alliances begin to crystallize in the penultimate chapter to Kurt Busiek’s first “The Autumnlands: Tooth and Claw” story arc. Joined by artist Benjamin Dewey, colorist Jordie Bellaire and letterers John G. Roshell and Albert Deschesne, Busiek makes “The Autumnlands: Tooth and Claw” #5 a transitional chapter but a dynamic and riveting one nonetheless. One of my favorite moments in each issue of “The Autumnlands: Tooth and Claw” is opening the book to find Dewey’s double-page masterpiece for that installment. This issue’s “Shadows in the Heart of Day” does not disappoint. Tagged with an unsettling tale of Hrotakh, the leader of the bat-folk, this one image alone could occupy my brain for a week. Unfortunately, I don’t have that kind of time, but I do have the luxury of coming back to that image or simply waiting to see what Dewey graces us with in the next issue. That’s only two pages of the issue, though, as Busiek writes plenty of intrigue, machinations and suspense into these twen

We’re three issues into “The Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw” and what I find myself appreciating above all else is how much we’re getting to know its world thanks to Kurt Busiek and Benjamin Dewey. It’s not a fast-paced comic, but here you actually don’t want it to be; with each new concept and group introduced to us, it makes the overall experience that much richer. With the champion finally present (and, as I’d wager most readers suspected, human), it feels like Busiek’s starting to set up the next story arc or two. We’re seeing the character’s military mind at work — understanding the impossibility of defending the fallen city — even as we also get a more than understandable sense of bewilderment at his plunging into a world of talking animals. The various animal characters of “The Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw” #3 are also becoming more defined with each new installment. Sandorst’s ability to pick the wrong side while being self-serving makes him stand out a great deal, for exampl

Kurt Busiek and Benjamin Dewey’s “Tooth and Claw” continued this week with a shift in name — and “The Autumnlands: Tooth and Claw” #2 is a hyper-violent sequel to the beautifully imagined first issue. Though my personal preference is for worldbuilding rather than gore-splattering, the artistry in this issue is just as undeniable as in the last. The linework, the colors, the lettering, the script — they all add up to a shockingly good story in a remarkably creative world. “The Autumnlands: Tooth and Claw” continues to impress. Issue #2 introduces the “twist” behind the Great Champion mythology, and it’s a bold one on Busiek’s part. I won’t spoil, but I’m certainly curious to see how this revelation will interact with all the worldbuilding that the team has done so far. They’ve introduced a host of class, species and cultural tensions, and this new element seems like it might overwhelm those existing problems. That could be a shame. Plotwise, though, this issue is tighter and speedie

The most spectacular thing about “Tooth & Claw” #1 is not the fact that this new series from writer Kurt Busiek, artist Benjamin Dewey, colorist Jordie Bellaire and Comicraft on letters delivers yet another breakout hit for Image Comics. No, the most impressive component of this comic book is that these talented comic book professionals bring readers forty-four pages of amazing visuals and world-constructing detail for less than three bucks. No matter how you measure value in a comic — lots of dialog, quantity of pages, heavily detailed art, sprawling cast, spectacular coloring and dazzling coloring effects — there is not a better value than “Tooth & Claw” #1. In addition to packing the pages full of everything mentioned above, this stunning creative crew gives readers an incredibly approachable introduction to a world that is already bustling with life. Busiek opens the story by introducing readers to Dunstan, an English bull terrier, son to his town’s trade-master. As the

Logan makes his big comeback in Marvel’s Return of Wolverine #1, and he’s bringing a new set of searing-hot claws with him. And, as the Party Variant cover of the debut issue demonstrates, they’re for more than skewering enemies. Drawn by Todd Nauck and colored by Rachelle Rosenberg, this variant features Logan lightheartedly demonstrating the functionality of his new claws by using them to skewer and cook steak, shrimp and sausages at his own “welcome home” barbecue thrown by the X-Men. RELATED: Wolverine’s New Claw Powers Are Inspired By Marvel vs. Capcom Say what you will about Logan, but he’s undeniably resourceful. After all, who hasn’t dreamed of having the ability to produce delicious shish kabobs with the flick of a wrist? Looks like Marvel has released my Return of Wolverine issue 1 Party Variant cover. Colors by the super-amazing @rachellecheri! Wolverine is back and his claws get