by tonydoug wright

Emissary #1 by Jason Rand (writer), Juan Ferreyra (Penciller), Jim Valentino (creator) (Image Comics)

A man calling himself The Emissary is floating over Times Square in New York City, and the world panics. The military scrambles all available fighter jets, the press dispatches reporters to the scene, and millions of citizen's debate fleeing the city or staying to see what the floating man will do next. This is what readers can expect from Emissary, a new title from Image Comics, written by Jason Rand and penciled by Juan Ferreyra.

The first issue is titled "Revelations 1:4" and if you check out the New Testament the passage should read: "John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from him who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven spirits that are before his throne". This is an interesting choice because there has been some debate about the seven spirits mentioned in the passage and its exact meaning. Perhaps it has something to do with the seven spirits mentioned in Isaiah ( i.e. spirits of wisdom, counsel, etc.). Is The Emissary a spirit from God? Is the Emissary an alien from space? The fear brought on by the presence of The Emissary is similar to the way the world reacted when the Silver Surfer first appeared on earth.

Rand has Emissary on the right track by doing the obligatory introduction of major characters and by building suspense. The dialogue is good and what comes out of the characters mouths is believable and nothing ridiculous. Also, the artwork by Ferreyra is well-done, especially his full page view of The Emissary over Times Square. Overall, this is a good effort.

Retribution by Vin Varvara (writer), Mike C. Philips (Art) (Creative Elementz)

Ashe Hunter (a.k.a. Retribution) is the hero of Retribution, a graphic novel about a sword-wielding vigilante who braves the streets of New Orleans in search of a voodoo sorcerer responsible for turning innocent people into zombies. Written by Vin Varvara with artwork by Mike C. Philips, Retribution is a tale of lost identity, the mystic arts, and secret societies.

Retribution, a mix between Lion-O of the Thundercats and former World Wrestling Federation heel Papa Shango, is a sight to be seen and a force to be reckoned with. Armed with what seems to be a ridiculous arsenal of swords, daggers, martial arts weapons, spears, and automatic rifles, Retribution successfully defends the streets of New Orleans against a horde of zombies under the control of a voodoo master named Samedi.

Retribution has an interesting plot but fails on all levels in its delivery. Varvara has come up with an appealing storyline but it is lost in a clichéd superhero/vigilante work filled with one-dimensional characters. Retribution is part human and part super-hero, but lacks appeal. Varvara is also guilty of turning certain moments of danger into moments of unintentional comedy, especially in a frame where a villain calls upon the stray animals of New Orleans to fight Retribution. We then see a panel of rabid dogs, cats, rats, snakes, birds, and a horse ready to tear apart Retribution. Yes, that's right, a rabid horse roaming the streets of New Orleans ready to fight.

Although the writing is lackluster, the artwork does not fare any better. The black and white artwork by Philips is at best average and comes across as a rushed effort. Bill Young, the artist who designed the front and back covers, outdoes Philips and makes a case that perhaps it should have been Young doing the artwork for Retribution.

This review is by no means an effort to discourage Varvara and Philips, but hopefully it can be some sort of constructive criticism for two artists who have the potential to create a great graphic novel. Retribution ended with a hint of a sequel, so maybe the team of Varvara and Philips can deliver on their sophomore effort instead of repeating their freshman follies.