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Human
Torch
Burn - Part 1
1 /JUNE/2003
Publisher: Marvel/Tsunami
Writer: Karl Kesel
Pencils: Skottie Young
Inks: Joe Seung & Pierre-Andre Dery
Colors: Studio F
Letters: Cory Petit
Price: $2.50 US/R31.00 SA
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Marvel Comics has decided to try something new and move into the
‘Manga’ market and have created a new line of comics
called ‘Tsunami’. This line is supposed
to be aimed at the ever elusive ‘girl’ market in which
Manga has been popular. Obviously not for girls alone, this new
line of comics is varied and looks interesting in its own right.
Time for a look at one of the first Tsunami titles available for
purchase, the Human Torch.
The story kicks off with Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch, telling
us what happened over his summer vacation. His battles with the
local high school jock, Mike Snow, come to an explosive head by
the end of this issue.
This book certainly didn’t impress me story-wise, but then
again I never really expected it to. I’m buying this series
for the art but more about that later. The story is relatively simplistic,
boy has super-powers, boy has attitude, boy is dropout, boy fights
school bully stereotype over girl they both like. That’s about
it, don’t go expecting much more than that.
A bit of humour dropped in here and there helps to keep the tone
light and the book rolling along nicely but all in all the story
is very straight-forward. Unlike a high school book like Ultimate
Spider-Man, the Human Torch fails to have any real hooks
and definitely nothing on Brian Michael Bendis’
writing, his is still the definitive high school super-hero book
out on the stands right now.
The artwork is awesome, if you’re a fan of Humberto Ramos
[Crimson, Out There] or Joe Madureira [Uncanny
X-Men, Battle Chasers] then this is the book for you. Skottie
Young [Iceman:Icons, Spider Clan] is an up and
coming ‘Amerimanga’ superstar. With an edge from the
hip hop and graffiti world, his art-style is modern and has a streetwise
feel to it. Look out for ‘tags’ on walls etc. which
scream out Skottie’s heritage in the urban street visual language.
This book is made by the colours, Studio F is the
bomb, enough said. They are the number one colour studio in my mind
and have a real edge when working with this style of artwork. They
have transformed Humberto Ramos’ work from brilliant to mind-blowing
in his recent Out There series as well as his stint
on Peter Parker Spider-Man [Return of The
Goblin]. From textures to lighting and awesome skin tone
transition, these guys have it all.
In wrapping this one up I would have to say that the Human Torch
is a relatively successful start to the Tsunami line. It should
reach the teenage audience it’s aimed at and has hip street-level
art to match its story. The narrative was a let-down but on art
value alone this book is awesome for anyone who loves the aforementioned
artists and ‘Amerimanga’ art styles.
Score 6/10
Reviewed By:Iain Duncan
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Comic Reviews
