Art of Homage Studios, Deathmate Black, Hellshock

Art of Homage Studios 1

A collection of pinups and micro stories by an extremely talented group of artists.  Nothing really noteworthy, but this is still a great snapshot of a seminal (to me, if no one else) moment in the history of the comic industry.  I do love Jim Lee’s comment about J. Scott Campbell: “J.Scott will definitely be turning heads in the near future.” That’s an understatement.

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: No

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Fine

Deathmate Black

This was a total clusterfuck of a project and story.  All of the Image issues of this crossover w/ Valiant Comics came in super late.  I only bought this issue, as it was the one created by Homage Studios. It really was drawn by an all-star team of pencillers: Brandon Peterson, Brett Booth, Marc Silvestri, Greg Capullo, Scott Clark, Whilce Portacio, J. Scott Campbell, and Jim Lee.  Unfortunately, the writing came courtesy of Brandon Choi and Eric Silvestri, so the plot came out overwritten, boring, and unnecessarily complicated.

Oh, he did not just say that.

In what world is this good writing?

In this picture, Ripclaw's right arm has been blown off. So what exactly is he crossing his left arm with? He looks all heroic and imposing, but if Voodoo got out of the way, he's just a one-armed dude with standing with his arm ridiculously folded across his chest.

As with Art of Homage Studios, a fun little time capsule into early Image days, but nothing more.  

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: No

Would read again: No

Rating: Didn’t suck

Hellshock 1-4

Jae Lee’s creator-owned contribution to Image.  His art is the only saving grace for this series, as the story is total garbage.  Hellshock is the spawn of an archangel and human. After spending the last twenty years being tortured in hell for his indiscretion, the now-psychotic angel father  comes back to earth to bring the mother back to hell with him. Hellshock has to stop him.

There’s also a completely separate B-plot about an abused kid who has to resist the temptation (from a demon in human form) to kill his father.  This is some kind of set up for future stories that I have no desire to read. At least it’s pretty.

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: No

Would read again: No

Rating: Didn’t suck

I really shouldn’t keep all these sub par comics around, but they have sentimental value.  And pretty good art. Most of the early Image comics I got had that going for them.