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Review: “Big Trouble In Little China” #1

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10 years ago

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A nonstop laugh riot all the way, “Big Trouble In Little China” #1 is an entertaining read that always delivers the kung-fu action and comic relief. Even though the ’80s are over, Jack Burton, the goofball action hero, continues to be a timeless treasure. This is the sequel to John Carpenter’s cult classic that I’ve been waiting for.

STK640995WRITTEN BY: John Carpenter and Eric Powell
ART BY: Brian Churilla
PUBLISHER: BOOM! Studios
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: June 4, 2013
Reviewed by Jorge Solis

Jack Burton saved the world, rescued his best friend’s fiancée, and got his big rig, the Pork-Chop Express, back safe and sound. Everything is where it should be, except for the hideous stowaway hiding in the back of the truck. Just when Jack thinks he’s in for another round of fighting and kicking, the ugly beast licks his cheeks. All of sudden, the loner has a new best friend and they are inseparable. Jack might need his new monster pet, nicknamed Pete, to stick around awhile longer because his kung-fu adventures aren’t over.

Much like how Clive Barker is involved in his horror titles at BOOM!, especially Hellraiser, I’m really glad John Carpenter has his own input on the series as well. You really feel in the dialogue that writer Eric Powell has captured the main character down pat. Though you don’t hear Kurt Russell doing a really bad John Wayne impersonation, I completely enjoyed reading Burton’s witty and off-the-wall comments. There’s actually a story within a story, adding layers to the dim-witted action star.
The timeline suggests everything is taking place about a few days after the movie ended. I’m really hoping Gracie Law, Kim Cattrall’s character, makes a return as well. I thought it was just hilarious that Jack came back just to ruin Wang’s wedding. The first issue sets up everything nicely, including a new villain, that I can’t wait for the next issue.

Artist Brian Churilla caricaturizes Kurt Russell’s likeness in his illustrations. Jack Burton has to be presented two ways, as a tough guy and a goofball. Churilla captures both sides of Jack’s personality and even adheres to the ’80s wardrobe. In three panels, Churilla delivers a side-splitting pratfall just for Jack in the opening pages. This is actually a comedy disguised as an action movie.

I definitely like the new dynamic relationship between Jack and the ugly beast, now named Peter. Churilla illustrates the drooling monster as a loyal dog following his master. Jack even has his new pet on a leash and gives him a spiked collar. I want to see where this relationship is going in later series.

“Big Trouble In Little China” #1 is a hilarious start and doesn’t skimp out on the laughs. If you loved the movie, you’re definitely going to cherish the comic book series.

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Comics

‘Witchblade’ is Getting Resurrected This Summer in New Comic Series from Top Cow and Image Comics

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9 hours ago

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April 18, 2024

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Witchblade cover

Witchblade, the popular comic series that initially ran from 1995 to 2015 and launched a TV series, is getting resurrected in a new comic series from Top Cow and Image Comics. It’s set to unleash heavy metal, black magic and blood this summer.

Look for the new Witchblade series to launch on July 17, 2024.

In Witchblade #1, “New York City Police Detective Sara Pezzini’s life was forever fractured by her father’s murder. Cold, cunning, and hellbent on revenge, Sara now stalks a vicious criminal cabal beneath the city, where an ancient power collides and transforms her into something wild, magnificent, and beyond her darkest imaginings. How will Sara use this ancient power, or will she be consumed by it?”

The series is penned by NYT Best-Selling writer Marguerite Bennett (Animosity, Batwoman, DC Bombshells) and visualized by artist Giuseppe Cafaro (Suicide Squad, Power Rangers, Red Sonja). The creative duo is working with original co-creator Marc Silvestri, who is the CEO of Top Cow Productions Inc. and one of the founders of Image Comics. They are set to reintroduce the series to Witchblade’s enduring fans with “a reimagined origin with contemporary takes on familiar characters and new story arcs that will hook new readers and rekindle the energy and excitement that fueled the 90’s Image Revolution that shaped generations of top creators.”

Bennett said in a statement, “The ability to tell a ferocious story full of monsters, sexuality, vision, and history was irresistible.” She adds, “Our saga is sleek, vicious, ferocious, and has a lot to say about power in the 21st century and will be the first time that we are stopping the roller coaster to let more people on. I’ve loved Witchblade since I was a child, and there is truly no other heroine like Sara with such an iconic legacy and such a rich, brutal relationship to her own body.”

“The Witchblade universe is being modernized to reflect how Marguerite beautifully explores the extreme sides of Sara through memories, her personal thoughts, like desire and hunger, in her solitude and when she is possessed by the Witchblade. So, I had to visually intersect a noir True Detective-like world with a supernatural, horror world that is a fantastic mix between Berserk and Zodiac,” Cafaro stated.

Marc Silvestri notes, “This is brand new mythology around Sara, and I can’t wait for you to fall in love with her and all the twists and turns. Discover Witchblade reimagined this summer, and join us as we bring all the fun of the 90s to the modern age and see how exciting comics can be. I can’t wait for you to read this new series.”

Witchblade#1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, July 17th, for $4.99 for 48 pages. And it’ll come with multiple cover variants.

  • Cover A: Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto (Full Color)

  • Cover B: Giuseppe Cafaro and Arif Prianto (Full Color)

  • Cover C: Blank Sketch Cover

  • Cover D (1/10): Dani and Brad Simpson (Full Color)

  • Cover E (1/25): Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto, Virgin Cover (Full Color)

  • Cover F (1/50): J.Scott Campbell (Full Color)

  • Cover G (1/100): Bill Sienkiewicz. (Full Color)

  • Cover H (1/250): Line art by Marc. Virgin Cover, Inks (B/W)

Witchblade #1 will also be available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.

Witchblade comic panel Witchblade #1 cover image

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