Newsarama review of Solar #1

jbtheo · Post by **jbtheo** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 5:46 pm

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/doctor- ... 00714.html

All I have to say is "ouch."

400yrs · Post by **400yrs** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 5:51 pm

Yeesh. The reviews from the members who have read it aren't that great yet either.

I was thinking about going to a shop to pick up a copy to read before my dcbs shipment. I think I'll save the $4.

Unblessed · Post by **Unblessed** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 5:57 pm

Dr. Solar #1 is an ominous harbinger of what might lie in store for all of the Shooter-scripted Gold Key/Valiant revivals Dark Horse has in the works.

Pun?

jbtheo · Post by **jbtheo** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 6:02 pm

It was a very awful and (I think) undeserved review. I mean, be honest that you didn't like it, but don't be so damn harsh. Wasn't there anything GOOD about it?

Dr. Solar · Post by **Dr. Solar** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 6:04 pm

The review brings up a bunch of valid points.

The issue had a lot of nostalgia, but it didn't rock my socks off.

JonesyAZ · Post by **JonesyAZ** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 6:08 pm

Dr. Solar wrote:The review brings up a bunch of valid points.

The issue had a lot of nostalgia, but it didn't rock my socks off.

Hmmm...I probably should have waited to read some of the reviews after I actually read my copy tonight. Only because i'm hoping that this first issue of Solar isn't a bad sign of things to come.

My hopes, like many others i'm sure, is that once more books are released and we can see a bigger picture, that everything will be much cooler.

If the October solicits are any indication, it seems that the artist hasn't been a good fit after all

jbtheo · Post by **jbtheo** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 6:12 pm

If Jim Shooter runs true to form, then everything within this Gold Key revival will be all part of some bigger picture, at least I hope that is his intention.

robb77 · Post by **robb77** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 6:14 pm

wow what a review, need to get myself a copy and see for mtself

orbitalshift · Post by **orbitalshift** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 9:10 pm

Ouch is right, though I am inclined to agree with the artistic problems, Shooters writing does feel a bit clumsy. Looking back to Harbinger and Magnus, they started a bit awkward feeling to me too. I just hope he pulls it all together.

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 9:40 pm

He does make some valid points. Especially where the art is concerned. I disagree that the origin retelling is too long, it was one of the best parts and sets up a lot of things to come.

I also don't agree that Solar is a Dr. Manhattan clone, but I can see where that's valid since Watchmen is much more well known today.

One of the best things about Shooter's stories is that there are a lot of subtle hints and things hidden that aren't made clear until much later, so what may seem to be bland details at first turn out to be important foreshadowings. Some of the early Valiant issues (especially Solar) were a bit bland but in the context of everything else are awesome.

some other (more positive) reviews:

http://scifiblock.com/reviews/comics/do ... atom-1.htm

http://www.examiner.com/x-56612-Geek-Li ... r-1-Review

http://www.multiversitycomics.com/2010/ ... -atom.html

Daniel Jackson · Post by **Daniel Jackson** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 1:00 am

Pretty harsh review, that's for sure. I'm still waiting on my copy to get sent out, so I'll have to wait to see if the review has any merit.

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 1:39 am

Another mainstream review from IGN, pretty harsh but not near as bad as newsarama.

http://comics.ign.com/articles/110/1106243p1.html

dave · Post by **dave** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 9:07 am

The art does not impress me greatly, but I cannot see what the issue is. I don't think that it is horrible art at all.

Has this guy ever looked at Liefeld art? Some of the art in Valiant was really really bad. Some of it was bland/mediocre.

I do agree that the story appeared to fall a little flat.

Donovan · Post by **Donovan** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 9:29 am

dave wrote:The art does not impress me greatly, but I cannot see what the issue is. I don't think that it is horrible art at all.

Has this guy ever looked at Liefeld art? Some of the art in Valiant was really really bad. Some of it was bland/mediocre.

I do agree that the story appeared to fall a little flat.

I felt the opposite. I enjoyed the story, although the writer (forget his name already... Pickford?) just reminded me of Shooters Stuart Cadwell character from Secret Wars II #1.

Calero's art is brutal. He seems to hide his lack of anatomical understanding by drawing the parts he's too lazy to draw in silhouetted shadow.

Also, what's with his fear of drawing backgrounds?

Daniel Jackson · Post by **Daniel Jackson** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 9:57 am

Ryan wrote:Another mainstream review from IGN, pretty harsh but not near as bad as newsarama.

http://comics.ign.com/articles/110/1106243p1.html

Yikes, 4 out of 10?

StarBrand · Post by **StarBrand** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 2:56 pm

With Dark Horse heavily advertising Doctor Solar and Magnus at ComicBookResources, the newsarama review smacks of bitterness to me.

jbtheo · Post by **jbtheo** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 3:28 pm

http://newsarama.com/common/forums/view ... 28&t=12805

Regarding the Newsarama review of Solar #1: In the forum dedicated to the review, a few people are defending Jim and calling out Newsarama saying that the review smacks of bitterness and unprofessionalism.

Just thought I would share.

StarBrand · Post by **StarBrand** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 3:33 pm

jbtheo wrote:http://newsarama.com/common/forums/view ... 28&t=12805

Regarding the Newsarama review of Solar #1: In the forum dedicated to the review, a few people are defending Jim and calling out Newsarama saying that the review smacks of bitterness and unprofessionalism.

Just thought I would share.

Right on! Thanks!

dave · Post by **dave** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 4:55 pm

There are some backgrounds in there. I think that is the new "look" for books. Invincible is a prime example of this imo. The art is clearly quite good in Invincible, but he uses a minimalist approach at times with regard to backgrounds.

I believe that the guy at Newsarama will be eating his words soon.

I'm sure some people hated on Harby 1. Anyone who had read DP7 would certainly cast it immediately aside as a rip-off after only one issue.

StarBrand · Post by **StarBrand** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 5:07 pm

dave wrote: I'm sure some people hated on Harby 1. Anyone who had read DP7 would certainly cast it immediately aside as a rip-off after only one issue.

There's little doubt DP 7 heavily influenced Harbinger.

sonicdan · Post by **sonicdan** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 5:45 pm

The CBR review is pretty bad as well....
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page ... ew&id=2447

Daniel Jackson · Post by **Daniel Jackson** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 5:57 pm

The art really seems to be a big detractor for these reviewers.

sonicdan · Post by **sonicdan** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 6:12 pm

Here's a review from the Graham Crackers Comics email newsletter...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Doctor Solar Man of the Atom #1
story by Jim Shooter
art by Dennis Calero
reviewed by John Robinson

I was fan of the original Valiant stuff when Shooter brought this characters back (the old Gold Key ones). While not the highest of quality, Valiant had it's shining moments. This comic, not even close.
Clunky, choppy storytelling. Yawn. Nothing in this comic flows, the artwork is so below Dark Horses standards I can't even begin to understand how they let this see print. The whole thing feels amateurish and I don't expect to be coming back for more.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JonesyAZ · Post by **JonesyAZ** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 6:34 pm

sonicdan wrote:Here's a review from the Graham Crackers Comics email newsletter...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Doctor Solar Man of the Atom #1
story by Jim Shooter
art by Dennis Calero
reviewed by John Robinson

I was fan of the original Valiant stuff when Shooter brought this characters back (the old Gold Key ones). While not the highest of quality, Valiant had it's shining moments. This comic, not even close.
Clunky, choppy storytelling. Yawn. Nothing in this comic flows, the artwork is so below Dark Horses standards I can't even begin to understand how they let this see print. The whole thing feels amateurish and I don't expect to be coming back for more.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aw, BUMMER! My guess is that issue 3 is going to rock w/ the new artist. It would be sad if people drop off before then

Time will tell, I guess...

geocarr · Post by **geocarr** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 6:37 pm

The Beyonder wrote:Calero's art is brutal. He seems to hide his lack of anatomical understanding by drawing the parts he's too lazy to draw in silhouetted shadow.

Also, what's with his fear of drawing backgrounds?

Thank you! You nicely summed up my thoughts about Calero's art ever since I saw the online sneak peeks of the FCBD issue.