Wednesday Number Ones is a weekly feature here at Comic Pants. We take the books that are premiering a first issue from that week and give a quick opinion on them. From time to time we may also include more than issue number ones in this feature. If a noteworthy one-shot or the first issue of a new story arc is released, we may talk about it in this feature.

This week we will cover Angel After The Fall #1, Grendel Behold The Devil #1, Hawaiian Dick #1, Midknight #1, and Scream #1

Nick Budd Read and Thought:

Scream #1
Writer: Peter David
Artist: Bart Sears
Company: Dark Horse Comics

I’m not sure how this comic was able to cruise under the radar but I’m glad that I caught it, because this one was a whole heck of a lot of fun. The reason for that, for the most part, has to do with Peter David’s knack for telling a good story. Scream is very character driven overall, which is something that David does extremely well, but like his other work, it isn’t just a one note wonder. There’s a lot of story to tell here, and that’s a very good thing. The basic story follows relative underachiever and slacker postal worker Danny Duncan, who has had a tough couple of months in the form of an extended stay at the local loony bin. Is he really crazy or is he just seeing strange monsters and having bizarre dreams? That we don’t know. What we do know is that some truly weird stuff is going on in just about every aspect of his life. There’s a nice B horror movie vein that runs through this book, mixing well with a blend of comedy and well done character bits, a scene with Danny and his father is particularly nice. The art, handled by Sears, is also a nice surprise. He usually goes a little wonky with his stuff, too overdone and lumpy at times but with Scream, he really has reigned it in and produced a nice flow for the book and has done some truly striking monsters as well. Overall, this one is worth going out of your way for.

Angel: After the Fall #1
Writers: Joss Whedon & Brian Lynch
Artist: Franco Urru
Company: IDW Publishing

Angel fans, there are a few reasons to rejoice with the coming of this issue. The main reason though is that Angel is back. Like my fellow Panteon member stated here, there really is something in this issue for any Angel fan, even the fans that actually liked the ambiguous ending, to like. What draws me in though is the very grand sense of dread in the air as we see Angel put back to some semblance of his original persona as The Dark Avenger, the vampire who’s running around and actually saving the lives of helpless people. That’s what Angel does and it’s just good to see that again. Also, the big budget stuff, like the idea to put L.A. directly in Hell, works in the book’s favor and is something that, like what’s going on in the Buffy Season 8 comics, could never happen on the small screen. The one detractor for me though is the art, and really, it’s not the art specifically but more the choice of the muddy color palette that really gets in the way of some of the more dynamic pencil work. All in all, what you get for your money is extremely well worth it and the ending of this one was something that you’ll never see coming. Pick this one up.

Dave Farabee Read and Thought:

Hawaiian Dick #1
Writer: B. Clay Moore
Artist: Scott Chantler
Company: Image Comics

If you haven’t read the previous two Hawaiian Dick miniseries, I highly recommend you check ‘em out. They’re “Tropical Noir,” as the tagline goes - an approach both unique and welcome in a copycat biz - but don’t sweat it if you’re wholly new to the concept. The first issue of the new ongoing series will ease you in just fine, introducing you to an ex-military, ex-cop named Byrd who’s found himself immersed in supernatural-tinged mysteries since setting up as a private eye in Honolulu. The setting’s a big part of this book - very “50s Hawaii cool” - with artist Scott Chantler (best known for his rockin’ frontier actioneer, Northwest Passage) bringing the slightly exaggerated tropical action to life. He’s backed by original series’ artist Steven Griffin on colors, and his sun-drenched palette is a glorious sight - unlike anything else in the industry right now. But for such an atmospheric book there’s plenty of plot. Byrd’s investigating a bizarre accident involving a touring troupe of World War II fighter pilots, and as is par for the series, the cause seems to rest in the realm of the supernatural. Along the way you’ll meet the fun supporting cast, from femme fatale, Kahami, to the hulking cop, Mo Kalama. I’m short on complaints, though I did find Griffin’s original art (slightly more realistic) better suited to keeping the series grounded. That said, it sure is nice to read a crime book that’s not the latest imitator of Frank Miller or The Third Man. Tropical Noir’s its own thing, baby. Check it.

Randy Lander Read and Thought:

Grendel: Behold the Devil #1 of 8
Writer/Artist: Matt Wagner
Company: Dark Horse Comics

Wow. Wagner’s been impressing with his work on DC’s icons of late, but I have to admit I wasn’t certain he could recapture the smart, often violent, often disturbing vibe of the best Grendel stories. In Behold the Devil, he not only fully immerses the reader once again in the world of a sociopathic genius and warrior, he experiments with the comic book form even while providing a clear and straightforward read. The opening pages, describing the action while panning across their bloody aftermath, is the kind of thing that could seem pretentious or just talky, but in Wagner’s hands, it’s a beautiful tension-building exercise. The sex scene in the book could easily be an artist’s indulgence, but Wagner chooses the perfect moments in the panels ringing the central scene to convey the same rush of passion that you’d find in a TV show or movie. The three-color palette (black, white and red) so identified with Grendel is used perfectly, and the artwork is lush and detailed throughout. In terms of accessibility vs. familiarity, Wagner gets to have his cake and eat it too, presenting a few new characters in Grendel’s world in the form of a previously unmentioned reporter and cop as well as filling in details of Grendel’s life through “excerpts” from Christine Spar’s book on Hunter Rose. Those who have already read all the Grendel stories will find a welcome return to an unexplored period in the character’s life, and those who have never experienced the character will have no trouble slipping into the world. I suspect that anyone who reads it will be hooked by Wagner’s beautiful art and evocative prose.

David Martindale Read and Thought:

Midknight #1
Scripter: Paul Ens
Artist: Tom Hodges
Publlisher: Red 5 Comics

This tale of a husband and wife crime fighting duo is exciting and fun. The way that the obligations to the family and the obligations to the war on crime are shown to conflict with each other really helps bring a great human element to this light hearted romp. The scripting is quite tight, but the dialogue seems a bit over the top and cliché even for this straight up super hero book. Fortunately, it’s not so overdone as to really hurt the book significantly. Hodges’ art is done in a cartoonish style that really fits the the fun tone. It feels just a touch sketchy at times, but his ability to convey action and his storytelling skills really manage to overcome that hurdle. The simplistic animator’s style is a great fit, but the backgrounds are a bit too simplistic and feel empty. The colors are vibrant and fun; Hodges really nails them. I can’t do a review of a Red 5 comic without mentioning the excellent production quality of the physical book itself. The cover and interior pages ares slick and pleasing to both the eye and to the touch. Red 5 manages to do it without bringing the price above the industry standard three dollars. Overall, a very solid superhero romp slash family drama that is both fun and kid-friendly. Definitely worth taking a look through it when you go pick up your books.