Kato #3 - Dynamite Entertainment

I appreciate what Andre Parks is trying to do here . . set up this whole origin story for Kato, and his daughter Mulan, but . . I'm just not really getting in to it. Plus . . I have a few questions. We seen Kato and the Green Hornet in action around 1938. As far as the Green Hornet Year One story is going. However, when we start this story, Kato is a young boy in southern China, circa 1960. And obviously his dad didn't partake in the life of adventure because he's just a scared man living under a very strict communist regime. We then move forward in time to the present day, and Mulan is trying to make Hirohito Juuma pay for killing his mother. Remember, last issue he killed her in the warehouse in which they were living? She can't find him directly, so she attacking one of his business' . . a trendy bar / brothel. But this is apparently before her dad really started working with her. She knows enough to be dangerous, but not enough to be doing this on her own. She been staying with her father, and a few other warriors . . Haro, Yukio and Naoko . . but she wants to make a name for herself. Plus she wants to avenge her mother's death. Anyways, Kato helps her get out of a rather sticky situation, but not before she attracts the attention of Juuma. If she'd been by herself, Juuma might not have made the connection to Kato. But seeing as how he and his comrades showed up to participate . . the family is now clearly on his radar. And he's seriously pissed. It is an interesting story. However, I find myself just not really caring all that much. Plus, like I said, there's a few difficulties with the time-line. Things don't seem to be matching up between this book and the other ones. I'm really not trying to find mistakes, just so I can point them out. I just think it makes things a little confusing for the reader. Diego Bernard does the art. It looks pretty good. Unfortunately, I just don't think I'll be sticking with this one to much longer. Sorry! I have to watch were I spend my money. And there's other more deserving books.

Green Hornet #6 - Dynamite Entertainment

Last issue Britt Ried learned the secret of his father . . the original Green Hornet. And out of necessity donned his father's costume to help out Mulan, the new Kato . . the original Kato's daughter. However, while he may have some athletic skills and training, he's never used them for this type of endeavor . . and is sadly lacking when it comes to strategy and planning. But . . that's why Kato, the original, has stuck around . . to train him. Well, that and Britt Reid Sr charged him with his son's protection . . should something happen to him, which . . it did. There's also another Kato in the mix . . Clutch Kato. He's kind of the tech, mechanic, 'M' kind of character. Anyways, most of this issue shows us the progression of Britt into his father's shoes, and the working relationship between him and Mulan. We also see that as well as apologizing, and showing respect for his father . . he's also in this for revenge. He wants the Black Hornet to pay for killing his father. Bad! I like the way that Kevin Smith has progressed this story so far. It's been kind of slow, but . . I think it does effectively show the young Britt's transition. I'm trying to follow some of the other mini-series related to this . . or this character, but . . this is definitely the most exciting. I'm not sure how long I'll stick with the rest, but . . I'll probably be with this one for awhile. I also think Jonathan Lau's pencils get better and better with every issue. I think this particular series has a bright future.

Green Hornet - Year One #4 - Dynamite Entertainment

I wasn't really thrilled with this issue. Right now, Britt and Kato are traveling from Japan to Chicago. We see the current politics and underworld in Chicago, and watch Britt and Kato discover things about each other as they traverse their great distance. I mean . . it's ok . . we're learning things about both of these characters. We see them interact with each other shortly before they take on their crusade. And then we watch them begin their adventure in the wild-west of Chicago, circa 1938. But other than that . . it was all rather boring. I know Matt Wagner is trying to build on this story . . progressing it slowly through this duo's formative years, but . . I actually fell asleep during this one. Saturday afternoon, sitting in my favorite chair, and as I'm reading this book . . as I get closer and closer to the end . . I'm finding it harder and harder to keep my eyes open. Of course, it probably didn't help that the cat was curled up at my feet on the ottoman. But . . I really did fall asleep reading it. I do, however, find it interesting. It just feels like it might be moving along a little to slowly right now. And I'm not thrilled with Aaron Campbell's art. It's ok. It just seems a little to 'old' for me. But . . that might be what he's going for. I'll probably give it at least a couple more issues, but . . I don't honestly know how much longer I can hold out on this one. It just doesn't seem worth the investment to me. Sorry!

Green Hornet #5 - Dynamite Entertainment

This title was much more interesting than the last one I read . . the Kato Origins blog. This was much more exciting and entertaining. We see Britt Jr finally step into the shoes of his father. He's a bit hesitant at first, but . . once he gets out there and experiences the thrill, as well as his seemingly new partner, Kato . . the original Kato's daughter . . he thinks, 'Oh yeah. I might be able to get into this.' We also see that he's developing a nemesis as well. And in the tradition of the father/son thing, this new 'bad guy' is his father's old foe's son . . Oni Juuma / Hirohito Juuma. Hirohito and the Mayor are the one's who've developed this new character, the Black Hornet. Oni wanted the Green Hornet's identity, and in return he's provided the Mayor with someone to fight . . someone to push him ahead in the polls before his election. Oni is also trying to mentor his son. He tells him that he killed Britt Sr as a business decision. It appears that the Juuma family has once again sunk their teeth into the Century City underworld. If Britt was left alive he would've begun the hunt anew. However, his son, ignorant of the past would spend his energies elsewhere . . even if he did take up his father's mantle as Oni suspected that he would. By the time Britt Jr would focus his attention towards him, Oni would be to entrenched or powerful for the new Green Hornet to make an impact. Which is why he wants to keep Hirohito out of his sights and under his radar. But we just know that Hirohito is to full of anger and frustration to play that role. You just know that he's going to be out there messing up his father's plans. I thought this was a great story by Kevin Smith. And I love Phil Hester and Jonathan Lau's art. I may have to forgo all the other Green Hornet series, and minis, and just stick to this one. It's definitely the most interesting.

Kato Origins #2 - Dynamite Entertainment

Again, this issue . . I wasn't overly thrilled with the story. Or the art, actually. It was . . ok. These guys have a lot more talent than I do. But . . I can't say that it was worth the $4 which I paid for it. And with the economy tightening up, the cost of books going up, and lots of new titles hitting the shelves . . I constantly have to think about which books are worth continuing, and which books aren't'. I really don't want to miss something that I might really enjoy, just because I'm trying to follow something else that's only mediocre. I'm sorry. I don't like to think of these books like that, but . . I'm on a budget just like everybody else. I need to think about how and where I'm spending my money. And . . I want to get the most out of it I can. This story just seemed like the normal origin. Sure there's action and intrigue . . along with a bit of a mystery. But really, when it all comes down to it, it's all about Kato finding the love of his life and then doing anything and everything he can to protect her. And actually, this seems more like a 'Year One' story than necessarily an origin. Unless of course it's the origin of his love . . how he met Jung Noh completely by accident. Anyways, I'm sorry, but it just wasn't that entertaining to me. There's a few interesting ideas floating around in here. And a unique perspective on the world, from Kato's eyes. Things were a lot different in the 30's or 40's . . or wherever this story is set. So . . that was interesting. But overall, I just found it rather bland. Jai Nitz wrote the story, with Colton Worley doing the art. I don't know how long I'll hang with this one, but . . we'll see. Maybe it'll get better.

Kato #2 - Dynamite Entertainment

This isn't the Year One title of this character, but in this issue we kind of see how Kato's daughter is dragged into this life of 'justice' and 'heroism'. In the present Kato is attacked by an arch-enemy, Juuma. He is a mistake from Kato's past life, and now he's a problem that's come back to haunt him. Basically he arrives as Kato's home shortly before his return, and kills his wife. In some flashback scenes, running congruently with the 'present' storyline, we also see how Kato and Sayomi's love and relationship blossomed. Which serves to emphasize the frustration Kato is feeling as he's fighting this guy for his life, as his dead wife lies in the other room. The problem is, Juuma is probably 10 years Kato's junior, and is at his peak of physical performance. And it's apparent that while still an accomplished fighter, Kato's best years are clearly in his past. Plus . . Kato lives by a code. A code which Juuma has clearly ignored for the want of material rewards in his life. Plus Juuma is Yakuza. Anyways, the Tokyo police show up and Juuma has to make a run for it. After burning down his house, with his wife in it . . it's a funeral pyre kind of thing, plus I don't think Kato is interesting in living in the house he and his wife had built . . Kato wants to put the rest of his family in hiding while he deals with Juuma. 'I have known men like Juuma before. He is a shark. He will not rest until this is done.' But his daughter wants to share in the fight to avenge her mother. But she's all that Kato has left, so he doesn't want her getting caught up in this. In the end she bows to his wishes, but you just know that she's going to do something impulsive . . stupid. I really enjoyed Andre Parks' story here. It was entertaining and emotional. It really gave us a sense of what was running through Kato's heart as he was going through all of this. As were also witnessing the frustration building in his daughter's heart. Diego Bernard does the art. It looks really good. I wasn't sure about following all of these books, but . . the more I read them, the more I like them. I just hope they can keep the momentum going.

Green Hornet Year One #3 - Dynamite Entertainment

I like the way they've set up the story in this book. Not only does it give us 'Year One' of the Green Hornet, but it also shows us the circumstances leading up to Britt Reid and Kato's meeting. Britt was an adventurer, and wandering the world. He ended up in China about 6 months before Japan attacked. Unfortunately he became trapped in the city because of the war and the fighting. Likewise, Kato had reluctantly taken up with the Japanese army. He knew that the attack on China was wrong, but at the same time his honor demanded that he defend his country. He could best do that in the army. Unfortunately, there was no honor in the army, or in war. He found himself witness to all form of atrocities forced upon innocent people . . simply because they weren't Japanese. So he became Ronin. He was skilled, but . . it was still only a matter of time before he would be overcome. Luckily, before he was killed, Britt saw what was happening and saved him. And that's how they became connected. The rest of the story takes place in 1938 Chicago. We see the Green Hornet terrorizing the gangs. And chopping away at them, piece by piece. Obviously Matt Wagner is very skilled in these tales . . and it shows. But I was surprised by Aaron Campbell's pencils. Most of this issue is done with heavy shadows, as is appropriate to how the Green Hornet operates. And it really looked fantastic. Plus it had that 'old' look to it . . both in history, and in comic stylings. It was actually kind of refreshing from some of the other books I've read. I thought it was another great issue.

Green Hornet #4 - Dynamite Entertainment

This issue takes the young Britt Reid one step closer towards becoming the new Green Hornet. Last issue Kato . . the father, Britt's father's former associate . . had taken Britt to show him the secret lair of the Green Hornet . . his father, Britt Sr. Britt honestly had no idea. He just thought his dad was a work-a-holic. But while this opened his eyes to what his father really was, he had no intention of trying to become him . . filling the shoes, as it were. It's a path he never in his wildest dreams thought that his life would take. But it has, and now he has a choice to make. Unfortunately, he chooses what his father has asked for in his will . . he's headed to China where he'll be kept safe and the remnants of his father's crime-fighting career will be destroyed. Kato and his daughter, the girl we met at the party, will stay behind to find his father's killer, and hopefully make Century City safe again. We see Britt take off in his father's jet, and then Kato's daughter begins taking on the gangs. The problem is . . no matter how many fighting styles she knows, no matter how many weapons she's deadly with, she's still only one person, and . . a girl. No offense. But most of these gangs are made up of numbers. Large numbers of muscle bound young men . . for protection. Men that are not only willing to put their lives on the line, but do so without even thinking about it. Despite their unskilled and inept fighting, 20 against 1 will still eventually wear down the 1. So it's a good thing when Britt comes crashing through the window at the end. I don't know that he's decided to become the Green Hornet, but I'm guessing he at least can't live with not helping to catch his father's killer. Next issue should be very interesting. Kevin Smith is doing a great job with this story. I can see how it could've been a movie script. It's got all the elements of a good adventure / crime-drama. Plus it gives us the history of the character and updates it at the same time. Phil Hester and Jonathan Lau do the art. It looks really good. I decided to pick this stuff up from Dynamite on a whim, but . . I'm starting to think I made a good choice.

Green Hornet #3 - Dynamite Entertainment

With this issue we see that the fates of Britt Reid Jr and Sr are beginning to come together. I know. They're father and son. That should be a given. But Britt Jr has done everything he can to stay away from following anywhere close to the path that his father had blazed before him. But . . he's about to get an eye opener that he wasn't expecting. At the party, last issue, Britt Sr seemed to be the focus of the attack. This issue we find out it's even worse than we expected. The men attacking are calling themselves the Black Hornets. And they seemed to be just as skilled as Britt once was . . but much younger. Anyways . . they end up killing him. Which leaves Britt Jr feeling very guilty for having given his father such a hard time these past few years. And in fact . . their last real conversation was an argument. So he goes out on his own to look for his killers. Which leads him to a rather seedy bar. What happens there isn't really as important as who he meets. He doesn't know it yet . . he has no frame of reference to make the connection, but I think this mystery guy is either Britt Sr's former sensei, or . . it's the original Kato. We don't know which yet, but he's very skilled. And he talks to Jr in that Mr Miyagi kind of way. So he decides to show Jr what his dad really did for a living. On the final page Britt Jr has his destiny shoved in his face . . he finally sees the Hornet's Nest. This chapter takes us into the meat of the story . . bringing the Green Hornet character into the 21st century. I think Kevin Smith did a pretty smooth transition here. It was a little predictable . . I think we all kind of knew that something like this was going to happen. But . . I think maybe when we find out who these Black Hornet characters are, and what their motivations for attacking Britt Sr, we may be surprised. Maybe! But first Britt Jr has to decide to assume his father's mantle. I'm assuming that we'll find out how that goes next issue. It was an enjoyable story. So far . . I like it. I'm also enjoying Jonathan Lau's art. Dynamite Comics has really seemed to pick up a very talented pool of new artists. Plus, they all seem to be growing into their roles very quickly. It's a great thing to watch. I'm picking these books up just for something new to read. However, if your not a regular follower, I'm sure the TPB will be out shortly. I can't see this one waiting too long.

Kato Origins #1 - Dynamite Entertainment

This book was ok. But as far as Kato's origin goes . . after reading this issue, I don't feel like we got a whole lot of information. Basically, this issue was set up like a crime drama. Kato runs across the murder of a Korean man. Since this story is set up in 1942, there's a lot of profiling being done towards Asian-Americans. Kato is Japanese. However, since Pearl Harbor happened only a year ago . . he's letting people believe that he's Korean. He's not happy about it, but . . it's a necessary evil right now. Anyways, he's witness to a lot of prejudicial feelings, and even more appalled that the murder of this man is being left on the street like a stray dog because of his skin color. But he knows that this is a message for him because this is a Korean man with Japanese Kanji scripted on the wall of the alley in his own blood. It says "Coward". And that's pretty much the gist of the book. As far as Kato's background goes, we learn that he was in the Japanese army, and . . we learn about Japanese card games. I'm not sure of the relevance, but . . maybe it'll become clearer in the second issue. Jai Nitz writes it, with Colton Worley doing the art. Of the three Green Hornet series that have been released so far, I'd have to say that this is my least favorite. It just didn't do anything for me. I don't know. I'll probably pick up the second issue, just to see if maybe I missed something, but . . I'm not holding to high of expectations for it. I'll be open-minded. We'll see.

Green Hornet Year One #2 - Dynamite Entertainment

This series takes us through the original Britt's life . . the father . . the original Green Hornet. While the Kevin Smith series introduces us to the new Green Hornet . . Britt's son . . Britt. As much as people worry about being like their parents . . doesn't it seem a little odd that not only do they have the same name, but . . they also follow in each other's profession? I'd have to say that there's definitely cause for therapy there. Anyways, we get a couple different points of view. We see Britt's and Kato's attempts to knock off the local mob boss, Mr Caruso, in Chicago . . circa 1938. We also see Britt's life, a few years before that, when he's trotting around the globe. But it's not like the usual trust-fund kid's attempt at 'finding himself'. Britt is actually looking for trouble, and trying to find ways that he can make the world a better place. He genuinely wants to make a difference. Then we also get a view of Kato's life, also a few years before he comes to Chicago. He wants to be a samurai, it's what his father taught him. But with the ambitions of the Emperor, he's called into the service of his country. And as one of it's soldiers, he witness' many atrocities while pursuing their push into China. Obviously Matt Wagner is trying to show us the things that make up these characters . . not just their alter egos. And in the usual style of Matt's incredible writing, he's really showing us that these characters are much more than their flashy persona's. I'm enjoying the story, but honestly . . I think this one would be better read when the TPB comes out. Don't get me wrong . . I think Matt and Aaron Campbell are doing a great job here. But I think that it would be a much more enjoyable, and cohesive read, to be able to peruse it from start to finish. I am enjoying the story. But I'm much more interested in Kevin Smith's version. Although this series is a great source for anyone who's not really familiar with the character. Anyways, if you're on a budget . . wait for the TPB. I'm sure it'll only be a couple of more months. I'm sure it'll be a much more comprehensive read that way.

Green Hornet #2 - Dynamite Entertainment

This issue we catch up a little more on the relationship between Britt Reid, owner and publisher of the Sentinel newspaper . . and formerly the Green Hornet, and his son . . also Britt. Right now they have a tenuous relationship as the wife/mother figure in their lives was recently lost . . 2 years ago. They both miss her tremendously. And while Britt doesn't necessarily blame his dad . . I think, he does feel that he's got misplaced priorities as he never slowed down his work schedule in her final months to spend time with her. You know . . before she left. Anyways, I think he respects his father . . he just doesn't agree with him. And as they spend less and less time together, growing further apart . . those disagreements seem to come more and more often. Anyways, there's another rich philanthropist in town, Hirohito Juuma. He's the son of Oni Juuma, a gangster that the original Green Hornet put in jail . . which is where he died recently. It seems that the young Hirohito doesn't hold any ill will for what happened to his father . . he knows that he was a 'bad' man. He's just in town to wrap up any loose ends or business that he had. However, when they're all at Britt's mansion later for a fundraising dinner for the Mayor, the house is attacked by ninjas . . or something. Both Britt's leap right into action trying to diminish the casualties to the guests, but . . there's also someone else fighting the good fight. A girl. And at one point she throws Hornet Darts at the attackers, which lead Britt to believe that she may be his ex-sidekick's daughter. But . . we won't know anything else until next issue. Overall, I like Kevin Smith's story. Basically, he's bringing this character into the 21st century. He's not taking anything away from the original story or character, he's just taken him into the present. Obviously from the time period of those old stories, Britt would be to old to jump around fighting criminals day after day. So instead he fights them by putting their pictures and stories in the daily paper . . shining a light on the shadowy underworld of thier city. So, after we get past this prelude, it'll most likely be his son, Britt, that takes up the mantle. Jonathan Lau does the art for this story. I think he's doing a great job. This is one of those guys that just seems to get more and more talented with every issue. So far . . I'm entertained. But we'll see how long Kevin Smith stays on board, and . . find out who takes over after he leaves. For now though . . I could see this being a movie.

Green Hornet Year One #1 - Dynamite Entertainment

Well, now that Dynamite has started the Green Hornet book, I guess it was only inevitable that a series like this would follow shortly. But I didn't expect it to be this quick. Plus, there's a Kato mini-series coming out soon, also. You're either on board or you're not with this one. In this issue we follow the parallels between Britt and Kato as they grow and develop through life. Britt grew up in Chicago . . son of a journalist and newspaper mogul. Hayashi Kato grew up in Japan, son of someone as equally important in stature, if not in money. His father was a samurai and intends to teach him the way of the samurai, and it's true meaning . . integrity, courage, charity, respect, honesty, honor and loyalty. We kind of bounce around through time . . showing where the boys are at the same time of their development, but the issue ends when both of them are ready to leave home. Britt feels that he needs to experience, and see more of the world. Hayashi Kato wants to serve his country and his Emperor, Hirohito. The story starts in 1921, but it's 1934 when they're ready to leave home. We also get to see a little bit of them when they first go into action as the Green Hornet and Kato. That was in 1938. So I'm guessing that the rest of this series will explain how the 2 of them came together, and what happened during those 4 years . . 1934 to 1938. As far as an origin story goes . . so far Matt Wagner seems to be sticking to the traditional formula. But I have a feeling that things will get a lot more exciting in the next issue or two. Aaron Campbell does the art. Overall I thought it was an interesting book. I wasn't overly thrilled with the art. But . . if Aaron is like most of the artists in Dynamite books, he's only going to get better as he goes along. I'll probably pick up the Kato mini-series also. But I'll skip the Green Hornet Strikes mini-series. That's a story about the Green Hornet in the near future.

Green Hornet #1 - Dynamite Entertainment

These are the 4 covers that came out for this book. Plus . . there's like 3 variations of each one. Needless to say . . I bought one book. I may look back later and try to find some more on e-bay, but . . for now I'm happy with what I got. Speaking of e-bay. Now that this series is coming out, and attention is being drawn to this character again . . everyone is trying to sell their old NOW! Comics version of these. Obviously NOW! Comics is defunct, but . . there's still people trying to make money off of the books they bought. I guess I can't blame them. From what I understand, this story is actually a screenplay that Kevin Smith wrote but was never put into production. And from that springboard, we get 4 new Green Hornet titles from Dynamite . . this one, the Green Hornet Strikes!, Green Hornet - Year One, and Kato. It looks like it's going to be a busy year for this franchise and we're only 1 issue into it right now. This was an interesting story. We get a bit of the past . . seeing how Britt and Kato did their job and cleaned up the town of the criminal element. At least the parts that they felt they had to give the police help with. And then . . they retire. Now, we jump back into the present . . I'd imagine probably 10 to 15 years later. Britt is a successful businessman, and the young Britt has turned out to be an idle playboy. But it looks like the city is going to need the Green Hornet once again, so . . I wonder who's going to rise to the challenge . . father, or son? I thought this was an entertaining opening chapter. I'd imagine that most people that pick up this series are familiar with the character's history. But if not . . that's what the Year One series is for. Kevin Smith did a great job here. And the art is done by Phil Hester on breakdowns, and Jonathan Lau on the finishes. I thought it had a really good look to it. I don't know that I'll follow all four series, but . . I'll see where this one goes. And probably do the Year One. I'm a sucker for those origin stories. However . . I just can't afford to do those variants anymore. There's just to much stuff.