”Marvel Mangaverse: Web of Blood #1”

If you’ve been a fan of Marvel Comics at all over the last 25 years, chances are you’ve heard of the Mangaverse. If you haven’t, well then allow this to be your fantastic first step! Created by artist and writer Ben Dunn, this new entry comes from father-son duo Joe and Jack Kelly. As a way to celebrate 25 years, they kick off a five-issue event that serves as a new beginning (or the end) of the Mangaverse!

Writer: Joe Kelly, Jack Kelly
Artist: Kenny Ruiz
Colorist: Noiry
Letterer: VC’s Ariana Maher

The Writing

First off, I’ve gotta say that what Joe and Jack put on display here is absolutely inventive and amazing. If you think Marvel’s done just about everything they can with their characters, let me tell you just how wrong you are: extremely. While I won’t go into too much detail for the sake of massive spoilers, there’s plenty done here to make everything feel fresh, exciting, and new. What they managed to do with Laura in particular was simply incredible and an explosive introduction to who she is in this universe.

Secondly, the story and pacing here are absolutely to die for. While it does go a bit fast, I feel that’s to the story’s benefit. Joe and Jack do a great job of telling us what we need to know without it feeling like too much at once. They also manage to start this new and intriguing story without making us feel like we need to do homework. This first installment of the five-issue anniversary makes new readers feel included while making fans of the original Mangaverse feel right at home. All of this while keeping the stakes high, action thrilling, and character work enthralling.

The Art

If you take even just one look at the covers by Yuji Kaku and Peach Momoko, then you’ll know the artists didn’t come to play. With the internal art and colors done by Kenny Ruiz and Noiry, these are some of the most intense and beautiful pages I’ve ever seen. With his anime-like stylization, highly inventive line work, intense action shots, and creative paneling, Ruiz came like he had something to prove. If I don’t ever see a Mangaverse with him at the helm of the art department, I’m going to be beyond mad.

As for the colors from Noiry, it’s like they read perfectly into Ruiz’s mind. The way all of the intense colors are blended and shaded together is like looking at the perfect rainbow milkshake. It feels as if Noiry put the entire spectrum on display and somehow made it all work cohesively, bringing each panel to life in new and exciting ways from the last. The letter work from Ariana Maher is also just absolutely next-level as it always is.

Final Thoughts

Marvel’s Mangaverse is back with a fierce vengeance all thanks to this insanely stellar team! Joe and Jack bring a strong level of excitement and newness while Ruiz, Noiry and Maher bring visual flare that stuns to the core. I’m now beyond excited to see what writer Cody Ziglar brings us next week in “Marvel Mangaverse: Iron Knight #1”! In the meantime, “Web of Blood #1” releases officially on September 3rd!

Overall Grade: 10/10

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Comments

Do you plan on picking up “Marvel Mangaverse: Web of Blood #1”? Are you a fan of the original Mangaverse comics? Let’s discuss in the comments below!