Below are a series of Tony Isabella's Tony Tips columns that featured reviews of Rob Hanes Adventures:
Tony's Tips
by Tony Isabella from the Comics Buyer's Guide #1634 (Oct. 2007), p. 57
A new issue of Randy Reynaldo's Rob Hanes Adventures is always a must-read treat for me, and #10 was even moreso. Minor-league baseball is a fascination of mine, and this new Hanes story finds the Justice International secuirty operative going undercover to investigate the steroid scandals destroying the Brisbane Chickenhawks.
This change-of-pace issue is heavy on the comedy, both romantic and screwball. In crisp black-and-white, Reynaldo delivers a tight 18-page tale plus liner notes, a letters column, and a tribute to the legendary Milton Caniff.
Reynaldo's work is classically inspired, distinctive, and just a terrific example of how solid storytelling can trump comic books published by bigger outfits. Part of me is amazed that the "bigs" haven't recruited him; more of me is pleased that he's free to tell his stories his way.
Suitable for all ages.
Tony's Tips
Lost: Tony's Online Tips review from March 2007
Tony's Tips
by Tony Isabella from the Comics Buyer's Guide #1612 (Jan. 2006)
Rob Hanes Adventures #8 [WCG Comics; $2.95] is one of the best comic books I’ve read of late. Created by writer/artist/publisher Randy Reynaldo, its hero is an operative for a private detective, info-gathering, security company. His cases take him all over the world and, in most of the far-off places, he has both friends and enemies. Hanes is no super-agent, just a gutsy and highly skilled man who can be counted on to do the right thing, even when it puts him at odds with his current clients.
“The Last Explorer” takes Hanes to Africa to help an old foe find his grandfather. To complicate matters, Hanes loves his foe’s innocent and long-suffering young wife and, to further complicate them, the old foe has larceny on his mind. There are perils in the jungle, perils from nature, and, deadliest of all, perils from the twists and turns of human frailties.
As always, Reynaldo tells a complete and rich story in a single issue. He masterfully sets the stage, breathes life into his each of his players, and moves his tale to a satisfying conclusion. His writing and art are reminiscent of some of the best this business has ever known, Milton Caniff and Johnny Craig among them. This is a comic book which is more deserving of wider recognition than any other comic I could name.
Yourthree bucks brings you the 18-page lead story, a two-page “Rob Hanes Primer,” a letters column, and a “liner notes” section. For a comic this good, that’s darn near a steal. I’ve gotten more than a little stingy with my top rating, but Rob Hanes Adventures #8 earns the full five Tonys without breaking a sweat.
Rob Hanes Adventures #8: 28 pages, black-and-white.
Tony's Online Tips
From Tony's Online Tips for July 28, 2004 by Tony Isabella.
Getting a new issue of Rob Hanes Adventures is always a treat. Getting two new issues at once is almost too good to be true. But creator/writer/artist Randy Reynaldo managed just that in time for Comic-Con International. I read them almost as soon as they came out of the mailing envelope.Here's the quick catch-up: Rob Hanes is a private investigator for Justice International. His cases take him all over the world and involves him with a cast of characters the likes of which have done been seen since Milton Caniff last put pen to paper. Beautiful and feisty women. Spies and counter-spies. Courageous agents of law and order and ruthless villains. With stories played against some of the most exotic and exciting locals on the planet. I once called Reynaldo THE talent most deserving of wider recognition in comicdom and that's as true today as it was when I first said it.
Rob Hanes Adventures #5 (WCG Comics; $2.95) features the long-awaited conclusion of a storyline involving our hero's father, who was thought to be dead and now stands accused of being a murderous double-agent. "The Glowworm Identity" is darker than most of Rob's adventures, but the story packs both an emotional wallop and a very satisfying conclusion. Reynaldo has stated his preference for the lighter stuff, but I, for one, don't mind him going darker for the occasional change of pace.
Rob Hanes Adventures #6 ($2.95) is cover-billed as a "special advance preview edition," but it looks as complete as the previous issue. "The Hunt For Octavius Jebru" is inspired by some real-life espionage cases which have been in the news in recent years, adding fast-moving action to the reality. Like issue #5, this issue is a 36-page black-and-white comic whose shiny color cover is printed on a heavier/sturdier stock. The interior pages are printed on a good grade of white paper. These comics look as good as they read, and that's high praise for the production end of things
Issues #5 and #6 rate five Tonys each from me. If you like exciting, fun, well-crafted stories that are suitable for readers of all ages, here they are!
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