A rock solid issue by a great creative team. You won't regret picking this up. Read Full Review

Overall, this is awesome. I can't wait to see how it all turns out. Read Full Review

Beta Ray Bill #1 is a gorgeous book accompanied by all the right Simonson sensibilities. The plot hasn't quite kicked off yet, but there's clearly a high level of respect and love for the characters and world. Daniel Warren Johnson has delivered an issue that's as packed with emotion as it is with frantic action, and I can't wait to read more. Read Full Review

As a Daniel Warren Johnson fanboy, I was extremely excited that he was doing a five-issue mini-series at Marvel. He knocks it out of the park with Beta Ray Bill #1. From art to story Johnson delivers once again. He hits on some wonderful emotional beats in this first issue, while also delivering some delightful action scenes. He also details the story well, so if you have not been following along with King in Black don't worry you can hop onto Beta Ray Bill #1 and enjoy without fear of being lost or confused. This is a ride everyone can hop on and enjoy. Read Full Review

Beta Ray Bill #1 is primed to be an emotional adventure with a mind to keep things cosmic both inside and outside its main character. To say that its exceptionally illustrated and colored is to state the obvious. Johnson and Spicer are a formidable storytelling team and if theres one guarantee in all this is that the comics visuals will settle for nothing less than unforgettable, but it's the storys heart where new storytelling possibilities spring forth and entice readers. Expect this journey to tap into your entire emotional spectrum and remember to take your time enjoying each panel. Wondrous things abound in every one of them. Read Full Review

Daniel Warren Johnson spins another tale of gods and monsters. What more could you want? Read Full Review

Through strong character writing and gorgeous artwork, the first issue of this new mini-series really gets at the heart of Beta Ray Bill and his current troubles. Great start to a new story. Read Full Review

When all is said and done, Beta Ray Bill #1 delivers an excellent, well-rounded beginning. This unexpected take on a classic character has me thoroughly intrigued to see where it takes its star next. Read Full Review

Great intro issue to not only the series, but to a character that a reader may not be fully versed in. Read Full Review

Beta Ray Bill #1 is a depressing comic. It starts with one of those bad days that only gets worse as the hours go by. Read Full Review

Beta Ray Bill #1 doesn't shy away from the downside of assuming the mantle form one of the greatest Avengers, especially when that Avenger is still around doing great things. The indie art has niche appeal but this reviewer likes it, and there's a lot of potential for issue #2. Read Full Review

It's hard to be the Betamax to VHS and here we see the Beta Ray not able to match Thor. BRB was always a kind of one trick pony (ahem) but here he's the most prominent and human character. I give Johnson a solid 4 stars for a Dennis Waterman style write the theme tune, sing the theme tune! Read Full Review

Beta Ray Bill #1 makes a clear statement that almost 40 years after the characters debut in The Mighty Thor #337, there are still many incredible tales left to tell. Read Full Review

Beta Ray Bill #1 aims to tell an epic story of the titular cosmic hero reclaiming himself again. As a warrior and as a hero. The art and writing by Daniel Warren Johnson is solid and the coloring by Mike Spicer is great. The story feels like a prelude to something bigger and more personal for Beta Ray Bill. Hopefully, the next issue dives directly into the story. Read Full Review

This first issue offers readers an intriguing premise, the opportunity to delve deep into one of Marvels more mysterious characters, the titular Beta Ray Bill, as he goes on a quest to find himself. Forever in Thor’s shadow, defined by his now destroyed weapon Stormbreaker, no longer able to transform back into humanoid form, what is next for our hero? That’s what the series aims to discover. By having the story written and drawn by Johnson means that readers are getting exactly the story that he’s visualised. Read Full Review

Let's get on thing straight; props to Daniel Warren Johnson for doing the writing and drawing on Beta Ray Bill #1, but there is certainly some room to grow. I don't love the artwork, but there are plenty of dope, gritty panels to keep your eyes entertained. Oh, and horse face jokes? Please dial it down a few notches. Read Full Review

" Ever since i came to Asgard, i'm reminded of my own failures."
- BETA RAY BILL

Oh happy day : it's Johnson on Marvel putting together a book with my favorite character to ever wield Mjolnir and making Thor look like the asshole he is. Anyone on Thor now and in the future needs to take notes because this is how you pace a Marvel Viking book. If the Valkyrie story was written like this, it would have stole the whole King In Black show. If Thor was written like this, then I'd actually be interested in reading a monthly on Goldilocks.
And the art is gutter as always and looks like it belongs on the walls where Aztec ritual sacrifices were committed.
Even in defeat, Bill has never looked better. Fin Fang Foom and empty Galactus helmet's turn this into the Fantastic Four pitch Dan Slott better watch out for, because Johnson would shit all on his run if he takes the reins!
And Sif, Lady Sif, what a bitch.
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A great start here that does a really effective job of establishing Bill's character to new readers while also setting the stage for what's to come. This was my first major exposure to Johnson's art, and it's absolutely fantastic. He makes every action scene dynamic and impactful, but is also able to depict a great detail in the slower scenes as well. Every page is just awesome to look at, and that's not even talking about the writing. On top of his art, Johnson puts together a super compelling story. Bill's inferiority complex with Thor is a fairly simple concept, but Johnson builds upon it very nicely and, almost, tragically here. All things considered, I thought this was a strong first issue that really fired on all fronts.

Sigma male thor vs beta ray bill

I was very excited for this book, as Daniel Warren Johnson always delivers, but my god this was even better. Full of great action, dramatic moments, and simply amazing art. Cannot wait for more.

Fun characters and great art: Very enjoyable read.

Crazy action mixed with genuine moments of character development like only Daniel Warren Johnson can deliver.

A cavalcade of rough times and shabby treatment from his Asgardian pals breaks Beta Ray Bill free for a standard-issue soul-searching quest with his oldest friend, the too-long-overlooked AI battleship Scuttlebutt. The art is scruffy and passionate; the prose is pretty formulaic. But a 10-ton weight of empathy lands as the premise comes together in the last act. Mr. Johnson obviously cares about his protagonist and he's entirely successful at making that care contagious.

I finally got around to this and it was better than expected. I liked the art and the story seemed to set up some good ideas.

Beta Ray Bill
Issue: 1
“Argent Star: Part 1”

Publisher: Marvel @marvel
Writer & Artist: Daniel Warren Johnson @danielwarrenart
Colors: Mike Spicer @spicercolor
Letters: Joe Sabino @joesabinoletterer & Daniel Warren Johnson
Cover: Ryan Stegman @ryanstegman

As Asgard’s Master of War, Beta Ray Bill prepares the armies of the mighty city against the coming threat of Knull. Chaos arrives in the form of Fin Fang Foom, ensnared by Knull’s influence. Their defeat imminent if not for the timely arrival of Thor who questions Bill’s inability to hold off the beast himself. Struggling with his inner demons and angered over the feeling of existing purely in Thor’s shadow, Bill leaves Asgard behind him in search of Odin, hoping for him to reforge his mighty hammer, Stormbreaker.

This was a very touching and emotional story. My heart goes out to Bill as he struggles with his self worth. I hope he finds what he’s looking for and realizes that his hammer does not make him the man he is. I know this is going to be a great series, as the true villain in need of defeat is what’s going on inside of Bill’s head. Balancing duties between story and art, I'm impressed with Daniel Johnson’s work. The fact that Bill was sitting around watching Hook at one point in the story had me cracking up. I also think this cover by Stegman is great and captures the frightening appearance of Bill so well.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
Reviewed by: @meanadam of The Comic Book Club of Instagram
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This is a good first issue. Maybe a little too quick, but good.

DWJ's art was amazing. That double page of Bill walking towards Skuttlebutt looked absolutely gorgeous. I did find Thor's characterization a little odd though, he seemed like a completely different person then what we've seen in Cate's Thor book. And I guess Thor and Lady Sif won't be hooking up for a while.

At first glance Daniel Warren Johnson’s art might come off as amateurish, or even childish. And I suppose it is childish, in the very best way.

His inky blacks and scribbled linework offer a kinetic energy that explodes off the page. While some may think his style is more suited to independent comics, I for one am thrilled whenever he works on mainstream titles.

Beta Ray Bill is a perfect character for his chaotic and powerful art. Bill has been a fan-favorite since Walter Simonson created him in The Mighty Thor #337 (1983). A surprising thing for what could have easily been thrown away for a strange horse-faced Thor-wanna-be. Yet it was always Bill’s underlying “humanity” that struck a chord with readers.

Johnson does not forget this even while presenting pages full of mega-action, bloody battle scenes, and a destructive dragon named FOOM! Johnson’s power of spectacle is matched with a raw talent for storytelling both visually and through his dialog. Don;t get me wrong, this is not the most complex of plot or character development, but like his art, his narrative is more complex than one might assume at first glance. He balances the over-the-top action with just enough emotional depth without ever taking things too seriously.

Overall a big, fun, violent, blast of a debut for a character that continues to surprise us.
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Smh so disappointed in Sif’s lack of commitment to monsterfucking.