That Salty Air Review
The beauty of art is that sometimes you stumble across something that makes sense to you in ways that little else can. Reading Craig Thompson’s phone book sized Blankets a few years ago I was instantly seduced with its tale of a young man struggling with love and faith. I could easily identify with it and it will always hold a prized place in my heart. It showed me what comics could achieve in a way no other artform could. Opening my eyes to the world beyond superheroes, Top Shelf has been my indie publisher of choice ever since. They know how to make compelling comics and aren’t afraid of creating unique tales.
That Salty Air is another proud string to their bow. The debut work from Tim Sievert, it’s a haunting piece of fiction with a power that echoes beyond its 110 story pages. Hugh is a fisherman who works alone in an unnamed seaside town, and lives with his wife Maryanne. All seems well in the first few pages in Hugh’s world until the postman brings news of his mother’s drowning. Hugh’s love for the sea immediately becomes disdain and utter hatred. After going on a drinking binge, he decides to take revenge. Of course spewing vengeance upon a body of water is not something easily achievable, but Hugh has chosen his target and his beloved wife can’t scream any sense into him. When Hugh takes a tiny seahorse and uses it as bait, after previously finding it and returning it to water, his change in attitude becomes drastically clear. In the book’s standout scene, this fragile creature becomes the first in a brutal game of ‘up the ante’ in which Hugh gets increasingly larger bait, eventually surrounding his boat with a variety of dead sea dwellers. The provider of his income has seemingly turned and transformed into the taker of joy. Hugh’s shift in perspective is a sudden one, but it’s obvious that the depth of his grief is equal to the depth of love for his mother.
Coupled with the news of his wife’s pregnancy and his landlord’s desperation for payment doesn’t help Hugh ease his way into less erratic behaviour. Throughout the tale, apart from the postman, only Hugh and Maryanne have any weight, but Sievert has done well to give a subdued personality to the sea itself, personified in the haunting eyes of a giant octopus.
That Salty Air is partly autobiographical, but is more of a metaphor for loss and the anger and confusion it brings, rather than a strictly realistic story. Never does it wander too far into fairytale land (though it does have abstract moments) and Sievert confines his two main characters into their house, the shore, the boat and the sea with great restraint. It’s themes are grander than its events, but for anyone who has known the heartache of a loved one’s death, this will resonate. However, it goes beyond that. That Salty Air is simply a well told tale, especially for a new creator. Sievert could easily have gone to an extreme by enveloping it in too much fantasy, or too much harsh reality. Either approach would have created distance for the reader, but Sievert has crafted a well balanced tale that is easily approachable. It’s also beautifully presented. Crisp lines make the black and white art enticing, coated with a graceful beauty. You can almost smell the seaweed and hear the waves break against the rocks. It’s not easy to give life to the inanimate in any media, but Sievert makes the sea and its inhabitants quiet observers, brutalised victims, and finally wise redeemers with great care.
I also noticed the lettering, which is a rarity in itself. Here, Sievert makes dialogue and sound effects ebb and flow like the ocean, with balloons that overlap and even meander through panels, like banners caught in the wind.
Sievert will be a creator to keep an eye, or even two, on. That Salty Air is a boundless presentation that mixes unescapable truth with the realisation of letting go.
Dark Tower: Treachery #4 Covers
Stephen King’s Dark Tower series of novels has had a good ride at Marvel with some successful adaptations. The fourth issue (of six) of the Treachery mini-series is out now with some beautiful covers as always. It’s written by Robin Furth and Peter David, with haunting art by Jae Lee and Richard Isanove. This is the same creative team as Marvel’s first Dark Tower series. Below is the Jae Lee cover as well as a sketch variant and one from Isanove.
The Gallery-World of Warcraft: Ashbringer
Wildstorm is a DC Comics imprint with a wise focus on TV, film and game franchises. Already they have comics based on TV shows like Chuck, films like the upcoming Push, and games such as World of Warcraft, Mirror’s Edge and Gears of War. They’ll also add the PS3 franchise Resistance to that impressive list next month. Below is a sneak peek at the penultimate issue of the Ashbringer mini-series set in the World of Warcraft universe.
Written by Micky Neilson, with art by Ludo Lullabi (what a great name!) and Tony Washington, the 40 page issue also has a variant cover by Chris Robinson. It follows Darion, with help by the Agent Dawn as he stares down the Scourge stronghold.
This Week’s Best For Newbies
As usual, there’s a host of new comics from Marvel and DC this week. A good bet for newbies would be War Machine #1 from Marvel. It’s a new series all about Iron Man’s best buddy Jim Rhodes, with a funky suit of hi-tech armour all his own. Or you could try Black Lightning: Year One #1 which is a look at the early days of the electric Justice Leaguer. Both issues are released on January 2.
Read Black Panther For Free
Our friends at Marvel have created a handy guide to the Black Panther, one of comics earliest African American superheroes. The new series launches on February 4, by writer Reginald Hudlin and artist Ken Lashley. However, this isn’t the same Black Panther we all know and love. This time it’s a different person under the mask -and it’s a woman!
Black Panther is (or was) T’Challa, the King of Wakanda but he’s fallen in battle, so it’s time for a new warrior to take his place. You can read all about T’Challa’s history as an Avenger, his marriage to the X-Men’s Storm and more right here for free at Marvel’s Digital Comics Unlimited service.
Warhammer 40,000: Fire and Honour TPB Review
This is a collection of the four issues of the Fire and Honour mini-series. Written by Graham McNeill with art by Tony Parker it’s a rugged series of battles between humans and aliens with firepower and bravery used in equal measure. The collection is 128 pages long and comes complete with a gallery of the covers from the original issues.
The Cadian 71st squad, known as the Hellhounds arrive on Baktar III for an inspection by planetary governor Montague and planning for their next mission in safeguarding Paradise City, with the unwelcome aid of other regiments, including the 33rd. Captain Hawkins, the leader of the Hellhounds has a reputation as a trouble maker, due to his fight with another squad leader, which leaves an unfavourable impression upon meeting the Russian leader of the Vostroyan Firstborn 33rd Regiment. However, their men must work together anyway and bunker down to fortify the city.
The race known as the Tau invade at night and a battle between aliens in mech suits and well armed soldiers begins, with a few fire spewing tanks thrown in for good measure. The rugged humans manage a victory, but also discover that the stuffy governor Montague may very well be in cahoots with the Tau. Of course, no-one is too happy about this, but at least the bad blood between Captain Hawkins and the Santa Claus look-alike Colonel Renko of the 33rd Regiment has dissipated.
We soon learn that Montague is indeed a traitor, having hastily promised Emissary O’Pahn of the evil Tau victory in their ambush. Boy, is he embarrassed. Meanwhile in Paradise City, those clever Tau are jamming the humans’ signals, so they can not inform high command of Montague’s treachery. It is left to Captain Hawkins to begrudgingly leave his post and tell them in person. He does so with a few friends in tanks and drives through the forest, battling fanged aliens along the way. The brave soldiers of Paradise City continue fighting to allow Hawkins and his fellow Cadians an escape. However, soon after evading the reach of the Tau’s jammers, they run out of the necessary fuel to continue to the safety of high command. Thankfully, Aurigas Point fuel refinery is not far off, and they refuel their tanks just before those tenacious Tau attack once more, leaving the tank crews detached from each other, and many men the victim of gruesome and fiery deaths. The survivors head for the aptly named Last Chance Bridge, which looks like something form Lord of the Rings, with its massive statues and towering architecture. Another battle with the Tau and an almost-battle with fellow soldiers after being branded deserters by Montague wraps the tale up.
Having played the tabletop strategy of Warhammer 40 000 many years ago, my familiarity with WH40K is not recent, but I’m glad I was able to jump in to this book with ease. Too often these worlds can be so dense with characters and history that they can be daunting to the outsider. That’s not the case here. Every soldier has a distinct look, especially the Russian Renko, with his red jacket and long white beard, and McNeill wisely makes certain that character’s names are mentioned often, to avoid any confusion of who’s who. There are a few missteps though, particularly at Renko’s death. It basically happens off-panel, which is a shame, considering he’s one of the best things about this adventure. The other noticeable error is towards the end of this tale, where the traitorous Montague is finally shown for what he truly is. This moment happens awkwardly and suddenly.
The art is fine, and in keeping with the rest of BOOM!’s WH40K various mini-series. It works in tandem with the war nature of the series, with its bloody fights, scarred soldiers and big guns. The colours aren’t vibrant either, which gives the book its battle field look. More variety in panel layouts is definitely needed though. Too often the pages simply look static. There is no real sense of motion at all, and when occasional variety is used, such as different panel borders, or full page panels, it doesn’t seem extraordinary.
Gamers and fans of the series will undoubtedly enjoy this, but for the rest of us, it’s a disapointing entry into the concept. It’s a quick read and an easy to understand tale, without bogging readers down with unnecessary details concerning politics and the Empire, but that’s not enough. It still needs something more dramatic to get it noticed amongst the other WH40K series. If you have some spare cash left over from Christmas, your best bet would be to grab one of BOOM!’s new 400 page Trade Paper Backs collecting three mini-series from both the 40K and Fantasy worlds, for a more diverse sampling. Yes, the Only War Omnibus contains Fire and Honour, but it’s not indicative of the rest of the more well crafted series in the line.
The Gallery: Chun-Li #1
A tie-in to our first issue, Udon are releasing their new series, Street Fighter Legends: Chun-Li. We have an interview with the writer of the four issue mini-series, Ken Siu-Chong and below you can view some preview pages for the January launching series, with art by Omar Dogan. Direct from Udon’s mouth is all the info you need for this action-packed series:
The series focuses on a younger Chun-Li and one of her earliest assignments for the Hong Kong police. Along for the ride will be her partner Po-lin, a young woman who has a very personal score to settle with the terrorist Shadaloo organization. Expect this pair of lovely ladies to get into car chases, shoot outs, and plenty of fisticuffs as they fight their way to the truth about Shadaloo’s latest scheme.
But the cast isn’t made up exclusively of sexy female law officers! Fans will also get their first real looks at the lives of rarely-explored characters like Dorai, (Chun-Li’s father and fellow police officer) and Go Hibiki (the surprisingly competent father of everyone’s favourite walking joke, Dan). And, as always when dealing with Shadaloo, some well known boss characters will likely turn up to cause trouble!
Issue #1 Preview
I’ve updated our Current Issue page to give a glimpse of what our first issue contains, which can now be viewed or saved from the same page. Below are a few preview pages from our Hulk, B.P.M and Street Fighter articles. Enjoy.
Zombie Tales #9 Review
Compilations like this are a rarity on the comics stands these days. Image has done very well with the concept with the Tori Amos collaboration, Comic Book Tattoo as well as their two volumes of PopGun books and their recent Liquid City book which featured work by Asian writers and artists. Of course, there is always the excellent Flight series too. Those anthologies are all superb ways of introducing new fans into our beloved medium of choice, but if you’re into something more frequent (as in every month) that features some great short stories, then BOOM! Studios has the answer for you. Comparing their Zombie Tales series to the books mentioned above is a stretch, but they all offer bite sized (no pun intended) tales to hook readers into the marvels of sequential art.
Zombie Tales is, as the title suggests, a monthly look at tales featuring everyone’s favourite horror creatures of the moment. Yep, zombies. Having only read a couple of issues of this series, it’s extremely refreshing to be able to jump on board and simply be entertained without having to know why Superhero X is pummelling Superhero Y.
If you’re drawn to films of the undead like flies to the…undead, then this is a series for you. Zombies may not do much, apart from shambling and muttering, but as the slew of films have shown as over the last few years, they can squeeze into any genre. They’re not just bound to horror features anymore. Zombies are no longer being typecast. What an age we live in!
The first tale here is written by John R. Fultz, with art by Aritz Eiguren. It centres on two hitmen presumably working for the Mafia, who take their latest victim out to the woods to complete their given task. For one of the men, it is The Last Hit, as is the title. Despite their killing of the snitch, he digs out of his makeshift grave and attacks Satch in their car. Satch of course turns against his partner Bruno. Now Bruno has two “corpses” to his credit, and when he visits the boss to tell him he’s finished his final job, it looks like Bruno himself may be the third. Suitably bloody art makes this a harsh and violent story, as most zombie tales are.
Summer 2061 is the second tale and is a continuation of a story from the first issue of this series. However, if you didn’t read that tale, you won’t be out of your depth here. Basically, zombies now appear to be the dominant lifeform, taking over a city, with humans as their playthings. A more serious and epic tale, written by Kim Krizan, it is complimented greatly by Jon Reed’s ruggedly realistic art. A motley group of human survivors has had enough and storm the city to free a few more to join their ranks. They are met by the world the way zombies want it – humans in pet stores, human rugs and the huge Summer Games, consisting of humans fighting each other like the Roman days of centuries ago.
The third and final tale, Zombie Come Home is written by Tom Peyer, who is the only familiar name in this issue, due to his stint on many DC titles, including Legion of Super Heroes. Drew Rausch’s pencils combined with Drew Berry’s colours give this tale a look straight from a children’s book. The story is a simple one, with very little dialogue. Basically a boy is keeping a zombie tied to a tree in his backyard as a restrained and mute life size action figure. His parents console him as a government chopper comes to take him away. A fiery crash means the zombie is free and after some wandering, he falls into a river and lands at his keeper’s house again, which gives the child much joy. The naïve child runs to his undead friend and gives him a big hug, but instead of receiving a similar response, he is welcomed with a munch to his noggin. What a glorious ending. If you can’t laugh at this picture, then there’s something wrong with you. It’s a deliciously amusing finale, and if BOOM! doesn’t turn this page into a poster, they’re mad.
There’s something here for every taste. The first two tales are more serious in nature and the final one is anything but. Each of the three differs enough in its approach to story and art and is well worth a look if you’re new to comics, love zombies or just want a few entertaining pages to distract you from your post-Christmas weight gain.
Big Books
During the holidays, in between bouts of napping in your hammock and playing Scrabble, you might want to delve into a hefty book (with pictures) If so, then have I got some tomes for you. Both BOOM! and Top Cow have just released two hefty full colour volumes each, and both are perfect for new readers. Anything this size is known as an Omnibus in comic terms, or Omniboo in the plural, which is just such a fun word.
BOOM! has done very well with Warhammer, the venerable gaming franchise, creating some impressive mini-series in both the gritty sci-fi of 40K and the fantasy realm. The Warhammer 40,000: Only War Omnibus collects three different mini-series with those blood thirsty Space Marines and their never ending war. The Black Templars, Orks and Imperial Guard all are the focus of these brutal tales, with creators including regular Warhammer novelist Dan Abnett, Ian Edgington, Graham McNeill, Lui Antonio, Greg Boychuck and Tony Parker. Containing Damnation Crusade, Blood and Thunder and Fire and Honour, this 400 page book is an action-packed treasure.
If you prefer Lord of the Rings to Aliens, then the Warhammer: Blood of the Empire has got you covered. It’s Chaos vs the Empire in these three mini-series full of swords and sorcery. Collecting Forge of War, Condemned by Fire and Crown of Destruction, the 400 page Omnibus features work by Abnett and Edgington, as well as Kieron Gillen, Rahsan Ekedal and Dwayne Harris. Both volumes are a great find for gamers looking to cross-over into comics and are pretty cheap at only $US 24.99 each.
Not to be outdone, Top Cow are releasing their own Omniboo, or Omnimoo. Get it?
Anyway, the Witchblade Compendium Volume 1 collects the first 50 issues (!) of the series starring cop Sara Pezzini as the wielder of a mystical gauntlet. It also includes a complete cover gallery, and with work by Marc Silvestri, Michael Turner and a host of others, it’s a thing of beauty. The Darkness Compendium Volume 1 is also available and contains The Darkness Vol. 1 preview, issues #1/2 to #40 of the first series, Tales of the Darkness issues #1/2 to #4, Witchblade/The Darkness #1/2, The Darkness Vol. 2 #1 and the Darkness: Wanted Dead one-shot, along with a complete cover gallery. Whew. Both Top Cow books weight in at an impressive 1, 280 pages, and cost less than $US60. That oughta keep you busy for a while. Just make sure you have a good back before you pick them up.
starting with superheroes: the imaginaries
This is one of those series, like Atomic Robo from Red 5, that both older and younger readers will enjoy. The Imaginaries follows the adventures of Superhero G and his friends and foes in the Imagined Nation, a place where imaginary friends go once children stop believing in them. With the concept alone, it should be Pixar’s next film.
Writers Mike S. Miller and Ben Avery bring this series to Bluewater after it began at Image in 2005. On board is new penciller, Greece’s top comics artist Nikos Koutsis, making this his US comics debut.
Preview pages available below.
Collecting The Spirit
Created by the late, great Will Eisner in 1940, the Spirit was a breath of fresh air, just like all of Eisner’s work in the medium. When policeman Denny Colt ‘died’ he continued fighting crime as The Spirit in Central City as an urban hero dispensing justice with his wits and fists. In the series, Eisner blended artistic styles and genres in a way that hasn’t been seen since. The Spirit film is out on Christmas Day, and is directed by Frank Miller (creator and co-director of Sin City). Some liberties are taken, such as the character’s suit colour, but the adaptation aims to replicate the strip’s mood, and distinct visual style (which will be similar to Sin City and 300, also created by Miller). Now, Dark Horse is releasing collectibles tying in to the film.
Being released on the same day as the film, are 750 copies of the 1:7 full figure statue, depicting The Spirit crouching on a rooftop. Only 750 copies of The Spirit Movie mini-bust will then be released on January 28. The 128 page journal, with its multiple tiny lights concealed in the cover is available now, as is the snowglobe, with only 500 being produced. The classic Spirit bust is also available now and presents a 3-D version of the rough and tough crime fighter as originally conceived by Eisner.
If you see the film (trailer below) and are curious about The Spirit, then you might want to pick up either The Spirit Special #1 a 32 page collection of four classic stories from Eisner, or The Spirit #24, the latest issue of the new series. Both are from DC Comics and available now.
Issue #1 Now Here
The time has finally come. Our very first issue is now here! And on Christmas Day, to boot. Click on the link below to view, or download it. It’s 57 pages and a total file size of 9.9mb. Come January, we’ll also be making it available for reading on-line. on our official non-blog site. Any feedback is welcome and we hope you enjoy our humble beginnings. There’s articles on the new Hulk, Clockwork Girl, B.P.M, Street Fighter and a lot more, all with glorious full colour pictures.
Marvel & DC On Sale 24/12
Comic shops get their new stock every Wednesday in the US, and a day or two later in the rest of the world. This is the complete list of new issues, and collections, otherwise known as Trade Paper Backs, on sale on Christmas Eve, from Marvel and DC, the two largest American comic book publishers. If you’re a new comics reader I’d recommend Marvel’s Hulk #9 for its beautiful art and simple story (with lots of fighting), or Vigilante #1 from DC as it’s the start of an action packed new series. Wherever you see Variant, that simply means it’s the same comic, but with a cover by a different artist, so you can pick your fave.
The Gallery: Cyblade & The Darkness
On sale today are numerous titles from Top Cow, including Cyblade #2 and The Darkness #9 (which some may remember as a recent freaky console game). Both issues have “Previously…” pages for new readers, and are geared for mature audiences.
In the time before she became a member of Cyberforce, Dominique, a.k.a. Cyblade, is still on the hunt for her former trainer, Stephen Rashell, who has been revealed to be a double agent! With her new mentor at Cyberdata determined to turn Dominique into the killer she’s destined to become, the superpowered teenager must make a hard decision from which there is no turning back. Cyblade #2 is written by Joshua Hale Fialkov with art by Rick Mays, Lee Ferguson and Afua Richardson.
Jackie Estacado is in Hell…literally! Jackie’s soul has been condemned to eternal damnation and his assigned tormentor happens to be an ages-old enemy who bears a centuries-long grudge against The Darkness. But this enemy has a proposition for Jackie, a bargain that may prove more terrible than Hell itself. Meet The Sovereign, a powerful, new nemesis who may prove to be Jackie’s undoing. The Darkness #9 is written by Phil Hester, with Jorge Lucas supplying the art.
Preview both of these issues at the link below.
Street Fighter Animated DVD Preview
In our forthcoming first issue we have a feature on Udon Entertainment’s excellent Street Fighter comics, based on the classic video game franchise. Tying into that, below is a Christmas gift for you – a look at the first four minutes of February 3rd’s Street Fighter Round One: Fight! animated DVD, from Eagle One Media. The film makes the most of the beautiful artwork from Udon and utilises motion, dialogue and sound effects to make an intriguing viewing experience. As an added bonus, I’ll throw in the trailer for the new Street Fighter IV next-gen game heading our way too for those that haven’t seen it. The official Eagle One Media press release is after the two videos.
The initial Street Fighter animated comic DVD, titled Street Fighter: Round One – FIGHT! will be released on February 3, 2009, ahead of the worldwide theatrical release of the live action motion picture Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li on February 27 and the highly anticipated Street Fighter IV video game February 17th.
In the universe of Street Fighter, fighters collide in a global battle for supremacy. From every corner of the world, fighters of every conceivable sort perform superhuman acts in their willing (or unwilling) participation in the Street Fighter Tournament-the contest being hosted by M. Bison, the sadistic dictator and leader of the underground Shadaloo criminal organization. Street Fighter, the legendary franchise by CAPCOM that revolutionized gaming and entertained players and fans for over a decade with its unforgettable cast of World Warriors, comes to DVD based on the bestselling comic series. A unique DVD series that will carry every pulse-pounding Dragon Punch and bone-crushing Sonic Boom intact, just like it was meant to be!
Street Fighter: Round One – FIGHT!: Ryu and Ken set out to investigate the murder of their martial arts master. Their search for answers takes them to Japan where M. Bison and his assorted minions including Cammy, Vega, and Sagat keep a close eye on Ryu for reasons unknown. This draws the attention of up and coming Hong Kong Interpol agent Chun-Li and US Special Ops officer Guile who each bears their own personal grudge against the evil Shadaloo syndicate.
Hulk Vs Clips
Courtesy of Marvel, you can now view four new clips from the new Hulk Vs animated DVD right here. The film features the savage Hulk beating on Wolverine and a separate feature, in which he beats on the norse god, Thor. It’s released on January 27.
Hulk Vs Wolverine is a 33 minute short film and Hulk Versus Thor is 45 minutes long. It’s considered to be a prequel to the upcoming Wolverine and the X-Men cartoon, and I have to say it’s more bloody than I thought it would be. I might just pick this one up, especially as it has Loki, Frost Giants, Deadpool and Omega Red in it too.
Last Minute Marvel Gift
In case you’re desperately thinking for ideas for the last person on your Christmas list, why not give them a year’s subscription to Marvel’s Digital Comics Unlimited service. This will allow them access to thousands of old and new comics on-line. Check out all the details here. By the way, despite what the picture below may be telling you, never put your warm coffee near a snowman. They don’t like it.
Merry Christmas
From Hulk, Rulk (that would be the new red Hulk) and Extra Sequential, have a massively Merry Christmas and great new Year. We hope you get all the presents you want.
Impaler #1 Review
Vampires have had their fair share of the pop culture spotlight in the last few years, thanks to TV’s Buffy and Angel, novelist Anne Rice and now, Twilight. The crafty neck biters have had more makeovers than Madonna. But there’s still some life, so to speak, in the critters.
Impaler is a new series from Top Cow and is written by William Harms, who created the series at Image back in 2006. You can read my interview with the writer here. A Trade Paper Back collecting the original Image series, with 3 new issues is now available, and now we have this series, which is effectively Volume 2. However, if you haven’t read the original series, don’t fret. This still makes sense. Basically, Vald Tempes, otherwise knows as Vlad the Impaler has been fighting vampires for 4 centuries with angelic abilities given to him by a priest. When the fanged horde return in today’s New York, Vlad takes sword in hand and gets to work once more. This time, he teams up with grieving cop Victor Dailey, as well as the US Army. However, despite their superior firepower they aren’t looking victory square in the eye. Even a bomb can’t stop the suckers.
This is a well rounded, action packed tale. Perfect for comic book newbies. With its engrossing tale and dynamic artwork, it really packs a punch. There are numerous scenes of limbs and heads flying off bodies, and a lot of swearing. So, it’s not for the kiddies.
Harms knows how to pace a tight adventure, leaving the reader out of breath after the last page. The conflict between the high-tech soldiers and the barbaric creatures of the night is the highlight, and seems like a blockbuster film just begging to be made. There’s enough exposition to get up to speed and Vlad and Victor’s strained relationship seems to mirror the larger events surrounding them. There’s the obligatory scene of a soldier getting bitten, but shrugging it of as a minor wound; the kind of thing we see in every zombie film. Generally though, this is a refreshing look at this often used, and mis-used sub-genre. Matt Timson’s art helps enormously too. His realistic pencils lie somewhere between Adi Granov (Iron Man) and Ben Templesmith (30 Days of Night). His page design and use of space, with rooms crowded with vamps and army men, or open areas in the blanketing snow really draw in your eyes and add variety to the look of this issue.
This reminded me of playing Doom IV, or F.E.A.R on my XBOX, with a sense of danger that you can’t shrug off. Fans of horror tired of wispy vampires that look like they’re fronting a rock band must offer their neck to Impaler and let it sink its fangs in.
You can read a preview of this issue here.
The Gallery: Kade Rising Sun #1
Arcana Studios’ most recognisable character is back. Kade: Rising Sun launches on Christmas and follows the ancient warrior/demon hunter as he travels to the Land of the Rising Sun in search for his lover Ezra, who Kade hopes has returned from the dead.
The four issue series also guest stars Shi. Created by writer/artist Billy Tucci Shi is a Japanese/American warrior on a bloody path of vengeance, while facing the inner conflict of her Catholic upbringing.
Preview art from the first issue is available at the link below. The mini-series is written by Kade creator Sean O’Reilly, with Jay Busbee. Tucci provides the art for the cover shown here, while C.Duce provides the interior art.
Atomic Robo: Dogs of War #5 Review
It’s no surprise that Red 5 are gaining fans quickly. The relatively new publisher gets it. They get that comic fans want something refreshingly different. Atomic Robo has become Red 5’s mascot, in a sense, as the character has shown the world what comics used to be like – simple, fun and funny.
Each issue of Atomic Robo has a handy summary of what’s happened in the series before. Since my last experience with Robo was months ago, with the excellent Trade collecting the first series, I needed this primer. This second series, entitled Dogs of War is set entirely in WWII, whereas the first series was set in the present. Robo’s been around for a while, you see. In fact he was created almost a century ago by real life scientist Nikola Tesla and has been aiding the government against oddities and monstrosities ever since.
In this issue, he’s teamed up with the British Commandos to halt the advancing Nazis and their super weapons. Writer Brian Clevinger and artist Scott Weneger are on creative duties, as they were in the previous series. As the metal soldier leads a platoon on to the shores of Fermain Bay, the men come under fire, and the source reveals himself, a battle suited German knows as Skorzeny. As is common with this series (but not jarring) we cut back 10 hours earlier, where Robo is informing his British team of the weapon they’re targeting – the V-5 Electric Canon, which is a massive multi-rocket machine. Switching back to the “present” Robo is now Skorzeny’s captive, and in fact will be used by the Nazis to power the V-5. But just as all appears lost for our intrepid hero, in busts gun toting tough guy James Milligan to save the day. Milligan, or Scottie as he’s known to the Yanks, is a no-nonsense soldier who speaks in an amusingly almost-indecipherable accent.
This is another great issue for Robo. There’s enough action, foolish henchmen, crazy megalomaniacs and wit to counteract all the darkly complex fare that 2008 has given us from Marvel and DC. It reminded me of Star Wars too, which is never a bad thing. Nor is it a surprise, as the two founders, Paul Ens and Scott Chitwood, come from the Star Wars on-line world. Clevinger and Weneger work beautifully together. The writing moves smoothly and is full of character, while the art is cartoony without being simple. This is something parents could give to their kids without fear, after reading it themselves of course, as it’s brimming with exuberance.
Robo continues to present all the wit of Spider-Man under fire and doesn’t seem bothered by the strange shenanigans around him, including the temporary absence of his lower appendages. There is also a 4 page bonus story set in Madrid in 1974, where an ageing Skorzeny and an un-ageing Atomic Robo meet at a café. Also written by Clevinger, and with art by James Nguyen, it’s a more serious bookend to the main story. Skorzeny is now a dying cancer victim and claims that he killed Tesla, Robo’s creator, decades ago and stole his futuristic weapon designs. Robo doesn’t believe him and leaves him to suffer. Atomic Robo is a series that’s always been able to mix the outrageous aspects of a crime fighting robot, with the dark side of war and loss. Like TV’s Scrubs, it handles these opposites with a gentle hand that allows neither to seem out of place. After only launching last year, Red 5 look set to make their mark on the comic shelves, and I’m sure Atomic Robo will happily lead the way.
This issue will be released on Christmas Eve, but until then here’s an amusing Christmas card from Robo himself.
The Gallery: Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer
Here is a sneak peek at Top Cow’s cross-over starring two of their biggest titles. Cyberforce is a unique superhero team with cybernetic implants who defeated their cruel creators-the Cyberdata corporation. Hunter-Killer is a newer series, from 2005, that follows a group of Ultra Sapiens. Basically they are walking weapons of mass destruction, who keep an eye on their own kind so as not to destroy our planet.
The series debuts in July 2009 and is written by superstar writer, and Hunter-Killer co-creator (with Top Cow CEO & Cyberforce creator Marc Silvestri) Mark Waid. The art will be provided by anther superstar – Kenneth Rocafort (Madame Mirage). Click below to see a pin-up, plus some inspiring character sketches from Rocafort.
William Harms Interview
Impaler #1 Cover C
In the 1400s a hungry army of vampires stake a claim on Eastern Europe, and only one man can save the terrified citizens. His name is Vlad Tempes, otherwise known as Vlad the Impaler. He is a man literally empowered by the church to fight these beasts, and does. Fast forward to modern New York. Widower detective Victor Dailey discovers corpses in an abandoned ship, and soon the vampire horde is back. However, so is Vlad, and he’s ready to end the fight for good. This time though, he has help, with the US military and Dailey doing whatever they can to stop the snow covered city from becoming a vampire covered one too.
Impaler was originally a three issue series published by Image Comics in 2006 and 2007 but went on hiatus. Top Cow picked up the reins in October and published a Trade Paper Back of those first three issues, plus three new ones. Now, Impaler receives its own ongoing series, written by series creator William Harms with gorgeously gory art from Brit Matt Timson. These are not today’s goth-wannabe vamps. Impaler’s blood suckers are horrific monsters, not introspective shadow dwellers, and as you can see on the following pages Impaler is an unashamed horror title.
This month’s Impaler series kicks off after the recent TPB. For those who missed out are you able to give them a heads up as to what’s going on?
WILLIAM: The Impaler trade ends with the vampires busting through the military’s blockade of New York City and pushing west, toward New Jersey. (And east, toward Boston.) The US military tries a desperate, last-ditch attempt to destroy the vampires, but it fails. At this point, Vlad and Victor (the two primary characters from the trade) are hiding out in New York City, and Victor is dying from radiation sickness. The story quickly expands in its scope to include a special forces team, led by Lt. George Wagner, that is sent to Newark International Airport to look for a VIP. By the end of # 1, it’s looking pretty grim for the human race.
How difficult was it to bring a fresh take to the vampire mythos?
WILLIAM: It was pretty hard, to be honest. The most important thing to me was to not be limited by the traditional defenses against vampires, such as holy water, crosses, that kind of thing. If the only way you can kill a vampire is by either staking it in the heart or dousing it in holy water, you’re pretty limited in where you can take the story. So I decided that as long as the vampires in Impaler are in “flesh” form, they’re killed the same way we are – if you can shoot them in the head, blow them up, or cut them in half, they die. Simple as that. That idea really drove the development of the vampires in Impaler, and I’m really proud of the direction they took.
What happened that put the initial series on hiatus and how did it victoriously return?
Impaler TPB Cover
WILLIAM: Working in independent comics, even if it’s a place like Image, is really hard. In addition to writing the book, I was the PR guy, the marketing guy, the schedule keeper, that kind of thing. It was really exhausting. And, to be honest, despite the acclaim that Impaler received, the sales weren’t quite where they needed to be. Luckily, the guys at Top Cow really enjoyed Impaler and decided to take it under their wing and give it new life. And I’m forever grateful that the book got a second chance.
How did you manage to bring a level of realism to this series?
WILLIAM: One of the things I love about writing is thinking about stuff like, “if vampires were real, what would happen?” And sitting down and writing out all of the ways they’d attack us, how we’d fight back, etc. And that really drove the realistic nature of Impaler, because it was important to me that the characters and world look like our world – just a normal place where something horrible has happened. Of course, that’s the formula that Stephen King has used his entire career, and in my mind it’s the only way to approach horror fiction.
What is your favourite interpretation of a vampire character from pop culture?
WILLIAM: “Shadow of the Vampire” (see trailer of the 2000 film below-ES) is one of my favorite movies – the idea is sheer genius. I’m also a huge fan of Salem’s Lot and I am Legend. Those are the two best vampire novels as far as I’m concerned. I read them both at least once a year.
Impaler #1 and the Impaler TPB, collecting the original mini-series with extra material are out now. Impaler #2 is out in late January. You can read a preview of #1 here.
