The Remnant #4 Review
This series surprised a few people with it’s high quality upon its debut 4 months ago, especially seeing as it had actor Stephen Baldwin’s name attached to it. I’m glad I gave this a go though and I recommend picking up the eventual Trade when it arrives, particularly if fast paced thrillers with something a little extra are your thing.
As I’ve said before, The Remnant has been created as a Trade read, with its hectic story that doesn’t let up. There’s no chance to stop and catch your breath. You just have to run to keep up.
This final issue begins seconds from last month’s final page, with the mysterious woman with David’s wife, Sara in her sights laying bleeding in the street. Homeland Security wants answers from David and Sara but must fight to keep them both alive, as well as fighting against them at times.
This isn’t the high point for the series. It needed an extra issue or two to tie up loose ends, and with the rather ambivalent ending quite possibly involving the Rapture, it just may get it. I’d expect a Volume 2 to eventually be released. The supernatural elements that have been hinted at throughout this title come to the fore here, but rather awkwardly so. With characters espousing fate, prophecy and chaos it all seems like a flood, rather than a subtle wave. The Remnant has gone from Bourne to something else entirely in just one issue. It’s not enough to make me dislike this series, as it’s hooked me from the beginning. Caleb Monroe has an impressive handle on pace and artist Julian Totino Tedesco’s fluid figures and superb layouts, with great use of space get me every time. However, I was expecting more with the conclusion. If there is more to come, I’ll be happy. If not, this is a disappointing end to an otherwise uniquely engaging series.
Marvel Mirth
Think of it as Marvel’s less crude version of Robot Chicken. Press release below.
Marvel’s brand-new video series “Marvel Super Heroes: What The–?!” premieres on Marvel.com today! See it now here.
In today’s Giant-Size Premiere, find out what happens when Iceman loses his powers and decides to play his luck at being a late night talk-show host!
“Marvel Super Heroes: What The–?!” continues Marvel’s tradition of comic book satires as made popular in the Marvel comic book series “NOT BRAND ECHH” (from the 1960s) and “What The–?!” (from the 1990s). This time around, it’s not only a new millennium but a new medium, with Marvel exercising its might in the world of stop-motion animation.
Tune in to Marvel Videos for more news and more Mighty Marvel exclusives!
Marvel’s Variety
If you need proof that there’s an abundance of different comics released every week, just check out the tiny assortment below, from what Marvel’s offering this week. Looks like there’s something for everyone, as usual.
And for the complete list of Marvel goodies being released this week, go here….
This Is How You Do It
I read a lot of comics. I look forward to the Previews catalogue each month and my new comics every Thursday or Friday. For as long as I’ve been reading them, comics have primarily consisted of 22 story pages. Sure, the argument over that arbitrary number re-surfaces from time to time, and perhaps monthlies aren’t as in favour as Trades and OGNs, which find a more welcome home at bookstores, but to make a story have impact in 22 pages is no easy feat. Not every comic I read is a winner of course, and some steal minutes from me as I trudge through them. However, this month has been a good one. And of course, if you read comics, you more than likely want to work “in” comics as a creator. If that’s you, then take note of these recent releases in how to craft an engrossing story.
Dark Avengers #3. Ever since Avengers Disassembled from a few years ago, which tore apart the traditional Avengers crew, the spin-offs have been abundant. We’ve had Young, New, Mighty and now Dark. They’ve all made sense and added something to the mythos though. However Dark Avengers, launching from Secret Invasion is a great twist. With Norman Osborn replacing Tony Stark as the head of S.H.I.E.L.D, he quickly re-named the agency H.A.M.M.E.R and made in his own team in his dark image. So instead of Spider-Man, we have Venom, Bullseye instead of Hawkeye and Daken is Wolverine, and so on. What a great surprise, and it could go anywhere. Bendis showed again that he’s the master strategist of the Marvel Universe. In Dark Avengers #3, things quieten down somewhat and the first few pages are a prime example of deft characterisation balanced with superb pacing, helped ably by Mike Deodato’s pencils. Basically Osborn and disturbed hero Sentry are chatting. They’re two unusual men having a heart to heart. It goes on for 9 pages, but it’s the most riveting Avengers entry I’ve seen for ages.
Similarly, Justice League of America #31, written by Dwayne McDuffie is a great example of dialogue. Sure it’s from the mouths of costumed adventurers, but that doesn’t mean it’s all capital letters and exclamation marks. As JLA chairwoman Black Canary struggles to hold the roster in place she visits all the members for their reasons why the JLA just doesn’t cut it any more. There’s no action here, just pages of engrossing dialogue. Sadly, this may be the high point in this book for a while.
If you want to see what simple, hectic action looks like read this month’s Punisher #3, The Punisher #68 or Dark Reign Elektra #1, for an awesome escape sequence. If humour’s your thing, grab The Goon #32 (or any of them) by Eric Powell. I also picked up the Athena Voltaire/The Black Coat special from Ape Entertainment. It’s my first foray into those character’s books, but I was impressed, especially as two creators managed to write simple adventure tales starring two different characters in two different eras, but managed to effectively tie the narrative through both.
It’s worth picking up something you normally wouldn’t every time you visit the LCS, because you just may find a pleasant surprise.
Issue 2 Out Now!
It’s finally arrived. Woohoo! Our second issue is 88 pages long (30 pages more than our first issue!) and features more interviews, features and reviews. Inside you’ll find stuff on the new Flash Gordon, the Brit detective series Harker, the all-ages Kid Beowulf, artist Joe Jusko, the scary Dread Force mechs, and a look at the gorgeous work of Steve Pugh in Hotwire, as well as a review of the brand new League of Extraodinary Gentlemen: Century. There’s so much more of course. Hope you enjoy it! Check it out right here.
The Incredible Caped Muppets
BOOM! Studios recent acquisition of Disney’s/Pixar’s Toy Story, The Incredibles , Cars and Muppets franchises was a smart move. Sure, it would have cost them, but it’ll pay off. With their recent announcement of a deal that allows them to have these comics available in comics chops (obviously) and US newsstands, plus Trade Paperbacks eventually collecting the series available at bookstores, things are looking good for their new BOOM! Kids imprint. So good infact, that the debut issues of The Incredibles and The Muppet Show have all sold out the day before they were released, causing BOOM! to happily rush out second printings immediately. This is good news for kids who love Pixar films, and their parents who remember Kermit, Miss Piggy and the gang. So, are the comics actually any good? You bet!
The Incredibles #1, first of a four parter entitled Family Matters has the superpowered family visiting the Metroville Zoo when their lovely outing is interrupted by a mechanical baddie riding a dinosaur/elephant hybrid. He calls himself Futurion and he quickly re-makes the zoo’s inhabitants into mash-ups of various animals, so a hippo merges with a T-Rex and Pterodactyls merge with gorillas. The family put on their costumes and the action begins. After they round up the strange beasts and capture their master, the Parrs go home and receive a dressing down from dad for their reckless behaviour and disregard of his orders. Despite their neighbours popping in, Bob Parr AKA Mr Incredible goes back to the zoo after receiving a clue from son Dash, and finds that Futurion has left one last surprise at the zoo. However, as he reveals to pal Frozone, Mr Incredible has a surprise of his own – that he may not be so incredible after all.
With the voices of the Pixar film running in my mind as I read this, it goes to show how good that film was at creating rich characters and fun superheroey adventure. Writer, and EIC of BOOM!, Mark Waid captures the voices well and move things along at a brisk pace. Marcio Takara’s art is suitably fluid and full of expression, making certain this is a grand read for those who loved the film.
Another 4 issue series just released from BOOM! is also a fun look at costumed adventures. However, Caped is more mature than the Pixar adaptation. Written by Josh Lobis and Darin Moiselle, with art by Yair Herrera, Caped is made for older superhero fans. It’s a classy parody. Sure, we’ve seen a lot of those over the years, but fanboys don’t mind laughing at the objects of their obsessions. It begins with a dark Batman-inspired hero called Edge who arrives late to Gemini’s (think Two-Face) hostage maneuver aboard a train. The rescued hostage, Jimmy Lohman wants to be a top reporter, but instead gets a job as the 28th assistant for Grant Godfried, respected journalist, and you guessed it – alter ego of Edge, Capitol City’s nocturnal soldier. So why does a superhero need an assistant, you ask? In Edge’s words, because he can’t, “answer phones, wait for the cable guy and protect 8 million people all at the same time.” Good call. As the new pair start to track down the escaped Gemini, Jimmy is introduced to the world of big-time superheroics, witnessing the Edgemobile in action, dropping into the EdgeCave and glimpsing Edge’s suitably abled pals, The League. It’s here that Jimmy begins his training in the unique art of being a superhero aid by Marvin. This was a fun read. Fans who’ve been reading comics for a while may appreciate it more, but the characters are starting to be built well, and some humorous dynamics occur.
Lastly, The Muppet Show Comic Book #1. Written and drawn by Kiwi Roger Langrdidge, this embarces the wholesome zaniness of The Muppets very well. Fans of the TV series from the 1970s and 80s, or the cavalcade of films over the years will appreciate this. Rather than telling one long story, it’s split up into bite-sized pieces, much like the original show itself. Set behind the scenes of the TV show, like the first series was, it’s filled with great moments, such as the two grumps in the balcony remarking about how the Muppets will corrupt the medium of comics, to exploding frogs (not as gruesome as it sounds) to a sketch set on another planet, to the always amusing Swedish chef. There’s also a Pigs in Space sketch, a song from Kermit, plus a lot more. This is so much like the Muppets I remember on the glowing box in my living room that I had flashbacks. And that’s a good thing.
Thanks to BOOM! there’s now plenty of excuses for kids to read, and for parents to read along with them. Dive in.
Read War of Kings For Free
I picked up War of Kings #1 when it was released a few weeks ago. I haven’t been up to date on all the Marvel happenings lately, but I’m glad I grabbed it. What a space epic! With a royal marriage, speeding spaceships and weird aliens, it was awesome. Now, you can read it for free, and if you like it, the second issue by the same creative team is due out on April Fool’s Day. (No kidding!) Press release below.
It’s winner take all as tensions mount and the cosmic powder keg prepares to blow in War of Kings #1 (of 6)! Wondering what War of Kings is all about? Well here’s your chance to get in on all the action for FREE courtesy of Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited right here! After the Skrulls threatened his kingdom during Secret Invasion, Black Bolt’s quest to ensure Inhuman dominance in the galaxy begins! The acclaimed team of writers Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, along with fan favorite artist Paul Pelletier, place the Inhumans on a crash course with the Shi’ Ar Empire and their deadly leader-Vulcan! With appearances from The Imperial Guard, Starjammers, the Guardians of the Galaxy and more, this is one cosmic war you won’t want to miss!
War of Kings #2
Freedom Formula Film
Freedom Formula, from Radical Publishing is set to become a film. This is no surprise as it’s a great series. If you haven’t read it as yet, you can catch up on the sci-fi adventure when the Trade’s hopefully released in a few months. Bryan Singer may direct it, which scares me, but hopefully he’ll do a better job than he did with Superman. Press release below.
Set in the future where mechanized battle armor is used for high speed sport, Freedom Formula quickly made headlines across the film and comic industry during the 2008 San Diego Comic-Con International event when Variety reported that Bryan Singer (X-Men, Superman Returns) was attached to produce, with an eye to potentially direct, a film based on the underlying comic series. Today Variety has announced thatNew Regency has acquired Freedom Formula with a writer attached.
Mike Finch, who just sold his spec script, Medieval, to New Regency with McG attached to produce and possibly direct, will pen the adaptation based on Radical Publishing’s 5-issue comic book series, Freedom Formula: Ghost of the Wasteland, written by Edmund Shern, CEO of Radical’s Singapore based sister company, Storm Lion.
This is Radical Pictures’ second development deal, following Universal Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment releasing Hercules: The Thracian Wars, based on the 5-issue comic book series by Steve Moore, with Peter Berg producing and potentially directing through his production company Film 44 with Ryan Condal (Ocean) scripting
New Regency, Singer’s Bad Hat Harry Productions and Radical Pictures will produce Freedom Formula with Bryan Singer and Radical Publishing’s President and Publisher Barry Levine as producers along with Radical Publishing’s Executive Vice President Jesse Berger and Zoom Entertainment’s Michael Zoumas signed on as Executive Producers. Edmund Shern will be an Associate Producer.
When asked to comment, Barry Levine stated “Mike Finch came up with an incredible take that goes deeper into the mythology of the source material.”
Jesse Berger continues “There is something very contemporary about a revolution and Freedom Formula’s adaptation for the screen will explore those concepts as well.”
The Gallery: The Darkness #76
On sale now is The Darkness #76 from Top Cow. Written by Phil Hester with art by Michael Broussard, a gruesome preview as well as Top Cow’s description of the issue, is below.
Jackie’s face-off against his deadliest foe yet continues as the Legacy numbering of The Darkness goes into full effect, taking into account every issue ever published, regardless of volume.
The Sovereign’s bloody mission for Jackie has finally driven him to despair. Broken and lost, Jackie falls for an otherworldly seductress who seeks to exact a centuries-old curse against The Darkness. Plus, who is The Foreigner and how does his connection to The Darkness predate Jackie Estacado’s?
The Gallery: Unthinkable #1
I trust BOOM! Studios, and while as a fanboy putting your trust in a comic book publisher may be as wise as trusting your ability to get a hotel room at Comic-Con, I feel confident with this one. Lately BOOM! has lifted their game. Series like Station and the recent Hexed and The Remnant have really wowed me. Since Mark Waid has come on board they seem to be putting out quality titles consistently and are showing no signs of slowing down just yet. One of their latest projects is by writer Mark Sable (DC’s Cyborg and Two-Face: Year One) and Julian Totino Tedesco (artist on The Remnant). I can’t explain this series better than the press release, so here it is: They’ve been hired to think the UNTHINKABLE. But what happens when the unthinkable actually happens? After 9-11, best-selling author Alan Ripley joins a government think tank consisting of the most imaginative minds in diverse fields. Their job? Think of nightmare scenarios and crippling terrorist attacks so the government can safeguard against them. But what happens when the think tank folds, and the attacks start to happen?
The first issue of 4 is out in May, and orders from comic shops are due on Tuesday March 31, so check out the HUGE preview at the link below the jump and decide for yourself. It’s a sure bet I’d say.
Black Freighter/Under The Hood Available Now
Something sorely lacking from the Watchmen film was this little beauty – a story within the story. More specifically, a comic reader as he read an engrossing pirate tale about a desperate man’s search for survival. However, it’s now available as a DVD, On Demand, Blu-Ray and also from iTunes. Besides the animated Tales of the Black Freighter feature, also included is a live action ‘documentary’ looking at the first Nite Owl, in Under The Hood. Trailer below.
Watchmensch Review
I’ll be honest with you. I only ordered this from Previews because it’s written by Rich Johnston. Rich is the man in the know when it comes to insider goss in the comic book biz, and is always the first to offer up juicy news that gets all those forums hyperactive. I’ve enjoyed his Lying In The Gutters column at CBR for years now and felt it was my civic duty to buy his latest foray into writing comics, rather than about them. He also was extremely kind enough to mention Extra Sequential in his column, as we were one of the few comics sites with daily updates during last year’s Christmas break.
Johnston isn’t a first time creative writer though. The English scribe has written for TV’s Smack The Pony sketch show as well as indie comics such as The X-Files and The Flying Friar.
I must say reading Watchmensch from Brain Scan Studios was a relief. I was blessed enough recently to get a preview copy of Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill’s latest League of Extraordinary Gentlemen adventure from Top Shelf. (See the review in the upcoming Extra Sequential #2!) and was disappointed. Hugely so in fact. As is Moore’s want Century is brimming with the stuff that makes literature students giddy, but makes the rest of us feel somewhat perplexed.
However Watchmensch gave me the happies. It spoke to me. Sure, it’s a niche comic. A very niche comic. Not only is it a Watchmen parody, but it is also filled with a multitude of references to Moore’s unique personality, DC’s mistreatment of its writers and artists, and the troubles with Moore’s film adaptations. Fanboys will eat this up, but everyone else will be left scratching their heads, kinda like the Watchmen film really.
With nods to The Simpsons and reality TV, heartless studio execs and even Ozzy Osbourne, Johnston and artist Simon Rohrmuller have crafted a tidy, black and white laugh giver. It was honestly a refreshing read, and after the sour taste of Century in my mouth, I felt relieved after reading this. It spoke to my inner geek and gave it a warm hug. It’s a good feeling being an insider.
Rohrmuller’s art is very much like Dave Gibbons in places and he uses the constraints of the two colours very well, managing to fill in the panels with enough detail and give great expressions to the characters. It’s no easy feat to summarise the epic that is Watchmen, but this creative duo have done it, even down to exact panel recreations and familiar lines. I won’t say too much about the plot, as the genuine laughs come from the surprises but it’s cleverly done.
The characters we all know and love from Watchmen are amusingly tweaked here, so The Comedian resembles Krusty the Clown, Rorschach becomes the “Jewish” Spottyman and Dr. Manhattan becomes a man who walked under a falling tin of blue paint and became Mr. Broadway.
Thanks Mr. Johnston. I may not be educated enough to get Moore’s latest League (though I loved the first two) but Watchmensch makes me feel part of the in crowd. Yes, it’s a crowd of misunderstood, net-aholics with opinions as varied as their action figure collections, but it’s my crowd. The kind of crowd that will enjoy this too.
The Gallery: The Incredibles #1
We have a feature about the new properties coming from BOOM! Studios in the upcoming second issue of Extra Sequential. They have some greta new properties including The incredibles, Cars and those loveable Muppets. Written by Mark Waid, with art by Marcio Takara, the four issue min-series The Incredibles, hits shelves on March 25. Preview pics at the link below.
David Mack-Collected
Creator David Mack is an innovative guy. His work looks like nothing else on the stands. He owns the page in his work like Daredevil and his own creation, Kabuki. Now you can grab Kabuki: The Alchemy which collects some of his best work. Official press release below, and check out more Mack art here.
Eisner-nominated superstar writer/artist David Mack presents a groundbreaking collection of his acclaimed work in Kabuki: The Alchemy HC. Collecting all nine issues of the critically-lauded, Eisner Award-nominated KABUKI: THE ALCHEMY series from Marvel’s creator-owned Icon imprint – for the first time ever!—this is an unprecedented look at Mack’s work! This hardcover is chock full of bonus material including original scripts, a “best of fan letters” section, never before seen art and new story pages, including updated versions of previously published scenes! If that’s not enough, acclaimed Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk provides a powerful introduction to one of comics’ most acclaimed series and a special afterword from Mack himself!
“I think The Alchemy represents the best and most evolved example of my work in comics as a writer and as an artist,” says David Mack.
Plus, don’t miss the Kabuki: The Alchemy Limited Edition HC, packaged with a signed and numbered original brush & ink sketch on parchment paper! Both Kabuki: The Alchemy HC and The Kabuki: Alchemy Limited Edition HC feature an embossed cover and spine; watermark design on the interior pages; and a special bookmark!
Spider-Girl Goes Digital
In our second issue of Extra Sequential (it’s only days away, and even more action packed than our first issue) we have an interview with Tom DeFalco, the writer behind Spider-Girl. In related news, Mayday Parker’s title has ended, but her adventures continue digitally. Official press release below.
At first, she was just SPIDER-GIRL. Then she became the AMAZING SPIDER-GIRL. Now, Mayday Parker, the future daughter of Spider-Man goes digital in the all-new THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-GIRL #1! Marvel is pleased to announce that Spider-Girl will return in an all new series, exclusive to the groundbreaking Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited, beginning April 15th!
Written by co-creator, Tom DeFalco, drawn by co-creator, Ron Frenz, and inked by Sal Buscema, THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-GIRL #1 debuts on Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited as part of the subscription service’s exclusive digital comics program. The story will appear in print two weeks later in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN FAMILY #5 on sale Wednesday, April 29th.
Spider-Girl fans can gear up for THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-GIRL’s digital debut by reading FREE Spider-Girl digital comics right now.
Wolverine Art Appreciation Month
Logan will bask in Marvel’s love and respect in April when Wolverine celebrates his 35th anniversary with classic paintings re-imagined by top comic artists of today. This is a great idea I reckon. Press release below.
Marvel is proud to announce that in honor of Wolverine’s 35th anniversary, numerous Marvel titles will feature Wolverine Art Appreciation Variant Covers in April, as part of Wolverine Art Appreciation Month. In the tradition of Marvel’s previous variant cover programs, featuring everything from villains to zombies to monkeys, select Marvel titles will feature variant covers spotlighting the most popular X-Man through a unique lens! Inspired by some of the world’s greatest artists, these variant covers depict Wolverine like you’ve never seen him before, in styles reminiscent of Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol and more!
Captain Britain and MII3 #2 Edward Gory Style
“This is a huge year for Wolverine as he proves why he’s arguably one of the most popular characters in the world,” explained Joe Quesada, Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief. “He’s not just popular with fans but also with artists, as evidenced by how many of today’s top comic artists jockey for a chance to draw him. This got us thinking: what if Wolverine had been around for hundreds, if not thousands, of years? What great, classic artists would want a crack at drawing a Wolverine cover?”
Keep checking back with www.marvel.com for a complete listing of titles featuring the Wolverine Art Appreciation Variant Covers and a first look at these landmark covers!
Amazing Spider-Man #590 C.M Coolidge Style
EVE Online Stuff
Not that I’m an on-line gamer, but I can certainly see the appeal, and I’ve seen the ads for the Eve MMORPG around the place, so that’s a good enough excuse for a press release for Eve fans, below. You can also get a free trial of the game here.
Dragonfire Laser Craft announced today that they are licensees for the worldwide phenomena MMORPG Eve Online. The first round of products, available for immediate shipping, includes dog tags representing each of the four playable races, flasks and heated coffee mugs. Other products that are ready to go include dog tags with customized logos for corporations. In March, rank insignia pins for the factional warfare will be available.
EVE Online is the critically acclaimed massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) from CCP, headquartered in Reykjavik, Iceland with additional offices in Atlanta and Shanghai. The thriving community of over a quarter of a million subscribers explores and conquers the expanses of space as starship pilots. Forming corporations and alliances is vital to survival in the vibrant, politically-charged landscape of New Eden. These groups enjoy having merchandise that lets them show their pride as fans and players.
“We are amazed at the response,” commented Dragonfire Laser Craft CEO Lucas Amodio. “Sales were brisk at the EVE Fanfest in Iceland last November and they received the products with open arms. We are excited to be able to offer them affordable, high-quality goods that reflect the passion they feel about their favorite game.”
Fans can purchase EVE-related products here.
Retailers should contactlys@sphinxgroup.com for terms on carrying the Dragonfire Laser Craft line of products. To be added to the Dragonfire Laser Craft mailing list email lucas@dragonfirelaser.com. Visit the Dragonfire website at www.dragonfirelaser.com to see the full line of products available for customization.
The Gallery: Daredevil Noir #1
Out on April 8 is the latest series in Marvel’s re-imagining of some of their greatest characters. Daredevil Noir is a new 4 issue mini-series by writer Alexander Irvine and artist Tomm Coker, which takes familiar faces from Matt Murdock’s life and takes them back a few decades. The first issue has a variant cover from artist Dennis Calero. Text-free preview pictures can be seen at the link below.
Superman/Batman Animated Movie
Sure, Marvel may be kicking DC’s butt in the battle of the cinema, but DC are winning the animated war. Marvel’s animated films (two Ultimate Avengers, Iron Man, Dr. Strange and Hulk Vs) have been disappointing, but DC’s (Superman/Batman, Justice League: The New Frontier, Wonder Woman) have been awesome. This year, after the recently announced Green Lantern: First Flight, the next release will be Superman/Batman: Public Enemies. This is great news indeed. The film will be based on the action packed first 6 issues of DC’s team-up title, by writer Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuiness. The official synopsis is below. I can’t wait. Go here for a sneak peek at the comic book inspiration.
SUPERMAN/BATMAN: PUBLIC ENEMIES:
United States President Lex Luthor uses the oncoming trajectory of a
kryptonite asteroid to frame Superman and declare a $1 billion bounty
on the heads of the Man of Steel and his “partner in crime” Batman.
Super heroes and super villains alike launch a relentless pursuit of
Superman and Batman, who must unite – and recruit super help – to
stave off the action-packed onslaught, stop the asteroid, and uncover
Luthor’s devious plot to take command of far more than North America.
Hotwire: Requiem for the Dead #2 Review
Those Brits sure know how to make good sci-fi tales. Ridley Scott behind the lens of Blade Runner, all those crazy cats at 2000AD and now Steve Pugh with Hotwire: Requiem for the Dead. There’s something in the water that gives the English a refreshing perspective to the genre, and the perfect package that is Hotwire is the latest jewel in the crown.
When a skeletal figure shambles up to the front desk of a police station and mumbles, “I tried to check my pulse, but I must be doing it wrong,” it becomes obvious that this isn’t a standard futuristic adventure. Writer/artist Steve Pugh is the clever hand behind this tale (with early support from Warren Ellis) and his off-centre ideas are presented beautifully.
At the end of the first ish, Alice Hotwire, the unpopular but efficient detective exorcist and her new partner Mobey were facing a possessed hobo named Filthy. Here Filthy gets saved with an unusual method by Hotwire and her and Mobey try to put all the pieces together of the general craziness that’s been happening around them, which includes riots in the cities and a spate of damaged blue-light suppressor towers. All this is making Alice’s usual job a lot harder.
Alice soon meets Darrow, the new city commander of the police force who shows the pale cop their latest “resident.” The shambling skeleton from the intro explodes in his holding cell revealing a very pretty Chinese dragon electro-magnetic manifestation, and an intriguing new plot line which ends on a great cliffhanger. Next issue should be a doozy.
There’s some simply amazing work in this title. It’s very accessible to the new reader and moves at a brisk pace. Hotwire is a great character – a loveable rogue, like a female Han Solo. She’s always where the action is and doesn’t concern herself with official policies when there’s citizens to be saved and “blue-lights” to be exorcised.
Pugh’s also just as adept and creating tidy visuals as he is at tightly scripted pages. He paints texture, lighting and the human form like Alex Ross at his prime. Even when Mobey and Hotwire are simply talking at her apartment the scene looks vibrant. Pugh’s obviously done his research and has created a fully realised world. Every gadget, weapon and vehicle looks like it’s a current concept design from some hi-tech company. If you’re into Ross, or anything else from Radical Publishing, you’ll lap this series up. And if you’re familiar with Pugh’s previous work on the excellent Shark-Man, you must pick up this title.
The Gallery-Wolverine: Weapon X
That Logan fella sure is greedy. Apparently there’s no limit to the number of different series Wolverine can handle. Now, we can add another one as Marvel unveils Wolverine: Weapon X on April 8, a month before his big screen adventure in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Writer Jason Aaron (Vertigo’s Scalped) and artist Ron Garney re-team, after their Get Mystique arc, for this new ongoing series. Weapon X focuses on Rooxon’s attempt to create the perfect killing machine, all tied in with Wolvie’s past and the mysterious Adamantium Men. The first issue arrives with cover variants by Adam Kubert, Alan Davis and Olivier Coipel. See more pics below.
The Gallery: Witchblade #125
The 40 page anniversary issue, Witchblade #125 is out from Top Cow on March 18. It’s another biggie in the series, and also the start of the War of the Witchblades story arc. It’s by the usual dynamic team of writer Ron Marz and artist Stjepan Sejic. Below is the official lowdown on the info, plus some preview pages at the link.
Witchblade #125
(W) Ron Marz (A) Stjepan Sejic (Cov) Chris Bachalo, Stjepan Sejic
One of the longest-running series in comics reaches a milestone: 125 issues and still going strong! There’s no better way to mark this occasion than with the start of the biggest Witchblade story arc ever!
For more than a year now, the Witchblade has been split between two bearers—NYPD Detective Sara Pezzini and dancer Danielle Baptiste—and they have coexisted peacefully. But that’s all about to end.
Beginning in this issue, the six-part “War of the Witchblades” arc will change Sara, Dani and the Witchblade forever. Sara has been Dani’s friend and mentor, but now she becomes her bitter enemy. By the end of the storyline, only ONE bearer will remain.
The critically acclaimed team of writer Ron Marz and artist Stjepan Sejic is joined by cover artist Chris Bachalo (Uncanny X-Men, Amazing Spider-Man), who contributes a two-part cover of Sara and Dani.
Cover A – Chris Bachalo
Cover B – Chris Bachalo
Cover C – Stjepan Sejic
The Remnant #3 Review
Writer Caleb Monroe continues his tightening of this supernatural espionage tale. The Remnant so far has managed to successfully weave in elements of different genres without any one empowering the other. Jason Bourne casts his shadow over this series, with retired CIA gent David Sacker attempting to forge a new life with his wife Sara while not being allowed to by his employers, and a new menace on the horizon.
Dropping hints about Sara’s involvement in the explosion in the first issue Monroe continues that in this penultimate issue. David is still keen to get back in the field to discover the meaning of the mysterious men around him (one of whom – John Drouin somehow saved his life), especially after disarming a bomb in his kitchen last issue. David and Sara’s disagreements reach new heights here, as David doesn’t seem to care about the danger around him, or his friend Andy, while Sara discovers a possible reason to secure the safety of their future together. As David rushes in to meet Andy, he’s met only by the ever silent Drouin and the elderly man from seen lurking in the background in the disasters of previous issues. A brief struggle ensues, showing John’s indestructibility, which looks to be questioned only moments later.
This is not a jumping on point for new readers. There’s no recap of the previous issues, but don’t let that stop you from picking up the Trade when it hits. It’s a good series, and shows BOOM!’s diversity in the market. Julian Totino Tedesco’s art is gracious, with fluidity and weight to his figures. Expressions are real and he has the best page design currently on the shelves. I’m glad BOOM! is diversifying their roster of artists, and moving away from the sketchy style they seemed to be stuck with for a while there.
It’s difficult to say much more about this title without dropping the surprises, but it’s worth paying attention to. With a great combo of spiritual themes in an action film wrapper The Remnant is a brisk mover and is paced as a one read format, rather than the typical stop and start monthly approach. Wait for the Trade and you’ll read it from cover to cover in one sitting. It’s that engrossing.
Hexed #3 Review
At this point I may as well start copying and pasting my praise from my previous reviews. The penultimate issue of this mini-series retains what has made fans and critics take notice in the first place, namely tight plotting and varied visuals.
Hexed is all about Luci, a young female thief/magician who is forced to retrieve a powerful object called the carasinth for her former boss, the nasty Dietrich. Luci was successful in stealing the item last issue, in a rather gruesome, yet creative fashion and now she must face the consequences of bringing it into our reality. In this issue Luci’s current boss and mother figure, Val faces intruders in her art gallery but shows she’s far from helpless, Luci meets her ‘mother’, attempts to outrun a heap of cop cars and summons a critter from the toilet, all the while trying to stop Dietrich’s mad plans with the carasinth.
Simply put, this is a great series. Each issue has been better than the last and it’s so powerfully risen above its simple ‘sassy, yet vulnerable female magic user’ premise. Michael Alan Nelson’s skill is mostly in his great plotting. As a reader, such a thing can be easily overlooked, but in this age of decompression, where sub-plots can be stretched thin over months or years, its refreshing to see this stripped back adventure remind us how simple a comic story can be. Notice I said simple, and not basic. Hexed is an engaging series for a new reader to this glorious medium, but also jaded fanboys. You won’t find yourself struggling to remember what happened last month or trying to figure out what it all means. Characters are easily recognizable, Luci is believable and the situations are not grandiose enough so as to venture into soap opera.
With Emma Rios supplying unique art with a wild, but not distracting colour palette and organic page designs, this series is evidence of a great partnership at work. The dark humour, blood letting and action are all present and welcome, and the whole issue meshes perfectly together, with nothing appearing rushed or out of place. I look forward to the series ending next month, but hopefully it’s merely a continuation. I’m hungry for more Hexed.
