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Legends: The Enchanted #0 - Reviewd

Feb 102010

Legends: The Enchanted #0
Creator and Writer: Nick Percival
Illustrator: Nick Percival
32 pages, FC, $1

I must admit that my first impression of “legends” was that Radical Comics had made another “Fables” rip off. Both of the comics are a take on fairytale characters, and have a cool modern twist, but the similarities end right there. “Legends” takes the enchanted world and infuses it with steampunk mentality. Nick Percival is wearing his artist, writer and creator hat on this project, but I did notice that Richard Starkings, the creator of “Hip Flask” is helping out with the lettering. Radical Publishing has put out some great comics over the last couple of years. So how does Legends compare?

Let’s take a look.

The Plot

You think you know them. Think again. Violently ripped from the pages of folklore come the Enchanted, supernatural immortals living in a dark, steampunk, creature-infested world where nature, technology and foul magic are in constant conflict. When the twisted, burnt remains of the half-wooden, half-mechanical warrior, Pinocchio are discovered, wolf-hunter Red Hood and giant-killer Jack realize the fragile rules of their existence have been shattered. With the help of other powerful Enchanted (the mercenary Goldilocks and psychic exterminators Hansel and Gretel), Jack and Red team up on an adventure to stop whatever, or whoever, is destroying their powers and murdering their kind.

The writing

Nick has taken the less is more approach in “Legends”. The dialog is sparse but appropriate. The comic is well written and the characters are interesting. Nick allowed his illustrations to tell the story and it works perfectly.

The Art

I really like Nick’s style. The illustrations are amazing, they have a rich hand painted feel. His vision of Pinocchio is freaking wicked! I want to read an entire comic based solely on Nicks version of the wooden marionette. To sum this up, Nick Percival’s artwork in Legends: The Enchanted ROCKS!

The Verdict

Nick Percival’s Legends serves up a magical world that is both realistic and surreal. I liked Legends. It hits all the right notes and nails the artwork. The story is entertaining, the writing is interesting, and the future for this book is bright. The icing on the cake is the price, you can pick up a copy of Legends for a dollar, beat that.

See more of Nick’s work at: www.nickpercival.com

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FVZA Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency #1 Review

Comics, Featured

Oct 212009

FVZA: Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency #1
Writer David Hine
Penciler Roy Allan Martinez
Painter Kinsun Loh and Jerry Choo
Letterer Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt
Published by Radical Comics

The Plot
In a world where a deadly disease transforms innocent victims into Zombies, a long dormant government task force is called into action: The Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency. Throughout history, from the Civil War to World War II, the FVZA protected humanity from the blood-sucking, flesh-eating hordes – until a cure was discovered that sent the undead to their graves. When a new incurable strain of the virus ravages a small town in America, Agent Landra Pecos must call upon her lethal skills to eradicate the threat. But as Landra delves deeper into her investigation of the undead menace, she uncovers shocking secrets that will change her life forever. Based on the popular website FVZA.org and written by comics superstar David Hine (Civil War: X-Men, Spider-Man Noir, Arkham Asylum).

The Art
All I can say is WOW! The coloring, the pencils the lettering, it’s all beautiful. FVZA is simply stunning to behold.

The Writing
David Hine’s story is creepy, exciting and fun. The dialogue is interesting and the characters are well designed. Mr. Hine has been writing comics professionally for awhile now. He brings a fantastical point of view to FVZA that transcends the confines of this genre.

The Verdict
FVZA is just plain cool. The story is solid. The artwork is phenomenal. Everyone attached to this comic deserve to pat themselves on the back. There are so many vampire and zombie comics these days that you might say, do we really need another? My answer is this: if you can do it better than anyone else and somehow put your own original seal upon it, there will always be room. FVZA certainly qualifies.

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Hotwire: Requiem for the Dead #2 Review

Reviews

Mar 192009

Reviewed by: Shawn Swanson

Alice Hotwire has traded the old wooden cross for a spook-evicting-gadget-thing nailed to a wooden board, and the words “The power of Christ compels you” for “Oh Crap!”. To say the least, this is not your fathers Exorcist.

Issue number 2 opens with a murdered man staggering into the police station. The ongoing riot has taken over more of the city and every cop is out in the middle of it. meanwhile, Hotwire is off gallivanting with a giant flaming skull. What happens next? You’ll have to read the issue for yourself to find out. I will tell you this: everything about the murdered guy is very cool.

Steve Pugh is a fantastic artist and his writing is quite good. My only real critique of this issue would be that there are moments where dialog is placed unnecessarily. Let me explain my meaning here; Steve’s illustrations through much of this book are so poignant, so perfectly rendered, that the words seem to detract from the moment somehow. A picture is worth a thousand words and Steve’s pictures are worth a million. He’s done a fantastic job with Hotwire. I’m not sure if Warren Ellis would have done much better.

When Steve Pugh was asked about writing a story created by Warren Ellis he had this to say:

“It’s been an enormous project, but I’ve been determined to get Alice into print for years, and I’m actually pleased it’s taken this long, because artistically, I think I’m at the top of my game,” Pugh said. “It’s only through utter arrogance and ridiculous self-belief that I could rewrite a story by one of the most famous comic writers in mainstream publication.”

Hotwire: Requiem for the Dead #2 is a fast, fun, wiz-bang of a comic, that chooses to be SiFi when it could so easily become just another silly and unbelievable horror book. I like what Steve has created. Hotwire is a gutsy effort and the fact that it’s a one man show from script to lettering is impressive.

If you looking for a good Warren Ellis style SiFi thriller than Hotwire is a must read. The comic is published by Radical Publishing and went on sale March 18th. Get down to you’re local comic shop and check it out.

HOTWIRE: REQUIEM FOR THE DEAD #2 (2 of 4)
Created by STEVE PUGH and WARREN ELLIS
Based on a story by WARREN ELLIS
Writer and Illustrator STEVE PUGH
Letterer STEVE PUGH

March 18th, 28 page, FC, $2.99

3 cover
Hotwire #2 Cover A – Steve Pugh Diamond Code: JAN094395
Hotwire #2 Cover B – Stjepan Sejic Diamond Code: JAN094396
Hotwire #2 Cover C – Alan Brooks Diamond Code: JAN094397

City of Dust: A Philip Khrome Story #3 Review

Reviews

Dec 172008

In true Steve Niles style, City of Dust: A Philip Khrome Story #3 begins with a decapitated human head. If the fantastical writing of Steve Niles doesn’t grab you, maybe the blood thirsty Werewolves will, or how about the ten foot tall humanoid robot. Did I mention this comic is straight up awesome?

Just in case you have missed the first two books let me catch you up on the premise. Set in the aftermath of our world’s collapse. Records show the Earth once known was consumed by religious wars spurred by the suppression of free thought and where creative expression is now viewed as the rot and infestation of the mind. This chilling vision of the future unveils a world where the police now patrol for crimes of the imagination, or Mind Crimes as their called. Those beliefs, along with any tales of false heroes, idols or gods, are illegal. The world is anew and so the enemy adapts. Special detective Philip Khrome doesn’t enforce Imagination, instead he works in homicide; that’s where the action is, and he has seen it all before. But criminals evolve and the world is forever changing. When a killing spree hits his department, Khrome finds himself face to face with a perpetrator who has merged reality with superstition. The world everyone is accustomed to is flipped upside down and everything is no longer what it seems.

In Philip Krome’s world there isn’t a need for real detective work, or I should say that there hasn’t been any need for true detective work. The machines have taken over that chore, leaving us to wonder, what use is a detective with no detective skills and that’s what makes this so interesting. But what happens if the machines stop working properly? There is the question that can drive a story. When the Machines stop doing their job Detective Chrome is forced to test his metal; solveing this case using only intellect and instinct. I like the man over machine aspect of this story.

I can’t recommend this comic enough. The art is dark and kind of reminds me of Blade Runner. The writing is stellar. The quality of this book…in fact all of the books recently published by Radical Comics are outstanding. City of Dust: A Philip Khrome Story #3 was a pleasure to read.

City of Dust proves without a doubt that Steve Niles is “The Man”. Two thumbs way up!

If you would like to get a copy of this comic am posting all the technical information below.

CITY OF DUST
A PHILIP KHROME STORY #3
Writer STEVE NILES
Artist ZID, GARRIE GASTONNY and BRANDON CHNG
Colorist BUDDY JIANG, LEOS NG ‘OKITA’ and SIXTH CREATION
Letterer CHRIS ELIOPOULOS
28 pages, FC, December, $2.99

City of Dust #3 Cover A – Clint Langley Diamond Code: OCT084325
City of Dust #3 Cover B – Lucio Parrillo Diamond Code: OCT084326
City of Dust #3 Cover C – Michal Ivan Diamond Code: OCT084327