When an actor’s name appears on the cover of a comic, us fanboys become skeptical. Heroes hottie Milo Ventimiglia’s name is stamped on Rest from Devil’s Due and more familiar names like Nicolas Cage have had their input on comics, thanks to Virgin (who also had something in the works with Hugh Jackman. I guess we won’t be holding our breath for that one, thanks to their recent downsizing). Kevin Smith seems like the only name that makes fans flock to his comics, regardless of an inconsistent output. And do you notice how it’s usually the indie publishers that pull this? Marvel and DC don’t.
So another actor has his name associated with a comic. A Baldwin brother no less. However, don’t let that deter you. Don’t judge this book by its cover. The first issue is an engrossing start to this mini-series. The story is created by Stephen Baldwin, with help from Andrew Cosby (creator of the TV show Eureka) and is scripted by Caleb Monroe.
Beginning with corpses floating in the street after Hurricane Katrina is an attention grabber. Then to seal the deal one elderly man speaks into the ear of a victim, giving him life. We are then introduced to CIA agent, and newlywed, David Sacker just before he’s caught in an explosion at the Federal Building in L.A while attempting to file marriage papers. David is flung to the ground, clutching his life, just before the man saved in the first few pages passes on the favour, whispering to David and allowing him to return to his very thankful, and amorous, wife. All seems happy for the re-united couple, until a pair of investigators from Homeland Security break the joy by taking Sarah Sacker in for questioning. She, nor David, has any idea why she’s there, despite her name and address being found on the bomber’s body. David is determined to save his wife any way he can and goes home for the night. However, being the on-edge agent that he is, notices a stranger, attacks him and a chase begins. Little does he know that the man he’s silently chasing is the one who saved him in the explosion. Confusion about the mind behind the attack reigns, until a breakthrough in the analysis – the main suspect is the silent Katrina ‘victim’ who apparently is legally dead.
Where this all goes from here is anyone’s guess, but this is a superb set-up. Its mixture of cop-show reality and the supernatural is a classy one. Nothing about this story is over-the-top, but is all handled with a very aware pace. Monroe builds a great rhythm and uses his limited time with the main characters extremely well. In only a few scenes, we know all we need to know about them and their personality shows. It’s a simple tale, but one with enough surprises to entice you further. I dare anyone to not read the next issue after reading this dynamic premiere. Apart from the pacing and characterisation, the greatest highlight is the art.
I’ve never heard of Julian Totino Tedesco. After this, that will change. I would not be surprised if he graduates to the Big Two in a year or so. The action in this issue is minimal. The explosion and chase are more than needed, and essentially the remaining pages are talking heads. But in Tedesco’s capable hands, they come alive on the page. He’s not afraid to use white space when necessary, and to break panel boundaries and wisely use every page as a new design opportunity. The Federal Building explosion is the best ka-boom I have ever seen on paper and the chase is so varied in its choice of angles that it could be a Spielberg storyboard. Managing natural conversation with scenes of devastation, and a somewhat raunchy make-out scene between the Sackers is a great display of diversity. His art lies somewhere in the vicinity of Frank Cho (Hulk), thanks to the flowing lines and natural expressions. I am so glad BOOM! has enlisted Tedesco. The studio has some truly great titles around, with original ideas, like Challenger Deep and Station, but too often the art is too rough and sketchy and doesn’t give the concepts the support they deserve. If this is a sign of BOOM!’s future, I’ll be definitely be reading more of their stuff.
There is a subtle sense that the world’s not as it is supposed to be running throughout this ish; one that will become more prominent in the next three issues if Baldwin’s rather eloquent intro is to be taken as a promise of things to come. This book has got me. It’s a well rounded package. On every level its just a pleasant surprise.
The Remnant #1 hits stores on Christmas Eve. Grab it.
BOOM! Studios has wisely chosen a good, familiar franchise with Farscape and they’re not the only one. Dark Horse has Buffy, IDW has Angel and Doctor Who and Star Trek. TV franchises work, because they have a built in audience. They work even more when they’re faithful adaptations, in-continuity and carry on what the TV series began. Because Buffy has been promoted as the official next season by creator Joss Whedon himself, Dark Horse, and the industry, has been rewarded with a greater audience, and a new one at that. Hopefully BOOM! will have a similar response. I was never a huge fan of Farscape, but it has my respect for being a sci-fi series filmed in Australia and for using puppets. Thanks to the Jim Henson Company, no less! Well, Christmas Eve is the launch of the new Farscape comic, which picks up straight after the events of The Peacekeeper Wars mini-series. This was originally slated for a November release but has been pushed back to allow for some fine-tuning. The comic is written by Farscape creator Rockne O’Bannon and Keith R.A. DeCandido, with art by Tommy Patterson. Preview pages are below to give you a glimpse of John Crichton and co. once more.
Bluewater Productions is bringing back its flagship title 10th Muse as part of the Ray Harryhausen Presents comic book line. The exciting new series, “10th Muse: 800”, is scheduled for a February 2009 release.
Top Cow Productions, Inc. announced today it will maintain a $2.99 price point for its regular-sized comic books throughout 2009, despite the recent move of other publishers to raise the cost of some of their books to $3.99.
Well, this is the time for comic sales, hey? Time to buy up big for the fellow geek in your family. That wonderful indie publisher, Top Shelf, currently has a sale on now until Sunday December 14. You get free priority shipping for all orders over $40 to the US. They also have a bunch of $3 stocking stuffers.Go 
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