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. Check out some pics below.
This is good news for Robert Luedke. The writer/artist’s latest book in the Eye Witness series continues to receive attention. The interesting books present an intriguing combination of modern archaeological adventures while gazing at the beginnings of Christianity. I met Robert at last year’s San Diego Comic-Con and interviewed him here. Well done Robert!
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More than 1,400 books were entered in 61 categories for FOREWORD MAGAZINE’S annual book awards. These were narrowed to 668 finalists from 376 publishers. These books represent some of the best work coming from today’s independent press community!
The winners will be determined by a panel of librarians and booksellers, selected from FOREWORD’S readership. Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners, as well as Editor’s Choice Prizes for Fiction and Nonfiction will be announced at a special program at BookExpo America at the Javits Center in New York City on May 29, 2009. The winners of the two Editor’s Choice Prizes will be awarded $1,500 each. The ceremony is open to all BEA attendees.
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ABOUT FOREWORD MAGAZINE
ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year Awards program was designed to discover distinctive books across a number of genres. The list of finalists is searchable by category, publisher, title, and author.
ForeWord affects the choices of booksellers and librarians across the country who weekly advise millions what to read. Their typical publication reaches an audience of 20,000. Foreword also put the magazine in the hands of agents and editors at larger houses who are looking for leads to bring into their fold from the independent press sector. All told, readership is about 85% librarians, 12% bookstores, 3% publishing professionals…and of course, parents. |
 ABOUT ROBERT LUEDKE:
Robert James Luedke is one of those special individuals that only come around once in a great while…a true groundbreaker!
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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.
Or adults too, really. If you’re bored at work, or home, check out this free Iron Man game based on the new toon from Marvel. Official press release below.
Marvel Entertainment launched a brand new online casual game today based on the upcoming “Iron Man: Armored Adventures” animated series on Nicktoons. The game, named Iron Man Armored Popper, is available to be played now at MarvelKids.com.
Iron Man Armored Popper is a challenging, fun, puzzle type game that uses Iron Man’s repulsor beams to knock down his enemies and clear each stage in this wildly entertaining game. Defeat the likes of Mandarin, Madame Masque, Whiplash, Count Nefaria and more—and gain new powers while doing it!
Iron Man Armored Popper joins a slate of five other online casual games already launched on MarvelKids.com including Wolverine MRD Escape, Iron Man Flight Test, Hulk Central Smashdown, Iron Man Armory Assault and Hulk Bad Altitude. All six casual games are currently available to play free of charge on MarvelKids.com.
“Iron Man: Armored Adventures” is the second all-new animated series produced by Marvel Animation. The series is set to air on Nicktoons on April 24, 2009. It follows the widely successful “Wolverine and the X-Men” series which premiered on the Nicktoons Network in January.
Head over to MarvelKids.com and help Iron Man defend the world from evil!
How it pains me to write those words! But it’s better to have great quality a little late, rather than poor quality now. Dave and I really only meet for less than 3 hours a week to put together a 60 page issue. That’s not very much at all, and every time we manage to sneak in some time during lunch away from our ‘real’ jobs, it reminds me how important collaboration is on any sort of creative endeavour. Neither one of us could do ES alone. Anyway, so issue 2 is coming. It will be here in March, but not March 15 as originally hoped and promised. We will get it out in late March sometime, and so far it’s looking to be a real cracker. Leaping and bounding with improvements from our first issue in January we are extremely excited to get our second ish out, and to see what everyone thinks. In the meantime, here’s a teaser of what to expect:
A hilarious interview with Amazing Spider-Man and Dark Reign: Elektra writer Zeb Wells
An honest interview with Marvel writer/editor Tom DeFalco about the end of his much-loved Amazing Spider-Girl
An interview with Richard Emms about Ardden Entertainment’s new Flash Gordon series
An interview with two great English gents from Ariel Press about Harker
A look at the awesome mechs of Dawn of the Dread Force
A look at Steve Pugh’s glorious Hotwire from Radical Publishing
and oh, so much more including reviews, Superman: A Biography, BOOM!’s take on Disney and the Muppets, and DIY paper superheroes. Thanks for your patience. It’ll be worth the wait.
Press release (and awesome covers) below regarding Top Cow’s The Darkness #76.
Top Cow Productions, Inc. proudly announced today that The Darkness issue #76, which will be released in March 25th, will contain a variant cover contributed by artist Josh Medors (30 Days of Night, Runes of Ragnan). As many in the comic community are aware, Medors has been courageously combating a rare form of cancer since 2008. A second cover for The Darkness #76, illustrated by artist Frazer Irving (Silent War), will also be offered.
“I had a great time working on this. Jackie has always been one of my favorite Top Cow characters, so to get a chance to work on a Darkness cover was amazing,” explained Medors, “I was a bit nervous going in to it, but the gang over at Top Cow was great. I think the finished piece turned out fantastic.”
(Fans and retailers should note that the Legacy Issue Numbering has taken effect and that The Darkness #76 is actually #12 of the current volume. Legacy Numbering denotes the total number of issues of The Darkness ever published, regardless of volume.
The story, penned by current series writer Phil Hester (Green Arrow, Firebreather), picks up where issue #74 left off with current Darkness bearer Jackie Estacado in service to The Sovereign. The manipulative Sovereign is an ancient demon who can project his conscience into any object bearing his likeness. This issue will also introduce a brand new character who will change Jackie’s perception of The Darkness forever. Penciler Michael Broussard and inker Ryan Winn also return as the art team with The Darkness #76.
According to Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex, Countdown, Deadpool),“The team of Hester and Broussard are in top form and The Darkness never looked or read better. In a time when more and more books are not what they used to be, The Darkness is proving to be one of the most twisted fun titles out there. Take it from a guy that enjoys evil fun. The Darkness team of Hester and Broussard are delivering some of the best work of their careers.”
Hollywood has been trying to make Watchmen ever since the lauded 12 issue series from DC Comics was released twenty years ago. With a variety of writers and directors attached, the adaptation kept going nowhere. Director Terry Gilliam (Monty Python, The Brothers Grimm) was attached to the project in the late 80s, but soon gave up, after realising that Watchmen was unfilmable. Alan Moore, the writer behind the much loved series agreed with him, and after witnessing unfaithful Moore adaptations, such as V For Vendetta and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (Sean Connery’s last film before retiring), it became glaringy obvious that Moore’s works should remain on the page, not the screen.
However, as it was announced that director Zack Snyder was attached, after his faithful 300 film stuck close to Frank Miller’s comic, fans became cautiously optimistic. Snyder is a brave man though. Watchmen is revered, and rightly so. You’re not a fanboy unless you’ve read it. Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons’ masterpiece is to the medium of sequential art what War and Peace is to literature, or Citizen Kane is to cinema. Yep, that’s how big a deal it is.
Of course, it’s really only those who have been reading comics for any considerable amount of time who know anything about Watchmen. That’s all due to change now though, and that’s a good thing. Those expecting just another standard superhero movie won’t find that here. It’s a good thing Watchmen wasn’t made twenty years ago, as superhero films weren’t the hot commodity they are today (and Watchmen subverts expected superhero clichés) and special effects have advanced greatly. So, what’s it all about then?
On the surface, Watchmen is about a group of retired superheroes set in 1985 who loosely reform when one of their own is brutally murdered, and it looks like every other superhero is a target. Gruff voiced vigilante Rorschach (named for his moving ink blot like mask), played by Jackie Earle Haley, discovers the death of The Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan from TV’s Grey Anatomy and Supernatural) in the film’s brutal opener by a mysterious man. As Rorschach narrates throughout most of the film, he warns his former team mates, Silk Spectre II (Malin Ackerman), the unearthly Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup), Nite Owl II (Patrick Wilson) and Ozymandias (Matthew Goode) about the potential mask killer.
The film does an excellent job of creating a fully immersive environment. I can’t remember the last time I was transported to another world with such relish. Keeping the story set in late 1985 is a wise decision, with the U.S versus Russian threat of nuclear Armageddon being pivotal to the story’s structure. The relatively unknown cast do a superb job with their distinctive characters, but Wilson as the slightly overweight Nite Owl II, pining for days of glory past, and Haley as the menacing anti-hero Rorschach stand out.
I won’t say much more, for those unfamiliar with the rest of the narrative, save to say that if you’re expecting another Spider-Man or Iron Man, don’t. Watchmen is far removed from any superhero film you’ve ever witnessed. It’s almost 3 hours long, and is riveting all the way. There’s some great dark humour and typical Snyder slow-mo action, and it’s all mixed up with some resounding themes about the meaning of humanity, the cost of peace and the skewed psychology of crime fighters.
The original 400 page book, which collects the 12 issue series, has been flying off the shelves lately, and is filled with extras that the film can’t capture, such as excerpts from diaries, memoirs and psychiatrist’s notes, all which serve to remind the reader about Moore’s brilliant dedication to detail. The other notable omissions from the film would be the catastrophic and bloody ending, and the Tales of the Black Freighter comic woven throughout the book, though an animated DVD of this will be released at the end of March. The main contention with the film, from loyal comics readers, has been the slightly different ending, but Snyder is extremely faithful to the comic, with literal dialogue used abundantly. The ending, as it is in the comic, would be jarring to cinema audiences, but the intent remains the same and doesn’t suffer for it’s variation from Moore’s creation.
This is a powerful film, and one that will definitely be shocking to some. The violence is brutal, the heroes aren’t what you expect (Rorschach kills, The Comedian shoots his pregnant lover, beats civilians, and much worse) and there is nudity, and raw sex scenes throughout. So, be warned, this isn’t intended for children. Watchmen is an adult film.
The music is great and helps sell the time period. Usually it works, such as the subtle use of Tears For Fears’ Everybody Wants To Rule The World, and at times mis-fires, such as with 99 Luftballoons, or The Sounds of Silence. It’s when choral or classical pieces are used that the effect really works.
Snyder should be congratulated for taking on this mammoth endeavour, and for doing the original proud. His hard work, and the studio backing, has paid off. Those unfamiliar with comics in general may be taken aback, but that’s a good thing. There’s a whole world of intelligent, intellectual comics out there, of which Watchmen sits atop the pile. The movie is its cinematic equal, and I never expected to say that.
My interview with writer Brian Clevinger is now up at Broken Frontier. The writer of next month’s Atomic Robo and the Shadow From Beyond Time talks about a bunch of stuff including the importance of Nikola Tesla and the fun that Robo has brought back to comics.
Here’s a snippet….
BROKEN FRONTIER: Why do you think fans have responded to Atomic Robo so kindly?
BRIAN CLEVINGER: I think it’s because much of what informs Atomic Robo as a title comes from our own dissatisfaction with mainstream comics. We’re the anti-Big Event Book and more people are coming to realize they like that. We’re not trying to make you buy into tie-ins or change everything you know about the status quo forever (or three months, which comes first). We’re just telling fun adventure stories with a cool main character who doesn’t need his whole history re-written every year to make sense/generate sales.
Read the rest here.
I remember watching the dodgy old American Spider-Man live action TV show in my youth. Sure, Spidey never did any web swinging, or fought anyone other than plain baddies but it was fun for a wide-eyed kid to see one of his heroes in “real life.” Spider-Man also turned Japanese in the 70s, in even less faithful TV adventures. The only similarity was really the costume. The Japanese version had motorbikes and giant robots to make up for it though. See the official press release below, then check out the free TV shows. If the pics below don’t tempt you to glimpse the zaniness, nothing will!
Now streaming exclusively on Marvel.com is Japanese “Spider-Man,” the legendary late 1970s TV show produced by Japan ’s TOEI Company. Trust us; you have NEVER seen Spider-Man quite like this before.
The series follows the exploits of motorcycle racer turned super hero Takuya Yamashiro as he slings and swings, battling the evil Iron Cross Army along the way. It’s fun, frantic and FREE!
See Episode One right now on Marvel.com—then come back every Thursday for the next episode.
No, not the movie, but a game which serves as a prequel. Press release below.
“WATCHMEN: JUSTICE IS COMING” ONLINE MULTIPLAYER GAME
TO LAUNCH ON THE iPHONE AND iPOD TOUCH
Warner Bros. Digital Distribution today announced Watchmen: Justice is Coming, an online multiplayer game for the iPhone and iPod Touch based on the upcoming film Watchmen, from Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures, in association with Legendary Pictures. Available from the iTunes App Store this March, Watchmen: Justice is Coming will take iPhone gaming to a new level allowing players to battle in realistic 3D environments and visualize changes to the world in real time.
Watchmen: Justice is Coming is a multiplayer online adventure fighting game developed by Last Legion Games exclusively for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The game will use “cloudMMO,” Last Legion’s patent pending cloud based multiplayer technology that leverages Amazon.com Web Services allowing players to adventure through the incredible world of Watchmen. Players will experience an ever-changing gaming environment, chat with other players and participate in street battles.
In Watchmen: Justice is Coming, players bring their own unique form of justice to New York City in the 1970s before the film’s central story unfolds. Masked adventuring has been outlawed. During this critical time period, crime is rampant and average citizens must take matters into their own hands to survive. Players create their personal avatar and enter the rain-soaked city of Manhattan. The dark metropolitan world is a vast network of interlocking and overlapping spaces that include: the seedy and saturated neon Red Light District; a run down Financial District and its dark waterfront; the downtown back-alleys of Lower Manhattan; a wide open City Park; and more.
An original story inspired by director Zack Snyder’s big screen version of Watchmen, which is based on the graphic novel illustrated and co-created by Dave Gibbons, Watchmen: Justice is Coming leads players on an immersive adventure inside the depths of the Watchmen universe. Average citizens evolve into fully equipped costumed avengers by completing unique challenges, exploring the universe and battling enemies.
Watchmen fans can visit www.watchmenjusticeiscoming.com for updates on the game and to read Last Legion’s blog.
Official press release below regarding Top Cow’s unique initiative to give out free comics to participating comic shops in the U.S and Canada. See if yours is on the list!
Top Cow Productions, Inc. revealed today the names of the participating retailers in their “Let Us Win YOU Over” initiative for March and the program would continue with another highly anticipated anniversary issue – Witchblade #125.
The “Let Us Win YOU Over” initiative is a yearlong campaign by Top Cow Productions to give out free copies of its regular comics to potential fans in the U.S. and Canada through participating comic book stores. Each month, a different set of stores, each month a different free comic. The stores vary by geography and demographics. Top Cow has partnered with ComicsPRO to bring this promotion to fans and all of February’s retailers are members of ComicsPRO.
Witchblade #125 is an over-sized 40-page comic, which launches the six part “War of the Witchblades” storyline. Since the events of First Born, Detective Sara Pezzini and dancer Danielle Baptiste have shared the mystical gauntlet, the Witchblade; but recently cracks have appeared in their relationship. The story is written by regular writer Ron Marz and ongoing artist Stjepan Sejic. The issue will be in comic shops on Wednesday, March 18th, 2009 and normally retails for $3.99.
“Let Us Win YOU Over is off to a great start,” said Filip Sablik, Publisher of Top Cow. “The reaction from retailers and fans at the copies of The Darkness #75 given away was very gratifying and we’re equally excited to give potential fans a taste of our flagship title, Witchblade.”
“”With a Witchblade movie in the works, and writer Ron Marz working on a long-term plan for the character, issue #125 is a great place to jump on to the series,” said Matt Price, co-owner of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman, OK. “And getting that first taste for free is even better! I applaud Top Cow for making this effort to draw in new readers to direct-market stores.”
“”Top Cow is to be commended for ‘putting their money where their mouth is’ with this promotion — there’s no better tool to create new readers than a free sample. I’m certain this will widely increase the number of eyes looking at Top Cow comics this year”,” added Brian Hibbs, owner of Comix Experience in San Francisco, CA.
A list of the participating retailers during the month of March (listed alphabetically by state) is included below. Additional information can be found at the official online home of the “Let Us Win YOU Over” initiative – www.topcow.com/freecomics. Customers who currently purchase The Darkness at the stores below will be able to purchase an extremely limited “All Beef” Edition (limited to just the stores listed below) at the regular cover price. Fans are encouraged to contact the specific retailer they wish to visit for specific details, below.
Woo hoo! Now this is exciting news. First announced as a sneak peek feature on this week’s Wonder Woman DVD movie, it’s now officially just around the corner – Green Lantern is getting his own film. Warner Bros. and DC have pumped out great animated films in the last few years, with Superman, Justice League, Wonder Woman and now the ring slinger himself – Hal Jordan, all stars of their own quality films. Effectively serving as an origin story, Green Lantern: First Flight lands in July. Official press release below.
WORLD RENOWNED DC SUPER HERO EMBARKS
ON HIS INITIAL MISSION IN
GREEN LANTERN: FIRST FLIGHT
FROM WARNER HOME VIDEO ON JULY 28, 2009!
Emmy Nominees Christopher Meloni & Victor Garber Top Stellar Voice Cast for
Fifth DC Universe Animated Original Movie.
The fabric of intergalactic justice is threatened – until Hal Jordan arrives for his initial mission – in the animated Green Lantern: First Flight, the fifth entry in the popular DVD series of DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 Movies. A co-production of Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation, the illuminated hero’s first-ever full-length animated film is set for release by Warner Home Video on July 28, 2009. Green Lantern: First Flight will be available as a special edition 2-disc version on DVD and Blu-RayTM Hi-Def .
Acclaimed actor Christopher Meloni (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) fills the lead voice of Hal Jordan aka Green Lantern. Meloni is joined by fellow Emmy Award nominee Victor Garber (Milk, Titanic) as the villainous Sinestro, Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica) as the voice of Boodikka, and Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs) as Kilowog.
Produced by animation legend Bruce Timm, Green Lantern: First Flight is helmed by heralded director Lauren Montgomery (Wonder Woman, Superman Doomsday) and scripted by four-time Emmy Award-winning writer Alan Burnett (The Batman).
Green Lantern: First Flight finds Hal Jordan recruited to join the Green Lantern Corps and placed under the supervision of respected senior Lantern Sinestro. The earthling soon discovers his mentor is actually the central figure in a secret conspiracy that threatens the philosophies, traditions and hierarchy of the entire Green Lantern Corps. Hal must quickly hone his newfound powers and combat the treasonous Lanterns within the ranks to maintain order in the universe.
Green Lantern: First Flight – 2 Disc Special Edition versions will include incredible bonus features such as:
• Over three hours of extra content
• Two Featurettes
• Digital Copy Download
• Widescreen (1.78:1)
• Two Episodes of Justice League hand-picked by animation legend Brice Timm
Green Lantern: First Flight Blu-Ray versions will include all the great extras as the 2-disc
Special Edition as well as an additional two episodes of Justice League picked by Bruce Timm.
“Warner Premiere along with our partners at DC and Warner Home Video has enjoyed great success with the DC Universe titles, and we’re proud to present this first feature-length animated Green Lantern film,” said Diane Nelson, President, Warner Premiere. “‘First Flight’ is a compelling story and a great vehicle to tell this iconic character’s story to both new and longtime fans.”
“In all of his incarnations, Green Lantern has stood as a fan favorite, and Warner Home Video is excited to provide fans with the character’s first full-length animated adventure,” said Amit Desai, WHV Vice President of Family, Animation & Sports Marketing. “Green Lantern was the perfect hero to follow movies featuring Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the entire Justice League.”
“Warner Bros. Animation is known for creating outstanding animated properties and has a legacy built upon some of the greatest characters ever imagined,” said Warner Bros. Television President Peter Roth, who also oversees television animation for the Studio. “Producer Bruce Timm and his creative team continue that rich tradition with this terrific DVD feature.”
“As one of the true core DC Super Heroes, Green Lantern has captured the imagination of pop culture enthusiasts with his illuminatingly human approach to justice throughout the universe,” said Gregory Noveck, Senior VP ¬ Creative Affairs, DC Comics. “Alan Burnett’s script captures the essence of DC’s canon of Green Lantern tales, and provides a fine launching point for future stories with this character.”
Apart from this animated release, Warner Bros. Pictures is currently in pre-production on a new “Green Lantern” theatrical motion picture, to be directed by Martin Campbell, bringing the popular DC Comics super hero to the big screen for the first time.
Official press release below regarding a great collection of The Rocketeer’s adventures, from the late, great writer/artist Dave Stevens. If you like the film, you can see where it came from.
IDW Publishing is proud to announce the upcoming release of The Complete Rocketeer by Dave Stevens, collecting the classic series in its entirety for the first time ever.
After more than a decade out of print, The Rocketeer makes a triumphant return to stores this October with a comprehensive hardcover edition featuring artwork digitally re-mastered from Stevens’ own lovingly maintained collection of originals, and all-new coloring by Laura Martin, the Eisner-Award-winning colorist handpicked by Stevens himself.
The Rocketeer, a rollicking tribute to pulp novels and Saturday morning matinee serials, follows the high-flying adventures of stunt pilot Cliff Secord and his girlfriend Betty, after Cliff finds a mysterious jet pack and takes to the sky. The graphic novel went on to become a much-loved major motion picture directed by Joe Johnston.
In addition to the mass-market hardcover, a very special deluxe edition is planned. Presented in a larger format, the deluxe edition will be filled with behind-the-scenes material, a treasure of additional pages featuring previously unpublished Rocketeer designs, preliminaries, and sketches by Dave Stevens, many taken from his personal sketchbooks.
“It is an honor to work on The Rocketeer,” said IDW Special Projects editor Scott Dunbier, “I’ve been a fan of Dave Stevens and The Rocketeer since I first read it in the early 80s. It was a dream of Dave’s to see his creation return to the shelves in a complete collection. We are dedicated to making this the definitive edition, a book Dave would have been proud of.” This October The Rocketeer will fly once more.
Top Cow has done it again. Picking their projects wisely they appear determined to create books that are distinctive in a spandex-driven market. Impaler is their latest high concept book, to use Hollywood slang. The set up is this: blizzard in New York, adrift freighter discovered with dead crew, vampires descend upon the city, cop teams up with ageless vamp killer Vlad Tempes, military struggles to keep up. Thankfully the Cow throw a handy guide in their titles these days, so this is a good place to jump in as any, in case you missed the first issue. This ish begins with two archaeologists arguing over the find of a corpse in a Moroccan dig site, while the object of their discussion seems to stir.
Three weeks later we discover how really desperate the U.S military are. With the vamps gaining ground with alarming speed soldiers are ordered to take them down at any means, even at the cost of civilian lives.
This is a movie waiting to be made. Less of a vampire film than a disaster one, if made, it could easily sit next to Cloverfield or I Am Legend or 28 Days Later. There is a feeling of desperation running throughout the issue, but it isn’t swamped by it. This disaster very much has a human face amongst the devilish horde. Vlad perhaps unwisely, gives his new partner, Detective Victor Dailey, a second chance at life, after receiving radiation poisoning, and Lieutenant George Wagner has a conflict of interest when faced with the insurmountable odds. Finishing off with a scene that ties in to the awakening corpse of the intro, things look unsurprisingly bleaker for our band of heroes in the future issues.
Writer William Harms and artist Matt Timson are on a winner here. It’s obvious they understand one another and are building something eerily incredible. Harms knows when to let Timson unleash his blood soaked art upon us, and when to quiet things down (slightly) although every page is brimming with sweaty intensity, as well as very impressive art.
The vampire creatures are a great work of design. Not resembling the typical neck biters from pop culture, Timson gives the ghouls more of a zombie feel, with a touch of Venom thrown in for good measure. Their blank eyes, shadow like tendrils and scorched skin make for a creepy visual combo. Timson is skilled in every area of art that the comic book page requires. The subtle earthen colours of the opener to the surveillance footage shown to the military to Dailey’s hallucinations that are suitably ethereal. He shows he has the mad skills needed for this mad tale. With Stjepan Sejic and now Matt Timson, Top Cow should give their talent scouts a hearty pat on the back.
Be aware that Impaler wisely carries a Mature Audience stamp for graphic content and profanity and blood are both plentiful. It is a gritty, harsh adventure and one that has me hooked.
For a preview of this ish, go here.
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