Adam 12 #1
G. Botic Productions 2014
Written by: Gigio Longo
Illustrated by: Nick Suders
Reviewer: Steven Leitman
Summary: What if you had 12 chances at life? Would you eventually get it right? America is no longer a “free” country. Unable to sustain its debts, the United States is now “owned” by China. Adam Stairs -- a day-dreaming, low-ranking employee in Philadelphia’s housing department -- does his best to excel in a dim and oppressed world of bureaucrats. Adam's girlfriend left him, his boss hates him, he has an alcoholic/womanizing best friend, and he’s homeless. Everything in his life seems to be going the wrong way, but unbeknownst to him, Adam is about to get his 12th chance at life, love and leading humanity to the Garden of Eden.
Review: At first I was like "ooh Adam 12", then I got the first issue and it wasn’t what I was expecting as it’s not about the television show so this is no cop drama. Then I read it and well what a pleasant surprise it turned out to be. This is one of those self-published books that if your lucky to encounter at a convention then get it or visit them at www.gboticproductions.com and see about it because it’s super important to support the little guys who love what they do and it shows in what they put out!
So this series opens with symbolism using an egg and as long as the egg is intact there is balance in the world if it were to be disturbed well then the world would tremble. I like the idea of this a lot it kind of represents different aspects of different religions and something else as well that we need balance in the world to survive people who only want what they want upset that balance causing disasters without regard to anything or anyone other than themselves, which is seen more and more by corporations greed in today’s society.
This story seems to start in Pompeii 79 AD as we see a man chasing after the woman he loves who has been taken by a band of brigands who are able to fire flaming arrows, while on horseback so possibly magical in nature. Nice does a fabulous job here as the whole chase is visual, without words, and you get the fear on her, the determination from him and i’m sorry but the sheep are too cute. This leads to seeing Adam, the same man, in a future version of Philadelphia whose girlfriend wakes him from a dream that he was having which coincidentally the Pompeii adventure.
A series of events that follow depicts the world they live in. I see that this art is different than the past possibly to differentiate the era’s more prominently but i wish it were consistently the same but let’s not get picky this is a labour of love and there’s nothing wrong with it and you see that there’s room for growth and consistency already in what Nick does. So I look forward to seeing his evolution as an artist as the series progresses.
This modern Adam is much different than the man of his daydreams, more timid, shy and shall we say more than little bit a whimp. This world is not really post apocalyptic but more the result of complete economic collapse by the world’s governments. Not quite a Prepper book and not an end of the world thing just a new status quo as people struggle to survive and a find a way to thrive in a new reality, hella interesting!
Somewhere in China we see what could be the villains, not sure but I doubt the woman is a good guy as it were. Oh and sorry Nick but really I love that this heavy set nude man with a balding head and hairy body was naked, wish we’d seen more than that little tushie but hello and thank you for interjecting a bit of humor into what is a serious look at a megalomaniacs rant. This is an important scene too because you learn a lot and pieces of the puzzle start falling into place and you see possibilities and wonder how they are going to work when you think you know who this Primogenitor is but you can’t see that being the right person!
This is fantastic stuff too as there are a lot of characters introduced from all walks of life, those who want to see the Primogenitor live, die or be controlled to usher in the next stage of human life on Earth. The characterization is excellent the story progression is spot on the ebb and flow of what we see keeps you interested in what’s happening and it makes the reader think it’s not mindless so that’s a huge bonus.
Hopefully this will be the first installment of a weekly look at this series. It’s off to a promising start and I can’t wait to see how it all plays out. This is something I encourage you to seek out it’s more interesting than you’ll expect it to be.
G. Botic Productions 2014
Written by: Gigio Longo
Illustrated by: Nick Suders
Reviewer: Steven Leitman
Summary: What if you had 12 chances at life? Would you eventually get it right? America is no longer a “free” country. Unable to sustain its debts, the United States is now “owned” by China. Adam Stairs -- a day-dreaming, low-ranking employee in Philadelphia’s housing department -- does his best to excel in a dim and oppressed world of bureaucrats. Adam's girlfriend left him, his boss hates him, he has an alcoholic/womanizing best friend, and he’s homeless. Everything in his life seems to be going the wrong way, but unbeknownst to him, Adam is about to get his 12th chance at life, love and leading humanity to the Garden of Eden.
Review: At first I was like "ooh Adam 12", then I got the first issue and it wasn’t what I was expecting as it’s not about the television show so this is no cop drama. Then I read it and well what a pleasant surprise it turned out to be. This is one of those self-published books that if your lucky to encounter at a convention then get it or visit them at www.gboticproductions.com and see about it because it’s super important to support the little guys who love what they do and it shows in what they put out!
So this series opens with symbolism using an egg and as long as the egg is intact there is balance in the world if it were to be disturbed well then the world would tremble. I like the idea of this a lot it kind of represents different aspects of different religions and something else as well that we need balance in the world to survive people who only want what they want upset that balance causing disasters without regard to anything or anyone other than themselves, which is seen more and more by corporations greed in today’s society.
This story seems to start in Pompeii 79 AD as we see a man chasing after the woman he loves who has been taken by a band of brigands who are able to fire flaming arrows, while on horseback so possibly magical in nature. Nice does a fabulous job here as the whole chase is visual, without words, and you get the fear on her, the determination from him and i’m sorry but the sheep are too cute. This leads to seeing Adam, the same man, in a future version of Philadelphia whose girlfriend wakes him from a dream that he was having which coincidentally the Pompeii adventure.
A series of events that follow depicts the world they live in. I see that this art is different than the past possibly to differentiate the era’s more prominently but i wish it were consistently the same but let’s not get picky this is a labour of love and there’s nothing wrong with it and you see that there’s room for growth and consistency already in what Nick does. So I look forward to seeing his evolution as an artist as the series progresses.
This modern Adam is much different than the man of his daydreams, more timid, shy and shall we say more than little bit a whimp. This world is not really post apocalyptic but more the result of complete economic collapse by the world’s governments. Not quite a Prepper book and not an end of the world thing just a new status quo as people struggle to survive and a find a way to thrive in a new reality, hella interesting!
Somewhere in China we see what could be the villains, not sure but I doubt the woman is a good guy as it were. Oh and sorry Nick but really I love that this heavy set nude man with a balding head and hairy body was naked, wish we’d seen more than that little tushie but hello and thank you for interjecting a bit of humor into what is a serious look at a megalomaniacs rant. This is an important scene too because you learn a lot and pieces of the puzzle start falling into place and you see possibilities and wonder how they are going to work when you think you know who this Primogenitor is but you can’t see that being the right person!
This is fantastic stuff too as there are a lot of characters introduced from all walks of life, those who want to see the Primogenitor live, die or be controlled to usher in the next stage of human life on Earth. The characterization is excellent the story progression is spot on the ebb and flow of what we see keeps you interested in what’s happening and it makes the reader think it’s not mindless so that’s a huge bonus.
Hopefully this will be the first installment of a weekly look at this series. It’s off to a promising start and I can’t wait to see how it all plays out. This is something I encourage you to seek out it’s more interesting than you’ll expect it to be.
Crescent City Magick
Created by: Michael L. Peters
Self Published 2013
Reviewer: Steven Leitman
Summary: CRESCENT CITY MAGICK is an urban fantasy graphic novel set in New Orleans. Clayton Woods, newly arrived to the city and on the run from terrifying forces he doesn't understand, is aided by Julia, a young self-proclaimed witch, who is convinced Clayton just might have the makings of a hero. Clayton is convinced Julia may be crazy. With witches, aliens, street musicians, a black cat, and zombies... what's not to like?
Review: I was asked if I’d have an interest in reviewing this so I said send it to me and I’ll take a look at it and decide. I was immediately taken with the interior artwork and thought "yeah I’ll review this for him". However I just finished reading this from start to finish and I have to be honest I found myself transported to a world I wasn’t expecting, caught swept up in and found myself wishing to be a part of what was happening. Very rarely do come across a story that reads like a novel and takes you on this kind of journey. I am very literally spellbound but this piece of literature I have before me and it’s very much literature in my eyes.
Crescent City Magick may refer to the city of New Orleans but it also very much put a spell on me as a reader. The black and white line work captures expressions and moods so much more powerfully than sometimes a coloured book can and while the cover is in colour and the girl is mesmerizing it’s really the way artwork on the pages make you feel as you read this. Trust me too you feel the story in your bones when you experience this it’s not just another persons attempt at creating something special instead this is something that before you realize it has taken a hold over you enveloped you in the characters lives and makes you believe in forces far beyond those rational people perceive.
Clayton Howard Woods is a troubled man and he’s running, constantly running but he doesn’t know why. For some reason he’s acutely aware that something isn’t right and he finds himself never staying in one place too long least something catch up to him. We see him for the first time setting off on a bus to New Orleans and immediately you cannot help but somehow connect to him. On the second page you see his face and it’s there as you see him pondering what his life is like and see his eyes looking so downtrodden, it’s an incredibly powerful image, that you don’t even realize you are in this till the end.
When we first meet Julia she sees him in her vision and you realize she’s a witch and not just any witch but one of the three most classically known witches in history, the Crone, the Mother and the Maiden. She’s the maiden just for clarification. It’s also a moment you think New Orleans and witches go hand in hand and the unknown connection they have is going to be interesting though in honesty you can not begin to fathom just how so.
So once Clayton is in New Orleans and working, cash jobs so he doesn’t have to cash checks, he is out of a night of drinking when we see something that you know shouldn’t be a part of this story but there is in black and white staring at you. This encounter sets off a chain of events that lead Clayton to Julia. Before the two meet it’s Julia’s one-eyed cat, familiar, Pluto and again there is just this sense that this is real this is what can happen in this city of old magic.
Created by: Michael L. Peters
Self Published 2013
Reviewer: Steven Leitman
Summary: CRESCENT CITY MAGICK is an urban fantasy graphic novel set in New Orleans. Clayton Woods, newly arrived to the city and on the run from terrifying forces he doesn't understand, is aided by Julia, a young self-proclaimed witch, who is convinced Clayton just might have the makings of a hero. Clayton is convinced Julia may be crazy. With witches, aliens, street musicians, a black cat, and zombies... what's not to like?
Review: I was asked if I’d have an interest in reviewing this so I said send it to me and I’ll take a look at it and decide. I was immediately taken with the interior artwork and thought "yeah I’ll review this for him". However I just finished reading this from start to finish and I have to be honest I found myself transported to a world I wasn’t expecting, caught swept up in and found myself wishing to be a part of what was happening. Very rarely do come across a story that reads like a novel and takes you on this kind of journey. I am very literally spellbound but this piece of literature I have before me and it’s very much literature in my eyes.
Crescent City Magick may refer to the city of New Orleans but it also very much put a spell on me as a reader. The black and white line work captures expressions and moods so much more powerfully than sometimes a coloured book can and while the cover is in colour and the girl is mesmerizing it’s really the way artwork on the pages make you feel as you read this. Trust me too you feel the story in your bones when you experience this it’s not just another persons attempt at creating something special instead this is something that before you realize it has taken a hold over you enveloped you in the characters lives and makes you believe in forces far beyond those rational people perceive.
Clayton Howard Woods is a troubled man and he’s running, constantly running but he doesn’t know why. For some reason he’s acutely aware that something isn’t right and he finds himself never staying in one place too long least something catch up to him. We see him for the first time setting off on a bus to New Orleans and immediately you cannot help but somehow connect to him. On the second page you see his face and it’s there as you see him pondering what his life is like and see his eyes looking so downtrodden, it’s an incredibly powerful image, that you don’t even realize you are in this till the end.
When we first meet Julia she sees him in her vision and you realize she’s a witch and not just any witch but one of the three most classically known witches in history, the Crone, the Mother and the Maiden. She’s the maiden just for clarification. It’s also a moment you think New Orleans and witches go hand in hand and the unknown connection they have is going to be interesting though in honesty you can not begin to fathom just how so.
So once Clayton is in New Orleans and working, cash jobs so he doesn’t have to cash checks, he is out of a night of drinking when we see something that you know shouldn’t be a part of this story but there is in black and white staring at you. This encounter sets off a chain of events that lead Clayton to Julia. Before the two meet it’s Julia’s one-eyed cat, familiar, Pluto and again there is just this sense that this is real this is what can happen in this city of old magic.
There is a lot of information given to us throughout the second chapter background information that shows there is more to Clayton than he realizes and things that just confirm that this slip of a girl is a witch and a fairly powerful one at that. She can do things for and to people without them realizing it. Her dance at Jackson Square we see on paper still gives you the sensation she’s moving, seducing the onlookers and captivating the audience in ways you could only hope to imagine and experience.
This world that exists inside our own kind of like images in the corner of your eye that disappear when you try look that Julia introduces Clayton to have this bonding effect on them. Meeting Julia’s friends, even the bitch mode Bev, you see they have no real idea what she knows, can do and sees that they don’t. In this world there are vampires, wannabe vampires--hey remember what city they are in, zombies, fairy folk and quite possibly aliens though if you read the story, which I cannot recommend highly enough, you’ll see that the latter two may be one and the same but that’s open to interpretation.
There’s such honest characterization happening in these pages, between Julia’s no nonsense belief and Clayton’s rationalization turning towards acceptance and Bev’s intervention and over protective nature towards Julia, unrequited love perhaps? Is all told in such stark realness that forget these are fictional characters you’ve already found yourself living, breathing and caring about them without even realizing it.
This is about 100 pages of story and when I got to the end I was disappointed there wasn’t more. There are still questions in need of answering and more story to be told and you read the afterword by Michael because it’s simply a case of wanting more it’s like suddenly you have this void where the story, these characters and their world was and you’ve got an unconscious ache for more. This story doesn’t stay with you in the traditional sense it becomes a part of you ingrained in your memory and infused in your soul. That’s how powerful this really is because you suddenly have that inclination to contact Michael and hope he’s done so much more of the story in following two years since this.
If you’ve ever gotten caught up in novels by Anne Rice, J.K. Rowling and the like then the more subtle nature of this story will be of immense appeal to you. I’m a much better person for having experienced this story and I look forward to discovering if there is indeed more because this shouldn’t be the end.
Editor's Note: To find out where you can grab your own excellent copy of Crescent City Magick, head here!
This world that exists inside our own kind of like images in the corner of your eye that disappear when you try look that Julia introduces Clayton to have this bonding effect on them. Meeting Julia’s friends, even the bitch mode Bev, you see they have no real idea what she knows, can do and sees that they don’t. In this world there are vampires, wannabe vampires--hey remember what city they are in, zombies, fairy folk and quite possibly aliens though if you read the story, which I cannot recommend highly enough, you’ll see that the latter two may be one and the same but that’s open to interpretation.
There’s such honest characterization happening in these pages, between Julia’s no nonsense belief and Clayton’s rationalization turning towards acceptance and Bev’s intervention and over protective nature towards Julia, unrequited love perhaps? Is all told in such stark realness that forget these are fictional characters you’ve already found yourself living, breathing and caring about them without even realizing it.
This is about 100 pages of story and when I got to the end I was disappointed there wasn’t more. There are still questions in need of answering and more story to be told and you read the afterword by Michael because it’s simply a case of wanting more it’s like suddenly you have this void where the story, these characters and their world was and you’ve got an unconscious ache for more. This story doesn’t stay with you in the traditional sense it becomes a part of you ingrained in your memory and infused in your soul. That’s how powerful this really is because you suddenly have that inclination to contact Michael and hope he’s done so much more of the story in following two years since this.
If you’ve ever gotten caught up in novels by Anne Rice, J.K. Rowling and the like then the more subtle nature of this story will be of immense appeal to you. I’m a much better person for having experienced this story and I look forward to discovering if there is indeed more because this shouldn’t be the end.
Editor's Note: To find out where you can grab your own excellent copy of Crescent City Magick, head here!