Red Angel Dragnet #1
Self-Published 2013
Created, Written, & Lettered by: Eric Palicki
Illustrated by: Anna Wieszczyk
Reviewed by: Steven Leitman
Review: One of the greatest honors I have is that when I go to a convention, I get these small independent or self-published books to review. This is one of those times and this really is one of the reasons I love the comics industry, because we get to see people who are passionate about what they do and throw their heart and soul into a project because it’s what they love. These are the kinds of books that bring me back to when I was little because it re-ignites my passion for reading.
This isn’t Eric’s first writing gig, he’s done work on CBS’s Man Cave Daily, the webcomic The Undertaker’s Daughter, and the graphic novel Orphans, which is available for sale if you’re interested, see Comixology for details or email him for details at [email protected]. Why should you? Well for starters this issue I hold in my hands is absolutely engaging, it’s well written, and the story with elements of the supernatural, demons, and is also set in Chicago. All of which combine to create this blend of not ony the real world, but the fantasy world as well.
So along for the ride is Anna who’s work here is spectacular! Along Reed’s journey of self-discovery he found a way to keep the demons at bay and has tattooed himself with ancient symbols of protection. Anna does this amazing job of putting these tattoos on Reed’s body while ever so slightly teasing us with what he would like naked, which I really wish we’d seen. I see her work here and it really elevates this story to such a huge level that it looks better visually than many books from major companies.
In some ways this story has a Dresden feel to it with Reed having a guy, Jamie, at the morgue processing bodies which, when they come in a certain way he notifies him. This co-operation between the two? Well it’s good for both as Jamie gets monetary compensation and Reed, well he gets a bead on what’s happening in the city. This issue we get the origin of Reed in a really clever way and while he’s talking to a dead body, well presumably anyway, we see just how these demons running amok can be a serious problem in need of being dealt with.
I love the way this story flows through the introduction and sets up for readers to see who he is and what Reed does, what he’s facing, and what he thinks he can do about it. Of course there is also some great revelations happening here as well and among them Jamie’s introduction to the part of Chicago that exists only in their peripheral view. This is smartly written, well executed, and beautifully rendered and a true gem to read.
I hope everyone will go out and find a way to get this book and show these guys the support they deserve. And as well as help them move forward in being able to keep putting out this amazing story, because I for one would love to see what’s going to happen next.
Editor's Note: Red Angel Dragnet is also currently on Kickstarter in order to gain the funding they need to bring about the Red Angel Dragnet Graphic Novel. Head here to find out more on the project!
Self-Published 2013
Created, Written, & Lettered by: Eric Palicki
Illustrated by: Anna Wieszczyk
Reviewed by: Steven Leitman
Review: One of the greatest honors I have is that when I go to a convention, I get these small independent or self-published books to review. This is one of those times and this really is one of the reasons I love the comics industry, because we get to see people who are passionate about what they do and throw their heart and soul into a project because it’s what they love. These are the kinds of books that bring me back to when I was little because it re-ignites my passion for reading.
This isn’t Eric’s first writing gig, he’s done work on CBS’s Man Cave Daily, the webcomic The Undertaker’s Daughter, and the graphic novel Orphans, which is available for sale if you’re interested, see Comixology for details or email him for details at [email protected]. Why should you? Well for starters this issue I hold in my hands is absolutely engaging, it’s well written, and the story with elements of the supernatural, demons, and is also set in Chicago. All of which combine to create this blend of not ony the real world, but the fantasy world as well.
So along for the ride is Anna who’s work here is spectacular! Along Reed’s journey of self-discovery he found a way to keep the demons at bay and has tattooed himself with ancient symbols of protection. Anna does this amazing job of putting these tattoos on Reed’s body while ever so slightly teasing us with what he would like naked, which I really wish we’d seen. I see her work here and it really elevates this story to such a huge level that it looks better visually than many books from major companies.
In some ways this story has a Dresden feel to it with Reed having a guy, Jamie, at the morgue processing bodies which, when they come in a certain way he notifies him. This co-operation between the two? Well it’s good for both as Jamie gets monetary compensation and Reed, well he gets a bead on what’s happening in the city. This issue we get the origin of Reed in a really clever way and while he’s talking to a dead body, well presumably anyway, we see just how these demons running amok can be a serious problem in need of being dealt with.
I love the way this story flows through the introduction and sets up for readers to see who he is and what Reed does, what he’s facing, and what he thinks he can do about it. Of course there is also some great revelations happening here as well and among them Jamie’s introduction to the part of Chicago that exists only in their peripheral view. This is smartly written, well executed, and beautifully rendered and a true gem to read.
I hope everyone will go out and find a way to get this book and show these guys the support they deserve. And as well as help them move forward in being able to keep putting out this amazing story, because I for one would love to see what’s going to happen next.
Editor's Note: Red Angel Dragnet is also currently on Kickstarter in order to gain the funding they need to bring about the Red Angel Dragnet Graphic Novel. Head here to find out more on the project!
Sevara #0 – Single Issue
Broken Icon Comics
Writer/Creator: Damian Wampler
Illustrator: Andre Siregar
Colorist: Anang Setyawan
Letterer: Steve Wands
Reviewer: Derrick Crow
Summary: Set hundreds of thousands of years in the future – 70,000 of which have been lived by our heroin Sevara – the world is now more nature than it is technology. But technology does still exist, and now the new God Mitan uses it to instill fear into his worshipers. The same people that used to worship Sevara and her kind. Now, having awoken from a 50,000 year sleep Sevara must piece together her past while using her amazing trans-formative abilities to fight Mitan, and end his rule over the lands.
Review: Sevara was an entertaining read but also, ultimately, a confusing one. I would still go ahead and recommend reading this and picking up the first Graphic Novel coming out soon, as I am curious to see where the story continues.
What made this a confusing read though was mostly the layout of characters speaking – speech bubbles just weren't put to the best use in this issue when it came to 3 or more people talking at once – and there were a couple times when it looks like Sevara herself is transforming in and out of her ultimate crystallized bird form during battle. Some panels by Siregar show her in bird form while battling Mitan and then the next panel she's in human form. And I didn't quite understand that.
Siregar's art isn't the best for my personal taste, he's really rough and kind of all over the place when it comes to the fight scenes. And there are plenty of those. But his character designs are pretty dynamic and his design for the Mitan titan, as I am calling it, looks great.
Sevara's design is quite a sexualized look but not once did I see her in a sexual light. She was a woman searching for truth and instead having to fight for her life and the lives of others against Mitan and his worshipers. The world Sevara finds herself in seems like it is fully realized, but everything we see in this issue also only feels like a small piece to a bigger puzzle that is the future.
We get a glimpse of the technology from the future that still exists alongside this nature-laden world and it's kind of surreal. Looks out of place, and I think that's part of the point.
Wampler's story doesn't feel complete and also seems like it is caught in the middle of an already ongoing story that we are just now being thrown into. I would've liked to have seen more of a complete story here rather than what is more like a sneak peek. Especially given the page count, but he did have me interested in Sevara's story by the end. Which is the important part.
Mitan as a character was incredibly one-note, always shouting out his name and how much better he is than Sevara. I never actually get to know him a bit, and he got boring after awhile. The ending does tease “Who is Mitan?” so I'm hopeful we'll get that info later.
Overall, I did enjoy Sevara. It needs a lot of work though, and the characters need to act more 3-D in their wants, desires, and how they act towards one another. Sevara as a character could be interesting, but right now her story is the most interesting about her. And Mitan needs to most fleshing out of all of them.
Check out Sevara. It's action packed, original, and ready to bring back that 90s edginess.
Final Score: 3 Old/New Gods out of 5
Editor's Note: To keep up to date on all things Sevara, head on over to the Broken Icon Comics Facebook page!
Broken Icon Comics
Writer/Creator: Damian Wampler
Illustrator: Andre Siregar
Colorist: Anang Setyawan
Letterer: Steve Wands
Reviewer: Derrick Crow
Summary: Set hundreds of thousands of years in the future – 70,000 of which have been lived by our heroin Sevara – the world is now more nature than it is technology. But technology does still exist, and now the new God Mitan uses it to instill fear into his worshipers. The same people that used to worship Sevara and her kind. Now, having awoken from a 50,000 year sleep Sevara must piece together her past while using her amazing trans-formative abilities to fight Mitan, and end his rule over the lands.
Review: Sevara was an entertaining read but also, ultimately, a confusing one. I would still go ahead and recommend reading this and picking up the first Graphic Novel coming out soon, as I am curious to see where the story continues.
What made this a confusing read though was mostly the layout of characters speaking – speech bubbles just weren't put to the best use in this issue when it came to 3 or more people talking at once – and there were a couple times when it looks like Sevara herself is transforming in and out of her ultimate crystallized bird form during battle. Some panels by Siregar show her in bird form while battling Mitan and then the next panel she's in human form. And I didn't quite understand that.
Siregar's art isn't the best for my personal taste, he's really rough and kind of all over the place when it comes to the fight scenes. And there are plenty of those. But his character designs are pretty dynamic and his design for the Mitan titan, as I am calling it, looks great.
Sevara's design is quite a sexualized look but not once did I see her in a sexual light. She was a woman searching for truth and instead having to fight for her life and the lives of others against Mitan and his worshipers. The world Sevara finds herself in seems like it is fully realized, but everything we see in this issue also only feels like a small piece to a bigger puzzle that is the future.
We get a glimpse of the technology from the future that still exists alongside this nature-laden world and it's kind of surreal. Looks out of place, and I think that's part of the point.
Wampler's story doesn't feel complete and also seems like it is caught in the middle of an already ongoing story that we are just now being thrown into. I would've liked to have seen more of a complete story here rather than what is more like a sneak peek. Especially given the page count, but he did have me interested in Sevara's story by the end. Which is the important part.
Mitan as a character was incredibly one-note, always shouting out his name and how much better he is than Sevara. I never actually get to know him a bit, and he got boring after awhile. The ending does tease “Who is Mitan?” so I'm hopeful we'll get that info later.
Overall, I did enjoy Sevara. It needs a lot of work though, and the characters need to act more 3-D in their wants, desires, and how they act towards one another. Sevara as a character could be interesting, but right now her story is the most interesting about her. And Mitan needs to most fleshing out of all of them.
Check out Sevara. It's action packed, original, and ready to bring back that 90s edginess.
Final Score: 3 Old/New Gods out of 5
Editor's Note: To keep up to date on all things Sevara, head on over to the Broken Icon Comics Facebook page!