Multiplayer #1
TH Studios
Writer/Artist: Tomi Hanzek
Reviewer: Derrick Crow
Summary: Long ago, in ancient times there was a powerful villain who was killed by a warrior of both great power and great strength. The legend of this testament has been passed down from generation to generation, and now in modern day the villain is set to return. So appears the mighty warrior to thwart this ressurection, and along the way those who've heard the legend seek to both aid the warrior and destroy him. Now an epic adventure begins...
Review: Alright everyone, let's just get this out of the way right now. I found Multiplayer issue #1 to reprehensible, and it should be locked away forever. Why? Because no comic should be allowed to be this good. That's right, I said good. You thought I was going to say something else weren't you?
This comic was really, really good, and I am excited to see where the story goes from here.
Multiplayer, as you can see from the cover boasts a lot of different homages to video game history. We got Zelda, Link, even the fairy in this (and she's not annoying); a mash-up of Goku from DBZ and Ryu from Street Fighter; Snake from Metal Gear Solid; Lara Croft, and a few others that I'm not completely familiar with just by looking at them.
Hanzek finds a way to make these homages not only work, but they don't even feel like forced or poor fanservice. He expands on their histories with his own take, and gives the fairy more of a voice and character so that we can care instead of wishing we could swat the thing. There is a nice take given to these characters, and we don't get an “origin story” for any of them. It's obvious who most of these characters are, so we're introduced and given just enough information to get us going while letting us in on who they are.
I like this a lot and it's a fine way to handle each character. The one thing I find the most confusing and probably the most unnecessary – but I'm not wholly against it – is why Hanzek chose to jump around timelines as much as he did. We jump around a lot in this story, from several years ago, to a millennia ago, to just a few months, and back and forth until all these events converge on present day. It's not mis-used here, and it doesn't take away from the story, I just wonder about why the continuous jumping around was necessary. And if we'll be privy to this kind of storytelling in future issues?
The artwork is rather good as well. While everything seems to have a rough edge to it, there's not much about the art other than that I dislike. The lines need to be smoothed out more, but Hanzek's art style is clear in its intent, and the kinetic action scenes look really good when put to panel. I think the style fits the story really well.
Based off the first issue alone I feel this is a series definitely worth checking out by all.
Final Score: 4 “Hey, listen!” out of 5
Editor's Note: If you find yourself wanting to check out Multiplayer #1, head here!
TH Studios
Writer/Artist: Tomi Hanzek
Reviewer: Derrick Crow
Summary: Long ago, in ancient times there was a powerful villain who was killed by a warrior of both great power and great strength. The legend of this testament has been passed down from generation to generation, and now in modern day the villain is set to return. So appears the mighty warrior to thwart this ressurection, and along the way those who've heard the legend seek to both aid the warrior and destroy him. Now an epic adventure begins...
Review: Alright everyone, let's just get this out of the way right now. I found Multiplayer issue #1 to reprehensible, and it should be locked away forever. Why? Because no comic should be allowed to be this good. That's right, I said good. You thought I was going to say something else weren't you?
This comic was really, really good, and I am excited to see where the story goes from here.
Multiplayer, as you can see from the cover boasts a lot of different homages to video game history. We got Zelda, Link, even the fairy in this (and she's not annoying); a mash-up of Goku from DBZ and Ryu from Street Fighter; Snake from Metal Gear Solid; Lara Croft, and a few others that I'm not completely familiar with just by looking at them.
Hanzek finds a way to make these homages not only work, but they don't even feel like forced or poor fanservice. He expands on their histories with his own take, and gives the fairy more of a voice and character so that we can care instead of wishing we could swat the thing. There is a nice take given to these characters, and we don't get an “origin story” for any of them. It's obvious who most of these characters are, so we're introduced and given just enough information to get us going while letting us in on who they are.
I like this a lot and it's a fine way to handle each character. The one thing I find the most confusing and probably the most unnecessary – but I'm not wholly against it – is why Hanzek chose to jump around timelines as much as he did. We jump around a lot in this story, from several years ago, to a millennia ago, to just a few months, and back and forth until all these events converge on present day. It's not mis-used here, and it doesn't take away from the story, I just wonder about why the continuous jumping around was necessary. And if we'll be privy to this kind of storytelling in future issues?
The artwork is rather good as well. While everything seems to have a rough edge to it, there's not much about the art other than that I dislike. The lines need to be smoothed out more, but Hanzek's art style is clear in its intent, and the kinetic action scenes look really good when put to panel. I think the style fits the story really well.
Based off the first issue alone I feel this is a series definitely worth checking out by all.
Final Score: 4 “Hey, listen!” out of 5
Editor's Note: If you find yourself wanting to check out Multiplayer #1, head here!
Starlex #1
Dead Bride Comics
Written by: Dan Barnes
Art by: Dody Eka
Colors and Letters by: Nik Poliwko
Reviewer: Rob Wrecks
Summary: Alexis Starling was just a normal girl bumbling her way through college, but all that changed when in a freak occurrence she acquired super powers! How will she deal with this? How will it change her life? Is she mature enough to deal with such a responsibility?
Review: Now I've had this title sitting on my digital shelf of a sorts for a long while now. And suffice it to say, this is another of those moments where I should slap myself for not talking about this title much sooner with you good folks. But hopefully you can find it in your hearts to forgive me right? Then if so, its all good like a batch of gravy on some mashed potatoes! Now Starlex is about a nice young lady named Alexis who is in college. She like most girls has a crush on the local college hunk who doesn't seem to realize she exists until some random event helps him to wake up to her existence. Even if only for a short time for the time being until something else happens. Although if Dan was the type to be one for using cliches in his story, and I don't believe he is. Circumstances would turn our would be star crossed lovers into bitter enemies for a good while.
Though with our lovely Starlex on the good guy side of things of course. Now while our heroine is on the hot blonde side. Its not overly done and in your face. As its there, you know it, your grand mother knows it, and its all good. Even when she gets a costume going for her that hotness isn't over exaggerated. Which is good in my view. Dody and Nik really did a darn good job in bringing her to life and not over doing it on the hot factor as I've already mentioned. Since hey, she's there to you know, hero up and not look like a mega hottie.
One of the other nicer things about this is the lack of freaking out about the sudden powers Alexis has. Though I have to wonder what consequences there may be to her having this power. And if whether or not Dan may explore that in the future. And I like how Dan nicely manages to mix in the introductions of other characters in his world here during Alexis' origin story. It'll be interesting to see how they react to her once they meet her considering just how green she is. That green is also something I have no doubt will likely give her issues if she happens to tangle with a more than average bad guy in the near future.
But she definitely isn't the stereotypical blonde! Which is always a good thing in my view. So if you're ready for a little girl power, I do recommend checking this out. As I imagine Dan's got one heck of a time in mind for our fair Alexis! Er.. I mean... Starlex! And hey, at least she'll have a friend on hand to help out with costume issues too!
Editor's Note: To acquire yourself a copy of Starlex #1 (Digital only), head here!
Dead Bride Comics
Written by: Dan Barnes
Art by: Dody Eka
Colors and Letters by: Nik Poliwko
Reviewer: Rob Wrecks
Summary: Alexis Starling was just a normal girl bumbling her way through college, but all that changed when in a freak occurrence she acquired super powers! How will she deal with this? How will it change her life? Is she mature enough to deal with such a responsibility?
Review: Now I've had this title sitting on my digital shelf of a sorts for a long while now. And suffice it to say, this is another of those moments where I should slap myself for not talking about this title much sooner with you good folks. But hopefully you can find it in your hearts to forgive me right? Then if so, its all good like a batch of gravy on some mashed potatoes! Now Starlex is about a nice young lady named Alexis who is in college. She like most girls has a crush on the local college hunk who doesn't seem to realize she exists until some random event helps him to wake up to her existence. Even if only for a short time for the time being until something else happens. Although if Dan was the type to be one for using cliches in his story, and I don't believe he is. Circumstances would turn our would be star crossed lovers into bitter enemies for a good while.
Though with our lovely Starlex on the good guy side of things of course. Now while our heroine is on the hot blonde side. Its not overly done and in your face. As its there, you know it, your grand mother knows it, and its all good. Even when she gets a costume going for her that hotness isn't over exaggerated. Which is good in my view. Dody and Nik really did a darn good job in bringing her to life and not over doing it on the hot factor as I've already mentioned. Since hey, she's there to you know, hero up and not look like a mega hottie.
One of the other nicer things about this is the lack of freaking out about the sudden powers Alexis has. Though I have to wonder what consequences there may be to her having this power. And if whether or not Dan may explore that in the future. And I like how Dan nicely manages to mix in the introductions of other characters in his world here during Alexis' origin story. It'll be interesting to see how they react to her once they meet her considering just how green she is. That green is also something I have no doubt will likely give her issues if she happens to tangle with a more than average bad guy in the near future.
But she definitely isn't the stereotypical blonde! Which is always a good thing in my view. So if you're ready for a little girl power, I do recommend checking this out. As I imagine Dan's got one heck of a time in mind for our fair Alexis! Er.. I mean... Starlex! And hey, at least she'll have a friend on hand to help out with costume issues too!
Editor's Note: To acquire yourself a copy of Starlex #1 (Digital only), head here!
TEA! #0
Teahouse Productions
Writer: Ria
Artist: Amy Hay
Reviewer: Derrick Crow
Summary: Calliope, one of the Nine Muses of Greek Myth gets stuck on a floating island and is saved by a passing aircraft. Where her adventures then take her is one for the record books.
[SPOILERS!!]
Review: There is a lot to like about this issue, but I feel it ultimately falls short of being a really well written stand-alone comic. It boasts so much to offer, and up till the final few pages it does a great job at getting you hooked and interested in what is about to happen. It's only in those final few pages that I mentioned that something goes wrong and the story begins to feel rushed and not completely thought out.
What I liked about this issue begins with the art by Amy Hay, she has a very beautiful style about her. The world she creates, while simple, feels vast and full of amazing wonders just waiting to be discovered. She makes you want to go on more adventures with Calliope even though we know so little about her.
Other things include the likeable characters and the subject matter of the comic. In which tea plays a big part. I like tea a lot, personally I find it to be one of the godsends of the liquid world. It's nice to see a comic more or less dedicated to it. That's about where my line is drawn though. I do like that tea features heavily, BUT it also feels out of place with what actually transpires in the comic.
See, the airship that saves Calliope is searching for a graveyard in the sky where airships go to die. And the pilot saves her not because he wanted to be nice, but so he'd have someone to help him prove he was right. Then he just suddenly falls off the airship and dies. Calliope feels no remorse for the man even though he saved her life and has only shown her kindness (you can see where conflict of character progression comes into play for the only two people featured in this book). And the issue ends with Calliope finding his airship filled with a cargo full of tea, and it makes her incredibly happy and she moves on like nothing happened.
It's this ending that makes me wonder ulimately what the story was actually about. Again, it boasts a lot of promise throughout until we get into the final few pages. I think this story would have benefitted from 5+ more pages at least to flesh the characters out more, and their love for tea and their animosity (if any) towards one another if she literally doesn't care that this man just died in front of her.
I do like most of the issue. But not all of it. It needs more, but I think this is all we're going to get.
Final Score: 2 Fresh Brews of Tea out of 5
Editor's Note: Interested in checking out TEA! #0? Then head on to here!
Teahouse Productions
Writer: Ria
Artist: Amy Hay
Reviewer: Derrick Crow
Summary: Calliope, one of the Nine Muses of Greek Myth gets stuck on a floating island and is saved by a passing aircraft. Where her adventures then take her is one for the record books.
[SPOILERS!!]
Review: There is a lot to like about this issue, but I feel it ultimately falls short of being a really well written stand-alone comic. It boasts so much to offer, and up till the final few pages it does a great job at getting you hooked and interested in what is about to happen. It's only in those final few pages that I mentioned that something goes wrong and the story begins to feel rushed and not completely thought out.
What I liked about this issue begins with the art by Amy Hay, she has a very beautiful style about her. The world she creates, while simple, feels vast and full of amazing wonders just waiting to be discovered. She makes you want to go on more adventures with Calliope even though we know so little about her.
Other things include the likeable characters and the subject matter of the comic. In which tea plays a big part. I like tea a lot, personally I find it to be one of the godsends of the liquid world. It's nice to see a comic more or less dedicated to it. That's about where my line is drawn though. I do like that tea features heavily, BUT it also feels out of place with what actually transpires in the comic.
See, the airship that saves Calliope is searching for a graveyard in the sky where airships go to die. And the pilot saves her not because he wanted to be nice, but so he'd have someone to help him prove he was right. Then he just suddenly falls off the airship and dies. Calliope feels no remorse for the man even though he saved her life and has only shown her kindness (you can see where conflict of character progression comes into play for the only two people featured in this book). And the issue ends with Calliope finding his airship filled with a cargo full of tea, and it makes her incredibly happy and she moves on like nothing happened.
It's this ending that makes me wonder ulimately what the story was actually about. Again, it boasts a lot of promise throughout until we get into the final few pages. I think this story would have benefitted from 5+ more pages at least to flesh the characters out more, and their love for tea and their animosity (if any) towards one another if she literally doesn't care that this man just died in front of her.
I do like most of the issue. But not all of it. It needs more, but I think this is all we're going to get.
Final Score: 2 Fresh Brews of Tea out of 5
Editor's Note: Interested in checking out TEA! #0? Then head on to here!
Slowheart #1
Ellipsium Entertainment
Written and Created by: Adam Cheal
Interior Art by: Brad Hudson
Colors by: Mike Summers
Letters by: Mindy Lopkin
Reviewer: Rob Wrecks
Summary: It’s 1972 in an alternate New York City, a place where the unjust thrive and the innocent suffer. One man used to care, “Jake Slowheart”. Once a protector of the city and shining light of hope to all. Now fallen into a world of drugs, sleaze and apathy. Who will save this decaying city and at what cost?
See the 1970’s Disco scene like never before in this no bars hold take on crime noir and superhero genres.
Review: Well one thing is for certain about Slowheart, and that's that Adam Cheal has painted one unfortunate picture in this book about America in the 70's. A time period that should be about peace and love but instead has pretty much gone down the absolute crapper to Crapville. And the population? All of New York. And the rest of America at that, but we aren't worried about them folks right now. Its New York that is the focus point here! Jake Slowheart, this fair story's protaganist is one of the many folks of New York who went down into that drain I mentioned previously and has yet to climb his way back out of it. He used to be a super hero at one point too. Likely coulda been his world's Superman or Captain America. Now, he's more like the drunken dirty suit wearing Superman from way back in the day in the movies that we all got to know and love for an unfortunately short amount of time. Only with Jake, he seems to have gone past that and into other forms of bad mojo.
He makes no bones about no longer giving any kind of crap about what goes on. And really, I don't think I can blame the guy! He'd probably get booze or something thrown at him just for trying. I can only imagine its going to take something real serious to get him to want to do anything that would be of the good. But at least he's willing to defend a girl's honor even if it leads to a bit of trouble.
This story to me felt like it had a perfect balance of telling of the events from the past and keeping up with present day times. It pretty much keeps you in the know, even if you don't know just yet when exactly everything went to absolute crap. Brad's art and colors by Mike are done pretty well here too. As they both help craft the grizzly look of the world we're being shown here. Oh yeah, and this definitely isn't safe for kids. But if you are an adult who's looking for a comic that's uncensored, this will be for you.
I honestly do believe Adam has gotten this off to a great start and I do look forward to seeing more of what it is to come. Especially with whatever the cause of how things got so bad. And if the ending of this issue is anything to go by, I have no doubt the second issue is going to have plenty of excitement in it!
Editor's Note: On March 18th, 2015 (next week!) will see the release of Slowheart #1. So when the time comes, be sure to head here!
Ellipsium Entertainment
Written and Created by: Adam Cheal
Interior Art by: Brad Hudson
Colors by: Mike Summers
Letters by: Mindy Lopkin
Reviewer: Rob Wrecks
Summary: It’s 1972 in an alternate New York City, a place where the unjust thrive and the innocent suffer. One man used to care, “Jake Slowheart”. Once a protector of the city and shining light of hope to all. Now fallen into a world of drugs, sleaze and apathy. Who will save this decaying city and at what cost?
See the 1970’s Disco scene like never before in this no bars hold take on crime noir and superhero genres.
Review: Well one thing is for certain about Slowheart, and that's that Adam Cheal has painted one unfortunate picture in this book about America in the 70's. A time period that should be about peace and love but instead has pretty much gone down the absolute crapper to Crapville. And the population? All of New York. And the rest of America at that, but we aren't worried about them folks right now. Its New York that is the focus point here! Jake Slowheart, this fair story's protaganist is one of the many folks of New York who went down into that drain I mentioned previously and has yet to climb his way back out of it. He used to be a super hero at one point too. Likely coulda been his world's Superman or Captain America. Now, he's more like the drunken dirty suit wearing Superman from way back in the day in the movies that we all got to know and love for an unfortunately short amount of time. Only with Jake, he seems to have gone past that and into other forms of bad mojo.
He makes no bones about no longer giving any kind of crap about what goes on. And really, I don't think I can blame the guy! He'd probably get booze or something thrown at him just for trying. I can only imagine its going to take something real serious to get him to want to do anything that would be of the good. But at least he's willing to defend a girl's honor even if it leads to a bit of trouble.
This story to me felt like it had a perfect balance of telling of the events from the past and keeping up with present day times. It pretty much keeps you in the know, even if you don't know just yet when exactly everything went to absolute crap. Brad's art and colors by Mike are done pretty well here too. As they both help craft the grizzly look of the world we're being shown here. Oh yeah, and this definitely isn't safe for kids. But if you are an adult who's looking for a comic that's uncensored, this will be for you.
I honestly do believe Adam has gotten this off to a great start and I do look forward to seeing more of what it is to come. Especially with whatever the cause of how things got so bad. And if the ending of this issue is anything to go by, I have no doubt the second issue is going to have plenty of excitement in it!
Editor's Note: On March 18th, 2015 (next week!) will see the release of Slowheart #1. So when the time comes, be sure to head here!
Mother and Son [Vol. 1]
GrayHaven Comics
Writer: Erica J Heflin
Artist: Elias Martins
Reviewer: Derrick Crow
Summary: Five-hundred years ago the sun was devoured and replaced by an unimaginable force of destruction known as Sol. Unknown to the world at large, it continues working to destroy all meat-based life on Earth. Now a group of humans have been abducted and changed into soldiers against this force. One of these soldiers, Ainsley, and the alien life-form implanted in her womb, dubbed “Son” hunt the humans who’ve been transformed by Sol’s Bloom. [GrayHaven Comics' official website.]
[SPOILERS!!]
Review: I found this to be an intriguing 5-issue series. It had an interesting concept, with an ever evolving story. Characters that I continued to be invested in, and a mystery that kept me hooked. Did it deliver on all these things? No, not really. It didn't flat out drop the ball, but I felt there was a lot more that could've been done with the concepts put forth in these 5 issues that weren't handled as well as they could've been, or they could have been expanded upon.
By the end of the series the story is far from over, and I'm left wanting more. Which is a good sign, but also a fruitless one if no more comes of it. I like this take on the parasite horror montage, and I'm rather curious to see the end result of the symbiosis between Ainsley and her “son.” I like that the sun has turned into a giant parasite itself, although I'm hard-pressed to imagine that in 500 years that the sun itself hasn't turned more people into the beings it wants to so badly create, but to each his own I guess.
I am also left confused on how our heroes truly got their abilities. It seems to me that what happens is they're transformed by Sol as well, but to… fight against himself? When I stop and digest this series in chunks like this, there are major parts to the story that begin to fall apart with no sequel yet to turn to and explain things further to me.
That still doesn't make me dislike this series though, and it's a wonderful mystery thriller if anything. Ainsley kicks ass, and her partner in crime – who's name escapes me at the moment – also kicks just as much ass. They're two women who're not to be trifled with. Ainsley also believes in getting the job done, and I like that she rarely waits until its too late to take the villain out. They also do a good job at their detective work, even if Ainsley has the advantage with her "son" who can detect those infected by the bloom. It still doesn't demean her as a detective.
The artwork is nice, nothing special but fits the story rather well. It's gritty, and humanisitc, perfect for what's going on. It's creepy when it needs to be, and I like how straightforward everything is. Martins doesn't hide anything in the details, everything is out in the open and I like that for this story. While the story itself has enough mysteries, the same does not need to be said for the art. If we ever get a vol. 2 of Mother and Son, I hope Martins returns as artist.
I'd say check out Mother and Son. It's fun, gritty, and full of a lot of cool mystery and action. It fumbles a bit, but it never completely loses the ball and regains it just enough at the end that I'd definitely check out a vol. 2 if we ever get it. Until then though, this is what we got, and what we got ain't too bad.
Final Score: 3 Very Different Sol Parasite Species out of 5
Editor's Note: If this sounds like its right up your alley, then head on over to the GrayHaven Comics website to see how you can acquire yourself a copy!
GrayHaven Comics
Writer: Erica J Heflin
Artist: Elias Martins
Reviewer: Derrick Crow
Summary: Five-hundred years ago the sun was devoured and replaced by an unimaginable force of destruction known as Sol. Unknown to the world at large, it continues working to destroy all meat-based life on Earth. Now a group of humans have been abducted and changed into soldiers against this force. One of these soldiers, Ainsley, and the alien life-form implanted in her womb, dubbed “Son” hunt the humans who’ve been transformed by Sol’s Bloom. [GrayHaven Comics' official website.]
[SPOILERS!!]
Review: I found this to be an intriguing 5-issue series. It had an interesting concept, with an ever evolving story. Characters that I continued to be invested in, and a mystery that kept me hooked. Did it deliver on all these things? No, not really. It didn't flat out drop the ball, but I felt there was a lot more that could've been done with the concepts put forth in these 5 issues that weren't handled as well as they could've been, or they could have been expanded upon.
By the end of the series the story is far from over, and I'm left wanting more. Which is a good sign, but also a fruitless one if no more comes of it. I like this take on the parasite horror montage, and I'm rather curious to see the end result of the symbiosis between Ainsley and her “son.” I like that the sun has turned into a giant parasite itself, although I'm hard-pressed to imagine that in 500 years that the sun itself hasn't turned more people into the beings it wants to so badly create, but to each his own I guess.
I am also left confused on how our heroes truly got their abilities. It seems to me that what happens is they're transformed by Sol as well, but to… fight against himself? When I stop and digest this series in chunks like this, there are major parts to the story that begin to fall apart with no sequel yet to turn to and explain things further to me.
That still doesn't make me dislike this series though, and it's a wonderful mystery thriller if anything. Ainsley kicks ass, and her partner in crime – who's name escapes me at the moment – also kicks just as much ass. They're two women who're not to be trifled with. Ainsley also believes in getting the job done, and I like that she rarely waits until its too late to take the villain out. They also do a good job at their detective work, even if Ainsley has the advantage with her "son" who can detect those infected by the bloom. It still doesn't demean her as a detective.
The artwork is nice, nothing special but fits the story rather well. It's gritty, and humanisitc, perfect for what's going on. It's creepy when it needs to be, and I like how straightforward everything is. Martins doesn't hide anything in the details, everything is out in the open and I like that for this story. While the story itself has enough mysteries, the same does not need to be said for the art. If we ever get a vol. 2 of Mother and Son, I hope Martins returns as artist.
I'd say check out Mother and Son. It's fun, gritty, and full of a lot of cool mystery and action. It fumbles a bit, but it never completely loses the ball and regains it just enough at the end that I'd definitely check out a vol. 2 if we ever get it. Until then though, this is what we got, and what we got ain't too bad.
Final Score: 3 Very Different Sol Parasite Species out of 5
Editor's Note: If this sounds like its right up your alley, then head on over to the GrayHaven Comics website to see how you can acquire yourself a copy!