Mayday #2
Black Mask Studios 2015
Written by: Curt Pires
Illustrated by: Chris Peterson
Coloured by: Marissa Louise
Reviewed by: Steven Leitman
Summary: The body count is rising. Terrance and Kleio are the only ones who know about the cult's plot. But can they stop it? Do they want to? Also: A party at the Coppola Mansion and the origin of Daddy Long Legs.
Review: Flashback to a Coppola party after his movie is released and he’s somebody but the chat he has on the balcony is kind of both telling and a tad ominous as if foreshadowing something not so positive to come. The way this issue starts off with that before the big rise and fall he goes through was a nice way to do it.
Back to now as while driving away from the scene of the diner trying to talk to police about what had just transpired which gets turned around into a big mess. Trying to dive and talk not the smartest move to begin with he should’ve handed the phone to the bartender and let her try to explain. She however has a piece of paper the killers had on them and well it has nice revelation on it one that well isn’t all that uncommon in L.A. considering but still adds enough occult stuff to make it creepy.
I do love how the two decide to work together to stop what’s happening. The writing here is fantastic I mean all the while these two aren’t talking about themselves or really giving one another any sort of background information instead it’s slug some whiskey and go kill the killers kind of stuff. Seriously this is fantastic writing from Chris as they hit a gun shop and Kleio she uses her feminine charms on the clerk oh man i’m loving it. Way to go and write a transexual black woman and make her act and seem completely like any other woman around.
If you remember last issue we had those reporters who went to interview that creepy guy who ended up shooting them, if not what are you waiting for already? Well he’s back and we get a very good look at him and what makes him so damn crazy and leader of these animal masked marauders. I’m a little sorry he was in his tightie whities when he did what he did man on man again magnificent writing because I dunno which dark gods these are, though one is familiar like Anansi or something, but it makes his holy mission more understandable from this point of view.
I’m a fan of how this ended too. Just how many twisted followers does this man have anyway? I mean it was interesting enough to see his pet pigs early on in his space suit, though I really have to wonder she’s topless why are they wearing bottoms at all? Real animal kind of play would either be furries or naked so why this halfway stuff? Can’t be because you don’t wanna show nudity I mean there are nipples. Alright but this army that gets them at the Hollywood Bowl is really rather large.
Now the ending ending well that’s just plain creepy. Loved it but it’s odd and creepy.
I’m a huge fan of this, the way Chris is writing it is full of all kinds of cliche moments but the way he weaves it together makes this so much fun. Add Curt and Pete’s work on the interiors and boy you’ve get the complete picture. They do a wondrous job in bringing the characters to life, making our cult leader seem silly and deadly at the same time and somehow can also convey the urgency of what’s happening through their work. I still think those two pages of multi-panels should’ve had him full frontal naked though and I’m sticking to that I mean why stop there when you are doing that?
Mayday is the breath of fresh air madness and mayhem you need in your life.
Black Mask Studios 2015
Written by: Curt Pires
Illustrated by: Chris Peterson
Coloured by: Marissa Louise
Reviewed by: Steven Leitman
Summary: The body count is rising. Terrance and Kleio are the only ones who know about the cult's plot. But can they stop it? Do they want to? Also: A party at the Coppola Mansion and the origin of Daddy Long Legs.
Review: Flashback to a Coppola party after his movie is released and he’s somebody but the chat he has on the balcony is kind of both telling and a tad ominous as if foreshadowing something not so positive to come. The way this issue starts off with that before the big rise and fall he goes through was a nice way to do it.
Back to now as while driving away from the scene of the diner trying to talk to police about what had just transpired which gets turned around into a big mess. Trying to dive and talk not the smartest move to begin with he should’ve handed the phone to the bartender and let her try to explain. She however has a piece of paper the killers had on them and well it has nice revelation on it one that well isn’t all that uncommon in L.A. considering but still adds enough occult stuff to make it creepy.
I do love how the two decide to work together to stop what’s happening. The writing here is fantastic I mean all the while these two aren’t talking about themselves or really giving one another any sort of background information instead it’s slug some whiskey and go kill the killers kind of stuff. Seriously this is fantastic writing from Chris as they hit a gun shop and Kleio she uses her feminine charms on the clerk oh man i’m loving it. Way to go and write a transexual black woman and make her act and seem completely like any other woman around.
If you remember last issue we had those reporters who went to interview that creepy guy who ended up shooting them, if not what are you waiting for already? Well he’s back and we get a very good look at him and what makes him so damn crazy and leader of these animal masked marauders. I’m a little sorry he was in his tightie whities when he did what he did man on man again magnificent writing because I dunno which dark gods these are, though one is familiar like Anansi or something, but it makes his holy mission more understandable from this point of view.
I’m a fan of how this ended too. Just how many twisted followers does this man have anyway? I mean it was interesting enough to see his pet pigs early on in his space suit, though I really have to wonder she’s topless why are they wearing bottoms at all? Real animal kind of play would either be furries or naked so why this halfway stuff? Can’t be because you don’t wanna show nudity I mean there are nipples. Alright but this army that gets them at the Hollywood Bowl is really rather large.
Now the ending ending well that’s just plain creepy. Loved it but it’s odd and creepy.
I’m a huge fan of this, the way Chris is writing it is full of all kinds of cliche moments but the way he weaves it together makes this so much fun. Add Curt and Pete’s work on the interiors and boy you’ve get the complete picture. They do a wondrous job in bringing the characters to life, making our cult leader seem silly and deadly at the same time and somehow can also convey the urgency of what’s happening through their work. I still think those two pages of multi-panels should’ve had him full frontal naked though and I’m sticking to that I mean why stop there when you are doing that?
Mayday is the breath of fresh air madness and mayhem you need in your life.
Nova Phase #'s 1-2
SLG Publishing
Writer: Matthew Ritter
Visual Mastermind: Adam Elbahtimy
Reviewer: Derrick Crow
Summary: In the future, life as taken to the stars and humans and aliens interact on a daily basis. But in one backwater planet, a down on her luck bounty hunter named Veronica Darkwater may have found a stroke of luck, or currency for death... whichever await her, the journey is bound to be a long and arduous one.
Review: The first two issues serve as both fun adventures in their own rights, as well as introducing us to our main cast of characters. On one side we got the obvious rebels, who're fighting against the Confederacy who're the big, evil empire of this universe. What little we do get to see of the Confederacy, these bad guys already operate on a more personal level than what you'd normally see with the Empire from Star Wars, of the Alliance from Firefly, both of which serve as clear inspiration for this authority. But that's definitely not a bad thing, I like getting to see the bad guys from behind the scenes, it helps me identify with them more.
With the good guys though, the only one we really get to know is Veronica, I know the other will come in time so I'm definitely not worried about that. Veronica is pretty spunky, and she's a really good person for someone who decided become a bounty hunter. I like it though, it's a nice contrast and makes her character just different enough than any others who're similar who've come before her.
All she wants is to get off her backwater planet and explore the stars, but in order to do that she needs money, and even as a Bounty Hunter that money doesn't come easy. It's even less easy when she's so nice and feels the need to take care of everyone else's problems before her own. I'm curious to see if this journey will turn her into a hard ass (which would make sense, but I’d hate to see) or she'll be able to stay true to herself.
The ragtag group of rebels that pick her up after she ends up with something they want seem like a great crew, willingly to do what is necessary yet their charisma is quite infectious. As well as how they play off one another, you definitely get the sense that they've been together for awhile and I like that a lot.
The worst part about these two issues were that some events were hard to line up with everything else once the second issue opened up with the introduction of a brother-like-character who I assume is related to Veronica, but the 10 year time jump from her p.o.v. at the beginning, and the 5 year time jump from his (both ending up in the present) just don't add up, unless I'm reading into it completely wrong. Which is possible.
These were pretty solid first issues though and I'm interested to see what happens next. The characters are rich and witty, and the villains aren't in fact one-note which served as a fond surprise.
Now, I can't end this review without discussing one final, major thing about this book – it's unique look. Its like a retro-styled game from the Super Nintendo days, and it's really, really cool. I like the visual style Elbahtimy has given it. The fact that it looks like an old game gives it this cut scene cinematic style, as if you're reading these two issues as one long cut scene and then the actual game is going to begin. It's rather refreshing, and even if the story wasn't great I'd read this just for the visuals alone. That's how much I like it.
There were a few times though when the panel layouts did not match up with dialogue making a few scenes muddled and a bit confusing at first read, but those moments are far and few between so it wasn't too bad. Ritter even slipped in a Pokemon/Digimon reference (AND I think a Neopets reference for good measure) which I found to be hilarious if I'm reading it right.
Nova Phase is good. Go check it out, I know I will. Strong writing with a unique visual style, witty characters and hidden references galore (there were still plenty more), this is my kind of story.
Final Score: 4.5 Space Westerns out of 5
SLG Publishing
Writer: Matthew Ritter
Visual Mastermind: Adam Elbahtimy
Reviewer: Derrick Crow
Summary: In the future, life as taken to the stars and humans and aliens interact on a daily basis. But in one backwater planet, a down on her luck bounty hunter named Veronica Darkwater may have found a stroke of luck, or currency for death... whichever await her, the journey is bound to be a long and arduous one.
Review: The first two issues serve as both fun adventures in their own rights, as well as introducing us to our main cast of characters. On one side we got the obvious rebels, who're fighting against the Confederacy who're the big, evil empire of this universe. What little we do get to see of the Confederacy, these bad guys already operate on a more personal level than what you'd normally see with the Empire from Star Wars, of the Alliance from Firefly, both of which serve as clear inspiration for this authority. But that's definitely not a bad thing, I like getting to see the bad guys from behind the scenes, it helps me identify with them more.
With the good guys though, the only one we really get to know is Veronica, I know the other will come in time so I'm definitely not worried about that. Veronica is pretty spunky, and she's a really good person for someone who decided become a bounty hunter. I like it though, it's a nice contrast and makes her character just different enough than any others who're similar who've come before her.
All she wants is to get off her backwater planet and explore the stars, but in order to do that she needs money, and even as a Bounty Hunter that money doesn't come easy. It's even less easy when she's so nice and feels the need to take care of everyone else's problems before her own. I'm curious to see if this journey will turn her into a hard ass (which would make sense, but I’d hate to see) or she'll be able to stay true to herself.
The ragtag group of rebels that pick her up after she ends up with something they want seem like a great crew, willingly to do what is necessary yet their charisma is quite infectious. As well as how they play off one another, you definitely get the sense that they've been together for awhile and I like that a lot.
The worst part about these two issues were that some events were hard to line up with everything else once the second issue opened up with the introduction of a brother-like-character who I assume is related to Veronica, but the 10 year time jump from her p.o.v. at the beginning, and the 5 year time jump from his (both ending up in the present) just don't add up, unless I'm reading into it completely wrong. Which is possible.
These were pretty solid first issues though and I'm interested to see what happens next. The characters are rich and witty, and the villains aren't in fact one-note which served as a fond surprise.
Now, I can't end this review without discussing one final, major thing about this book – it's unique look. Its like a retro-styled game from the Super Nintendo days, and it's really, really cool. I like the visual style Elbahtimy has given it. The fact that it looks like an old game gives it this cut scene cinematic style, as if you're reading these two issues as one long cut scene and then the actual game is going to begin. It's rather refreshing, and even if the story wasn't great I'd read this just for the visuals alone. That's how much I like it.
There were a few times though when the panel layouts did not match up with dialogue making a few scenes muddled and a bit confusing at first read, but those moments are far and few between so it wasn't too bad. Ritter even slipped in a Pokemon/Digimon reference (AND I think a Neopets reference for good measure) which I found to be hilarious if I'm reading it right.
Nova Phase is good. Go check it out, I know I will. Strong writing with a unique visual style, witty characters and hidden references galore (there were still plenty more), this is my kind of story.
Final Score: 4.5 Space Westerns out of 5
Future Proof #5
Bliss On Tap Publishing 2014
Created by: Brian Phillipson & Alex Murillo
Written by: Alex Murillo
Illustrated by: Alex Cormack
Coloured by: Ashley & Alex Cormack
Reviewer: Steven Leitman
Review: A time traveling, espionage, action/adventure buddy flick style thriller, seriously what more do you need to know about it to pick this up? I love that this issue seems to be the turning point for this series as it moves forward. The writing remains to be some of the best there is and Murillo has done an excellent job on fleshing the boys out and making them likeable and relatable and just fun good ole boys who do their job and along the way kind of question a few things about what they are doing. He’s managed to get us to care about them while crafting a time travel story that isn’t outrageous or hard to follow and that’s the mark of a good writer people.
I’ll say this too i’ve really enjoyed watching Cormack grow as an artist on this project. The backgrounds, page layouts, the boys themselves and this issue that creepy owl yeah it looks really darn good. You can see his evolution as an artist and it’s one of those things where you see his potential in the first issue and by this the fifth he’s exceeded where you thought he’d be making him one of the industry's up and coming illustrators. Though we could have gotten a better look at James in those boxers I mean really now.
What happens this issue however is the natural progression of what we’ve seen so far. That they are in 1910 and during their mission they kind of have an epiphany about what’s being said and done around them. Throughout history there have been people whose intentions haven’t been the best and plenty of corrupt men have wormed their way into positions of power in order to further their own agendas. We’ve seen this in the history books and on PBS, yes I love my local stations, so when the boys see it first hand however and really get a chance to experience that kind of pure evil if you will things in their lives begin to change. Dispicable behavior happening on the train folks and ya know it kind of represents that era nicely unfortunately.
James and Simon manage to complete their mission but something else happens here that wasn’t supposed to. The remembering of some of their most heinous missions notwithstanding another agent arrives on scene and tries to kill a man in a location that wasn’t on the agenda. Before this new agent of the Sing can say anything though about how the company lies to them and uses them he’s well, just check out what Alex does to him because it’s kind of gross, awesome and foreboding all in one image.
So what happens with all this newfound knowledge and odd things that have unraveled before their eyes? Will we finally get to see the Sing? Are the boys going to go rogue and take down the very organization that gave them purpose in the first place? Oh so many questions so much more potential for greatness to come. It seems the best is yet to come and the future isn’t written in stone.
This is why I love the small independent press titles, they are books made out of love and passion for the genre/medium. They have some great skills and can contribute to our enjoyment in ways that sometimes the larger ones can’t. This is one of those series and companies you need to be reading and finding their books and get out of the mindset of the big two!
Bliss On Tap Publishing 2014
Created by: Brian Phillipson & Alex Murillo
Written by: Alex Murillo
Illustrated by: Alex Cormack
Coloured by: Ashley & Alex Cormack
Reviewer: Steven Leitman
Review: A time traveling, espionage, action/adventure buddy flick style thriller, seriously what more do you need to know about it to pick this up? I love that this issue seems to be the turning point for this series as it moves forward. The writing remains to be some of the best there is and Murillo has done an excellent job on fleshing the boys out and making them likeable and relatable and just fun good ole boys who do their job and along the way kind of question a few things about what they are doing. He’s managed to get us to care about them while crafting a time travel story that isn’t outrageous or hard to follow and that’s the mark of a good writer people.
I’ll say this too i’ve really enjoyed watching Cormack grow as an artist on this project. The backgrounds, page layouts, the boys themselves and this issue that creepy owl yeah it looks really darn good. You can see his evolution as an artist and it’s one of those things where you see his potential in the first issue and by this the fifth he’s exceeded where you thought he’d be making him one of the industry's up and coming illustrators. Though we could have gotten a better look at James in those boxers I mean really now.
What happens this issue however is the natural progression of what we’ve seen so far. That they are in 1910 and during their mission they kind of have an epiphany about what’s being said and done around them. Throughout history there have been people whose intentions haven’t been the best and plenty of corrupt men have wormed their way into positions of power in order to further their own agendas. We’ve seen this in the history books and on PBS, yes I love my local stations, so when the boys see it first hand however and really get a chance to experience that kind of pure evil if you will things in their lives begin to change. Dispicable behavior happening on the train folks and ya know it kind of represents that era nicely unfortunately.
James and Simon manage to complete their mission but something else happens here that wasn’t supposed to. The remembering of some of their most heinous missions notwithstanding another agent arrives on scene and tries to kill a man in a location that wasn’t on the agenda. Before this new agent of the Sing can say anything though about how the company lies to them and uses them he’s well, just check out what Alex does to him because it’s kind of gross, awesome and foreboding all in one image.
So what happens with all this newfound knowledge and odd things that have unraveled before their eyes? Will we finally get to see the Sing? Are the boys going to go rogue and take down the very organization that gave them purpose in the first place? Oh so many questions so much more potential for greatness to come. It seems the best is yet to come and the future isn’t written in stone.
This is why I love the small independent press titles, they are books made out of love and passion for the genre/medium. They have some great skills and can contribute to our enjoyment in ways that sometimes the larger ones can’t. This is one of those series and companies you need to be reading and finding their books and get out of the mindset of the big two!
Escape From Jesus Island #2
Wisdumb Productions/Geeky Kid Comics
Directed by: Shawn French
Cinematography by: Mortimer Glum
Lettering by: Peeter Parkker
Reviewer: Rob Wrecks
Summary: Believing the reborn Christ is held on ReGen Corp's Malsum Island Research Facility, Pope Sidious dispatches an elite Vatican Black Ops team (Joe, Mary, Boomer, Jet and Barracuda). Their mission: find the Son of God and Escape From Jesus Island.
Review: After I finished my first read through of this issue, I had to sit back and take a moment for a deep breath. I honestly think anyone would be needing to do that after finishing up their read of this issue! Not only do we get a history lesson behind the lead up to the Jesus cloning, but we also witness some fairly horrific treatment of those clones as the scientists try to get their powers to come to the surface. And personally, I am looking very forward to seeing all these wastes of humanity get what's coming to them when the clones finally have enough and start striking back. And with what's down in the tunnels, its definitely not going to be a pleasant sight when revenge is finally at hand. Anna and Cameron Thorne of ReGen Corp really should have watched more Sci-Fi films related to this sort of thing. Maybe then they would have realized how bad an idea this was likely going to be.
I have to wonder though if what happened to Cameron during the history lesson we see at the beginning of this issue was a sign that they should stop. And if it was, it completely went over their heads. Course, considering Anna's a blue eyed blonde, she might fit a certain stereotype. But uhh... Nobody tell the lady I said that, I really don't want to face her wrath! And call me crazy, but any Pope with the name of Sidious can't be all that great of a guy. Especially with the way he looks and acts! Me thinks the Pope will wind up regretting having his team bring in Jesus if the way things are currently going thanks to Shawn French are any indication.
The Pope's extraction team is gonna need all the luck they can get and perhaps a few prayers in order to succeed on their mission. Though I honestly wonder if Mary will fall prey first to Damien's horde as her naivety can only get her into a boat load of trouble. If you were able to handle the horrifying reality seen in issue 1, then why not try taking it on once again with issue 2? Glum would be saddened if his disturbing imagery wasn't viewed by you!
Wisdumb Productions/Geeky Kid Comics
Directed by: Shawn French
Cinematography by: Mortimer Glum
Lettering by: Peeter Parkker
Reviewer: Rob Wrecks
Summary: Believing the reborn Christ is held on ReGen Corp's Malsum Island Research Facility, Pope Sidious dispatches an elite Vatican Black Ops team (Joe, Mary, Boomer, Jet and Barracuda). Their mission: find the Son of God and Escape From Jesus Island.
Review: After I finished my first read through of this issue, I had to sit back and take a moment for a deep breath. I honestly think anyone would be needing to do that after finishing up their read of this issue! Not only do we get a history lesson behind the lead up to the Jesus cloning, but we also witness some fairly horrific treatment of those clones as the scientists try to get their powers to come to the surface. And personally, I am looking very forward to seeing all these wastes of humanity get what's coming to them when the clones finally have enough and start striking back. And with what's down in the tunnels, its definitely not going to be a pleasant sight when revenge is finally at hand. Anna and Cameron Thorne of ReGen Corp really should have watched more Sci-Fi films related to this sort of thing. Maybe then they would have realized how bad an idea this was likely going to be.
I have to wonder though if what happened to Cameron during the history lesson we see at the beginning of this issue was a sign that they should stop. And if it was, it completely went over their heads. Course, considering Anna's a blue eyed blonde, she might fit a certain stereotype. But uhh... Nobody tell the lady I said that, I really don't want to face her wrath! And call me crazy, but any Pope with the name of Sidious can't be all that great of a guy. Especially with the way he looks and acts! Me thinks the Pope will wind up regretting having his team bring in Jesus if the way things are currently going thanks to Shawn French are any indication.
The Pope's extraction team is gonna need all the luck they can get and perhaps a few prayers in order to succeed on their mission. Though I honestly wonder if Mary will fall prey first to Damien's horde as her naivety can only get her into a boat load of trouble. If you were able to handle the horrifying reality seen in issue 1, then why not try taking it on once again with issue 2? Glum would be saddened if his disturbing imagery wasn't viewed by you!