Tag Archives: indie comics

Jackdaw #1 Review

Grimmsmoore Comics, , , , , , , ,

jackdawcover

Who, or what, is Jackdaw?

jackdaw1c

jackdaw1d

Richard Rael has two jobs.  During the day he is a wealthy businessman.  But at night, he is Jackdaw, a dark and mysterious crime fighter.  Not much is known about Jackdaw.  And Thrasher, his female superhero sidekick, appears to be the only one that knows his true identity.

Joyce Sunn, aka Thrasher, is a graduate student and wants out of the crime fighting business.  However she don’t have the nerves to tell Richard.  Although she suffers silently, she does a good job at being a sidekick.  Actually Thrasher is a badass.

Jackdaw is an online comic, or webcomic, and is also published on Comixology.  This indie comic is published by Grimmsmoore Comics.

Kelly Shane is the writer of this dark, mysterious, and complex story.  Well-written script with good timing.  Compelling characters.  Great character interactions.  I found the story a bit wordy at times, but after reading it a second time, I found it to be helpful.  A lot of information is given in this issue, but it’s not too revealing.  Overall I believe Shane did a wonderful job with the set-up of the story.

Text was brought to life by Brian Barr.  The comic is in black-and-white, and it makes the story even darker.  Finely detailed.  Realistic looking characters.    I especially like the fight scenes.  Barr deserves a round of applause for his excellent visuals.

I plan to read the second issue, if I can ever get caught up on my current comic reading.  I need to find out if more is revealed about Richard Rael’s personal life, and if Joyce finds the courage to tell him she wants out.  And just who is that crazed Jackdaw fan?

It is no secret that I support both mainstream and indie comics.  Indie comic creators deserve a shot just as much as those creating comics for the Big 2.

You can learn more about this indie comic on its’ website.

If you are a fan of mystery, then you may want to give Jackdaw a try.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I enjoyed reading Jackdaw.  I am giving this issue 4/5 stars.

Captain Gaia: Kickstarter Campaign

Uncategorized, , , , ,

Johny Tay, writer of Seven Years in Dog-Land, is at it again.  This time he is kickstarting a campaign for his latest comic, Captain Gaia.

Captain Gaia is an indie comic that parodies the classic cartoons, Captain Planet and Dragon Ball.  I am a Captain Planet fan, my nephew was crazy about Dragon Ball back in the day, and my son is crazy about Dragon Ball now.

The comic is about conservation, environmental disasters.  Conservation is an important topic to Tay, and he will be putting his creative writing skills to work, and telling the story in a fun way.  I have read some of his work, so I have no doubt that Captain Gala will be a fun and informative read.  You can visit the kickstarter page here.

I am a comic book fan that enjoys both mainstream and independent comics, and I have much respect for indie comic creators for all the time they put into creating, publishing, and promoting their work.

 

Zombie Tramp Volume 1 Review

Action Lab Comics, , , , , , , , ,

zombietramp

Thanks to a bad date arranged by her transvestite madame, Janey Belle, a high-priced and high-demand Hollywood call girl, gets attacked by a zombie.  She escapes, but not before getting bitten.  Now a zombie, Janey seeks vengeance on those that have wronged her.  It may seem odd for a zombie to target certain persons of interest.  But Janey is a rarity.  Her soul is intact, something you don’t usually see in zombies.  She is also exceptionally strong.

WARNING:  This title is for mature readers.  CHILDREN SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO READ ANY PARTS OF THIS COMIC BOOK.  This title is filled with bloodshed, exposed body organs and tissues, foul language, sexually explicit images (lots of big boobs), and all sorts of other good stuff for the mature audience.

Zombie Tramp, an indie comic series published by Action Lab Danger Zone, the mature readers comic book imprint by Action Lab Entertainment, will have you laughing and frightened at the same time.

Dan Mendoza is the writer and illustrator.  Great script with perfect timing.  Excellent character interactions.  The key players in this book are all funny, but dangerous.  From Xula, the beautiful voodoo queen, to the crooked sheriff and that crazed zombie son of his that he keeps chained up in his basement, you will appreciate each character and their distinct personalities.

By the way, my favorite characters in this volume are Xula and Sheriff Rudolf.

It is no secret that I support indie comics as much as I support mainstream comic books, and I will continue to blog and spread the word about good comics to read.  You can find volumes 1 and 2, and single issues on Comixology.  Issue #1 of volume 3 will be available soon.

VERDICT (drum roll please)
This title is good for anyone looking for horror, supernatural, zombies, and fun comics to read.  I strongly recommend this comic.  I am giving this comic book 5/5 stars.

 

Ghosted #1 Review

Image Comics, , , , ,

ghosted1

I read a lot of comic books, but not all of them are able to grab and hold my attention.  I can honestly say that Ghosted, a supernatural and horror comic series published by Image Comics, is not one of those comics.  Thanks to Joshua Williamson, writer, I became an instant feign within the first few pages.

Jackson T. Winters, a criminal mastermind, was retrieved from prison during a staged riot.  Markus Schrecken, a wealthy collector of supernatural artifacts, has commissioned Winters to steal a ghost from the haunted Trask Mansion for his collection.

Winters accepts the job, but on his terms.  He gets to select his own team, a 50s style tailor-made suit, and a Russian prostitute that doesn’t even have to be Russian.  Although she was Schrecken’s choice, and not Winters, psychic Edzia Rusnak is a part of Winters team of paranormal experts.  Winters don’t trust her, and I don’t trust her either.

Williamson did a phenomenal job with the set-up of this story.  Excellent script.  The plan (well, we really don’t know how they’re going to capture a ghost yet), key players, everything.  All laid out for us in the first issue.  Now that’s what I call a writing mastermind.  Perfect timing.  Wonderful cast of characters, each with distinct personalities.  Fast-paced but not hard to follow.  Ghosted is action-packed from page one, a feature you don’t see too often in comic books.

Goran Sudzuka (artist) and Miroslav Mrva (colorist) provided the visuals.  Since I am a horror and paranormal fan, I appreciate Sudzuka and Mrva’s stunning artwork to the max.  It gives that eerie feeling that’s needed for a story of this genre.  I am a hardcore paranormal fan so I especially like the swarm of ghosts at the end.  Magnificent.

I read a variety of comic books, both mainstream and indie comics.  There is no doubt that I am going to continue with the series, as I am already craving the next issue.  I plan to purchase the rest of the first arc, then buy volume 2 (issues 6-10).  According to Image’s website, the release date for issue #11 is July 9, 2014.

In case  you can’t find all the single issues, or collected volumes at your local comic shop, you can purchase and read them on Comixology.  That’s how I read this issue.  I love the guided view.

VERDICT (drum roll please)
Ghosted is a must-read indie comic.  I strongly recommend this title.  This issue receives 5/5 stars.

Seven Years in Dog-Land Review

Indie Comics, , , ,

7yrsdogland

Alice Carroll is a 10 year-old girl who lives with her dad, Lewis Carroll.  Their relationship is cold and distant, and Alice doesn’t appear to have any recollection of her deceased mother.  When Alice’s pet Labrador Retriever, Charlie, runs away from home, Alice takes it extremely hard.

Alice eventually leaves home to search for Charlie.  During her search, she stumbles upon a magical world ruled by giant dogs.  In Cania, the canines talk and sapiens are their pets.  The sapiens resemble humans, but they’re filthy and act like savages.  The enslaved sapiens are used as household pets, circus acts, and whatever else their owners force on them.  The canines even breed sapiens.

doglandsapiendoglandpalace

Alice is considered a special type of sapient because of her cleanliness, intelligence, and most of all, her ability to talk.  She is personable, and has caught the attention of Dulac, the sapiens pet trader.  Dulac decides to keep Alice for himself, and he’s as dirty as dirty can get.

doglanddulac1

doglandsick

doglandsick2

Not all of the canines are cruel.  There is an activist group that wants all sapiens to be free.

doglandactivist

But will Alice ever find Charlie?  Better yet, will she ever find her way back home?

Seven Years in Dog-Land is an indie comic created by Johny Tay.  Phenomenal script with amazing character interactions.  This enlightening fantasy pretty much resembles our world.  Dogs are kept as pets by humans.  We breed them, dress them up in clothing, and make them perform tricks.  As for selling the sick sapiens to the butcher.  Well, um, I often read about meat recalls.  Sick cows, pigs, green slime, etc.  Anyway, you know what I’m talking about.

The art is in black-and-white, and although I would like to see it in color, it doesn’t take from the story at all.  I especially like how Tay drew Alice to stand apart from the sapiens.  You can definitely tell she’s not one of those savages.

You can read the first half of Seven Years in Dog-Land for FREE online.  Check out Tay’s website for additional information such as a rundown of characters, and ordering information.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I recommend this title for dog lovers, readers of fantasy, or for those that are looking for a good indie comic to read.  I give this title 4.5/5 stars.

 

Earth Dream (Vol. 1): Earth Day Review

7 Robots, , , ,

earthdream

If you’re looking for an Earth Day activity (or even if you’re not), then a great way to celebrate is by reading Earth Dream (Vol. 1):  Earth Day.  Earth Dream is a sci-fi fantasy anthology that includes 11 short stories by indie writers and artists.

Earth Dream, produced by indie comic publisher, 7 Robots, focuses on social awareness.  This year’s spotlight is on the environment.  The anthology is available online every year on Earth Day, and it’s FREE.

With indie creators like Suzie and Miguel (Super Corporate Heroes), Jerome Walford (Nowhere Man) and Johny Tay (Seven Years in Dog-Land), I knew Earth Dream would be nothing less than superior.

All of the stories are wonderfully crafted, and each writer has his or her own unique writing style.  A couple of the stories appeared to be vague to me, I had no idea as to the meaning.  But that’s okay.  The art made up for it.

The artwork is stunning.  I could have used the entire anthology as a picture book.  As with the writers, each artist has his or her own unique style.  Some of the pages were so breathtaking, I had to look at them more than once.

I found the following stories to be of exceptional quality, whether script, art or both:

  • The Hole – Ireneusz Mazurek and Marek Rudowski.  Dark and creepy art.
  • Paradise Found – JTW.  First thing that comes to mind is Crayola crayons.  Bold, beautiful colors.
  • The Nature of Time – Annibal Arroyo.  Great script and art.
  • The Guardians – Recondita Rick.  Great script, Beautiful art.
  • Shangri-La – Johny Tay and Kelvin Lim.  Amazing art.  Looks like a painting.

By getting your free online copy of Earth Dream from indie comic publisher, 7 Robots, you are not only helping to celebrate Earth Day 2014, but you are also supporting the indie comic industry.  The talented creators of this great collection of short stories are from the U.S., Spain, Singapore, Canada and Poland.

For more information and to download your free copy, visit www.7robots.com/earthdream

I truly enjoyed reading Earth Dream, and I’m looking forward to reading more from these talented creators.  The indie comic market is growing, and my support for the industry is growing as well.