The Deathlings: Anne's Story #1
Writer: Ian Struckhoff
Artists: Manuela Soriani, Michela Da Saco
Color Artist: Juri Hayasaka
Cover by Reuben Negron
Publication: Black Label Comics
Source: Preview Version Purchased at Amazon
Look for this series at Amazon
This preview of The Deathlings is a dark comic book written by Ian Struckhoff. The heroine in The Deathlings is Annie. Annie has weird, dark and vivid dreams which she tries to capture in the morning so she doesn't forget. She interacts with dark looking characters and clearly she is intrigued by this world.
The Walking Dead #1
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Illustrator: Tony Moore
Publication: Image Comics, 2003
Source: Purchased
Look for this series at Comixology / Amazon/ Goodreads
Description from goodreads
An epidemic of apocalyptic proportions has swept the globe, causing the dead to rise and feed on the living. In a matter of months, society has crumbled: There is no government, no grocery stores, no mail delivery, no cable TV. Rick Grimes finds himself one of the few survivors in this terrifying future. A couple months ago he was a small town cop who had never fired a shot and only ever saw one dead body. Separated from his family, he must now sort through all the death and confusion to try and find his wife and son. In a world ruled by the dead, we are forced to finally begin living.
The Evil Tree #1
Writer: Erik Hendrix
Illustrator: Daniel Thollin
Publication: Arcana Studio/ November, 2012
Source: Purchased
Look for this series at Comixology / Amazon/ Goodreads
Description from goodreads
In a colonial village outside of NYC, Misha and her fiance, Daren, seek an escape from the fast pace of the city. As they settle in, Misha becomes withdrawn, suffering from bad dreams and depression. When Daren brings his friends to the house to "shake out the cobwebs," little does he know he is setting into motion events started hundreds of years ago with the original occupants of the house, the Willam Family. Not only did the ill-fated Willam family die in the house one cold winter, but the house has developed a history of female occupants committing suicide. The friends must solve the mystery of the house before the Willam Family ghosts pick them off one by one!
The Intrepid Escapegoat
Author and Illustrator: Brian Smith
Colored by Mike DeVito
Publication: Third World Studios
Source: Free Comic Book Day version purchased at Amazon
Look for this series at goodreads / Amazon
Description from goodreads
Writer: Ian Struckhoff
Artists: Manuela Soriani, Michela Da Saco
Color Artist: Juri Hayasaka
Cover by Reuben Negron
Publication: Black Label Comics
Source: Preview Version Purchased at Amazon
Look for this series at Amazon
This preview of The Deathlings is a dark comic book written by Ian Struckhoff. The heroine in The Deathlings is Annie. Annie has weird, dark and vivid dreams which she tries to capture in the morning so she doesn't forget. She interacts with dark looking characters and clearly she is intrigued by this world.
The Deathlings piqued my interest from the first time I saw its cover. Annie has uniqueness and original character design. I like that she doesn't look like a cookie cutter heroine. I'm interested in this series and want to see what else Ian Struckhoff can do with Annie.
Characters are well designed. Colors are well utilized. The comic shows a particular dark ambiance.
The Walking Dead #1
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Illustrator: Tony Moore
Publication: Image Comics, 2003
Source: Purchased
Look for this series at Comixology / Amazon/ Goodreads
Description from goodreads
An epidemic of apocalyptic proportions has swept the globe, causing the dead to rise and feed on the living. In a matter of months, society has crumbled: There is no government, no grocery stores, no mail delivery, no cable TV. Rick Grimes finds himself one of the few survivors in this terrifying future. A couple months ago he was a small town cop who had never fired a shot and only ever saw one dead body. Separated from his family, he must now sort through all the death and confusion to try and find his wife and son. In a world ruled by the dead, we are forced to finally begin living.
The Walking Dead is a great show. I can't wait for its new season. In the meantime I found The Walking Dead #1 at Comixology and decided to give it a try. This comic gave birth to the series so it was time I grabbed the comic. This number introduces The Walking Dead world. Rick is at the hospital where he begins to notice what is happening in the world. In the outside he interacts with a man and his son and prepares for searching for his wife and son. Rick looks scared but decided to find them. Like in the series he shows his qualities and empathy towards people.
I like the art and colors in The Walking Dead. The cover looks really good. Inside, images are shown in black and white, which really suits the The Walking Dead story. Zombie design is somber, amazing and depicts rawness. Without doubt, The Walking Dead is a most read in the graphic novels' world.
The Evil Tree #1
Writer: Erik Hendrix
Illustrator: Daniel Thollin
Publication: Arcana Studio/ November, 2012
Source: Purchased
Look for this series at Comixology / Amazon/ Goodreads
Description from goodreads
In a colonial village outside of NYC, Misha and her fiance, Daren, seek an escape from the fast pace of the city. As they settle in, Misha becomes withdrawn, suffering from bad dreams and depression. When Daren brings his friends to the house to "shake out the cobwebs," little does he know he is setting into motion events started hundreds of years ago with the original occupants of the house, the Willam Family. Not only did the ill-fated Willam family die in the house one cold winter, but the house has developed a history of female occupants committing suicide. The friends must solve the mystery of the house before the Willam Family ghosts pick them off one by one!
The Evil Tree works the formula of the cabin in the woods plus dark presence equals weird stuff. I have seen this time and time again in many movies. It can be a repetitive theme that can be made original according to the authors skill. Although, The Evil Tree needs some polishing in its dialog and character interaction, the author creates a mystery in Misha which definitively helps the story. Her friends are worried about her because they notice she has changed since she have been living in this isolated place. Some presence is perturbing her and just at the end author Erik Hendrix leaves this number in this terrifying cliffhanger of a situation.
I appreciate Erik Hendrix interest in creating fear using a winter setting in an isolated cabin. Also, They made a great job with colors. My favorite thing is how Misha is overcome by this mysterious presence and then this presence becomes kind of tangible thru the tree. This is a series to watch. If you are a fan of suspense and terror, get The Evil Tree.
The Intrepid Escapegoat
Author and Illustrator: Brian Smith
Colored by Mike DeVito
Publication: Third World Studios
Source: Free Comic Book Day version purchased at Amazon
Look for this series at goodreads / Amazon
Description from goodreads
The EscapeGoat comic universe is set in a pseudo-Victorian era Earth; it is a time of discovery and advances in science, but also a time of ancient magics. Thomas Fleet (AKA The Intrepid EscapeGoat) is a world famous escape artist, a star of the stage and screen who performs before packed houses all over the globe. What separates EscapeGoat from other magicians and mediums of the time is that he knows there is REAL magic in the world, and on occasion it falls on him to stop the supernatural threats facing mankind. He travels the world with his act, solving the paranormal riddles that plague the towns and cities he visits along the way.
Art is nice and cartoony. Colors are really good, which is always a plus. Character design fits the story really well. The concept is good and could work well for an animated series. Main character is kind of an Indiana Jones escapist extraordinaire, which gives the series many possibilities storywise.
Although I see many positive qualities in this series creatively speaking, this number is not that impressive. It lacks something, it could be more engaging. Nevertheless, I would like to read additional numbers to see how this characters develop.
This version of The Intrepid Escapegoat is the Free Comic Book Day version. This event take place the first Saturday of May each year. Look for a comic book store near home.