Scum of the Earth # 1 Review

Scum of the Earth # 1
Written by Mark Bertolini
Art by Rob Croonenborghs
Action Lab Entertainment

This will be a spoiler free review.

                What starts out as a love letter to Natural Born Killers makes a crazy turn that no one would expect as True and Laura go on their way … killing and loving as they do.

ART:

                This art is not for everyone. It seems a bit on the simplistic side. Yet, Croonenborghs is more than able to capture a mood and feel that makes it feel like a grindhouse movie or Natural Born Killers as I mentioned earlier. Detail isn’t outrageous and it is more abstract compared to traditional super hero comic book art but Croonenborghs is able to make it work.
                This book is bloody and the details of how gory this book can be are not held back … which definitely works for Croonenborgh. The coloring choices are also interesting, as much of the art is given a red hue but it does just add to the atmosphere. Croonenborghs’ art can be considered Sunday Comics with an adult twist and style and Scum of the Earth uses that to make this a unique reading experience.

 WRITING:

                This was a unique mix of murderous mayhem and crazy mystery that just blended real well. The real depravity of our main characters shine through from the first few pages and Bertolini makes them interesting and oddly relatable. Sure, True and Laura are psychotic … yet they are in love and who can’t relate to love.  Even with their murderous attitudes, there is a charm to our leads. Which makes the mystery that much more impactful. Kudos to Bertolini for writing such charming, yet psychotic characters as well as working in one hell of a twist there. With great dialogue and a solid pace, this first issue does make me want more of the Scum of the Earth.

FINAL VERDICT
                Seriously … this book caught me by surprise. The art isn’t exactly what you normally see but it definitely works. And the story is intriguing, charming and an interesting twist on the lovable murderers. I give Scum of the Earth # 1 a solid 4 … out of 5.

 

ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES COMIC CON 2014 EXCLUSIVES

ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES COMIC CON 2014 EXCLUSIVES
Skyward, Vamplets, Nutmeg and Zombie Tramp convention variants abound.

 

PITTSBURGH, PA- Action Lab Entertainment, your new favorite comic book company returns to the Mecca of American pop culture, Comic-con International: San Diego. This year, Action Lab will have a plethora of show exclusive limited editions available for purchase at their booth.

 Jeremy Dale’s amazing all ages fantasy series SKYWARD, a hit with the young and young at heart will release it’s eighth issue with a show exclusive sketch cover.

Gayle Middleton’s Vamplets, the adorable ghouls from Gloomvania, return with the second hardcover album of the popular series.  Written by Middleton and Dave Dwonch (Cyrus and The Haunted Taxi Cab, Double Jumpers) with art by Amanda Coronado, Action lab will have a convention variant limited to 1000 copies.

Dan Mendoza’s relaunched Zombie Tramp series, now one of Action Lab’s monthly offerings will feature a show exclusive variant cover of the new issue #1 limited to 1000 copies.
 

And in the tradition of bringing something new to the table, Action Lab will debut their newest creator-owned series, Nutmeg.

Written by James F Wright and illustrated by Jackie Crofts, Nutmeg is the story of two suburban junior high girls who bond when through a twist of fate; a prank on a pompous rival finds them building a criminal empire with their irresistible brownies. It’s sugar and spite and everything not so nice as Poppy and Cassia navigate the world of middle school politics and shady dealings.

All four books, along with the rest of Action Lab Entertainment’s offerings will be available for purchase at Booth 2006 in Hall B all week long.

 For more information, retailers can contact Kelly Dale at kdale@actionlabcomics.com. For press and conventions you can reach Jamal Igle at jigle@actionlabcomics.com.
 
ABOUT ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT- Formed in 2010 with the purpose of pooling their collective talents into a single, powerful entity, the members of Action Lab Entertainment have countless years in multimedia publishing, design, and business.  Their first release, Fracture, was successfully funded through Kickstarter and since then they have continued their mission to produce high quality, genre-spanning entertainment.  Since its formation, the accolades for A.L.E continue to build on a daily basis.  Among its more popular titles are all ages material like the Eisner, Glyph, Shel Dorf Award nominated series PRINCELESS, NFL RUSHZONE (based on the Nickelodeon Television series), Jamal Igle's MOLLY DANGER, Artist/ Writer Jeremy Dale’s hit series SKYWARD, and Gale Middleton’s (My Little Pony, The Littlest Pet Shop) monstrously adorable VAMPLETS. Action Lab’s Mature Readers imprint ACTION LAB DANGER ZONE continues to push the envelope of comics entertainment with titles as varied as EHMM THEORY and Dan Mendoza’s over the top horror-comedy ZOMBIE TRAMP, THE FINAL PLAGUE and BO, PLUSHY GANGSTA.

Zombie Tramp #1 Boasting big numbers!

 

ZOMBIE TRAMP #1 BOASTING BIG NUMBERS!
Action Lab Entertainment’ first company produced title a massive success.

PITTSBURGH, PA- Dan Mendoza’s critically acclaimed, genre bending series Zombie Tramp is relaunching with a new #1. The Action Lab: Danger Zone title is a hit, as preorders top 16,000 copies. The new Zombie Trap, co-written by Mendoza, Jason Martin (Night of the 80’s Undead) and artist TM Chu, will launch on July 23, with 12 alternate covers drawn by industry talents Jerry Gaylord (Fanboys vs. Zombies), Josh Howard ( Dead @17) and Jamal Igle (The Terminator: Enemy of my enemy).

Zombie Tramp is the story of Janey Bell, once Hollywood’s most popular high-priced call girl until she was bitten by a zombie and imbued with strange new powers. The new series picks up from where the Free Comic Book Day preview ends as Janey arrives in Las Vegas to start her undead life over again.

While a relatively new company about to celebrate it’s fifth anniversary in 2015, Action Lab Entertainment is growing quickly as a marquee publisher. With the successful relaunch of Zombie Tramp, Action Lab begins to take it’s place as a destination for top flight talent and innovative ideas. Zombie Tramp will have a limited edition Comicon variant for sale at the Action Lab booth during Comicon International: San Diego 2014 drawn by series creator Dan Mendoza.

Dry Spell # 1 Review

 DRY SPELL #1
Written by Ken Krekeler
Art by Ken Krekeler
Action Lab: Danger Zone

This will be a spoiler free review.

Note: I know I already reviewed this before a month ago but have yet to find the original review …. Soooooooooo … here we go again.

                Our story opens in a world of super heroes and our main character, Tom Ferris, is “enjoying” a mundane life as an office worker. At night, he dreams of the life he used to have … among the super heroic elite. And then … one day at work, that door to the elite starts to open again and things will never be the same.

ART:

                The art is simply gorgeous.  A mixed water colored and traditional coloring helps give the book its own sense of style and grace … and every scene is matched perfectly with tones that help set the mood and really draw you in. Krekeler does a great job with his line work, giving just enough detail to his characters and background to make them different but allows the colors and the inks help his art achieve this vibrancy and originality. Krekeler’s panel work goes from simple to outrageous, allowing readers to really keep a focus on the art while allow it to tell its story in its own way. It is truly magnificent some of the panel work when Tom is “under the influence;” allowing stunning art to really shine through. Krekeler conveys emotion well, shows people in different sizes and colors and really gives good perspectives. Really an outstanding job by Krekeler.

WRITING:

                The issue was near perfection from start to finish. Drawing on series like “Watchman” for an artistic opening with its opening page to its final panel, Krekeler allows readers to get a great dose symbolism and authenticity.  Krekeler speaks to the everyday man wishing to be something more with Tom Ferris while also talking to those men and women who think about their glory days. Krekeler uses the dream of always wanting to be more and to be back at your highest point as driving forces for the issue, allowing not only explanation on Tom’s actions but set up for the main plot of the book as well.

                Krekeler constructs Tom Ferris to be a relatable character from when we first meet him to his decision to go out with “the old gang” for a night out on the town. Krekeler also reminds us the dangers of going back to our glory days; as old vices might rear their ugly head as well but seamlessly ties it into the story well. The distinct differences in Tom in his mundane life and Tom during the end of the book are very obvious but are built upon well. Krekeler builds a good supporting cast around Tom that already starts to pull at him in different directions while also uses them to maintain a level of mystery. And while the ends kind of stops the story more than ends it, overall, the first issue was solid with great pacing and wonderful characters.

FINAL VERDICT:

                Honestly, this was a great first issue. The art was spectacular. The writing was superb. The characters were relatable and the premise seemed very authentic. I enjoyed this first issue and really and looking forward to looking at Tom Ferris a bit more, next issue. So, with that, I would like to give Dry Spell # 1 a solid 4.5 out of 5. 

Bo, Plushy Gangsta # 3 Preview

BO, PLUSHY GANGSTA #3
Writer(s): Pavel Balabanov 
Artist Name(s): Pavel Balabanov 
Cover Artist(s): Pavel Balabanov 
Variant cover: Pavel Balabanov 

[attachment=7694:BoPlushyGangsta_issue3_cover_solicit.jpg]
 
 As Bo Plushy’s showdown with the “Roswell” gang and their boss, the Serpent (a.k.a. Puppet 
Master) continues, things aren’t what they appear! Does the Puppet Master have the voodoo teddy 
gangsta by the strings? Or is it the other way ‘round? Come on, it’s Bo!

ZOMBIE TRAMP Vol. 2: The Taint Train of Terror Review

ZOMBIE TRAMP Vol. 2: The Taint Train of Terror TPB

Written by Dan Mendoza

Art by Dan Mendoza

Lettering by Zen

Action Lab: Danger Zone

This will be a Spoiler Free Review.

It is a new adventure with Janey as she meets a mysterious little girl named Morning. She gives help to Janey as long as she would kill her parents. As we find out that our Morning has more to her than meets the eye, we continue our little adventure on a train where a bunch of teenagers. And the grindhouse influence takes over as things go from bad to worse ... for the students on the train ... and even Janey.

THE GOOD:

Mendoza gives his signature style a great amount of flair with dynamically gory panels, limited use of colors and interesting use of inks ... or not. Mendoza really brings a great atmosphere to his work. The lack of color with few exceptions really help bring out a certain fair to the book. The brutality is in full spectacle. If you are a fan of zombies or grindhouse, Mendoza presents you with this love letter.  

Mendoza also does a great trick of putting flashbacks, keeping them strictly his finished pencils but no inking on it. We got a good amount of gory mixed with suspense and sexual situations.

Writing wise, Mendoza gives us an entertaining, yet gory rump from start to finish. We do get to know a bit more about Janey and Mendoza develops her by her meeting Morning, her gaining her new abilities and the flashbacks. Read separately, the issue are fairly good. But as one whole, complete story, this second volume of Zombie reads like a classic zombie/grindhouse, suspense movie. And while Janey shines, Mendoza does a good job developing Morning, the Omega Men and more. The pacing works as a whole and works better as a collection.

THE BAD:
            Like I mentioned, the single issues of it were good. But as a whole, this reads so much better. Yet, what happens to our teens is very predictable. Otherwise, nothing really bad.

THE VERDICT:

Mendoza’s style is something people will either love or hate but it captures Zombie Tramp well … a mix of horror with sex appeal while also giving nods to grindhouse movies and thrillers. Janey clearly has development here and there can be a whole lot more. While there is some predictability, the journey is still entertaining and Morning proves to be an interesting wild card. I give Zombie Tramp Vol. 2: The Taint Train of Terror a 3.5 out of 5.

Zombie Tramp #1 Preview

Writer(s): Dan Mendoza, Jason Martin
Artist Name(s): TMChu
Cover Artist(s): TMChu, Jerry Gaylord, Josh Howard, Jamal Igle

The series relaunch previewed with a Free Comic Book Day issue continues here. Join creator Dan Mendoza for the all new adventures of the cult hit series featuring his undead anti-hero, Zombie Tramp, now brought to life by the amazing talents of new superstar artist TMChu. It’s kinky supernatural fun as Zombie Tramp hits the road, starting in… sin city of course!

Special Notes: Also available in 3 cover variants; risqué, Josh Howard (Dead@17), and Jerry Gaylord (Fanboys vs. Zombies) and a special retailer exclusive Jamal Igle (Molly Danger, Supergirl) cover.

32pgs./Mature Readers/ FC $3.99/ $4.99 Variants