All New Soulfire # 5 Review

ALL NEW SOULFIRE #5
Written by JT Krul & Frank Mastromauro
Art by V. Ken Marion, Mark Roslan & Erick Arciniega
Aspen Comics

This will be a spoiler free review.

                Malikai decides to confront Michael … only to bring the police around. Meanwhile, Rainier gets his plan off the ground while Grace returns with Vanyss “together” while introducing Benoist, PJ and Alori. We end our issue with Abel getting ready to make his own move.



THE GOOD:

                Marion, Roslan and Arciniega gives us an outstanding showing with beautiful art. Panels are nice, crisp and full of detail. The panel compositions and perspectives a great, dynamic and eye catching. The characters are all varied. Backgrounds are detail to really bring about a fully realized world and the overall look and feel of the book is just explosive. The colors are perfectly brushed all over the page and we got some great work from Marion over all. This book’s art is just perfection on page.
                Krul continues to build up plots and characters this issue. Grace’s new relationship is definitely a stand out that gives her something different after all that had occurred in the previous miniseries.  We definitely see a bit more development for Malikai,  Jayden, Michael and Rainier. The dialogue is great. The overall plots are starting to come together this issue well as it is building at a good pace to a finale. A strong issue.

THE BAD:

                Pj and Benoist take a big back seat this issue … more so than any other issue.  While the cast of the book is big, they have had a bigger role the whole series thus far. So, this issue feels a little off but that is my only complain.

THE VERDICT:

                The art is stunning. The story is solid. The plots are running towards the end of the series and are developing well. This issue starts connecting dots and definitely helps set up the book run towards its end. It’s a great ride over all and the issue definitely makes me look forward to more. I give All New Soulfire # 5  4 stars out of 5!  

Comics News: ASPEN COMICS Free Comic Book Day 2014 Events Schedule

Aspen Comics Free Comic Book Day 2014 Schedule of Events

Press Release

4 - 30 - 2014

Following consecutive weekends at WonderCon and Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo, Aspen Comics will be kicking off the month of May with signing appearances in local comic stores across the nation for Free Comic Book Day on Saturday May 3^rd, 2014.

The publisher will offer a FCBD Worlds of Aspen 2014 flip book featuring exclusive zero issue stores for upcoming series Damsels in Excess and The ZooHunters, as well as two pullout posters for titles Jirni and Lola XOXO.

Vince Hernandez’s Damsels features all the trappings of a fantastical land: kingdoms, magic, talking animals – but no men. With a ancient threat looming, the princesses of the Five Realms will find their differences threaten to tear them apart.

The ZooHunters, written and penciled by Peter Steigerwald (Lady Mechanika), is an intergalactic adventure about Abros, a ZooHunter – someone who captures animals across the galaxies for zoos on various planets – who gets to know his son Ty while training him to follow in his footsteps, all while trying to keep ahead of the forces that would impede them.

A list of Aspen’s Free Comic Book Day appearances are as follows:

4 Color Fantasies

805 Archibald Ave #120, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91701

Vince Hernandez (Damsels in Excess – Free Comic Book Day Book)

Frank Mastromauro (Shrugged)

Mark Roslan (BubbleGun)

David Wohl (Fathom)

Andrea Shea (Assistant Editor)

The Comic Bug

1807 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Peter Steigerwald (The Zoo Hunters – Free Comic Book Day Book)

Metropolis Comics

16509 Bellflower Blvd, Bellflower, CA 90706

Lori Hanson (Executive Assistant: Assassins)

Golden Age Collectibles at Pike's Place Market

1501 Pike Place Market Ste 401, Seattle, WA 98101

Siya Oum (Lola XOXO)

Rupp’s Comics

335 N Ohio Ave, Fremont, OH 43420

 

Alex Konat (Fathom)

Westfield Comics

7475 Mineral Point Rd #22, Madison, WI 53717

Jordan Gunderson (Fathom Annual)

For more information please check www.aspencomics.com and the following official Aspen social media sites:

Facebook.com/aspencomics

Twitter.com/aspencomics

Instagram: aspencomics

Aspen MLT, Inc. is an entertainment publishing company founded in January 2003 by superstar comic artist Michael Turner. Priding itself on producing entertainment properties of the highest quality visual and storytelling elements Along with their own successful properties such as Fathom, Soulfire, Executive Assistant: Iris, Charismagic, Broken Pieces and more. Aspen also collaborates with the comic industry's most successful companies and endeavors including Marvel Comics and DC Entertainment. Aspen has collaborated with Marvel for various hit projects, including cover work for the best-selling events Civil War, World War Hulk, and Ultimatum. Aspen collaborated with DC Comics to provide covers for such best-selling titles as Superman/Batman: The Return of Supergirl, The Justice League of America, and Eisner-nominated covers for the critically acclaimed, best-selling Identity Crisis series. In 2006, Aspen joined forces with television giant NBC to create the online comic adaptations for the hit television series Heroes. In 2012, Aspen teamed up with Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Entertainment to produce the horror-adventure series Dead Man’s Run, as well as collaborating with director McG’s Wonderland Sound and Vision to produce the horror comic Haunted City. Aspen also produced the one-of-a-kind Anarchy digital graphic novel for the popular body spray company, Axe. Currently, Aspen recently celebrated their tenth anniversary in the industry with their successful and best-selling “10 for 10” initiative.

1st Impressions: ALL NEW SOULFIRE # 4

ALL NEW SOULFIRE # 4

Written by Frank Mastromauro &  JT Krul
Art by V. Ken Marion, Mark Roslan, Erick Arciniega & Kyle Ritter
Aspen Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                As we open our book, readers get to feast their eyes on Michael, who is seemingly an angel. I say seemingly cause Malikai doesn’t really believe Michael. Meanwhile, during some fights in Pandemonium, Benoist, PJ and Alori watch as one combatant, Brix, beat his adversary … then beat him again to a bloody pulp.  Grace is dealing with feeling a lack of joy with magic as Vanyss gives her a different perspective. And there is a traitor amongst the group .. .



WRITING:

                Krul does a solid job this issue, handling multiple plot elements and giving everything just enough attention so that nothing is neglected. We get some strong character development for PJ, Grace, Malikai, Vanyss and Alori this issue as each of the plot points start building. Krul and Mastromauro’s plots begin to open up new mysterious with each one while examining this new place where technology meets magic.

                One of the things I love most about the issue is that Krul isn’t afraid of showing Malikai’s more selfish nature as well as some strong development for PJ. As the plots sprang forth, there is a lot of talk of belief when it came to Michael, which drove Malikai up the wall. Sonia’s reaction definitely seemed very natural.

                The overall issue flowed extremely well, allowing for character moments to come in and sit well enough.  A strong showing by Krul this issue.

ART:

                Marion just gets better and better. The detail in this issue is sick. Marion does a great job giving readers this world where there are grand buildings, lots of lights outside and all sorts of different places. Marion does not skip on detail for characters as people looked different and had different proportions, depending on the character.

                Panel work is pretty solid as we got some really nice panels and angles within the panels. Simple things like a looking down angle from Grace flying to a tilt on Benoist after beating Brix shows Marion has a good eye and knows how to construct good panels. Roslan makes sure each and every pencil is inked to really set off Marion’s pencils to their best. This gives great detail that helps jump the work right out of the page. And the colors by Arciniega and Ritter produce these great images to jump at the readers. And while people may think that there is similar face syndrome for some characters, overall, Marion and Roslan do a good job of making each character distinct. A solid job by this art team.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:
                The art is amazing. The story is solid. There are some big mysterious to be revealed and the traitor amongst the group really sets things off. I believe we are about to get into the third act of this story and looking forward to it.

RATING:

                I give ALL NEW SOULFIRE # 4 a solid 8 … out of 10. Pick it up Wednesday!!

1st Impressions: ALL NEW FATHOM # 5

ALL NEW FATHOM # 5
Written by David Wohl & Frank Mastromauro
Art by Alex Konat, Mark Roslan & Peter Steigerwald
Aspen Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:
                Open this issue with Aspen, Chance and Judith having some lunch till unexpected trouble finds them. They get help from Fyodor Luzhin, the Russian that offered a job dealing with Blue/Military weaponry. Because of ice popping up everywhere, Aspen and Chance head to Russia with Fyodor to see how bad things are. And things only get worse when some secrets revealed end up causing tension between Aspen and Fyodor.

ART:

                Konat has got his stride here. The pencils in this issue are by far some of the best work in Konat’s career. With Roslan’s inks, there was such rich and detailed panel work that the most mundane actions were quite breath taking to look at. Aspen looks absolutely beautiful this issue and Chance is rigged as ever.
                Konat and Roslan give us great panel composition and kinetic action that really are a feast to the eyes. Steigerwald’s colors are a perfect fit to Konat and Roslan’s work. The colors were used well, with a nice blend of shading and tone shifts to set the right mood for each panel.  The backgrounds are nice and detailed as well.  And the overall look of the book is just magnificent. This is how you kick off the new year!

WRITING:

                Wohl does a great job building up events this issue. Using the plot that Mastromauro and he created, Wohl weaves a great issue that helps build upon previous issues and starts setting the stage for the next set of issues. After last issue being very Vana heavy, we only get one scene with her and her “daughter”, which turns out to be fine. Aspen and Chance get a good amount of development this issue. Aspen knows she is in a rock and a hard place and she knows she needs help; hence her going to Russia after being adamantly against it originally. This gives Wohl an opportunity to show us the growth that Aspen is having; dealing with doing the right thing.

                Chance stands behind Aspen during her trip to Russia; finding himself ready to fight again even after they had walked away from each other before. There was even the awkward question if they were a couple and they both said now at the start of the issue; although, you can definitely seen the tension between them.  It is a good touch on the relationship between these two characters to see where they are now.

                Fyodor did not end up being as much of a scumbag as I thought he would be, which I give Wohl kudos for. There are plenty of them already in this book.  Yet, besides that, there is a lot of set up to the end and Wohl paces the entire issue well; giving us a solid ending.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                Best issue of the series yet. Writing and Art was absolutely incredible. 

RATING:

                I give All New Fathom # 5 … a 10 … out of 10. Pick it up on January 29^th!

1st Impression: ALL NEW FATHOM # 4

ALL NEW FATHOM #4

Written by David Wohl & Frank Mastromauro
Art by Cory Smith, Alex Konat, Mark Roslan & Peter Steigerwald

Aspen Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                This issue starts to get into the meat and potatoes of the story as we open with some more startling effects of Vana’s plan hitting all around the world. Aspen goes to get help from the Human-Blue Relations office. Yet, Aspen finds that to be a bust till an old friend appears. Meanwhile, Killian goes with some troops to confront Vana.

ART:

                This issue was split between Konat and Smith on pencils. And overall, it is a solidly drawn issue. Smith’s slightly less detailed style seems a bit of a speed  bump in terms of visual changes but it works. The panels are detailed. The backgrounds are full of life. Killian’s scenes were handled by Smith, who does a great job with them. Konat delivers on his pages like always. There was great panel composition, human expression. While Konat’s lines and inking seems a bit cleaner (inking his pages was Roslan), Smith’s inks really work with the heavier inks, as his portions were definitely the “darker” part of the story. Besides the two styles feeling like they don’t complement each other at first, they actually work well together by the end of the book. Steigerwald hits a home run with the coloring for both pencilers, really bring out the best in both. A pretty good job.

WRITING:

                Wohl writes a great issue here. Things are going from bad to worse and Aspen is being proactive; which I found to be a treat. Aspen, overall, is really starting to be an even stronger character as her experience is letting her make decisions for the best of the planet; not necessarily for herself. And while there is a nobility to it, Aspen still retains that this is important but so is her own life she’s building. Her interactions at the Human-Blue Relations Center proved that.

                Yet, the REAL focus of this issue went to Killian. Killian definitely seemed to be do his best to go about things peacefully, as he was commanded to be rather than aggressively, like he wanted to be. Wohl definitely gives us a different side of Killian this issue as he holds steadfast to his duty as he meets with Vana. The issue has some great dialogue and surprises that really work. And Killian meets a “familiar” face once he goes to Vana; which made the issue that much more impactful. Some great pacing from Wohl as well.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                The style styles might seem to clash at first but you get comfortable between the two by the end of the book. Solid art. Great story and development.

RATING:

                I give All New Fathom # 4 an 8 … out of 10. Buy it Wednesday, November 27^th, 2013.

Comics News: Aspen Exclusives For Stan Lee's Comikaze 2013

Aspen Comics Exclusives For Stan Lee’s Comikaze 2013

Press Release

10-30-13

Aspen Comics has announced their creator appearances, exclusive items and list of events for this weekend’s upcoming Stan Lee’s Comikaze 2013. Aspen creators Frank Mastromauro (Overtaken, Shrugged), Peter Steigerwald (Fathom, Soulfire), Vince Hernandez (Trish Out of Water, Charismagic), Mark Roslan (BubbleGun, Broken Pieces), J.T. Krul (Jirni, All New Soulfire), Beth Sotelo (All New Fathom, Shrugged), David Wohl (All New Fathom, Legend of the Shadow Clan) and Josh Reed (All New Fathom, All New Soulfire) will be appearing at the Aspen Comics Booth #708 throughout the weekend to meet with fans, sign autographs and offer free sketches.

The publisher will be offering numerous Stan Lee’s Comikaze exclusives including the world premiere launch of their final “10 for 10” series, All New Soulfire with an exclusive All New Soulfire #1 Comikaze 2013 cover by Aspen founder and series creator Michael Turner and Peter Steigerwald, limited to 200 copies and only available at the Aspen Comics Booth #708.

Aspen will be offering a new series of their art prints including the Aspen Comikaze 2013 print by Turner and Steigerwald limited to 50 signed and numbered editions. The publisher will also release two All New Soulfire prints by Turner, V. Ken Marion with Steigerwald limited to 50 and 75 signed and numbered editions respectively. A new Trish Out of Water print by superstar J. Scott Campbell limited to 75 signed and numbered editions will be released in addition to an All New Fathom print by Eric “Ebas” Basaldua and Steigerwald limited to 75 signed and numbered editions.

“The Official Aspen Comics Panel” will take place on Saturday at 11AM in room 303AB and will include creators Frank Mastromaro, Peter Steigerwald, Vince Hernandez, Mark Roslan, J.T. Krul, David Wohl, Beth Sotelo, David Schwartz and Josh Reed as they reveal never-before-seen art for upcoming releases and open the floor to a special Q&A session with fans. Aspen will also be hosting a “How to Prepare Your Portfolio and Sample Reviews” panel on Saturday at 3:30PM in Room 308AB with creators Peter Steigerwald and Vince Hernandez.

For more information on Stan Lee’s Comikaze please check: www.comikazeexpo.com

For more information on Aspen Comics please check:

#Aspen10

Facebook.com/aspencomics

Facebook.com/fathom

Twitter.com/aspencomics

Instagram: aspencomics

Aspen MLT, Inc. is an entertainment publishing company founded in January 2003 by superstar comic artist Michael Turner. Priding itself on producing entertainment properties of the highest quality visual and storytelling elements Along with their own successful properties such as Fathom, Soulfire, Executive Assistant: Iris, Charismagic, Broken Pieces and more. Aspen also collaborates with the comic industry's most successful companies and endeavors including Marvel Comics and DC Entertainment. Aspen has collaborated with Marvel for various hit projects, including cover work for the best-selling events Civil War, World War Hulk, and Ultimatum. Aspen collaborated with DC Comics to provide covers for such best-selling titles as Superman/Batman: The Return of Supergirl, The Justice League of America, and Eisner-nominated covers for the critically acclaimed, best-selling Identity Crisis series. In 2006, Aspen joined forces with television giant NBC to create the online comic adaptations for the hit television series Heroes. Currently in 2012, Aspen is teaming up with Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Entertainment to produce the horror-adventure series Dead Man’s Run, as well as collaborating with director McG’s Wonderland Sound and Vision to produce the horror comic Haunted City. Aspen also produced the one-of-a-kind Anarchy digital graphic novel for the popular body spray company, Axe.

1st Impressions: ALL NEW FATHOM # 3 Review

ALL NEW FATHOM # 3

Written by David Wohl & Frank Mastromauro
Art by Alex Konat, Mark Roslan, Beth Sotelo & John Starr

Aspen Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                Aspen goes to Siphon to talk about what’s been doing on, running into Killian. Yet, Killian seems oddly detached since the events of “The Elite Saga”, which troubles Aspen. As she tries to just deliver her news and go, Siphon insists she joins them in investigating. Meanwhile, a giant ice pillar has surfaced in the middle of the Grand Canyon as Chance’s plane is going straight towards it. Finally, we see more of what is going on with Vana’s “daughter.”

ART:

                Konat and Roslan, once again, deliver a visually breath taking issue. There is wonderful detail in all the characters to make them distinct. There are people of different sizes and colors that are rendered well. Konat and Roslan also give some immersive backgrounds that just pop out at you. Panel composition was solid. And the colors by Sotelo and Starr continue to make this book look amazing. Konat and Roslan seem to hit their stride here as every last detail of this book is a feast for the eyes. Really strong amazing work.

WRITING:

                Wohl and Mastromauro pen a solid issue. The pacing of the issue was very static with very little occurring in terms of action, save for the plane, but that was a good thing. We got a chance to see Chance shine, which we have not in some time. Meanwile, the majority of the issue is used for character development. We get more of an idea of the Blue now ruled by Siphon. We also get some great character bits by the “Princess” and Killian. Aspen, even though she is observing what’s going on for most of the issue, goes through some character development herself. She did not want to go back and investigate but she is dragged in anyway. And she seems to be taking a close look at Killian’s actions as well as her powers compared to his. Wohl and Mastromauro make sure that we feel what Aspen feels; that something is up with Killian. This other mystery on top of everything else is starting to mount tension and impact for what’s to come. Smart writing by the duo.  And while this issue did not blow me away in terms of events, I do appreciate the character development taking place.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                This didn’t send me to the moon but it was a strong, character issue. The art is amazing. The pacing is good. The events are as big as they felt the last 2 issues but they didn’t need to be. I enjoyed the issue.

RATING:
                I give ALL NEW FATHOM # 3 an 8 out of 10. 

1st Impression: SHRUGGED 2 # 4 Review

SHRUGGED 2 # 4
Written Frank Mastromauro

Art by Jonathan Marks, Beth Sotelo & Kyle Ritter
Aspen Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                Theo and his friends are in trouble as a vastly changed Ange and Dev show up in reality to cause chaos and more. As Lou walks in, things go from bad to worse. Yet, as Theo, Lou and the others try to fend off “Dark” Ange and “Dark” Dev, they are blessed with some unexpected help as things continue to worsen in Perspecta.

ART:

                Marks continues to give us a very visually unique style as we continue to get deeper into this miniseries. His line work is a bit rougher this issue than it was in previous issues. While I admit that the rougher pencils were great for the first half of the issue, once the conflict was done, I found them less appealing. They were still good but just felt like they were a bit too rough for the more quiet scenes. Still, Marks unique style continues to keep your eyes focused on his work and is, overall, appealing.

                Sotelo and Ritter continue to come up with the right blend of colors that really realize Marks pencils. The dark battles and darker shades fit the battle with Ange and Dev perfectly. And the colors, looking almost water color like, really work well in the more quiet scenes. A fairly good job.

WRITING:

                Things seem to be going to a strong climax as this issue has Theo and the gang face Ange and Dev. While the battle is going, Theo is showing off his bravery and how much he’s come to care for Lou. Kudos to Mastromauro to have a good battle within a house that is going on while developing a character at the same time. The pacing to the story was strong and flowed well. The characters were a joy to read about and Mastromauro gives some solid dialogue that feels true to teenagers today and true to the characters. I am intrigued to see what happens as our group goes to Perspecta themselves.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                Great story. The art was kind of up and down this issue but still a decent read.  If the scenes after the battle did not look as rough or rushed looking, this book would have been near perfect.

RATING:

                I give Shrugged 2 # 4 a 7.5 out of 10. 

Preview: SHRUGGED # 4

SHRUGGED #4
Frank Mastromauro ­ Story / Jonathan Marks ­ Art / Beth Sotelo, Kyle Ritter - Colors

Not much hope remains as Lord Slive and his fear creatures have gained control over Perspecta and the Earth. Though all seems lost, Theo isn't giving up and heads to a forgotten land where one last bastion of help may reside. However, the journey itself is a task very few have ever survived,
and Theo¹s chances of making it are not looking up!

Created by Michael Turner and Frank Mastromauro, with illustrations by newcomer Jonathan Marks and colors by Beth Sotelo, make sure to listen to the voices inside your head and pick up the newest issue of SHRUGGED today!

Comics News: Aspen Comics Hits Dragon Con 2013 With Aquarium Beach Party & Costume Contest

Aspen Dragon Con 2013 Appearance to Feature Aquarium Beach Party

Press Release

08-26-13

In celebration of their tenth anniversary and Fathom’s 15^th Anniversary, Aspen Comics in association with Dragon Con 2013 will be hosting an Aspen Comics Beach Party at the landmark Georgia Aquarium on Saturday, August 31^st. Featuring DJ Spider, an Aspen-themed costume contest, and a special live dive with the whale sharks by the creators behind Fathom, Soulfire and other notable Aspen hits, this is a one-of-a-kind night to commemorate ten years of Aspen Comics at Dragon Con.    

Aspen creators Frank Mastromauro, Peter Steigerwald, Siya Oum, Alex Konat and Jordan Gunderson will be appearing at the Aspen Comics Booth in Artist’s Alley as well as the Aspen Comics Beach Party, and offering new Dragon Con 2013 exclusives as well as free sketches and live cosplay photo ops throughout the weekend.

In addition to the special Beach Party event and booth appearances, the publisher will be offering three new exclusive books for the show, beginning with the world premiere of their seventh “10 for 10” title, Overtaken, with a special issue one Dragon Con 2013 cover by Siya Oum, limited to 200 copies. Also, Aspen will be offering an All New Fathom #2 Dragon Con 2013 exclusive cover by Alex Konat and Peter Steigerwald, limited to 200 copies.

Aspen will also be offering the latest Aspen Tour Print 2013 Anniversary Edition by Michael Turner and Peter Steigerwald, limited to 75 editions, as well as a new lineup of their industry-leading art prints.

The Aspen Comics Booth in Artist’s Alley will also be featuring free live cosplay photo ops with cosplayers Jenifer Ann and Heather 1337 throughout the weekend as they will be appearing as Aspen’s popular heroines, Soulfire’s Grace and Fathom’s Kiani

Aspen Beach Party Costume Contest Contestants will be judged and awarded Aspen Comics prize packages including items such as original art, statues, signed comics and rare exclusives in the following contests:

Categories specific to Aspen Comics:

--Judge’s Special Grand Prize

--Best Aspen Comics Character themed costume/s.

--Best Fathom themed costume/s.

--Best Michael Turner Cover Recreation costume/s.

Categories not specific to Aspen Comics:

--Best Male Costume.

--Best Female Costume.

--Best Kids Costume.

--Best Boys 13+ costume.

--Best Girls 13+ costume.

For more information on Aspen’s appearance at Dragon Con 2013 please check:

http://www.dragoncon.org

#Aspen10

Facebook.com/aspencomics

Facebook.com/fathom

Twitter.com/aspencomics

Instagram: aspencomics

Aspen MLT, Inc. is an entertainment publishing company founded in January 2003 by superstar comic artist Michael Turner. Priding itself on producing entertainment properties of the highest quality visual and storytelling elements Along with their own successful properties such as Fathom, Soulfire, Executive Assistant: Iris, Charismagic, Broken Pieces and more. Aspen also collaborates with the comic industry's most successful companies and endeavors including Marvel Comics and DC Entertainment. Aspen has collaborated with Marvel for various hit projects, including cover work for the best-selling events Civil War, World War Hulk, and Ultimatum. Aspen collaborated with DC Comics to provide covers for such best-selling titles as Superman/Batman: The Return of Supergirl, The Justice League of America, and Eisner-nominated covers for the critically acclaimed, best-selling Identity Crisis series. In 2006, Aspen joined forces with television giant NBC to create the online comic adaptations for the hit television series Heroes. Currently in 2012, Aspen is teaming up with Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Entertainment to produce the horror-adventure series Dead Man’s Run, as well as collaborating with director McG’s Wonderland Sound and Vision to produce the horror comic Haunted City.

1st Impression: Overtaken # 1

OVERTAKEN # 1
Written by Frank Mastromauro
Art by Marco Lorenzana & Wes Hartman
Aspen Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:
This comic opens with two groups of aliens at war. Then we cut to a couple moving to a nice town called Turtle Creek. Meet Jesse and Will. Will is a news reporter. Will, on his first day, tries to chase down a kids for a story. And, as the couple gets settled, they meet many locals of the town and revealed that they moved there from Chicago to help out Jesse’s parents. Unfortunately, the happy couple are rocked by a sudden disturbance.


ART:
There is some REALLY stunning art in this comic. The first page alone is worth the price of the book. There are some really gorgeous space scenes and some wonderful Earth scenes that really work in this book. The people are nice and proportionate. No hyper idolized stuff here. And the movement of the characters looks very natural. Marco Lorenzana is a true find. His pencils are amazing. His aliens look foreign. His cars and backgrounds look spectacular. His people all look distinct. Really great pencils and Hartman’s color explodes with each and every panel.
I LOVE the art in this book and am looking forward to more of it.

WRITING:
Mastromauro constructs for us a GREAT first issue. He gives us a taste of the sci-fi elements then works on building the characters and mystery. The pacing in this book is AMAZING. Nothing felt out of wack. The dialogue is natural, believable and relatable. The book flows so very well from one scene to the next. And I am already in love with Jesse and Will. A very believable couple moving from the city down to a small town. The plot of the book doesn’t really kick up till the end but Mastromauro REALLY pulls through with a strong cliffhanger.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:
I love this book. I am glad this title was picked to be one of the 10 for 10. Mastromauro has a great mystery here and we have some of the best art I have seen in comics today.

RATING:
10 out of 10! PICK THIS UP WHEN IT HITS STORES TOMORROW!!!

Preview: Overtaken # 1

OVERTAKEN #1
Frank Mastromauro ­ Story / Marco Lorenzana ­ Art / Wes Hartman - Colors

The sci-fi thriller OVERTAKEN takes center stage as Aspen¹s 10 year
anniversary celebration marches on!

Some questions, you may not want to know the answers to. Journalist Will
Harden is well equipped for most situations, but nothing can prepare him for
what¹s about to come. Relocating from the big city to a small mountain town
with his wife, everything is turned upside-down the moment she goes missing.
Are the rumors of alien abductions true or did something far worse happen to
his wife? No matter the cause, Harden will not stop until he uncovers the
truth, or dies trying.

OVERTAKEN #1 is in store August 28th, 2013

Comic News: Aspen Comics Invades Dragon Con Hard With Aquarium Beach Party

Aspen Dragon Con 2013 Appearance to Feature Aquarium Beach Party

Press Release

08-07-13

In celebration of their tenth anniversary and Fathom’s 15^th Anniversary, Aspen Comics in association with Dragon Con 2013 will be hosting an Aspen Comics Beach Party at the landmark Georgia Aquarium on Saturday, August 31^st. Featuring DJ Spider, an Aspen-themed costume contest, and a special live dive with the whale sharks by the creators behind Fathom, Soulfire and other notable Aspen hits, this is a one-of-a-kind night to commemorate ten years of Aspen Comics at Dragon Con.    

Aspen creators Frank Mastromauro, Peter Steigerwald, Siya Oum, Alex Konat and Jordan Gunderson will be appearing at the Aspen Comics table in Artist’s Alley as well as the Aspen Comics Beach Party, and offering new Dragon Con 2013 exclusives as well as free sketches and live cosplay photo ops throughout the weekend.

In addition to the special Beach Party event and booth appearances, the publisher will be offering three new exclusive books for the show, beginning with the world premiere of their seventh “10 for 10” title, Overtaken, with a special issue one Dragon Con 2013 cover by Siya Oum, limited to 200 copies. Also, Aspen will be offering an All New Fathom #2 Dragon Con 2013 exclusive cover by Alex Konat and Peter Steigerwald, limited to 200 copies, as well as a BubbleGun #3 Dragon Con 2013 cover by Paolo Pantalena and Peter Steigerwald, limited to 200 copies.

Aspen will also be offering the latest Aspen Tour Print 2013 Anniversary Edition by Michael Turner and Peter Steigerwald, limited to 75 editions, as well as a new lineup of their industry-leading art prints.

Aspen Beach Party Costume Contest Contestants will be judged and awarded Aspen Comics prize packages including items such as original art, statues, signed comics and rare exclusives in the following contests:

Categories specific to Aspen Comics:

--Judge’s Special Grand Prize

--Best Aspen Comics Character themed costume/s.

--Best Fathom themed costume/s.

--Best Michael Turner Cover Recreation costume/s.

Categories not specific to Aspen Comics:

--Best Male Costume.

--Best Female Costume.

--Best Kids Costume.

--Best Boys 13+ costume.

--Best Girls 13+ costume.

For more information on Aspen’s appearance at Dragon Con 2013 please check:

http://www.dragoncon.org

#Aspen10

Facebook.com/aspencomics

Facebook.com/fathom

Twitter.com/aspencomics

Instagram: aspencomics

Aspen MLT, Inc. is an entertainment publishing company founded in January 2003 by superstar comic artist Michael Turner. Priding itself on producing entertainment properties of the highest quality visual and storytelling elements Along with their own successful properties such as Fathom, Soulfire, Executive Assistant: Iris, Charismagic, Broken Pieces and more. Aspen also collaborates with the comic industry's most successful companies and endeavors including Marvel Comics and DC Entertainment. Aspen has collaborated with Marvel for various hit projects, including cover work for the best-selling events Civil War, World War Hulk, and Ultimatum. Aspen collaborated with DC Comics to provide covers for such best-selling titles as Superman/Batman: The Return of Supergirl, The Justice League of America, and Eisner-nominated covers for the critically acclaimed, best-selling Identity Crisis series. In 2006, Aspen joined forces with television giant NBC to create the online comic adaptations for the hit television series Heroes. Currently in 2012, Aspen is teaming up with Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Entertainment to produce the horror-adventure series Dead Man’s Run, as well as collaborating with director McG’s Wonderland Sound and Vision to produce the horror comic Haunted City.