Showing posts with label Jason Strautz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jason Strautz. Show all posts

Thursday, May 30, 2013

1st Impressions: EHMM THEORY # 2 Review

EHMM THEORY # 2
Written by Brockton McKinney
Art by Larkin Ford & Jason Strutz
Action Lab Entertainment



FLIPPING THROUGH:  (WARNING SPOILERS)

            Gabe and Mr. Whiskers are on a journey with the old woman they met at the end of last issue to find his father, Aaron Ehmm.  The old woman gives us some background.  Alyonia, the old woman, tells a little about Aaron, her, his sister and an old professor named Lanny who actually met a ********* ******* in the South Pole.

            Things get weirder as they are then attacked by a GIANT lobster and are saved by a team of …  ********* called G.O.D.D. Yup. GODD’s leader, **********  says she’ll protect Gabe and that they are the good guys. Alyonia though tells Gabe that they do not need their help. Mindwolf leaves a card with Gabe as he and Alyonia leave to meet an old friend of his father’s. I am not even gonna spoil the ending …


ART:

            Larkin and Strutz love what they are working on cause it shows in the book. Larkin’s style, mixing comic strip art with the fantasy of super hero comic art really shines through in these pages. It does not have a great amount of detail but it is more than enough to show you what is going on and to convey whatever the creators are trying to say or do in the panels.

            No overly exaggerated women’s butts everywhere. No overly muscular men. The monsters are magnificent And everything has a neo-classic feel that is gripping from panel to panel. Strutz colors really bring out the best of Larkin’s art throughout the whole issue by making sure the colors really express the tone of the moment. When things are a bit quieter, the colors are more subdued … including in the flashback. When the action starts, Strutz makes it more vibrant, which only enhances the colors and what Larkin is trying to do. A real outstanding job by the art time as this issue was visually entertaining.


WRITING:

            This is, by far, one of the best written books I have read in the last decade. This is not me being a fanboy. This is me stating fact. You think you know this book after reading the first issue . .. and this book COMPLETELY plays you for a fool and I loved every second of it. You read the flipping through section .. . it was nothing I expected after the first issue. There are SOOOOOOOOOO MANY questions after this issue that I am looking forward to more. The characterizations are believable and relatable. The plot is amazing and complex. The characters are diverse. I do not know where this book is going anymore and I love it.
McKinney surprises the reader several times this issue. I gave  a couple of spoilers but this is by far one of the best books I have read.

            The only thing working against it is that someone who hasn’t read the first issue will feel a little lost. Yet, it is still a very enjoyable ride. And the mysteries make me want more. And I laughed so hard when Mr. Whiskers was arguing with T.A.M.M.I. cause the dialogue felt so real and it was just so surreal watching a talking cat curse out a  ********.  McKinney is well on his way to being one of the greatest new comic book writers in history with Ehmm  Theory. And I know that Larkin Ford also adds to the book as well.  Honestly, hands down one of the best written books I have ever read.


OVERALL IMPRESSION:

            F*cking Magnificent. The book is stellar. The art may turn off some people but I love it cause it is very unique and the book itself is just so well written. Your life is not complete without reading this book.


RATING:

   Ehmm Theory # 2 gets a 9.5 out of 10. And the point 5 off is cause it may not be the most accessible issue but still amazing. Buy this book. Buy this book for you. Buy this book for your friends. Buy this book for everyone you know. This is what comics is truly about. Order it in stores. OWN THIS BOOK NOW!

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Comic News: Action Lab Creators Show In Force Free Comic Book Day


Action Lab Creators Out in Force for Free Comic Book Day

            Action Lab Entertainment is proudly presenting its first ever Free Comic Book Day books at retailers on Saturday, May 4th with two books.  In stores this Saturday you can pick up both our “Molly Danger/Princeless” book and our “NFL RushZone” book with a special preview of the upcoming “Skyward”.  We hope you’ll come out and get a taste of what Action Lab has to offer.
            Of course, the most important element of Free Comic Book Day is our retailers.  So, Action Lab is going all out all across the country to support our retail partners as our creators will be signing at stores all across the country.  Want to see your favorite creator in action?  Check out where we’ll be signing:

Ultimate Comics - Chapel Hill, NC
-Jeremy Whitley (Princeless, NFL RushZone, Order of Dagonet, GlobWorld)
-Jason Strutz (Order of Dagonet, Ehmm Theory, GlobWorld)
-Brockton McKinney (Ehmm Theory)
-Larkin Ford (Ehmm Theory)

Challengers Comics and Conversation - Chicago, Il
-Jamal Igle (Molly Danger)

Comic Book Box - Rohnert Park, CA
-Emily C Martin (Princeless)
-Brett Grunig (Princeless)
-Kelly Lawrence (Princeless)
-Tony Guaraldi-Brown (The Final Plague)

Collectibles Etc - Lexington, KY
-Shawn Pryor (Exo-1 and the Rock Solid Steelbots)
-Martheus Wade (Jetta: Legends of the Toshigawa)
-Janet Stone-Wade (Jetta: Legends of the Toshigawa, Princeless: Short Stories)
-Tressa Bowling (Princeless:  Short Stories)
-Joe Grahn (Pirate Eye)

Vision of Comics and Cards
-Kevin Freeman (NFL RushZone, Subculture, GlobWorld)

Acme Comics - Greensboro, NC
-Jeremy Dale (Skyward)

Comic Ink - Dublin, CA
-Dave Dwonch (NFL RushZone, Ghost Town, Double Jumpers, Back in the Day)
-Bill Blankenship (Double Jumpers)

Pittsburgh Comics - Mcmurray, PA
-Chad Cicconi (Fracture, NFL RushZone)

Jetpack Comics - Rochester, NH
-Brandon Barrows (Jack Hammer)

Comicopolis - Santa Cruz, CA
-Johnnie JD Arnold (The Final Plague)

Comic Book University - Indianapolis, IN
-Jackie Crofts (Princeless: Tales of Girls Who Rock)

Comics and More - Plymouth Meeting, PA
-Laura Guzzo (Princeless Short Stories)

SLG Boutiki - San Jose, CA
-John “Super Ugly” Williams (Monsters are Just Like Us)

Cambridge Comic Arts Festival - Cambridge, Ontario
-Adriana Blake (Princeless: Tales of the Family Ashe)

Friday, January 18, 2013

Ikaricast Special: Jeremy Whitley Returns!!


It's another Ikaricast special as Jeremy Whitley returns to talk about his latest projects, Order of Dagonet and NFL Rush Zone. This time Jeremas de Leon (Xaos) and Frankie Rodriguez (Seraph) chat with him about his new projects, life after being nominated, comic book scene in general & more. Any and all feedback can be sent to theikaricast@gmail.com.

Check out this landmark episode.