Preview: ALL NEW SOULFIRE # 4

ALL NEW SOULFIRE #4
JT Krul – Story / V. Ken Marion – Art / Kyle Ritter - Colors

This is no game anymore. Someone is trying to kill PJ, but is it an overzealous combatant in the arena competition or another? Or possibly, someone looking to settle a score with the man behind the man - Benoist? Meanwhile, Malikai confronts the strange messiah who has entranced the believers of Gabriel's Voice, but are his actions justified or just plain jealous?
Join veteran Soulfire scribe JT Krul, along with the amazing artistic talents of V. Ken Marion and Kyle Ritter, as an all-new direction for Michael Turner's fantasy epic Soulfire continues!
ALL NEW SOULFIRE #4 is in stores April 23^rd, 2014!

1st Impression: ALL NEW SOULFIRE # 1

ALL NEW SOULFIRE#1
Written by JT Krul & Frank Mastromauro
Art by V. Ken Marion, Mark Roslan & Kyle Ritter
Aspen Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                We open to a mystery in France that starts 2 years prior to the main story. Then we fast forward to 2213, where Mal and Sonia are watching PJ fight a giant metal spider mech. Benoist is coaching from the sidelines as PJ does his best to win the battle … within a stadium.
                After which, the gang meets up with Grace and they all go to Paris for a tournament. But, as they go to Paris, Grace uncovers a new mystery.

ART:

                Okay. His work was breath taking in Fathom-The Elite Saga but Marion really out did himself here. There is an energy to this issue that is just intense and full of life. The characters and backgrounds are nice and detailed. The character designs really work well in this “All New” beginning, giving Mal a pony tail. Marion’s pencils and Roslan’s inks just give a smooth, detailed look into this future of Soulfire. Panel composition is great with good angles, nice poses and people of all shapes, colors and sizes abound.
                The battle was definitely well rendered as Ritter provides some of his best color work to date. This is indeed one of the best looking books I have seen all year.  The lines are nice and clean but with a nice edge to them. The designs are great. And everyone looks distinct. Overall, this book’s art is AMAZING.

WRITING:

                Fresh from his first volume of Jirni, Krul comes into All New Soulfire, giving it a new energy. We start with a progressively smaller cast right now; which actually works to the books advantage. We catch up with the last volume with ease as this NEW volume makes it easy and accessible to readers. Krul gives us some solid characterizations from all the main characters, really capturing their voice of who they are now while still fitting in to the continuity of the previous Soulfire series.

                The story’s pacing was excellent. Nothing lasted too long or was overly wordy; just a nice pace. The dialogue fit the group well as PJ seemed to be a little more enthusiastic here, but that works for him. There is a lot to this world but Krul gives us a familiar spot, Paris, to be our backdrop. And as the multiple plots just start, Krul makes sure to go back to the first scene with the end of this issue; leaving readers wanting more. A magnificent job by Krul.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                This was a PERFECT first issue.

RATING:

                Do I really need to say it? Okay. I will. ALL NEW SOULFIRE #1 gets a 10 … Out of 10!! Buy it on November 13^th, 2013.

Preview: ALL NEW SOULFIRE # 1

ALL NEW SOULFIRE #1
JT Krul ­ Story / V. Ken Marion ­ Art / Kyle Ritter - Colors

Aspen's final 10 for 10 series makes its red-hot debut!

In the future, technology is everywhere, but there's a greater source of
power and wonder now out there - magic! After saving the world from the
destructive force of chaos itself, Malikai and his friends try to return to
a life of normalcy. PJ is determined to be Benoist's heir in the battle
arena, where cybernetic technology rules the day. Malikai is just happy to
be with Sonia again, yet he can't help see that Grace is still haunted by
the scars of the past. Meanwhile, a secret danger grows in the shadows
between magic and technology, and it has a name - RAINIER! Don't miss this
exciting premiere issue of the ALL NEW SOULFIRE!

Join veteran Soulfire scribe JT Krul, along with the amazing artistic
talents of V. Ken Marion and Kyle Ritter, as an all-new direction for
Michael Turner's fantasy epic Soulfire begins right now!

ALL NEW SOULFIRE #1 is in stores November 13th, 2013!

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!

1st Impressions: FATHOM - THE ELITE SAGA # 5

FATHOM: THE ELITE SAGA # 5

Written by Vince Hernandez, JT Krul & David Wohl
Art by V. Ken Marion, Mark Roslan, Kyle Ritter, David Curiel & John Starr
Aspen Comics
FLIPPING THROUGH:

                We open this issue with our heroines (Aspen, Anya & Kiani) trapped by the resurrected Taras and his giant squad monsters. They poison our heroines as Taras goes on about how the baby should have never been born and how the Squad monsters drain water from everything they touch. Yet, Kiani’s warrior skill gets her free. 

                As Kiani, Aspen & Anya get free, Taras does his best to deal with both Aspen and Kiani. Teras looks as if he’s going to kill Aspen when Anya attacks Taras with Kiani’s water blade. Taras shrugs off Anya only to deal with Kiani. Taras jumps into this machine that also has the baby in another part of it. But as the machine starts, Kiani attacks it with her sword, causing a terrible explosion and . . .


ART:

                This book has had a phenomenal run. A weekly miniseries, done by the same artist. V. Ken Marion continues to shine this last issue alongside digital inker, Mark Roslan. The final issue has plenty of emotion, interesting things (the cavern where they fought Taras, the Squad monsters & even Taras himself) and was visually appealing. Sure, we got a couple of splash pages but those were well worth it as it get weight to both moments they were used.

                Marion’s clean pencils are sharpened by Roslan’s fine inks. Our three heroines were very distinct in look and manor … Marion making sure that he shows that Anya is older. And our trio of colorists go all out this issue to make sure the colors were right for the areas and tone of the story. Nothing was too vivid and the color team made sure the source of light was something else since they are under the sea.

                Overall, a stellar job by the art team.

WRITING:

                In a surprise move, the last issue was scripted by Vince Hernandez instead of JT Krul. Yet, since the two of them worked out the overall story with David Wohl, it did not affect the flow of the story form the previous issues at all. Hernandez, Krul and Wohl make sure to have this issue have the right amount of action alongside of emotional weight.

                Status quos changed at the end of this issue as Aspen, Kiani and Anya were all profoundly changed this issue, thanks to Teras. Hernandez makes sure that the narration also carries a lot of emotion weight to pull at the reader’s heart strings and it DEFINITELY works. While Aspen does not seemingly do much, this story does have direct effects on her as her own status with The Blue and her normal walls that she has with people definitely came down a bit after this story.

                The finale was full of surprises, particularly the ending that will make your jaw drop. Kiani, though, is the most profoundly changed by the end of the events of the issue. This issue wrapped up the long stand issues well. My only real grip is no real team with Killian after the fact but overall, Hernandez delivers.


OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                An emotionally powerful ending that changes a bunch of characters profoundly. This was not so happy of an ending. The story was paced extremely well. And by the Matrix, is it beautifully rendered.


RATING:

                This was a wild ride with a strong ending. Minor gripe aside, this was an amazing final issue. Fathom: The Elite Saga #5 gets a 9 … out of 10.

                

1st Impression: FATHOM - THE ELITE SAGA # 4

FATHOM: THE ELITE SAGA #4
Written by JT Krul, David Wohl & Vince Hernandez
Art by V. Ken Marion, Mark Roslan & Kyle Ritter
Aspen Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                This issue opens with a face to face between Aspen, “Cannon” and Kiani, who is narrating for the first few pages about her past with him. We find out that Cannon was used to be a host to a being named Taras. After that, we get some action. It seems that “Cannon” wants the baby for a different purpose all together.

                And then we get some action as Aspen and Kiani try to get Cannon only to meet up with the  violet grunts that we saw since # 1.  The grunts by Cannon time to leave with the baby but eventually, Aspen and Kiani free themselves.

                Meanwhile, Killian seems to question himself and that what if Anya ran away from him with their baby in order to save her.

                Major revelations are revealed behind “Cannon’s” plans and the baby as we get ready for the final face off.


ART:

                The art for this issue was top notch from start to finish. Marion’s panel work is beyond impressive and downright heavenly to look at this issue. The use of the 3 major player’s face with panels on the side for the first 3 pages is an old trick in comic but not usually done in odd numbers. Marion makes it work very well this issue.

                 Marion and Roslan create gloriously gripping backgrounds and kinetic action with their smooth pencils and crisp inks. This issue was definitely some of their best work yet. All the characters were distinct with very different faces, bodies and displayed emotion well. The flow of the book artistically was really gripping and kept you glued. Ritter’s colors dazzle to make Marion and Roslan’s work even that much better with great use of sharper colors when needed and decent use of shades.

                This book continues to be an artistic masterpiece.

WRITING:

                What Krul, Wohl and Hernandez have done in this issue has set the bar. The stakes were high and only made higher. The enemy very personal to the people involved. The characters showing different emotions throughout the issue were both relatable and right on point when it came to the plot of the story. That fact that Killian is showing regret did not seem to come out of nowhere; it felt very real. This is writing. This is excellent work.

                The dialogue was right on point.  Krul scripts a great issue alongside all the action that happens. The pacing was perfect. And with the reveal at the end of what Cannon is and what he wants to do … it only will make readers that much more excited.  Comic book writing at it’s best.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                Stellar Writing. Outstanding Art. Comics at it’s best.

RATING:

                I give Fathom: The Elite Saga # 4 … a 10 out of 10.

1st Impressions: FATHOM - THE ELITE SAGA # 2 Review

FATHOM: THE ELITE SAGA # 2
Written by JT Krul, Vince Hernandez & David Wohl
Art by V. Ken Marion, Mark Roslan & Kyle Ritter
Aspen Comics


FLIPPING THROUGH:

                Picking up where last issue left off, Anya had reached the surface only to be met with the United States military. And they were a bit trigger happy till Aspen showed up, cooling off our soldiers. Aspen joins Anya for the search for her daughter, getting help from the explorer, Baha.

                Meanwhile, Killian heads into the city of Aescyolt, violently demanding to speak to its ruler. Much to his surprises, he meets their new Queen.

                Baha leads Aspen and Anya to a city on the Outer Borders when they are met with some … unexpected resistance.

ART:

                By the matrix, the spirit of Michael Turner flows strongly in this title’s art. V. Ken Marion almost mimics Turner’s style perfectly with a few little details that set him apart a little from Turner’s work. V. Ken Marion definitely has a flair for good, dramatic panels, poses and composition as none of the panels seem borning.  Roslan’s digital inks really help flesh out Marion’s work, keeping it sharp and visually appealing.

                The backgrounds of the deep look interesting. The city of Aescyolt was visually stunning. The battles looked Kinect, lively and interesting. And Ritter’s colors all brought the world of Fathom together as the Deep looked stunningly diverse.  Each character had their share of emotion, although Killian seemed a bit more stiff than everyone else dealing with the emotions he was dealing with visually.

                That minor gripe aside, this was a stunning, hauntingly well rendered issue.


WRITING:

                This issue definitely felt like it shifted the focus mostly on the quest that Aspen and Anya has undertaken while also inducing us to some new players. This issue had multiple surprise that really threw me off on more than one occasion. And each of these surprises seemed more and more interesting as the book went along.

                Krul was able to take the plots that he had made with Hernandez and Wohl and give us a great issue and showing of Aspen. This issue alone shows why she is indeed the companies face and signature character.  Aspen was strong, confident and she had no problem showing that while also still being compassionate. Killian is showing that he may be a control freak but he really does care for his family as he goes out of his way searching for his missing wife and daughter. Anya struggle with faith after her daughter was taken was realistic and gripping.

                This Saga is introducing us to some new adversaries, new status quos rolled with the surprises with excellent pacing to match. Nothing felt out of place. Krul, Hernandez & Wohl construct this issue carefully and Krul gives us a surprise nearly every act of this issue which made it that much more engaging. A fantastic job by the writing team.

OVERALL REACTION:

                This second issue did not waste time at all. It got into the emotions of the main players, set up more conflicts, showed changes in status quo and introduced various surprises. We got multi-faceted looks at many characters (Aspen, Anya, Killian) while also got to see what changes were put into place (the new Queen of Aescyolt).  The art is stunning, pacing excellent, the story engaging & the book leaves you wanting more.


RATING:

                If you thought the first issue was good, then you definitely won’t be disappointed by this second issue as the stakes grow. I give Fathom: The Elite Saga # 2 a 9.5 … out of 10. Buy it when it comes out on June 26^th.