Brand New: MIDNIGHT TIGER # 1 REVIEW

MIDNIGHT TIGER # 1
Written by Ray-Anthony Height & DeWayne Feenstra
Art by Ray-Anthony Height & Paul John Little
Action Lab Entertainment

This will be a spoiler free review.

                Our new book opens with a homeless man … with powers of manipulating fire attacking people in a bar. We got to our main hero, who was stops a somewhat familiar family from being robbed then does his homework.
                A school confrontation seems to hit Gavin personally … as well as have connections to a mysterious gangsta named P- Stone.


ART:

                Height creates one of the most visually appealing and detailed works in his career. There is a great amount of detail and variety of characters. Backgrounds are also filled in nicely, not skimping on them. Gavin’s got a great look for a young teen and a hero that is believable and striking.  Little helps breath a lot of life and color into Height’s work as they knock it out of the park with this first issue visually. We see different angles, different perspectives and great movements with the action.  Just the uses of side angles and over the shoulder perspectives were really entertaining this issue.  There is a richness in the line work and coloring as they do a great job with the light source and color of this book … particularly during the mugging/battle. I really enjoyed it and found it extremely well done. 

WRITING:

                Height and Feenstra jump us into some action while also developing Gavin as a character and his world in one swift shot. We get a quick retelling of his origin (which was done in the FCBD issue) while blasting off into the present with Gavin had taken time to become Midnight Tiger. While he’s fairly new, you can see that he’s had some experience with this by now and Feenstra and Height display that. Gavin comes off really believable and multi-faceted right away as we see him butt heads with a “friend”, deal with his father and his over all beliefs compared to those he cares about around him. Our hero is a good guy but definitely flawed … in a good way. I applaud the writers for doing that right off the back … allowing readers to relate to the character and feel more invested.  And while we got some great world building, Height and Feenstra did enough to really leave some open plots for upcoming issues of the series. The current main plot is already hitting close to home for Gavin and our writers make sure you are in. Plus, what we see of Gavin’s inner circle seems to be interesting right off the bat as we have him disagreeing with not only his father, but with some friends as well. It is definitely a different direction from many other super hero solo titles where the friends seem to be fully behind our hero while parent (s) is not. Great, solid writing that makes me want more. 

FINAL VERDICT:

                The art was amazing. The story was superb. The characters are interesting and varied. And there are some great Easter Eggs for comic books fans in the issue that just make you smile. I am all in on this book. I give Midnight Tiger # 1 a solid 5 … out of 5. 

FCBD Review: SKYWARD/MIDNIGHT TIGER

FCBD: SKYWARD/ MIDNIGHT TIGER
Skyward Story:

 Written by Jeremy Dale
Art by Jeremy Dale, James Rochelle & Hoyt Silva

Midnight Tiger Story:

Written by Ray-Anthony Height & Dewayne Feenstra
Arty by Ray-Anthony Height & Paul Little
Action Labs Entertainment

                Since today is Free Comic Book Day, I was able to get some great FCBD issues. Now, I am gonna just break these down a little different from the normal review because … well, they are special issues that give you a taste.  So, let us begin.

SKYWARD – Dale does some build up to his next story by giving us some history that connects both the Berserkers and Quinn to what will be coming next in the series. We get a bring history as one of the tribe leaders is about to pass away.

MIDNIGHT TIGER –We meet our hero, Gavin, just before he becomes Midnight Tiger. It ends up being an origin story about a teen who enjoys the world’s heroes but still not blind to the everyday struggles of life.

THE WRITING :

                Jeremy Dale brings his A-game as always with Skyward. The legend on how the Berserkers were split into four tribes was gripping and believable. And the narration on how this story was told was powerfully done by Dale.   The plot was good and it was great set up. And while no one really knows Quinn, Dale peaks your interests. And for those fans of Skyward already, you get a glimpse to the past of Quinn’s father.

                The Midnight Tiger side of things really gives a strong ending. We meet our main protagonist, Gavin, who is a hero fanboy.  Yet, for the first time since the first volume of New Warriors back in Marvel (at least with what I read), Height and Feenstra deliver a social conscious hero that remembers that there is more to the world than fighting super villains. That there is still crime on the streets and what are these heroes doing about it.  The dialogue is very authentic and relatable. Height and Feenstra pack action, social consciousness, drama and an origin all in one small story.

                

THE ART:
                Dale’s art is stellar with detailed lines and a great fusion between old school comic artists like Ron Frenz with some modern day sensibilities to make the art style all its own. With Rochelle’s colors and Silva’s color flats, we got a beautifully rendered story.

Height’s art will not be denied. The lines are nice and clean with great shading by Little. Height does good with giving us detail backgrounds and characters … as well as several homages to other more “known” heroes throughout the title. Yet, Height really shows off what he can do and Little just brings it all to life with his colors. A great origin story.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                We got a strong start with a legend told to us by a dying tribe leader. And then we got an origin story of a young hero that already knows there is more to life than fighting super villains. I REALLY enjoyed this issue.   Skyward’s story was good and Midnight Tiger’s was great. I am glad they put these two together for this.

                I give SKYWARD/MIDNIGHT TIGER FCBD ISSUE a whoppin’ 10 …. Out of 10. If you did not get it, RUN to you comic book story right now. 

Comics News: ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT'S FREE COMIC BOOK DAY RELEASES

ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT'S FREE COMIC BOOK DAY RELEASES

 The company dedicated to world class, genre- bending entertainment will release two “Silver level” books for FCBD, MIDNIGHT TIGER/ SKYWARD and from their Danger Zone imprint, ZOMBIE TRAMP/EHMM THEORY.  Free Comic Book Day is Saturday, May 3rd 2014 at participating comic book shops. 



Skyward/ Midnight Tiger
Behold the Berserkers! Quinn and crew find themselves facing uncomfortable truths as 
sins of the past come back to reveal themselves. Fans old and new won't want to miss 
the first look at what's on the horizon for Quinn and Jack! And in Midnight Tiger, 
sometimes all it takes to become a hero is an unfortunate incident and a single split 
second decision. The origin of Midnight Tiger!
Jeremy Dale (W/A/CA),Ray-Anthony Height (W/A), Dewayne Feenstra (W)

  
  




Zombie Tramp / Ehmm Theory
Are you bold enough to take a ride with Janey, the Zombie Tramp?!? If you pick her up, 
she might just share the story of how she came to be the street walking dead!! Be brave
so you can be ready for her all new series following this special issue! You also get a 
mind shattering sneak preview from the second volume of the coolest comic series you 
haven’t read yet… Ehmm Theory!
Dan Mendoza (W/A/CA), Brockton McKinney (W), Larkin Ford (A)

   
  

ACTION LAB Solicitations For July 2014

Solicitations: Action Lab Entertainment for July 2014
The following titles will be available for purchase in comic shops everywhere! 


BO, PLUSHY GANGSTA #4 (Bimonthly)
Writer(s): Pavel Balabanov
Artist Name(s): Pavel Balabanov
Cover Artist(s): Pavel Balabanov
 
 Bo and his new special forces unit are in a showdown with the Rasta Gang. It’s all out battle with our plushy protagonist, exosuits, ninja-girls, and Jamaican octopus-controlled zombies!

32 pgs./ Mature Readers/ FC                        $3.99

 

DRYSPELL # 2 (Bi-Monthly)
Writer(s): Ken Krekeler
Artist Name(s): Ken Krekeler
Cover Artist(s): Ken Krekeler

 
Tom Ferris has started seeing the world differently. As colorful heroes shine for all to see, Tom's new friends have revealed a different path; a path where he's free to express himself--where he can embrace who he should have been, instead of who he is. And the world turns, waiting.

32 pgs./Mature Readers/ FC                                          $3.99

 
FRACTURE: VICE AND VIRTUE TPB
Writer(s): Shawn Gabborin
Artist Name(s): Chad Cicconi (p/i), Bill Blankenship (c)
Cover Artist(s): Chad Cicconi (p/i), Bill Blankenship (c)
 
 In this exciting installment of FRACTURE, Jeff fights to assert control over his own mind in an increasingly complex world. With his control slipping and everyone around him in peril, Jeff is forced to seek help from an unlikely source -- his evil side's former ally! At a mind-bending pace, this volume crash es towards a final confrontation -- with all Jeff's "marbles" on the line! Collects Fracture V2 issues 1-4.
 
 
128 pgs./Mature Readers/ FC                        $11.99


JACK HAMMER TPB
Writer(s): Brandon Barrows
Artist Name(s): Ionic
Cover Artist(s): Ionic
 
In Boston, powers are real, heroes are rare and Jack McGriskin is a private detective with a strong right arm and a nose for trouble. When a missing person he’s been hired to find turns up dead, he stumbles into a network of corruption stretching from the streets of Boston to the halls of Congress and the clues lead him back to a world he’d left behind. Collects Jack Hammer #1-4.

128 pgs./ All Ages/ FC                                    $11.99        

 
MIDNIGHT TIGER #1
Writer(s): DeWayne Feenstra, Ray-Anthony Height
Artist Name(s): Ray-Anthony Height
Cover Artist(s): Ray-Anthony Height (reg). Jerry Gaylord (v)
 
 Having lost all hope in the heroes of his world, fate steps in and gives young Gavin Shaw the power to do the things they have not. Only as the teenage hero Midnight Tiger does his city have a chance at redemption. Retailer incentive cover by Jerry Gaylord!

32 pgs./ All Ages/ FC                                    $2.99/ $3.99 Variant
 


  
Writer(s): Jeremy Dale 
Artist Name(s): Jeremy Dale 
Cover Artist(s): Jeremy Dale (reg), Craig Rousseau (var) 
 
 Clearly, it's time for action. With the startling events of last issue leaving our heroes reeling, it's time to enlist aid from the northlands. Onward... to the home of the Berserkers! From Breakthrough Talent of 2013 award nominee creator Jeremy Dale (GI Joe, Marvel Kapow!), this issue also features an incredible RETAILER INCENTIVE variant cover by Craig Rousseau of Perhapanauts fame!

32 pgs./ Mature Readers/ FC                                   $2.99/ $3.99 Variant


    

ZOMBIE TRAMP VOL 3 #1 (Ongoing)
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

Comics News: Action Lab Offerings For Free Comic Book Day

 

For immediate release
ACTION LAB HAS EVERYTHING YOU WANT FOR FCBD!

SKYWARD/MIDNIGHT TIGER, ZOMBIE TRAMP/EHMM THEORY among Silver level books, launches new series.

Pittsburgh P.A.- Action Lab Entertainment, The most exciting new comic book publisher to hit the scene is proud to announce their FREE COMIC BOOK DAY offerings for 2014. The company dedicated to world class, genre- bending entertainment will release two “Silver level” books for FCBD, SKYWARD /MIDNIGHT TIGER and from their Danger Zone imprint, ZOMBIE TRAMP / EHMM THEORY.  

Free Comic Book Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 3rd, 2014 at participating comic book shops.

SKYWARD, the runaway hit series by Writer /Artist Jeremy Dale (G.I.Joe, NFL RushZone) features the story of a young boy named Quinn, the son of a legendary warrior named Corin. Living in the Idyllic countryside with not a care in the world his life is turned upside down when an old friend of his father manages to track them down. Now, Quinn and his dog Jack are on the run, headlong against a threat more terrible and a world more fantastic than they ever imagined. Newsarama.com calls Skyward “well executed coming of age tale” and TMSmash.com calls Skyward “ A great read for EVERY age comics fan.”

Joining Skyward this year will be a brand new Action Lab Series, MIDNIGHT TIGER
Created by Artist/Writer Ray-Anthony Height (Spider-Girl, Power Man: Shadowlands) and Co-written by DeWayne Feenstra (The Adventures of Aero-Girl), Midnight Tiger stars high school senior Gavin Shaw, who after attempting to save the life of the gravely injured hero known as Lionsblood finds himself waking up in a hospital bed days later with amazing new super human abilities. The FCBD Book will, like last year’s MOLLY DANGER/PRINCELESS offering, lead into a four issue miniseries of the same name, launching in July.

For fans of the sexy and strange, the Action Lab Danger Zone imprint is also proud to announce their second FCBD offering ZOMBIE TRAMP/EHMM THEORY.

Called “one of the most original and fun zombie books to come out in the past several years“ by Aintitcool.com, ZOMBIE TRAMP is Dan Mendoza’s tale of a high priced Hollywood call girl named Janey who gets set up on a bad date by her transvestite Madame. Bitten by a zombie, Janey seeks out vengeance on those who wronged her. Cartoon grindhouse action abounds -- with voodoo queens, zombie convicts, and crooked LAPD!!  The FCBD Story will launch the third volume of the series co-written by Jason Martin (Night of the ‘80’s Undead) with new regular artist TMChu. Issue #1 will feature covers by Josh Howard (Dead@17), Jerry Gaylord (Fanboys vs. Zombies) and Jamal Igle (The Terminator: Enemy of my enemy).

Brockton McKinney’s EHMM THEORY has been called “A heavy hitter in an already blood-and-guts saturated market, while carving its own niche one issue at a time” by Fangoria Magazine. EHHM THEORY tells the story of Gabriel Ehmm, a normal guy who has awoken to a world where zombie ‘little people’ rise from graves, someone calling himself Saint Peter offers bargains, and his pet kitten can now talk. Connected by blood and straddling the afterlife, Gabe and Mr. Whispers (the aforementioned talking cat) begin a universe-spanning adventure in the first issue of this mind-bending and genre-blending new series.

THE FCBD Story is a great primer for the launch of EHMM Theory Volume 2, set for a June release.

FCBD 2014 marks the largest ever FCBD event with 60 books to choose from. The comics include incredible titles from forty publishers featuring fan-favorite and new comic book characters that encourage readers to explore the fun and excitement that comics have to offer.

Chosen by retailers on the FCBD Committee, there’s a free comic book for everyone’s taste!

A complete listing of all sixty FCBD titles, including the twelve Gold and forty-eight Silver comic books, can be found in the January issue of Diamond Comic Distributors’ PREVIEWS catalog, on sale at all comic book shops December 31, 2013 or by visiting the comics section of the Free Comic Book Day website at http://www.freecomicbookday.com/Home/1/1/27/992.

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.

Comic News: Action Lab Entertainment Smashes Into the Next Level With Upcoming Titles

ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENTS 2014 RELEASE TAKE THE GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL Publisher releases information on it's slate of brand new series for the coming year. Pittsburgh, P.A- "Creativity and innovation", Simple words that serve as the core tenets of everything Action Lab Entertainment, the industry's newest and most exciting publisher. We are proud to present our slate of upcoming releases for 2014. With a bevy of exciting creators from industry veterans like Ray Height, to Eisner Award Nominee Mia Goodwin, Action Lab once again establishes itself as the next big publisher to make a mark in the comic book industry. 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. For more information on all of their titles, visit www.Actionlabcomics.com

Comic News: Kickstarter Star MIDNIGHT TIGER Joins Action Lab Lineup!

KICKSTARTER SENSATION MIDNIGHT TIGER JOINS ACTION LAB LINEUP Renowned Marvel creator Ray Height brings creator owned  superhero series to groundbreaking new publisher. Pittsburgh, P.A- Comic book publisher Action Lab Entertainment and long time comic book creator Ray Height have reached an agreement to publish Midnight Tiger, Height’s creator owned superhero project. Midnight Tiger joins other creator-owned critical successes Skyward, Princeless, Molly Danger, and Vamplets, adding to the company’s growing roster.  Co-written by Height and DeWayne (The Adventures of Aero-Girl) Feenstra, Midnight Tiger revolves around young high school senior Gavin Shaw, a disillusioned teen living in the crime-infested city of Apollo Bay who has lost faith in the heroes he admired growing up.  After attempting to save the life of the gravely injured hero known as Lionsblood while on his way home from school, Gavin finds himself waking up in a hospital bed days later with amazing new super human abilities and smack dab in the middle of a 15 year old secret that could unravel the fabric of the superhero community. Originally funded on Kickstarter and self published by Height, Midnight Tiger will be a four-issue mini-series, with the first issue tentatively scheduled for a May, 2014 release. “Action Lab’s interest in bringing Midnight Tiger onto their roster of already great titles couldn’t have come at a better time,” says Height, whose previous credits include Spider-Girl, Power Man: Shadowlands, and Fear Itself: Fearsome Four, among others.    “I think readers are in for a treat-- the book will appeal to a lot of people and DeWayne and I are going to try and imbue healthy doses of fun and adventure in our urban coming of age teen superhero drama." Action Lab President Kevin Freeman echoed Height’s sentiments.  “This is another feather in the cap of Action Lab, and shows that we are sustaining the momentum of our previous creative successes.  Ray brings an enthusiasm and energy to his work that really makes it pop, and we are confident that we will have another hit on our hands with Midnight Tiger.” 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 PRINCLESS, 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 GANGSTER.

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