Comics News: Action Lab Finds Grace With Grand Design Communications

For Immediate release

ACTION LAB FINDS GRACE WITH GRAND DESIGN COMMUNICATIONS
Publisher signs up with international licensing agency, opens catalog to publishers.


PITTSBURGH P.A.- Action Lab Entertainment, the home for cutting edge comics is proud to announce they have entered into a partnership with Grand Design Communications. Grand Design is a licensing agency representing comic books and graphic novel, properties for worldwide licensing, with clients including creators such as Roy Thomas, Wayne Vansant, John Bolton and Ann Nocenti.
 
Grand Design will act as a licensing agent for international markets, both in print and digital for both Action Lab and the Action Lab: Danger Zone line of titles.
 
Action Lab Entertainment couldn’t be more thrilled with this burgeoning relationship. President Kevin Freeman said, "This new relationship will help Action Lab continue to expand the brand.  We are very proud of the products and properties that we house, and are confident that Grand Design will help to grow our name recognition.  We couldn't be happier." Grand Design’s Chief Licensing Agent David Bernstein concurred, "We're very happy to be working with Action Lab to license their very diverse catalog to publishers worldwide."
 

 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.
 

ABOUT GRAND DESIGN COMMUNICATIONS - Grand Design Communications LLC is a licensing agency representing comic books and graphic novels for worldwide print and electronic publishing rights.  Their clients include Eureka Publishing, Wayne Vansant, John Bolton, Ann Nocenti, Heroic Publishing, Max Bunker Press, New Paradigm Studios, Roy Thomas, Jamal Igle, Gary Cohn, Doug Murray, and Russ Heath.  Past clients include Top Shelf Productions, Oni Press, Dave Cockrum, Hyperwerks, and Alex Simmons.  GDC also offers graphic novel packaging and consulting services.  As one of the most experienced comics-focused licensing agencies, Grand Design Communications LLC has long worked to offer established and developing comic properties to content publishers worldwide. For more information contact David Bernstein, Chief Licensing Agent at granddesignagent@gmail.com
 

Comic News: VAMPLETS: Legend of the Ghost Pony Hits Stores!

THE GHOST PONY HAUNTS STORES NATIONWIDE

Pittsburgh P.A.- Monstrously cute and adorably deadly, The Vamplets return!. Created by My little Pony and The Littlest Pet Shop designer, Gayle Middleton, Gloomvania's cutest bloodsuckers launch an all new quarterly series. Co-written by Middleton and  Dave Dwonch (Double Jumpers, Ghost Town) and illustrated by Amanda Coronado and Bill Blankenship, features an all new cover by Gayle Middleton. The Ghost pony is also now available in adorable plush form being offered to mortals for adoption from the Nightmare Nursery of Gloomvania. Includes a FREE bottle of blood (see picture). We suggest carrying it with you at all times-your life depends on it.
All items are currently available for pre-order.



 

VAMPLETS:THE UNDEAD PET SOCIETY #1 (Ongoing)
Writer(s): Gayle Middleton and Dave Dwonch
Artist Name(s): Amanda Coronado (p), David Dwonch (i) Bill Blankenship (c)
Cover Artist(s): Amanda Coronado (a), Bill Blankenship (c)

 The Legend of the Ghost Pony begins here in this terrifyingly sweet installment from 
Hasbro designer/illustrator of My Little Pony Gayle Middleton! Ghost Ponies have been the 
harbingers of the weird for years. Whenever they appear, creatures near have disappeared, 
never to return. Where do they come from? What is their terrible secret? And what is the Ghost 
Pony’s connection to a vampyre baby named Lily Rose Shadowlyn? Find out in this all new 
adventure! Variant cover by Gayle Middleton herself (limited to 1000 copies!).
FC/ 32pgs. /3.99 (regular cover); 4.99 (variant cover)

Advanced Review: Molly Danger/Princeless FCBD Issue

MOLLY DANGER/PRINCELESS
Free Comic Book Day Issue

Molly Danger Story
Written by Jamal Igle
Art by Jamal Igle, Juan Castro & Romulo Fajardo Jr

Princeless Story
Written by Jeremy Whitley
Art by Emily C. Martin & Soojin Paek

Action Lab Entertainment

FLIPPING THROUGH:

            Since there are 2 stories in here, I will just give a brief overview of both of them. First, we have the much anticipated Molly Danger story from Jamal Igle that introduces us to Molly Danger and her world. We get greeted to Coopersville for the first time as it is under attack by a villain named Medula: a villain who had his brain put into a robotic body because he believes flesh is a trap. (WOW! Was NOT expecting that)

            We see Molly Danger spring into action alongside members of D.A.R.T.s agains Medula and his Giant Mech. Molly wants to have a little “chat” with Medula but he wants to free people of their flesh instead.

            Then the second story is a Princeless story from creator Jeremy Whitley. As Adrienne and Bedelia head into another city with a dragon, they find another “princess” locked in a tower. Adrienne decides to save her while Bedelia seems slightly annoyed by this at the beginning. What ends up happening is Adrienne gets into a fight with a knight who does not think high of women while Bedelia works on getting the “princess” Raven out of the tower.


ART:

            Right off the bat, we got 2 styles with 2 very different looks and stories. Yet, this works extremely well for each story. I will look at each story individually.

            Molly Danger’s story is, by far, some of the best art I have seen from Jamal Igle ever. There is a lot of energy. The lines are nice and clean. The backgrounds nice and detailed. The characters are all distinct and full of energy and flare. Emotions are easily and beautifully conveyed through Igle’s pencils and Castro’s inks.  Medula is menacing in a way that will stay with you but not gross. Molly is just a wonderful character. She makes quite an impression with this story as we see her strength and emotion rendered exquisitely. Castro may be one of Igle’s best inkers he’s ever worked with and the coloring job by Fajarbo Jr was amazing. Igle’s work never looked so good. Hell …this is certainly one of the best looking comic book stories I have seen in the last 5 years. Kudos to Igle, Castro & Fajarbo Jr.

            Emily C. Martin brings us a different style in Princeless. There are definite anime influences in her work and it really comes out well in her art. The inks are a little heavy but work well with Martin’s style. The women look strong and beautiful while the men look fairly strong themselves. Martin captures the arrogance of Zachary perfectly. She also renders the action and emotions of the panels well. This is a wonderous fantasy world and she makes sure we know it. Adrienne’s armor looks great on her, making her look strong and noble. And the colors from Paek really shine, making Martin’s art even better. Between Princesses, battles and a dragon …. Martin and Paek grip you with this story.


WRITING:

            Jamal Igle proves himself not just a fantastic artist but a very smart, mature writer. Molly Danger, on the outside, could be conceived as  something only for children. But Igle makes sure that isn’t true with this story. We have a villain who wants to rid people of their flesh bodies and embrace machines. We have an organization trying to make sure they keep collateral damage to a minimum. We have a group of D.A.R.T.s  soldiers who all have rolls in this battle. And we have a new heroine who is not what see seems. The dialogue within the story felt very really, nothing forced. Even Medula’s villain speech was quite a treat as he seemed to have this almost religious affinity for man to have their bodies destroyed and replaced with robotics.

            Molly may look young but there is a definite air of experience with her. Igle is not afraid to show her vulnerability in this story was well …which really helps readers connect with the character in a whole different way. I already want to know more about Molly, Coopersville, D.A.R.T.S , her rogues gallery, her mother and her world. This is my first Molly Danger story I have read and I already love the character. It is a testament to Igle’s creative avant garde that is Molly Danger and his writing. This is a labor of love and it shows and I look forward to so much more of it.

            Jeremy Whitley has always been a great writer. He really steps it up as we get to see Adrienne saving a “Princess” because it’s the right thing to do. There is a nobility that is an underlining theme in this story. And it is great to see. Adrienne and Bedelia are both capable woman. And I love that Whitley tackles the stereo types that women are supposed to be in the kitchen or are weak and that they should not fight. This story shows women being as smart … if not smarter … than some men and can fight just as well as men. I love the statements about equality and women are not all sex objects that he makes here. I enjoy Raven. I love Raven so much that I hope to see more of her in the future. There could be makings of an all female, RPG type party happening and I would love to see that.  With great, smart dialogue and wonderful pacing, this story was a treat to read.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

            Let me say this now …THIS is the book EVERYONE should get on Free Comic Book Day. I mean everyone. You. Your mom. Your kids. Your friends. Your dad. Your grandma. Your co-workers. Other writers and artists in the comic book and/or animation business. This has something for everyone. I IMPLORE you to pick this up on Free Comic Book Day. The art is fantastic. The writing is top notch. And it’s Free. This should have a price tag and it doesn’t. That is a great statement of the quality of not only these properties but of Action Labs itself.


RATING:

  Okay. I am gonna do this in 2 ways. 1 rating for each individual story then an over all rating for the entire book.

    Honestly, Molly Danger story gets a 10 out of 10. If you do not read this story, you are hurting your own soul.

   Princeless short story is a 9 out of 10. We get such great quality story with great art and wonderful themes. And God, I want more of Raven, Bedelia and Adrienne together. And it is an attack on humanity if you don’t read it.


            Obviously, since you got a 10 and a 9 for each story, this FCBD book gets a 9.5 out of 10. You go to the story and get this book. You get every single copy of it. Then you send it to your family and friends and pass it along. This is a book that EVERYONE needs to own!  And that’s it for me. 

Advanced Review: NFL Rush Zone FCBD Issue

NFL RUSH ZONE
Free Comic Book Day Issue
Written by Kevin Freeman
Art by M. Goodwin & Bill Blankenship
Action Labs Entertainment


FLIPPING THROUGH:

            Ish and his family have relocated to Canton, OH … the site of the Football Hall of Fame. Shortly after settling in, Ish is called into action, getting transported to California to face off against some Blitz Botz (yes, that is how it’s spelled).

            Ish tries to beat down some Blitz Botz with the 49ers Rusher but brute force does not seem to cut it. Ish finds that sometimes, he’s gonna need to use his brain instead of brawn to get the job done.


ART:

            I have enjoyed M. Goodwin’s art this issue. The lines are nice and clean. The panel work flows well. I honestly enjoy this art more than the actual animation art for the show. There is a life and excitement that Goodwin captures from the show and multiplies it by 10. And while animation will always be Animation, it is good to see Ish, the Rushers and Blitz Botz done extremely well.

            Bill Blankenship’s colors explode Goodwin’s pencils and inks. There is a great use of color that works not only for the comic and its story, but in comparison to the pallet of the show. Characters look defined. Blitz Botz look menacing. Ish looks like a kid but still looks heroic as he puts on his Guardian gear. Kudos to the art team in this.


WRITING:

            Freeman scripts a great issue here. It does a lot for a book that is a Free Comic Book Day issue. It tells a story. Gives you an idea of the background of the characters without going into the normal way of telling origins. It gives you our hero and villains easily enough. It establishes the theme and importance of our hero and what he does. And grabs readers to take a look into their world.

            Freeman does this and does this well. We get 2 battles in this issue which are paced well. This issue does not seem short like many other Free Comic Book Day issues of the past. And Freeman has a strong grip on the voice of the characters from NFL Rush Zone. People who are not fans of the show will quickly understand what’s going on. People who are fans of the show will enjoy this jumping on point (which Freeman makes) as a great companion to the show.

            And I loved how easily Freeman was able to interject a lesson while not being preachy. The issue leaves you intrigued and entertained. A good job by Freeman.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

            We get a strong showing in this adaption of an animated property. It’s fun. It’s well written, well drawn. It’s full of life. And it teaches a lesson without talking down to the reader. While I was not completely floored and I do enjoy the art here than I do of the actual animation. Still, this definitely makes a great companion and wonderful read.

RATING:

            I give NFL RUSH ZONE Free Comic Book Day Issue an 8.5 out of 10. Good stuff. Grab it on Free Comic Book Day.

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 4^th 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)

Comic News: Action Labs Announcements Hit Hard in C2 E2

Action Lab’s Big Announcements at C2E2

Saturday, April 27^th, Chicago  -  Over the past two years Action Lab Entertainment has made remarkable strides as a small comic book publisher.  The company has gone from it’s first published work to its first Eisner nomination and on to its first major license (announcing an NFL RushZone comic earlier this year).

However, as they made clear at their first ever appearance at the Diamond Retailer Summit at C2E2 this week, this is only the beginning.  Action Lab announced that it will be making some big moves in working to become one of the premier publishers of both creator-owned and licensed comics.

The first and most striking of Action Lab’s announcements concerns all of its ongoing series.  All of Action Lab’s ongoing books - starting with the books listed in June’s Previews - will be offered at $2.99 instead of their previous standard $3.99.  Not only that, but they will now be a regular standard of 32 pages.  Better yet, their NFL RushZone books will now be available twice monthly and with 20 pages for $1.99.

Additionally, beginning with Jamal Igle’s Molly Danger (in the current previews, available in July), Action Lab will be offering a number of 48 page oversized European style hardcovers at $19.99.  This is coming right on the heels of the release of our first preview of Molly Danger alongside their breakout hit Princeless in their Free Comic Book Day release.

Perhaps even more impressive is that this month marks the launch of Action Lab’s new mature readers line Action Lab: Danger Zone.  This launch will be approximately doubling the size of their monthly catalog and will include a variety of books including:  Ehmm Theory (where a dead man and his talking cat are tasked by St. Peter with a number of insane missions - including fighting zombie circus clowns), The Final Plague (an infestation of undead animals), Ghost Town (a tale of time-travel and terrorism), and Night of the 80’s Undead (a mashup of John Hughes type romance and George Romero type horror).

With all these announcements and this month’s return of Princeless to the stands, this year looks to be the strongest one yet for Action Lab.  And thanks to the launch of their Retailer Network, all retailers can contact them directly to learn about everything they have upcoming by reaching out to coordinator Jeremy Whitley jwhitley@actionlabcomics.com.

Action Labs Month: The Final Plague # 1 Review

THE FINAL PLAGUE # 1
Written by Johnnie Arnold
Art by Tony Guaraldi-Brown

Action Labs Danger Zone


FLIPPING THROUGH:

            Action Labs Month continues as we take a look into The Final Plague. We open with a family in a farm out in Iowa were a mother of 2 children, Helen, smashes a rat … and it just won’t die. Helen literally has to make it a smear on a wall in order to kill it. Afterwards, Helen’s husband, Robert, chats with his son noticing that some of the rats remains a twitching.

            We go over quickly to a hobo in New York who is drunkenly singing Madonna’s “Like A Virgin” and then …. OH GOD!!!!!

            Um … yeah. Moving on to a lab in Jersey, we find that one scientist, Jeremy, has a bunch of these rabid rats. He tells another scientist,  Carol, that they had blood on them. A rat was able to spit blood into another lab assistant, and Jeremy decides it is best to quarantine the rats … and the lab assistant.

            We get more with Helen and Robert’s family as they reveal to been having an infestation. Robert calls his buddy and exterminator, Alan. They have dinner together and send Alan down to kill the infestation of rats when … EEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!


ART:

            Okay. As you noticed, I am kinda skeeved out by this book. Okay. MORE Than Kinda skeeved out. And that is impressive. Guaraldi-Brown really brings us a visually dark, gross yet interesting look to the tale. It is non-typical comic style  yet really works as sequential art. The lack of color in some spots with the addition of color in other pages really makes the scenes stand out more and covey a lot more emotion. You can see emotion on faces and Guaraldi-Brown lets the visuals and colors take you in a different way. I appauld him for his use of darker, sharper inks and the colors look almost as if water colors but I am not sure. Yet, these really work to bring you into the atmosphere of the book, the scenes and overall emotions that are put out in the panels.

            The lab was very  sterile so there are a lot of whites, grays and blacks till the rat spat blood.  When Robert and his son  look at the sunset, there was a feeling of optimism there. Yet, the biggest thing that I MUST give Guaraldi-Brown credit for is the horrific visuals. Dear God, I have not been this squimish about a comic book for nearly 2 decades.( Note: Last time I was this squimish, I was a teenage readying the roaches vs the rats on Blood Syndicate) The panels really brought me there and I felt so unclean. Still do in fact. WELL DONE Guaraldi-Brown.

WRITING:

            The Final Plague # 1 gives you a lot in the first issue but presents it wonderfully. Arnold gives us a family we can relate to, some scientist who are studying the probably and the beginnings to seeing how bad this “plague” really is. It is nice seeing animals kind of fighting back humans for a change.

            There is a good amount of uncomfortable dirty in this book and I LOVE it. This is the type of comics I really enjoy. Rich characters in situations that make YOU (the reader) uncomfortable. And Arnold does this several times, which each team escalating the filth and horror. The issue was paced really well and we got introduced to all the characters in a organic, positive way. Arnold also seems to have subplots stewing and what is more horrifying is seeing the reach of this “plague” already.

            I also give kudos to Arnold for going the extra mile in getting down dialects and vocabulary from different parts of the US down. Helen and Robert sound like they are from a farm in Iowa. Jeremy and Carol sound like they are from Jersey but NOT the Jersey Shore. I give him extra props for adding the flavor to the books cause I seem to read a lot of books that don’t diversify speech enough these days. So another point in Arnold’s favor. And Arnold’s script alongside Guaraldi-Brown’s visuals make me feel unclean, uncomfortable, horrified and WANTING MORE!


OVERALL IMPRESSION:

            I am pleasantly surprised at this book. THIS is quality comics. This is what reading comics is about. Being moved, captivated and manipulating readers to feel and think because of your script. The Final Plague # 1 stands as a great shining star in the creative owned sector. The characters feel realistic. The pacing is excellent. The plots believable and gripping and the art is amazing. This book UNSETTLES me and I am not easy to unsettle after 22 years of comic book reading/collecting. Exquisite work from Arnold and Guaraldi-Brown.


RATING:

            I need to take a bath and afraid of small animals after this book. I humbly give this book a 10 out of 10! BUY THIS BOOK! ORDER THIS BOOK! GIVE YOUR FRIENDS A COPY! THEN BUY IT AGAIN!!! 

Action Labs Month: Ghost Town # 1 Review

GHOST TOWN # 1
Written by Dave Dwonch
Art by Justin Greenwood & Brian Dyck
Action Labs: Danger Zone

FLIPPING THROUGH:

            We open to young “college aged” scientist making a major breakthrough (Slight SPOILER), they are about to send objects through time. When the breakthrough happens, it signals the beginning of a mount conspiracy against the country and its current regime. With CIA looking for the culprits, the American Reclamation Front make national threats which will lead to decimation and the reason why the title of the book is apt for it.

            As Agents Bronson and Hendricks lead the charge to bring down the terrorist group as the stakes get higher and higher after the destruction of more than 1 American City.  As the final confrontation comes to head … we find a very neat twist at the end of the story showing that this is far from over.


ART:

            Justin Greenwood gives a strong showing with his pencils and inks on this issue. While the style might seem rough, Greenwood makes it work extremely well. Everyone looks distinct. The President looks like the President. The action looks good and the more mundane scene really look good. Dyck provides good colors that liven up Greenwood’s pencils and inks.  The muted colors worked to give mystique to the story and keep its more conspiracy, thriller tone.

            The backgrounds are simple yet appealing. My only real gripe is that some of Greenwood’s pencils of the President are good, but others are looked a bit rushed. But overall, there my only real gripe artistically. This tandem worked well together in this outing and looking forward to more.


STORY:

            Dwonch weaves a great thriller with a sci-fi edge. The sci-fi edge is very limited but essential in the plot and Dwonch makes sure readers know that. From the beginning of the story to the final panel. Time Travel in any stories is tricky but Dwonch handles it with ease, enhancing this thriller.

            Dwonch shows us very interesting characters … even if they may not be around long. Hendricks and Bronson felt real in terms of reactions and what they were trying to accomplished. The American Reclamation Front felt like realistic and very devoted to their cause. This only made them more frightening … particularly at the end.

            I will admit, I was a little confused by Emil in the book because while he says he’s not a fighter, he clearly has no problem using weapons. That felt odd. Otherwise, Dwonch delivers a good paced, solid sci-fi, conspiracy thriller with Ghost Town.

OVERALL:

            While I did have a couple small gripes, Ghost Town # 1 delivers an enjoyable, gripping and hauntingly realistic look at technology and terrorism today. Good, solid art with a strong, thought provoking story that keeps you on your toes make this one shot a great opener to eventually because an ongoing … I hope. Great job by Dwonch, Greenwood, Dyck and crew.


RATING:

            With the destruction of 2 American Cities and a trippy, smart script, I give Ghost Town # 1 an 8.5 out of 10. This book has potential and is worth the buy. Get it.

Action Labs Month: Ikaricast Special Featuring Jeremy Whitley

 We go back in time to showcase our first encounter with Action Labs as Jeremias de Leon (Xaos - @ikariradio),  Jeff Williams (@16bitjeff) & Laid Back Comics own Bryan Clendenning (@BAClend) meet Jeremy Whitley for the first time and talk comics and more in this now infamous interview as Action Labs Month Continues.

For what we thought about Princeless, here's the review by Jeremias de Leon.

THE TRIP (OGN) Review

THE TRIP (Original Graphic Novel)

Written by Jesse Grillo
Art by David Brame & Heather Breckel
Action Labs Entertainment


FLIPPING THROUGH:

    We open with a  Native American Tribe giving the drug known as Toloache, also known as Demon Weed. The drug is supposed to enhanced the vices and fears of the taker. So much so that they seem real. Horribly, the young man who takes it cannot deal with his own fears … dealing with snakes.

   We meet a group of college kids, focusing on a young woman named Karen. She seems jumpy for some reason. Yet, her roommate drags her along on a trip with a group of friends. One of the college kids ends up getting Toloache, aka Demon Weed after losing their original party drugs.

            After the group takes the Demon Weed, things slowly go from trippy to horrifying. And all the while, something that Karen is afraid of is all too real and affecting her life. The Demon Weed shows the descent of the group of friends which lead to some dramatic and frightening conclusions. I know you hate me right now but not giving spoilers.

ART:

            David Brame style is very messy and thick. Yet, he uses it very well in this story that deals with both horror and dramatically dark imagery that people who have hallucinations people can have while tripping on drugs. And boy, he succeeds in that with spades. The book if filled with scary, vivid and dark imagery that manifest from the college kids.  There are some truly thrilling and haunting pieces in this graphic novel. From the snake in the beginning to the crazied muscles going out of control.

            While some panels seem a bit on the lazier side but those a few and far in between. Most of the hurried panels are the mundane scenes. Yet, Brame captures the overall tone and horror of the story. Heather Breckel’s color really breathes life into Brame’s art and the story.  The color choices throughout the hallucinations really make the book the psychedelic trip that its title implies. She really brings out the darker elements of Brame’s style to really engross the horror elements while the mundane life elements look good.  There is a sharpness to Brame’s work that really works well with the story and Breckel really breathes life into it. Well done by both.


WRITING:

            Jesse Grillo delivers a well paced,  interesting story. The Trip very much seems to follow the classic teen horror movies. Yet, while the tropes are there, Grillo keeps it fairly fresh. The characters feel authentic. The story feels like its straight from a movie. Yet, this is a very good horror movie. Everyone one’s fears are actually a little more unique than the norm (always worried about conspiracies and people out to get you are not norm in horror movies) and Grillo builds up not only Karen but some of the other characters as well.

            The elements that lead to the effects of Demon Weed feel very realistic. The dialogue also felt very real.  And the mixing of people’s own fears with actual horrible things is used to Grillo’s advantage a few times in The Trip, which makes it even more enjoyable.  And while the conclusion is satisfying, there are definitely elements that work within the story that state that this could easily be a movie. A stand up job by Jesse Grillo.

OVERALL REACTION:

            The Trip is a horrific, great ride that deals with responsibilities and overcoming fears before they kill you. The art really works on the horror elements and the writing felt authentic. It certainly creeped me out and it is an enjoyable story. While I didn’t feel like it was “oh my god so innovative”, it took a simple approach and slightly twisted the teen horror trope for this.  A good graphic novel that will hold your interest and is a lot of fun.

RATING:

            The Trip definitely lived up to its name. It’s a strong showing and you should all read it. I give it an 8 out of 10. 

Comic News: Jamal Igle's "MOLLY DANGER" Gets Sound From AudioComics

         www.audiocomicscompany.com          audiocomicsinfo@gmail.com

AUDIOCOMICS PRESENTS JAMAL IGLE’S “MOLLY DANGER”

For immediate release:

In 2013, the audio movie studio AudioComics will release its second AC Kids title based on the forthcoming children’s graphic novel series from industry superstar Jamal Igle (Action Comics, Supergirl, Firestorm, Daredevil/Shi): Molly Danger! Produced in association with Action Lab Entertainment, and directed by AudioComics co-founder William Dufris, the first episode in the series will record in New York for a projected summer release.

Molly is “the princess of finesse,” the most powerful ten-year old in the world. Protector of Coopersville, New York from the villainous Supermechs, including Two-Fisted Tommy and Lil’ Cavey, she has legions of devoted fans, movies and merchandise bearing her name, and more fame than anyone can fathom. But what she really wants more than anything…is a friend. A family. And a real life.

Meanwhile, the forces of evil are converging to rock Molly’s world. For 20 years she has been led to believe she’s an immortal alien whose family died when their ship crash-landed on Earth, genetically altered by the earth’s atmosphere. She also believes that she is the last of her people. She is wrong--very wrong…

As with AudioComics’ productions of Titanium Rain, Starstruck, and Honey West: Murder on Mars, the finished work will be available on both compact disc and pay-per-Mp3 digital download, with cover art by Igle, and for sale through AudioComics’ and Action Lab's websites, iTunes, Amazon, and at comic book and sci-fi conventions.

"This is another exciting step in getting the Action Lab brand known to comic book fans everywhere," explained Action Lab President Kevin Freeman.  "Jamal is one of the nicest guys in the industry, and not only does Molly Danger look spectacular on the printed page, but it is perfectly suited for the AudioComics treatment.  We couldn't be happier."

Igle introduced Molly Danger in a highly-successful Kickstarter campaign last fall, and the first hardcover edition, under the Action Lab banner, will be in comic book stores in July.  There will also be a preview of the book released during Free Comic Book Day on May 4 in stores nationwide.

AudioComics, under the guidance of producers Lance Roger Axt, William Dufris, and Elaine Lee, provides superior audio entertainment with its professional full-cast audio theatre productions of both licensed properties and original works from the world of comic books, graphic novels, and related media, accessible in today’s market with today’s sound. The AudioComics team is working to establish relationships with top name comic book companies, sci-fi writers, sponsors and the entertainment industry in Hollywood and New York, and to give these audio theatre pieces worldwide exposure. Productions include Starstruck, the forthcoming Bad Planet, and the first part of Titanium Rain, for which AudioComics was nominated for two Audie Awards from the Audiobook Publishers Association.

Action Lab Entertainment was founded in 2010 by a group of indie-maverick comic creators with the sole intent to bring the world the most action packed, most thought-provoking, most entertaining comics available, thereby ushering in a new age of world peace under the dominating, yet benign control of the Action Lab. Action Lab Entertainment is the public front for all the activities of the Action Lab and its members. Although most of the Action Lab’s activities remain classified, Action Lab Entertainment can disclose that two of its many functions are the marketing of comic books through various sales outlets, and the expansion of their domination into other mediums.