Ikaricast S5 E2: Jason Martin and Dave Dwonch interview

Xaos & Seraph kick off Action Lab Month on the Ikaricast with the President & Creative Director of Action Lab Danger Zone (comic book imprint), Jason Martin & Dave Dwonch.

Don't forget to email theikaricast@gmail.com 

Follow us on twitter:

@ikariradio 

@SeraphSantana 

@davedwonch


Links: 

http://www.actionlabcomics.com/

http://www.actionlabcomics.com/danger-zone/

Download here

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!!! 

Special Report: Action Labs Danger Zone Needs YOU to Kickstart It!!

  As we celebrate Action Labs month here on The Broken Infinite (& on The Ikaricast), we here like to take a moment and tell you that Action Labs needs your help. The new Danger Zone imprint is about to launch with various, mature reader titles. These titles are varied and full of complex, adult situations and themes. Yet, Action Labs needs you help to really make sure that Danger Zone can shoot off to immaculate success.

The Action Labs: Danger Zone Kickstarter is up and running with 11 days left. And there is something for everyone if you donate just $5 all the way to $1000. And the further up you go, the more you get back from this rising company. Action Labs has already been nominated for 2 Eisner Awards, which makes the company a force to be reckoned with. The Kickstarter promises everything from PDFs of comics from the Action Labs: Danger Zone line like The Trip, Double Jumpers, Night of the 80s Undead, Ehmm Theory & more to actually meeting with the Action Labs crew, spending time with them and getting publishing credit in one of their comics.

  Now, we in Broken Infinite believe in their books because we have reviewed them, such as:

Double Jumpers Review  by Jeremias de Leon (Xaos)

The Trip Review by Frankie Rodriguez (yes, me)

Ehmm Theory # 1 by Frankie Rodriguez  (yep, me again)

Ghost Town # 1 by (you guessed it) Frankie Rodriguez


Please check out our reviews of the titles we already looked at to get our impressions of them. And visit the Action Labs: Danger Zone Kickstarter for full details on all the awards you can get for donate.

  So check it out and donate today. Thank you.


 Broken Infinite EIC & Founder

   Frankie Rodriguez (Seraph)

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.

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: Action Labs Gets Dangerous With DANGER ZONE LINE!

ACTION LAB has now entered the DANGER ZONE!

Action Lab Entertainment formerly announced the formation of their new mature readers imprint entitled, Action Lab: Danger Zone, and now the first books from the new line are making their way to release.

Starting this May, fans can pick up a full line of new creator-owned titles via comic book shops, as well as all major digital providers, bookstores, and anywhere comic books are sold. Each month will see new mature-themed titles debut, showcasing boundary pushing, genre-redefining material suited to today’s contemporary comic book readers. Comic shops can already -order titles such as new ongoing series Ehmm Theory, and Ghost Town, as well as the original graphic novel, The Trip , and four more titles-- the ongoing The Final Plague, Night of the 80’s Undead, the trade paperback collection of Double Jumpers, and the SubCulture Omnibus following for pre-order in June. There will be even more new titles, like the cult hit, Zombie Tramp, to release in the months to come!

With the emphasis on fun no-limits content, titles offered range from comedy, to horror, to science fiction, to whatever creators can dream up!  Danger Zone is the place where anything goes, both for readers and creators. As with any independent publisher, Action Lab is tirelessly working to get this exciting material in front of as many eyes as possible, so be sure to check Danger Zone and these new titles out on the web and in the Diamond Previews catalog when you see them. Fans of genre fiction done right have a new home in…the Danger Zone!

You can see a free PDF sampler for the line now here:

Action Labs Danger Zone Sampler

Be sure to find us on the web:

actionlabcomics.com/danger-zone

facebook.com/ActionLabDangerZone

twitter.com/ActionLabDanger

And ask your retailers to support our line!

Action Lab received two Eisner nominations in 2012 for its critically-acclaimed all-ages comic Princeless, and has been praised for its diverse library of titles, including Pirate Eye, Fracture, and works like the upcoming Skyward and Odin Jones.  Be sure to visit the Action Lab website http://www.actionlabcomics.com for more information, including links to social media outlets and submission information.

DANGER ZONE TITLES:

EHMM THEORY 1 - ongoing bi-monthly (series of mini-series)

Writer - Brockton McKinney, Artist - Larkin Ford, Colorist - Jason Strutz

28 pages, full color, $3.99, mature readers

Synopsis - Gabriel Ehmm 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.

Publication: May 2013

Diamond Order Code: MAR130763

GHOST TOWN 1 - ongoing bi-monthly (series of mini-series)

Writer - Dave Dwonch (Double Jumpers), Artist - Justin Greenwood (Resurection, Wasteland), Colorist - Brian Dyck

32 pages, full color, $3.99, mature readers

Synopsis - Moments after scientists create a time machine, terrorists steal and weaponize the device, sending bombs into the future. Las Vegas evaporates in flame as the terrorists reveal their future target: Washington DC. Now, the FBI must find the terrorists before the capital becomes a Ghost Town. The clock is ticking.

Publication: May 2013

Diamond Order Code: MAR130765

THE TRIP - original graphic novel

Writer - Jesse Grillo, Artist - David Brame, Colorist - Heather Breckel

96 pages, full color, $14.95, mature readers

Synopsis - A group of college kids on a desert-baked road trip take a Native American drug that unlocks their deepest fears. Now, if a teenager and his grandfather from the local reservation can’t find them in time, they’re going to have to face their own personal terrors, or be consumed by them! The Trip is an Indian drug fueled ride into horror!!

Publication: May 2013

Diamond Order Code: MAR130764

THE FINAL PLAGUE 1 - ongoing bi-monthly (series of mini-series)

Writer – JD Arnold, Artist – Tony Guaraldi-Brown

28 pages, full color, $3.99, mature readers

Synopsis - The Final Plague has begun, and with it mankind's final hours. Can a rural Iowan family survive the initial onslaught of crazed, rabid animals, presumably the product of a mutated super-virus? Or will they succumb to the plague that threatens to end all life as we know it?

Publication: JUNE 2013

Diamond Order Code: APR130759

NIGHT OF THE 80’S UNDEAD 1 - bi-monthly 3 issue mini-series

Writer – Jason Martin, Artist – Bill McKay

28 pages, full color, $3.99, mature readers

Synopsis - It's 1986, and Russia's last ditch cold war effort is to strike at our American excess lifestyle with bio-engineered Colombian cocaine. What happens when two girls out for a good time cross paths with a huge celebrity party hyped up on commie zombie blow?!?! Radical undead action man! Totally!!

Publication: JUNE 2013

Diamond Order Code: APR130760

DOUBLE JUMPERS – trade paperback

Writer – Dave Dwonch, Artist – Bill Blankenship

104 pages, full color, $14.95, mature readers

Synopsis - The cult hit of 2012 is finally collected! After Jason and his team of programmers get stuck in their virtual reality game, Dungeon Lords, they must find a way back to the real world. Unbeknownst to them, the fantasy characters they inhabit have taken control of their bodies… and now wizards and warriors run free in Las Vegas!

Publication: JUNE 2013

Diamond Order Code: APR130763

SUBCULTURE OMBIMUS

Writer – Kevin Freeman, Artist – Stan Yan

344 pages, b&w (sc), spot color (hc), $24.99 (sc), $39.99 (hc), mature readers

Synopsis - Everything SubCulture in one book!  Join Jason, Arthur, Noel and the entire Kingdom Comix crew as they live--and enjoy--the geek life in this funny and poignant look at fanboy (and fangirl) culture.  This 344-page tome collects the critically-acclaimed four-issue mini-series plus all 501 webcomics published between 2008 and 2012.  Also includes dozens of strips from guest artists, pinups, and behind-the-scenes features.  Also comes in a limited edition hardcover!

Publication: JUNE 2013

Diamond Order Code: APR130761 (sc); APR 130762 (hc)

ABOUT ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT

Action Lab Entertainment was founded in 2010 by a group of independent comic creators with the sole intent to bring the world the most action packed, thought-provoking, 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.

EXCLUSIVE Advance Review: Ehmm Theory # 1

EHMM THEORY # 1
Written by Brockton McKinney
Art by Larkin Ford & Jason Strutz
Action Lab Entertainment


THE RUNDOWN:

            Been a while since I had to do one of these. Action Labs Entertainment is an up & coming indie comic book company that has been publishing a lot of good work. Don’t Believe me. Jeremy Whitley, author of Princeless & Order of Dagonet, was nominated for an Eisner for his work … alongside the same year as Mark Waid. Let that speak to you for a moment.

            Action Labs will also be putting out  Jamal Igle’s upcoming Molly Danger, Whitley’s new NFL Rush Zone comic and have been known for their family friendly books. Yet, they are expanding outside of the family friendly realm with their wave of books under their Danger Zone banner. Danger Zone are more mature. This is one of the first books that will be launched this May under the Danger Zone Banner. So, to all fans & retailers …. Read this review. Comment. And watch history in the making with this first review of Ehmm Theory.


FLIPPING THROUGH:

            We open our book with a man … and a talking cat that is adorable as they kick the head off of a zombie, midget clown. Yes. You read that correctly. A zombie … midget … clown. And that immediate makes way for how our main characters … the cat seemingly being one .. got in their particular predicament.
            Our main characters, Gabriel Ehmm and his cat, Mr. Whiskers, gets charged with a mission. Their mission is not apparent to till they get back to Earth and start dealing with zombie midget clowns. That and Gabriel being told that he has to find his father … his biological father. Which he gets a lead at the end of the issue.


ART:

            Larkin Ford’s art was surprisingly impressive with this opening issue. I say that cause the style of art leans between the cartoony with touches of realism but the first panel of the first page was definitely a selling point. It provided the right tone and sucked me in. The next few pages of Ford’s pencils and inks alongside Jason Strutz (artist of Order of Dagonet) sold me for the ride that this book is gonna take visually. For the love, no matter the scene with Mr. Whiskers, the cat is so cute that it will make women swoon just by looking at him.

            The inks were deeper and darker during the more violent scenes while lighter during the more mundane or …”heavenly” ones. Strutz colors enhanced the work more, making sure the violent scenes were touched with darker shades while brighter in other scenes. Even a panel in the issue where Gabriel and Mr. Whiskers talk to their “benefactor”, Strutz ends up coloring the panel somewhat similar to the bright & awesome work he does for Order of Dagonet. Ford and Strutz really put their best foot forward with kinetic, interesting positions, inks, pencils and colors. The gore was visually stunning but not overwhelming, which I find in a lot of other books. Kudos to this team.


WRITING:

            McKinney writes what seems to be a very simple story when you look at it but when you think about it, every answer leads to another question. And that is what will make this title a force to be reckoned with. Seriously . . . as you go through the events of this first issue, you begin to ask yourself questions. We know how Gabriel ends up in his current state but the actual that all started is not revealed, leaving one of many mysteries that the book holds. We know why Mr. Whiskers is there along with him and why he talks. Yet, the actual why him and Gabriel where picked for their mission is never revealed. And we see zombie midget clowns but no idea as to why they are coming out from the graves now.

            All these questions get set up in the first issue. The first issue reads great. A full issue which gives you the origin of our main characters and sets up the premise of the series …without giving it all to you all at once. McKinney does a spectacular job doing all this set up. Gabriel and Mr. Whiskers, as characters, feel authentic with their comments and reactions. Nothing sounds too comic booky or cheesy. It sounds real. It looks real and really goes a long way to help this book find its voice.

            And McKinney does a great job balancing and pacing the story he gives in this first issue. Nothing feels slow. Nothing feels too fast. Everything comes off well paced. There isn’t too much gore. There is no lack of character development. Really solid in execution. My only minor gripe would be that I have to wait for some of these answers.  LOL

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

            I can honestly say that this book is solid. Good art. Not art that you may be used to if you are long in the super hero brand of reading but it is solid and looks beautiful. The characters are relatable and likable. The pacing is excellent. Everything feels right. And the book keeps you asking questions after every answer they give. It’s funny. It’s violent. It’s smart. And I implore any and all retailers that if you are worried this book won’t sell, trust me … it will. I tell everyone, when the book comes out in May … pick this up. You will NOT be disappointed.



RATING:

            I give Ehmm Theory # 1 a 9 out of 10. This was a GREAT read. And I look forward to more.