Lola XOXO # 2 Review

LOLA XOXO # 2
Written by Siya Oum
Art by Siya Oum
Lettering by Josh Reed
Aspen Comics

This will be a spoiler free review.

            Lola comes face to face with Edgar, the owner of the horse she was riding. After a small back and forth, Lola ends up working for Edgar. In the meantime, we see a guy named Monarch kill a lion …Seriously.  He and his girlfriend, Kami, seem to be under the control of a guy named Huntington … but not for very long.

THE GOOD:

           

            Can I continue to say that this is one of the most beautiful books out in the market? Seriously, the detail and style that Oum puts into every panel puts a lot of other books to shame. Oum raises the bar here between great amount of detail and a really vivid coloring/painting style. Each page is alive and feels very textured just by looking at it.

            The story is definitely heating up this issue as we get to know more about New York City after the “tragedy” of the first issue.  Lola gets some great characterization and development as we learn a bit more about her attitude, her determination and her values within  the pages. Oum also does a great job introducing new major plays Monarch, Kami and Edgar. Each of these characters definitely have strong, distinct personalities that you see immediately and Oum grows upon those organically. The dialogue was a great level between strong and authenc.

THE BAD:

            Nothing bad this issue at all.

THE VERDICT:

            Honestly, last issue started us off, but this issue pushed things into overdrive. This book really engrosses you into its world and characters well. Aspen’s got another hit with this book. I give Lola XOXO # 2 5 stars out of 5! Pick it up today in shops. 

1st Impressions: LOLA XOXO # 1

LOLA XOXO # 1
Written by  Siya Oum
Art by Siya Oum
Aspen Comics
FLIPPING THROUGH:

                Lola was a little girl. Her parents  took her to LAX in Los Angeles, sending her to her grandmother’s in New York City.  Yet, after a few hours, Lola’s plane is forced to make an emergency landing in Ohio because out of nowhere, Los Angeles and New York City both blow up in a blaze.  Lola meets Conrad in Ohio as she tries to call her parents.
                Fast forward several years as Lola has now grown up. And after many broken promises from Conrad, Lola decides to go search for her parents … in a post apocalyptic New York City.

ART:

                Let me just say this  . .. this book is GORGEOUS. It is well penciled. There is plenty of detail. The people and proportions vary. The backgrounds are vast and detailed. The water colors used on the pencils making Oum’s work look better than ever. This book’s art simply grips you from the moment you open it.
                Oum makes great use of panels to give the book a great feel of how epic this story will be. The colors used create beautiful and haunting atmosphere from start to finish in the book. The post apocalyptic world is full of a grainy-ness that feels authentic. And the overall designs of the characters are appealing and help set the mood. Honestly, one of the most beautiful books I have ever seen.

WRITING:

                Oum opens the book with our lead and make sure she is relatable from the word go.  Lola really connects with her child like fears to her fears of loneliness to her wanting to grow up and venture the world. Oum presents us a strong lead heroine who can still be vulnerable.  Oum gives an interesting supporting cast starting to develop around her. I say starting cause Oum does two very important things this issue: give us enough attention on our lead to want to follow her and world build. We got our starting point and Oum leaves plenty of mystery.

                The pacing of the book works for its opening issue. It has just enough to let us know what is going on, introduce and let us care about the main character, start the main plot and get us on our way. Oum’s dialogue is on point, feeling authentic. The sense of mystery and scope of what has happened to the world is definitely a plot point alongside the main plot itself. Oum presents us with a well-written, intriguing first issue that shoots off right off the gate.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                The book looks beautiful and reads well. There is a sophistication to its story and art that make it stand out.  Aspen has a hit with this book.

RATING:

                Lola XOXO # 1 gets a 10 … out of 10. One of the best first issues I have ever read. Pick it up April 9^th, 2014.

Preview: LOLA XOXO # 1

LOLA XOXO #1
Siya Oum ­ Story & Art

Aspen's newest hit series debuts!

In the "Wasteland", Lola, a young woman with a resolve fortified by a
lifetime of survival on her own, must journey across the nuclear-decimated
United States in order to find the family that was taken from her! As her
quest for the truth begins, Lola uncovers the true inhumanity of the
Apocalypse, as those who seek to hold power in a new frontier, will do so at
all bloody costs including her life!

Aspen is proud to bring you artist Siya Oum's highly anticipated new series!
Sure to be one of 2014's most exciting debuts, LOLA XOXO is ready to take
you on an incredible adventure unlike any other!

LOLA XOXO #1 is in stores April 9th, 2014!!

NYCC News: Aspen Goes Hard for 2014 Announcements

Here is a breakdown of all of the Aspen Comics NYCC Announcements:

New Aspen Series Debuting in 2014:

“Lola” from creator Siya Oum (Charismagic, Executive Assistant: Iris) will be released in Spring 2014 and features a story fully written and illustrated by Oum. Featuring a post-apocalyptic landscape and one woman’s desire to discover the truth about her missing parents while she traverses the landscape known as the “Wasteland” in search of them.

“Damsels in Excess” from creator Vince Hernandez (Charismagic, Trish Out of Water) and Mirka Andolfo (Charismagic, Trish Out of Water) is a fairy tale action-adventure series that centers on a young princess, Bethany, who must survive the deadly threat of her fellow princesses of the Five Realms before they destroy her kingdom—and end her life.

Returning Aspen Series in 2014:

J.T. Krul’s fantasy adventure series “Jirni” returns for a second volume with the original first volume’s art team of Paolo Pantalena and Brett Smith following the breakout success of its initial offering. Aspen will also be releasing a spinoff mini-series written by Krul, “Jirni: Fall of the D’jinn” set for release the same month as the launch of Jirni: Volume 2.

David Wohl and Brad Foxhoven’s “Legend of the Shadow Clan” returns for a second volume as well, following the hit first story arc. The art team of Cory Smith and John Starr will be returning as the series art team for the next volume.

Aspen Novels New Release – “7 to Die”:

Aspen Novels is set to publish “7 To Die” by author Tag Roberts in 2014. Aspen will be adding another novel to their burgeoning line of books this year with the release of “7 To Die” with more to follow soon. “7 TO DIE” tells the story of Lex MacArthur, a bright, but struggling San Francisco college student who inexplicably receives an enigmatic clay pendant with an etched eight-pointed star in the mail. The pendant, which unlocks a bevy of dormant superhuman genes, also ignites Lex’s mission to discover who she is and where she came from. With several new enemies aggressively pursuing her to extort and capitalize on her newfound abilities, Lex is forced to fight for her life and save those she loves from certain death.

Aspen Offering Digital Omnibus Editions on Comixology:

Aspen has teamed up with Comixology to offer large-scale omnibus editions of their popular flagship series Fathom, Soulfire and Executive Assistant: Iris. The Fathom Omnibus Edition Volumes 1 and 2 are available for purchase now, with the Executive Assistant: Iris and Executive Assistant: Assassins Omnibus Editions available on October 16^th. November will see the release of the Soulfire Omnibus Edition Volumes 1 and 2.

Aspen to Produce New Guided View Content For Comixology:

Aspen will be offering all new titles featuring the Guided View feature on Comixology with more news and release dates to be revealed soon.