Lola XOXO # 3 Review

LOLA XOXO # 3
Written by Siya Oum
Art by Siya Oum
Aspen Comics

This will be a spoiler free review.

Lola is getting adjusted to working for Edgar while still trying to reach out to Kami. Lola finds that working for Edgar has its advantages and disadvantages. Meanwhile, Monarch proceeds to mount a rescue for Kami while Connor does the same for Lola.



ART:

  As normal, the art is this book is breath taking. The panels are full of life with great backgrounds, character expressions and porportions and just all our beautiful, painted like coloring. Every page just gives off a great sense of the world we see here ... full of grime, decay and danger. While there was not much action this issue, Oum does a great job with strong panel compositions, proportions and overall great perspectives. Honestly, this book's art is near perfect ... save for the last few pages. It seems as if they were done in a hurry. They are okay but not as good as the rest of the book. I am not sure it was a mood effect because of the snow in the issue or just a choice ... but the last few pages looked rushed. But this is still one of the best looking books on stands now.

WRITING:
Oum's pacing is perfect in this issue as we get to continue her main story while advancing several other plots at the same time. We get to see a bit more of Edgar's operation that allows us to see how Lola is living now while also see how Lola is adjusting to working for him and reaching out to Kami as much as she can. This definitely gives her multiple dimensions to her personality. Meanwhile, Edgar, Connor and Monarch all get significant character time this issue, helping those characters get fleshed out. Oddly enough, in Kami's silence, we get to see her own development as the issue goes along. And while we are still learning much about this world, Oum does a great job blending new facets of this future with her main plotline.
The dialogue was very strong this issue, nothing feeling like worthless banter while each sentence either built character, showed different aspects of the new world or helped set up what was to come. And the ending ... was a shocker. I was DEFINITELY not expecting what happens at the end. Some superb writing from Oum.


FINAL VERDICT:

This book continues to just get better and better. While the art in the end isn't as great as earlier in the issue, it is still a beautifully drawn book. Honestly, this issue had such great writing and it helped move along the story well. Definitely a strong showing by Aspen. I give Lola XOXO # 3 a solid 4.5 out of 5.

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. 

Comics News: ASPEN COMICS Free Comic Book Day 2014 Events Schedule

Aspen Comics Free Comic Book Day 2014 Schedule of Events

Press Release

4 - 30 - 2014

Following consecutive weekends at WonderCon and Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo, Aspen Comics will be kicking off the month of May with signing appearances in local comic stores across the nation for Free Comic Book Day on Saturday May 3^rd, 2014.

The publisher will offer a FCBD Worlds of Aspen 2014 flip book featuring exclusive zero issue stores for upcoming series Damsels in Excess and The ZooHunters, as well as two pullout posters for titles Jirni and Lola XOXO.

Vince Hernandez’s Damsels features all the trappings of a fantastical land: kingdoms, magic, talking animals – but no men. With a ancient threat looming, the princesses of the Five Realms will find their differences threaten to tear them apart.

The ZooHunters, written and penciled by Peter Steigerwald (Lady Mechanika), is an intergalactic adventure about Abros, a ZooHunter – someone who captures animals across the galaxies for zoos on various planets – who gets to know his son Ty while training him to follow in his footsteps, all while trying to keep ahead of the forces that would impede them.

A list of Aspen’s Free Comic Book Day appearances are as follows:

4 Color Fantasies

805 Archibald Ave #120, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91701

Vince Hernandez (Damsels in Excess – Free Comic Book Day Book)

Frank Mastromauro (Shrugged)

Mark Roslan (BubbleGun)

David Wohl (Fathom)

Andrea Shea (Assistant Editor)

The Comic Bug

1807 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Peter Steigerwald (The Zoo Hunters – Free Comic Book Day Book)

Metropolis Comics

16509 Bellflower Blvd, Bellflower, CA 90706

Lori Hanson (Executive Assistant: Assassins)

Golden Age Collectibles at Pike's Place Market

1501 Pike Place Market Ste 401, Seattle, WA 98101

Siya Oum (Lola XOXO)

Rupp’s Comics

335 N Ohio Ave, Fremont, OH 43420

 

Alex Konat (Fathom)

Westfield Comics

7475 Mineral Point Rd #22, Madison, WI 53717

Jordan Gunderson (Fathom Annual)

For more information please check www.aspencomics.com and the following official Aspen social media sites:

Facebook.com/aspencomics

Twitter.com/aspencomics

Instagram: aspencomics

Aspen MLT, Inc. is an entertainment publishing company founded in January 2003 by superstar comic artist Michael Turner. Priding itself on producing entertainment properties of the highest quality visual and storytelling elements Along with their own successful properties such as Fathom, Soulfire, Executive Assistant: Iris, Charismagic, Broken Pieces and more. Aspen also collaborates with the comic industry's most successful companies and endeavors including Marvel Comics and DC Entertainment. Aspen has collaborated with Marvel for various hit projects, including cover work for the best-selling events Civil War, World War Hulk, and Ultimatum. Aspen collaborated with DC Comics to provide covers for such best-selling titles as Superman/Batman: The Return of Supergirl, The Justice League of America, and Eisner-nominated covers for the critically acclaimed, best-selling Identity Crisis series. In 2006, Aspen joined forces with television giant NBC to create the online comic adaptations for the hit television series Heroes. In 2012, Aspen teamed up with Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Entertainment to produce the horror-adventure series Dead Man’s Run, as well as collaborating with director McG’s Wonderland Sound and Vision to produce the horror comic Haunted City. Aspen also produced the one-of-a-kind Anarchy digital graphic novel for the popular body spray company, Axe. Currently, Aspen recently celebrated their tenth anniversary in the industry with their successful and best-selling “10 for 10” initiative.

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!!

Comics News: Lola XOXO Unleashes Itself as First New Aspen Property of 2014

Aspen Comics Presents Lola XOXO On April 9th

Press Release

Aspen Comics is thrilled to present its first new property of 2014 on April 9th, the action-adventure series Lola XOXO, created, written and illustrated by Siya Oum (Charismagic, Executive Assistant: Iris). The highly anticipated upcoming six-issue series unfolds in a dystopian western tale following young firebrand character Lola, who has been raised under the protection of a band of traveling merchants. Despite potential dangers in the “Wasteland,” Lola decides to perilously traverse what’s left of the United States in a desperate—and deadly—search for her parents. Oum discusses her enthusiasm for the project:

"It has always been a dream of mine to have my own series. It hasn't quite hit me. I can't imagine how I'll feel when I get the first printed issue in my hands. I feel like everything I've ever experienced, everyone I've ever cared for has a hand in inspiring the creation of this Lola XOXO. I couldn't have asked for a better publisher and a better group of friends to guide me through the process. I am forever grateful."

Aspen strongly encourages fans to visit their local comic book stores to pre-order the first issue of Lola XOXO, which boasts eleven covers of Oum’s own design. Future issues will feature cover art from a myriad of the industry’s top artists such as Joe Benitez, Jordan Gunderson, Ale Garza and more to be announced soon. Aspen Editor in Chief Vince Hernandez encourages fans to check out the publisher’s latest offering:

"Siya [Oum] and Lola XOXO have exceeded all of our expectations, and we're excited to be able to show everyone the result of all her hard work. I've had the pleasure of seeing this project from its earliest stages of development, and it's really been a labor of love for her that shows on every page. I think everyone who checks out the first issue will agree!"

Diamond Item Codes

Cover A Direct Edition: FEB140951

Cover B Direct Edition: FEB140952

Cover C Retailer Incentive Edition: FEB140953

Cover D Retailer Incentive Edition: FEB140954

For more information please check www.aspencomics.com and the following official Aspen social media sites:

Facebook.com/aspencomics

Facebook.com/lolaxoxo

Twitter.com/aspencomics

Instagram: aspencomics

Aspen MLT, Inc. is an entertainment publishing company founded in January 2003 by superstar comic artist Michael Turner. Priding itself on producing entertainment properties of the highest quality visual and storytelling elements Along with their own successful properties such as Fathom, Soulfire, Executive Assistant: Iris, Charismagic, Broken Pieces and more. Aspen also collaborates with the comic industry's most successful companies and endeavors including Marvel Comics and DC Entertainment. Aspen has collaborated with Marvel for various hit projects, including cover work for the best-selling events Civil War, World War Hulk, and Ultimatum. Aspen collaborated with DC Comics to provide covers for such best-selling titles as Superman/Batman: The Return of Supergirl, The Justice League of America, and Eisner-nominated covers for the critically acclaimed, best-selling Identity Crisis series. In 2006, Aspen joined forces with television giant NBC to create the online comic adaptations for the hit television series Heroes. In 2012, Aspen teamed up with Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Entertainment to produce the horror-adventure series Dead Man’s Run, as well as collaborating with director McG’s Wonderland Sound and Vision to produce the horror comic Haunted City. Aspen also produced the one-of-a-kind Anarchy digital graphic novel for the popular body spray company, Axe. Currently, Aspen recently celebrated their tenth anniversary in the industry with their successful and best-selling “10 for 10” initiative.