Preview: SHRUGGED # 4

SHRUGGED #4
Frank Mastromauro ­ Story / Jonathan Marks ­ Art / Beth Sotelo, Kyle Ritter - Colors

Not much hope remains as Lord Slive and his fear creatures have gained control over Perspecta and the Earth. Though all seems lost, Theo isn't giving up and heads to a forgotten land where one last bastion of help may reside. However, the journey itself is a task very few have ever survived,
and Theo¹s chances of making it are not looking up!

Created by Michael Turner and Frank Mastromauro, with illustrations by newcomer Jonathan Marks and colors by Beth Sotelo, make sure to listen to the voices inside your head and pick up the newest issue of SHRUGGED today!

1st Impressions: Shrugged 2 # 3

SHRUGGED 2 # 3
Written by Frank Mastromauro
Art by Jonathan Marks & Beth Sotelo

Aspen Comics


FLIPPING THROUGH:

            Theo is enjoying life while Ange and Dev watch as Theo goes through practice, meet up with the mysterious and kind of stalker-ish Mr. Scelus and then nearly getting into a fight with Rick.

            In Prespecta, Chaos becomes unleashed, attacking the citizens and slowly taking it over.

            Back on Earth, the chaos has an effect on both Ange and Dev … which in turn, makes Theo go through pain. So much so that Theo ends up on Perspecta and . . .


ART:

            This issue continues to display the beautiful art from Marks and Sotelo.  What I love is the contrasts that are consistently viewed in this issue. Not just the two realms of Earth and Perspecta but also Ange and Dev. The edgy pencils and inks really help give a different yet animated texture. Ange always looks fluid while Dev is a bit more gruff. Marks gives his people distinct features while Sotelo’s colors really help give energy to Marks’ work.

            The only slightly problem I saw was one panel where it was people from a distance had no distinct features. I know it is hard to make faces from such a distance but it just looked weird to see no faces at all.

            Otherwise, Marks and Sotelo beautifully render this issue.

WRITING:

            Mastromauro spends the issue giving us a day of the life of Theo while building up the threat and chaos that was to come. Theo is growing up while the relationships he has are definitely coming to bear … especially Kiori. Her feelings for Theo are becoming apparent to all … but Theo. Meanwhile … seeing the corruption of Perspecta. We see over the course of the issue how the corruption is affecting Perspecta and the ending definitely nailed that things have gotten bad.

            The issue was paced well. And I am intrigued what is going to happen next. Yet, I felt a bit … meh. I enjoyed the issue. I like Theo and I love Ange and Dev. But there just felt like something was missing and I can’t put my finger on it. Otherwise, it’s got great dialogue, interesting characters and a good plot.


OVERALL IMPRESSION:

            We get a good day in the life story with a b plot dealing with the corruption of Perspecta. Having both plots meet at the end was done well and the art was superb. The writing is good I just felt like something was missing.


RATING:

   I give Shrugged 2 # 3 a 7.5 out of 10. Good, could be better. Yet, still read it and pick it up.

Preview: SHRUGGED # 3

SHRUGGED #3
Frank Mastromauro ­ Story / Jonathan Marks ­ Art / Beth Sotelo - Colors

The long awaited return of SHRUGGED continues!

You think you¹re prepared, but you¹re not. You¹ve been decisive in your
actions up to this point, but now things have been turned upside down. You
feel you¹ve conformed your mindset and are ready to accept what you¹re about
to experience, but you haven¹t. That¹s because SHRUGGED is back and ready to
blow your mind!

Perspecta has a new dark ruler as Lord Slive revels in his takeover and now
plans his attack on planet Earth. Barely surviving with his life, Magnuss,
the ousted true leader of Perspecta, reaches out for help, but who will come
to his aid? Meanwhile, Theo¹s girl troubles are heating up as he¹s torn
between the three women in his life. Those may be the least of his worries
though because something bad has happened to Ange and Dev, and Theo may not
survive their new transformations!

Created by Michael Turner and Frank Mastromauro, with illustrations by
newcomer Jonathan Marks and colors by Beth Sotelo, make sure to listen to
the voices inside your head and pick up the newest issue of SHRUGGED today!

SHRUGGED #3 is in stores June 5th, 2013!

Shrugged 2 #1 Review

SHRUGGED 2 #1 REVIEW

Script| Frank Mastromauro
Art| Jonathan Marks & Micah Gunnell
Colors| Beth Sotelo
Letters| Josh Reed

Aspen Comics' ten year anniversary continues with the release of Shrugged 2 #1. Shrugged 2 is a continuation of the original Shrugged released back in 2006. Fans can rejoice as the story still follows the exploits of teenager Theo and the chips on his shoulder/alternate dimensional consciences; Devonshire and Angelia. The two effectively serve as an influence on Theo's decisions and the source of the powers he wields.

Shrugged 2 does a good job of recapping the events of the original within the first 5 pages, making it easier for newcomers, like myself, to ease into the series. The first issue is spends most of its time setting up for the story arcs to come (as expected), introducing potential love interests, friends and the current social climate in Theo's life on Earth and on Perspecta (Devonshire and Angelia's homeworld). It ends with a nice bang introducing what presumably is an old villain.

Shrugged 2 was a good quick read. I didn't have any trouble getting through it once I picked it up. The artwork is solid. There are some awesome border illustrations, but the colors are what really worked for me. So, kudos to Beth Sotelo there. Some of the panels do a great job of describing internal thoughts or emotions, particularly the ones revolved around Devonshire. Devonshire, won this book for me. He's hilarious and truly captures some of the inner thoughts of a straight male teenager. Pick it up and see for yourself.

4 out of 5

Preview: Aspen Comics' SHRUGGED # 1

SHRUGGED #1

Frank Mastromauro – Story / Jonathan Marks / Micah Gunnell – Art / Beth Sotelo - Colors

Aspen’s Ten Year Anniversary celebrates the return of SHRUGGED!

You think you’re prepared, but you’re not. You’ve been decisive in your actions up to this point, but now things have been turned upside down. You feel you’ve conformed your mindset and are ready to accept what you’re about to experience, but you haven’t. That’s because SHRUGGED is back and ready to blow your mind!

Theo and his friends are entering their final year of high school, and even though Ange and Dev are still along for the ride, a host of new characters have joined in on the adventure! But, everything isn’t all fun and games this time around as an evil force has also returned and is preparing to silence those voices inside their heads…permanently. If you thought you knew what fear was, you haven’t seen anything yet!

Created by Michael Turner and Frank Mastromauro, with illustrations by newcomer Jonathan Marks and colorist Beth Sotelo, make sure to listen to the voices inside your head and pick up a copy of SHRUGGED #1 today!

SHRUGGED #1 is in stores March 13^th, 2013!

FC                               32 pages                                  $1.00  

Comic News: Shrugged # 1 Sells Over 32K , Retailer Exclusive Covers Revealed

ASPEN’S SHRUGGED #1 SELLS OVER 32K COPIES, PERSONALIZED RETAILER EXCLUSIVE COVERS REVEALED

Press Release             

02-25-13

Aspen is pleased to announce that the second release in their ambitious “10 for 10” initiative, Shrugged #1, has ordered in excess of over 32,000 copies and will feature a large array of retailer exclusive covers personalized for each individual store. Aspen Owner and President Frank Mastromauro discusses:

“As the writer and co-creator of the series, I couldn’t be happier with the great response we’ve had to the long awaited return of Shrugged. After having it on the schedule for several years, seeing it come back as one of the ‘10 for 10’ launch titles is a complete thrill. This volume was born with an idea Michael Turner had for the sequel to our first volume of the series, and I couldn’t be more proud bringing to life for everyone!”

Aspen is pricing each debut #1 “10 for 10” issue for the affordable price of only $1 and is also offering other incentives for each release such as original hand-drawn sketch covers, CGC editions, and special retailer incentive covers by popular artists J. Scott Campbell and Eric “Ebas” Basaldua.

Fans and new Aspen readers who add each of the “10 for 10” titles to their comic shop’s local subscription service will be eligible to receive the special Aspen Reserved Edition variant covers. Those fans who collect all ten Aspen Reserved Edition #1 covers will receive a free full-size Aspen “Perfect 10’s” Jam Poster featuring all ten “10 for 10” covers on one image colored by superstar colorist Peter Steigerwald. The Shrugged #1 Aspen Reserved Edition cover features artwork by series artist Jonathan Marks and Steigerwald.

Aspen encourages everyone to check out the release of Shrugged #1 for only $1 on March 13th.

For more information please check the following:

www.aspencomics

www.aspenstore.com

Facebook.com/aspencomics

Facebook.com/shrugged

Twitter.com/aspncomics

Instagram: aspencomics

#Aspen10

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 is celebrating their tenth anniversary in the industry with their “10 for 10” initiative and more original properties forthcoming later in the year.

Comic News: Shrugged Retailer Covers Coming From Aspen In March

ASPEN COMICS CONTINUES “10 FOR 10” RETAILER EXCLUSIVES WITH SECOND RELEASE SHRUGGED IN MARCH

Press Release

01-21-13

Aspen is continuing to celebrate the publisher’s tenth anniversary this March with the return of their popular series Shrugged. The second release in the publisher’s “10 for 10” initiative, that will feature ten new series releases over a span of ten months, Aspen will release Shrugged #1 on March 13^th, 2013. From creators Michael Turner and Frank Mastromauro, and the art team of Jonathan Marks and Beth Sotelo, Shrugged marks the first returning Aspen property of 2013. Below is the publisher’s solicitation for the new Aspen release:

You think you’re prepared, but you’re not. You’ve been decisive in your actions up to this point, but now things have been turned upside down. You feel you’ve conformed your mindset and are ready to accept what you’re about to experience, but you haven’t. That’s because SHRUGGED is back and ready to blow your mind!

Theo and his friends are entering their final year of high school, and even though Ange and Dev are still along for the ride, a host of new characters have joined in on the adventure! But, everything isn’t all fun and games this time around as an evil force has also returned and is preparing to silence those voices inside their heads…permanently. If you thought you knew what fear was, you haven’t seen anything yet!

As part of the “10 for 10” initiative and to thank retailers for their support in getting Aspen Comics to the milestone decade mark, Aspen is releasing the first issue of Shrugged for the affordable price of only $1. As well, every subsequent #1 issue for each new release in Aspen’s “10 for 10” program will be offered at the same low price.

To support comic shops’ push for Shrugged #1 and the Aspen “10 for 10” titles to follow, Aspen is offering a multitude of special incentives for stores to choose from on the debut issue, wholesale priced at a near Free Comic Book Day level to retailers:

Every fan or new reader who lets their local retailer know to add Shrugged #1 to their subscription box is eligible to receive the special  “Aspen Reserved Edition” cover. Fans who collect all ten Aspen “10 for 10” #1 Reserved Edition covers at their local comic book store will then be eligible to receive the free Aspen “10 for 10” Jam Poster featuring characters from all ten titles and colored by superstar colorist Peter Steigerwald.

Any retailer who orders 50 copies of the dollar-priced Shrugged #1 will receive a signed and numbered copy of the direct cover edition, along with a certificate of authenticity.

Retailers who order 100 copies of the dollar-priced issue one will receive the above listed incentive as well as one free CCG 9.8 Reserved Edition cover of Shrugged #1.

For every 250 total combined copies of the standard and Reserved Edition covers ordered, retailers will receive all of the above listed incentives and one free original hand drawn Sketch Cover by Shrugged series artist Jonathan Marks.

Each retailer who orders 750 total combined copies of the standard and Reserved variant edition covers ordered are eligible to receive those copies (minimum 300 copies) with an exclusive cover featuring their store logo or image incorporated into the cover illustration. Qualifying retailers will be contacted to confirm the specifics of your exclusive image.

And for stores who order 1500 total combined copies of the standard and Reserved variant edition covers, those retailers will receive a special store signing appearance by either the creator or an artist of Shrugged, receive 200 additional past Aspen exclusive comics for the signing, and be included in an interior ad page of the comic promoting the event. Qualifying retailers will be contacted to confirm the specifics of your signing. This incentive is limited to five participating stores.

For more information on Shrugged and Aspen Comics please check www.aspencomics.com and www.aspenstore.com and follow Aspen’s “10 for 10” on Twitter with the hash tag: #Aspen10

#Aspen10

Facebook.com/aspencomics

Twitter.com/aspencomics

Instagram: aspencomics

Facebook.com/Shrugged

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. Currently in 2012, Aspen is teaming 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 produces the one-of-a-kind Anarchy digital graphic novel for the popular body spray company, Axe.