Apr 4, 2022
Merlin & Hector #1 (2021)
Art by: Jok
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Merlin & Hector #1 (2021)
Art by: Jok
Smash Pages Q&A: Erica Schultz
The writer and instructor discusses the new ‘Legacy of Mandrake the Magician,’ her work at The Kubert School and more.
Mega #1 (2021)
Art by: Salvador Sanz
Stone Bot Comics, Titan Issue Statements Regarding Translation Differences In The Kamen Rider Kuuga Manga
Stone Bot Comics, Titan Issue Statements Regarding Translation Differences In The Kamen Rider Kuuga Manga #仮面ライダークウガ #KamenRider #KamenRiderKuuga #Tokusatsu #TitanComics #StoneBotComics
Recently, Anime News Network first reported that the preview pages of Shotaro Ishinomori, Toshiki Inoue, and Hitotsu Yokoshima’s Kamen Rider Kuuga did not reflect the actual finished product. And is different from the final product. In Titan Comics Statement, the company mentioned that they listened to Fan Discussions online regarding the recent release of both Kamen Rider Kuuga Volumes One and…
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Angela Della Morte Prequel
Angela Della Morte Prequel Stonebot Comics/Red5 Comics 2021 Written & Illustrated by Salvador Sanz Coloured by Ezequiel F. Roel Translation by Dario Timarchi Art Reconstruction by Camila Jorge Revision by Leandro Paolini Somers & Chris Ortega Lettered by Martin Casanova Discover the true history Angela, how she learned to switch bodies and came to work for Dr. Sibelius. Angela Della Morte first appeared in the antology Bastion Unlimited and later in Fierro magazine. This story were those early chapters where we see Angela’s first mission and her first “death.” Originally published in black & white, these stories are being published in full colour for the first time. I’m a huge fan of this character so that we see this being told, or reprinted here is fantastic to me. Though in all honesty I would’ve preferred to see them in their original black & white illustrations as Salvador is such an amazing artist that I think it might have been more powerful to see them as they originally were. I like that this is being done this way because its better than seeing a flashback or having to her origin retold at some point. So that we get to see how this was first told is truly a treat for everyone. I am a huge fan of the way that this is being told. The story & plot development that we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is presented exceedingly well. The character development that we see through the dialogue, the narration, the character interaction as well as how they act and react to the situations and circumstances which they encounter is utterly marvellous in how it portrays them as people. The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing the story, the characters and the harsh look at what is happening it really has this stellar impact upon the reader. I like how we see this being structured and how the layers within the story emerge, grow and evolve over the course of the chapters. The layers contain the good bits of storytelling, the characterisation and the plot twists that really captures the story’s heart and soul. They also bring us some excellent depth, dimension and complexity to the story as well. How we see everything working together to create the story’s ebb & flow as well as how it moves the story forward is impeccably achieved. The interiors here are bloody amazing. First I love that we open up and see a penis, leave it to the Europeans to be so blazé about male nudity. The linework is sensational and how we see the varying weights and techniques being utilised to create this level of detail work is truly astounding. That backgrounds are seen throughout the book brings me joy as they enhance the moments and work within the composition of the panels to bring out the depth perception, sense of scale and the overall sense of size and scope to the story. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show such a masterful eye for storytelling. It is easy to see how he started out with this and how he’s improved but the faces, facial expressions and body language are extraordinary and further the characterisation nicely. I love seeing how this world got its start and how the techniques have evolved since the beginning. Though the interiors remain some of the most extraordinary imagery around it is nice to see how Angela started out as this loyal employee and person who you could say was naïve in so many ways. It is such a stark contrast to the woman I’ve come to know and it’s utterly delightful. With such strong writing and characterisation wrapped around such divine interiors this makes me excited for her next adventure.
Machine Girl & The Space Invaders #1
Machine Girl & The Space Invaders #1 Stonebot Comic/Red5 Comics 2020 Written by Matts Illustrated by Sergio Monjes Coloured by Ramon Bunge Colour Flats by Ludwig Olimba Lettered by Yasmin Gavani Machine Girl is back... in the ring! Not only Megan is (again) proving herself as the best fighter in the Galaxy, but she's now part of a group of Space Pirates! And their latest adventure will lead them to an unexpected treasure, which will set a new course for the team headlong to a race of Space Invaders!. I am so happy that this is back for another arc! Megan is such a great character and her journey is just beginning so it is nice to see that this will be told in arcs moving forward. I think it is the easiest way to tell these kinds of stories. I rather like the way that this one opens up and it gets even better as we see what she’s there for. I like that she has the aggression part of the Cyborgens even if she was raised to suppress it, though her fighting in a ring is something she’s done to alleviate that effectively. Still to see what is happening outside the ship that’s just as much fun and in both locations I might add. I am enjoying the way that this is being told. The story & plot development we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is presented extremely well. Now the character development that we see is utterly fabulous! From the dialogue and the banter that we see worlds exceptionally well in fleshing them out further as people. It is such a delight to see these folks interact and behave like family to such an extent that they do and it’s because of the way that Matts is writing this. The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing the story that lies ahead we’re treated to some fantastic surprises along the way. I like how we see this being structured and how the layers within are being brought about. How we see everything here working together to create the story’s ebb & flow is extremely well done. How the story flows and how it switches from action to pure story is really nicely done as we see the transitions run smoothly. I am a fan of the interiors here and what an opening page this is too it is so incredibly beautiful and ominous at the same time and that sets the stage for what’s to come. The linework is great and how we see the varying weights being utilised to bring out the detail work is really rather well done. Though really a Leia bikini on top of her outfit I dunno I think it’s a bit much. I feel like we’re missing backgrounds but with the way the panels are filled the feeling is there with nothing to back it up. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a remarkable eye for storytelling. The colour work that we see is utterly gorgeous. I love how we see the various hues and tones within the colours being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work. The choices of colour we see and how it adds to the creativity and imagination when it comes to the different species is spectacular. With so many books on stands today and the science fiction genre so full of them when you find those that stand apart from the crowd then you really need to snatch those up. This my friends is one such book, it’s delightful, witty and full of everything we could possibly want to see in an outer space science fiction story with one of the best nostalgia moments period.
Legacy of Mandrake The Magician #1
Legacy of Mandrake the Magician #1 Stonebot/King Features/Red5 Comics 2020 Written by Erica Schultz Illustrated by Diego Giribaldi Coloured by Ramon Bunge Backgrounds by J.P. Massa Lettered by Martin Casanova Mandy Paz is by all appearances an ordinary teenager just trying to make her way through high school. If she seems like she’s going out of her way to avoid attention, that’s because she’s hiding a big secret—she has powerful magical talents. So, when strange and sinister things start happening in her small town, Mandy decides to take action. And on her quest to chase down the root of the town’s trouble she just might discover the truth about her own legacy. I missed the zero issue so I am a little sad about that. But I have been waiting for this as I am a fan of the original King Features characters. I get the reasoning behind Mandy taking over as a legacy but one of these days I would like to see a boy be the legacy and have him be gay. The gender reversal is almost overdone, this is my opinion no one else’s and this doesn’t lessen how good this story is. Erica is an amazing writer and she continues that streak with this book. I love the way that this is being told. The story & plot development that we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is presented beautifully. I like that while there was a zero issue that doesn’t mean you had to read it to enjoy this. We get a great sense of what’s going on in Mandy’s life and the way this is presented makes it easy to enjoy what is happening. The character development is amazing and you get the sense that one is definitely not a friend at all and I cannot wait to see how that plays out. The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing the characters, this world and the story it’s easy to see just how well everything works together to create the story’s ebb & flow. Also the way that this is structured and how we see the layers within the story coming to life showcases just how well Erica’s mind works and how talented she is. Also there are moments where the light hearted nature of a teenage girl shines through and balances out the whole idea of having such power at her disposal. The interiors here are absolutely delightful! The linework we see is sensational and there’s a nice strength and confidence that comes with how they are laid down. Also a great nod to Pizazz in here as well. I am somewhat surprised that there is a person whose sole job is to do the backgrounds but since it’s me I love that about this. I mean the wallpaper alone is sensational. Still I do like how everything we see works so well together and that we get some great depth perception, a sense of scale and that overall sense of size and scope to the story. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a strong and talented eye for storytelling. The colour work is fantastic! I love how we see the various hues and tones within the colours being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work. The effects of the magic and everything we see is so well rendered. This is a bright shining star right now. This is the kind of storytelling we need what with politics being crazy and the whole shut-in quarantine that’s gripped the world. This is fun, engaging, relatable to and it just finds a way to lift your spirits perfectly. The power of storytelling can do so many things and I’m so thankful for these creators for bringing this to us.
Xira #1
Xira #1 Stonebot Comics/Red 5 Comics 2020 Written by Mauro Mantella Illustrated by Diego Giribaldi Coloured by Ramón Bunge Lettered by Altercomics Studio Xira has been experimented on her entire life to help mankind create the perfect astronaut, making her smarter, faster, stronger. When Xira is allowed to have a baby who will also be experimented on Xira has had enough and will do whatever it takes to get herself and her child to freedom. Now I am so ultra thrilled to be reading this! But I’ll be damned if that opening page did do a gut wrench on me and then make me incredibly angry. I am happy about the range from one to the other as well because that just means these folks are doing everything right. Story’s aren’t just meant to entertain, the great ones make you think, feel and experience emotions and feelings that you may never expect to have. There are reasons that testing on animals is no longer allowed, wait it still happens which should be a crime unto itself considering how closely they are related to humans and are known to be smart, intelligent and have feelings. Still we all have our own opinions on it but let the story unfold. The way that this is being told is bloody effin brilliant! The story & plot development that we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is laid down beautifully. I mean from the get-go how we see these events happen and how we see the reasoning behind actions it’s just so damn good. It also ties intricately into the character development we see within these pages. There is something to be said about the arrogance of man and how it seems to overshadow pretty much anything we do but seeing it here is so well portrayed it is scary. The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way we see how everything works together to create the books ebb & flow. I like seeing how this book is structured and how we see the layers within the story having the right impact at the right moments that cause the reader to become engaged in some very different ways. There are some incredible moments throughout the book that make you wonder what they mean in the bigger picture. I want to know and yet I want to be surprised at the same time and how we see these things. The interiors here are gorgeous! The linework is stupendous and how we see the varying weights being utilised to bring out the attention to detail is phenomenal. The eyes we see here throughout are so expressive, so emotional and kind of just plain eerie but you cannot escape their gaze. Seeing how the backgrounds are being utilised and how essential they are to the story makes me happy! They not only enhance the moments and provide visual clues but they also bring us this depth perception, a sense of scale and this overall sense of size and scope to the story. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a remarkable eye for storytelling. The colour work is beautiful to see. How the various hues and tones within the colours are being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work shows a wonderful aptitude for how colour should work. This book is just bloody effin brilliant and the work we see is so mindbogglingly good! The way this was thought out and how it is being executed there’s just nothing negative that I can say about anything within these pages. It is almost the epitome of perfection and it makes want to cry with happiness.