Tag Archives: aco

Preview: The Madness #5

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The Madness #5

Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciler: ACO
Inker: David Lorenzo
Colorist: Marcelo Maiolo
Letterer: Sal Cipriano
Cover A: ACO
Cover B: Francesco Francavilla
Cover C: Chris Ferguson PUNK ROCK HOMAGE

Super powered revenge goes off the rails as the Madness’s path of destruction continues to widen. In this issue, she comes face-to-face with two members of the super team that killed her family: Shade and Djinn — plus Djinn’s pet dragon, Ignatius. It won’t be pretty!

The Madness #5

Preview: The Madness #4

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The Madness #4

Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciler: ACO
Inker: David Lorenzo
Colorist: Marcelo Maiolo
Letterer: Sal Cipriano
Cover A: ACO
Cover B: Butch Guice & Lee Loughridge
Cover C: Danielle Otrakji PUNK ROCKHOMAGE

In this pivotal issue, we get a glimpse of happier times as we see Sarah’s past as a thief who falls in love with the agent who has been pursuing her. Here is what Sarah lost and why she is now out for revenge. Her targets in this epic story: Astraea, a godlike being from another realm; and Miss Victory, an avatar of everything great about America — with none of the courage or conviction to back it up.

The Madness #4

Preview: The Madness #2

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The Madness #2

Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciler: ACO
Inker: David Lorenzo
Colorist: Marcelo Maiolo
Letterer: Sal Cipriano
Cover A: ACO
Cover B: Valerio Giangiordano
Cover C: Danielle Otrakji PUNK ROCKHOMAGE
Cover D: Valerio Giangiordano B&W Incentive

The imaginary friend from Sarah’s childhood has returned as a murderous alter ego. The Madness has completely taken over Sarah, and it’s determined to track down and destroy the people who killed her family. They know she survived their attempted hit, but is there anything they can do to stop her?

The Madness #2

Preview: The Madness #2

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The Madness #2

Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciler: ACO
Inker: David Lorenzo
Colorist: Marcelo Maiolo
Letterer: Sal Cipriano
Cover A: ACO
Cover B: Valerio Giangiordano
Cover C: Danielle Otrakji PUNK ROCKHOMAGE
Cover D: Valerio Giangiordano B&W Incentive

The imaginary friend from Sarah’s childhood has returned as a murderous alter ego. The Madness has completely taken over Sarah, and it’s determined to track down and destroy the people who killed her family. They know she survived their attempted hit, but is there anything they can do to stop her?

The Madness #2

The Madness #1 kicks off an ethical dilemma… and revenge

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The Madness #1

Sarah Ross’ godlike powers made her an awesome thief. She’s able to switch powers as needed but with each comes a weakness as well. Using them to steal, she’s got one last heist before retires and settles down with her boyfriend and his kids. But, she’s stolen from the wrong person and is now marked for death. The Madness #1 is an intriguing start to a series that mixes superpowers, international relations, and moral ambiguity.

Written by J. Michael Straczynski, The Madness #1 is a solid start. Straczynski creates solid tension bookended with some action and drama. We don’t know a ton about Sarah. We know she has powers. That she can use only one at a time. That creates vulnerabilities, and she’s pissed off the wrong people. Unfortunately, the people she cares about have been caught in the revenge plot against her.

What’s solid is the moral debate Straczynski puts into the comic. A Middle Eastern leader threatens US leadership to get them to do his dirty work in killing Sarah. Should the US do it? We’re taken through not just that debate but also who should carry it out and their reaction to the proposal.

At its core, The Madness #1 isn’t that new of a story. The basics we’ve seen so many times before. It’s a revenge story where the wrong person is killed. But, there’s that moral aspect about it all that’s sure to come back and something teased at the end. It’s not explained but is sure to make things rather interesting.

The art by ACO is solid. With ink by David Lorenzo, color by Marcelo Maiolo, and lettering by Sal Cipriano, the comic looks great. The action is quick and entertaining and the moral debates and emotional moments pack a punch. There’s a tension in the visuals that really build and the comic just nails that so well. Visually, this is top notch work.

The Madness #1 is John Wick but replace a dog with a fiancé and kids and a criminal syndicate with the US government, superheroes, and a Middle Eastern leader. It’s not complicated, yet, it’s somewhat predictable, but it’s really well done. A solid start that adds just enough detail to make it stand out.

Story: J. Michael Straczynski Art: ACO
Inker: David Lorenzo Colorist: Marcelo Maiolo Letterer: Sal Cipriano
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

AWA Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Kindle

Preview: The Madness #1

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The Madness #1

Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciler: ACO
Inker: David Lorenzo
Colorist: Marcelo Maiolo
Letterer: Sal Cipriano
Cover Artist: ACO

In THE MADNESS, Sarah Ross has been using her power as a thief, stealing from the rich and…well, keeping it. Until the day she stole from the wrong person, a highly placed official who pressures the government to assassinate her. The plot, aided by so-called “good” superheroes sponsored by the government, misses her but wipes out her family. Driven mad by grief, and laser-focused on revenge for the murder of her family, Sarah and a hidden side of her personality – an imaginary friend who may be more real than she believes – goes after these superpowered operatives determined to take her revenge, at any cost.

The Madness #1

Preview: The Madness #1

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The Madness #1

Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciler: ACO
Inker: David Lorenzo
Colorist: Marcelo Maiolo
Letterer: Sal Cipriano
Cover Artist: ACO

In THE MADNESS, Sarah Ross has been using her power as a thief, stealing from the rich and…well, keeping it. Until the day she stole from the wrong person, a highly placed official who pressures the government to assassinate her. The plot, aided by so-called “good” superheroes sponsored by the government, misses her but wipes out her family. Driven mad by grief, and laser-focused on revenge for the murder of her family, Sarah and a hidden side of her personality – an imaginary friend who may be more real than she believes – goes after these superpowered operatives determined to take her revenge, at any cost.

The Madness #1

AWA Studios announces a new thriller from J. Michael Stracynski, The Madness

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What happens when a young woman gifted with great powers breaks bad after her family is wiped out on orders from the government because she has become too “inconvenient?” Artists, Writers, and Artisans (AWA) answers that question with The Madness, an original, complex, psychological revenge thriller, launching on Wednesday, August 9. Teaming up with superstar artist, ACO, legendary comics creator and writer, J. Michael Straczynski returns to AWA with this original, 6-issue series that brings readers an emotionally-charged story featuring intense action and mind-bending visuals.

To amplify each issue, popular comic artist, Chris Ferguson collaborated with other AWA creators and artists to design special punk rock variant covers that pay homage to iconic punk bands that inspired the artistic design of The Madness. With a shared attitude between the series’ protagonist and the anti-establishment music genre, a special punk rock variant will be available with each issue.

In The Madness, Sarah Ross has been using her power as a thief, stealing from the rich and…well, keeping it.  Until the day she stole from the wrong person, a highly placed official who pressures the government to assassinate her.  The plot, aided by so-called “good” superheroes sponsored by the government, misses her but wipes out her family.  Driven mad by grief, and laser-focused on revenge for the murder of her family, Sarah and a hidden side of her personality – an imaginary friend who may be more real than she believes – goes after these superpowered operatives determined to take her revenge, at any cost.

The Madness is created and written by J. Michael Straczynski, illustrated by ACO, inked by David Lorenzo, colored by Marcelo Maiolo, and lettered by Sal Cipriano, with covers by ACO, Brandon Peterson, Marcelo Maiolo, and Dalibor Talajić, and variant covers by Chris Ferguson, Dalibor Talajić, Danielle Otrakji, and Axel Alonso. Issue #1 will be available Wednesday, August 9.

Preview: Fantastic Four: Anniversary Tribute #1

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Fantastic Four: Anniversary Tribute #1

(W) Stan Lee, Jack Kirby (A) Aco, More (CA) Steve McNiven
ONE-SHOT
In Shops: Nov 17, 2021
SRP: $6.99

Sixty years ago, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby made history and brought about the beginning of the Marvel Age of comics with the release of FANTASTIC FOUR #1. Now a bevy of Marvel’s finest creators pay tribute to that monumental moment by reinterpreting, page by page, the story from that inaugural release as well as FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #3, in which the entirety of the Marvel Universe attended the wedding of Reed Richards and Sue Storm! Whether these are stories you’ve never read before or tales that you’re intimately familiar with, this is the perfect way to experience them anew!

Fantastic Four: Anniversary Tribute #1

All-star talent celebrate the Fantastic Four’s 60th Anniversary this November

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This November, fans will get to experience two of the Fantastic Four’s greatest adventures in a brand new way in Fantastic Four Anniversary Tribute #1! This giant-sized issue will present classic stories with stunning new artwork by today’s leading artists.

Sixty years ago, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby made history and brought about the beginning of the Marvel Age of comics with the release of Fantastic Four #1. Now a bevy of Marvel’s finest creators will pay tribute to that monumental moment by reinterpreting, page by page, the story from that inaugural release as well as Fantastic Four Annual #3, the wedding of Reed Richards and Sue Storm!

Written by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, it features the art by Aco, Aaron Kuder, Adam Hughes, Albert Monteys, Alessandro Cappuccio, Bryan Hitch, Cafu, Carlos Pacheco, Chris Sprouse, Daniel Warren Johnson, David Lapham, Elsa Charretier, Erica D’Urso, Federico Vicentini, Greg Land, Javier Rodriguez, John Cassaday, John Romita Jr., Kate Niemczyk, Kei Zama, Leinil Francis Yu, Leonard Kirk, Lucas Werneck, Luciano Vecchio, Marco Checchetto, Mattia Del Mundo, Neal Adams, Nic Klein, Olivier Coipel, Paco Medina, Patch Zircher, Pepe Larraz, Ray-Anthony Height, Rod Reis, Ron Fenz, Simone Di Meo, Stefano Caselli, Steve Epting, Tom Reilly, Salvador Larroca, Jorge Fornes, Kim Jacinto, Walt Simonson, Leonardo Ortolai, Sanford Greene, Terry Dodson, and Mark Bagley. It features a main cover by Steve McNiven and variant cover by Jim Cheung.

See this modern take on two of the most pivotal moments in Marvel Comics history when Fantastic Four Anniversary Tribute #1 hits stands in November!

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