Letter 44 #16
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Alberto Jiménez Alburquerque with Dan Jackson
As World War III continues to rage, domestic unrest concerning our alien visitors has deadly consequences for President Blades. In space, we learn more about the aliens’… alterations to baby Astra. And Manesh finally gets some action!
Letter 44 #15
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Alberto Jiménez Alburquerque with Dan Jackson
World War Three. Nine months have passed since US President Stephen Blades revealed to the world the existence of an alien presence in the asteroid belt. The planet has erupted into chaos, with sweeping social, economic and military upheaval touching every corner of the globe.
Nine months have passed since the crew of the Clarke was abducted by the alien visitors and brought aboard their moon-sized space station, the Chandelier. They have been living there ever since, not allowed to leave or communicate with Earth – but enough is enough. The time has come for answers.
Letter 44 Vol. 2
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Alberto Jiménez Alburquerque with Dan Jackson
Sixth months into his first term, President Stephen Blades is attempting to salvage his administration from the revelation he received on his Inauguration Day–an alien presence is building something in the asteroid belt, and the previous president covered it up while sending a manned mission aboard a ship names the Clarke to investigate.
Blades has a plan to end the Middle Eastern wars begun by his predecessor, and to start preparing American for the truth about what’s coming… but he’s facing serious threats from within his own government and a new, mysterious danger from abroad. Meanwhile, the brave astronauts of the Clarke finally meet the aliens… but what they learn seems likely to doom the Earth.
Letter 44 Vol. 2
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Alberto Jiménez Alburquerque with Dan Jackson
Sixth months into his first term, President Stephen Blades is attempting to salvage his administration from the revelation he received on his Inauguration Day–an alien presence is building something in the asteroid belt, and the previous president covered it up while sending a manned mission aboard a ship names the Clarke to investigate.
Blades has a plan to end the Middle Eastern wars begun by his predecessor, and to start preparing American for the truth about what’s coming… but he’s facing serious threats from within his own government and a new, mysterious danger from abroad. Meanwhile, the brave astronauts of the Clarke finally meet the aliens… but what they learn seems likely to doom the Earth.
Pathfinder: Goblins HC
Adam Warren, Erik Mona, Carlos Soule, James L. Sutter, Ron Marz, Ray Fawkes, Jeremy Holt, F. Wesley Schneider, Oaul Allor, Eric Trautmann, Larry White (w)
Carlos Gomes, Shane White, Alberto Jiménez Alburquerque, Sean Izaakse, Lee Moder, Craig Rousseau, Jennifer Meyer, Christian Meesey, Jainai Jeffries, Adam Moore, Kevin Stokes (a)
Carlos Gomez (c)
FC • 168 pages • $24.99 • Teen+
The goblins from Paizo’s Pathfinder RPG are pint-sized psychopaths, wreaking havoc across the land.
Infamous for their unpredictable attacks, catchy raiding songs, hatred of dogs, and fear of horses, goblins blend mischief and murderousness like no other monsters. Collecting the entire Goblins comic book series, this fantastic collection includes an exclusive, an EXCLUSIVE eight-page bonus short story, as well as an extensive gallery of all cover illustrations and more than 20-pages of official Pathfinder Chronicles with world and character details (roleplaying game content, including gaming adventures and a fold-out map, perfect for miniatures)!
LETTER 44 #9
Written by Charles Soule
Drawn by Alberto Jiménez Alburquerque
Colored by Dan Jackson
Lettered by Crank!
Isobel Blades, First Lady, pays a visit to Congressman Chris Higgins, a former love interest rumored to be plotting Stephen’s impeachment. In the asteroid belt, the purpose of the Chandelier becomes clear, as it powers up for the first time. Earth’s solar system will never be the same.
An expedition to explore an alien artifact turns into a desperate fight for survival; and President Blades orders a special forces team to take down the most unlikely target imaginable. In the fifth issue of Letter 44, writer Charles Soule‘s political sci-fi thriller, we get a hell of a turn of events, in both the special forces’ mission and also what happens with the alien artifact. So much packed into one single issue.
In the last issue, we’re left with some of the astronauts making it on to the alien artifact. It’s a moment I felt would come much further down the road of the series, being built out for at least the first half of the year, if not a whole year. Instead, we’re thrown right into it. This issue though shows us more of this alien world, and how easily things can go wrong in first contact. It’s an entertaining turn of events that are believable and at the end leave us with even more questions as to where things will go next.
Then back on Earth, Blades has figured out something is up within his administration and also sends a special forces team on a mission. Who or what is the target of the mission? We find that out at the end of the issue, and that’s rather fascinating. Also, how Blades deals with the snakes among him is fantastic as well. It all feels like something that might happen in the real world.
And that’s the excellence of the series, Soule is able to make this fantastical event(s) seem realistic through actions that all are believable in how they play out. Also, the guy packs each issue with so much. Any of this might play out an issue unto themselves in the hands of another writer.
Artist Alberto Jiménez Alburquerque adds to the amazement of the series as he’s able to deliver art that works with all of these different settings.
Overall, Letter 44 continues to be one of my favorite series mashing up science fiction and politics into a story that’s gripping and unpredictable.
Story: Charles Soule Art: Alberto Jiménez Alburquerque
Story: Art: Overall: Recommendation: Buy
Oni Press provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
The crew of the Clarke has their first real encounter with the alien technology being built in the asteroid belt, while back on Earth, President Blades discovers the truth behind the brutal attack on his closest adviser, and unseen forces continue to move against him.
Four issues in and this series keeps on building up the anticipation, excitement, and intrigue. Master writer Charles Soule balances so much in each issue and somehow pulls off moving each plotline along just enough to keep us satisfied. There’s the aliens themselves and the mission to see what’s up, the interaction of the ship’s crew and their personal issues, and then the President’s political situation at home. Any one of those things could be a series unto itself. But each is moved along satisfyingly and entertainingly, like a sci-fi soap opera.
Soule also keeps us on our toes. I have no idea what he has planned next. What happens when the astronauts reach the alien contraption? What Soule does, I wasn’t expecting. How will the President deal with the political machinations at home? We’ll see. How do you deliver a baby in space? I guess we’ll find out! There’s so much here to keep folks entertained, I’m amazing at how Soule finds the perfect balance for it all.
Backing him up on art duties is Jiménez Alburquerque who is able to balance the fantastical moments in space with those back on Earth. On top of that, each character is unique and distinguishable, with a look that’s unique. This is a solid pairing of writer and artist.
If you’re a fan of sci-fi stories, mysteries, or just good writing, do yourself a favor and check the series out. You’re not too late to catch up and you’ll absolutely be treating yourself.
Story: Charles Soule Art: Alberto Jiménez Alburquerque
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Buy
Oni Press provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
How do astronauts have sex in space? Relationships among the Clarke crew are explored, while a signal from a mysterious asteroid provides clues to the nature of the alien presence in Earth’s solar system. On Earth, intrigue deepens as one of President Blades’ closest advisors suffers a savage attack!
Mixing science fiction and politics this series made it onto my “best of 2013” list as one of the best new series of the year. Issues like this is a prime example why I’m totally behind this series and why writer Charles Soule is one of the hottest writers in the comic industry (and one of the hardest working people too).
Lets start with the science fiction. We found out in the last issue, one of the crew members was pregnant. With such few people, on such a long mission, clearly some issues are going to arise when it comes to pairing off. That comes up as we learn a bit more about the crew, including the “controversial” sex in space scene. The science fiction aspect is also awesome as some contact is made with the unknown aliens. What does their signal mean? That’s all debated and next steps are decided.
Back on Earth, President Blade reflects on his first two months in office where he hasn’t achieved what he has wanted to. His agenda sounds pretty similar to the current real world’s President and there’s discussion with his Chief of Staff as to what he can do about it. That leads to a pretty gutsy political decision, but how will the President’s other advisers react to that? Political intrigue!
Artist Alberto Jiménez Alburquerque balances the artistic needs of scenes set in a science fiction setting of space as well as those quieter more down to Earth moments as well. He does both masterfully bringing Soule’s tightrope balancing script to life.
If you’re a sci-fi fan, buy this book. If you’re a fan of politics, buy this book. If you like great concepts and original comics, buy this book. Pretty much, you should buy this book.
Story: Charles Soule Art: Alberto Jiménez Alburquerque
Story: 8.5 Art: 8 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy
Oni Press provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy
A new President, freshly inaugurated and faced with an impossible scenario, a spaceship full of American heroes flung far across our solar system, unsure of whom or what will greet them, and a lone structure of unknown origin floating untouched in the vacuum of space.
These are but a few of the elements that have led to the maiden voyage of Charles Soule and Alberto Jiménez Alburqurque’s Letter 44 #1 to sell out of its initial 22,000 copy print run!
Riding high atop its unique premise and eye-catching art, Letter 44 #1 premiered in a special black and white variant edition at San Diego Comic-Con earlier this year, fueling fans’ desire for the series to finally premiere with Guy Major’s vivid colors. Fans and retailers responded thunderously, depleting Diamond Comics Distributors’ stock of the specially priced $1 issue in less than a day.
Holding its introductory price of $1, Letter 44 #1 will be receiving a second printing with a new cover by superstar artist Javier Pulido, scheduled to hit shelves on November 27th, the same day as Letter 44 #2!
