ALL MY GHOSTS TPB
story and art by Jeremy Massie
$9.99
120 pages
Graphic Novel
Mature (language)
Slice of Life
Struggling to survive in a small-town economy, Joe Hale is forced to sell his family’s newspaper business. After the buyout, strange events begin to occur as Joe’s past comes back to haunt him – literally. Fan-favorite writer and artist Jeremy Massie crafts a powerful story about the burden of responsibility and the freedom of letting go.
(W) Grigoris Douros
(A) Kevin Enhart, Newel Anderson, Jimmy Kerast
(L) E.T. Dollman
$9.99, 200 pgs, Full Color, Mature Readers
Digital Graphic Novel
Releasing 3.23.16
Broke and directionless, the three members of the metal band Satanic Hell arrive in Texas for a chance tour set up by a mysterious promoter. Death Priest, Dante, and Exodus quickly find trouble in the bizarre world of Texas, now controlled by a council of religious fanatics. The quixotic tour is Satanic Hell’s last chance to keep their rock’n roll dreams alive but doing so means going through their own version of hell on earth. Can three guys in a metal band save the Holy State from itself and survive? This is the complete seven-issue series of the metal band’s raucous tour through the dystopian Lone Star State. 200 epic pages with added bonus material!
$2.99, 22 pgs, Black & White, Young Adult
Digital Comic
(W) Gregory Schoen
(A) Alonso Molina, Paulo Lopez
Matthew Baker has a lot of problems. A new school, bullies, and dealing with a father he barely knows; it’s a lot to deal with for any ten-year-old. But when he stumbles upon Nikola Tesla’s Death Ray, will it lead to his salvation or his destruction?
CANNONS IN THE CLOUDS
(W) Daniel Woolley, Anne Gresham
(A) Jorge Donis, Kirsty Swan
(L) Peter Simeti
$14.99, 136 pgs, Full Color, Young Adult
ISBN: 978-1-934985-48-9
Set for release IN STORES and ONLINE on February 24th, 2016
In a mile-high world of floating islands, Sela Windbourne flees her sheltered life to find adventure. Along with the talented and mysterious steeplejack Robb Cadman and the notorious sky pirate Jenny Avery, Sela must confront a violent conspiracy that threatens to send her entire world crashing down!
FREELANCE BLUES #1
$2.99, 24 pgs, Black & White, Young Adult
(W) Ian Daffern, Mike Leone
(A) Vicki Tierney
(Cover) Mike del Mundo
Set for release on February 17th, 2016
Lance’s bosses are supernatural, evil, and bent on world domination (or destruction… whichever comes first). It’s up to Lance to save his co-workers, defeat his evil bosses, and then get up tomorrow to try to find a new job (because being a hero doesn’t pay the bills).
As children we are taught that evil has a certain look. The bad guy always wears black, witches are misshapen crones, and thieves are small wily creatures. We never look for the bad guy amongst our trusted friends and family. I’m reminded of a line from Mike Newell’s Donnie Brasco, when the mobster Lefty in a state of paranoia scolds Donnie, “When they send for you, you go in alive, you come out dead, and it’s your best friend that does it.”
I, on the other hand, have learned that Evil is a looker. She has a beauty that rivals that of Helen of Troy. His blue eyes outshine those of Narcissus, and his rock hard countenance matches that of Adonis. Her weapons are sleek and beautiful. His blades are made of silver, with golden hilts. Her guns are well-crafted oiled machines of deadly recoil. True psychopaths are not dorky, vile, or sniveling beings. At their best they are fully functioning charismatic aristocrats at the top of the ruling class, with murderous powers of impunity; at their worst they are ordinary looking killers, hiding amongst us common folk. They can be the neighbor next door, or a favorite aunt or uncle.
Bret’s psychopathic Black Widow is such a person. She is extremely beautiful, and she’s known it since birth. She realizes at a very young age that she has the “powers of persuasion” that can help her in her “life’s work.” Showing a total disregard for laws and social mores, she guiltlessly dispatchers lovers for financial gain. Her innocent tale of woe is repeated, ad nauseum, to the point of absurdity—and if you think such a thing can never happen in the real world, then read Erik Larson’s Devil in the White City for an eye opening reality check.
The Black Widow’s diary continues its murderous autobiographical account, until finally someone does notice; and therein, lies the tale. Can the Black Widow continue to murder unabated, without fear of punishment? Bret’s dark and simple inks move the dark comedic story along, with uneasy satire. If you listen hard enough, you can almost hear the Addam’s Family finger-snapping theme song, as you read through the basic black and white funny pages. You’ll chuckle nervously with amazement at her surreptitious ability to kill, and then, suddenly, you’ll just stop. You’ll know why.
Story and Art: Bret M. Herholz Lettering: John Shaver Cover Colors: Rori Shapiro
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy
Alterna Press provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
$1.99, 22 pgs, Full Color, Young Adult
(W) Justin M. Ryan
(A) Kristian Rossi
Set for release on February 10th, 2016
When a strange visitor crash lands in the forest, one man will do everything he can to protect his child – but at what cost?
Alterna AnniverSERIES: DIARY OF THE BLACK WIDOW
FREE, 32 pgs, BW, Young Adult
(W/A) Bret M. Herholz
Set for release on February 3rd, 2016
Seduction. Murder. Intrigue! The Black Widow strikes again and it’s up to an oblivious Detective Inspector and his helper to solve the case… or not?
The Alterna AnniverSERIES celebrates 10 years of quality creator-owned comics. A perfect starting point for some of our most popular titles!
Continuing to grow in their 10th anniversary year, Alterna Comics has announced an exclusive deal with IPG to expand their print and digital lineup into the global book market. As per the specifications of the deal, Alterna will retain control over their accounts at comiXology and at Diamond Comics Distributors.
Alterna currently has book distribution with Partners Publishers Group but that contract will be coming to a close over the next few months.
IPG will be rolling out Alterna’s lineup in their Fall Catalog with frontlist titles and key backlist titles that will see release dates between September 2016 and March 2017. Planned frontlist releases are The Chair (SEP 2016), Corktown (SEP 2016), The Alterna Anniverseries Anthology (OCT 2016), IF Anthology: Super Powers (NOV 2016).
Chase movies are somewhat addictive as they bring us in and have us root for who would otherwise be the bad guys. They pull us in by letting us get to know exactly who these characters are. We tend to feel for them because we know exactly what their motivations are and it is never just about the big score. One such movie that falls into this, is Gone in 60 Seconds, as we root for the main character because he is doing this to save his brother.
Another chase movie that comes to mind and is more iconic every time I watch it is Warriors. A gang being chased around the city for being framed for killing a beloved leader. A chase that lasts a whole night and the entire span of city, as they fear for their lives, while narrowly escaping death at every turn. These type of movies are few and far between these days, as chase movies are more elaborate and tend to rely on CGI and special effects more than anything. Then I read Clusterf@#k, which brought up all the feels when I used to watch those movies.
Clusterf@#k is one of those books, where it is not only intriguing but funny, in a good way, as this no ordinary chase , as it is one filed with supernatural creatures everywhere. The reader is introduced to Jim and Karl, a pair of private investigators, who are looking into homeless abductions throughout the city, as they are trapped in a pit, by a vampire, where he soon finds out Karl’s major secret. Soon , the guys are embroiled in a mess bigger than they bargained for as they get tasked with protecting a goat boy who is wanted by werewolves, vampires, every supernatural creature in the city plus government agents.By book’s end, our heroes has not only eluded all these sketchy characters but also saved the city.
Overall, a quick witted and action packed story that not only elicits memories of those movies but brings a brave twist to this genre. The story by Jon Parrish a thrill ride, which is parts Slither and parts Judgment Day. The art by Diego Toro, is quite wondrous and interesting, and fits this story well. Altogether, a fun ride that is well worth the price of admission.
Story: Jon Parrish Art: Diego Toro
Story: 9 Art: 8 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy
Alterna provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
