Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania has long been known as the home of Punxsutawney Phil – the groundhog who is said to predict the weather with his shadow. However, Punxsutawney is home to another well-known shadow… Shadowbinders, that is. It’s a popular young adult comic series by Kambrea and Thomas Pratt.

Shadowbinders quietly appeared online in 2010 and since become one of the most popular fantasy comics on the internet. The story centers on an ordinary teenaged girl named Mia White, and a magic ring she inherits from her recently deceased grandfather. The ring transports Mia to another world, where she meets airship captain Crimson Rhen — a roguish mage –and his motley crew.

In addition to the fantasy elements, the comic features an aesthetic known as “steampunk.” That is, it features themes and design elements one would expect to see in the Victorian era — the “age of steam.

Last year the couple turned to Kickstarter to self-publish an omnibus graphic novel collection of Shadowbinders through their own company, Clownfish Studios LLC.

The Pratts say they work very closely together on the comic, and at times pull their children into the creative process by running story ideas past them and even taking them to comic conventions.

The success of Shadowbinders has led the couple to create a spinoff project: a middle grade graphic novel called Crimson Rhen of the True North. The Pratts say that story is intended for younger readers and also serves as a prequel to the Shadowbinders series.

While a preview of Crimson Rhen has recently appeared online on the Shadowbinders website, the Pratts say that they haven’t settled on a publishing plan yet.

The graphic novel collection Shadowbinders: Book One is available through many retailers including Amazon, as well as comic shops nationwide. The book features the first six chapters of the webcomic, as well as previously unreleased bonus material.

In order to set himself up with a cushy job post graduation, Heller Wilson takes on a subject for his PhD thesis at the behest of his advisor. This leads him to meet with Dr. Spencer Brownfield, a disgraced Columbia professor who spent his career researching Complex Theory, the idea that one can use mathematics to predict large-scale outcomes caused by minute changes in environment. At first, Dr. Brownfield seems crazy, but Heller soon discovers that the doctor’s research might be the only thing keeping New York City from destroying itself from the inside out!

I love math. I also like systems. So, when I first heard the pitch of writer Charles Soule‘s new release from Archaia, my ears perked up. The story takes a very complex idea and boils it down in an easy to understand story. Strange Attractors to me is the flip side of those whimsical tales where stories interconnect and coincidences lead to some great thing. Usually those moments are chalked up to fate or luck, but in this story by Soule, we learn maybe things are a bit more manipulated than we think?

To hear Soule talk, not just about the concept of this story but his love of New York City, you get sucked in. You can tell there’s a special place for the Big Apple in his heart, but at the same time, he’s amazed it works at all. He stands in awe of what’s described as “the greatest city on the planet.” This tale gets you to think about the concept of how that city can even function at the level it does. What does it take to take a complex organism like New York City to work? No matter where we live, we’ve experienced the chaos and spiraling breakdowns as simple as a light being out or maybe an accident forcing us to take a different route. Now think of that on the level of a small place lived in by millions. This story takes that concept, and the complex systems and math that underlies it all, and lays it out to a tale of a new age magician. One that doesn’t do tricks as we think of them, but instead is able to manipulate the surroundings around him to end up with a desired result.

We’ve all heard of the Butterfly Effect, think of that, but with acts that go on around us every single day. It’s a magical story with an underlying dread about it as well as the build up to avoid catastrophe draws nearer. The story got me to pause and think about what it takes for my world to function and function smoothly, and it’s amazing that it functions at all, and that’s part of the point of the book. We take for granted all that we do every day, and few stop to realize the complex systems that have to run perfectly for us to not notice even the hint of issues. It also gets you to wonder what chain reactions you might have caused yourself. It has you think and ask yourself why a city like New York was able to recover from 9/11 so quickly while New Orleans struggles to this day post Katrina. What factors go into making that sort of function happen?

The book combines mysticism with mathematics with a dash of Wildstorm’s Ex Machina thrown in. The energy exudes the pages with art by Greg Scott. As things ramp up and processes break down, his art reflects the build up and dread partially through the brilliant use of color.

Strange Attractors is Soule’s love letter to New York, and through this he shows us some of its magic.

Story: Charles Soule Art: Greg Scott Cover: Dan Duncan
Story: 9.5 Art: 9 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy

Archaia provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

ADVENTURE TIME: PLAYING WITH FIRE

Written by Danielle Corsetto
Art Zack Sterling
SC, 32pgs, FC, SRP: $3.99
Diamond Code: FEB13 0825

Join Flame Princess, alongside Finn and Jake, as she leaves the Flame Kingdom and goes on her very first adventure! Written by acclaimed cartoonist Danielle Corsetto (GIRLS WITH SLINGSHOTS) and drawn by rising star Zack Sterling (BRAVEST WARRIORS, ADVENTURE TIME). A pocket black and white edition appealing to fans of SCOTT PILGRIM and Japanese manga!

One of my favorite writers is Charles Soule and one of my favorite publishers is Archaia. So when I heard Soule’s Strange Attractors was being published by Archaia, I was super excited.

In order to set himself up with a cushy job post graduation, Heller Wilson takes on a subject for his PhD thesis at the behest of his advisor. This leads him to meet with Dr. Spencer Brownfield, a disgraced Columbia professor who spent his career researching Complex Theory, the idea that one can use mathematics to predict large-scale outcomes caused by minute changes in environment. At first, Dr. Brownfield seems crazy, but Heller soon discovers that the doctor’s research might be the only thing keeping New York City from destroying itself from the inside out! Includes a bonus section of complexity maps created by Robert Saywitz.

It’s a pretty out-there concept and one that’s creative and unique. Can’t wait to sit down and tear through it.

Below find out the rest of our picks in alphabetical order.

• Strange Attractors – See above.
• Dream Thief #1 – After stealing an Aboriginal mask from a museum, John Lincoln realizes that the spirits of the vengeful dead are possessing his body and mind while he sleeps! His old problems have been replaced by bloody hands and the disposal of bodies—and now remembering where he spent last night has never been more important! Sounds cool to me!
  
• Dream Merchant #1 – A double-size issue to kick off a new sci-fi series from Nathan Edmondson and newcomer Konstantin Novosadov. Haunted by recurring dreams, a boy named Winslow is hunted by mysterious beings and protected by an old traveler. Soon Winslow will realize that what is in his dreams is what the rest of the world has been made to forget–and what strange entities will stop at nothing to erase from his mind.
  
• Age of Ultron #8 – The series is at a point where anything can happen. The event is finally at an exciting point where everything is on the table.
  
• Adventure Time Vol. 1: Playing Fire – The first Adventure Time graphic novel? Yes please!
  
• Battlestar Galactica #1 – A new comic based on the cult classic television series.
  
• Mark Waid’s Green Hornet #2 – This is written by Mark Waid. That reason alone it’s a buy.
• Regular Show #1 – The cartoon series comes out from kaBOOM! They’ve been rocking the kids books, so hope this keeps it up.
  
• Remind Vol. 1 – This one is one of my favorite convention finds. Such an amazing web series collected.
  
• Remind Vol. 2 – The first volume = awesome. That goes for the second as well.

It’s a new week with the new Star Trek this week! Today we’ve got a new Facebook statistics post. This time we’re covering a certain Dark Knight. Also, tonight is a new episode of Graphic Policy Radio.

Around the Tubes

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – On the Ropes

In 2012, an African guerrilla leader broke into America’s pop-culture consciousness. Africa watchers had long been warning about the Lord’s Resistance Army and their murderous acts, but only after a viral documentary and social media campaign sparked public interest did Joseph Kony become the subject of a worldwide movement. But crucial questions remained: who was Kony, and where did he come from? Veteran graphic journalist David Axe and illustrator Tim Hamilton attempt to give those not familiar with Kony and the LRA and easy to follow and understand guide to their crimes.

Army of God draws from Axe’s on-the-ground reporting a depicts the bloody history of Central Africa and the struggles for power that have beleaguered the continent for decades. The graphic novel begins with the colonial abuse of the region, through the rise of Kony and his claim in 1991 that spiritual beings had come to him with instructions to lead his group of rebels through modern times including the KONY 2012 campaign and attempts to bring the wanted man to justice.

Axe takes an interesting narrative tract, presenting the history of these events as we know them, but also shows the atrocities committed through the experiences of several regular Africans. It’s effective and gives a good idea as to what has occurred.

I wouldn’t call this a deep account of history. It’s a good Cliff’s Notes version. It tells you the history from colonial days to the modern times and the failure by recent United States President’s to bring Kony to justice. It also dips into some of the activism concerning the LRA and the infamous viral video by Invisible Children. While the video was important and some of the negativity surrounding it is talked about, there might too big of a focus on the non-profit organization and not enough criticism of their activities or their long-term impact. There is some there, but overall for those of us who work in the non-profit/political arena that criticism alone could fill a book. It feels a bit out-of-place and the inclusion of the activism seems out-of-place.

The graphic novel though left me in a good spot as to my understanding of Kony and the LRA and some of the difficulties and hurdles experienced in bringing them to justice. This is a handy read for those who want to learn more and aren’t sure where to start, but this is definitely not the a deep historical look.

For those that want to learn more about the LRA’s history, this is a great place to start.

Story: David Axe Art: Tim Hamilton
Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Public Affairs Books provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

We praised the graphic novel Silence & Co. and now they’ve released a trailer to wet your appetite.

And, if that isn’t enough for you to pick this up, here’s a 19 page preview.

STRANGE ATTRACTORS

Original Graphic Novel Hardcover
Retail Price: $19.95 U.S.
Page Count: 128 pages
Format: hardcover, 6.625” x 10.25”, full color
Genre: Sci-Fi
Ship Date: May 15 in comic shops, May 28 wherever books are sold
Rating: T – TEEN (12 and up, may contain mild violence or mild profanity)
Written by Charles Soule
Illustrated by Greg Scott
Cover by Dan Duncan

In order to set himself up with a cushy job post graduation, Heller Wilson takes on a subject for his PhD thesis at the behest of his advisor. This leads him to meet with Dr. Spencer Brownfield, a disgraced Columbia professor who spent his career researching Complex Theory, the idea that one can use mathematics to predict large-scale outcomes caused by minute changes in environment. At first, Dr. Brownfield seems crazy, but Heller soon discovers that the doctor’s research might be the only thing keeping New York City from destroying itself from the inside out! Includes a bonus section of complexity maps created by Robert Saywitz.

Five years ago, Arjun Kadam was a rising star in the ranks of the Mumbai Encounter Squad—an elite unit tasked by the powers that be to carry out extrajudicial executions of notorious gangsters. However, the death of his pregnant wife at childbirth derailed his life and set him off on a spiral of depression and drug addiction. When Kadam is the victim of a hit-and-run, he falls into a coma for a month. Upon waking up, he finds a new sense of purpose and pursues the investigation into the identity of the driver after the cops close the case due to a lack of leads. His investigation takes him on a journey through the deep, dark heart of Mumbai, where the line between the police and the criminals has been blurred by his ex-colleagues on the Encounter Squad. Obsessed with his mission, Kadam sets off a desperate game of intrigue and deception that pits him against the very machine of violence and corruption he once helped create.

I’m a fan of noir/crime/cop stories. It’s a genre I can’t get enough of. Mumbai Confidential, not only scratches that itch, but sets its world in a setting I’m totally unfamiliar with Mumbai, India. This is a world, and characters you just don’t see in modern “western” comics. A setting so fresh, that alone makes me want to recommend the graphic novel.

On top of all of that, we get a fantastic story. The series is broken down into chapters, like a good dime novel and each chapter reveals a sliver of the story. It might reference something that is later revealed in another chapter. With that, we the reader are kept on our toes as the bigger picture is slowly revealed.

While some of the characters might seem like cookie cutter write by numbers, there’s enough twist and turns and depth that isn’t the case. Yes we have the disgraced cop who is really a decent guy. Yes we have the crooked cop. But, there’s so much more that is slowly revealed. While it might at first seem like familiar stories of the past, the layers added on chapter after chapter makes that not the case.

Add on top of that art which not only fits the gritty feel and setting of the writing. but enhances it. Page layouts and the flow of the art make it a solid experience to not just read, but also look at.

On top of the main story, we get interludes that flesh out some of the other characters, creating a side story. While the art is a different style, the story is as solid as the main attraction.

Mumbai Confidential is in the spirit of the dime store noir/crime stories I love. I found myself not just sucked in, but sucked in so much I had to complete it in one day. It’s look, characters and voice is something unique in the comic industry. Here’s hoping folks are willing to take a chance on this gem.

Story: Saurav Mohapatra Art: Vivek Laxman Shinde, with shorts by Vinay Brahmania, Shounak Jog, Sid Kotian, Devaki Neogi and Saumin Patel
Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Archaia provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

MUMBAI CONFIDENTIAL BOOK 1: GOOD COP, BAD COP

Original Graphic Novel Hardcover
Retail Price: $24.95 U.S.
Page Count: 152 pages
Format: hardcover, 6.625” x 10.25”
Genre: Crime
Ship Date: May 8 in comic shops, May 21 wherever books are sold
Written by Saurav Mohapatra
Illustrated by Vivek Laxman Shinde, with shorts by Vinay Brahmania, Shounak Jog, Sid Kotian, Devaki Neogi and Saumin Patel
Cover by: Vivek Laxman Shinde
Rating: M – MATURE (18 and up, may contain nudity, profanity, excessive violence and other content not suitable for minors)

Five years ago, Arjun Kadam was a rising star in the ranks of the Mumbai Encounter Squad—an elite unit tasked by the powers that be to carry out extrajudicial executions of notorious gangsters. However, the death of his pregnant wife at childbirth derailed his life and set him off on a spiral of depression and drug addiction. When Kadam is the victim of a hit-and-run, he falls into a coma for a month. Upon waking up, he finds a new sense of purpose and pursues the investigation into the identity of the driver after the cops close the case due to a lack of leads. His investigation takes him on a journey through the deep, dark heart of Mumbai, where the line between the police and the criminals has been blurred by his ex-colleagues on the Encounter Squad. Obsessed with his mission, Kadam sets off a desperate game of intrigue and deception that pits him against the very machine of violence and corruption he once helped create. This hardcover collection features a Foreword by Ron Marz (Witchblade, Green Lantern) and includes a set of illustrated short stories.