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Preview – Fathom: Kiani (Vol. 2) #1

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FATHOM: KIANI (vol 2) #1

Vince Hernandez – writer / Oliver Nome – art / John Starr – colors

The Blue’s fiercest warrior returns as FATHOM: KIANI vol 2 begins!

In Volume One, she discovered her true identity. Later, she was labeled a dissident by her own people. Finally, she was killed by Aspen Matthews…

Now, Kiani is back—and she’s pissed!

The searing wrath of Kiani starts now as one of the most popular—and dangerous—heroines in the Aspen Universe returns in this all new epic mini-series! The tides of war have settled between the race of Humans and the underwater race known as the Blue, however, the pact between the two civilizations is not without dissent and retaliatory violence deep below the tides. Amidst this chaotic uncertainty within the cities of the Blue, Kiani shockingly returns with her own vengeance in mind against those who sought to end her goal of a unified…and superior race. Now, with her sudden arrival all bets are off, as her powerful Elite Blue powers have not only returned—but now, they are even stronger!

Brought to you by the creative team of Vince Hernandez, Oliver Nome and John Starr, FATHOM: KIANI vol 2 #1 is a must have for any Fathom fan!

In stores Wednesday April 11, 2012!

Preview – Fathom: Kiani Vol. 2 #0

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FATHOM: KIANI (vol 2) #0

Vince Hernandez – writer / Oliver Nome – art / John Starr – colors

The Blue’s fiercest warrior returns as FATHOM: KIANI vol 2 begins!

In Volume One, she discovered her true identity. Later, she was labeled a dissident by her own people. Finally, she was killed by Aspen Matthews…

Now, Kiani is back—and she’s pissed!

This all-new Fathom saga kicks off with the return of one of the Aspen Universe’s favorite heroines, Kiani, as she returns to the awe-inspiring underwater world of the Blue seeking vengeance for her past! The neutral truce between the Humans and the Blue has taken an emotional toll on the inhabitants under the surface—and their future as a unified body remains uncertain. Now, all bets are off as Kiani’s true power and capabilities—as well as shocking secrets from the past– are revealed in this pulse-pounding zero issue!

Brought to you by Vince Hernandez, Oliver Nome and John Starr, this debut zero issue features a brand-new 12-page story that sets the stage for next month’s upcoming premiere of FATHOM: KIANI vol 2 #1. Accompanied by an additional sketchbook section and never before seen designs and art, make sure to dive right in and pick up, FATHOM: KIANI!!

FATHOM: KIANI (vol 2) #0 is in stores March 14h, 2012!

Preview – Soulfire (Vol. 3) #7

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SOULFIRE (vol 3) #7

J.T. Krul – Writer / Jason Fabok – Art / John Starr – Colors

The magic has returned! But, this time…the light has grown dark.

While all-out war rages on in the Everlands, Onyx hopes to call it something else – genocide!  If she has her way, Grace and the rest of the Rahtumi will be massacred. Luckily, Malikai arrives just in time to help, but will he save the day or ensure doom comes to all?

New adversaries, exotic locations, and a fresh cast of exciting characters, including some from the Soulfire Universe’s long forgotten past, reign supreme in this epic third SOULFIRE volume!

SOULFIRE (VOL 3) #7 is in stores February 15th , 2012!

Preview – Soulfire (Vol. 3) #6

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Soulfire Vol. 3 #6

J.T. Krul – Writer / Jason Fabok – Art / John Starr – Colors

The magic has returned! But, this time…the light has grown dark.

Following his vicious encounter with the mysterious, unearthly Chaos creatures, MALIKAI finds himself alone once again, while fighting a bizarre—and potentially fatal – virus. Is the Samusara, the Bearer of the Light possibly dying? Or, is this something far worse? Malikai must journey back to the magical realm of The Everlands and reunite with Grace for answers, but instead, he finds himself at the center of an age-old war of magic!

New adversaries, exotic locations, and a fresh cast of exciting characters, including some from the Soulfire Universe’s long forgotten past, reignsupreme in this epic third SOULFIRE volume!

In stores January 4th, 2012!

Preview – Soulfire (Vol 3) #5

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SOULFIRE (vol 3) #5

J.T. Krul – Writer / Ryan Odagawa & Jason Fabok – Art / John Starr – Colors

The magic has returned! But, this time…the light has grown dark.

The journey back through the ages continues, shedding light on the fates of the bearers of the light, the Samsuras that came before Malikai. As he discovers more about the unbridled magic surging within him, as well as the inherent dangers that can accompany such power, the present day will finally take center stage in the timeline of the Soulfire universe! Yet, all bearers are not effortlessly pure of heart, and those of the past have often found solace in the dark pleasures of others’ suffering—even those who may possess the wondrous ability of flight.

New adversaries, exotic locations, and a fresh cast of exciting characters, including some from the Soulfire Universe’s long forgotten past, reign supreme in this epic third SOULFIRE volume!

SOULFIRE (VOL 3) #5 is in stores November 2nd, 2011!

Aspen Comics Review – Executive Assistant: Violet #3

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Aspen Comics‘ summer event The Hitlist Agenda has been really interesting.  At first glance, you see a lot of curvy women kicking ass.  It’s a lot of barbie dolls, in crazy gear, shooting guns.  But dig a little deeper, and there’s an interesting inter-weaving plot involving corporate take overs and double crosses and a war involving Pakistan and India.  It all got a bit confusing and I’m still not quite sure what’s going on.

Executive Assistant: Violet #3 sees Violet fighting against the chip Duncan Villone implanted in her and trying not to kill her employer.

The clutches of “The Hit List Agenda” begin to squeeze the life out of Executive Assistant Violet as she discovers the horrific means by which a power-hungry mogul will go to control her. However, Violet begins to show she possesses her own strength—in numbers—and the fight to survive will be a bloody one! The end is here as Violet decides the only way to survive is to kill her way out!

Unlike all of the other EA titles, this one is mostly fighting and shooting and running, all action, it’s a bit emptier, but it’s just one chapter in a larger story.  But there’s some nice moments.  Violet’s personal life is dragged into it all, which nicely circles back to the first issue that helped humanize her as a character.  It’s cool to see and there’s something fun about a tough woman kicking ass.  My only issue with the action is it wasn’t as over the top as I’d like.  It’s a comic, why not go crazy and do things you couldn’t do in a movie?

There’s still a few issues left in The Hitlist Agenda and I’m still slightly confused as to what Villone’s overall plan is.  But, there’s one thing that’s a given, lots of women kicking ass.

Story – Marc Andreyko, Art- Pop Mahn, Colors – John Starr

Story: 7.5 Art: 8 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Buy

Aspen Comics provided Graphic Policy with an advance copy of this issue for FREE for review.

Preview – Executive Assistant: Violet #3

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Official Press Release

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: VIOLET #3

Marc Andreyko – Story / Pop Mahn – Art / John Starr – Colors

“The Hit List Agenda” heats up for Executive Assistant: Violet!

The clutches of “The Hit List Agenda” begin to squeeze the life out of Executive Assistant Violet as she discovers the horrific means by which a power-hungry mogul will go to control her. However, Violet begins to show she possesses her own strength—in numbers—and the fight to survive will be a bloody one! The end is here as Violet decides the only way to survive is to kill her way out!

Aspen’s first ever Summer-spanning event, “The Hit List Agenda” continues right here in the pages of EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: VIOLET!

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: VIOLET #3 is in stores September 28th, 2011!

Aspen Comics Review – Broken Pieces #1, Exective Assistant: Lotus #3, Fathom (vol 4) #2 and Soulfire (vol 3) #4

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It’s another week and that means a whole bunch of releases from Aspen Comics.  The books are varied ranging from fantasy to horror, political thriller featuring assassins to one featuring water creatures.  The quality is a bit mixed too, but there’s a little something for everyone.

Broken Pieces #1

BROKEN_PIECES-01a-KaneshiroMark Roslan – Writer / Micah Kaneshiro – Art

I decided to reread the #0 issue along with this first issue in the new series from Aspen Comics.  Overall, I have to say the book is pretty solid.  It’s the future and what seems like a terrorist attack has destroyed the Gulf Coast and launched a disease that seems to do some funky stuff as far as your skin and organs.

The story begins as a corporation comes to a promising doctor who may hold the key to stopping the disease, but what’s everyone’s goals?  Is it to stop it, is it to just fix people affected?  Also, the area of infection is moving northwards and refugees line along the Virginia and North Carolina border.  There’s a bit of a political tone along with the horror vibe of the comic.

Then the end of the first issue comes around and everything gets flipped.  The first issue is all set up, and what this comic seems to be about, or at least it’s focus, doesn’t really reveal itself until the end of that first issue.  The comic is solid overall and kept me on my toes.  What I thought the direction of the comic would be, that doesn’t seem to be the case.  It’s a solid first issue and definitely worth the look.

Story: 8 Art: 7.75 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: LOTUS #3

Vince Hernandez – Story / Oliver Nome – Art / Emilio Lopez – Colors

Do you like hot chicks with swords and guns kicking the crap out of each other?  How about deadly assassins fighting to, well, the death?  This is the last issue of Lotus’s chapter in Aspen’s event, The Hit List Agenda.  Lotus takes on Virat who has betrayed her and sicked his students on her.  There’s lots of fighting and some kick ass scenes, and that’s really what the comic is and some times you need that.

While the three issues for this series has been entertaining, it really is a piece of the bigger event puzzle.  I’ve read it all now, so get a the big picture, for the most part, and I don’t know how enjoyable the series might be on it’s own.  I liked it though, but can’t really separate the limited series from the bigger picture.

Overall The Hitlist Agenda has been entertaining mixing a lot of action, with some intrigue and a lot of machinations and maneuvering usually saved for political thrillers.  I’m still not quite totally clear as to what the end game is, but the end of Lotus is a great bookend to it’s beginning.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Fathom (vol. 4) #2

Scott Lobdell – Writer / Alex Konat – Pencils / Beth Sotelo – Colors

Four volumes in and this is the first issue I’ve ever read of Fathom.  I always had it in the back of my head that this was Michael Turner’s Aquaman, but with a hot chick.  I also came in on this issue worried that with four volumes and one issue behind it, I might be a bit lost, that quickly went away.

The story is pretty cool.  An underwater race have been plotting to kill the President and Vice President and are posing as their Secret Service detail.  Aspen must rush to save the Vice President.  There’s a lot of action here, but the pacing is damn perfect with a great countdown feel to it.  I had no idea what the result would be.  Will she get there in time?

The art is beautiful here and I had no idea picking up what was going on, who everyone was, and some of what came before.  It might be a second issue, but it was still an easy entry point.  I can see myself really getting into this one, and looking forward to what’s to come.

Story: 8 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Soulfire (vol. 3) #4

J.T. Krul – Writer / Jason Fabok – Art / John Starr – Colors

This is my second issue into the series, and I still don’t quite get it.  The teaser for this issue promised, “This is THE issue Soulfire fans will not want to miss as long-burning questions will finally be illuminated!”  I read it and couldn’t tell you what that is.  There’s some decent art, but this series just isn’t for me.

I’m still trying to figure out the reason.  It might be that I’m not the biggest fan of fantasy, which this leans towards.  There’s a lot of history here, and I don’t know any of it.  It relies heavily on that continuity, again I’m behind the eight ball with that.

It’s very possible if I went back to the beginning and started to read the series, my opinion might be different, but this issue like the last, just isn’t clicking with me.

Story: 6.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7 Recommendation: Pass

Aspen Comics provided Graphic Policy with an advance copy of these issues for FREE for review.

Preview – Soulfire (vol 3) #4

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Official Press Release

SOULFIRE (vol 3) #4

J.T. Krul – Writer / Jason Fabok – Art / John Starr – Colors

The magic has returned! But, this time…the light has grown dark.

The long-awaited answers to Malikai’s early years and his connection to the past Samusaras—or Bearers of the Light—are revealed! Journey back to the orphanage where Malikai grew up and see firsthand the deadly quests of past incarnations of the Samusara as this milestone issue is so epic it can be only be told by not one—but two—amazing artists. This is THE issue Soulfire fans will not want to miss as long-burning questions will finally be illuminated!

New adversaries, exotic locations, and a fresh cast of exciting characters, including some from the Soulfire Universe’s long forgotten past, reign supreme in this epic third SOULFIRE volume!

SOULFIRE (VOL 3) #4 is in stores September 21st, 2011!

Aspen Comics Review – Executive Assistant: Violet #2 and Soulfire #3

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It’s our second batch of reviews for Aspen Comics.  This time we’re covering two books Executive Assistant: Violet #2 and Soulfire #3.  Mindfield #6 is also being released this week, but you can find our review for it last week.

Executive Assistant: Violet #2

Marc Andreyko – Story, Pop Mahn – Art, John Starr – Colors

I’m digging the Hit List Agenda event.  The overall storyline has a lot of political and business intrigue involved, though I’m not quite sure what that bigger picture is.  But, to focus on this issue, it’s solid as I’d expect.  I finished feeling the same way I felt about the other comics involved in this story line.  What’s different about Executive Assistant: Violet #2 is that it delves into the personal life of the main character Violet more.  Half the comic involves that, even with the action.  And that simple difference, makes this one stand out a little bit more than the other three similar comics I read.  I walked away caring a bit more about the main character, and because of that cared more about her actions, and what happened to her.  That’s not to say there still isn’t a bad-ass chick kicking ass in this.

What’s a bit down is the art.  It’s still good, but I felt in the latter half of the book during the big fight scene there were some positions that seemed odd and lack of transition in motion that made me pause.  For instance Violet jumps through a window, which looks great, but in the next panel she’s standing there.  The two are a bit abrupt due to that.

As much as the story improves on the Executive Assistant comics, the art is just a tad less impressive.  But, just like those series, I absolutely want to read more and see what happens next.

Story: 8.25 Art: 7 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Soulfire (Vol 3) #3

J.T. Krul – Writer, Jason Fabok – Art, John Starr – Colors

I’m going to right out say, I feel like a jerk for what I’m about to say.  The difficulty in reviewing a comic book series that’s already started is you’re often left without knowing what has come before.  Some comics you can pick up no problem.  Others, not so much.  This comic falls into the latter.  I honestly was so very confused by the comic.  From what I can tell there’s the real world and a fantasy world both have magic.  The fantasy world has two factions.  In the real world there’s these strange monsters who seem to be attacking people, but no one seems to really be reacting to this fact and go about their lives.  Here’s the description of the comic:

The magic has returned! But, this time…the light has grown dark.

The Chaos has taken over! Across the globe, the number of victims to this dark and sinister magic begins to grow quickly. But Malikai, confident with his own increasing power, encounters the Chaos with surprising results. However, the biggest challenge to Malikai’s existence will prove to be someone not looking to take his power—but his life. While in the magical kingdom of Anantia, Grace attempts to hold together the people after the vicious attack by Onyx and the murder of their esteemed leader. Yet, Grace will soon learn that the power of Onyx and the Shadow Magic are far more evil than even she could have ever anticipated!

New adversaries, exotic locations, and a fresh cast of exciting characters, including some from the Soulfire Universe’s long forgotten past, reign supreme in this epic third SOULFIRE volume!

Maybe that’ll interest you more.  I just felt lost, but I have to judge the comic before me right?

The art though is easier to judge and I like that a lot.  There’s obviously “light magic” characters, “dark magic” characters and then the real world and all three have a distinctive feel to them.  A lot of that is due to the use of colors.

The hope for any new comic I read is that I’ll be able to dive in, get at least a general sense of what was going on, and it’d make me want to check out previous issues.  While I got the most general sense, it failed to get me to want to go back.  Not my cup of tea, but it might be yours.

Story: 6.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7 Recommendation: Pass

Aspen Comics provided Graphic Policy with an advance copy of these issues for FREE for review.

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