Tag Archives: justin birch

Sea of Sorrows Explores the Horror of Being in an Alien World on Our Own Planet

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This spring from IDW Publishing, plunge headfirst into the icy waters of dread with another historic tale of terror from writer Rich Douek and artist Alex Cormack, with the all-new five issue miniseries, Sea of Sorrows! This blend of horror, folklore, and history will be sure to have you sinking into the mystery of the vast waters.

In the aftermath of the Great War, the North Atlantic is ripe for plunder by independent salvage crews. When a former naval officer hires the SS Vagabond, he leads the ship to a sunken U-boat, and a fortune in gold. Tensions mount as the crew prepares to double cross each other, but the darkness of the ocean floor holds deeper terrors than any of them have bargained for!

Seek the horror just below the surface. Sea of Sorrows by Rich Douek and Alex Cormack is slated for release May 20th. Retailer Incentive Cover by Katie Sawatsky. Colors by Alex Cormack, letters by Justin Birch. Both Rich and Alex will be attending C2E2  in Chicago, IL, Feb. 27-29th.

Mad Cave Studios Announces Stargazer

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What if four children were abducted by a UFO and implanted with stolen technology capable of destroying an ancient alien race? What if twenty years later those same aliens want what was taken from them? 

Stargazer is by writer Anthony Cleveland, with art by Antonio Fuso and Stefano Simeone. Letterer Justin Birch rounds out the creative team, to deliver a heart-wrenching sci-fi drama akin to Close Encounters and E.T.

Coming to our planet May 2020.

Stargazer

Review: The Seance Room #1 and #2

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The Seance Room is a place beyond time and space that exists inside of a castle owned by an eccentric ghost monger. Six ghosts have been trapped there, each with their own expertise of the expired. Do you dare tempt fate and enter the Seance Room?

A mix of Tales From the Crypt and Twilight Zone, The Seance Room is by Ben Goldsmith, Keyla K. Valerio, Justin Birch, Travis McIntire, Joshua Werner and published by Source Point Press.

You can get yours now:
comiXology
Source Point Press
TFAW

Review: The Seance Room #1 and #2

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The Seance Room is a place beyond time and space that exists inside of a castle owned by an eccentric ghost monger. Six ghosts have been trapped there, each with their own expertise of the expired. Do you dare tempt fate and enter the Seance Room?

A mix of Tales From the Crypt and Twilight Zone, The Seance Room is by Ben Goldsmith, Keyla K. Valerio, Justin Birch, Travis McIntire, Joshua Werner and published by Source Point Press.

You can get yours now:
comiXology
Source Point Press
TFAW

Review: G-Raver Vol. 1

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G-Raver Vol. 1

When it comes to television shows that have a rabid fan following, some can make you wonder exactly why? I never quite understood why so many people went down the rabbit hole with Lost. Especially since so many of the fans couldn’t explain it. Then there is the epic Whedonverse, which comprised initially of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. It went on to include its spinoff Angel. It can all seem weird to an outsider who doesn’t know or have ever watched either of these franchises.

It wasn’t until I sat and watched Lost and every series Joss Whedon brought to television that I understood exactly why their fans were as obsessed. It’s because it was very well written. One of those devoted franchises that is sadly ending with the upcoming season is Supernatural. Even with that show, I had to be coaxed into it and went on to become full-on obsessed myself. These series speak to a part of ourselves that is both skeptical and believes in these supernatural myths. In the first volume of G-Raver, we find a protagonist like the Winchesters, who hunt monsters but whose alter ego would make you think different.

We meet G-Raver, a professional wrestler on the XWW Extreme Wrestling circuit and who is the current champion. He’s secretly what those in the monster-hunting business refer to as a “cleanser,” someone who vanquishes anomalies on a human plane. Through the comic, he battles the supernatural like vampires, gargoyle type creates, the undead, and more. But why is this happening and what, or who is behind it all?

Overall, an action-packed book which travails the urban fantasy genre with probably its coolest protagonist. The story by Eric Watkins, is entertaining and well characterized. The art by the creative team is vivid and breathtaking. Altogether, a story which brings a new mythology and protagonist which will give readers another hero to root for.

Story: Eric Watkins
Art: Nick Wentland, Landon Franklin, Brandon Franklin, and Justin Birch
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Mad Cave Studios Announces RV9

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Writer Ben Goldsmith (The Seance Room) and artist Travis Mercer explore the futuristic streets of Italy in the year 2055 with, RV9. This fast-paced spy thriller bleeds with intrigue as colorist María Santaolalla (Unholy Grail, Brothers Dracul) and letterer Justin Birch (Knights of the Golden Sun, Road of Bones) round out the creative team.

RV9 follows former assassin, Velveteen, who is on the run from the Order of the 9, the organization that took her from her family and forced her into a life of secrecy, violence, and death. Now, after years of running, she is bringing the fight to them. With help from an American hacker, Jasper, and a rookie officer with an attitude, Inspector Pazzi, Velveteen will use everything she was taught by the Order of the 9 against them.

The 5-issue mini-series is set to launch this November! Make sure to pre-order your copy at your LCS!

RV9

Review: Road to Bones #1

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Road to Bones #1

Road to Bones #1 is a comic that I might have overlooked if it weren’t for the description.

In 1953, the Siberian Gulag of Kolyma is hell on Earth. That’s why Roman Morozov leaps at the chance to escape it. Even if they make it out, Roman and his fellow escapees still have hundreds of miles of frozen tundra between them and freedom. With the help of a mysterious being out of his childhood fairy tales, Roman just might make it. Or is the being simply a manifestation of his brutal circumstances driving him insane?

Written by Rich Douek with art by Alex Cormack, and lettering by Justin Birch, Road to Bones #1 is all about the set up. And it’s a hell of a start. While the comic takes place in 1953 and Siberia, the story itself is a familiar one. Inmates attempt to escape a brutal prison. Outside, they must face a brutal environment and each other. In that sense, the comic isn’t original. But, the presentation is top notch.

The team have focused on the emotional ride of their story. The first issue creates a tension through until it gets to its horror infused final page. That’s the brilliance of the issue. While it feels like a prison break story, it’s the infusion of the supernatural and horror which makes it really stand out. Due to that focus, there’s an emotional ride that might not be present. The setting too does add something, giving the story a brutal edge that becomes ever more apparent as it moves along.

That’s helped by Cormack’s art which adds to the setting and harsh wintery conditions of the world. Cormack’s depiction of violence also leaves more than enough to the reader’s imagination adding to the psychological horror. That always leads to an exaggeration of horrors. Birch’s lettering is excellent as well adding to the atmosphere of it all. There’s something gritty about it, adding to the harsh nature.

At first, Road to Bones #1 might not seem original but by its end, it’s a debut that’ll have you begging to read the second issue immediately.

Story: Rich Douek Art: Alex Cormack Letterer: Justin Birch
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Obey Me #1

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Obey Me #1

Sent to retrieve a soul from a debtor, Vanessa & Monty team up again, exploring the dilapidated streets of the Slums, currently taken over by the Vikers, a dangerous gang. This isn’t a regular collection job, as it seems this debtor managed to pawn his soul to two powerful demons, so there is a conflict brewing over it. Vanessa and Monty need to stay on their toes, as another Demon + Hellhound duo is on the trail of the target and it seems both duos are on a collision course.

You’ve heard the saying “If you don’t have anything nice to say…”? Well, although I didn’t hate Obey Me #1, I did find that although the concept and idea was quite interesting, the execution was lacking.

Between occasional moments where the art seemed to be unsure if it was trying to be impressionistic (look at the eyes) to the plot that feels as if it came from Action Movie E (you’re going to figure out the end within three pages), this isn’t a book that’s going to set your world on fire.

Which is a shame because under the flaws there’s a story that’s just waiting for a bit more polish and smoothing on the rough edges before it becomes a story that’s as good as it should be.

Although not an unreadable comic, there’s nothing here to justify your purchase.

Story: Mario Mentasti Art: Ben Herrera
Colourist: Emmanuel Ordaz Torres Letterer: Justin Birch
Story: 6.2 Art: 5.5 Overall: 5.8 Recommendation: Pass

Dynamite provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review.

Review: The Be-Bop Barbarians

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The Be-Bop Barbarians is a graphic novel set in the late 1950s – with jazz, the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement, and the Red Scare. Three African American cartoonists’ stories weave together through tragedy and perseverance.

The Be-Bop Barbarians is by Gary Phillips, Dale Berry, J. Brown, and Justin Birch.

Get your copy in comic shops today and book stores on February 26! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Amazon
TFAW

Pegasus Books provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review
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