Antarctica #4
(W) Simon Birks (A) Willi Roberts
Cover B by Koi Turnbull
Cover C – The Walking Dead 20th Anniversary Variant by Giuseppe Cafaro
In Shops: Oct 18, 2023
After tragedy strikes the group, they must dig deep and use all their skills just to stay alive. After another startling discovery, Dr. Curtis puts a gun to the head of alt-Jim. Will Hannah give herself up to save him? And just who are the new unwelcome visitors?
Due to the positive response, Top Cow Productions’ latest sci-fi adventure series, Antarctica by Simon Birks and Willi Roberts has been greenlit to be an ongoing series. The sci-fi comic was originally solicited as a five issue series.
Though Antarctica has been a unique blend of Stargate and His Dark Materials, the second arc will throw readers back to a time before Hannah’s father, Jerome, disappeared. The creators will continue to deliver twists and turns, introduce new characters—both good and bad—and the excitement and mystery will continue to play out against the backdrop of snow and ice.
Antarctica #6 Cover A by Willi Roberts and Antarctica #6 Cover B by Lyndon White will be in comic shops on Wednesday, December 13 and also available on digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.
THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST. It’s Christmas Eve. Hannah is seven years old and looking forward to spending the holidays with her father, but when she wakes on Christmas morning, things don’t seem right. Jerome is acting suspiciously; the windows are showing the same scenes over and over again, and someone, or something, is waiting for her on the other side of the wall…
Hannah’s life imploded the day her father failed to return from the secretive Smith-Petersen Research Station in Antarctica. Alone and on the street, she’s at her lowest ebb when a friend offers help. Retrained as an engineer, Hannah secures a job at the same Antarctic station to search for her father and stumbles headfirst into a conspiracy that threatens everything she’s ever believed. Antarctica #1 kicks off an intriguing mystery, you just need to ignore some things to enjoy it.
Written by Simon Birks, Antarctica #1 is an interesting start. We’re given a bit of an emotional ride as we learn about Hannah and her father and her slide after he disappears. It’s a hell of a slide that’s not really explained. While her emotional fallout makes sense, she also becomes homeless living on the streets. None of that is explained, it overall feels like a rather unneeded journey for Hannah. She is befriended by a bar owner, is encouraged to go to school, and then gets hired by the same company her father worked for. What? It’s a journey that feels a bit like a stretch. It’s never explained how she can afford school. The company not connecting her to her father feels a bit odd as well. It’s small details that feel like a bump on the journey to the morse interesting Antarctica.
The art by Willi Roberts is good. With lettering by Lyndon White, there’s a nice emotional ride in the first 2/3 of the comic as we’re taken through Hannah’s rough journey.. When we eventually get to Antarctica, there’s a coldness not in the white snow, but in the blacks, greys, and reds of the location. It’s all decent art but nothing quite jumps out or really uses its locations to deliver a bit more to the journey.
Antarctica #1 is an ok start. It takes a while to get going and there’s some odd distractions along the way but the end of the comic delivers. It’s enough to want to see what happens next, let’s hope it gets more to the point going forward.
Story: Simon Birks Art: Willi Roberts Letterer: Lyndon White
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read
Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle
Top Cow Productions, Inc. has announced Antarctica by Simon Birks and Willi Roberts, set to release on July 12th, 2023. Antarctica is a unique blend of Stargate and His Dark Materials, with an emotionally driven story that is sure to captivate readers.
Conceptualized and written by award-winning screenwriter Simon Birks, Antarctica follows the journey of a young engineer named Hannah, whose life imploded the day her father failed to return from the secretive Smith-Petersen Research Station in AntarcticaAlone and on the street, she’s at her lowest ebb when a friend offers help. Retrained as an engineer, Hannah secures a job at the same Antarctic station to search for her father and stumbles headfirst into a conspiracy that threatens everything she’s ever believed.
Explore a mysterious new world that Birks and Roberts created and unlock the secret of Antarctica.
Antarctica #1 Cover A by Willi Roberts and Cover B by Lyndon White will be in comic shops on July 12 and also available for purchase on digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.
STAIRWAY Anthology
(W) Kevin Cuffe, Simon Birks, Carlos Giffoni, Joseph A. Michael, Mark Schmidt, Octavio Karbank, Christopher Preece, Austin Allen Hamblin, Omar Spahi, Frank Martin
(A) Alberto Jiménez Alburquerque, Donny Tran, Eva Cabrera, Livio Ramondelli, Balazs Valyogos, Andrea Mutti, Atilio Rojo, Christian Dibari
Genetic manipulation, paradox, alternative histories, and much more are included in this 128-page anthology of hard science fiction and genre stories! From some of the best up-and-coming talent in comics comes a mind-bending look at what makes us human.
Anthology shows are a thing these days, as increasingly networks are considering the format, because of the flexibility. As the rigors of telling a story, but conventional means, has stifled not only creators but also audiences. One such example of unconventional storytelling is the popular This Is Us, where the story is not only told form two timelines but also various characters, all interconnected, and each story sharing the same message of that episode. During all this, the story evokes all senses and emotions, form laughter to tears, the show reaches us every viewer.
A genre show, which does the same thing, but adds some scares, is the almost undefinable Room 104, which has just about touched every genre since it has entered popular media. The very fist episode, manipulated viewer’s understanding of multiple personalities and lets the audience know of the costs of not identifying it. In the tenth issue of Comichaus, each creator brings their “A game,” as some conclude their stories and others bring it to a climax. In the fourth part of Homeopaths, our heroes eventually defeat the evil Doctor, and though they are a bit scarred from what she did to them, they both could now finally get a good night’s sleep.
In the conclusion to “Mandy The Monster Hunter,” our heroine soon finds out that no tall monsters are bad, and peace can have attained without killing each other. In “Splendid Grins,” a man of the law finds himself at odds, as he questions his reason for being. In the conclusion to “Cold,” our heroine ends the evil that destroyed her life for the last time. In the last story, “The Lost Legionnaire,” a group of Roman soldiers gets trapped in a forest full of supernatural creatures, before meeting their fate.
Overall, a strong group of stories which not only anchor this issue but makes this one of the premiere books for all readers. The stories by the creator are strong, smart and most of all, entertaining. The art by the creators more than complement the stories. Altogether, another strong installment in what is an excellent series.
Story: Sambrook/Jones, Matt Warner, Fraser Campbell, Simon Birks, Gary Welsh
Art: Gavin Fullerton, Vincent Hunter, Iain Laurie, Lyndon White, Gary Welsh, Robin Jones
Story: 9.6 Art: 9.4 Overall: 9.8 Recommendation: Buy
Having just watched the documentary Future Shock, one epiphany I had is the indie scene in for comics is huge in England. I learned a few things about how those first creators at 2000AD changed the way we see the future, not only in comics, but largely throughout popular culture. The recent boom in dystopian fiction, can be attributed to these creators, too many to name but include in their ranks are the creators of Watchmen, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. Denzel Washington’s dystopian rogue movie, Book Of Eli, has heavy influences from Judge Dredd’s Cursed Earth storyline.
Even some of the more obscure science fiction movies of the 1980s like Hardware, derives much of its story from Patty Mills stories in the storied magazine. The influence of those creators up to today can be seen in today’ s writers and artists, especially in indie comic magazines like Comichaus. In the latest issue, Homeopathos, James and Alan retrace their steps back to the mad scientist who abducted them in the first place, but unexpectedly must fight for their lives. In Mandy the Monster Hunter, Mandy has to train the children who were left as orphans due to the carnage of the monsters, as they become empowered to use their strengths to fight them.
In Cold, the survivors who are left over, try find some normalcy amongst each other, but just as they get adjusted the Colds, invade their quiet moment. In Splendid Grins, a criminal serving out his time taking out demons, finds a cult leader, whose is more than what he was told. In The Monochrome Kid, a mind melding being steals song ideas from a rival songwriter, causing chaos in his life. In Sandwiches, a demon uses people’s insecurities against them.
Overall, another strong installment for this epic series, as each issue is a fun trip. The stories contained prove that each writer are ones to watch. The art by each other artists are beautiful, especially the work done in Sandwiches. Altogether, a great issue, that proves Britain is still fertile soil for new comics talent.
Story: Robin Jones, Michael Sambrook, Matt Warner, Liam Baldwin, Simon Birks, Fraser Campbell, Dave Bowling
Art: Gavin Fullerton, Vince Hunt, Liam Baldwin, Lyndon White, Iain Laurie, Rebecca Horner, Matthew John Soffe
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy
I recently read in an article where they interviewed Charlie Adlard of Walking Dead fame with his thoughts on comics. He had been recently named, the United kingdom’s Comics laureate, an honor, which befuddles me why America has not adopted this title to honor our greatest comic creators. In the interview, what I felt most, was not only love of his craft, but his passion of comics. He even mentioned how the French, call comics, the “Ninth Art”.
The intrinsic value of comics, can only be seen by those understand what the medium yields. It is truly a convergence of storytelling and gorgeous art. In the eighth issue of ComicHaus, each creator exhibits this passion in full force. In this installment of Chalk, our heroes take on the Reaper only to land in a sanctuary that they did not see coming. In the latest installment of MIA, our heroines foil a terrorist plot but remain wanted by the police.
In this episode of Mandy, the Monster Hunter, she uncovers a underground cave filled with crystallized humans and even runs into the monster who looks to make a victim out of her as well. In the second part of Homeopathos, our protagonist gets caught in an existential dream that will change his life forever. In this installment of Cold, our heroine, finds out she has a knack for trouble finding her but she also finds out her paranoia is well founded. In Click, a man is reunited with his wife, in a probably the most extreme of cases.
Overall, an excellent issue, that proves ComicHaus is on top of their game. The stories are very well written. The art is gorgeous. Altogether, this issue proves this publishing house is not messing around.
Story: Steven Horry, Chris Robertson, Sambrook/Jones, Simon Birks, Marcello Bondi
Art: Catia Fantini, Richard MacRae, Gavin Fullerton, Lyndon White, Daniele Folegatti
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy
I have been an avid reader of Mad Magazine ever since I can remember, as have aunts that still ask do I read as they remember I read it back when I was seven. I was also a reader of Cracked Magazine. In my humble opinion, both magazines were funny, and asking me to choose one is better is nonsense. To me, it is like comparing Star Wars to Star Trek, as there really is no comparison, as both are deserving of their fanbases.
In every issue, every creator, understood their audience and was not too high on their horse not to pick on themselves. That fearlessness only lives in some of the best creators and that I what I am seeing at Comichaus. In the new installment, of Chalk, Jacqueline finds out someone is stealing souls and almost loses her life in finding out. In this installment of, MIA, our heroines are caught up as the police are on their tail and thy are on the hook for the massacre but one knows what to do next.
In Mandy the Monster Hunter, Mandy skillfully destroys a monster and reloads for the war on the road with the tourist couple. In new story, Homeopathos, a man fighting insomnia gets some medicine which gives him a more than he expects. In Cold, our couple gets embroiled in the middle of an outbreak, which renders some mindless flaming zombies. In new story, Gods Of a Lesser Sphere, a post-apocalyptic world, which is very familiar looking yields a new superhero which will give some readers wish fulfillment.
Overall, every story including the new stories innovate and are not scared to challenge the reader. The stories contained within, are excellent. The art makes this issue shine. Altogether, a great issue, where the reader’s imagination will reach new heights.
Story: Steven Horry, Matt Warner, Chris Robertson, Simon Birks, Jimmy Furlong, Robin Jones, Mark McCann, Michael Sambrook
Art: Catia Fantini, Norrie Millar, Ed Bickford, Vincent Hunt, Richard MacRae, Lyndon White, Andrew Hartmann, Gavin Fullerton, David Yeh
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy
I remember the very first time I picked up Epic Illustrated and how cool I thought it was. My Dad did not want me to read Heavy Metal magazine, because he thought it was crazy like the movie, and looking back he was right to some respect. This is where I first read Silver Surfer before he went on his galaxy trotting adventures in the Marvel Universe. He was a completely different character then, a much more serious figure that felt more like X-O Manowar of Valiant Universe, than his current incarnation.
There was something beautiful about how all thee creators brought their A game, and wrote stories like they had nothing to lose at the same time. In the sixth issue of their anthology, each creator reminds me of those writers/illustrators in Epic Illustrated, as thy thrive to write stories to evoke emotion. In the new installment, of Chalk, we get to see Jacqueline utilizing her full powers and up to no good, kind of like in the TV show, Angel, when he was Angelus. In the latest installment of Feather, Doug makes a promise to Sally, as each finds peace in their purpose and their eternal separation.
In Mandy the Monster Hunter, we get to see Mandy in action, as her training and instincts kick in full gear, as she destroys one monsters and recruit help to fight another. In MIA, a new story, a pair of hired guns, breakup an arms deal, which goes sideways quickly. In Cold, as our couple struggles to find a way out, the spirits within, leave a scary surprise, one that leaves them scarred. In Tipples I Time, a family gets transported back in time to the Old West but gets a little more, not only cowboys but also giant aliens.
Overall, all the new stories introduced has made this anthology series more than one to watch. The stories contained within, continue to get better. The art makes black and white panels look beautiful. Altogether, a great issue, where the reader finds a new reason to buy the next issue.
Story: Steven Horry, Dave Cook, Matt Warner, Chris Robertson, Simon Birks, Jimmy Furlong
Art: Catia Fantini, Norrie Millar, Ed Bickford, Vincent Hunt, Richard MacRae, Lyndon White, Andrew Hartmann
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy
