Tag Archives: simon coleby

Preview: Freeway Fighter #3

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FREEWAY FIGHTER #3

Writers: Ian Livingstone, Andi Ewington
Artists: Simon Coleby, Len O’Grady
Cover A: Ben Oliver
Cover B: Simon Coleby & Len O’Grady
Cover C: Ben Willsher
Publisher: Titan Comics
FC – 32pp – $3.99 – On sale: July 12, 2017

BASED ON THE FIGHTING FANTASY BOOK FREEWAY FIGHTER BY IAN LIVINGSTONE!

The year is 2024: eighteen months after an unknown virus wiped-out over eighty-five percent of the world’s population.

Former I-400 Driver, Bella De La Rosa, is one of the remaining fifteen percent – living every day as if it were her last. Having set out for the township of New Hope, Bella and her travelling companion Ryan find themselves caught in a trap set by the cruel, post-apocalyptic highwayman known simply as the Animal, and hunted by his vicious Doom Dogs.

Preview: Ian Livingstone’s Freeway Fighter #2

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IAN LIVINGSTONE’S FREEWAY FIGHTER #2

Writers: Ian Livingstone, Andi Ewington
Artists: Simon Coleby, Len O’Grady
Cover A: Ben Oliver
Cover B: Simon Coleby & Len O’Grady
Cover C: Simon Myers
Publisher: Titan Comics
FC – 32pp – $3.99 – On sale: June 14

The year is 2024: eighteen months after an unknown virus wiped-out over eighty-five percent of the world’s population. Former I-400 Driver, Bella De La Rosa, is one of the remaining fifteen percent – living every day on the highway as if it were her last. In this dog eat dog, kill or be killed world of post-apocalyptic America, it’s hard to know who to trust, especially when certain doom waits just beyond the horizon and death stalks you at every turn.

BASED ON THE FIGHTING FANTASY BOOK FREEWAY FIGHTER BY IAN LIVINGSTONE!

Review: Freeway Fighter #1

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While I never played any of the legendary Fighting Fantasy series of gamebooks created by Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson in 1982, I remember Freeway Fighter being somewhere on the shelves of one of the comic/game shops I worked at during my teens and early 20s. My introduction to Livingstone and Jackson’s worldbuilding with Games Workshop and its numerous games, but Freeway Fighter stood out during its release by deviating from the usual mix of orcs, goblins and cave-trolls. The series went on to sell over 18 million copies worldwide and is translated in over 30 languages.

35 years later, we’re getting another chance to drive in that classic setting with a new comic series being released May 17, 2017, written by Andi Ewington and Livingstone, with art by Simon Coleby and Len O’Grady and publishing by Titan Comics.

Former I-400 Driver Bella De La Rosa is one of the 15% – living every day as if it were her last. Now, eighteen months after the collapse of civilization, faced with a new world order where violence and chaos rule the Freeway, she must hone her racing skills and survive any way she can!

The first issue is all set up introducing us to De La Rosa and then jumping ahead post collapse as she drives to survive. It’s a solid start in world building allowing readers to slowly learn about the world they’re thrust in to slowly teasing out just enough to get us to come back more. Ewington and Livingstone together have put together a first issue that feels familiar, but still very entertaining. Normally this world setting is fueled by macho male leads with women acting in a subserviant role. Their choice of Bella De La Rosa as the hero around which this series rotates is brilliant in that it adds in the excellent story choice made in Mad Max: Fury Road one that flipped the formula in some ways. The two writers give us a nod and wink of what we can expect by doing so and fills in a gap that so far no one has really picked up on, the gear head apocalypse story with some girl power acting as nitrous boost. That simple decision is one of many that makes the series stand out.

Coleby and O’Grady on art deliver a visually solid story with enough detail for us to sus out what might have happened in the months since collapse. Materials laying about, the design of vehicles, clothes being worn, those visuals all help tell the story and fill in gaps that haven’t been spelled out yet.

Freeway Fighter #1 feels like the start of a badass story that takes the original roleplaying game and infuses it with other elements that have been added to the genre since. Strap in for an entertaining ride.

Story: Andi Ewington and Ian Livingstone Art: Simon Coleby and Len O’Grady
Story: 8.45 Art: 8.45 Overall: 8.45 Recommendation: Buy

Titan Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Preview: Ian Livingstone’s Freeway Fighter #1 (of 4)

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IAN LIVINGSTONE’S FREEWAY FIGHTER #1 (OF 4)

Writer: Andi Ewington
Artist: Simon Coleby
Colorist: Len O’Grady
COVER A: SIMON COLEBY & LEN O’GRADY
COVER B: BEN OLIVER
COVER C: ORLANDO AROCENA
COVER INCENTIVE: ROBERT HACK
COVER DIAMOND UK: JIM BURNS
COVER: FAN APPRECIATION ADVENTURE SHEET VARIANT
FC • 32pp • $3.99
On Sale May 17, 2017

NEW STORY BASED ON THE CULT-FOLLOWED SERIES OF GAME BOOKS WRITTEN BY ANDI EWINGTON (EXMORTIS, SUNFLOWER) AND ILLUSTRATED BY SIMON COLEBY (JUDGE DREDD, THE ROYALS). SPEED INTO THE WORLD OF DANGER, DEATH AND FAST CARS! PERFECT FOR FANS OF MAD MAX: FURY ROAD!

Early Review: Freeway Fighter #1

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While I never played any of the legendary Fighting Fantasy series of gamebooks created by Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson in 1982, I remember Freeway Fighter being somewhere on the shelves of one of the comic/game shops I worked at during my teens and early 20s. My introduction to Livingstone and Jackson’s worldbuilding with Games Workshop and its numerous games, but Freeway Fighter stood out during its release by deviating from the usual mix of orcs, goblins and cave-trolls. The series went on to sell over 18 million copies worldwide and is translated in over 30 languages.

35 years later, we’re getting another chance to drive in that classic setting with a new comic series being released May 17, 2017, written by Andi Ewington and Livingstone, with art by Simon Coleby and Len O’Grady and publishing by Titan Comics.

Former I-400 Driver Bella De La Rosa is one of the 15% – living every day as if it were her last. Now, eighteen months after the collapse of civilization, faced with a new world order where violence and chaos rule the Freeway, she must hone her racing skills and survive any way she can!

The first issue is all set up introducing us to De La Rosa and then jumping ahead post collapse as she drives to survive. It’s a solid start in world building allowing readers to slowly learn about the world they’re thrust in to slowly teasing out just enough to get us to come back more. Ewington and Livingstone together have put together a first issue that feels familiar, but still very entertaining. Normally this world setting is fueled by macho male leads with women acting in a subserviant role. Their choice of Bella De La Rosa as the hero around which this series rotates is brilliant in that it adds in the excellent story choice made in Mad Max: Fury Road one that flipped the formula in some ways. The two writers give us a nod and wink of what we can expect by doing so and fills in a gap that so far no one has really picked up on, the gear head apocalypse story with some girl power acting as nitrous boost. That simple decision is one of many that makes the series stand out.

Coleby and O’Grady on art deliver a visually solid story with enough detail for us to sus out what might have happened in the months since collapse. Materials laying about, the design of vehicles, clothes being worn, those visuals all help tell the story and fill in gaps that haven’t been spelled out yet.

Freeway Fighter #1 is out in about a month which gives you time to pre-order it from your shop and hop on board what feels like the start of a badass story that takes the original roleplaying game and infuses it with other elements that have been added to the genre since. Strap in for an entertaining ride.

Story: Andi Ewington and Ian Livingstone Art: Simon Coleby and Len O’Grady
Story: 8.45 Art: 8.45 Overall: 8.45 Recommendation: Buy

Titan Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Based on the Legendary Game, a First Look at Freeway Fighter #1

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Spinning out of the legendary Fighting Fantasy series of gamebooks created by Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson in 1982, the post-apocalyptic Freeway Fighter distinguished itself by deviating from the usual mix of orcs, goblins and cave-trolls. Celebrating 35 years in 2017, Fighting Fantasy brought together choice driven storytelling with a dice-based role-playing system to create a world in which “YOU are the hero!” The series sold over 18 million copies worldwide and is translated in over 30 languages.

In the new comics series, written by critically acclaimed writer Andi Ewington with original creator Ian Livingstone and artist Simon Coleby with Len O’Grady, an unknown virus has wiped out over 85% of the world’s human population. Former I-400 Driver Bella De La Rosa is one of the 15% – living every day as if it were her last. Now, eighteen months after the collapse of civilization, faced with a new world order where violence and chaos rule the Freeway, she must hone her racing skills and survive any way she can!

Titan Comics‘ Freeway Fighter Issue #1 comes with fantastic covers to collect by artists like Ben Oliver, Simon Coleby & Len O’Grady and also Orlando Arocena.

Freeway Fighter #1 thunders into comic stores and digital devices on May 17, 2017, just in time for the 35th Anniversary of Fighting Fantasy and is available to order from the upcoming March edition of Diamond PREVIEWS.

freeway-fighter-issue-1_cover_a_simon_coleby

Spinning out of the Classic Game Fighting Fantasy… Freeway Fighter!

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ff-logoCritically acclaimed writer Andi Ewington teams up with original creator Ian Livingstone and artist Simon Coleby for Freeway Fighter – a furious, four-issue road trip like no other, speeding from Titan Comics in May 2017.

Spinning out of the legendary Fighting Fantasy series of gamebooks created by Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson in 1982, the post-apocalyptic Freeway Fighter distinguished itself by deviating from the usual mix of orcs, goblins and cave-trolls. Celebrating 35 years in 2017, Fighting Fantasy brought together choice driven storytelling with a dice-based role-playing system to create a world in which “YOU are the hero!” The series sold over 18 million copies worldwide and is translated in over 30 languages.

In the new comics series, an unknown virus has wiped out over 85% of the world’s human population. Former I-400 Driver Bella De La Rosa is one of the 15% – living every day as if it were her last. Now, eighteen months after the collapse of civilization, faced with a new world order where violence and chaos rule the Freeway, she must hone her racing skills and survive any way she can!

Freeway Fighter #1 thunders into comic stores and digital devices in May 2017, just in time for the 35th Anniversary of Fighting Fantasy. Keep your eyes on the road for more announcements spinning out from this brand-new story soon.

Review: Dreaming Eagles #1

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Dreaming Eagles #1 CoverInspired by true events, Dreaming Eagles tells the story of the first African American fighter pilots to join the United States Army Air Force in WWII and whose humble beginnings in Tuskegee, Alabama propelled them into the deadly skies above Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich. Not only were they instrumental against the Nazi war machine, but also braved an equally great challenge, overcoming everyday bigotry amongst their fellow American soldiers as well as civilians at home. High in the heavens, they fought a battle that would change their country and their world forever.

Writer Garth Ennis is an industry legend for his output, and for all of his well known series like Preacher, The Boys, and Hellblazer, he’s been putting out some amazing war comics, especially set in World War II.

This one is a bit interesting in that Ennis not only takes on some real world events, but also dives in to race relations and the Civil Rights movement. I haven’t read everything he’s done, so not sure if he’s touched upon those latter subjects, and I’m not a history expert, so not sure how he handled the former. So, going into the first issue, I’ll admit I was nervous, because this is easy to mess up (and there’s a few examples of comics just this year alone of that). I have to say, I’m pretty impressed with the first issue and he seems to handle those topics well.

The issue doesn’t go into a massive amount of depth, but it seems to big picture handle the issues of integration in the army and the Civil Rights movement well so far, tying the two together with a nice generational tale. Expecting a few moments of wincing, there wasn’t one. The only criticism I’ll say about the subject is that it’d be great to see some resources folks can go to so they can learn more about the actual history the comic is based on.

The art by Simon Coleby is nice and does a great job depicting each character as an individual so that you can really tell the difference between characters. The details Coleby ads helps with the comic’s historical aspect as the art helps place you there. The coloring too differentiates between the eras with World War II being a bit brighter than the 60s.

I will say, I was really surprised by the comic. Ennis does great war comics, but throwing in racial aspects really makes this one stand out. It also impressively makes me want to see how close it is to actual history as far as the war. It’s a comic that makes me want to learn. This comic has been the surprise of the week for me. Absolutely check it out.

Story: Garth Ennis Art: Simon Coleby
Story: 9.1 Art: 8.6 Overall: 9.1 Recommendation: Buy

Review: Judge Dredd Year One #4

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20130810-125724.jpgJudge Dredd Year One take places ten years after the Atomic War, in a Mega-City One that is still recovering and rebuilding. Our immovable lawgiver is a recent graduate of the Academy and still in his rookie year as a representative of the Hall of Justice. Tasked to investigate a rash of paranormal incidents involving violent juveniles, Dredd has found himself trapped in a parallel Mega-City One with a band of judges unwilling to take back their fallen city. Can he motivate his peers and save their city with enough time to make it back to his own?

I have limited experience with the Dredd universe, and while ‘Year One’ sounds like a decent starting point, I’m pretty sure diehard fans would refer me to Wagner’s Judge Dredd Origins to find out how it all started. Regardless, this four book mini-series is still an interesting look at how a young, idealistic judge delivers hard justice on the streets of Mega-City One.

While one would assume nonstop wordless action, editor-turned-writer Matt Smith packed the pages full of dialogue (letterer Gilberto Lazcano was gainfully employed). And although I wasn’t wild about the supernatural tint, Smith crafted an engaging storyline that made me look forward to each subsequent issue.

Simon Coleby‘s visuals bring out the gritty streets and hollowness of Dredd’s current predicament. His pencils have an early 90s look to them, much like The Wake‘s Sean Murphy. Unfortunately, at times faces lose detail in close ups, thankfully this doesn’t detract from our helmet-wearing protagonist. Leonard O’Grady‘s colors compliment Coleby’s artwork, and although they pay homage to Dredd’s 2000 AD days, I’ve always disliked the green gloves and boots.

While the story and art were thoroughly executed, I mistakenly expected unending, futuristic action…yet Smith delivered a mature, extended X-Files episode. Just because I failed to manage my expectations going into it, doesn’t mean dedicated fans won’t truly appreciate this glimpse at Dredd’s early days on the force.

Story: Matt Smith Art: Simon Coleby
Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7 Recommendation: Read

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

IDW and 2000 AD Take Dredd Back to Year One!

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Though Judge Joseph Dredd’s exploits have changed the post-apocalyptic sprawl of Mega-City One forever, there was a Mega-City One before Dredd ever hopped aboard a Lawmaster. In March 2013’s Judge Dredd: Year One, Eagle Award-winning 2000 AD Editor-in-Chief Matt Smith takes up arms with Dredd veterans Simon Coleby on interiors and Greg Staples on covers to deliver the thrilling exploits of a younger Judge Dredd!

One would be hard pressed to call the young Dredd “fresh-faced” or “eager,” but there is certainly a learning curve to policing Mega-City One’s vast and vicious criminal element. This thrilling period of Dredd’s career was previously explored by Smith in Judge Dredd: Year One – City Fathers, the hit e-novella published by 2000 AD earlier this year, but was immediately recognized as an avenue perfectly suited for a different story told through a comic-book miniseries.

In “The Long, Hard Road,” Smith and Coleby tell a tale where “all the young juves, carry the news,” only in this case, that news is that juves across sector start manifesting psychic abilities. Dredd must team up for the first time with Psi-Division to combat the spreading chaos. But just what is causing the psi-outbreaks as it crosses the dimensions—and what does it have in store for Mega-City One?

By taking to the comics page and telling a new tale from Dredd’s early years on the force, IDW and 2000 AD are thrilled to be bringing fans a Dredd story the likes of which they’ve never seen; not to mention a rare look at the kind of harrowing futuristic criminal saga that built Dredd’s signature grimace. Like the old saying goes, “You can’t strike fear into the deranged heart of a criminal underbelly without breaking a few legs.”

In addition to the stellar team of Mega City One veterans on the book, dedicated Dredd fans will also find variant covers by Cerebus mastermind Dave Sim and Dredd co-creator Carlos Ezquerra in the offing! Fans are urged to appear at their nearest comic shop for judgment, lest they face eternity in the iso-cubes!

JUDGE DREDD: YEAR ONE #1 (FC, 32 pages, $3.99). In stores 3/27/13

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