Tag Archives: stephen molnar

Preview: Miles to Go #1

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Miles to Go #1

(W) B. Clay Moore (A/CA) Stephen Molnar
In Shops: Sep 23, 2020
SRP: $4.99

Amara Bishop is a newly single mother with a long-buried past. Raised by an
alcoholic father in a rundown trailer, Amara was a child when she learned to kill. And she hasn’t killed an-yone since she was thirteen. When her aging mentor is murdered, and her daughter is threatened, that will soon change…

An unlikely assassin in a deadly game of cat and mouse, brought to you by B. Clay Moore (Hawaiian Dick, Battle Hymn) and Stephan Molnar (Imaginary Fiends, Star Trek).

Miles to Go #1

Review: Miles to Go #1

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Miles to Go #1

Miles to Go #1 kicks off one of the more intriguing series to debut recently. The first issue centers around Amara Bishop, a mother going through a divorce and a troubling past. Amara had learned to kill in what seems to be a criminal enterprise but it’s a history she has left for quite some time. After her mentor is murdered, that past threatens to catch up with her and threatens the life she has built.

Written by B. Clay Moore, Miles to Go #1 has something really going for it. And, I can’t quite put my finger on exactly what that is. The story has elements of Grosse Point Blank to it mixed with government spook aspects but it’s how it all comes together. The comic is really about that last page which delivers such an unexpected twist and shock I immediately wanted to read more.

Miles to Go #1‘s greatest strenght is its focus on Amara and her life. This is a mother who is trying to juggle a pending divorce, her life, and raising a child. It’s not until a bit into the comic that Amara’s troubling life becomes clearer and we realize she’s doing all of that while escaping trauma and crimes. And then that ending and a big question as to what’s next. It’s a fantastic set up and knock down of a character and story leaving the reader unprepared for where the comic goes.

Much of the success of the comic is by artist Stephen Molnar and letterer Thomas Mauer. The comic gives a sort of domestic reality that’s relatable. Amara’s home is put together and organized while her exes’ home is messy and chaotic. There’s much discussion of simple everyday things like hairstyles focusing in on the character’s more realistic details. And much of what could be shocking and explosive happens off-panel. The more shocking elements are left for the reader’s imagination which will always be more gruesome than whatever the creators come up with. Hw that’s done just compounds that aspect.

Miles to Go #1 is another solid debut from AfterShock Comics. It’s a “crime” comic that delivers a more human focus of a mother haunted by her past. Where it all goes after this debut, I seriously have no idea. But, it has me excited and intrigued to find out. That’s the measure of a successful comic, do I want to come back for more? Miles to Go #1 nails that down and then some.

Story: B. Clay Moore Art: Stephen Molnar Letterer: Thomas Mauer
Story: 8.15 Art: 8.15 Overall: 8.15 Recommendation: Buy

AfterShock provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics

B. Clay Moore Has Miles to Go with Stephen Molnar, Thomas Mauer, and AfterShock

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AfterShock has announced a brand new series from writer B. Clay Moore, artist Stephen Molnar, and letterer Thomas Mauer. Miles to Go #1 is scheduled to debut September 9, 2020.

Amara Bishop is a newly single mother with a long-buried past. Raised by an alcoholic father in a rundown trailer, Amara was a child when she learned to kill. And she hasn’t killed anyone since she was thirteen. When her aging mentor is murdered, and her daughter is threatened, that will soon change…

The debut issue features a cover by Stephen Molnar and incentive cover by Francesco Francavilla.

Miles to Go #1

Preview: Imaginary Fiends #6 (of 6)

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Imaginary Fiends #6 (of 6)

(W) Tim Seeley (A) Stephen Molnar (CA) Richard Pace
In Shops: Apr 25, 2018
SRP: $3.99

As Special Agent Crockett deals with the Fraidy Cat and her followers, Melba must confront the monster inside her, or her imaginary friend, Polly Peachpit, will die.

Preview: Imaginary Fiends #5

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Imaginary Fiends #5

(W) Tim Seeley (A) Stephen Molnar (CA) Richard Pace
In Shops: Mar 28, 2018
SRP: $3.99

As Polly struggles to save Melba’s life (and, by extension, her own existence) from a cult of murderous children, Crockett hunts for a murderer with a penchant for dissolving problems in acid, and the origin of the Fraidy Cat is revealed.

Preview: Imaginary Fiends #3 (of 6)

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Imaginary Fiends #3 (of 6)

(W) Tim Seeley (A) Stephen Molnar (CA) Richard Pace
MATURE READERS
In Shops: Jan 24, 2018
SRP: $3.99

Agent Melba Li and her imaginary monster partner, Polly Peachpit, continue their search for a missing child, as a twisted conspiracy unfolds in the small town of Maiden Springs. What is the Fraidy Cat? And how can a woman who lives in fear defeat something that lives on it?

Review: Imaginary Fiends #2

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Melba is assigned to her first case, investigating a series of child disappearances in rural Georgia. As Melba and Agent Crockett uncover clues about the horror gripping the residents, Melba must resist both the temptation to escape into the real world after spending seven years locked up and the terrible appetite of the newly unleashed Polly Peachpit, Melba’s own personal psychic parasite—a massive spider-human only Melba can see, but is far from imaginary.

Rookie agent Melba has a lot to learn about solving child disappearances in Imaginary Fiends #2. By focusing on her bond with Polly Peachpit writer Tim Seely shows that Melba has a lot to offer the investigation. The series does well to emphasize that Melba gets another taste of freedom in exchange for that insight. That creates an interesting dynamic between her, Polly, and Agent Crockett. In this issue we also get the hint that Agent Crockett appears to have more knowledge about the imaginary beings then initially hinted at. We also get a bit more about Melba and her past.

The art by Stephen Molnar merges reality and imaginary as the investigation unfolds. The art gives us a nice view of a frightened small-town in Kentucky and the every day life in the process. The art does an excellent job of blending the fantastical and the grounded.

In two issues the series has given us a nice twist on the police procedural in a world that feels both realistic and a bit scary.

Story: Tim Seeley Art: Stephen Molnar
Color: Quinton Winter Cover: Richard Pace
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Imaginary Fiends #1

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“Polly Peachpit.” Those were the words ten-year-old Brinke Calle said when she was found covered in her own blood by the woods in rural Cannon Falls, MN. Her best friend, Melba, had just attempted to murder her because a spider girl named Polly Peachpit told her to.

Since that day, Melba has spent seven years in a mental health facility. Tomorrow is her eighteenth birthday. Tomorrow, she’ll be transferred to a federal prison. Tomorrow, her real sentence will begin.

That is, until she receives a visit from FBI Agent Virgil Crockett. Crockett explains that there is another world beyond ours, where hungry spectral aliens stalk the minds of the impressionable and weak. These things, called IMPs (Interdimensional Mental Parasites) feed on compliance. They convince hosts to do things for them, and the more they feed, the stronger they become. More IMPs stream into the world each day, invisible to everyone but his or her hosts.

After years of drugs and counseling, Polly and Melba have developed a unique relationship—and to Crockett, this relationship represents something her people can work with. In exchange for release from prison, Crockett asks Melba (and Polly) to serve as IMP hunters. For Melba, it’s a chance to prove that she’s innocent, convinced to murder by a monster…a monster she must now unleash.

Writer Tim Seeley creates a paranormal tale with Imaginary Fiends, filled with mystery, interdimensional beings, and murder. Along with the rather creepy beings, we’re also treated to disturbing nursery style rhymes in the process. Seeley does an excellent job of creating the setting and setting up the story to come with its focus on Melba and her situation in a mental hospital until she’s paid a visit and given an offer she can’t refuse.

The art by Stephen Molnar shifts as the settings shift, and things in Melba’s live go from innocence to incarceration. Molnar brings in a lighter, and brighter color scheme in Melba’s youth which contrasts with various shades of grey as she lives in the mental health facility. This shifts again as she moves into her new role. The art sets up the Melba’s mood in a way.

The first issue delivers an interesting set up that mixes together horror with a more traditional detective setting.

Story: Tim Seeley Art: Stephen Molnar Cover: Richard Pace
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Imaginary Fiends #1

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It’s Wednesday which means it’s new comic book day with new releases hitting shelves, both physical and digital, all across the world. This week we’ve got a new Vertigo series!

Imaginary Fiends #1 is by Tim Seeley, Stephen Molnar, and Richard Pace.

Get your copy in comic shops today. 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/Kindle/comiXology or TFW

 

 

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review
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Preview: Imaginary Fiends #1

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Imaginary Fiends #1

(W) Tim Seeley (A) Stephen Molnar (CA) Richard Pace
In Shops: Nov 22, 2017
SRP: $3.99

“Polly Peachpit.” Those were the words ten-year-old Brinke Calle said when she was found covered in her own blood by the woods in rural Cannon Falls, MN. Her best friend, Melba, had just attempted to murder her because a spider girl named Polly Peachpit told her to.
Since that day, Melba has spent seven years in a mental health facility. Tomorrow is her eighteenth birthday. Tomorrow, she’ll be transferred to a federal prison. Tomorrow, her real sentence will begin.

That is, until she receives a visit from FBI Agent Virgil Crockett. Crockett explains that there is another world beyond ours, where hungry spectral aliens stalk the minds of the impressionable and weak. These things, called IMPs (Interdimensional Mental Parasites) feed on compliance. They convince hosts to do things for them, and the more they feed, the stronger they become. More IMPs stream into the world each day, invisible to everyone but his or her hosts.

After years of drugs and counseling, Polly and Melba have developed a unique relationship-and to Crockett, this relationship represents something her people can work with. In exchange for release from prison, Crockett asks Melba (and Polly) to serve as IMP hunters. For Melba, it’s a chance to prove that she’s innocent, convinced to murder by a monster…a monster she must now unleash.

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