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.