Tag Archives: beyond real

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

Posted on by
The Gulf

Wednesdays (and Tuesdays) are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in

Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.

The Bat-Man: First Knight #1 (DC Comics/DC Black Label) – Dan Jurgens and Mike Perkins take us to Batman’s earliest days for a retelling of one of his most infamous cases through a modern lense.

Beyond Real #2 (Vault Comics) – The first issue was solid with a Matrix like concept that feels perfect for our AI world.

Dark Souls: The Willow King #2 (Titan Comics) – The first issue was some solid dark fantasy with beautiful art and a great introduction to the characters. We’re excited to explore more of the world.

The Devil That Wears My Face #5 (Mad Cave Studios) – The series has been fun with its over the top moments and embracing its concept of Face/Off meets The Exorcist.

The Fog #1 (Sumerian) – The classic John Carpenter film returns in a new comic. Check out our interview with writer Steve Ekstrom!

The Gulf (Tundra Books) – The cover for this caught our eye and the story of four kids tring to find their place in the world sounds interesting to us.

Ms. Marvel: Mutant Menace #1 (Marvel) – It’s the next chapter of Ms. Marvel as she learns what it means to be a mutant and X-Man!

Night People #1 (Oni Press) – A pulsating roadmap of the American subconscious, where neon-lit Southern nights give way to lipstick, sweat, and blood, and the odd, the innocent, and the evil are all fellow travelers down an interstate of dark, elusive dreams. Yeah, we’re sold with that description.

Spectacular Spider-Men #1 (Marvel) – Peter Parker and Miles Morales team up in a new series!

Torpedo 1972 #1 (Ablaze Publishing) – In the 1930s, Lucas Torelli, known as “Torpedo”, was a legend of the suburbs of New York. A tough, trigger-happy Sicilian who only knew how to make friends-anyone else is no longer here to say otherwise. Nearly forty years later, the Big Apple has changed quite a bit. Torpedo, not so much. As a persistent journalist prepares to write an article about the Caputo family, the demons of Torpedo’s past resurface, along with his dirty old habits… We’re suckers from crime stories.

Ultimate X-Men #1 (Marvel) – The Ultimate line has been excellent so far. We’re excited to see not just how this series differs than the X-Men we know but what it brings to the new Ultimate U.

Void Rivals #7 (Skybound) – Beyond guest appearances, we really want to know how this series ties into the greater Energon Universe.

Weapon X-Men #1 (Marvel) – This universal spanning series of one-shots debuted with a so-so start but we’re intrigued by the overall concept.

What If.. Aliens #1 (Marvel) – What if Carter Burke had lived? Dude was a corporate weasel. He got what he deserved.

Preview: Beyond Real #1

Posted on by

Beyond Real #1

(W) Zack Kaplan (A) Jorge Corona, Dennis Menheere, Vincenzo Riccardi, Toni Fejzula, Liana Kangas (A/CA) Fabiana Mascolo
In Shops: Dec 13, 2023

An artist’s discovery. When struggling artist June is injured in a severe car accident that leaves her boyfriend in a coma, she begins to experience strange visual phenomena. Soon, she’s able to see that we are all actually living in a computer simulation. June must set out on a journey of possibility and peril into the metaphysical layers of the simulation to reach the world’s creator and save her true love from death.

Beyond Real #1

Beyond Real #1 takes us down the rabbit hole and questions existence

Posted on by
Beyond Real #1

An artist’s discovery. When struggling artist June is injured in a severe car accident that leaves her boyfriend in a coma, she begins to experience strange visual phenomena. Soon, she’s able to see that we are all actually living in a computer simulation. June must set out on a journey of possibility and peril into the metaphysical layers of the simulation to reach the world’s creator and save her true love from death. Beyond Real #1 takes the philosophical debate and delivers a visual treat.

Do we live in a simulation? It’s a debate that rages not just in pot filled rooms but in scientific communities and everywhere in-between. It’s a question we may never answer but Zack Kaplan with Beyond Real #1 gives us steps to discover in one woman’s journey.

Beyond Real #1 might feel like The Matrix focused on its more philosophical heart but it’s a story of loss, letting go, fate, and faith. Yes, faith. Beyond her reality, June has discovered there might be someone out there that’s determining her life. That person could save her boyfriend. And, she wants to get answers and do what she can to make things the way they were. If that’s not a journey to find “god,” I don’t know what is.

Taking us along the journey with Kaplan are Fabiana Mascolo and Toni Fejzula whose art is magical and more amazing as the comic progresses. Visually, it feels like a slide build until the rollercoaster really gets moving. They’re joined by Jordie Bellaire on color along with Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou on lettering. The visuals just become more fantastic the longer the comic goes on and it uses its concept to deliver real mind bending visuals that become otherworldly.

Beyond Real #1 is a story about discovering a higher power and then getting answer for that “divine being’s” wisdom and choices in your life. It’s delivery along with beautiful art will get you to pause long after reading and ponder your own role in the greater world and ask if there’s something out there guiding it. As part of Vault’s program where the first issue is given away to retailers, this is one to get and then make sure to order the second.

Story: Zack Kaplan Art: Fabiana Mascolo, Toni Fejzula
Color: Jordie Bellaire, Toni Fejzula Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Story: 8.4 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.6 Recommendation: Buy

Vault Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Kindle

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

Posted on by
Worm: A Cuban American Odyssey

Wednesdays (and Tuesdays) are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in

Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.

Batman/Santa Claus: Silent Knight #2 (DC Comics) – The first issue was WAY more fun than it had any reason to be. The concept might sound silly but it worked and worked really well. A perfect release for the season.

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #2 (IDW Publishing) – They may look like cute animals but there’s a serial killer among them! A twisted tale whose first issue was one of the best of the year.

Beyond Real #1 (Vault Comics) – June discovers we’re in a computer simulation and sets out to meet the world’s creator. The second of Vault’s interesting release experiment!

Punisher #2 (Marvel) – A new Punisher, same ole action. The first issue felt like a back to the roots return for the character and we want to see more over the top kills and action.

Underheist #1 (BOOM! Studios) – A hardboiled heist series with a supernatural twist.

White Widow #2 (Marvel) – The first issue was solid fun and we’re hoping for more of the same for the second.

Worm: A Cuban American Odyssey (Metropolitan Books) – We already reviewed this one and it’s one of the best of the year. The true story of artist Edel Rodriguez as he escapes Cuba for the US and becomes a world famous artist.

Zawa + the Belly of the Beast #2 (BOOM! Studios) – The first issue had a nice fantasy story to it with amazing art. We’re expecting more and want more.

Vault Announces Beyond Real #1 Received Over 100,000 Orders

Posted on by

Vault has announced that Beyond Real #1 has received over 100,000 orders at FOC. This makes it the second Vault title to break 100,000 units ordered in 2023 as part of their industry changing Free-to-Retailers model that debuted to astonishing success with November’s Unnatural Order #1.   

Beyond Real sees Zack Kaplan return to Vault after his recent celebrated series Mindset, joined by a slate of phenomenal artists including Fabiana Mascolo, Toni Fejzula, Vincenzo Riccardi, Dennis Menheere, Jorge Corona, Luana Vecchio, and Liana Kangas. Each issue of this ambitious series will see these seven artists working in tandem, handing off scenes back and forth to each other as part of the narrative structure of this mind-bending story about simulation theory, the creative spirit, and the struggle for self-determination.

Much of Beyond Real will be colored by the legendary Eisner-winning artist Jordie Bellaire alongside series artists who will color their own work. The series’ lettering will be crafted by Eisner-winner Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, and every issue will be designed by the inimitable Tim Daniel. Each issue will have a main cover painted by Mindset co-creator and Eisner-winning artist John J. Pearson.      

The series follows the struggling artist June after a severe accident leaves her boyfriend in a coma and causes her to experience bizarre visual phenomena. When she discovers that the world she considers “reality” may in fact be a computer simulation, she must set out on a perilous journey through metaphysical layers of the simulation to reach the true creator and save her love from death.

Beyond Real #1 hits store shelves on 12/13/2023, and will feature gorgeous variants from Jorge Corona,  Luana Vecchio, and Fabiana Mascolo.

Vault Makes Beyond Real #1 Free For Retailers

Posted on by

Vault has announced they will make Beyond Real #1 completely free to retailers. Beyond Real sees Zack Kaplan return to Vault after his recent celebrated series Mindset, joined by a slate of phenomenal artists including Fabiana Mascolo, Toni Fejzula, Vincenzo Riccardi, Dennis Menheere, Jorge Corona, Luana Vecchio, and Liana Kangas. Each issue of this ambitious series will see these artists working in tandem, handing off scenes back and forth to each other as part of the narrative structure of this mind-bending story about simulation theory, the creative spirit, and the struggle for self-determination.

In September Vault offered Christopher Yost and Val Rodrigues’ comic Unnatural Order#1 using the free-to-retailer model and the smash-hit book received over 137,000 orders, making it one of the highest-ordered comics of the past ten years.   

Much of Beyond Real will be colored by the legendary Eisner-winning artist Jordie Bellaire alongside series artists who will color their own work. The series’ lettering will be crafted by Eisner-winner Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, and every issue will be designed by the inimitable Tim Daniel. Each issue will have a main cover painted by Mindset co-creator and Eisner-winning artist John J. Pearson.      

The series follows the struggling artist June after a severe accident leaves her boyfriend in a coma and causes her to experience bizarre visual phenomena. When she discovers that the world she considers “reality” may in fact be a computer simulation, she must set out on a perilous journey through metaphysical layers of the simulation to reach the true creator and save her love from death.

The standard cover of Beyond Real #1 will be offered to retailers in free bundles of 25 copies. The issue will retain its $4.99 SRP, and retailers will be free to sell, discount, or freely distribute copies to their customers. In addition to the standard cover, Vault will offer net-priced, open order premium variants from Jorge Corona, Luana Vecchio, and Fabiana Mascolo.

Beyond Real #1 will hit store shelves on December 13th, 2023. 

SDCC 2023: Vault announces Beyond Real featuring an all-star lineup

Posted on by

Vault Comics showed up at Comic Con International with their biggest slate of programming to date and an exclusive pre-release of one of the year’s most anticipated series. The company has announced Beyond Real, an ambitious and psychedelic series from Zack Kaplan and a lineup of seven spectacular artists whose works will weave together through each issue. 

Beyond Real sees Zack Kaplan return to Vault after his recent celebrated series Mindset, joined by a slate of phenomenal artists including Fabiana Mascolo, Toni Fejzula, Vincenzo Riccardi, Dennis Menheere, Jorge Corona, and Liana Kangas. Each issue of this cerebral and ambitious series will see these artists working in tandem, handing off scenes back and forth to each other as part of the narrative structure of this mind-bending story about simulation theory, the creative spirit, and the struggle for self-determination.

Much of Beyond Real will be colored by the legendary Eisner-winning artist Jordie Bellaire alongside the series artists who will color their own work. The series’ lettering will be crafted by Eisner-winner Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, and every issue will be designed by the inimitable Tim Daniel. Each issue will have a main cover painted by Mindset co-creator and Eisner-winning artist John J. Pearson.      

The series follows the struggling artist June following a severe accident which leaves her boyfriend in a coma and causes her to experience bizarre visual phenomena. When she discovers that the world she considers “reality” may in fact be a computer simulation, she must set out on a perilous journey through metaphysical layers of the simulation to reach the true creator and save her love from death.

Beyond Real #1 hits store shelves in October 2023, and is available to preorder through your favorite retailer beginning today.