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Scout Comics’ Solar Flare #1 Gets a Second Printing and New Cover

Posted on May 4, 2017 by Graphic Policy Team

Scout Comics has announced that Solar Flare #1 by creator James Haick, artist Branko Jovanovic and colorist Song Ye, a dystopian tale of a world that has been plunged back into the dark ages when a solar flare wipes out all the electricity and modern technology in the world, has sold out of its first issue and gone back to a second printing with a brand new cover.

Please use Diamond code MAR178525 to order this edition — coming to stores June 7, 2017. Branko Jovanovic has created a new cover for this second printing as a thank you to the readers that made this possible.

Review: Solar Flare #1

Posted on April 12, 2017 by Brett

Where were you when the world went dark? The world has been plunged into darkness and society as we know it has launched into chaos. Jake Clifford was just a regular guy, a man trying to achieve greatness in his career and a father doing his best to be the man his daughter deserved. That is, until a solar flare makes contact with earth, wiping out all electricity and modern technology with one fatal blow. Now Jake must adapt to this new world, hoping to one day be reunited with his daughter who was states away when the lights went out.

Apocalypse stories are a dime a dozen at this point, so to stand out you either need to present it in a new way or do something really solid with the material. Writer James Haick III doesn’t necessarily give us something new, but what he does do is present it in a way that the story feels fresh and interesting.

The first issue of Solar Flare is a slow build to the collapse. The various players on the board are introduced and situations set up enough that we care about who they are and how they’re connected. But, beyond the relationships, Haick focuses on building tension. I knew the basic idea before reading this, but even with that I could feel the intensity build until that final page when things hit. This is the 15 minutes of the disaster film before the disaster hits, but instead of just setting up the situations the various characters will need to overcome there’s also a focus on setting and vibe.

That’s the thing I really enjoyed with this first issue. We know electricity and electronics are about to go bye-bye, but there’s a subtle focus on what that means without being in our face about it. And through pages dedicated to a countdown of sorts those two combined really builds the setting and situation.

Branko Jovanovic’s art adds to it all. There’s a nice focus on technology without things being over the top and we get to see how much of it is in the various characters’ lives. Haick and Jovanovic form like Voltron to emphasize what’s about to happen without beating us over the head with it. The characters all look different as well. There’s no cheats here, each person is unique in their own way and distinguishable.

Solar Flare #1 is a fantastic start of a disaster comic whose focus on tension and the build pays off by the end of the issue. I can’t wait to see if that continues throughout the series, but no matter, this is a great issue to start things with.

Story: James Haick III Art: Branko Jovanovic Cover: Song Ye
Story: 8.50 Art: 7.95 Overall: 8.45 Recommendation: Buy

Scout Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Here Comes Solar Flare from Scout Comics

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Graphic Policy Team

Scout Comics and Entertainment has announced the April release of Solar Flare, part of their expanding line of comics. The series is written by James Haick with art by Branko Jovanovic and cover art by Song Ye.

Solar Flare is a modern-day story where a massive x-class solar flare hits Earth wiping out all electronics and electricity. The comic is based on real science and focuses on Jake Clifford and his friends as he attempts to road trip it in an electronic-less world to reunite with his daughter. There’s also a scientist who’s attempts to get to a secret military base, ground zero in re-establishing the country’s electrical infrastructure.

With society unraveling, the journey is perilous.

Scout Comics Announces Seven New Comics for 2017

Posted on January 9, 2017 by Graphic Policy Team

Scout Comics has announced seven incredible comic book series for 2017! They run the gamut as far as genres and styles. Check out some of what you’ll find on shelves this year.

ELLA by Alex Giles and Ammar Al-Chalabi

When Ella’s Great Grandma passes away and she is left a gift, her world turns upside down. This twelve-year-old is now the legacy holder of the ‘Amulet of Sharzim,’ which grants her the ability of anthropomorphism and sends her on an adventure with talking animals, both good and bad, culminating in an epic battle!

HEAVENLY BLUES by Ben Kahn and Bruno Hidalgo

What happens when the souls of the greatest thieves in Hell team up to pull the ultimate heist in Heaven? The answer (and so much more) can be found in HEAVENLY BLUES by Ben Kahn and Bruno Hidalgo, the creators of the critically-acclaimed book SHAMAN.

LONG LOST by Matthew Erman and Lisa Sterle

Two estranged sisters must reunite and return to their Appalachian hometown after their mother goes missing. In the vein of Stranger Things, LONG LOST, created by a husband and wife team, is a horror mystery about the pains of estrangement and the overwhelming nature of being lost. And monsters.

SMOKETOWN by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Scott Van Domelen

From acclaimed writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Warlords of Appalachia, Last Sons of America), and introducing artist Scott Van Domelen, comes the first in an interconnecting series of chapters in the tradition of David Lapham’s Stray Bullets, Brubaker/Phillips’ Criminal, and Pulp Fiction. Each chapter explores the final days of a murdered soldier from a new perspective, each one exposing the criminal side of a small industrial Pennsylvania town.

SNOW WHITE ZOMBIE APOCALPYSE by Brenton Lengel and Hyeondo Park

Snow White awakens to Prince Charming’s kiss 28 days after the zombie apocalypse, only to find herself locked in a vicious love triangle and hunted by the reanimated corpse of the Big Bad Wolf. Based on the hit 2012 play by the same name, written by critically-acclaimed playwright Brenton Lengel and illustrated by Dark Horse-alum Hyeondo Park.

SOLAR FLARE by James Haick and Branko Jovanovic

After a massive x-class solar flare hits Earth, wiping out all electronics and electricity, Jake Clifford desperately travels from Florida to Tennessee in this new electronic-less world in the hopes of reuniting with his daughter. During his journey, Jake is recruited by a scientist to reach a secret military base. The base will act as ground zero in re-establishing the country’s electrical infrastructure. However, as society starts to quickly unravel right before their eyes, their journey becomes more and more dangerous with every day that passes.

TINKERS OF THE WASTELAND by Raul Trevino

“Tinkers of the Wasteland is like Mad Max and The Goonies jumping around inside your brain and causing nothing but trouble. I love it!” – Skottie Young, two-time Eisner Award winner. Nuff said!