Tag Archives: christopher mills

Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Classic Carson of Venus Comes to American Mythology!

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American Mythology is spearheading a bold new era for fantasy and adventure with “Fear on Four Worlds,” an epic event that unites the iconic heroes of literary great Edgar Rice Burroughs into a shared comic book universe! Beginning with the special one-shot Carson of Venus #1 in June, the four-part “Fear on Four Worlds” storyline will continue across additional special issues in the ensuing months: Moon Maid #1, Pellucidar #1, and The Land That Time Forgot #1, and the aftershocks of this cataclysmic event will ripple through individual miniseries throughout 2018 and beyond!

The first chapter of “Fear on Four Worlds” premieres with Carson of Venus #1, written by Christopher Mills and debuting the art of newcomer Cyrus Mesarcia. Two worlds collide as a group of unlikely explorers from Caspak – the prehistoric realm known to Burroughs fans as “The Land that Time Forgot” – leap across our solar system to the danger-fraught landscape of Venus. Stalked by alien beasts and treacherous villains, their only hope for survival lies in a legendary figure from eighty years in Earth’s past: long-lost astronaut Carson Napier!

 

The debut issue of Carson of Venus features a wide selection of cover variants, providing fans and retailers with the freedom of choice:

  • “Pulptastic” Main Cover by Mike Wolfer
  • “Visions of Venus” Variant by interior artist Cyrus Mesarcia
  • “Character Design” Limited Edition Variant, also by Mesarcia, limited to a print run of only 350 comics
  • “Blank Sketch” Variant, perfect for professional and aspiring artists to illustrate

Carson Napier, the protagonist of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Venus Series, debuted in 1934’s Pirates of Venus as an ambitious rocket pilot intent on reaching Mars, but due to a miscalculation, his ship hurtled out of control. His trajectory drawing him towards the Sun, Napier survived by crash-landing on the cloud-enshrouded planet Venus. Marooned and forever barred from returning to Earth, he quickly found himself in the midst of an alien war for dominance, a reluctant hero facing monsters, winged men, and atomic-powered barbarians.

American Mythology’s revival of Carson Napier as a 21st Century hero (and the cornerstone of their Burroughs-inspired science fiction universe) marks a bold new era for the publisher, as they make time-honored concepts of star-spanning fantasy accessible to curious newcomers while simultaneously rewarding lifelong fans with an expansion that both respects and modernizes iconic characters. “Fear on Four Worlds” is a perfect jumping-on point for new readers, an initiative guaranteed to deliver innovative, captivating storytelling month after month.

Preview: Gravedigger: Hot Women, Cold Cast TPB

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GRAVEDIGGER: HOT WOMEN, COLD CAST TPB

Writer(s): Christopher Mills
Artist Name(s): Rick Burchett
Cover Artist(s): Rick Burchett
96 pgs./ Mature Readers/ Black and White with Grey tones
$11.99

The popular noir web series returns to print! It’s not easy being a bad guy, as career criminal “Gravedigger” McCrae knows all too well. First he’s framed for the murder of a mob boss’s daughter, and has to escape from an army of professional killers, unarmed and alone. Then, he’s brought in on a South of the Border arms heist where everything that can go wrong, does. It’s all about hot women and cold cash, in this hardboiled, hard-hitting collection. Collects the three-issue Gravedigger miniseries.

Featuring artwork from Eisner award winning artist Rick Burchett (Batman Adventures, Lady Sabre and the Pirates of the Ineffable Aether).

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Preview: Gravedigger #3

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GRAVEDIGGER #3

Writer(s): Christopher Mills
Artist Name(s): Rick Burchett
Cover Artist(s): Rick Burchett
32pgs/ Mature Readers / Black and White with tones
$3.99 (Reg.)

When “Gravedigger” McCrae is brought in on a South of the Border arms heist, it looks like it will be an easy score. But between the charms of the beautiful Angel and all the double-and-triple crosses, Digger will be lucky to get out alive. The desert sand will run red with blood before this caper is done.

Featuring artwork from multiple Eisner award-winning artist Rick Burchett (Batman Adventures, Lady Sabre and the Pirates of the Ineffable Aether).

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Preview: Gravedigger #2

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GRAVEDIGGER #2

Writer(s): Christopher Mills
Artist Name(s): Rick Burchett
Cover Artist(s): Rick Burchett
32 pgs./ Mature readers / B&W Greyscale
$3.99 (reg.)

On the run from the mob and the police, “Gravedigger” McCrae finds temporary respite with a lovely, wealthy playgirl.  But it doesn’t take long for his pursuers to catch up with him, and then it’s no longer a matter of outrunning them, but escape from certain death. Can Digger outwit his adversaries in the savage conclusion to “The Predators?”

Featuring artwork from multiple Eisner award-winning artist Rick Burchett (Batman Adventures, Lady Sabre and the Pirates of the Ineffable Aether).

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Review: Gravedigger #1

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Gravedigger_issue1_cover_regular_solicitMy maternal grandfather, a World War II veteran, was a huge movie buff and he loved all the tough guy movies from Charles Bronson, Clint Eastwood and Lee Marvin. Needless to say, I became a huge fan as well as I watched these same movies with him from when I was 7 years old through to my teenage years. Those movies epitomized an era of what the world believed a man should be and how should one act. I often associate my grandfather with these movies and him with these movies, as they gave me an example of what I should aspire to.

When I first heard of Christopher Mills and Rick Burchett series, I was more than intrigued at the concept, as it reminded me of those old 60s and 70s movies I used to watch with my Grandfather. I saw the cover, and it just so happens that the main character, Gravedigger McCrae, has more than a passing resemblance to Lee Marvin, who starred in so many of those movies I loved. The creators in interviews have said this was purely intentional, as this series was created with him in mind, and would have been the movie he should have made when he was alive. The press release described the story as:

Framed for the murder of a mob boss’s daughter, “Gravedigger” McCrae is on the run in a South Florida paradise, pursued by a relentless crew of killers. His pursuers think tracking him down will be easy, but Digger McCrae is particularly dangerous prey.

This story was definitely up my alley, as this was a story about tough men in impossible situations in difficult worlds.

The comic opens up with the murder of the mob boss’s daughter and Mccrae, contemplating on his situation and how will he handle it. The art is primarily in black and white, which gives it a pure crime pulp feel. The narration, feels very Robert Parker, and definitely reminds me of the old Spencer for Hire novels. The end of the first issue lends enough of a twist to keep the reader yearning for the second issue.

This was a solid first issue, from the choice of style, the choice to go purely black and white, and the dialogue, it all comes together to create an atmosphere as if you were in a 60s crime movie. The narration and dialogue by Mills are definitely throwback to that era. The art by Burchett, although shows flash of Alex Simmons, has a knack for drawing this time period. Overall, if you loved those old tough guy movies, you will appreciate and enjoy this series.

Story: Christopher Mills Art: Rick Burchett
Story: 10 Art: 9 Overall: 9.6 Recommendation: Buy

Action Lab Entertainment provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Preview: Gravedigger #1

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Gravedigger #1

Writer(s): Christopher Mills
Artist Name(s): Rick Burchett
Cover Artist(s): Rick Burchett   Variant: Dario Carrasco and Ian Sokoliwski
32 pgs./ Mature Readers/ B&W with Tones
$3.99 (reg.)/$4.99 (var.)

The popular noir web series returns to print… Framed for the murder of a mob boss’s daughter, “Gravedigger” McCrae is on the run in a South Florida paradise, pursued by a relentless crew of killers. His pursuers think tracking him down will be easy, but Digger McCrae is particularly dangerous prey. Gravedigger is a master class in hard-boiled comic action!

Featuring artwork from multiple Eisner award-winning artist Rick Burchett (Batman Adventures, Lady Sabre and the Pirates of the Ineffable Aether), and includes a limited variant cover by Dario Carrasco.

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Action Lab Unearths Gravedigger

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Before Brubaker and Phillips did Criminal… Before Darwyn Cooke adapted Donald Westlake…there was “Digger.” Gravedigger by Christopher Mills and Rick Burchett has been hailed as a modern classic by critics and fans alike and now, the comic has found a new home with Action Lab‘s mature readers imprint, Danger Zone.

“The Predators” is a three-issue mini series that contains everything readers love in crime comics; hard-boiled action, gorgeous femme fatales, and a hero who’s a bit of a bastard. It’s not always easy being the bad guy, as career criminal “Gravedigger” McCrae knows all too well. Even with a .9mm automatic in his hand and a wealth of experience under his belt, the veteran thief still finds himself in deadly trouble when his well-laid plans go violently off the rails in a pair of violent, pulp fiction capers.

Gravedigger is a master class in hard-boiled comic action!

Issue One of Gravedigger is available for preorder now, and hits comic stands this July. Created and written by Chris Mills, the book is illustrated by multiple Eisner Award-winning artist Rick Burchett and comes with a limited edition variant cover by Dario Carrasco.

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