Tag Archives: jonathan brandon sawyer

Preview: Critical Hit

CRITICAL HIT

Writer: Matt Miner
Artist: Jonathan Brandon Sawyer
Colorist: Doug Garbark / Letterers: Jim Campbell & Crank!
Mature / $16.99 / 116 pages

Sarah and Jeanette love animals with a vengeance.

Under cover of darkness, they don ski-masks and wield sledgehammers, rescuing abused animals from dog-fighting rings, illegal testing labs, and other abusers.  

When they wreak havoc on a rogue gang of hunters, though, the girls find themselves in over their heads. The gang they’ve stumbled onto aren’t hunters – they’re serial killers.
And soon the liberators become the prey!

Collects issues 1-4.

CRITICAL HIT

Review: All We Ever Wanted: Stories of a Better World

All We Ever Wanted

When it comes to how the future will look, most creators these days only show us how worse the world can get. This direction may be attributed to the decline of the environment and the primal predilection of man. Things don’t exactly look all that great for us. The stories usually involves zombies like The Walking Dead or the widening of the gap between the poor and rich like The Hunger Games. Rarely do they involve utopias as dystopias create the more interesting conflicts that drives our entertainment.

The thing is there was a time and place where we looked to the stars and though of the possibilities. This is why Back to The Future II was one of the most indelible movies of 1980s and probably most talked about out of that franchise. It gave us hope of what the world could be. Utopias for some reason seem out of reach to the modern imagination. In the latest anthology form A Wave Blue World, All We Ever Wanted, we get several different visions of life in the future where life can be better.

In “The Pilot,” a pilot controls a ship her VR glasses only to encounter an alien queen and her earthbound ally. In “The Weight of Time,” one scientist uses time travel to try and wipe out anti LGBTQ backlash but instead realizes the problem is actually ahead. In “Una,” an alien wins the hearts and minds of the citizens she protects, eventually becoming a citizen because of it. In “Seventeen Souls,” one hero risks it all to save one girl from certain death. In “It Looked like Our Dreams,” two siblings wonder about a future where humanity does save itself. In “Gaea,” mother nature and technology defeat an alien invader in which one protagonist uses to her advantage.  In “Bombs Away,” a world is imagined where violence no longer leads to advantages or problem solving but unity as it was always intended.  In “And The Rest Was Magic,” one woman finds out how it is when one doesn’t buy into the propaganda of a dire future. In “Everything I Own,” one self-admitted pariah slowly builds a community around herself while at the same time, evolving. In “The Inventor’s Daughter,” one woman reunites with her mother after death and returns her to the essence. In “Blackstar,” one man helps people see their future for a cost. In “Life’s A Devil’s Bargain,” one woman shows how hate is more of a choice than one realizes. In “Chat Room,” one awkward girl finds solace with a friend that met online. In “Can you See it Now,” one couple finds out an evil corporation is behind a friend’s death. In “Just Like Heaven,” one young man’s defiance leads to him finding out the secret to the utopia he is living in. In “Alternica,” a man wakes up from being frozen to a world where money doesn’t exist. In “Owning Up To The Past,” one man admits to his daughter, the unjust violence he committed. In “Good Time,” one man’s wish is to see his daughter years after he is released from jail. In “Day At The Park,” a young girl teaches a robot how to fly a kite. In “Choice,” one man designed a robot to have the power of free will, to only regret his decision immediately. In “Seeds,” the grim reaper reminds a retired superhero that there is more to life than regrets.  In “Two Left Feet,” two thieves steal for the love of dance.

Overall, the anthology is an excellent collection of stories that shows that the future can be bright and we all should wear shades. The stories are as diverse and extraordinary as each contributor showing off a wide range of voices and visions. The art by each creator is magnetic, alluring, and vivid. Altogether, the world needs more visions of utopias and this book more than proves it.

Story: Matt Miner, Eric Palicki, Tyler Chin- Tanner, Lucia Fasano, Tess Fowler, Eliot Rahal, Jason Copland, Jennie Wood, Vasilis Pozios, Chris Visions, Lela Gwenn, Alex Paknadel, Chris Peterson, Alisa Kwitney, Mauricet, Josh Gorfain, Matt Lejuene, Howard Mackie, Dean Trippe, Justin Zimmerman, Wendy Chin-Tanner, Toby Cypress, Paul Allor, Jarrett Melendez, Taylor Hoffman, Jonathan Brandon Sawyer, Rich Douek, James Maddox, Gavin Smith, Nadia Shammas, Erik Burnham, Kay Honda, Maria Frohlich
Art: Dean Trippe, Danica Brine, Chris Peterson, Robbi Rodriguez, Michael Wiggam, Maria Frohlich, David Stoll, Ryan Lee, Juan Romera, Tony Gregori, Tess Fowler, Chris Visions, Ethan Claunch, Jude Vigants,  K.R.Whalen, Matt Horak, Jeff McComsey,  Gavin Smith, Ryan Cody, Liana Kangas, Anthony Marques, Jason Copland, Eryk Donovan, Micah Meyers, Josh Jensen, Nick Wentland, Taylor Esposito, Matt Krotzer, Zakk Saam
Story: 10 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.6 Recommendation: Buy

A Wave Blue World provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review


Purchase: comiXologyAmazonKindle

Toe Tag Riot Returns! The Comic Westboro Baptist Church Hates is Back!

Toe Tag Riot, the comic book series that the infamous hate group Westboro Baptist Church claimed would “split Hell wide open” is back for round 2 and on Kickstarter, with returning fan-favorite guest stars and a whole slew of new bad guys on their plate.

Cursed by a witch to become zombies whenever they play their music, Toe Tag Riot uses their “zombie superpowers” in the most ethical way possible: by murdering and eating bigots, homophobes, racists, sexists, and the like. The band broke up shortly after their mid-2000s tour, but have maintained a cult following in the punk rock scene. Their reunion tour, 15 years later, is being met with jubilation from the fans and fear from those who know they’re on the menu.

Created by writer Matt Miner and artist Sean Von Gorman, The Return of Toe Tag Riot is a 4-issue digital-first offering, with a physical trade paperback accompaniment. The campaign is seeking $19,000 to pay creators, fund rewards, and assorted fees. Rewards include copies of the books in both digital and physical formats, original art sketches, the chance to be drawn in and murdered within the pages of the comic, and a limited edition 2-song cassette single of songs recorded by the band (but really by Matt and Sean’s musician friends).

Rounding out the creative team are rising star colorist Gab Contreras and all-star letterer Taylor Esposito.

The creative team of Return of the Toe Tag Riot believe in positive and progressive values, and vehemently reject racism, sexism, ableism, ageism, homophobia, transphobia and xenophobia in all forms.

The Return of Toe Tag Riot
Cover by Jonathan Brandon Sawyer with colors by Josh Jensen

Review: All We Ever Wanted

When it comes to how the future will look, most creators these days only show us how worse the world can get. This direction may be attributed to the decline of the environment and the primal predilection of man. Things don’t exactly look all that great for us. The stories usually involves zombies like The Walking Dead or the widening of the gap between the poor and rich like The Hunger Games. Rarely do they involve utopias as dystopias create the more interesting conflicts that drives our entertainment.

The thing is there was a time and place where we looked to the stars and though of the possibilities. This is why Back to The Future II was one of the most indelible movies of 1980s and probably most talked about out of that franchise. It gave us hope of what the world could be. Utopias for some reason seem out of reach to the modern imagination. In the latest anthology form A Wave Blue World, All We Ever Wanted, we get several different visions of life in the future where life can be better.

In “The Pilot,” a pilot controls a ship her VR glasses only to encounter an alien queen and her earthbound ally. In “The Weight of Time,” one scientist uses time travel to try and wipe out anti LGBTQ backlash but instead realizes the problem is actually ahead. In “Una,” an alien wins the hearts and minds of the citizens she protects, eventually becoming a citizen because of it. In “Seventeen Souls,” one hero risks it all to save one girl from certain death. In “It Looked like Our Dreams,” two siblings wonder about a future where humanity does save itself. In “Gaea,” mother nature and technology defeat an alien invader in which one protagonist uses to her advantage.  In “Bombs Away,” a world is imagined where violence no longer leads to advantages or problem solving but unity as it was always intended.  In “And The Rest Was Magic,” one woman finds out how it is when one doesn’t buy into the propaganda of a dire future. In “Everything I Own,” one self-admitted pariah slowly builds a community around herself while at the same time, evolving. In “The Inventor’s Daughter,” one woman reunites with her mother after death and returns her to the essence. In “Blackstar,” one man helps people see their future for a cost. In “Life’s A Devil’s Bargain,” one woman shows how hate is more of a choice than one realizes. In “Chat Room,” one awkward girl finds solace with a friend that met online. In “Can you See it Now,” one couple finds out an evil corporation is behind a friend’s death. In “Just Like Heaven,” one young man’s defiance leads to him finding out the secret to the utopia he is living in. In “Alternica,” a man wakes up from being frozen to a world where money doesn’t exist. In “Owning Up To The Past,” one man admits to his daughter, the unjust violence he committed. In “Good Time,” one man’s wish is to see his daughter years after he is released from jail. In “Day At The Park,” a young girl teaches a robot how to fly a kite. In “Choice,” one man designed a robot to have the power of free will, to only regret his decision immediately. In “Seeds,” the grim reaper reminds a retired superhero that there is more to life than regrets.  In “Two Left Feet,” two thieves steal for the love of dance.

Overall, the anthology is an excellent collection of stories that shows that the future can be bright and we all should wear shades. The stories are as diverse and extraordinary as each contributor showing off a wide range of voices and visions. The art by each creator is magnetic, alluring, and vivid. Altogether, the world needs more visions of utopias and this book more than proves it.

Story: Matt Miner, Eric Palicki, Tyler Chin- Tanner, Lucia Fasano, Tess Fowler, Eliot Rahal, Jason Copland, Jennie Wood, Vasilis Pozios, Chris Visions, Lela Gwenn, Alex Paknadel, Chris Peterson, Alisa Kwitney, Mauricet, Josh Gorfain, Matt Lejuene, Howard Mackie, Dean Trippe, Justin Zimmerman, Wendy Chin-Tanner, Toby Cypress, Paul Allor, Jarrett Melendez, Taylor Hoffman, Jonathan Brandon Sawyer, Rich Douek, James Maddox, Gavin Smith, Nadia Shammas, Erik Burnham, Kay Honda, Maria Frohlich
Art: Dean Trippe, Danica Brine, Chris Peterson, Robbi Rodriguez, Michael Wiggam, Maria Frohlich, David Stoll, Ryan Lee, Juan Romera, Tony Gregori, Tess Fowler, Chris Visions, Ethan Claunch, Jude Vigants,  K.R.Whalen, Matt Horak, Jeff McComsey,  Gavin Smith, Ryan Cody, Liana Kangas, Anthony Marques, Jason Copland, Eryk Donovan, Micah Meyers, Josh Jensen, Nick Wentland, Taylor Esposito, Matt Krotzer, Zakk Saam
Story: 10 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.6 Recommendation: Buy

A Wave Blue World provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Vita Ayala and Eric Palicki join Circle Pit Press plus Gwar and The Dark

Circle Pit Press welcomes new creators Vita Ayala and Eric Palicki to the punk rock comics collective formed in August of this year.

Vita Ayala is a writer from New York, NY, and is one of the minds behind The Wilds, from Black Mask Studios, Submerged, from Vault Comics and works on books from DC Comics, Image, Valiant, and more. Eric Palicki hails from Seattle, WA, and is known for No Angel, from Black Mask Studios, This Nightmare Kills Fascists and All We Ever Wanted: Stories of a Better World, both from A Wave Blue World, and his new OGN titled Atlantis Wasn’t Built For Tourists.

New titles from Circle Pit Press creators have dropped, as well, including Kelly Williams‘ horror anthology series The Dark, which will see physical publishing through Source Point Press, with a free digital version through circlepitpress.com.

Also announcing: the next chapter in the GWAR comics world titled GWAR: The Enormogantic Fail, written by Circle Pit Press creator Matt Miner and GWAR’s Matt Maguire, and featuring art from CPP creators Kelly Williams and Jonathan Brandon Sawyer, among others. The GWAR book is currently in a pre-order drive at GWARCOMIC.COM to help fund production.

Circle Pit Press was formed in August of 2018 for the purpose of mutual elevation of CPP creators’ projects, regardless of publisher.  While Circle Pit Press is not a traditional publisher, creators involved can choose to publish under the CPP banner and original Circle Pit Press comics are in production now.

Circle Pit Press believes in positive and progressive values, and vehemently rejects racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, and xenophobia in all forms.

Advance Review: All We Ever Wanted

When it comes to how the future will look, most creators these days only show us how worse the world can get. This direction may be attributed to the decline of the environment and the primal predilection of man. Things don’t exactly look all that great for us. The stories usually involves zombies like The Walking Dead or the widening of the gap between the poor and rich like The Hunger Games. Rarely do they involve utopias as dystopias create the more interesting conflicts that drives our entertainment.

The thing is there was a time and place where we looked to the stars and though of the possibilities. This is why Back to The Future II was one of the most indelible movies of 1980s and probably most talked about out of that franchise. It gave us hope of what the world could be. Utopias for some reason seem out of reach to the modern imagination. In the latest anthology form A Wave Blue World, All We Ever Wanted, we get several different visions of life in the future where life can be better.

In “The Pilot,” a pilot controls a ship her VR glasses only to encounter an alien queen and her earthbound ally. In “The Weight of Time,” one scientist uses time travel to try and wipe out anti LGBTQ backlash but instead realizes the problem is actually ahead. In “Una,” an alien wins the hearts and minds of the citizens she protects, eventually becoming a citizen because of it. In “Seventeen Souls,” one hero risks it all to save one girl from certain death. In “It Looked like Our Dreams,” two siblings wonder about a future where humanity does save itself. In “Gaea,” mother nature and technology defeat an alien invader in which one protagonist uses to her advantage.  In “Bombs Away,” a world is imagined where violence no longer leads to advantages or problem solving but unity as it was always intended.  In “And The Rest Was Magic,” one woman finds out how it is when one doesn’t buy into the propaganda of a dire future. In “Everything I Own,” one self-admitted pariah slowly builds a community around herself while at the same time, evolving. In “The Inventor’s Daughter,” one woman reunites with her mother after death and returns her to the essence. In “Blackstar,” one man helps people see their future for a cost. In “Life’s A Devil’s Bargain,” one woman shows how hate is more of a choice than one realizes. In “Chat Room,” one awkward girl finds solace with a friend that met online. In “Can you See it Now,” one couple finds out an evil corporation is behind a friend’s death. In “Just Like Heaven,” one young man’s defiance leads to him finding out the secret to the utopia he is living in. In “Alternica,” a man wakes up from being frozen to a world where money doesn’t exist. In “Owning Up To The Past,” one man admits to his daughter, the unjust violence he committed. In “Good Time,” one man’s wish is to see his daughter years after he is released from jail. In “Day At The Park,” a young girl teaches a robot how to fly a kite. In “Choice,” one man designed a robot to have the power of free will, to only regret his decision immediately. In “Seeds,” the grim reaper reminds a retired superhero that there is more to life than regrets.  In “Two Left Feet,” two thieves steal for the love of dance.

Overall, the anthology is an excellent collection of stories that shows that the future can be bright and we all should wear shades. The story are as diverse and extraordinary as each contributor showing off a wide range of voices and visions. The art by each creator is magnetic, alluring, and vivid. Altogether, the world needs more visions of utopias and this book more than proves it.

Story: Matt Miner, Eric Palicki, Tyler Chin- Tanner, Lucia Fasano, Tess Fowler, Eliot Rahal, Jason Copland, Jennie Wood, Vasilis Pozios, Chris Visions, Lela Gwenn, Alex Paknadel, Chris Peterson, Alisa Kwitney, Mauricet, Josh Gorfain, Matt Lejuene, Howard Mackie, Dean Trippe, Justin Zimmerman, Wendy Chin-Tanner, Toby Cypress, Paul Allor, Jarrett Melendez, Taylor Hoffman, Jonathan Brandon Sawyer, Rich Douek, James Maddox, Gavin Smith, Nadia Shammas, Erik Burnham, Kay Honda, Maria Frohlich
Art: Dean Trippe, Danica Brine, Chris Peterson, Robbi Rodriguez, Michael Wiggam, Maria Frohlich, David Stoll, Ryan Lee, Juan Romera, Tony Gregori, Tess Fowler, Chris Visions, Ethan Claunch, Jude Vigants,  K.R.Whalen, Matt Horak, Jeff McComsey,  Gavin Smith, Ryan Cody, Liana Kangas, Anthony Marques, Jason Copland, Eryk Donovan, Micah Meyers, Josh Jensen, Nick Wentland, Taylor Esposito, Matt Krotzer, Zakk Saam
Story: 10 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.6 Recommendation: Buy

A Wave Blue World provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Punk Comic Creators Get the Band Together to Form Circle Pit Press

Fulfilling a burning need to work with like-minded people who would rather elevate their friends than step on their peers to get ahead, a group of comic creators springing from the world of punk rock and heavy metal have formed Circle Pit Press, a DIY comic book creator collective.

The initial slate of creators includes Matt Miner (GWAR: Orgasmageddon, Poser, Liberator), Kelly Williams (WWE, The Dark, Metaphase), Marie Enger (Adventure Time, Fhtagn & Loathing), Jonathan Brandon Sawyer (We(l)come Back, Critical Hit, Running Blood), Ray Nadine (Messenger, Dollhouse), and JB Roe, who has done work for Image Comics, Black Mask Studios, and more.

The primary purpose of Circle Pit Press will be for the mutual elevation of CPP creators’ projects, regardless of publisher. While Circle Pit Press is not a traditional publisher, creators involved can choose to publish under the CPP banner and original Circle Pit Press comics are in production now.

Circle Pit Press believes in positive and progressive values, and vehemently rejects racism, sexism, ableism, ageism, homophobia, transphobia and xenophobia in all forms.

Up the punx!

Preview: Gwar: Orgasmageddon #4

Gwar: Orgasmageddon #4

writers: Matt Miner, Matt Maguire
artist: Tom Neely, Matt Maguire
covers: Jonathan Brandon Sawyer (A), Matt Harding (B), New Costume Reveal Photo Cover (C)
FC | 32 pages | $3.99 | Mature

Join GWAR, SAWBORG and BOZO (the DESTRUCTO brothers), SEXECUTIONER, and ROBO-SLEAZY as they finish their quest to get back to the present, fix the future, and kick Mr. Perfect’s stupid butt all over the timescape! The final issue has dinosaurs, samurai, nazis, penguins, robots, 30s gangsters, robots, robot penguins, crack dealers, grindhouse movies, and not only that but it reveals GWAR’s new look! That’s right folks: GWAR’S NEW COSTUMES AND THEIR ORIGIN right here! Join GWAR and creators in the finale to this ridiculously bonkers chapter of Scumdog Lore!

Review: Gwar Orgasmageddon #3

GwarOrgasmageddon-03-Cov-A-Sawyer

Join the greatest heavy metal band to ever terrorize an audience, the all-mighty GWAR, as they rampage through the past to catch Mr. Perfect and shut him down for good. One part revenge, two parts bloodlust, all parts GWAR craziness! See GWAR’s influence on modern technological inventions, watch GWAR kill more historical dead guys, and drop in on a very special 1990s talk show episode taping. That’s right, this is the issue you demanded: GWAR of yesterday meets GWAR of today and things are gonna get…emotional.

In Gwar Orgasmageddon #3, the battle against the Kraken has a violent end, as the band tries to fix the cock-ship. When it displaces them to 16th Italy, they run into an old friend, an old enemy, and Leonardo DaVinci. It seems Sawborg has been busy since his run in with Mr. Perfect. The issue is the usual craziness that we’ve come to expect so far. This isn’t for the faint at heart. With only one issue left, I’m curious to see how this murderous tale of revenge and humor ends.

The art manages to mix in sizable quantities of gore, violence, and humor. It even gives a small cameo of the Oderus Urungus, as they appeared on the infamous Jerry Springer show. There’s also some interesting views of Renaissance era Italy. Even the violent scenes are getting more gore, as the series progresses.

This is a series that doesn’t take itself too seriously and likes to amp things up as high as it can go not just over the top but setting a new bar of insane fun.

Story: Matt Miner, Matt Maguire Art: Jonathan Brandon Sawyer
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Dynamite Entertainment provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Preview: Gwar: Orgasmageddon #3

Gwar: Orgasmageddon #3

writers: Matt Miner, Matt Maguire
artist: Jonathan Brandon Sawyer
covers: Jonathan Brandon Sawyer (A), Tom Neely (B), Taylor Esposito Scrapbook Cover (C)
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Mature

Join the greatest heavy metal band to ever terrorize an audience, the all-mighty GWAR, as they rampage through the past to catch Mr. Perfect and shut him down for good. One part revenge, two parts bloodlust, all parts GWAR craziness! See GWAR’s influence on modern technological inventions, watch GWAR kill more historical dead guys, and drop in on a very special 1990s talk show episode taping. That’s right, this is the issue you demanded: GWAR of yesterday meets GWAR of today and things are gonna get…emotional. Featuring story by sappy mess Matt Miner, GWAR’s Matt Maguire, and art by Jonathan Brandon Sawyer and members of GWAR, 2017’s most incredible comic finds a heart underneath the piles of rotting flesh and gallons of spew.

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