Tag Archives: Mark Alan Miller

Preview: Clive Barker’s Next Testament Omnibus SC

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Clive Barker’s Next Testament Omnibus SC

Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writer:  Clive Barker, Mark Alan Miller
Artist: Haemi Jang
Colorist: Vladimir Popov
Letterer: Steven Wands
Cover Artist: Goñi Montes
Price: $29.99

Finally collected in one complete volume, experience the terrifying madness of Master of Horror’s first original comic book series

Julian Demond is a captain of industry who left behind everything and began a walkabout, believing himself to be on a mission from above. He soon discovers a figure unlike any other, one who calls himself Wick…and claims to be God.

Bestselling author Clive Barker, co-writer Mark Alan Miller (Clive Barker’s Hellraiser), and internationally acclaimed artist Haemi Jang (Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: The Road Below) come together for a thrilling story not of this world, collecting all twelve issues of the Harvey Award-nominated horror epic.

Clive Barker's Next Testament Omnibus SC

Review: The Steam Man #5

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27829The surviving members of the Steam Man’s intrepid crew have lost all hope. Now captives of the vengeful and vicious Dark Rider and victims of his hideous torture, they can only watch helplessly as the Rider initiates Armageddon—but just because the crew is down for the count, don’t count the Steam Man himself out of the fight!

With the Steam Man down, and its crew either dead or captured by the Dark Rider.  However never count out a determination of man who wants vengeance. Of course by some extreme will power of one man who crewed the Steam Man, he escapes and without help manages to start the mighty machine back up.  As the story concludes, the Dark Rider falls, and the Steam man and its remaining crew walk away with their vengeance sated.

Compared to previous issues, this final issue is much darker in both art and story. That actually manages to intensify the world, as the Captain, Feather, and the Dark Rider end their clash in a brutal, and violent way. I will admit the more I read this issue, I could see the influence of Mike Mignola. Especially in the close up of the Dark Rider, which has a grotesque, predatory appearance.

Story: Mark Alan Miller, Joe R. Lansdale Art: Piotr Kowalski
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: The Steam Man #4

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27828

The battle between the Steam Man and the Dark Rider approaches its devastating climax! Swarmed by vicious Morlocks, the crew of the Steam Man must engage in brutal hand-to-hand combat, but their wiles and wits may not be up to the task of defeating the Dark Rider’s rabid thralls!

This is issues ends the battle between the Steam Man, and the machine built by the morlocks. I could reveal how the battle ends but, that would spoil the issue within a sentence. With only one issue left to go in this mini-series writers Mark Alan Miller and Joe R. Lansdale definitely set things up for a final, exciting issue.

However I can talk about the artwork without giving away too much of the story, I think. Artist Piotr Kowalski handles those duties, and the climatic fight scene is well drawn, and extremely consistent. Even the last battle is well drawn, and doesn’t skip on the violence. The use of color manages to bolsters the atmosphere of action violence, and revenge that appears throughout the issue.

Story: Mark Alan Miller, Joe R. Lansdale Art: Piotr Kowalski
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.5  Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: The Steam Man #3

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27827As the stranded monster hunters attempt to rehabilitate their crippled Steam Man, the Dark Rider makes ready his own war machine! Now, as the shadow of death looms overhead, can the intrepid crew raise the steam-powered titan in time to prevent untold destruction?

The Steam Man #3 is the perfect story for a middle issue, of the five issue run of this oddly brilliant story written by Mark Alan Miller and Joe R. Lansdale. There is still some story to be built up, but it is very close to the peak of the story. I will admit the fight between a metallic, steam driven robot, and a wooden robot run by the henchmen of the Dark Rider is a great point in the story.

Even the artwork by Piotr Kowalski of the fight is superb. Honestly I love the amount of detail they put into the overlapping wooden posts that make up the wooden robot.

Only have one minor complaint/question: Why is the spine so exposed in the Morlock driven wooden Robot? It just seems like a odd design. One hit there and the entire thing would topple.

Story: Mark Alan Miller, Joe R. Lansdale Art: Piotr Kowalski
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: The Steam Man #2

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27826The Dark Rider’s tale is one of tragedy and cold-blooded murder. But how did he go from mild-mannered time traveler to the deadliest vampire the Old West has ever known?

The Steam Man #2 continues the odd journey of the steam-driven robot, and its chase of the Dark Rider. The second issue is a change when compared to the first. While that one focused more on the Steam Man himself and its crew, outside of a few early pages, this issue has a heavier focus on the Dark Rider, and how he became who he is. I’ll leave the details of that out of this review to keep it spoiler free.

The panels and pages where the Steam Man and its crew are drawn have a much warmer atmosphere. That’s mainly due to the use of more vibrant color. However outside of those pages, the color scheme is much darker. Of course given the fact that this issues focus on the Dark Rider’s origin, that does make sense.  However there are some “bright” spots in the Dark Rider’s origin, which manage to make a nice balance between the light and dark colors used.

Story: Mark Alan Miller and Joe R. Lansdale  Art: Piotr Kowalski
Story 8.0 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Read

Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Early Review: The Steam Man #1

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unnamed (7)The Steam Man is a new action-packed comic which interestingly mixes science fiction and the old west. Set in 1899, three monster hunters control a giant steam-powered robot which was built-in order to fight armies and many more otherworldly creatures. Everything in The Old West is under control until a powerful vampire appears in town to bring terror upon it.

First things first, The Steam Man is well written and well designed and most importantly gripping. For me, this comic was a rather reminiscent blend of the films The Iron Giant and Pacific Rim. The Iron Giant because the way in which this steam-powered robot appearance resembles that of The Iron Giant. Pacific Rim because giant robots were used and controlled by humans throughout out the film. A bit of nostalgia for me and something for you to think about too.

In terms of the writing of The Steam Man, by Mark Alan Miller, it’s fantastic, it’s engaging and you feel as if you’re a part of the story since the narration captions are in the first person of one of the main characters. Moreover, it’s great how captions are utilized briefly to give a little information about the men who control the Iron Giant instantly making you more familiar with the characters and story itself.

If I had to use one word to describe the artwork of this comic by Piotr Kowalski it would be riveting. The use of the reds, browns and beiges very much depicts a kind of apocalyptic setting which puts an emphasis on the evil within The Old West but also the evil to come. Furthermore, there’s just something so satisfying about the panel work. It’s sharp, fluid and well-connected.

Overall, The Steam Man is an awesome comic. Good storyline, quality artwork, and the entertainment value is there.

Story: Mark Alan Miller, Joe R. Lansdale Art: Piotr Kowalski
Story: 10 Art: 9 Overall: 9.25 Recommendation: Buy

Dark Horse Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review