Tag Archives: opus

Frank Frazetta’s Tales of Science-Fantasy #1 delivers lessons about tyrants

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Frank Frazetta's Tales of Science-Fantasy #1

Frank Frazetta’s Tales of Science-Fantasy #1 is the debut of a new quarterly anthology series, each issue focusing on another masterpiece by the godfather of fantasy art, Frank Frazetta. In this story, inspired by the painting “Alien Crucifixtion,” writer Denton J. Tipton and artist Miguel Ángel Ruiz chronicle the final days of a brutal planetary dictator pursued by enemies and allies alike.

Generally, I’m not too familiar with Frazetta’s works. I know some of the more famous art (Death Dealer) but the stories and worlds around them are pretty foreign to me. So, to see comics spun out of his paintings has been interesting and what I’ve read, it’s been a bit mixed for me. Not knowing the “original material” hasn’t helped at all. So, I went into Frank Frazetta’s Tales of Science-Fantasy #1 with a wide open mind, intrigued about a comic based on a painting. And, but the time I finished reading, I wanted to learn more.

Tipton delivers a one-shot comic that’s entertaining and feels a bit of a parable as well. Duce is a dictator whose people are fed up and no idea who he can trust. We’re given the motivations of the various individuals in pursuit and who he must deal with to survive. And in the end, we’re left with a lesson to ponder and think about. It’s a whirlwind story that is perfect for expansion. What exactly has Duce done? What was the breaking point of the people? There’s potential here to explore our society through this fantasy world, as good sci-fi does. As is, Frank Frazetta’s Tales of Science-Fantasy #1 is an entertaining read that feels like the Cliff’s Notes of events. It’s not a bad thing but there’s a lot packed into this one issue. And even with so much thrown at readers, it entertains with its twists and turns.

The art by Miguel Ángel Ruiz is interesting to me. With color by Josh Burcham and lettering by Jacob Bascle, there’s a familiarity with the world and characters, as if they’re riffed on other works. I’m not familiar with how much Frazetta fleshed out but you can see things like John Carter of Mars within. Like the story itself, there’s a lot of small details that leave you wondering and wanting to learn more about the world. The team does an excellent job of delivering the emotion of the characters it focuses on. Whether it’s Duce’s anger, the frustrations of soldiers, or the cloud of evil hovering over others, the comic does a solid job of conveying where everyone stands and a bit why just in their body language.

Frank Frazetta’s Tales of Science-Fantasy #1 is an intriguing start to the series. It has that anthology feel with a nice lesson in the end for readers to ponder and chew on. What’s better, the debut leaves us wanting more from this brutal world. Despite its fascist leader, it’s a start that leaves a lot to explore and lessons to be learned in a reflection on our reality.

Story: Denton J. Tipton Art: Miguel Ángel Ruiz
Color: Josh Burcham Letterer: Jacob Bascle
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

Opus Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics

Mini Reviews: Four Debuts and more G.I. JOE!

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Blood Syndicate #1

Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling reviews of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full one for.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Blood Syndicate #1 (DC Comics/Milestone) – The issue is an interesting one as Milestone expands a bit bringing back another classic series with a bit of an update. The update works pretty well but there’s a lot of things that just happen with little explanation making the comic a bit of a headscratcher at times. It’s a decent start that has me wanting to see more but this might be an overall package than individual issue when it comes to how good it is. Overall Rating: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

Avatar: Adapt or Die #1 (Dark Horse) – Time perfectly for the release of the first trailer for the upcoming sequel film, the comic takes us back to Pandora. The Na’vi are presented with an option to gain knowledge from the Sky People with schools but debate their contaminating their lives. There’s a lot to chew on but like the original film, it feels like it’s not original enough, especially when we get to the end and find the conflict to come in a mysterious disease. Overall Rating: 7.0 Recommendation: Read

Cold Iron #1 (comiXology Originals) – Me not knowing references probably hurt my enjoyment of the comic but it’s a horror comic that takes place on the Isle of Man. There’s some interesting stuff there but overall it didn’t quite hook me like I hoped. I want to see where it goes but the first issue is kind of meh. Overall Rating: 6.75 Recommendation: Read

Frank Frazetta’s Death Dealer #1 (Opus) – I don’t know much about Death Dealer beyond the classic Frank Frazetta art and the collectibles that spun out of it. So, this being my first introduction to the character and story I was really intrigued. Unfortunately, there’s a lot like it and a lot that’s so much better. This character tortured by a voice who’s a killing machine feels like it’s been done over and over. It didn’t help the comic slipped into some bad fantasy tropes that had me rolling my eyes. Unless you’re a hardcore Frazetta fan, this is a pass. Overall Rating: 6.0 Recommendation: Pass

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Saturday Morning Adventures #3 (IDW Publishing) – The comic perfectly captures the classic cartoon not just in the story but the art as well. There’s such an amazing attention to detail for both that it feels like I’m transported almost 4 decades back. If you’re a fan of the classic 80s cartoon, this is a must and feels like coming home for some afternoon cartoons. Overall Rating: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write. See you next week!

Please note that with some of the above comics, Graphic Policy was provided FREE copies for review. Where we purchased the comics, you’ll see an asterisk (*). If you don’t see that, you can infer the comic was a review copy. In cases where we were provided a review copy and we also purchased the comic you’ll see two asterisks (**).

Metal Band HammerFall Teams Up With Incendium For Comics And Figures

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Templars of Steel, arise! HammerFall and Incendium are teaming up for the launch of an epic high-fantasy adventure comic series that explores the legacy of Hector, the iconic mascot depicted across decades of album sleeves from the legendary Swedish heavy metal band.

Incendium has also announced the first in a line of collectible HammerFall action figures inspired by the bands’ cover artwork and lyrical lore; ‘Hector’ will be available for the first time as a fully articulated 5” action figure with accessories.

Published under Incendium’s music-focused OPUS imprint, HammerFall is crafted by industry veterans: writer Ian Edginton and artist Kevin West , with lettering by Jacob Bascle, and features cover artwork by Ryan Christensen.

In HammerFall #1, a vile blight spreads across the land. When a lone warrior rides deep into the forest to face the savagery and madness head on, his quest for Justice leads him to a figure from his past, the herald to a dark master who cannot be undone by mastery of arms alone.

The first print edition of HammerFall #1 will be released as a prestige-format limited edition collectible comic book, featuring cardstock covers, specialty foil treatments, glossy pages, and individual numbering.

The first printing of the comic will be limited to 1666 copies at $19.99, and is available to order. It is available to order now and ships in March 2022. The Hector action figure is also available to pre-order for $32.95, shipping summer 2022.

Thrash Metal Band Exodus Teams Up With Incendium For a Comic Series

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Exodus and Incendium are teaming up for the launch of Tales Of The Damned, a four-issue comic book anthology series that explores classic tracks from the band, a legendary pioneer in the thrash metal genre. The terrifying “Organist” from Exodus artwork and lore will also be immortalized as an action figure.

Published under Incendium’s music-focused OPUS imprint, the first issue riffs on the title track of 2004’s Tempo Of The Damned and is crafted by horror masters, writer Ian Edginton and artist Luis Guaragna. Tales Of The Damned #1 features cover artwork by Ryan Christensen that showcases the “Organist.” The first issue is lettered by Jacob Bascle and edited by Llexi Leon and Denton J. Tipton.

In the bone-chilling first issue of Tales Of The Damned, a teenage girl goes missing after becoming obsessed with “The Wavelength,” a mysterious signal coming from an elusive radio station. Her protective older sister’s search leads to an abandoned town, where she not only unravels the mystery of her sister’s disappearance but also of the cursed music behind it…The Tempo of the Damned.

The debut of the comic book series coincides with the release of Exodus’ new album Persona Non Grata, which the legendary thrash metal band recorded themselves from home-built studios with the help of Andy Sneap on mixing and mastering and with Steve Lagudi at the helm of engineering. Their groundbreaking eleventh studio album, Persona Non Grata, will be released by Nuclear Blast Records.

Tales Of The Damned is a quarterly anthology series; the first print edition of each issue will be released as a prestige-format limited edition collectible comic book, featuring cardstock covers, specialty foil treatments, glossy pages, and individual numbering.

The first printing of each issue will be limited to 1500 copies at $16.66, and available to order. The first issue is available to order now and ships October 31, 2021. The “Organist” action figure is also available to pre-order for $29.95, shipping Q1 2022.

Heavy Metal, Disturbed, And Incendium Team Up For Comic Series

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Disturbed, Incendium, and Heavy Metal Entertainment have announced Dark Messiah, a five-part comic book series. Published under Heavy Metal Entertainment and Incendium’s music-focused OPUS imprint, the story was conceptualized by Incendium CEO Llexi Leon and Tim Seeley and written by Seeley, with illustrations by Ángel Hernández, and cover artwork by Ryan Christensen.

Dark Messiah takes place in the not-so-distant future, as firefighter Griffin DeSanto finds himself a man out of time, stumbling into a harsh world of poverty, automation, and subjugation. Technology rules and a tech empire built on suffering keeps the population in check through surveillance and mechanized policing. Though lost, Griffin is never alone. He was brought here for a reason, and The Vengeful One is his guide.

Dark Messiah begins as a 5-issue comic series; the first print edition of each issue will be released as a prestige-format limited edition collectible comic book, featuring cardstock covers, specialty foil treatments, glossy pages, and individual numbering. Disturbed’s Dark Messiah will extend beyond the printed page into toys, apparel, and collectibles, including an action figure of “The Guy”.

The first printing of each Dark Messiah issue will be limited to 3000 copies at the devilish price of $16.66, and available to order. The first issue is available to order now and ships July 2021. “The Guy” action figure is also
available to pre-order for $29.95, shipping October 2021.

Heavy Metal Entertainment, Incendium, and Evanescence Debut ‘Echoes From The Void’

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Evanescence, Incendium, and Heavy Metal Entertainment announce the launch of Echoes from the Void, an Evanescence Graphic Anthology Series, under Incendium’s all-new music-focused OPUS imprint.

Echoes from the Void is a fantasy Graphic Anthology Series, comprised of 48-page deluxe comic books, each featuring two or more story adaptations from the Evanescence catalogue. Beginning with story themes based on songs from their upcoming March 26th release The Bitter Truth (BMG), and culminating in revisiting iconic material from throughout the band’s career, the project is comprised of a series of short stories created by an all-star cast of graphic artists, animators, illustrators, fine artists, screenwriters, novelists, and more.

Combining bandleader Amy Lee’s love of visual arts, fantasy-inspired graphics, and graphic novels with the narrative power of Evanescence’s music, the series is being developed in close collaboration with Amy as she oversees the creative direction of the art and stories. Echoes from the Void begins as a 5-issue series, with each issue containing stories based on two or more of Evanescence’s songs, presented in a variety of visual styles and mediums. Issue #1, available in limited-edition, includes two stories inspired by the songs “Better Without You” and “Wasted On You,” from the forthcoming Evanescence album, The Bitter Truth, with tales written by Carrie Lee South and Blake Northcott. The issue will feature illustrations from Hugo Award-winning artist Abigail Larson and highly-esteemed painter Kelly McKernan.

The first print edition of each issue will be released as a prestige format limited-edition collectible comic book, with cardstock covers, specialty foil treatments, glossy pages, and individual numbering. Each first printing will be limited to 3,000 copies priced at $18.95, and available to order. The first issue is available to order now and ships in June 2021.

The art of Echoes from the Void will also be made available to purchase through a series of archival fine art prints, the first of which is illustrated by Kelly McKernan. Incorporating symbols and themes from across the band’s discography into an intricate traditionally painted work that also debuts a mysterious original character, the print features a blue tint glow in the dark base with a luminous pink UV active overlay, as part of an individually numbered 500-piece collection. Kelly’s print is available now.

Cradle of Filth Goes Heavy Metal with a New Comic Anthology Series

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Incendium and Heavy Metal Entertainment have announced the launch of Maledictus Athenaeum, a Cradle of Filth comic book anthology series, under the all-new music-focused OPUS imprint.

In the ruined halls of the Maledictus Athenaeum lie occult histories, sealed records, and cursed artifacts – this unholy archive explores the far corners of Cradle of Filth’s musical legacy, a vast universe of Ageless Vampires, Mythical Creatures and Vengeful Gods. The Countess, The Huntress, Lilith, The Manticore, and many more, will be revisited in stories from an all-star roster of comics talent from the pages of Heavy Metal Magazine and beyond.

Maledictus Athenaeum begins as a 5-issue series. The first print edition of each issue will be released as a prestige format limited edition collectible comic book, featuring cardstock covers, specialty foil treatments, glossy pages, and individual numbering. Each first printing will be limited to 2500 copies at $16.66, and available to order. The first issue is available to order now and ships in May 2021.

The cursed tales of Maledictus Athenaeum will extend beyond the printed page into toys and collectibles. Dani Filth and the iconic Succubus of Cradle of Filth’s 2001 album Bitter Suites to Succubi make up Wave 1 of the Cradle of Filth action figure range, also available to pre-order for $29.95, shipping June 2021.

Joe Satriani’s Crystal Planet comes and Incendium under the OPUS imprint

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Incendium and Heavy Metal Magazine have announce the launch of Crystal Planet, created by Joe Satriani and Ned Evett, under all-new music-focused OPUS imprint. The comic features a script by Tony Lee, art by Richard Friend, color by Carlos Cabrera, lettering by Jacob Bascle, and edited by Llexi Leon.

A vivid space odyssey where Satchel Walker, a man out of time, finds himself caught between desperate factions as they battle for resources in the perilous orbit of a dying star. In a bold and brutal saga of sentient storms and Wingsuit armies, it’s music, and more importantly, the power and emotion that music can conjure, which could bring an end to the conflict, restore harmony to the timestream, and reveal Walker’s true place in the universe.

Crystal Planet begins as a 5 issue series. The first print edition of each issue will be released as a prestige format limited edition collectible comic book, featuring cardstock covers, specialty foil treatments, glossy pages, and individual numbering. Each first printing will be limited to 1998 copies at $19.98, and available to order. The first issue is available to order now and ships in March 2021.

The world of Crystal Planet will extend beyond the printed page into toys and collectibles. A Joe Satriani Crystal Planet action figure is also available to pre-order for $29.95, featuring Joe in a Tri-Diver suit from the comics with his signature Crystal Planet Ibanez guitar. Shipping May 2021.