Tag Archives: spencer and locke

Action Lab Announces a Spencer & Locke Plushie Contest!

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Heads up, Spencer & Locke fans — there’s a panther on the loose! To celebrate the release of the Spencer & Locke trade paperback in comics shops and ComiXology now, writer David Pepose, artist Jorge Santiago, Jr. and publisher Action Lab: Danger Zone are giving away an exclusive, limited-edition Spencer doll to one lucky reader!

Just post a photo of yourself with a copy of Spencer & Locke by Wednesday, August 9, and tag David Pepose (@peposed), Jorge Santiago, Jr. (@jorgesantiagojr) and Action Lab: Danger Zone (@actionlabdanger) for a chance to win!

You can read our review of the first trade but in short, go to your shop and buy it!

Review: Spencer and Locke Vol. 1 TP

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Spencer_and_Locke_1_COVER-A-Jorge-Santiago-Jr-MAINMINOR SPOILERS BELOW

I heard about Spencer and Locke a few months ago. I had seen the premise somewhere online, and thought it was an interesting concept, but never got around to reading it until this past week. I soon discovered I was missing out on something that was familiar, but also new. Sure, it’s no secret that Spencer and Locke borrows its basic idea of a childhood toy coming to life for adventures with his human friend from the legendary Calvin and Hobbes, but it adds a wrinkle to the classic formula by having the boy be a full-grown man, Detective Locke, and the childhood toy and friend, Spencer, be a blue panther, complete with a button for an eye.

You constantly hear the term page turner, but that is exactly what this is. Writer David Pepose writes a fantastic and quick-moving story following the death of Detective Locke’s high school sweetheart, Sophie Jenkins. Along with the help of his panther friend, Spencer, whom to everyone else is of course a stuffed animal, they uncover many things from their past. The story gets dark in spots, but it never felt out-of-place. That may seem odd, since much of this is familiar to the childhood tale most everyone loves, but this is still an adventure after all, similar to what Calvin and Hobbes went on. The only difference is the adventures of Spencer and Locke involve murder, alleyways, abuse, and many more horrible things that exist in the real world of a traumatized boy who grows up to be a man.

The art by Jorge Santiago Jr. and colors by Jasen Smith works quite well with the story, and while most of the book has a distinct cartoon noir style, there are some great pages that channel the classic style made famous by greats like Bill Watterson. You really feel like you’re looking at a Calvin and Hobbes strip until the end where something like violence, child abuse, or something else really deep hits you hard. It’s effective, nostalgic, and really pulls off something that could have come off as cheesy, or as a cheap rip off. That’s the beauty of this entire book. It’s an ode to the past while bringing a new perspective to an old idea.

While it borrows from Bill Watterson’s classic comic strip, there’s a lot of Frank Miller and Ed Brubaker type inspired crime drama here as well. It’s somehow a perfect marriage of the two, which probably wasn’t an easy thing to pull off by the creators.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a new take on an old classic, or just some original idea to what seemed like an already done formula. It’s a buddy cop story with a man and his stuffed panther doll. The ending was intense, and left me wanting more. The producer of the Hitman movies has optioned the movie rights, so hopefully something comes of this, because it would be awesome on the big or small screen. This could work awesome as a Netflix series. I look forward to more of this series, and think you should check it out as well, because there is something here to love for everyone.

Story: David Pepose Art: Jorge Santiago Jr. Colors: Jasen Smith Lettering: Colin Bell
Story: 9.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Action Lab provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Preview: Spencer & Locke TPB

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SPENCER & LOCKE TPB

Written by DAVID PEPOSE
Art by JORGE SANTIAGO, JR.
Colors by JASEN SMITH
Lettering by COLIN BELL
Cover by JORGE SANTIAGO, JR.
$14.99 | 128 pgs. | Action Lab: Danger Zone | T+ | On sale AUGUST 2

Collecting the hit mini-series, Spencer & Locke follows hard-boiled Detective Locke as he investigates a brutal murder with the strangest of partners — his childhood imaginary panther, Spencer. But when they face brutal gunfights, deadly car chases and memories of Locke’s traumatic upbringing, can this unlikely pair survive long enough to find the truth? Find out in David Pepose and Jorge Santiago, Jr.’s action-packed send-up of Calvin and Hobbes and Sin City, which was just picked up for a feature film by Hitman producer Adrian Askarieh and Prime Universe Films!

Spencer & Locke is Optioned by Prime Universe Films

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Spencer & Locke is the latest comic book series to be optioned to be made in the film. The series written by David Pepose with art by Jorge Santiago, Jr. and published by Action Lab Entertainment has been picked up by film producer Adrian Askarieh and his company Prime Universe Films.

Spencer & Locke follows hard-boiled Detective Locke as he solves a brutal murder with the only partner he can trust — his imaginary talking panther, Spencer. But as their investigation stirs up a vicious crime syndicate and memories of Locke’s traumatic upbringing, can this unlikely pair survive long enough to learn the truth?

Spencer & Locke #4, which concludes the series’ action-packed storyline, will be available at comic shops and digital devices Wednesday, July 19. Series writer David Pepose will be signing copies of all four issues at Comic-Con International in San Diego at the Action Lab booth (#2006), including a never-before-seen SDCC variant cover from artist Joe Mulvey.

You can read our glowing review of the first issue and find out why this is a series you should check out now!

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Alex

Top Pick: God Country #6 (Image) – A sleeper hit for me, I didn’t start reading this until the 4th issue had come out, and I was struck by the stark brilliance of the comic. Everything about this issue is a joy to experience; Emmett Quinlan’s attitude embodies the best of humanity’s stubborn refusal to quit, and then the creative team produce a wonderfully written and drawn issue each month.

All-Star Batman #11 (DC Comics) – I’ve made no secret of the fact I’m a Scott Snyder fan… but I loved the previous issue. I can’t wait to read this, especially with Snyder delving back into Alfred’s past.

Rapture #2 (Valiant) – This is a bit of a cheat because I’ve already read the review copy and know I like it, but I’m excited to get my hands on a physical copy to check out the gorgeous artwork.

The Chair #1 (Alterna) – I have no idea what this is about.. but it’s a dollar. Every other one of Alterna’s newsprint comics has been more than worth the money, so I see no reason for this to be any different.

 

Shay

It’s a great week to be comic book lover, so many awesome titles that this almost became a top ten list. If you’re lucky you can finish them off, if you’re not , then you’ll have more than enough to keep you occupied next weekend as you gear up for the long beach (or camping) holiday weekend.

Harley Quinn #22 (DC Comics) – Poison Ivy is back and I’m looking forward to this dynamic duo getting their friendship ( or something else) back on track.

Batwoman #4 (DC Comics) – Alas, the end of the current arc is here and it’s looking like it’s going to bring up more questions about Batwoman’s origins and give us an interesting bad guy to learn more about in the next arc.

The X-Files: Origins – Dog Days of Summer #1 (IDW Publishing) – The truth is out there and teenage Mulder and Scully are going to find it. I can legit here the theme song in my head.

Crosswinds #1 (Image) – Cat Staggs and Gail Simone have teamed give us what I’m sure will be a true gift from the comic gods!

America #4 (Marvel) – Mardrimar is revealed, the Ultimates might be getting the band together and America gets a blast from the past that reminds her that she doesn’t always get it right.

Luke Cage #2 (Marvel) – Luke’s in New Orleans making new friends ,dealing with enemies and getting even closer to the truth or Dr. Burstein.

Bill & Ted Save the Universe #1 (BOOM! Studios) – I’m here for it!

Brik TP (Oni Press) – The series I miss the most is back in it’s very own trade paperback. Nothing new but, it’s nice seeing it in one place so I can revisit the things that made me fall in love with it , as I pine for some new issues.

 

Paul

Top Pick: Super Sons #5 (DC Comics) – This has been a great book from the start. Great action, I love the banter between Robin and Superboy and the art is great. I couldn’t ask for anything more from a superhero book. You really should be reading this.

Iceman #2 (Marvel) – I really enjoyed the first issue of Iceman’s solo series. It really gave new readers a glimpse into the character’s past, and gave us veterans a starting point to see where Bobby is going and how he is changing. It was a good mix of action and insight into the character and I hope it carries on in this second issue.

Secret Empire: Underground #1 (Marvel) – This event, like many of Marvel’s past events, has been a real let down. Aside from the fact that Marvel turned Steve Rogers into the fascist leader of Hydra and it seems Hydra’s reach didn’t take long at all to take hold, the event has just been boring and has induced many eye rolls, at least from this reader. But, I have been enjoying the tie in series more then the main event and this book has me excited. We saw this team in action in Secret Empire #4 and I was totally into all of it. I love the line up and their agenda and I’m really looking forward to seeing more from them. And to be honest, anything with Mockingbird in it is a must read for me.

W.M.D. Weapons of Mutant Destruction #1 (Marvel) – The new Weapon X series has been so-so; nothing terribly exciting except for this new mysterious Weapon X project that seems to be hunting down mutants instead of turning them into weapons. But after issue 4, we now have a better understanding of their why after finding out who is pulling the strings. But Old Man Logan and team are on their way for a little payback, so I’m excited to see how all this is going to explode…and if the cover to W.M.D #1 is any indication, it is going to explode big time!

 

Brett

Top Pick: Peter Parker: Spectacular Spider-Man #1 (Marvel) – Chip Zdarsky takes on Spider-Man and boy am I looking forward to this one. Zdarsky’s humor should fit really well with the classic Spider-Man which was more about the quips and fun. Here’s hoping!

Lobo/Road Runner Special #1 and Wonder Woman/Tasmanian Devil #1 (DC Comics) – The first two series that mashed up DC characters with Looney Tunes were a lot of fun and I can’t wait to read the fun that’ll be these two issues.

Solarman #3 (Scout Comics) – It’s been a long time coming, but I’m still looking forward to this issue which feels like the predecessor in some ways to Lion Forge’s Catalyst line.

Spencer and Locke #3 (Action Lab: Danger Zone) – A great combination of concepts for a solid noir series with a twist.

Victor Lavalle’s Destroyer #2 (BOOM! Studios) – A new take on the classic Frankenstein story. The first issue was good and I can’t wait to see where this series goes.