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Preview: The Resistance Universe: The Origins

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The Resistance Universe: The Origins

by J. Michael Straczynski (W), Gregg Hurwitz (W), Michael Moreci (W), Kaare Andrews (W/A), Mike Deodato, Jr. (A), C.P. Smith (A), Mike Choi (A), Mark Texeira (A), Alessandro Vitti (A), Lee Loughridge (C), Snakebite Cortez (C), Brian Reber (C), Ive Svorcina (C), Sal Cipriano (L), AndWorld Design (L), Rahzzah (CA)
In Shops: Dec 14, 2022
SRP: $19.99

In March 2020, amid Covid-19 lockdowns, AWA launched a bold new universe for the 21st Century with J. Michael Straczynski & Mike Deodato Jr.’s The Resistance, in which “Reborns” gain incredible powers in the wake of a global pandemic. Other creators followed with series such as E-Ratic, Knighted, and The Joneses. Now, for the first time, we are collecting each of the initial chapters in this super-sized 368-page collection.

Contains: The Resistance Vol. 1 (#1-6), The Resistance: Reborns (One Shot), The Resistance: Uprising Vol. 2 #1, Moths #1, E-Ratic Vol. 1 #1, Knighted #1, The Joneses #1, E-Ratic: Recharged Vol. 2 #1

The Resistance Universe: The Origins

The Resistance Universe expands with The Resistance Universe: The Origins

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AWA Studios has announced The Resistance Universe: The Origins. The super-sized first collection of stories from the developers’ original shared universe, The Resistance, was created and penned by acclaimed filmmaker and comic book writer J. Michael Straczynski and illustrated by Eisner Award-winner Mike Deodato, Jr. Additional creators including Gregg Hurwitz, Kaare Andrews, C.P. Smith, Mike Choi, and more followed suit, creating their own series that each tell a different story within the Resistance Universe. The 368-page collected edition will be available on Wednesday, December 7.

In March 2020, amid COVID-19 lockdowns, AWA Studios launched a bold new universe featuring compelling  21st Century themes with J. Michael Straczynski & Mike Deodato Jr.’s The Resistance, in which “Reborns” gain incredible powers in the wake of a global pandemic. This epic debut series planted the flag for a new universe of heroes and villains. After humanity faced “The Great Death” – a pandemic that killed millions of people – survivors with superhuman powers known as the “Reborns” become Earth’s last hope. The concept of this universe stemmed from an intersection of ideas from J. Michael Straczynski, who was fascinated by where the premise for science fiction ends and the superhero universe begins. 

Over the last two years, other creators like Gregg Hurwitz, Kaare Andrews, and Michael Moreci have followed with their own series’ within the Resistance Universe. Now, for the first time, AWA is collecting each of the initial chapters in this super-sized collection which includes the following series:

  • THE RESISTANCE VOL. 1 – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski | Artist: Mike Deodato, Jr.

The epic debut series that plants the flag for a new universe of heroes and villains. A global disaster known as “The Great Death” leaves hundreds of millions dead in its wake. Shortly after the disease mysteriously subsides, amid a rising tide of fascism born of fear, a few thousand suddenly manifest superhuman powers. Are they harbingers of more perils to come…or Earth’s last hope?

  • THE RESISTANCE: REBORNS – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski | Artist: C.P. Smith

This special collection explores the origins of five characters in this new universe of heroes and villains including The Mad, the Dangerous, The Hidden, The Lost, and The Transcendent. 

  • THE RESISTANCE: UPRISING #1 – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski | Artist: C.P. Smith

To avert decimation at the hands of a fascistic government crackdown in the wake of the assassination of their leader, the Resistance must discover the ace up their sleeve, and then the key to unlocking it. 

  • MOTHS #1 – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski | Artist: Mike Choi

Following heroine Emily Kai who is known as a “Moth,” MOTHS #1 is an intimate look at a very special species within the superhuman race known as The Reborns. 

  • E-RATIC #1 – Writer & Artist: Kaare Andrews

This series follows Oliver Leif, a fifteen-year-old teenager who is new to town in the wake of The Great Death and is suddenly granted incredible powers. Cool, right? There’s only one problem: he can only use his powers for ten minutes at a time. 

  • E-RATIC: RECHARGED #1 – Writer & Artist: Kaare Andrews

In Volume 2 of the fan-favorite series, Oliver Leif picks up right where he left off – saving the world again as he navigates even more pressing perils like young love, bullies, a broken family, and the gauntlet that is high school. 

  • KNIGHTED #1 – Writer: Gregg Hurwitz | Artist: Mark Texeira

This action-packed adventure introduces a masked vigilante for the 21st Century named Bob Ryder, whose bad luck streak comes to a crescendo when he accidentally kills the city’s masked vigilante and is forced to take on the mantle of the legendary hero before the city descends into chaos.

  • THE JONESES #1 – Writer: Michael Moreci | Artist: Alessandro Vitti

This series focuses on a suburban family with a big secret – mother, father, sister and brother were all transformed into something superhuman. While the world embraces fascism born of fear, the Joneses realize they face grave consequences if they are exposed.

Featuring all-new cover art and a special foreword by J. Michael Straczynski, The Resistance Universe: The Origins will be available December 7, both digitally and in stores wherever comic books are sold for $19.99.

The Resistance Universe: The Origins

Review: The Resistance #5

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The Resistance #5

The Boys has changed what most people think of how superheroes are supposed to act. It has changed hoe we should look at such narratives. Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson superlative concoction more than subverts genre, it redefines it.  AS it not only puts  pragmatic narrative into play, one that the DCU movies, have sparingly attempted to do, but lacking the emotive punch needed for the audience to buy into it.

As both seasons thus far has proven to naysayers how to do a story about superheroes the right way. The one premise in the show  which sounded like something in the news, is how the company producing the superhero serum , has sold that same serum to terrorists. As one would logically see that something like that would eventually happen. In The Resistance #5, just like in The Boys, a powerful enemy is found to also have superpowers

We are taken to North Korea, where one young man is about to undergo a public execution, but before this was his plan all along, was for it a public display, where he used his powers to show them that superpowered beings were indomitable. We are also taken to Guatemala, where one of our heroes , stops a child from being  sex trafficked. Our heroes eventually ask Hasburg, of the best way to move forward, leading them to organize a revolution. By the issue’s end, their stand gets resistance from the the military worldwide, leading them to stand firm .

Overall, The Resistance #5 is an exciting penultimate issue. The story by J. Michael Straczynski is hypnotic. The art by the creative team is remarkable. Altogether, an issue where our protagonists realize exactly who they are.

Story: J. Michael Straczynski Art: Mike Deodato Jr., Frank Martin Jr., and Rahzzah
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

AWA Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology

Review: The Resistance #4

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The Resistance #4

What I absolutely loved about Smallville is the dense world-building. It doesn’t seem like it at first because the character of Superman is well known. What the creators had to overcome was immense because of that fact. They had to make him interesting, especially since many fans thought of him as too “perfect”.

The only other iteration before that explored this fact was the short-lived cartoon in the early 1990s. It did its best to show him while he learned his powers but failed ultimately to tell a compelling story. One of the major catalysts within the story was a “green rock” shower which explained away how everyone else got powers In The Resistance #4 we get an inkling of this same trope.

We are taken to 4 months, earlier in a remote part of New Mexico, where four men rush towards what they feel will be their payday, when they find a meteor, not knowing this is how they get affected. We are taken back to the United Nations Security Council, where they are assuming the worst is behind them, but still not having full knowledge of how the losses occurred in the first place. We also see Hasburg confronted by two superpower beings, as they plead for his help in understanding how they got it and how to use it. By issue’s end, Lisa using her powers of imposition shows him just how many of them are there and how they can affect real change.

Overall, The Resistance #4 is a strong fourth issue that gives readers the proper perspective. The story by J. Michael Straczynski is spellbinding. The art by the creative team is impressive. Altogether, a story where the protagonists become invincible.

Story: J. Michael Straczynski Art: Mike Deodato Jr., Frank Martin Jr., and Rahzzah
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

AWA Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics

Preview: The Resistance Vol. 2 #1

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The Resistance Vol. 2 #1

(W) J. Michael Straczynski (A) C. P. Smith (CA) Rahzzah
In Shops: Apr 07, 2021
SRP: $3.99

Acclaimed writer J. Michael Straczynski returns the prescient, ambitious world of The Resistance! In the wake of the assassination of their leader, the Resistance is in disarray, disconnected from each other and hunted by authorities around the world – including an army of “reborns” recruited by the American government. To avert decimation at the hands of a fascistic government crackdown, the Resistance must discover the ace up their sleeve, and then the key to unlocking it.

The Resistance Vol. 2 #1

Fight the Power with Power in The Resistance Uprising

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Acclaimed writer J. Michael Straczynski returns the prescient, ambitious world of The Resistance! In the wake of the assassination of their leader, the Resistance is in disarray, disconnected from each other and hunted by authorities around the world – including an army of “reborns” recruited by the American government. To avert decimation at the hands of a fascistic government crackdown, the Resistance must discover the ace up their sleeve, and then the key to unlocking it.

Joining Straczynski on art is C.P. Smith and The Resistance: Uprising #1 features covers by Rahzzah and Mike Deodato.

The Resistance Vol. 2 #1

AWA Studios Has a Giveaway to Win 6 Trade Paperbacks from their Upshot Imprint for Black Friday and Cyber Monday

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AWA Studios ready to spread a little joy! From 11/24/20–11/30/20, you can enter their giveaway for a chance to win 6 new trade paperbacks from their Upshot imprint: The Resistance, Year Zero, Archangel 8, Hotell, Red Border, and COVID Chronicles. 10 lucky AWA Newsletter Subscribers will be chosen randomly – But they must subscribe to the newsletter and share at least one of AWA’s social posts with the hashtag #AWABLACKFRIDAY. Winners will be contacted 11/30/20-12/01/20 via email for their shipping address.

AWA Studios, Magnetic, and Harlequin Deliver 8 New Digital Comics Today

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ComiXology Delivers eight new digital comics for you today including the first round of collections from AWA Studios. You’ll also find new releases from Harlequin and Magnetic Press. Find all eight comics and get shopping here or check out the individual releases below.

Archangel 8

Written by Michael Moreci
Art by C.P. Smith
Colored by Snakebite Cortez
Cover by Jeff Dekal
Purchase

In a world beyond the sight of mortals, Heaven and Hell wage war for the souls of mankind. Principal among God’s legion are seven archangels written about in religious texts for millennia. But there is an eighth archangel, known only from passing allusions in Apocrypha, who operates under a different code. Fighting without God’s sanction, he faces the enemy on his own terms, and shows just how bad good can be.

Archangel 8

A Baby For The Boss

Written by Maureen Child
Art by Megumi Toda
Purchase

Jenny is at a loss. Finally getting a big opportunity for her career, she finds out she’ll have to work with Mike of all people. Jenny had once felt an instant connection with the tall, handsome billionaire. But it had all disappeared when their one-night stand led to a horrible misunderstanding the next morning. Now, trying to forget their past intimacy while working with Mike makes it increasingly difficult for Jenny to deny her feelings. She succumbs and they share another passionate night together. Jenny finds out she’s pregnant, but Mike can’t seem to get over the past…

A Baby For The Boss

The Contaxis Baby

Written by Lynne Graham
Art by Kanako Uesugi
Purchase

“A horrible woman who drove her boyfriend, Connor, to his death.” That’s the cruel reputation that haunts Lizzie. But worse still is the truth about Connor, which Lizzie refuses to reveal. With a heavy heart, Lizzie agrees to a friend’s invitation for a night out. There, she draws the eye of a Greek man named Sebastian. She spends the night with him…but little does she know, his true intention is revenge!

The Contaxis Baby

Hotell

Written by John Lees
Art by Dalibor Talajic
Colored by Lee Loughridge
Cover by Kaare Andrews, Keron Grant
Purchase

You won’t find it on any map, but if you happen to be driving down Route 66 late at night and you’re truly desperate for shelter, sanctuary or secrecy, you might see a battered sign on the side of the road: The Pierrot Courts Hotel – where many check in but few check out.

Hotell

Red Border

Written by Jason Starr
Art by Will Conrad
Colored by Ivan Nunes
Cover by Tim Bradstreet
Purchase

A young Mexican couple narrowly escapes the Juarez Cartel by fleeing across the border into Texas, only to be run down in the desert by the Cartel’s most brutal thugs. Rescued by a mysterious local who takes them to the safety of his family’s ranch, the couple soon realize their hosts have more than just skeletons in their closet. Trapped in a house of horrors beyond their wildest imagination, the army of assassins on their trail might be the least of their problems.

Red Border

The Collected Toppi Vol. 4: The Cradle of Life

Written by Sergio Toppi
Art by Sergio Toppi
Purchase

The fourth volume contains ten tales set in Africa, India, and Australia, presented in English for the first time: The Kokombo Dossier, Bwuma, my Son, Warramunga, M’Felewzi, and Pacific Island. Featuring a foreword by NYTimes and Eisner-winning author John Jennings.

The Collected Toppi Vol. 4: The Cradle of Life

The Resistance

Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Art by Mike Deodato Jr.
Colored by Lee Loughridge, Frank Martin Jr.
Cover by Rahzzah, Mike Deodato Jr.
Purchase

J. Michael Straczynski – creator of Babylon 5, co-creator of Sense8, and writer of beloved runs on The Amazing Spider-man, Thor, and Superman: Earth One – returns to comics teaming with Mike Deodato Jr. – the blockbuster artist of The Amazing Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, and Infinity Wars. Together they plant the flag for a new universe of heroes and villains. A global disaster leaves hundreds of millions dead in its wake. Shortly after, a few thousand suddenly manifest superhuman powers. Are they harbingers of more perils to come…or Earth’s last hope?

The Resistance

Year Zero

Written by Benjamin Percy
Art by Ramon Rosanas
Colored by Lee Loughridge
Cover by Kaare Andrews
Purchase

Ben Percy (Wolverine) and Ramon Rosanas (Star Wars: Age of Resistance) team up to present an epic tale that offers a global look at the Zombie Apocalypse. A Japanese hitman, a Mexican street urchin, an Afghan military aide, a Polar research scientist, a midwestern American survivalist – five survivors of a horrific global epidemic who must draw upon their unique skills and deepest instincts to navigate a world of shambling dead. Year Zero wrestles with the weighty moral and theological questions posed by the pandemic and investigates its cause and possible cure.

Year Zero

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Review: The Resistance #3

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The Resistance #3

In our new world of social media, life has become different. People who are normally introverts in person may find their voice behind a keyboard. People who cannot express their views in a normal setting find their platforms online. It is through this new medium, that the taste of celebrity can be intoxicating.

Some people use it for good, bringing attention to much-needed causes. Then there are those who use it for their own ignorance. Which makes you wonder how would superpowered beings operate in a climate like we have now? In the third issue of The Resistance, a hero must make a moral choice

We’re taken to the Swan Kirby Chase Powers Placement Agency, which is a one-stop shop for these newly superpowered people. We meet  James, one of the new super-powered beings. We also meet Hector Alvarez, the man who outfits all these “superheroes” and leads him to find his superhero name. We also get some background on James how his family abandoned him soon after finding out his new abilities. By the issue’s end, he senses there may be something he doesn’t want to be part of and becomes his own hero.

Overall, a powerful third issue, which gives readers a hero to root for. The story by J. Michael Straczynski is gripping. The art by the creative team of Mike Deodato Jr., Lee Loughridge, and Sal Cipriano is splendid. Altogether, a story that gives readers a new perspective.

Story: J. Michael Straczynski Art: Mike Deodato Jr., Lee Loughridge, Sal Cipriano
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

AWA Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics

Review: The Resistance #2

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THE RESISTANCE #2

As with anything where those in power do not understand the masses, there’s always a gap of understanding. You can take what is going on with the racial disparities surrounding Black Lives Matter. Even now with social media and the media at large flooding screens everywhere with information, there still lies ignorance.

Many politicians are using it as part of their platform now but ignored it only a few months ago. That is an example as to why “cancel culture” is at an all time high, and looks to not be receding anytime soon. Misunderstandings against marginalized groups is nothing new, but at least they are now being heard. In the second issue of The Resistance, a world tries to understand these new super-powered beings.

We’re taken to Portland, Oregon, where one teenager whose parents died during the pandemic has to deal with his new life with his aunt and uncle, but an unfortunate symptom is he hears voices. We are also taken to the University of Virginia, where a young woman inherits super strength which is found in a fight with her boyfriend. We are also taken to Moscow, where one young man, who has been deemed an enemy of the state, overcomes his captors and escapes. Finally, we’re taken to the UN Security Council and the White House where the members are discussing protective measures and what defensive capabilities may be useful.l By the issue’s end, the head of the DIA is rescued by some of these super-powered beings, but for an unknown reason.

Overall, a stellar second issue that adds high suspense to this already thrilling series. The story by J. Michael Straczynski is engrossing. The art by the creative team is magnificent. Altogether, a story that will keep you on your toes.

Story: J. Michael Straczynski Art: Mike Deodato Jr., Frank Martin Jr., and Rahzzah
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

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