Tag Archives: the steam man

Review: The Steam Man #5

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 #3

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

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

Review: The Steam Man #1

The Steam Man #1The Old West, but not as we know it. Giant steam-powered robots are created to take down invading Martians and armies of killer albino apes in an all-out brawl. The Steam Man, a giant metal man operated by a team of monster hunters, seems to have the town protected and the West under control, until a crazed and powerful vampire comes to town to bring forth the apocalypse!

The Steam Man #1 is an interesting crossover between horror, and steam-punk, with a slight dash of revenge added into the mix. While it may not be steam-punk in the traditional sense, since it lacks airships (from what has been seen so far,) it defiantly has that vibe. Reminds me a little bit of War of the Worlds, if it was re-imagined for a graphic novel presentation but set into a different year.

The artwork may not have the extreme realism of Alex Ross, but it is well done to fit with the world. While the world may not be colorful, the use of only using a few shades of various colors actually works extremely well. In contrast some of the scenes depicted have a great mix of color, and tones to create a believable atmosphere. That gives this a nice balance to it.

Story: Joe R. Lansdale Art: Piotr Kowalski
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

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

Around the Tubes

Just one more day until New York Comic Con! Until then, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.

Around the Tubes

Variety – Women Quietly Become a Force in Comic Book World – Not sure I’d call it really quiet. Its kind of been a fight.

 

Around the Tubes Reviews

CBR – All-New, All-Different Marvel Point One #1

Newsarama – All-New, All-Different Marvel Point One #1

CBR – Avengers #0

Newsarama – Doctor Strange #1

Comic Vine – Doctor Strange #1

Newsarama – Invincible Iron Man #1

Comic Vine – Invincible Iron Man #1

Newsarama – Jughead #1

CBR – Jughead #1

Nothing But Comics – The Steam Man #1

Comicsgirl – Three quick reviews of Harlequin manga titles

Early Review: The Steam Man #1

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

Dark Horse Delivers Ten New Series This Summer

At Emerald City Comicon, Dark Horse Comics announced ten new comic series that’ll debut this summer.

Barb Wire #1

Chris Warner (W)
Patrick Olliffe (A)
On Sale in July

Nail-hard tough and drop-dead gorgeous, Barb Wire is the baddest bounty hunter on the mean streets of Steel Harbor, where gangsters can lift bulldozers and leap rusting factories in a single bound. The hunting is stupid good and the bounties are hella big—if Barb lives long enough to collect!

BARB WIRE

King Tiger #1

Randy Stradley (W)
Doug Wheatley (A)
On Sale in August

Blood, death, and fire—the darkest kind of magic. A monstrous secret from King Tiger’s past has found the mystic warrior, but can Tiger’s skills and sorcery triumph against an unthinkable supernatural obscenity linked to his own destiny? If the Tiger falls, the Dragon will rise!

KING TIGER

Negative Space #1

Ryan K Lindsay (W)
Owen Gieni (A)
On Sale in July

When one man’s writer’s block gets in the way of his suicide note, he goes for a walk to clear his head and soon uncovers a century-old conspiracy dedicated to creating and mining the worst lows of human desperation. A corporation has manipulated his life purely so they can farm his suicide note as a sadness artifact that will be packed and shipped to ancient underwater creatures who feed off our strongest and most base emotions. Our hero partners with a cult intent on exposing the corporation, and only a suicide mission can solve the whole mess.

NEGATIVE SPACE

The Tomorrows #1

Curt Pires (W)
Jason Copland (A)
On Sale in July

A bold new speculative-fiction comic from the mind of writer Curt Pires, each issue illustrated by a different brilliant artist!

The future: art is illegal. Everything everyone ever posted online has been weaponized against them. The reign of the Corporation is quickly becoming as absolute as it is brutal—unless the Tomorrows can stop it.

They told you the counterculture was dead. They were wrong. Welcome to the new reality.

TOMORROWS

Death Head #1

Zack Keller, Nick Keller (W)
Joanna Estep (A)
On Sale in July

When Niles and Justine Burton go camping to get a break from their stressful lives, they expect to find peace . . . not an abandoned village hiding an ancient evil. In a turn of events ripped straight from a horror movie, a brutal killer wearing a plague doctor’s mask begins hunting Niles, Justine, and their two kids. Who is the Plague Doctor? What does he want? And how will the family survive?

DEATH HEAD

Zodiac Starforce #1

Kevin Panetta (W)
Paulina Ganucheau (A)
On Sale in August

They’re an elite group of teenage girls with magical powers who have sworn to protect our planet against dark creatures . . . as long as they can get out of class! Known as the Zodiac Starforce, these high-school girls aren’t just combating math tests. They’re also battling monsters—not your typical afterschool activity! But when an evil force from another dimension infects team leader Emma, she must work with her team of magically powered friends to save herself—and the world—from the evil Diana and her mean-girl minions!

From Kevin Panetta (Bravest Warriors) and Paulina Ganucheau (TMNT: New Animated Adventures, Bravest Warriors), this super-fun and heartfelt story of growing up and friendship—with plenty of magical-girl fighting action—delivers the most exciting new ensemble cast in comics!

ZODIAC STARFORCE

Adam.3 #1

Scott Kolins (W/A)
On Sale in August

Award-winning writer and artist Scott Kolins (Past Aways, The Flash, The Avengers, Solomon Grundy) premieres Adam.3.

On a futuristic island paradise populated by talking animals and monitored by orbiting control satellites, the peaceful lives of Adam and his wife Skye are troubled by growing tension between Adam and his previous son, Beo. The situation goes from bad to worse when an alien invader infects the animals—turning them into aliens themselves. When Beo is captured, Adam must battle his transformed animal friends to save his son—and their island home!

ADAM3

Power Cubed #1

Aaron Lopresti (W/A)
On Sale in September

On his eighteenth birthday, Kenny’s inventor father gives him a phenomenal piece of matter-reinterpreting technology, attracting the attention of a bumbling Nazi scientist and an elite government agent. Aaron Lopresti delivers a comical coming-of-age tale in a fantastic sci-fi universe!

POWER CUBED

The Steam Man #1

Mark Miller (W)
Joe R. Lansdale (W)
Piotr Kowalski (A)
On Sale in October

The Old West (but not as we know it): Giant robots that run on steam power are created to take down invading Martians and armies of killer albino apes in an all-out brawl. The Steam Man, a giant metal man operated by a team of monster hunters, seems to have the town protected and the West under control, until a crazed and powerful vampire comes to town to bring forth the apocalypse.

STEAM MAN

Chimichanga: Sorrow of the World’s Worst Face #1

Eric Powell (W)
Stephanie Buscema (A)
On Sale in late 2015

Wrinkle’s Traveling Circus’s most adorable bearded girl and her savory-named beast are back, and there is a new act in store! Come one, come all to the Sorrow of the World’s Worst Face! But beware: those who look behind the curtain are in for an awful treat, and it’s not just his face we’re talkin’ about!

CHIMICHANGA