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From Graphic Novel to the Tabletop, The Winds of Numa Sera Enters its Final Day of Kickstarter Campaign

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Last month, the creators of the critically acclaimed Dark Horse graphic novel Winds of Numa Sera launched a new tabletop game based on its lore, and the audience responded immediately, with the campaign doubling its initial goal in the first 30 minutes and over 1300 backers to date. The innovative and expansive saga of Winds of Numa Sera again pairs co-writers Morgan Rosenblum and Jonny Handler with top game developers for an unmatched cross-platform storytelling experience!

Adapted and including the stunning art of Eduard Petrovich, Filipe Andrade, Eduardo Mello, Alessio Moroni, and Valentina Taddeo, this new tabletop game brings the lush visual world of the graphic novel to both gamers and comic book fans, promising an immersive new chapter for all, with each a standalone storytelling experience to be enjoyed together or separately!

Back the Winds of Numa Sera Kickstarter campaign today for exclusive add-ons, unlock all stretch goals and other rewards that will not be available anywhere else, including a special collectors edition with chess quality miniatures, dual layered game boards, and other premium details! The campaign closes TOMORROW at 11:59pm EST, so don’t delay!

Outsiders #1 opens up a whole new world

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Outsiders #1

When I think of “Outsiders,” I think of a team put together by Batman to deal with threats outside of Gotham. But, that role is now taken by Batman, Inc., and beyond that generally having a “Bat” theme in the characters, the mission feels a bit similar. But, what about what’s unknown? The weird? That’s where this new Outsiders comes in, with Outsiders #1 planting a big flag and opening up worlds of possibilities.

Luke Fox is on a mission. His goal is to build a new organization to deal with the weird and dark corners of what’s out there. For that, he needs to build a team and the first recruit is Kate Kane… Batwoman. But, there’s actually another member already and their first mission is to deal with something buried under Antarctica. What’s buried there is a corner of DC… really Wildstorm’s… history.

Written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, Outsiders #1 is a lot of fun and an intriguing start. The trio of the team each bring a very solid aspect that makes this one to watch out for in the future and delivers a dynamic that feels a bit different than what else is out there. Overall, it kind of feels a bit X-Files but with superheroes, and that’s not a bad thing at all.

But, the biggest aspect is what’s teased throughout the issue and revealed at the end. The comic may be an re-introduction to some classic Wildstorm properties that have lingered in the DC vault. With the recent WildC.A.T.S. and Zealot’s inclusion in Birds of Prey, it’s clear DC is dusting off these characters and properties and figuring out how to integrate them properly in the DCU. But, that’s also a negative because if you don’t know what’s teased the impact isn’t quite as exciting. Still, it takes a fun debut issue and boosts it to the next level.

The art by Robert Carey is solid with color by Valentina Taddeo and lettering by Tom Napolitano. What’s key about Outsiders #1, beyond the action, is the scope of size of what’s discovered. The team really nails that down well giving us a feeling of just how tiny the characters are compared to where they are and in many ways it feels like a message that these characters are infinitesimal compared to the missions they’re about to undertake and world they’re about to dive in to. I’ll question why Kate’s snow gear has a cape, but beyond that, the designs and visuals are great taking us from varied locations and with varied characters, into a world that feels cohesive. The comic starts in a warzone but ends in an alien ship and it all feels like the same world.

Outsiders #1 is a fun start that delivers a dose of sci-fi superhero action. It teases a lot to come that may be a huge addition or shakeup to the DC Universe, but we’ll see how it all plays out. Until then, it’s a debut comic that’s a lot of fun and delivers a beginning that feels grand in its scope and ideas.

Story: Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly Art: Robert Carey
Color: Valentina Taddeo Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

In Ethera, You Either Rule or Be Ruled

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From creators and writers Morgan Rosenblum and Jonny Handler, and artists Eduard Petrovich, Filipe Andrade, Eduardo Mello, Alessio Moroni, and Valentina Taddeo, and lettered by Ismail Nihad comes Winds of Numa Sera, a grand fantasy epic in a blockbuster setting!

In the land of Ethera, you either rule or be ruled . . . The Empire of Numa Sera holds sovereignty over the continent. But following the untimely death of their ambitious Emperor, his adolescent daughter Lelia has inherited the throne. With the young girl in power, the “One True Kingdom” now finds itself vulnerable as other nations seek to overcome its supremacy. Within this kingdom, four individuals will fight to make their own fate. Or fall prey to someone else’s. We follow Lelia, the child Empress with the weight of the world on her shoulders. Kelesandra, the Baron’s daughter who seeks a life which is forbidden to her. Krill, a stable boy framed for murder. And Sjorsja, a warrior who seeks to change the ways of his people. Will they be prepared for the chances that will come and seize opportunity? Or will they bend to fear? In this world, there is no inbetween. You either reign. Or hail.

Winds of Numa Sera TPB will be in bookstores June 7, 2022 and in comic shops June 8, 2022. It is available for pre-order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and at your local comic shop and bookstore. Winds of Numa Sera will retail for $24.99.

Winds of Numa Sera

Review: Star Wars Adventures: Rise of the Wookies

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Star Wars Adventures: Rise of the Wookies

As a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, I was more than happy to find out that there was a film adaptation. I remember the first time I read the books that took me to Middle Earth. I was 8 years old and was enraptured in that world and those characters. Of course, the film adaptation I found at that age was the Ralph Bakshi film of 1970s which left much to be desired. It wasn’t until 2001, that I got to see something that resembled the books.

Peter Jackson imbued the love all we fans had for the series. 20 years later, and I am still in love with those movies, and have even more hope for the new Amazon series. My favorite of Peter Jackson’s movies from that series was The Two Towers as we see our heroes defend the people of Rohan against Sauran’s forces. In the 11th volume of Star Wars Adventures, we get Rise Of  The Wookies, where we see Chewie defend his home planet much like the Fellowship and Riders of Rohan.

In “Ghosts of Kashyyyk”, we find Chewie in the Millennium Falcon leading a Resistance squadron back to his home planet, Kashyyyk, where The First Order has set up a base. Chewbacca goes on a solo recon mission where he finds that First Order has some Wookies as captives which leads to him jailbreaking them and taking Storm Troopers as a prisoner. In our second story, ”Secret Agent Droids”,  our favorite droids, C-3PO, R2D2, and BB-8, thwart the First Order’s plans to block all communications from a desolate planet. In our third story, “Tales From Wild Space”, we meet a young upstart, Emil, who discovers a long lost library, who ends up getting mind-controlled, but not before he is rescued by his droid. In “Loyalty Test”, the First Order arrives on the planet, Vaddexa, where Hux and Kylo Ren, get to test each other’s loyalty. In “Squad Goals”, Poe and Rey, go on a training drill, one that tests Rey’s piloting skills. In The last story,” The Battle for Horizon Base”, Finn leads the charge against the First Order, who is trying to take over an important focal point, and eventually recruits more to the Resistance.

Overall, a fun romp throughout the Star War universe. The stories by John Barber and Michael Moreci are compelling. The art by the creative team is enchanting. Altogether, a set of stories that reminds you why you fell in love with these characters in the first place.

Story: John Barber and Michael Moreci
Art: Derek Charm, Jake M. Wood, Tom B. Long, Matt Herms, David Buisan, Arianna Florean, Charlie Kirchoff, Mario Del Pennino, Valentina Taddeo, and Tony Fleecs
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Reccomendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology – Amazon – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW

Enter the Fantasy World of Winds of Numa Sera

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In 2015, graphic novelist Morgan Rosenblum burst onto the sci-fi scene with a runaway success. His comic book debut, Treadwater Volume 1, delivered complex characters fighting an unwinnable battle in a pre-apocalyptic scenario. Then, in 2017, the long-anticipated Treadwater sequel was released to even greater acclaim, topping Diamond’s ‘Indie Bestseller’ list and bringing sales to over 10,000 copies.

Now, Rosenblum is back, along with co-creator Jonny Handler, with Winds of Numa Sera, a medieval fantasy graphic novel series. The first volume in the series is currently on Kickstarter looking to raise $15,100. The campaign ends on November 23. The series features art by Eduardo Mello, color by Valentina Taddeo, lettering by Voodoo Bownz, character concept design by Andrea De Dominicis, environments/sigil/lore/logo design by Bark Bark Studio, and map design by Luigi Aime.

Winds of Numa Sera is set in an elaborate fantasy world, which features an expansive cast of multi-layered and, above-all, believable characters. As their disparate backgrounds and motivations put them on a collision course with one another, the protagonists of one story become the antagonists in another. This lends the readers deeper insight into each character as they watch their seemingly separate storylines slowly weave together into a large cohesive narrative.

It is said that truth is the first casualty of war and this holds true for the Empire of Numa Sera, whose glorious founding mythology is slowly peeled apart as the protagonists discover the truth behind the legends. The grand narrative plays out over multiple generations, in which villains become heroes, history is rewritten, the mundane becomes mythical and the truly legendary becomes mere superstition.

The tone of the novel strikes a unique balance between that of a lighthearted adventure story and a ruthlessly realistic political drama, which takes place in a world rich with fascinating lore. Confronted with violence, treachery and political intrigue, the charismatic heroes of Numa Sera do what they can to survive and succeed. As they continue on their journeys, long forgotten truths are rediscovered and ancient forces are reawakened.

Owing to the breadth of its story, the depth of its characters and the splendor of its lore, a graphic novel of this scope is necessarily an ambitious undertaking. Fortunately, the novel’s illustrators, both of whom had worked for Marvel, do it complete justice. Finally, after several years of meticulous work, Rosenblum and Handler are ready to share their newest story.

You can get a PDF copy for $20 and a hard copy for $30. Other rewards include signed editions, collectors edition, and even being able to be drawn into the comic!

Soulfire Volume 8 #1 Coming This June!

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Aspen Comics has recently announced they will be streamlining their 2019 publishing schedule and focusing on their core titles beginning this Spring and Summer. The publisher will be releasing Michael Turner’s Soulfire Volume 8 #1 this summer with an all-new artistic team, beginning with the first issue release on June 26th.

Following the summer kick-off of their first major release, Michael Turner’s Fathom, on May 15th with the new creative team and retailer-friendly ordering of their special edition variants, the release of Michael Turner’s Soulfire the following month. Both of the aforementioned titles will feature special edition variants for retailers to order with zero restrictions on the ordering quantity.

Veteran Soulfire scribe J.T. Krul returns to team up with rising star newcomers Raffaele Forté and colorist Valentina Taddeo. This new volume will feature direct edition covers by Forté and Soulfire creator, the late Michael Turner. Also, more covers will be available from artists such as Jordan Gunderson, Alex Konat and more to be revealed.

The publisher has announced they will be offering Soulfire #1 Retailer Special Edition variant covers with no restrictions on order quantity by creator Michael Turner and more. This is the first time Aspen has provided retailers the chance to order their incentive variants with no restrictions and encourages fans to check with their local comic book store to pre-order.

Preview: Charismagic Vol. 3 #6

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CHARISMAGIC VOL 3 #6

Vince Hernandez – Story / Joey Vazquez – Art / Federico Blee, Enricka Eren Argiolini, Omi Remalante Jr., and Valentina Taddeo – Colors / Zen – Lettering

The forces of magic have returned—and this time no magical being is safe!

All bets are off as the Magic Harvester’s plan to eliminate all magical beings– and humans in the process—and start over with a new civilization is set into motion. Only Hank, Sudana and their allies hold a fighting chance to save the world of magic from imminent doom in this epic finale to Charismagic volume three!

Charismagic Vol. 3 #6 is written by Vince Hernandez, with art by Joey Vazquez, colors by Federico Blee, Enricka Eren Argiolini, Omi Remalante Jr., and Valentina Taddeo, and letters by Zen.

CHARISMAGIC VOL 3 #6 is in stores July 11th, 2018!

FC 32 pages $3.99

Preview: Shrugged Vol. 3 #4

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SHRUGGED VOL 3 #4

Frank Mastromauro – Story  / Andre Risso – Art / Valentina Taddeo, Erick Arciniega, and Federico Blee – Colors / Letters by Taylor Esposito

Volume three of Aspen’s hit series’ Shrugged keeps on truckin!

It’s a clash of astronomical proportions as the Elysians and Nefarians battle it out for control of Perspecta! Meanwhile, Theo and Thom struggle to save Kiori, but does she really need to be saved…or are they the ones in deep trouble?!?

SHRUGGED VOL 3 #4 is in stores May 30th, 2018!

 FC                               32 pages                                  $3.99

Preview: Shrugged Vol. 3 #3

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Shrugged Vol. 3 #3

Frank Mastromauro – Story / André Risso, Mauricio Campetella – Art / Valentina Taddeo, Jesse Heagy, Peter Steigerwald – Colors / Taylor Esposito – Lettering

Volume three of Aspen’s hit series’ long-awaited return is finally here!

With the Earth literally falling apart, it’s up to Theo and his friends to try and save the day…again. Meanwhile, Perspecta has it’s own civil war taking place and a new power player has entered the picture which could spell certain doom for every living being there! And why is Dev trampling across the city like he’s Godzilla?!? Find out as the newest issue of Shrugged volume arrives!

SHRUGGED VOL 3 #3 is in stores April 25th, 2018!

FC 32 pages $3.99

Preview: Shrugged Vol. 3 #1

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SHRUGGED VOL 3 #1

Frank Mastromauro – Story / Andre Risso, Mauricio Campetella – Art / Valentina Taddeo, Jesse Heagy, and Beth Sotelo – Colors

Volume three of Aspen’s hit series’ long-awaited return is finally here!

Rejoin high school teenager Theodore Langstrom along with Ange and Dev, his internal allies guiding his conscience, as he attempts to adapt to life following the events of Shrugged Volumes One and Two! After saving the emotional spectrum realm of Perspecta and everyone he holds dear in the process, Theo discovers that the most fearsome moment of all still awaits him—High School Graduation! But, like all things in his life, adolescence is not the only challenge Theo will face along the way, as he has yet to still truly experience the horrors of several emotions, including entering adulthood!

SHRUGGED VOL 3 #1 is in stores February 28th, 2018!

FC 32 pages $3.99