The Unforgivable #1 Experiment 11:34 Review (Comic)

Immediately the cover of The Unforgivable #1 Experiment 11:34 from Brainmachine Comix is reminiscent of a 80′s heavy metal album cover. It grabs your attention and promises a visceral, and that’s exactly what is delivered inside. Like many great albums it assaults your senses with imagery and hidden messages, but does all the noise get in the way?

The tale of The Unforgivable recounts the events that the self-described, “The father of time… the soul geist of reality and space”, Necodemis Necrowpolis kicks into motion. The writer, Paskael Tyiska, isn’t one to dream small as is evident in the nature of Necodemis’s experiment. This experiment was his last attempt to escape the prison of time and does no less than creates life. From life darkness gives birth to light, light casts unholy shadows, Angels and Demons are formed. In essence, Experiment 11:34 created existence and all the conflict that comes with it.

Among the other interpretations, Angels aren’t what you might expect.

The heavily judeo-christian plot of The Unforgivable #1 Experiment 11:34 benefits from Alan Tham’s artwork. The loose interpretation of some of these biblical scenes range from the lush forest of Eden to the Gates of Heaven themselves. There are stunning moments of great details and depth, but the majority features massive heavenly battles full of  violence. It’s unfortunate that these more dense action scenes contribute to an already confusing story. Tham’s art style flourishes among the more serene scenery, while being so packed with details during fights that a few additional readings might be required.

In the moments of clarity there is a great read to be found in The Unforgivable. Whether using one word or a soliloquy, Paskael Tyiska writes just enough to convey the moment at just the right level. It’s a testimony to the intriguing story, enough familiar with more unknowns, that draw you in for more. Enough to push through to the end and want more.

One of the less confusing scenes. Literally layers on layers.

While The Unforgivable story might be layered and meant to have depth, it ultimately comes off confusing. The biblical interpretations give a grounded understanding while bringing their own view to the story. The opening with Necrompolis was by far the most unclear point of the book with flowery words and untold back-story. It also left a lot of unanswered questions, ones that hopefully will get answered soon in future issues but they left an hole after the last page. In the end I was left with a confused satisfaction, one of not fully understanding everything but willing to read it again to help digest everything in The Unforgivable.

OZ #1 Review (Comic)

I’VE A FEELING WE’RE NOT IN KANSAS ANY MORE.

The Grimm Fairy Tales Universe has long explored, expanded and destroyed the three Realms with Earth stuck in the middle. In all this time, wedged between the Realms of Myst the realm of magic, Neverland the source of imagination, Wonderland a world of dreams, and Earth the Nexus that binds them existed a fourth, Oz “The Realm of Hope”. Finally, with the help of one of the creators of Zenescope’s Grimm Fairy Tales, Joe Brusha takes up the pen and we finally get to take a walk down the yellow brick road in Oz #1.

This is definitely not your grandmothers Wizard of Oz.. The first glimpses show a dark world plagued by witches, shadows, wolves and death. It’s certainly not Kansas, made even more evident contrasted against the bright colors and  vibrant artwork of Rolando Di Sessa and Glauber Matos. Dorothy has the Zenescope flair and independent drive just waiting to burst through her farm girl life.

Just a good ol’ Kansas girl, right?

You can take the farm girl out of the farm, but you can’t take the highborn out of the girl. Dorothy exhibits a hidden power that eludes her, entices her and flows through her – however briefly. From the dark comes Toto. He too is not what he was, but the hulking near-wolf creature quickly takes to our heroine hiding a secret that might well hold the key to why the witches of Oz continue to hunt him. The wolf is a large step up from the little yappy dog of the movies, and I want one!

There is more than just Toto that has changed. Besides the obvious change in Dorothy’s wardrobe the darker elements have also undergone a transformation. The witches have upgraded their help as well. It won’t be a skip down the lane in sunshine, but one more mature. Probably the most dynamic change takes place when Dorothy finally lands in Muchkin Land; let’s just say I don’t see them breaking out into song anytime soon.

In true Zenescope fashion the art is beautiful, Dorothy is beautiful yet strong and there is big trouble brewing. The pacing is fantastic for a first issue setting crumbs of a larger mystery, introducing characters and establishing it’s own presence. There’s a promise that the events in Oz will spill over into the rest of the Grimm Fairy Tale Universe with Dorothy standing at the center of things. As a standalone title or accompanying the Grimm titles, OZ #1 is a fine addition to Zenescope’s lineup, one that I can’t wait to see where this yellow brick road takes us.

The Last of Us: American Dreams #1: Review (Comic)

For those who just can't wait for the upcoming Playstation title by Naughty Dogs Games - The Last of Us - the little bit of information from gameplay trailers has done little to feed an insatiable hunger for more. More of the great graphics, action adventure and story. On the contrary  the more they show the more questions arise and the more June 14th can't get here soon enough. To help quell some of this hunger Naughty Dog has teamed up with Dark Horse Comics to brings us a tantalizing glimpse into this postapocalyptic world . In The Last of Us: An American Dream #1 we are treated to the official comics-exclusive prequel to one of the most anticipated games of the year.

Set nineteen years after the fungal parasite outbreak infected the majority of the world population, resulting in humanity fighting for it's survival in camps. Ellie was born into one of these camps, located in Boston, where she's known nothing but the devastated world she was raised in. As could be expected, having been taken to the brink of extinction, the walled off city has taken to a more militaristic  society where orphans are sent to military prep school upon their thirteenth birthday. The Last of Us: American Dreams opens on the day Ellie is taken to this prep school.

Not exactly a friendly place, but pay attention to small details.

On her way to her new school we get the first glimpse into the walled city that Ellie calls home. It's not a bright or friendly place. Without even saying as word Faith Erin Hicks, the artist, conveys a myriad of emotions and reactions by Ellie that also offer us our first look into the kind of person Ellie is. There are obvious overtures as well as subtle clues at things to come that add depth to the comic as well as hint at elements to come when The Last of Us game comes out. While they hint, they don't spoil anything yet remain tantalizing.

The artwork is not a style that I typically favor, but Hicks's use of the colors and emotional conveyance elevates the style to my admiration. It might also be fitting as trying to copy the graphics of the games could be disheartening. Such a divergent art choice from the game makes sense.

Throughout The Last of Us: American Dreams the story focuses on Ellie, not just thematically, but emotionally and truly insightful. Faith Erin Hicks pulls double duty, working with Neil Druckman as co-authors of this book. There's hardly a wasted page or even scene for that matter that doesn't show Ellie, the world she lives in and how she reacts to it.

See the full Review and Score: http://fronttowardsgamer.com/?p=84032

Five Weapons #1: Review (Comic)

Image Comics has been on a run of creating some great entries, especially for the adult comic book readers, but one of their newest titles makes a big for the young adult reader.  Five Weapons #1 centers on a unique school for the hitman-in-training children and its newest enrolled student. In an impressive feat, this book features the work of Jimmie Robinson as the writer, illustrator and letterer all rolled into one.

Each student at the Five Weapons school is encouraged to identify with one of five schools of practice: knives, staves, archery, guns and exotic weapons. They are trained in the martial art of their weapon of choice, complete with classes and fights in the courtyard. This of course makes Tyler Shainline stand out even more. Not only is he from a long line of infamous hitmen, but he refuses to take up arms.

Continue the review here: http://fronttowardsgamer.com/2013/02/27/five-weapons-1-review-comic/

Star Wars #1 Review (Comic)

The universe of Star Wars is vast and densely populated. We’re not talking about the space, worlds and empires kind of universe, but the Expanded Universe of movies, books and comics. Since first premiering Star Wars has been a beloved creation and many have added their tales to expound and flesh out the life of this work. While many begin their journey with the movies some people find their way to the bookshelves looking for more.

With a seemingly endless sea of these expanded universe books and comics that exist it’s hard to pick out the ones to read. Dark Horse Comics now brings another comic from Brian Wood, the author of The Massive, Conan the Barbarian and MARA. This new Star Wars #1 brings something that many of the countless other series lacked: the same classic characters and story-line as the movies.

Full Review: http://fronttowardsgamer.com/2013/01/09/star-wars-1-review/

Alabaster Wolves Issues #1-5 (Complete) Review

Walking through the shelves of your local comic shop can be daunting, but occasionally there is a cover that grabs your attention. Sometimes, just sometimes, this search pays off, and you’re introduced to a new option you might not have considered before. This is what happened to me with Alabaster Wolves by Dark Horse Comics.

By the time we’re introduced to Dancy Flammarion, her reputation has already preceded her – even to the abandoned South Carolina town in which we find her. The albino huntress’s reputation, one of a killer of monsters and demons, has come at the behest of a demanding and aloof angel. After unknown time – presumably the entirety of her young life – Dancy Flammarion has grown tired of this higher calling and rebels against her guardian angel. This rebellion causes the angel to abandon her, and while she never lifted a finger to help her, there is a sense of isolation.

Alone without her angel for the first time, she meets two unlikely companions: a wise-cracking crow and a werewolf with a past. Neither of these companions seem especially trustworthy – the werewolf most of all, due to the last time they had seen each other being fatal. That, and they are leading her to an even greater evil than what she’s faced before. As they travel together, Dancy’s history is expanded upon, and insight is given into how this new situation has led her to re-examine her beliefs.

Read the full review here: http://fronttowardsgamer.com/2013/01/06/alabaster-wolves-issues-1-5-complete/

Comic Station Issue #1 – January 2nd 2013

For our first Issue of Comic Station we get right into things by setting up the segments: New Releases, Review and Recommendations.

New Releases: We chose three key additions to highlight from the line-up and even give our impressions and insight into a few series.  While not new, there’s also news that Hellboy in Hell #1 sold out, but don’t fret, there will be a reprint at the end of the month for those who missed it. As a preview for next week, we also mention a little bit about Brian Wood, the author of the new Star Wars #1 coming out next week.

Review: Our first review is one many readers might have missed – Alabaster Wolves by Dark Horse Comics. A young woman is tasked with hunting down monsters by her gaurdian angel, but we come into her life at a time when this routine has grown thin. This short five-issue run features some beautiful artwork by Steve Lieber and relate-able characters by Caitlin R. Kiernan. A full review will be coming to the website soon.

Recommendation: Our resident expert and owner of The Comic Station store, Scott Kaitz, kicks off strong with high praise for Batman: Death of the Family. See what he has to say about this New 52 series.

Please leave comments or suggestions as I look to continue improving this new series.