Review: Mother Russia

Story and Art: Jeff McComsey

Publisher: Alterna Comics (FUBAR Press)

Release date: 18th November 2015

Now I'm a little slow off the mark here. This book has been out for over a week and I am lax in writing the review, so many of you, I'm sure, have already picked it up and know how fantastic it is. 

The premise alone is like a curiosity sucking black hole that draws you inescapably towards its call. It's the zombie apocalypse. A lone soviet sniper, alone in Stalingrad in 1943, stumbles across something rather unexpected, a two year old child, walking amongst the undead horde. Action and excitement ensures. 

It's a gripping concept.

McComsey tells the story with passion and conviction. Stalingrad during the Second World War was a meat grinder, as explicitly outlined in the introduction. Stories set against the back drop of the horrors of war run the risk of losing their impact and impetus, but Mother Russia doesn't suffer this issue. McComsey takes the terrible setting and makes it all the more horrifying, but all the more intriguing.

The story is moves along at lightning pace, leaving us as readers little time catch our breath. Layers of suspense are continually added, and I found myself turning pages faster and faster in anticipation of the climactic ending. 

McComsey is a supreme talent, both writing and illustrating this tour de force. The artwork is remarkable, the panels are consistent and fluid, showing a creator in tune with the story he wants to tell. There's some interesting panel choices and plenty of variety which helps to maintain your attention and keeps you turning the pages over.

I loved this book, I always try to write reviews based on how a book makes me feel, what it means to me during the time that the book and I connect on that special level. This book made me feel sad, happy and brought a smile to my face. It's not uplifting in the usual way, but it is a compelling read nonetheless.

If you haven't already, get on comixology or Amazon and order yourself one. My print copy has already been dispatched by the online giant. What are you waiting for?

Review: Novo AnniverSERIES edition

Written and artist: Michael S Bracco

Publisher: Alterna Comics

Released: 11th November 2015

Novo is a great book, it was when it was initially released back in 2008 and this edition just reinforces the fact that it still is. 

This edition is basically just the first chapter of the first volume, serving as an introduction or jumping on point for new readers, leaving them salivating for more.

On the surface of things Novo is the tale of a child of two worlds, torn between both. It's quite a compelling story and is told well by Bracco, who both writes and illustrates the book. I'm unsure whether his dual creative input is why the characters and world is so lovingly crafted, but you do get the sense that he inhabited the world while creating it. From page one, panel one, Novo is a instantaneously likeable protagonist, filled with innocence, but gilt with underlying bravery. You cannot help but be drawn into his plight and root for him quite vocally. 

Bracco's writing is skilful and he weaves a rich, inviting mythology into the script, that makes you desperate to uncover the mystery, I found myself finishing this special edition, then going back to find my original so I could continue reading, to continue delving into the adventure with Novo. 

His artwork is also eye catching and salient. He creates interesting characters and draws them with consistency. They are inventive, fun and varied. The scenery and backdrop is as much a character throughout and there are some truly beautiful and detailed backdrops that you shouldn't overlook. Whilst pouring over the pages you can see that the blueprint of this fantastic world Bracco has created is laid out in wonderful realisation before you. 

The only real drawback for me is that Bracco maybe could of used some more interesting panel layouts, there are some pages that are a little formulaic, but to be fair I'm being pretty pedantic with this.

It also has to be said that this editon is lacking a little in bonus content, for a AnniverSERIES editon it would of been nice to see maybe some scripts or alternate covers, but hopefully it will get a blank cover edition along with some of Alterna's other titles, which I would snap up straight away and doodle to my hearts content. 

It's a fitting addition to Alterna's celebrations, as Novo has been a popular title for them. 

The AnniverSERIES collection are special editions of Alterna's popular titles that celebrate their ten years as an independent publisher. They're perfect jumping on points for people who are nature, and great to add to collections for fans. Particularly when this editon is available on comixology for 99 cents (exchange rates mean variable price for UK residents), you can't really go wrong. 

This is a wonderful and inviting series that I can't really do justice to. This edition is well worth a go, but then so is going back to the start and getting all of the volumes.

So get to comixology for the digital editon as soon as you can, released on 11/11/15

Editorial: Esoteric Equality

I can still remember, quite vividly, the first time that I was told I wasn't cool enough for something. I was eleven years old, new at 'big' school and somewhat socially awkward. That shouldn't predispose me to being banned from anything at all, but this girl of the same age had obviously decided that it did. The something in question was the song 'bleed American' by Jimmy Eat World. The fact that to this day I cannot hear the song with what can only be allowed as indignant rage slowly swelling inside me, is testament to the damage that this sort of behaviour perpetuates.

Now I'm fully grown and equipped enough to take care of myself, I've got a mortgage and everything, I still find it saddening at the prevalence of intolerance that people face; simply for liking different things. For liking comics, warhammer, anime, manga, heroclix, yu-gi-oh, anything a little different or outside the norm. Of course there are a huge range of wider issues around inequality, race, gender or socioeconomic state to name a few, but these issues are too involved to delve into on my humble comics blog. Especially in the wake of all the global atrocities in Paris, Syria and a long list of countries, but all these issues can be boiled down to one thing; intolerance.

Now this is a blog about comics, so as I've said, I'm not going to go off on a tangent and rant about the state of worldwide political affairs- there's a great deal of saturation around this subject already, rather I'll stay on topic.

No one should be made to feel terrible because they like different things. The wonderful things about comics is the wider audience they attract, my local comic book shop is a melting pot of culture, a wonderful blend of gender, race, lifestyle, religions and creed. There is something to be found for everyone and if they go in unsure of what they want, there is something to be discovered. 

Now I'm not going to pretend that this was always the case, comics did have a tendency (maybe sometimes they still do) to perpetuate stereotypes, especially surrounding women. But look at all the change that is happening, the comic book landscape is transforming and comics are benefiting from this, ergo the fans are benefiting too. The number of women writers is growing and their work is, quite frankly, excellent. At the minute I'm a fan of Gail Simone, Margueritte Bennet and Noelle Stevenson, whose work is an example many could learn from. 

Looking further at diversity, the level of ethnic diversity to be found. Now I'll be honest, when thinking about race, I'm a big advocate of not seeing someone black, white, Asian, Arabic or any of the other multitude of humans on the planet, rather I see a person, not a colour. That being said it's fantastic that the number is different background being represented is growing in size. 

I suppose the point I'm trying to make is that comics are accepting. They won't judge you, nothing you love doing will judge you, so you shouldn't be bothered by the people who feel they have a right to; because, they don't. The fact is whoever chooses to do so is afraid of you, afraid of your ability to enjoy something so completely, afraid of your ability to do what you want with your life. 

So like the age old addage, they're more scared of you, than you are of them.

Retro Review/Preview: Cannon in the clouds

Writers: Daniel Woolley, Anne Gresham.

Artist: Jorge Donis

Colourist: Kirsty Swan

Letterer: Peter Simeti

Release Date: January 27th 2016

This week I've had the opportunity to look at the upcoming graphic novel from Alterna Press 'Cannon in the Clouds' which is a fast-paced and fun adventure romp from the first panel.

Against a backdrop of floating islands, Sela Windbourne, a rebellious heiress of high society, is plunged into a world of violent conspiracy, subterfuge and swashbuckling.

You would be forgiven for thinking that this sounds a little familiar. Cannon in the Clouda does follow some rather common stereotypes and conventions. For starters you've got the highborn daughter of prestige desperately trying to live life her own way. You've got the impertinent war hero trying to do right by said daughter. Then of course the buccaneering female pirate captain, who is the very epitome of strength. All of this is set against a tapestry of war, conspiracy and rebellion, so it does seem a little tried and tested. 

Honestly though, that doesn't matter. This book knows it's following a certain trend and it has great fun doing it. There's a fantastic series of panels with a tongue in cheek pastiche of famous pirate captains (a particularly obsequious Jack Sparrow is a treat) that had me howling with laughter. 

The writing duo of Woolley and Gresham have laced the script with a fevered enthusiasm that draws you in and keeps you turning pages. The characters are well fleshed out and so despite the familiar conventions, they seem fresh and stand out. You care about Sela's plight and are helplessly drawn to the allure of Captain Avery. To feel this way about characters that quite easily could of just been more listlessly stereotypes churned out onto a conveyor belt, shows the skill that these writers have, making something original and exciting. 

The story moves towards its conclusions without stalling. Occasionally I like a break between my comic reading stints, especially with my young son, separrating each chapter into a readin session. With this book though I struggled to do so, as each chapter ends with such a hook, a cliffhanger, that you can't help but conitinue reading. 

The artwork is lavish, to be frank. The characters are distinct and Donis had a nice, slightly cartoonish style that works well here. Sure there are a few minor inconsistencies, but nothing outrageous or distracting from enjoyment. For me though the scenery is one of the most salient things about the art. This is a story set on floating islands, of great cities in the sky. Donis creates a detailed and beautiful backdrop to take in, filled with detail and ornate buildings and scenery. It's a majestic sight to behold at times. Kirsty Swan's colours match the artwork well with a chemistry that adds to the flow of the book. Swan matches the colours to each individual panel, allowing the tone of the writing to influence the mood of the colours. Needless to say it works well. 

Peter Simeti, the father of Alterna Press, is responsible for letters and does a stalwart job. You almost begin to question if there's anything he can't do. 

So really this is a fantastic graphic novel to delve into. It's well written, well drawn, well coloured and well lettered. Despite the seeming familiarity, that maybe this story has been told before, this isn't the case, this story stands apart from any stereotype. So come January 2016, give consideration to adding this Novell your collection, it would be a richer bookshelf (digital or otherwise) for it.