Review: Freelance Blues #6

Writers: Ian Daffern and Mike Leone
Artist: Becca T-R
Cover Art: John Lang
Publisher: Alterna Comics
Released: 27th July 2016

A mere glance at the above will indicate that this review is well over a month late/in the making. The reasons for this are personal, which makes them subjective and boring to anyone not involved, so I won't torment you with them. I have read comics in this period, but struggled with the drive and motivation to put into words how I feel. What has been important in this period of introspection has been the value that comics have to me, not mere financial face value, but something more intrinsic and dare I say spiritual. Comics have quite literally saved me. I have much more to explore surrounding this subject so look forward to further posts/essays.
Back though, to the matter at hand. Freelance Blues has been part of the healing process for me and issue 6 is the culmination of several months worth of storytelling rife with mystery and intrigue. Overall it's a satisfying denouement to a cracking story arc.

Lance is a compelling protagonist and I feel that most of his appeal resides in how readers are able to relate and identify with his struggle. Lance is really just a common man trying to make his way in the world and provide for his family. Who can say that they don't face that struggle most days in life? Lance ends up fighting monsters and beasts of myth, but this is just a weave of metaphor and hyperbole for what we mere humans view as our internal struggles externalised. Daffern and Leone have created the perfect foil for telling the story in this way, and with this issue they continue to tell this tale superbly. The pace picks up bringing the story to it's end nicely and revelations are exposed in great little pieces of storytelling and character work. I know it's been out a while now but I still won't include any spoilers just in case there are a few stragglers dragging their feet.
Now in the previous five issues the duty of art has fell to Vicki Tierney, taking up the pencil for this issue is Becca T-R, and to be honest the style of art is so similar that is almost indiscernible. There are only a few subtle differences in their styles that the storytelling doesn't suffer. Becca has a good grasp of the characters and the gifts of her art rest in it's ability to convey story, which for me is always the measure of a great comic artist. Tierney told the the first five issues excellently and I will always be a fan of hers, but T-R takes the reigns over just as well and brings the story to it's exciting conclusion.

As I've said, this issue has been around a while, so if you're following the series it's likely that you have already picked it up, so if you have then great, you'll love it too. However if you're completely new to the series and to Lance, then do yourself a favour, get all of the issues and immerse yourself in a wonderful world of storytelling.

Review: Freelance Blues #5

Writers: Ian Daggers and Mike Leone
Art: Vicki Tierney
Inks: Diego More no
Cover: John Lang
Publisher: Alterna Comics
Release date: June 29th 2016

I'm a couple of weeks later reading this. It's been on my list since a few days before its release and unfortunately I've only just managed to find the time to indulge myself. It was well worth the wait.
It is well documented that I'm a rather large fan of Freelance Blues. I have been since its release and it's intricate barbed hooks laced with the venom of fantastic storytelling are such know well and truly in me.
Part of what makes this series so likeable, is the empathy and compassion you cannot help but feel for the central protagonist Lance. He's just an honest hard working chap desperately looking to catch a break. Though his struggles are tinged with the supernatural, the core of his conflict is common and easily relatable. Add in some snappy dialogue and we'll paced storytelling and Daffern and Leone are suddenly giving a master class in comic book writing.
I'm a huge fan of Tierney's art work and have been since my eyeballs first exploded taking in its greatness. Her grasp of characterization is a great strength in her story telling bow, but combined with brilliantly detailed panels and pages and you get a spectacle on each page.
If possible this issue is only stronger that the previous run, my only regret is that it took me so long to read it. If you have any sense you will get a hold of this comic and devour it. Though hopefully because it's been put a while, you already have.

Review: The Dark #1 Boo Hag

Writer/Artist: Kelly Williams
Publisher: Alterna Comics
Release date: 22nd June 2016

It's been a while since I've written a review, life has been rather hectic and I've really struggled to juggle everything around. It's a shame as writing reviews is a cathartic experience that I enjoy. I've read 'The Dark' several times since its release and it really is a fantastic comic.
I've been a fan of Kelly Williams since I was directed his way by Peter Simeti on twitter. His artwork is detailed, atmospheric and jaw dropping. Such is the depth of my admiration for his work that I've actually written comic scripts with his work in mind, adjusting panels and mood in order suit how I think his art process works. It's a little sad I know own but it's made me a better script writer.
Anyway, coming back to the tangent. Williams is a despicable genius who has written and drawn this standout comic. His take on certain myths about Witches, Boo Hag is a tense tale about Steve Rankin, a writer in search of truth behind legends, and finding something altogether more horrifying.

I know Williams firstly as an artist, from flicking through Twitter and seeing the gorgeous artwork that he posts sporadically. So the fact that he is a stellar writer is a pleasant surprise. For a story that consists mainly of dialogue between two men, the writing is wonderful work.  Conversation is a tricky thing to do well, as is giving each character a voice, but Williams does both with style. The story flows well and the dialogue helps to accentuate the tensions that Williams' art projects off the page.
The artwork is a master class in storytelling. It positively drips atmosphere,  each panel is lushly detailed and feels almost alive. The pages are deliberately inked and each line made aids in bringing the panels to life. At times I forgot I was reading a comic and looked up to discover that I wasn't in fact sat in a dark, haunting forest.

It's been around a while now, so the chances are you already have your paws on this excellent comic, but if you haven't then I can't recommend it highly enough, even if horror isn't your genre, this work is to be enjoyed.

Review: Charge #1

Writers: Dan Jury and Chris Jury
Pencils: Adhitya Zulkarnaen
Inks: Christopher Bryer
Colours: Pamela Siega
Letters: Michael Lagace
Cover Art: Jordan J. Nering
Publisher: Alterna Comics
Release date: June 1st 2016

Charge has been put for a week now. Everything I've sat down to try and write this something seems to have come up that I am unable to get out of. So it's nice to finally be able to get a moment to put something together about this cracking comic.
Actually a few days before this comic came out I fired up my Dropbox and found the review/preview copy of Charge #1 sat there just begging to be read. So it was quite serendipitous when I got the email from Alterna with the release details and link to review copy a few days later, forewarned is forearmed.
Charge is a great piece of tense science fiction thriller. It's got all the ingredients, a shady corporation, an uptight suit from head office, a remote cut off location and some scientists working on a clandestine experiment. Intersperse that with some time travel and you have a wonderfully crafted story in your hands.
Dan and Chris Jury have a wonderful understanding of their characters and material. With such a ensemble cast being used it would be easy for some of the characters to get lost in the crows and become a little one dimensional, but that doesn't happen here. The plot is well paced and reads smoothly, there are no clunky page turns or jilted storytelling that put off your reading experience.
The artwork is sublime, each member of the team performing their duties perfectly,  then combining to create pages that are wonderful to look at and are an excellent paradigm of sequential art and, more importantly to me, storytelling.

In short this is a wonderful comic, the story is interesting and engaging, without over complication. The art is fluid, dynamic and a joy to view. I can't wait to see where the plot takes us next. Get yourself on comixology and treat yourself. You won't regret it at all.

Review: Freelance Blues #1

Story: Ian Daffern, Mike Leone

Art: Vicki Tierney

Cover Art: Michael Del Mundo

Publisher: Alterna Comics

Released: February 27th 2016

There's something about Freelance Blues that resonates with me. It's the story of luckless Lance who no matter what, ends up working for grievous, evil scallywags, the kind bent of world domination, when all he wants is to earn enough to pay the bills.

It's quite relatable to most of the population, metaphorically anyway. Who hasn't though of their bosses as cruel, supernatural, monsters at some point and in that respect, Daffern, Leone and Tierney have struck gold with their subject matter; because you can't help but empathise with Lance. That makes Freelance Blues engrossing from start to it's (slightly predictable but emotionally gut punching) ending. 

Daffern and Leone have produced a script that is engaging and keeps the story moving at a nice pace, throwing in a few twists and turns that keep your interest. The dialogue is sharp, snappy and when coupled with Tierney's fantastic art, gives a clear well rounded feel to the characters, allowing you to empathise with Lance's struggle further. 

I'm not sure how to describe Tierney's art without being reductive. It isn't hyper-detailed, but it isn't simplistic, it has a cartoonish feel, but couldn't fit more perfectly into this comic. Really she has found a sweet spot between the spaces and her consistent artwork truly revels in it. Some excellent and unconventional panels showcase her talents and it's nice to see someone steer away from stereotypes, and highlights how good a story teller she is.

Alterna Comics continue to up the ante with their releases and Freelance Blues #1 is an excellent start to the series, with great art, interesting and engaging characters and plot, with a great hook at the end to pique your curiosity for what's to follow. It's released this Wednesday and is strongly recommend you adding it to your pull list. 

Review: American Terror AnniverSERIES edition

Story: Jeff McComsey, James Cooper

Art: Jeff McComsey

Letters: Jeff McComsey

Publisher: Alterna Comics

Release date: 6th January 2016

In the wake of Alterna's celebration of its ten year anniversary comes another helping of it's AnniverSERIES line. American terror was initially told over two volumes in 2008, 2009. This editon is a little glimpse into its world, a peek through the curtains at the story contained within.

What a cracking story you can see there too.

I only recently became aware of McComsey's work when I reviewed 'Mother Russia' (see the archive if you're interested) and I was instantly impressed. That trend continues with American Terror, it digs intriguing claws into you from the first page.

American Terror tells the story of Victor Sheppard, an old man in a new world. It's November 11th in the year 2041 and in the wake of the War of the Third World a time of peace and prosperity reigns. But Victor remembers the cost of the new world and haunted by it, he tells his story.

Sorry to delve into a synopsis, but you have to admit it's got quite a hook, and McComsey and Cooper make the whole story just as compelling. This is a shining paradigm of independent comics at their finest, an example of unbridled creativity allowing stories to take shape. 

The story is well written and fleshed out, flowing with good pace. In this edition Sheppard is the protagonist and despite his apparent taciturn nature, he is characterised well and you find yourself inexplicably drawn to him. You want to hear more of his past, of his story.

McComsey displays his usual internal synergy between story and art. His mastery of sequential storytelling is really rather spectacular. Sheppard, both his young and old iterations are well drawn and show consistency that is, well, consistent with McComsey's style.

This book is rife with action sequences and McComsey's art holds a kinetic quality that make it a joy to pour over the pages.

In short this a fantastic comic. I read this AnniverSERIES editon rather quickly and immediately sought out volume one to discover the rest of the story. Everything about this book is excellent, the story, the artwork, the fluidity of the panels. 

This comic is well worth a purchase, I really cannot recommend it enough. It was fun to read and that's what comics should be right? Fun.