Friday 29 April 2016

Review: Freelance Blues #3

Writers: Ian Daffern, Mike Leone
Art: Vicki Tierney
Cover: Stephen Sayer
Publisher: Alterna Comics
Released: April 27th 2016

This week saw another chapter in the sterling Freelance Blues from Alterna Comics. Daffern, Leone and Tierney have once again crafted an exciting and intriguing adventure for Lance, hitting it right out of the park.
The story continues with Lance on the road, embroiled in some magical, mischievous goings on that are, quite frankly, very entertaining.
Daffern and Leone perpetually craft a well written, well paced script that keeps you hooked. Lance is an easy to like character, in fact all the characters are fleshed out and believable, really allowing you to switch on your empathy.
Tierney's art is wonderful. There are amazing snapshots of art in comics, amazing splash pages, beatifically spreads, that's great, but they don't always tell the story. Tierney can do all this whilst being an incredible storyteller. Her art in this issue is exemplary and should serve as a lesson to aspiring artists out there, as well as being a feast for the readers eyes. 
There always a danger at this point in a story arc for the plot to begin to stagnate, Daffern and Leone introduce some new elements and intrigue to ensure that doesn't happen. So this issue keeps you well and truly hooked. 
This was a fantastic and exciting issue to read, I know it's been out a while now but if you haven't already read it, do yourself a favour and get involved. 

Tuesday 12 April 2016

Review: Trespasser #2

Story: Justin M. Ryan
Art: Kristian Rossi
Letters: DC Hopkins
Publisher: Alterna Comics
Released: April 13th 2016

A terrifying and brilliant new chapter in one of my favourite current releases from Alterna Comics. For me,  Ryan and Rossi are fast earning the moniker 'dream team' when it comes to Tresspasser. Issue one took and interesting concept and laced it with mystery, suspense and intrigue. This next issue turns it all the way up to eleven and continues some of the best work in comics that I've come across. 
Now I don't want to give away any spoilers so I'll do my upmost to be brief. This issues sees Hector and his daughter catch their breath and try to return to 'normal' after their ordeal. However it's not long until strange nocturnal events mean they are in for the night of their lives. 
The writing is stellar, Ryan had laced suspense through out the issue, to the point where I began to have palpitations and a cold sweat. Now there is a propensity in some comics to bombard the reader with a lot of exposition, I've just read an issue from a certain 'big' publisher that does so. I don't like this, I think that it shows an assumption that reader is too slow to follow the story. You should never make the assumption that your reader is any less intelligent that you are. Ryan doesn't, he is a natural storyteller, pacing the story well and layering new information about the story, the characters and the premise throughout. It seems he leaves subtle hints to allow the reader to draw conclusions and learn at their own pace too. This all helps to build up the furore of suspense, in fact so much so that I had to backtrack over issue 1 to try and see if there were clues I had previously missed. Rossi is the mirror image with his artwork. There are numerous great artists out there, but great art doesn't always translate well into comics, not if one can't tell the story. Well Rossi is a great artist and storyteller, the kind that is so good it makes you jealous of his talents. Moody atmospheric pages add to suspense that creeps in from the the outside, really it's a terrifying experience and exemplary work to many artists out there. 
This whole issue is a wonderfully intriguing horror romp that weaves elements of sci-fi into its web. I really can't praise it enough, get yourself out there and get reading it. It's available on comixology from 13th April. If you haven't read issue 1 yet, then stop being daft and catch up. 

Tuesday 5 April 2016

Review: Freelance Blues #2

Writers: Ian Daffern and Michael Leone
Art: Vicki Tierney
Letters: Robert Petek
Publisher: Alterna Comics
Released: 30th March 2016 (Digital) 

I'm a little late reviewing this one, life seemed to get in the way. Though as soon as I received my review copy in my inbox it was opened straight away and read without a moments hesitation, knowing that I would be in for a treat.  Freelance Blues #2 is a cracking issue that continues to tell the story of hapless Lance in his mission to provide for his family, always hindered by getting a job with some nefarious villain (unintentionally of course). 
This issue sees Lance take to the road to find work but inevitably things go awry and he finds himself mixed up in a science experiment with supernatural proclivities.
Once again Daffern and Leone's script is tight and paced well. Lance is written in such a way that you can't help but empathise with him. In fact all the characters are well written and fleshed out. The big bad monsters that play the antagonists are subverted and add a nice slice of humour to the book. The twists and turns keep you hooked and this separate story keeps the whole arc going smoothly.
Tierney had a real mastery of character in her art and does more impressive work in this issue. She showcases her abilities as a fantastic storyteller on every page, with interesting layouts that frame her art well and keep the story moving. The villains are particularly well drawn, but it's also the little things, the details on the background for example, that are a real marker of her talents.

This issue shows Daffern, Leone and Tierney working in wonderful unison to create another fantastic issue. It could be a great standalone story, and it is in some ways, but it also is a piece of a larger puzzle that I can't wait to work out. So bearing in mind this has been out nearly a week now, if you haven't already had chance to pick it up, do yourself a favour and do so.  You don't want to miss out.