Comic Review: Red Lance Issue 3

Issue 3 of Gary Bloom’s Red Lance comic series continues to put stresses on the team, as one member recovers in the hospital, another tries to suss out a recruit, and all the while Vycia continues to mentally manipulate the scientist turned costumed villain, Cataclysm.

I think I’ve figured out what it is that I don’t care for in the art from issue 2 and 3. It’s the prevalent use of digital effects, from the coloring to the manipulated photo backgrounds. As I said in my previous review, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. It’s just not my thing.

I’m curious to see where some of the various plotlines are headed. I’m especially interested in finding out what Vycia’s deal is. Why is she doing what she’s doing? What’s she planning?

Red Lance feels like a Silver Age comic series, run through a 90s filter, without picking up too much of that decade’s more unfortunate aspects. It’s also nice to see a diverse cast of characters, without tokenism. Check it out. And support independent voices in comics ( http://redlancecomic.com/index.html ).

-Matthew J. Constantine

Comic Review: Red Lance Issue 2

A few weeks ago, I reviewed the first issue of Red Lance, and independant comic written by Gary Bloom. The first issue introduced several characters and the beginnings of some ongoing conflict. The second issue clarifies the conflict, somewhat, by introducing another antagonist MedryTech, and hinting at some larger goings on.

The first thing you’ll notice about the second issue is that there’s been a change in artist. While the coloring is more vibrant and the panel work pretty good (good panel design/flow can be a challenge even in big publisher comics), I’m not as into the art in the second (and third) issue. I can’t even put my finger on why. There’s nothing ‘wrong’ with it; it’s simply not my thing. Hey, millions of people like the art of manga, and I don’t. So, take that for what it’s worth.

Other than a few places where the dialog is a touch clunky, this is a solid superhero comic. The characters are diverse, and I get the feeling the author has story arcs and motivations in mind for most if not all of them. I’m curious about the two reporters occasionally cut to. Are they going to murder each other on live TV at some point?

Check out Red Lance ( http://redlancecomic.com/index.html ). It’s always good to read new voices. And I always recommend trying out work from outside of Marvel and DC, where you’re not likely to get any fresh ideas or new takes on anything.

Matthew J. Constantine

Comic Review: Red Lance issue 1

You know I’m all about the can-do spirit; the ‘little guy (or gal)’ putting their heart on their sleeve and doing it. I love it in film, for sure. But I also love it in comics. That’s one of the reasons I’ve enjoyed many visits to SPX (the Small Press Expo) and why Artists’ Alley is always my favorite place to check out at comic conventions.

I just got a chance to check out the first issue of Red Lance, which is about as independent as they come. Created by Gary Bloom and crowd-funded into reality on KickStarter, this captures the feel of Silver Age marvel comics. While superheroes aren’t my bag, generally, I’m always interested in seeing someone try to do a unique take. And without the weight of decades of history weighing down plot and character options, unique takes can flourish in the indie scene.

While this is a first issue, so it’s mostly about establishing character and tone, there are several ideas that make me curious. I especially liked Vycia’s manipulation of minds, which made me think there might be a reason that crowds in old Marvel comics seemed to turn on a dime. What if someone were driving them to increased passions and illogical behavior?

Just because a comic doesn’t have Batman or Wolverine in it, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a try. If superheroes are your thing, check out Red Lance. The art is professional (better than a lot of stuff making the cut at the Big Two) and the dialog (often the weakest part of indie comics...and no few major titles) is fairly natural.

Go on over to the KickStarter and make the magic happen.

Matthew J. Constantine

Kickstart This! That Guy Dick Miller

Ok internet, we need to make this happen.  Filmmaker Elijah Drenner is trying to get his Dick Miller doc off the ground and he's turned (like a million billion other folks) to Kickstarter for a little help.  Often, I just dismiss these wannabe ventures, but Dick Miller is a man close to my heart.  He's appeared in a gazillion of my favorite films including Bucket of Blood, Gremlins, Explorers, Big Bad Mama, Fly Me (yeah, you read that right), The Terminator, Piranha, The Howling, etc etc etc etc...

Anyway, if you need a little more convincing than click right HERE.  There are some nifty incentives to free you from your dollars including high fives and associate producer credit.  I know I'm going to be turning over couch cushions looking for spare dimes and nickels.

--Brad

Comic Review: Womanthology- Heroic

    It’s no secret that comics have long been a male dominated field, from the writers to the artists, to the target audiences.  It’s the same with my other loves, science fiction and roleplaying.  And I don’t like it.  So, when I heard about this project, an anthology created by women, featuring women of all ages and levels of experience, from young girls just starting out to industry veterans, it caught my attention.  It started as a simple tweet in May of last year, asking if any female creators were interested in putting something together, with any profits going to charity.  The interest and support was profound.  When the Kickstarter project was set up, with a goal of raising 25,000 dollars in a month, I don’t think anyone was prepared for it to reach the goal in 19 hours, or for the project to gain more than four times its goal by the end of that 30 days.  But I think this speaks to a real desire in the comic community (including and perhaps especially among males) to hear from women.

    It’s a handsome volume, well crafted and published by IDW.  Right off, there’s the story of its creation and an introduction to Renae De Liz (source of the tweet) the project manager and the assistant project manager, Laura Morley.  And you get a sense of the format, where you’ll see the creators’ bios, helpful hints from professionals, etc.

    And then it’s right into things with the first story.  As is the nature of anthologies, the art and writing are very uneven in tone, style, and skill; perhaps more so here because this project is specifically designed to include such a wide spectrum of contributors.  Some of my favorites are The Spinster by Ming Doyle and Jordie Bellaire (total classic pulp), I’m Not Omni Girl! By Lauren Burke and Megan Brennan (Buffy-like high school problems), In Every Heart a Masterwork by Gail Simone and Jean Kang (feels like real-world child raising stuff), Everwell by Jody Houser, Adriana Blake & Fiona Staples (a classic folk tale type story), Pink Elephants by Ellen T. Crenshaw (a kid has trouble sleeping), and The New Adventures of Queen Elizabeth I by Christianne Benedict (she has the proportional strength of a frog).  Oh, and Super Teen Slumber Party!! By Eleni Ladd, Kalyssa Ladd, Kelsie Ladd, and Samara Ladd was a fun one from the young kids.  Also, Renae De Liz and Nei Ruffino’s story about Lady Power Punch is kinda awesome.

    One of my favorite parts of the whole thing is the Women of the Past segment, exploring some of the pioneering work of women like Tarpe Mills, writer and artist of Miss Fury, who predated Wonder Woman, and Rose O’Neill creator of the Kewpies among many other things.  Now I need to track down more of their work, especially Tarpe Mills.

    Check out this book.  It’s got a good spirit, with lots of positive and supportive advice and encouragement for authors and artists.  And I think the community effort and support is genuinely heartening.  I hope it sends a message to publishers, to general readers, and to women artists that women are a valued voice in comics.  Forget the idea that comics are for kids, that they’re for boys, and that men don’t enjoy stuff created by women.  Finishing this on the morning of the first meeting of a graphic novel reading group, which was half male and half female felt like perfect timing, too.

Womanthology: Heroic
Authors: Renae De Liz, etc.
Artists: Kelly Thompson, etc.
Publisher: IDW
ISBN: 978-1613771471
Pages: @320

-Matt