It takes a lot for me to read a vampire story these days. With the media being plagued with vampire stories, I tend to shy away from them, just because I am tired of fangs and pale skin showing up everywhere. That's not to say I don't like vampires; I just don't like sub-par storytelling, especially when it comes to vampires. When I read the synopsis of Top Cow's Impaler, I decided to put my prejudices aside and give this vampire story a try. I am glad I did. William Harms and Matt Timson have created a story that is a solid vampire story, but also tells the story of humanity in crisis.
The premise is pretty straightforward: vampires have taken over the US, and those that are still alive are trying to survive. The survivors are a couple of GIs, a mother and child, a widower, and two dark horse heroes, Vlad and Victor. The tales of the survivors reminded me of reading Walking Dead, in that the monsters everyone's running from both polarize and unify--some people, like the widower, extend kindness to strangers in times of crisis. Others take what they can get in order to survive.
It's always interesting to me to see how vampires are portrayed in a story, whether they're the charismatic undead, charming the female population, or if they're more base creatures, lacking the ability to speak and even rejecting human needs like clothes. The vampires in this story are more of the latter. They can speak, but they are very pale and monster-like.
Harms' writing is beautifully complemented by Matt Timson's art. Timson's style visually depicts the bleakness the survivors face, where landscapes and interiors in neutral tans and grays give way to pools and spatters of blood. My favorite scenes were the wide angle shots, especially of the New Mexico desert.
I read this book not knowing what to expect, and I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed it. For something I had not heard of until this issue, it was one of the best out of the blue reads I've encountered in a while. This is a must-read for any horror comic fan.
Stacey Rader
Review Editor
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Amidst the superhero comics BOOM! Studios brings us Incorruptible, about a former villain, Max Damage, who is now trying to save the world from the Plutonian, a thinly-veiled Superman clone, who is hell-bent on destroying the humanity he once fought to save. In the latest chapter, Mark Waid continues telling an engaging story that packs plenty of action into this story of redemption.
This issue opens with Max telling Lt. Armadale more of his story about the death and destruction caused by former hero the Plutonian. Armadale still has some suspicions about Damage's motives, but for the most part he's on board with Damage's plans. Max is going to see an old enemy, and the action carries on from there. Once again Jailbait makes an appearance. I enjoy her character a great deal, especially her teenage tantrums.
Jean Diaz's art is spot on for this issue. From the opening Plutonian carnage to the cliffhanger ending, every panel is filled with color and movement fitting for the tone of the story. Cover art duties are shared by Rafael Albuquerque, Dennis Calero, and Jeffrey Spokes. My favorite cover is Albuquerque's, which could be because I'm a fan of his art, and because I'm a fan of giant robots. Plus Max's deadpan reaction is priceless.
Waid is right at home with this character and storyline, and as with most of his work, I'm left wanting more. Definitely pick up this title--it is a new twist on the superhero shtick that won't disappoint.
Stacey Rader
Review Editor
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Boom studios bring to the pages another Disney story. This is another tale of magic and adventure from the world of Disney. Mickey’s teacher is kidnapped and held for ransom. Mickey, Goofy, and Donald decide to go on a quest to attend a magic tournament to help raise money for the release of Mickey’s teacher. While the three heroes are traveling to the tournament they run in to monsters and villains from the classical Disney universe.
This comic stays true to the classic Disney characters. The artwork is also reminiscence of the classic Disney movies and other animated tales. This story is well written and full of little surprises. The plot of this series in not an original idea, many fantasy novels and comics repeat the magic tournament in their pages. I don’t consider the magic tournament a bad thing, just a bit over used in story lines.
Sometime you forget the simple things in life. This was a nice fun comic book to read. At first I did not want to read this comic because it was a comic for kids, but this comic did bring back the kid in me. I loved the cartoony style artwork. The story was simple, but fun. As adults readers we forget that comics were originally written for kids.
Stop watching reality television and read a book.
Chip Carroll
Staff Reviewer
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Marvel is proud to unveil your first look at the hotly-anticipated Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #1, from two of today’s most acclaimed talents—Jason Aaron and Adam Kubert!
Spider-Man and Wolverine come together in their first major series ever, as they journey to the edges of a Marvel Universe in a new series that will dramatically affect both characters! Perfect for fans old and new alike, no one can afford to miss the senses-shattering Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #1!
ASTONISHING SPIDER-MAN/WOLVERINE #1 (MAR100471)
ASTONISHING SPIDER-MAN/WOLVERINE #1 FOILOGRAM VARIANT (MAR100472)
Written by JASON AARON
Pencils & Cover by ADAM KUBERT
Foilogram Variant Cover by ADAM KUBERT
Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC—4/15/10, ON-SALE—5/5/10
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Marvel Entertainment, LLC. is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 5,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in licensing, entertainment (via Marvel Studios and Marvel Animation) and publishing (via Marvel Comics). Marvel's strategy is to leverage its franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world, including feature films, consumer products, toys, video games, animated television, direct-to-DVD and online. For more information visit www.marvel.com.
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BOOM! STUDIOS GUESTS INCLUDE:
28 DAYS LATER/DINGO's Michael Alan Nelson
TOY STORY 's Nathan Watson
SCHEDULED SIGNINGS & PANELS
Friday, April 2, 2010 - Booth #619
All Day – Signing with Michael Alan Nelson.
Saturday, April 3, 2010 - Booth #619
All Day – Signing with Michael Alan Nelson.
2:00 – 3:00pm – BOOM! Studios BIG! BOLD! BOOM! Panel (Room 232/234)
4:00 – 5:00pm – Portfolio review with BOOM! Studios editor Ian Brill (East Mezzanine Room 214)
Sunday, April 3, 2010 - Booth #619
All Day – Signing with Michael Alan Nelson.
The 2010 BOOM! Studios' LIGHT THE FUSE convention tour continues at WonderCon 2010. Here are the full tour dates:
BOOM! STUDIOS
LIGHT THE FUSE TOUR 2010
Keep an eye out for us, we might be coming to a town near you!
April 14-15 - Diamond Retailer Summit - Chicago, Illinois
April 16-18 - C2E2 - Chicago, Illinois
April 24-25 - Calgary Entertainment Expo - Calgary Canada
April 24-25 - L.A. Times Festival of Books - L.A, California
May 22 - Summit City Comic Con - Fort Wayne, IN
May 27-30 - Phoenix Comicon - Phoenix, Arizona
May 25-27 - Book Expo America - New York, New York
June 4-6 - HeroesCon - Charlotte, North Carolina
June 25-28 - ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition - Washington DC
July 21-25 - Comic-Con International - San Diego, California
August 27-29 - Fan Expo Canada - Toronto,Canada
August 28-29 - Baltimore Comic-Con - Baltimore, MD
October 8-10 - New York Comic Con - New York, New York
October 29-31 - Long Beach Comic Con - L.A., California
About BOOM! Studios
BOOM! Studios (http://www.boom-studios.com) is a unique publishing house specializing in high-profile projects across a wide variety of different genres from some of the industry’s biggest talents, including Philip K. Dick’s DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?, The Henson Company’s FARSCAPE, and the original Mark Waid series IRREDEEMABLE. BOOM!’s children publishing imprint BOOM Kids! publishes titles such as Pixar’s THE INCREDIBLES, CARS, and TOY STORY, as well as Disney’s THE MUPPETS, DONALD DUCK, UNCLE SCROOGE and WALT DISNEY’S COMICS AND STORIES.
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