*King Conan: The Scarlet Citadel*
From Dark Horse
Rating: five stars.
Creative Team
Writer: Timothy Truman
Artist: Tomás Giorello
Color Artist: José Villarrubia
Letterer: Richard Starkings
and Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt
Chapter-Break Artists: Darick Robertson
with colorists Dave Stewart and Richard Clark
Cover Artist: Gerald Parel
Decades ago we watched the great film Conan The Barbarian from director John Milius and co-writer Oliver Stone. The end of the movie set up so well a potentially great franchise. Sadly, that was not to be. Most offensive of all is the loss of what surely would have been a great King Conan movie. Could it still happen? We have hope, if only slightly.
King Conan: The Scarlet Citadel from Dark Horse and writer Timothy Truman (GrimJack, Jonah Hex, Turok, Conan) will remain in my memory as what a King Conan movie should be. A grey-bearded Conan relates a story to a chronicler of a time when he might have lost the jeweled crown of Aquilonia. The story-telling here, adapted from Robert E. Howard’s own work “The Scarlet Citadel”, draws the reader in immediately. For me I could instantly see Schwarzenegger reprising the role of the title character, and very age appropriate now.
For many King Conan: The Scarlet Citadel may be an exercise in expectations. But you’re not going to get what you’d expect. Oh, there’s lots of violence. The kind that only Conan is capable of. But you’d be selling this book short if that’s all you picked it up for. Conan’s chronicler is forcing the Cimmerian to reflect on a time he was able to overcome the odds, as he often does. But there’s something deeper here. As the king relates his tale we see something in his steel-blue eyes across his scarred and hardened face.
Conan fans young and old know well that Howard never wrote an end for the character. What we do know is that the king disappeared from Aquilonia. We imagine that he continued his adventuring elsewhere. I have never thought very fondly of many modern writers and their interpretations of Conan. But here and now, I tell you in all honesty that if Truman were to write an adventure of Conan’s life after he left Aquilonia I would be one of the first to read it. A grey-bearded Conan adventure. Give it to me!
I’ve read this book twice now and it absolutely holds up. In fact it gets better the second time around. Truman brings a depth and confidence to the adaptation that is infectious. The often terrorizing atmosphere adds an other-worldly quality, essential to its plot, which only helps build the tension. I look forward to seeing what this creative team has in store for us next. I think that’s the best compliment you can pay any artist.
Anchored by artists that are among some of the best (Giorello’s Conan actually looks like Conan – both young and old), sometimes surprisingly intimate dialogue, and a subject matter that is unsettling, this book achieves moments and takes us on such a nakedly personal journey that it’s death defying for its title character. It’s a smart and sometimes unnerving work that takes us down unpredictable roads and thrives in its dark corners. It reminds us of the best and worst things about being human and shows us that a lot of people use both in order to get through the day.
Much of this can be attributed to the original work by Howard. But Truman’s adaptation has given us a great book that doesn’t use the usual tricks to convince us how great it is.
I have no idea if we’ll ever see a King Conan film. I certainly hope so. In the meantime go out and buy a copy of King Conan: The Scarlet Citadel. Best literary comic book adaptation of the year!
Mirror Mirror: Forgiveness*
from DarkBrain
Creative Team
Art: Ryan Hawkins & Cheery Fifi
Colors: Piro
Plotlines & edits: Andrew Zar
Story: Wintress Odom & Michelle Friedrichs
Edits: Nathan Reese
Letters: James Abels & Fresh Squeezed Letters
Rating: Five Stars
Review by David Paul
There’s something very cool going on over at DarkBrain.com and it’s attracting all the right people. Many of those people may have celebrity connections, it’s true. With names like adult film stars Tabitha Stevens and Raylene you can easily see why it’s attracting a fast growing readership. But the “right” people I am speaking of is the everyday reader. Namely you.
Already featured in the pages of long time American staple of adult comics Heavy Metal, DarkBrain is being received with the kind of positive accolades that make many jealous. We’ve seen motion comics before, so that’s not new.
We’ve seen celebrities attached to numerous graphic titles of all sorts from decade to decade, so this is likewise not new. DarkBrain is producing comics for the post modern generation. It’s very easy to visit their very user-friendly and interactive site and lose yourself for hours at a time, exploring their buffet of titles. When you select your delicious meal you’re treated to a yummy show that you won’t soon forget. The story begins and there is a full-on production: music, sound FX, voice acting – everything! But it’s more than that. By selecting a certain scene you can enjoy alternate versions of any given story. And each story is designed to be custom-fitted for all platforms: computer screens, mobile devices, movie players, and ye old fashioned print. And for desert there’s lots of eye candy. So leave room.
I’ve recently had the pleasure of taking in two courses from their buffet and I’ve been very satisfied with both titles.
Mirror Mirror: Forgiveness compels you to take a look at your own co-workers in your everyday life. No one is ever what they seem. Especially not the boss. No. She’s got demons. Well, one specific demon. Brenna bares the scar on her face that is close to her heart. On top of that she happens to be a dominatrix. But is it the demon in the mirror we should fear or the woman in the flesh? And which is the reality?
You ever do something you didn’t think you were in complete control of? Ever had a tooth knocked out that spontaneously grew back? Ever been possessed by your dead sister?
You ask a lot of questions.
Forgiveness is a character-driven supernatural drama punctuated with shocking moments of violence. The story manages to be both mystical and straight-forward drama that brings out the best of both genres. It’s an apparition of a tale that more than manages to pound its points home. It may shake you up a bit but you’ll come out a better person for it. It’s the kind of story that makes me love my job, love comics, and love getting up every day to read more just like it.
The first course was so good you know I had to go back for seconds. So I loaded up my plate and came back with…
*Zeopatra*
from DarkBrain
Creative Team
Pencils: Santiago Espina
Colors: Lya
Story: Andrew Zar
Edits: Sissy Pantelis
Letters & Logo: Fresh Squeezed Letters
Rating: Five stars
Review by David Paul
So it’s the Zombie Apocalypse and you’re stuck in Phoenix. If you’re Tia you’ve just watched your friends suffer horrible, agonizing deaths and expect the next time the zombies get hungry they’re coming after you. Only when they do decide to come for her Tia is shocked to discover they don’t want to eat her for some unknown reason.
There is so much to like about this short story and yet words don’t quite do it justice, since writer Andrew Zar’s apocalyptic epic seems to be produced from pure fun. Zeopatra transcends traditions the way Troma Entertainment transcends movies and digs deep into the psyche of its title character, who claims herself Queen of the Zombies. It may not seem like it when it’s described but watching her lose her sanity and then rebuild her life is a remarkable thing. I have no idea if Zar has plans to give us more Tia but if he does it’ll be interesting to see what happens, especially after the conclusion of this first short story. And here’s what you need to do: go to DarkBrain.com, click on “specials” then click on Zeopatra and check out this incredibly fun comic.
Now I have to say this about the adult content, of which there is quite a bit featured in both these titles. I’m reminded of both Heavy Metal and Penthouse Comix. If nudity and sex do not propel a story they only hinder it. And that’s just gratuitous. Personally I am not offended by anything I have read from DarkBrain, simply because it is not gratuitous. If it were all sex and nudity (and yes, there’s male nudity in equal amounts) then that would offend me. But even then I’d be offended over the lack of a story. There’s story here, and lots of good story-telling.
DarkBrian is here. DarkBrain is now.
Valen The Outcast #1
Boom! Studios
Written by: Michael Alan Nelson
Art by: Matteo Scalera
Colors by: Archie Van Buren
Letters by: Ed Dukeshire
Reviewer: Robert McClelland
With three phenomenal covers, Valen The Outcast comes right out of the gate to show us all why it’s so awesome. As it is, in one of the covers, the character reminds me of the X-Man character Colossus. Only this isn’t your grandfather’s Colossus! And speaking of Colossua, doesn’t one of those covers remind any of you of a pose Colossus and Shadowcat once did? They gave us a great start in issue number 1 with a great battle. It’s neat that Necromancy is a theme in this, as you don’t see it that often in Comics. Yes sure its frowned on by some, but hey.. why not?? What’s life without a little risk? Right? Zjanna is another of those female character beauties who can kick butt with the best of them. Got to love Girl Power! Michael Nelson’s writing for this is simply great, as you get some great dialogue between the characters.
Matteo Scalera’s art goes along well with the dialog. Both creator and writer pay much attention to detail in this book, which I enjoyed because it wasn’r overbearing.
I honestly feel this has gotten off to a great start, and I can’t wait for more. I’m especially curious on Korrus Null’s interest in his new fighter. And is it just me, or does the line ‘Korrus Null stole my soul’ rhyme? Anyways… Boom! Look forward to the second issue of this!
5 out of 5 Stars.
Space Warped #6
Kaboom!
Written by: Herve Bourhis
Art by: Rudy Spiessert
Colors by: Mathilda
Reviewer: Robert McClelland
*Sigh* It’s terrible that this great 6 issue run has come to end. But what a ride it’s been! Herve Bourhis has managed to keep an ongoing master run of hilarity since the 1st issue. And Rudy Spiessert’s art has been perfect for this the entire time. I don’t think I could imagine anyone else for the art job. This has definitely been one of those reads that you are missing out on if you haven’t checked out a single issue of this. And I honestly hope it gets the trade treatment. That way readers both old and new can get the full enjoyment of this. Issue 6 has it all, from hugs to repeated slaps, old men with boogies as dastardly attacks, woodsmen, and other goodies. Don’t miss out on this epic conclusion!
5 out of 5 Stars.
All-Stars #1
Plan ‘B’ Comics
Story: Keith Braun
Art: Rick Tyndall
Inks: James Stone
Colors: Kyle Chaney
Letterer: Keith Braun
Reviewer: Robert McClelland
I have to say, it’s refreshing to see more characters in the universe of Plan ‘B’. And All-Stars certainly provides it! The cover is just fantastic looking and kind of gives the impression that one of the characters has no eyes. But the cover sure does give you a hint that this one’s going to be filled with some seeing eyed action! Keith Braun does his readers a service by providing at the beginning a bio on his two starring heroes in this issue. Rick Tyndall’s art is certainly not getting any complaints from me as well! And it’s time to rumble in a Museum! Let’s hope nothing gets too badly damaged! Heh, got to love the main bad guy’s exasperation with his partner and his preferred name. All in all, this is a title you should definitely check out.
4 out of 5 Stars.
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This was a well written review. I picked up this issue as soon as it was released and I must say, this book is a must read. The story was well plotted, the art is breathtaking and the characters are quite unique. Plan B is the company to watch.
Yeah I can honestly say that I’m happy to have a chance to read some of the titles from Plan B.