Amy Brander Comic Reviews

As far as first issues go, this one caught my attention story-wise. I love a good crime story. Let's see where this goes.

I think one of the things I found even more incredulous about the issue was the quotes at the end. They were all from the new comic elite. Jeff Lemire, Brian K Vaughan, etc who all must be close personal friends. Unsurprisingly, none of them female. Ultimately, I know a lot of people are going to disagree with me. I know a lot of people are going to love this book and I know that a lot of them (if not all of them) are going to be men. Who was the book written for? I think it was written for James Robinson.

Artwork wise, I knew that Dustin would be spot on. Anything this guy touches is a work of art regardless of what story it builds around. So I had no worries concerning the artwork whatsoever. He couldn't disappoint me if he tried. His use of watercolor makes even the most desolate mining colony of any distant planet take your breath away (literally, there's no oxygen on this planet).

I've said before that this series is one of the most exciting titles of 2015 for me personally, and I have to ramp up my statement now that it IS in fact one of the most exciting titles of 2015 for me, for anyone.

Although you might be shocked by some of the content, the story is original, well-crafted and entertaining. I am just left wondering how Man is actually going to take on the rocks…

So in the interest of being unbiased I will let you know that if you intend to read this comic in digital form, please read it on a hand held device with the Screen Rotation turned off. Due to the nature of this plot which transcribes into the layout of the artistry, the one and only criticism I have, is that it's unreadable with Screen Rotation on. It isbest read in paper format. For me this is not actually a downfall as I prefer to collect and read my comics on paper. I suppose I am sort of old fashion and although I will read my advanced reviews in digital form, I collect and re-read the ones I'm passionate about on paper. Why? There's something about holding a comic in your hands that connects you to the creators. Suddenly you feel the integrity, creativity and passion that goes into every panel, every stroke, every line of the comic.

You can't know how relieved I am not to have to look at the fashion of the early 90's in comic form. Additionally, how glad I am they wrote the story around it's original date rather than the more recent incarnations from American family entertainment. Sabrina first appeared in Archie's Madhouse in 1962. I commend the publisher for going to it's roots. I'd also like to mention that I am particularly fond of the artwork for the issue. It has a familiar vintage look while giving the story an air of sophisticationwhich lets us know this book is not intended for a very young audience. Archie Horror says that Sabrina is suitable for Teens+ and I would completely agree. There is implied violence and there are some scary faces. Perhaps too frightening for children under 12.

These are the basics needed to push out a successful first issue for me. We've achieved that here. Requirements made! So art-wise, I'm pretty happy. Illustrator Christopher Mitten has created some beautiful panels of space. Kinda fell in love with them. You might recognize Mitten's work from Wasteland which is an on-going series from Oni Press. It's a post apocalyptic story which started back in 2006 written by Antony Johnson who I've actually interviewed before about his series Umbral. I have yet to read Wasteland. It's on my list.Black Mask Comics has been making me really happy lately. I love current series We Can Never Go Home and Space Riders. Now I can add TheDisciples to the list of monthly purchases.