Recommendations: Blazer #1

When I initially pledged for the Kickstarter of Blazer I didn't really know what to expect all I knew is that it was going to be a love letter to British comics of the 70s, with all stories written by the Mightiest of Mighty Ones, Steve Macmanus.  With that pedigree I was sold and happily, after reading, I wasn't let down either.

Straight away the look and feel of Blazer is a time machine, back to the mid 70s, with great little design touches, like an old school price sticker on the front cover. Then we get right into the action with Godwins Law, a fast paced war story with art by Dan Cornwell.  This was a perfect opener with Dan's superb kinetic art blasting off the page - I really want to see him do more war stories. 

Derringer and S'on with art by Colin Maxwell was a throwback to all those American series, from the 70s, that we would sit in front of our huge wooden box TVs and watch. We had the voice over introducing us to the characters and backstory, loads of action ensues and then winds up with a final panel reminiscent of the TV show freeze frame...annnd roll credits. 

These are just the opening shots of the retro fun, we get so much more including a footie story in Boot Room Boy, magic and mystery with, the surprisingly dark and cheeky, Domienicas Ring.  A superb cast of artists including Peter Western and Charlie Gillespie and letterers all bring TMOs' words to life brilliantly. 

There is an argument that we shouldn't glorify the past and that we should always be moving forwards.  But sometimes, especially in the days we're living through right now, it's nice to harken back to simpler more carefree times.  Blazer is a comic that unashamedly wraps the reader in a blanket of action packed nostalgia.  Steve Macmanus, the artists and the guys behind the scenes involved in the production of Blazer obviously have a love and respect for the comics of the 70s that shines through here.  Expect this title to blaze brighter with each issue.

If you want to get a piece of the action you can order it here: https://the77comic.bigcartel.com/

Recommendations: BRZRKR and Puno

It's been a little while and time is short so I thought that I'd give a quick couple of comic recommendations. 

First up is the comic that sparked much chatter when it went to Kickstarter,  primarily shipping costs.  The comic, that includes none other than Keanu Reeves as a co-creator, is BRZRKR.  From what I've read Mr Reeves came up with the idea of an 80,000 year old, immortal berserker warrior and rather than seeing it as a film he thought it better suited to a comic.  Boom comics were more than happy to help bring his idea to life and BRZRKR was conceived.

I was unwilling to pay the pretty huge costs involved in getting the collected trade, via Kickstarter, so I waited and gave issue #1 a shot via Comixology.  Was BRZRKR what I expected and wanted?  In a word yes, it's full of tropes and ideas from other comics and films but, so far, it still ticks the boxes for me. When someone is killed with one of their own ribs that has been broken and ripped out by hand.....take my money!  I'm glad I didn't pay out for the KS, and I won't buy anymore single issues but I will happily get the trade when it inevitably is released by Boom.

Next up is the latest comic from the amazingly talented Gustaffo Vargas called Puno, you may have read his other books on the Comichaus app.  If you haven't I recommend that you search them out, you can also find his work in the free six part Crayta comic. I really enjoy his artwork and particularly, in Puno, his mix of future tech with the tradition and styles of Peru, his country of origin.  You won't believe the double page spreads he creates here - just jaw dropping!

I would personally love to see Gustaffo given the opportunity to render the Mega City and Dredd.  But his talents aren't limited to art alone, his storytelling is superb, original and multilayered.  Get your hands on a copy of Puno and discover for yourself.