Recommendations: Edge of Extinction and Crackpot

It's been a while since the last issue but we can finally get our hands on the next part of the zombie horror comic, Edge of Extinction from writer Baden James Mellonie. I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek of issue #4 from Baden and I wasn't disappointed.  The dial has been turned up to eleven for the action in this one.

Our protagonists find themselves in the middle of an army operation attempting to take down a hoard of zombies.  Giving aid to a wounded officer they head for the safety of a nearby hospital. Guess what, it's not too safe there either and things are taking a new and unexpected turn.

This is a great, fast paced story with art to match, Paul Peart-Smith really conveys the chaos of battling the undead foe on the streets, contrasting with the relative calm of the hospital.  If you've missed out on previous issues or want to get you hands on #4 you can go to the Eighth Continent Publishing Facebook page or visit http://www.eighthcontinentpublishing.com/

As ever you will be able to take your pick of a superb array of variant covers from artists such as Stephen Samson, David Millgate and a cover from Marvel and DC cover artist Ryan Brown which is simply amazing art (see above).

The next comic couldn't be further away from the death and mayhem of Edge of Extinction. It's Crackpot, the newest comic from the team that brings you The Sentinel and I got a sneak digital peek.  Crackpot unashamedly leans into a nostalgia vibe with it's comedy strips that echo The Beano, Nutty and Whoopee.  A range of artists and writers have come together to contribute to this one like Sentinel stalwarts Alan Holloway and Ed Doyle to 2000AD alumnus, Michael Carroll.

The comic boasts 10 strips with only one that's not played for laughs, called Tammy's Troubles.  This is a format reminiscent of humour comics of the past that would carry one, harder edged story among the laughs.  I think my favourite must be Furrious Four, it stars the titular Katana wielding cats in feudal Japan - what's not to like?  With perfect art for the strip from Morgan Gleave.

I'm going to come straight out and say that Crackpot isn't for me, my tastes have changed since my days reading the Beano. However, it's obvious to see the love for the genre, from the writers and artists, that pervades through each strip. So, if you are in the mood for some old school laughs, that harkens back to the glory days of the British humour comics, Crackpot is the one for you.

The Kickstarter for Crackpot is underway now until 3rd of July: http://kck.st/3c1Qg4d