Sneak Peek: V2A - The WASTELAND CHRONICLES - DOOMSDAY

I'm a fan of most post-apocalyptic books, movies and comics, Mad Max is one of my favourite franchises. So when Drone, lead singer of post apocalyptic rock band V2A, got in touch with me offering me a look at V2A - The WASTELAND CHRONICLES - DOOMSDAY a graphic  novel unashamedly set in the same kind of world as Mad Max I was very happy to accept.

In this 52 page full colour comic (is 52 pages long enough to be classed as a graphic novel?) The characters of the band V2A have been brought to life in two connected tales which are described as Mad Max meets Suicide Squad. 

Drone has worked with writer Dave West and artists, PJ Holden and Gustavo Vargas with colours from Matt Soffe to bring this Project to life.  You may recognise the names of Holden and Soffe from their work for 2000AD among many other projects. Gustavo Vargas is an artist I'd love to see working for 2000AD the creator of an awesome collection of Peruvian Cyberpunk comics, including the recent Puno. 

As you might expect from that role call, the quality of the artwork is top notch stuff, I was really impressed. The story itself, for me, wasn't the strongest element here however, it serves as a great scene setter. The excellent world building and characters give a lot of scope for the story to soar as, hopefully, more issues will follow. 

If you want to get your hands on a copy, perhaps one with a variant cover by the awesome Ryan Brown (above) then you can back it here:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/v2a-wasteland-chronicles-doomsday#/

The Kickstarter was 800% funded which bodes well for the future and seeing more from Drone and his crew. 

Recommendations: Monsters and Sentinel: To be a Hero

After a bit of a break I thought I'd come back with a couple of recommendations.  First up, after a lot of subtle and not so subtle hints I received a copy of Barry Windsor Smith's Monsters, for fathers day.

I'm sure that you've heard of this book by now, or most likely have a copy, but for anyone who hasn't I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to you.  It's a weighty tome, beautifully bound in hardback form, and quite rightly as it sees the culmination of 35 years work from BWS.  He has written, drawn and lettered this magnum opus of a book, 380 pages of beautiful artwork and gripping story.  The lettering and form of the speech bubbles that guide us through the panels is just awesome, a much overlooked skill. 

The story revolves around a young man, Bobby Bailey, who in 1964 walks into an army recruitment office and sets in motion a course of events that he was always destined to become an intrinsic part of. BWS weaves the story on many levels across many timelines involving the physical and metaphysical exploring themes of fate, destiny, reciprocity and redemption. 

It is an intense, often dark, read but it drew me into its world and wouldn't let me go from the turn of the first page. I sat and read the first 100 pages in one sitting, if it wasn't for family life and things I had to do I reckon I'd have just sat and read it in one hit.  

You may have gathered that I quite enjoyed this book, it's already right up there in my top ten of comics/graphic novels.  Get a copy today, you really won't regret it. 

Next up is a recommendation to check out an upcoming release. It's the 8th book from the guys at Sentinel Comics called 'To be a Hero'. Written by Alan Holloway with art and letters from Andrew Richmond.  

This is the first superhero book in the Sentinel releases and takes us on a nice ride with a few surprises along the way.  It is very meta and cleverly self-referential, I won't say anymore so as not to ruin the read for you but it's not like any previous Sentinel issue.  

I really enjoyed Andrew Richmonds artwork and the styles he plays with here including some great silver age Kirby style even with some crackle in one panel.  I hope to see more from Andrew in the future and no doubt will as he's already been involved with other indie projects such as Brawler and The77.

The Kickstarter launches 10th July (to 7th August), with a modest goal of just £800 to cover all costs involved, including commissioning Mike White for his awesome limited cover, featuring the character Kilowatt Kid.