Mood:
caffeinatedTopic: Comic Books - New
TODAY'S 'MAIN FEATURE': I received a full package from Onrie Kompan with all that I needed to do a full and complete review of his new limited series: Yi Soon Shin - Warrior And Defender #1, (along with a few preview pages of issue #2).Since this package was complete, along with a follow-up email, I decided to move the review of this comic book at the top of my list of comics that I wanted to blog about. That's because the package, besides being in the orderly format that makes a review much more manageble to conduct, also contained a really beautiful copy of this first comic book issue! First though, let me post what the writer / producer says the comic book is about: "This is a limited series based on the true story of Admiral Yi Soon Shin, a Korean naval commander who saved his people from Japanese invasion forces during the Imjin War (1592-1598). Much like the Nazis during World War II, the Japanese were known for having little remorse for the innocent civilians of Korea. They raped women, enslaved children and killed elders. All that stood against them was one man who could not be defeated in battle." Okay, that's not my usual fare in reading, although I am a student of history! Why is it Not my 'usual fare'? Well, let me tell you... I grew up during the days that 'World History' was taught basically about the "Western World's" History. Yeah, I took a 'Religions of the World' course that included a LOT of Eastern religions, but my knowledge of the Eastern hemisphere is a little limited. My knowledge of the history of that part of the world is basically obtained by watching 'Kung Fu Extravanganza' at the Comic Con Internatiaonal: San Diego each year, which is hosted by Richard S Meyers! And No, I'm not kidding! So what did I like about this comic book? Well, the artwork from cover to cover is stunning! Artist Giovanni Timpano does excellent work in telling the story in his own style. Adriana De Los Santos, the colorist, added 'atmosphere' to this 'Eastern Hemisphere' locale. The lettering by Joel Saavedra fits and flows around the artwork without getting in the way. Great job! I also found a name in the credits that I have known about for many years, that of David Anthony Kraft. I really enjoyed his series 'Comics Interview' that he published for many years. Good to see him here as Editor. So what's left to like or dislike? Well, that would be the writing / the story / the dialogue.... Which I found to be very good, even though I am not a student of the Korean / Japanese war that is the background of this story. However, I for one enjoyed the story as it was told to the reader from the mind of the writer. But, and I say this cautiously... the story is told by the writer who is also the producer of this series. Thus I have to say this, not knowing of the history of the war portryaed in this series. And maybe it also popped into my mind because of the reference to the Nazis provided by the writer that I used above. If the Nazis had won WWII, then I'm sure we would have seen 'history' written as it always is... by the victors. I remember seeing cartoons on TV in the late 1950's - 1960's from the early 1940's portraying the Japanese soldiers as 'Japs' and the Germans as 'Krauts', etc., etc., in name calling, and physical characteristics being overly exagerated... So I'm not for sure or not if someone who is a descendant of the other side of this Yi Soon Shin story would consider this storyline as 'Propaganda' or not. I'm sure my blog will reach someone who will possibly take it as such sometime in the future. My only thought here is that this first issue is a good readable and introductory issue, good enough to jump to the top of my list for wanting to review it ASAP! Yes, there is a little 'blood & guts' in this storyline, but for the most part done 'tastefully'. Again, the word 'propaganda' could be brought out to use for the last page of this issue! However, I for one can see this as a really good start for a limited series on this subject, told in the style and fashion that the writer wants it presented. Thus, I am stating that I for one am looking forward to the rest of the second issue of this storyline! So how can YOU obtain a copy of this first issue of the limited comic book series? Onrie tells me the following: "The book can be purchased through one of the following retailers listed on my website": The book can also be purchased directly on Amazon; http://www.amazon.com/Yi-Soon-Shin-Warrior-Defender/dp/B002MVAUM8 Onrie also tells me that: "Creator bios can be found on our website by clicking on the following link": http://www.yisoonshin.com/creators "We also have a Facebook Page dedicated to the book": "Our home page is": www.yisoonshin.com. My thanks to Onrie Kompan for bringing the new format of this series to my attention! AND...My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts! Join us again soon, as we publish another 'Main Feature'. And don't forget to check out the 'Featurette' shown below this 'Main Feature' article at the bottom right! ~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com
http://www.comicbookscircus.com/
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TODAY'S FEATURETTE:
