That's because we also receive in the mail, (and email), copies of comic books and graphic novels that are sent in for possible mention / review in our blog. So not wanting to get too backed up on reviewing comics here...I'm posting my review on the newest creation published by Firetower Studios: Princeless #1.
My thanks to Jeremy Whitley, who gave me a heads up that the issue was on its' way to me!
Here are my thoughts on this first issue of a new series:
First of all, I noticed that although the Publisher is Firetower Studios, the actual comic book was published by Ka-Blam, a quality printer, of whom I've had the pleasure of meeting the company rep at a recent comic con. So I knew the printing was going to be a quality piece.
The front cover would be what would either grab my interest OR not when standing at my LCBS, so I place big emphasis on the front cover, even though it was mailed to me for review...
The cover was not overpowering yet not understated, and the comic book title of 'Princeless' had a striking presence about it. Caught my eyes! Good idea on that font and size and diference in colors used for the 'Prince' and 'less' part of the title!
However the fact that it was issue #1 almost passed me by, as it was in the company logo at the top left. Not knowing whether or not that was on purpose, I'll let that ride for now...
That's because #1 issues are usually either going to be sought after, or because it is the first of an unknown quality, it may be passed over...
The artwork on the front cover by Luis Franco showed me what to expect when I turned the front cover.
What I saw though on the splash page was a diferent style than the front cover! No worries, it turned out that the splash page was a page in a story that the mother of the Princess was reading to the Princess. Okay, I'll go with that...
I continued reading, skipping the inside cover welcome page for the moment...
So what was the story about?!
Here's what was said in the press release:
Written by Jeremy Whitley and Illustrated by Luis Franco, Princeless is a story of and for princesses who do not need to be rescued. The first issue is an introduction to young Princess Adrienne, who despises the tales of fairytale princesses, only to end up in one herself.
Is it possible to live happily ever after without the aid of a handsome prince? Pick up the first issue to find out!
Princeless will be available in Ultimate Comics starting on Wednesday, March 20th and online through the Firetower store concurrently.
The above intro is pretty much what I found in this intro issue to the story. I did not find in the comic book itself or on the promo pages on the Facebook Fan Page or the company web site as to the proposed number of issues to this series.
It is however, a continued story with 23 pages of story and artwork with the last page being a pin-up. As I said earlier, the inside front cover is a welcome page from Jeremy and Luis.
The inside back cover has the company logo and the web site domain name url. Plus a large rectangular empty of text or pictures box, which may be for signatures if bought at a comic con?? As Firetower Studios has been to the Baltimore Comic Con, New York Comic Con, and the North Carolina Comic Con recently with a booth presence. The back page does have the Ka-Blam printers advertisement page.
So to whom is this comic book targeted for?
Well, being an older guy who reads a LOT of different comics and graphic novel genres, I found the first story arc in this series to be one that I would give to those that enjoyed sequential artwork stories, fairytales, and reading matter to help young girls to formulate their ideas about the world.
Why? Because in 'Princeless', the story is a like a new 'fairy tale' but with a twist! Princess Adrienne is first shown as a young girl who rejects the premise of a fairytale that her mother was reading to her. The fairytale princess in the story was locked away in a tower, guarded by a dragon, waiting to be rescued by her prince.
However, Princess Adrienne is shown a few years later... and is in the same predicament that the fairytale princess was in.
How she resolves this is what the first issue is about... No Spoilers here! You gotta read it! LOL!
The writer of this comic book issue, Jeremy Whitley, updates this fairy tale like story by not using the typical damsel in distress storyline. Indeed the princess is dark skinned and possibly quite capable of rescuing herself... but does she?
I mentioned earlier the style that artist Luis Franco uses in this issue. Yes, it could be described as a 'simple style' due to the 'cartoonish look' that he uses. However that style is one that could / should appeal to the younger readership of this comic book and still keep the older readers satisfied.
I'm OK with this intro to the series. One of the reasons I say OK is because I don't know how long of a series or a mini-series this is meant to be as a casual reader. Yes, I could have asked the writer of the issue what is intended since he sent it to me for review. But I am reviewing this issue as a buyer / reader of the comic book and finished not knowing what I was getting into for additional stories. Being a 'continued' story I knew there would be at least a second issue...
Yes, I'm sure that sales will affect how many issues will be published in this storyline. But anymore, a lot of readers of a new publication want to know if it is a mini-series, limited series, or a full blown unscheduled ending monthly or bi-monthly series. So I think that is fair to ask.
However that didn't stop me from liking the first issue as a reviewer of the comic book. I found it to be a good read in its' genre. It is a good stand alone start for the series.
For more on Princeless and Firetower Studios visit:
http://www.firetowerstudios.com
I have not blogged about this company's publications before, so here is some info on them:
Company Overview: Firetower Studios is an independent venture begun by Writer Jeremy Whitley and Illustrators Jason Strutz and Charlie Harper. Firetower Studios was created on a Thursday in 2009 at the Southpoint Mall Food Court in Durham, NC.
Mission: Firetower is committed to producing intelligent, thought provoking, and quality comics as well as books, art, and other fine products.
Products: Currently Firetower is producing two ongoing series: Jeremy and Jason’s “The Order of Dagonet” and Jeremy and Charlie’s “The Dreamers’ Daughter”.
You can also interact with the writer and artists of this company. If YOU are a Facebook Member feel free to 'Like' / 'Fan' them at their Facebook Fan Page by clicking here!
My thanks to Jeremy for submitting the 1st issue of this comic book title!
AND My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over the 3,100 total posts in number! ~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com
Note: Our online comic book store was still 'open' for business last weekend while we were at Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con, as the con was only a three day con. We caught up with shipping orders as of Tuesday the 20th. So if you purchased something and paid for it during that time...Your order is already on its' way to you! If YOU haven't bought from us yet, comics and graphic novels similar to ones that we review here can be found in our online store at:
http://www.comicbookscircus.com/
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Note: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works! To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:
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Talking about comics: if YOU are a comics creator, (writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, etc.), OR even a Comics / Magazine Publisher, feel free to contact me regarding YOUR works for a possible mention / review!
I say 'unusual' role, because the role that Malachi Throne played was at first 'uncredited' as to whom the actor was, as seen to the left. You should have read who was thought to have been playing the role at the time!
It wasn't until the end of the second of the two part episodes that Malachi Throne was credited, as seen to the left!
That's because yesterday I posted the BIG Announcement that I had made the night before at my Facebook member and Group Pages. I'm reposting it here today, as there are even more entries that have posted at the new Facebook Fan Page created by the Editor of the book shown to the left: