Mood: caffeinated
Topic: Comic Books - New
TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3215: One of the great pleasures I receive at visiting comic-cons, no matter what the size of them, is visiting the sections named 'Artists Alley', and 'Small Press' or 'Indy Aisles'. I usually end up with several new publications to read and possibly review in this blog, after striking up conversations with the creators of the comics or graphic novels, due to this blog being the #1 'Followed' blog on Facebook for 'comics', 'comic books', and 'graphic novels' per the NetworkedBlogs app, as seen here. So as posted earlier, I left with multiple new publications to read after this year's SDCC... Plus..I've had a few more mailed to me for possible review since then. This was one of them mailed by in by Mel Caylo, Marketing Manager for Archaia. Due to my on-site work schedule this week, my wife Tina LoSasso was willing to read and review at least one publication this week. Here's "Tina's Take" on: “Syndrome” Probes the Root of All Evil When Michael asked me if I’d like to review “Syndrome” I blanched at the front cover, turned it over and was immediately intrigued by the synopsis on the back. I was once a Psych major so the idea of a scientific experiment to isolate and cure evil piqued my interest. “Syndrome” is a graphic novel for the new millennium. In an age where science seeks to explain – and alter - every aspect of human emotion from depression to hyper-activity – and control the aberrations with pharmaceuticals – “Syndrome” asks whether evil is simply a malfunction of the brain. At a secret facility in the Nevada desert, a psychiatrist tests his serial killer subject with the help of a struggling young Hollywood actress and a renowned set director. By recreating a small town complete with all the triggers to set off the psycho killer, the doctor monitors and attempts to control his subject’s behavior with unexpected results. The novel’s artwork is compelling – far more so than the story itself. David Marquez does a fine job illustrating the story. Clear, concise, dramatic. The subject matter of the story is evil. Fortunately, Marquez manages to depict scenes of horrific violence without wallowing in the gore as so many comic and graphic novel artists do today. Following the story, readers will find a few pages on The Artistic Process of David Marquez. In it, Marquez shows how he drew the entire story digitally using Photoshop and his Cintiq drawing tablet. It’s an interesting look into the process of modern illustration. Sadly, the story is not as well executed as the art. The premise of whether evil-doers are simply born that way – and can be controlled by pharmaceuticals is worthy of Orwell. Unfortunately, too much time is devoted to the Hollywood artist who creates the fictitious town and stories about the film industry. Not enough time is given to developing the story of the scientific experiment. I suspect the writers wanted me to be shocked at the ending – and I was – I was shocked that the story had ended. I actually turned back and re-read several pages thinking I’d missed something. While the experiment seems to go awry, how much more interesting and suspenseful would it have been for the experiment to seep outside the confines of the secret facility? Or, to see how the implications of the experiment impacted society? While the writers came up with a fascinating concept, which was illustrated extremely well, editing fell short. I give “Syndrome” a 7.5 on a 10.0 Grading Scale. VERY FINE MINUS (VF-). ~Tina Note: This graphic novel will be available September 1st, 2010 in comic book shops, and September 14th in bookstores. For Mature Readers: Series contains adult content, nudity, adult language and graphic violence. Retail Price $19.95 Page Count: 112 pages Format: Oversized hardcover with dust jacket, 7.25" x 11.25" with full color. Also, there is a Facebook Fan Page for Archaia Comics. Feel free to 'like' their fan page and be interactive with them! ------------------------
Thanks Tina for such a well written review! I can tell you definitely were a 'Psych' Major! Again, my thanks also to Mel Caylo, for introducing this graphic novel to us. It was good to meet you at the SDCC this year! PLUS...My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over the 3,210 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog! ~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.comNote: Our online comic book shop carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items at the link seen below. http://www.comicbookscircus.com/
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