My 'Take' On: CODENAME: Sparrow #0  By Raul Aguirre Jr. As Found at the 2010 San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival!     - Above Photo:  The Front Cover of CODENAME: Sparrow #0, As Found at the 2010 San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival! - At the Top Left: Raul Aguirre Jr. Holding The Issue of CODENAME: Sparrow #0 That Is Reviewed In This Blog! - At the Bottom Left: The Poster for the 3rd Annual San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival (2010 SGV).

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3255:

Today's post is yet another blog on a publication that I found at the recent SGV Comic Book Festival that took place on Sunday, September 19th! That 'little' comic con sure had a lot of creative comic book self-publishers on its exhibit floor!

Here is what Raul Aguirre Jr. has on his web site as to what the comic book is about:

Codename Sparrow is a the highly original Romantic Spy Thriller you just can't miss!

International Playboy and Gentleman Thief Eddie Torres  while at the top of his game, and through no fault of his own, has it taken away.

Rather than rot in prison he accepts an offer to be a covert operative for a private “Good Guy” agency called N.E.S.T!!

Their mission: To save the world from itself!

Codename: Sparrow TM and © Raul Aguirre Jr.
All rights reserved.

Standard Comic
Black & White
Page Count: 28
 
$6.00
+shipping and handling

So what is 'My Take' on this zero issue?

First, the front cover: Man, that's a lot of copy on the front cover!  That was my first thought. But the figures surrounded by the copy were striking. 

Splash Page:  Wait...It's a good thing I read the inside cover first, before going to the 'splash page'.  Why? Because as the Opening Credit to this story says..."Before He Was CODENAME: Sparrow - Greatest Covert Operative In The World - He Was A Gentleman Thief."   The title of the actual story is 'HOT ICE', although I don't see it on the splash page, but read it on the inside front cover.

Interior Pages - 1st story - I find myself liking the artwork immediately. The black / white / gray interior pages are fine with me.  Everything doesn't have to be in color.  The figures are illustrated in a nice style, and I find myself getting to the end too fast.  'To Be Continued' shows up too soon for me!

Next is a CODENAME: Sparrow Tribute Page, which is kind of soon for one, but since this is a 'Zero Issue'...What the heck!  I see four other creative page with their interpretation of the character, and recognize them all as others that were at this San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival:  Javier Hernandez, Graciela Rodriguez, Jim Lujan, and Hortencia Aguirre.  Interesting on how the main character of this zero issue is portrayed by these folks!

The next page is a one page feature: Who Is The Sparrow?' Which is helpful for a zero issue.

Being a 'Zero Issue', Raul decides to next show a one page 'Development Art Sampler' to present "...some sketches I did referencing some 007 stuff to get my spy on".  Raul has the spy thriller genre down pat!

Then halfway through the publication is the second story.  It's titled 'The Name of the Game".  Whereas the first story was about Eddie's Cat Burglar Days, this second story is about how Eddie got his cool codename in his early days at the agency.

However, the art style changes with this second story. Nothing wrong in different art styles, but after the first story ended with a 'To Be Continued', I was hoping to see more of the character in the art style that was first used.

It's a cute story on how Eddie got his codename, but the change in art style made me think there was a different team on this second story.  Nope...It still said 'Story And Art - Raul Aguirre Jr.'

Okay, Raul is the creator, writer & artist for this self published series.  He can do / present what he wants in his own self published series.

However, my preference was for the first style presented in the first story of this publication. I realize that this is a 'Zero Issue', which are usually produced to introduce new readers to the characters, background, and other info needed to start a new comic book series. However, the use of two different art styles / black & white colorings makes this zero issue appear to almost be an anthology book, which are usually harder to sell to the reading public. Oh, I do want to add that origin story of Eddie's codename was entertaining! 

Next...there's some great ads on the inside back cover.  Parody ads that is!  I enjoyed reading them.

Back Cover - The Ka-Blam printer's ad. Which is what I mostly see on self-published comics.  They are a good printing outfit, and by the numbers of comics that are submitted to me for possible rview, they are a natural choice. Check them out at www.Ka-Blam.com!

Okay, end of commercial for the printer!

I gotta tell you, I enjoyed the character and premise that Raul Aguirre Jr. set forth in this zero issue.  My only concern is the changeup in art style in the two different stories.  Maybe they were presented that way because the first story was set in Eddie's suave Cat Burglar Days, while the second story was set in the current 'CODENAME: Sparrow' Days.  That could be the reason, but I didn't ask Raul.  If so, then the two different art styles for the two different periods of Eddie's life would make more sense to me as a reader and as a reviwer.

I'm not going to let my 'hangup' on the artwork styles affect my 'grading' on this comic book...too much!  That's because this zero issue is chock full of what could be done with a comic book series on this character!

My comic book grade for this publication is a VERY FINE PLUS  (VF+) 8.5 on a 10.0 grading scale. That is pretty darn good for a 'Zero Issue'!

Here is the link to where you can buy this zero issue of CODENAME: Sparrow. Plus other items from Raul Aguirre Jr. Take a moment and see what else he has for sale! 

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Thanks again, Raul, for sharing your time and your publication with me at the recent San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival!

PLUS: My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 3,250 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 1,970 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button!  And for those of YOU that haven't yet...I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

Note: 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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"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"       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:   Make It So Marketing Inc. PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013   ComicBooksCircus.com - It's Under The Big Top Of Comics! Click the Above Circus Tent to See Our Current Listings!

My thanks to those of YOU that have read today's blog post! I do appreciate that! For those of you that didn't know me before today... I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 San Diego West Coast Comic Con (SDCC) at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!   My wife Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor (dealer) table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! Plus I have a chapter in a new book coming out in December of 2010, that is pictured above, "Gotham City 14 Miles"!  Click here to become a 'Fan' of the GC14M Facebook Fan Page! You can view our dealer table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link, which takes you to our table named: 'Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing'.  So if YOU are a Facebook member, please 'join' our Facebook Comic Con - Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, links to this blog, and other wall comments that we post every day!     Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to also join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'. Please Note: I have reached the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so it might be a while before I am able to accept your request. Just send a message along with the invite that you saw my Blog!         ------------------- 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've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed. Just click on the link provided in this paragraph! ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently, sorry about that! The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer. NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

 

My 'Take' On: Cartoon Flophouse Volume 1 By Michael Aushenker As Found at the 2010 San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival!     - Above Photo:  The Front Cover of Cartoon Flophouse Volume 1 Found at the 2010 San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival! - At the Top Left: Michael Aushenker Holding The Issue of Cartoon Flophouse Volume 1 That Is Reviewed In This Blog! - At the Bottom Left: The Poster for the 3rd Annual San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival (2010 SGV).

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3254:

Today's post is another blog on a publication that I found at the recent SGV Comic Book Festival that took place on Sunday, September 19th!

If the name 'Cartoon Flophouse' sounds familar to you...I did blog about another 'Cartoon Flophouse' publication recently, Crying Macho Man #4 from Cartoon Flophouse.

So this is similar to another well known company using their company name as 'presenting' or 'presents' a new title.

Also, here is what Michael Aushenker has on the company web site:

"CARTOON FLOPHOUSE (based in Los Angeles, California) is the only comic book company dedicated exclusively to humor comics.

We are committed to bringing you the rapier wit and absurdist, quasi-surreal hilarity of cartoonists Michael Aushenker and Jose Cabrera (both of whom should be committed!).

If you're not laughing, then we've failed. Which in itself is pretty funny. So we win!"

Okay...enough for the intros.

What is this publication about, and what is 'My Take' on it?

First the front cover: Although I have already reviewed a different publication from this company, I didn't know the characters portrayed on the front cover of this publication. 

(Heck, I even missed Richard Carradine's bum from the Lower Class at the bottom right corner. Richard is shown near the bottom right of this post holding his new book 'The Park After Dark'.)

This looked like a fun front cover, so I turned the page..

Inside Front Cover: Good 'House Ad' with the credits. I could see that this publication was going to be varied in presentation. How varied?

Splash Page:  This showed me I would be reading comix!  (Think underground comix!)

Interior Pages - The first two pages were a 'Welcome To Cartoon Flophouse' - which was good, because it set the stage as to what was going to be presented in this issue.

The first section of this comix magazine centers on Greenblatt The Great! - Which is in Michael's own words..."I've always wanted to write the Great American Bellhop Gag Strip". Michael graduated Cornell University in 1991 and moved to Paris, France. There he became exposed to PSIKOPAT. And Cowboy Henk, and Tin Tin. Michael calls the first section his "quasi-surreal, Euro gag strip. Enclosed are all 30 chapters".

The Boom Years: 1992-1994 - In January of 1992 Michael returned to Los Angeles. He created comics for Caliber Press. He goes on to tell about his experiences there...

Then Came 1995... El Gato, Crime Mangler starts. Michael quites cartooning for others and self-publishes, and never looked back.

Los Angeles, 2001 - Enter Xeth Feinberg and "Papu". Plus other characters.

Why does Michael, (and then I in this blog), mention the above?

That's because this publication basically reprints the periods mentioned above.

So I'll start with the first section which is about Greenblatt the Great, all 30 Chapters.  Each Chapter is a one or two page comix strip. Remember this is 1992. The Black & White Boom was in full bloom. The character is introduced. The art is 'comix' style, and the lettering is also 'comix' style. The black and white presentation covers a lot of ground and introduces several other characters, which would be natural as a bellhop does meet a lot of people!

Earl the Talking Ear is shown next, (from 1991).  Then 'Bloody the Bloodhound', (also 1991). Then other strips are shown, including 'Me, My Elf, and I', 'Satan Takes A Holly-Day', 'Nix + Pix'.

Then 'Papu' is shown, in 'Papu in Switzerland'. It's a 14 page feature by Xeth Feinberg.

That is followed up by a few one page strips of 'Riding On Empty' from 1992.

The publication ends with 'Clucky & Brett'- 'Those Unstoppable Rogues In...The Model Party'.

I gotta tell you...As I've mentioned in this Blog before.  Reading AND reviewing an anthology publication has to be one of the toughest jobs going!

That's because when a reader finds a story or storyline or character that he or she likes...that story ends and another one starts.  Which the reader may or many not like as well!

I enjoyed the intro on the inside cover, the splash page, and the two page history of how Michael Aushenker started in cartooning and publishing comix.

However, as stated on the Splash Page itself?  "Zero Attenion Span? You've come to the right place..."

It was fun to see where Michael started back in 1991-92 by reading the first 30 chapters of Greenblatt the Great from that time period. The episodes / chapters still hold up almost 20 years later because the format is 'comix'. Plus they are printed in black & white, which hold up over time in this style of presentation.

The additional features presented show what Michael was also doing during his early years in cartooning.  Some I liked more than others, but heck...this is an anthology. There's always that aspect of reading an anthology.

I didn't understand why 'Papu' was in the publication after the first reading, as it wasn't by Michael.  After re-reading the 2 page history of Michael's early cartooning life, it made more sense to me.

'Riding On Empty' was a little strange...but I wish it had been continued. It was cute the way it ended with a road sign stating: T.B.C.

The last feature in this publication, of Clucky + Brett, ended the presentation on a high note.

As I stated early on in this review blog...Reviewing an anthology publication is one of the hardest thing to read / review.  No matter how much, (or little), is presented, a reader is likely to find something they didn't like, something that was okay, and something that they really liked and wished more of that was in the publication.  Very few anthologies that come in for review have multiple stories / presentations that I like everything in it.  It's just the way it is folks!

My comic book grade for this 'Cartoon Flophouse Volume 1' comix magazine publication in total is a VERY FINE / VERY FINE PLUS, (VF/VF+) 8.25 on a 10.0 grading scale. That is pretty darn good for an anthology publication.

Okay...I promised to let you know where YOU can buy this mini-series I just reviewed above!

Here is the link to where you can buy this comix magazine. Plus other comics and magazines from Cartoon Flophouse!

Plus, YOU can also meet Michael Aushenker at the Alternative Press Expo in San Francisco if you are attending that this year!

---------------------------

Thanks again, Michael, for sharing your time with me at the recent San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival!

PLUS: My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 3,250 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 1,970 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button!  And for those of YOU that haven't yet...I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

Note: 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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"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"       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:   Make It So Marketing Inc. PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013   ComicBooksCircus.com - It's Under The Big Top Of Comics! Click the Above Circus Tent to See Our Current Listings!

My thanks to those of YOU that have read today's blog post! I do appreciate that! For those of you that didn't know me before today... I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 San Diego West Coast Comic Con (SDCC) at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!   My wife Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor (dealer) table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! Plus I have a chapter in a new book coming out in December of 2010, that is pictured above, "Gotham City 14 Miles"!  Click here to become a 'Fan' of the GC14M Facebook Fan Page! You can view our dealer table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link, which takes you to our table named: 'Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing'.  So if YOU are a Facebook member, please 'join' our Facebook Comic Con - Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, links to this blog, and other wall comments that we post every day!     Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to also join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'. Please Note: I have reached the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so it might be a while before I am able to accept your request. Just send a message along with the invite that you saw my Blog!         ------------------- 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've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed. Just click on the link provided in this paragraph! ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently, sorry about that! The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer. NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

 

Impossible! And Imagine... As Heard Today At Crossroads Spiritual Center     - Above Photo:  The Front Cover to 'The Beatles' #1 Mini Series from Personality Comics (1991). - At the Top Left: Joan Kurland played Her Version of 'Imagine' Today. - At the Bottom Left: Reverend Dr. Marie Lane's Message Today was 'Impossible!'.

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3253:

I knew that this weekend would have been John Lennon's Birthday, had he lived...

That's because several of my Facebook Friends had mentioned this on their Facebook Walls.

Well, I was also reminded just a few hours ago when Tina and I attended our Church in Carlsbad, (Crossroads Spiritual Center).

That's because after a powerful message delivered by Rev. Dr. Marie Lane on 'Impossible!...Pianist Joan Kurland gave an additional message via her version of 'Imagine' by John Lennon.

I told Joan, as I'm telling you via this blog, that I hadn't heard such an emotional / powerful rendition of this song since hearing it on Quantum Leap during the 'Leap Home' episode, as sung by Scott Baklua.

Due to the fact that the song, 'Imagine' was played so many times during my years of listening to 'Top 40' Radio in San Diego...I just couldn't get into that song when it first came out in 1971. 

Indeed, it just wasn't one of my favorite songs ever, due to the constant playing during that era. 

So I was really surprised how it affected me during the Quantum Leap episode when I first viewed it.  It's one of my favorite scenes in that TV Series.

Plus maybe it was because John Lennon would have been 70 years this weekend, and I was thinking a little bit on my own mortality after listening to 'Impossible!' by Rev. Dr. Marie, and then this song was performed by Joan Kurland.

It brought a tear to my eye, and I had to mention John's Birthdate rememberance here today, as well as the powerful message and song performance.

The above right comic book cover is just one of several that the either the Beatles or those individuals that comprised the Beatles have been illustrated or pictured on in the past.  Which is the connection to comic books in this blog post today. 

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Thanks again, Marie and Joan, for your talk and performance today!

PLUS: My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 3,250 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 1,970 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button!  And for those of YOU that haven't yet...I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

Note: 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/

 

---

 

"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"       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:   Make It So Marketing Inc. PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013   ComicBooksCircus.com - It's Under The Big Top Of Comics! Click the Above Circus Tent to See Our Current Listings!

My thanks to those of YOU that have read today's blog post! I do appreciate that! For those of you that didn't know me before today... I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 San Diego West Coast Comic Con (SDCC) at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!   My wife Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor (dealer) table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! Plus I have a chapter in a new book coming out in December of 2010, that is pictured above, "Gotham City 14 Miles"!  Click here to become a 'Fan' of the GC14M Facebook Fan Page! You can view our dealer table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link, which takes you to our table named: 'Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing'.  So if YOU are a Facebook member, please 'join' our Facebook Comic Con - Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, links to this blog, and other wall comments that we post every day!     Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to also join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'. Please Note: I have reached the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so it might be a while before I am able to accept your request. Just send a message along with the invite that you saw my Blog!         ------------------- 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've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed. Just click on the link provided in this paragraph! ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently, sorry about that! The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer. NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

 

My 'Take' On The Mini-Series: Sonambulo In Mexican Stand-Off! Issues #1-3 By Rafael Navarro     - Above Photo:  Rafael Navarro and Michael D Hamersky at the 2010 San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival! - At the Top Left: A Closeup of the Front Cover to the 1st Issue of the 3 Issue 'Sonambulo In Mexican Stand-Off'! - At the Bottom Left: The Poster for the 3rd Annual San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival (2010 SGV).

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3252:

Today's post is another blog on a mini-series that I found at the recent SGV Comic Book Festival that took place on Sunday, September 19th!

I have already blogged on one mini-series by this comics creator, Rafael Navarro, a TPB that compiled the first three issues of his first Sonambulo comic book series "Sonambulo In Sleep of the Just". If you have not yet read that blog post, please feel free to stop, click the link above, and come back to this current post...

Okay...back?  Well I usually wouldn't have blogged about another publication by the same comics creator so soon, but this one really grabbed me!  All three comic book issues, which have not been compiled into a TPB are still available of Rafael's web site.  More on that at the end of this review blog.

Here is a little more of what I found about the Sonambulo character at Rafael's web site, which was not posted in the earlier blog:

"SONAMBULO is a series of illustrated stories by animation and graphic illustrator RAFAEL NAVARRO. Winner of the XERIC FOUNDATION AWARD, SONAMBULO has now achieved cult status among enthusiasts of PULP NOVELS, MASKED MEXICAN WRESTLERS, B-MOVIES, and even SUPER HERO comic readers all around.

Like the world-weary street guys of Spillane and Hammet, SONAMBULO steps head on into danger, living in a world where werewolves still lurk in the streets and THE DAY of the DEAD can literally become a holiday for those who seek revenge from the grave.

Every story holds a dream-like bizarre quality, letting the reader know that the world of SONAMBULO is not the world of an ordinary guy. Depending on the case, or the subjects from whom he chooses to extract a dream in order to reveal some well-hidden clue, or as the case may be, their deepest, darkest secrets, SONAMBULO knows that at the dead of night, his day is just beginning…"

Even though I had not read this mini-series or the earlier one that I review blogged already, I have found that this creator's stories and art are very appealing to me.  The stories move at a good pace and the black and white illustrations set the tone for the issues.

Here is a little more on the creator, from the comicbookdb.com web site bio:

"Born in 1967 in Sonora, Mexico, and raised in California since 1969, Rafael called the city of Bell Gardens his home, a distinction he shares with the rock 'n roll legend, Eddie Cochran. At an early age he discovered his love for comics, as it encouraged him to read more, and began the fueling of his burgeoning imagination.

His earliest reading assignments began with newspaper strips ranging from Sagendorf’s "Popeye", "The Phantom", as well as spanish reprints of "Phantomas" and "Steve Canyon" and "Blondie". Ultimately Rafael's tastes matured with the likes of "Captain America", "The Fantastic Four" and from Mexico, "Kaliman". During this time Rafael began to take note of comic greats, Frank Robbins and Jack Kirby. In addition, local illustrators like NC Wyeth (at the neighborhood library) and Jesus Helguera (from the meat market) became contemporary influences.

But Rafael's problems really began when he got the notion to draw.

After graduating Bell Gardens High School, Rafael went on to Woodbury University to study Graphic Design, after which he attended Cerritos College to strengthen his portfolio for The Art Center of Design, and to study under Manuel De Leon, the noted anatomist.

Breaking into mainstream comics in 1990, and went on to video game animation and design in 1994. Since 1996, Rafael has self-published the Xeric Award winning comic SONAMBULO. He is currently working as a storyboard artist in the field of television animation."

Here is what the mini-series, (#1 is pictured above at top left of this blog post, #2 is to the left), is about: 

"Come follow Lucha Libre's very own private detective, Sonambulo, as he returns to his beloved Mexico to help an old friend unravel the mystery of the infamous Brothers Godoy, the cursed souls of vengence! What is their hidden secret? Can Sonambulo solve the riddle of their eternal damnation, or will he face it with them forever?! A tale of passion, greed, and the supernatural, as only creator Rafael Navarro can deliver! b&w, 32pg (1 of 3) $3.00 Cover price $3.00."

I found that the storyline, the narrative, the text, and the dialogue are very well written. And actually can be said to be written for a 'mainstream' readership, not just for a 'indy' loving readership.

The artwork keeps pace with the storyline, and I don't feel that the three issue story arc was lengthened / drawn out at any point, as I have found other three issue mini-series to be at times.

Issue #3 wraps up the storyline, and sets the stage with a new developement...Sonambulo is believed to have died...Which could have been a 'spoiler alert' except that this mini-series was produced in 2004, and there have been other subsequent stories since then.

Which again makes me wonder...How did I miss out on this series when it first started?

Well, I'm highly suggesting that YOU don't miss out any longer on this great series of stories by Rafael Navarro!

My comic book grade for this  'Mexican Stand-Off' mini-series in total is a NEAR MINT, (NM) 9.4 on a 10.0 grading scale. That is the highest I grade any comic book / graphic novel / TPB.

Okay...I promised to let you know where YOU can buy this mini-series I just reviewed above!

Here is the link to the Sonambulo mini-series and others in the series either in comic book floppy format or in TPB and other publications / materials that Rafael has published on this character. Plus other tie-in materials, including t-shirts!

Plus, YOU can also meet Rafael Navarro at the Long Beach Comic Con in October, if you are planning to take that comic con in during the Halloween Weekend in October of 2010!

---------------------------

Thanks again, Rafael, for sharing your time with me at the recent San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival!

PLUS: My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 3,250 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 1,970 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button!  And for those of YOU that haven't yet...I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

Note: 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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"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"       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:   Make It So Marketing Inc. PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013   ComicBooksCircus.com - It's Under The Big Top Of Comics! Click the Above Circus Tent to See Our Current Listings!

My thanks to those of YOU that have read today's blog post! I do appreciate that! For those of you that didn't know me before today... I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 San Diego West Coast Comic Con (SDCC) at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!   My wife Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor (dealer) table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! Plus I have a chapter in a new book coming out in December of 2010, that is pictured above, "Gotham City 14 Miles"!  Click here to become a 'Fan' of the GC14M Facebook Fan Page! You can view our dealer table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link, which takes you to our table named: 'Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing'.  So if YOU are a Facebook member, please 'join' our Facebook Comic Con - Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, links to this blog, and other wall comments that we post every day!     Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to also join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'. Please Note: I have reached the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so it might be a while before I am able to accept your request. Just send a message along with the invite that you saw my Blog!         ------------------- 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've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed. Just click on the link provided in this paragraph! ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently, sorry about that! The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer. NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

 

My 'Take' On: War Of the Independents #1  As Being Debuted at the 2010 New York Comic Con (NYCC)!     - Above Photo:  The Front Cover to the War Of The Independents #1! - At the Top Left: The Promo Poster for Dave Ryan who will be at Table Q-10 During the 2010 New York Comic Con, with only 200 Copies of Issue #1 For Sale! - At the Bottom Left: Dave Ryan with a sketch he illustrated for me at the Long Beach Comic Con (LBCC) in 2009. Yeah, that's The Thing with me in the sketch!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3251:

Today's post is to let YOU know that the FIRST issue of the six issue comic book series, 'War of the Independents', premieres at the 2010 New York Comic Con, (NYCC)!

I've already blogged that Dave Ryan was going to have this series printed this year. Here's the archived blog post on that.

What a great place to premiere the 1st issue! Only thing is, Dave has only 200 copies for sale at his table Q-10 in Artists Alley...So I'm letting all of my blog readers / members of my Facebook Group Page (Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing) know this now!

Here is what Dave has shown as promo blurbs at his websites for this series:

"War of the Independents" is a massive indie crossover. Bringing together everyone's favorite indie characters for an incredible 6 issue adventure!

Plus here's the promo for the premiere at the NYCC:

War of the Independents is a HUGE indie crossover story coming out as a 6 issue story that will be debuting War of the Independents #1 at NYCC - October 8 - 10, 2010!! It is a chance to see some of your favorite indie characters finally together and have some real good comic fun! Anyone interested in the War of the Independents, whether it being involved as a creator or love indie comix please join!

I'm not going to do a full review blog here today, because of two factors.

One:  I read this as a .pdf copy, not a hard copy, as the comics were printed just in time for this NYCC from China.

Two: It is very difficult to introduce the multiple characters used in this series to their fullest, just like when the mainstream publishers have done cross-overs in their Universes.

Suffice to say that I enjoyed seeing so many of my favorite indie characters I have read over the years be involved in the first issue, with more to be included in the remaining five issues!

Here's who is projected to be in the six issue series:

As you can see from the above list...That is a pretty ambitious undertaking!  And it was so strange, yet wonderful, to see Gumby and Pokey in the first issue!

If YOU are attending the NYCC, be sure to stop by Dave's table at Q-10.  He states that "I'll have some great 11 x 17 prints and an exclusive NYCC ashcan for issue 2 and sketch books", as well as the 200 copies of the first issue.

For those of you that aren't attending the NYCC, or get there too late to buy a copy, there is a download for the first issue available, as seen here: Download.

This was a FUN read for me!  Again, I'm not blogging a complete review in this post.  It's mostly to let you know that the comic book is in hard copy format, and that you should stop by Dave's table Q-10 if you are attending the NYCC to pick this up!

My comic book grade for this publication is a VERY FINE / NEAR MINT, (VF/NM) 9.0 on a 10.0 grading scale.

That's because it truly is a FuN Read, and I am looking forward to reading more of this six issue series! 

Please Note:  You can become a Fan of the War of the Independents Facebook Fan Page by clicking here!

Plus if YOU are attending the NYCC, don't forget the Independence Party on Saturday night, where you can meet Dave and others involved in creating / publishing independent comics such as this one!

And no, Tina and I won't be there at the NYCC or the Party...as we are on the West Coast at this time. 

However, I'm hoping that Dave will have some of the upcoming shipment of 1,300 copies be available at the end of the month, when the upcoming Long Beach Comic Con (LBCC) occurs during the Halloween Weekend.  Unfortunately Dave isn't attending this year's LBCC.  Last year's 1st LBCC Annual con is where I met Dave.  Cool guy for sure!

Thanks again, Dave, for keeping me informed of your new series, and best of luck to you at it's debut at the NYCC.  You should easily have a 'Sell Out' of those 200 copies!  Hope there isn't a riot when others come to your table for a copy and you are already sold out!

PLUS: My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 3,245 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 1,970 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button!  And for those of YOU that haven't yet...I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!!

Note: 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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"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"       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:   Make It So Marketing Inc. PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013     ComicBooksCircus.com - It's Under The Big Top Of Comics! Click the Above Circus Tent to See Our Current Listings!

My thanks to those of YOU that have read today's blog post! I do appreciate that! For those of you that didn't know me before today... I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 San Diego West Coast Comic Con (SDCC) at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!   My wife Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor (dealer) table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! Plus I have a chapter in a new book coming out in December of 2010, that is pictured above, "Gotham City 14 Miles"!  Click here to become a 'Fan' of the GC14M Facebook Fan Page! You can view our dealer table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link, which takes you to our table named: 'Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing'.  So if YOU are a Facebook member, please 'join' our Facebook Comic Con - Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, links to this blog, and other wall comments that we post every day!     Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to also join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'. Please Note: I have reached the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so it might be a while before I am able to accept your request. Just send a message along with the invite that you saw my Blog!         ------------------- 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've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed. Just click on the link provided in this paragraph! ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently, sorry about that! The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer. NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.