'Belladonna' introduced me to 'her' OGN, as I walked by her table in the Artists Alley section of the comic con.

The cover art of the OGN grabbed me.  Take another look at the orange / black / white colored cover in the photos above.

It also didn't 'hurt' that the model 'Belladonna' was there alongside the display with photos from earlier appearances. I'm sure that alone would have caused several con attendees to stop and talk with 'Belladonna'!

However, I'm reviewing the OGN here... 

So what's it about? Here's the Press Release Info:

"Annabelle, a beautiful woman, is gunned down, smashed up, and wakes up with full amnesia after a long coma, without any clues to her real identity. But when someone tries to execute her, she learns that she was the world’s most vicious assassin. Now she must live under New York City among the homeless, and in the process she becomes the city’s most unlikely hero."

AND THIS:

"Ben Ross (w) • J.K. Woodward (a & c)

The tables are turned on the worlds most beautiful-and most vicious-assassin. Gunned down, comatose in a city hospital for months, and with no clue to her identity, she eventually awakens. Fully recovered but with no memory and few clues to her past, she sets out on a dangerous journey to discover who she is-But will she like what she finds? Art for this special one-shot by Fallen Angel's J.K. Woodward!"

PLUS THIS ONE:

FC • 48 pages • $7.99 ISBN-13: 978-1600107313

"Within Belladonna the tables are turned on the worlds most beautiful-and most vicious-assassin. Gunned down, comatose in a city hospital for months, and with no clue to her identity, she eventually awakens. Fully recovered but with no memory and few clues to her past, she sets out on a dangerous journey to discover who she is-But will she like what she finds? Art for this special one-shot by Fallen Angel's J.K. Woodward!”

So what's 'My Take' on this OGN?

First:  The Front Cover - Very Striking!

Inside Front Cover - Credits plainly stated after such a striking front cover, which BTW are:

Written by Ben Ross / Artwork by J.K. Woodward / Letters by Amauri Osorio & Chris Mowry / Edits by Scott Dunbier / Published by IDW.

Splash Page - Starts right in with the action!

The rest of the interior pages:

The storyline - well written & keeps flowing, drawing me into finishing it in one reading!

The artwork - really well illustrated and excellent use of panels.

The coloring - meshed very well with the mood struck by the storyline, and added, not detracted, to the artwork.

The lettering / sound effects - well placed and very readable without interferring with the artwork.

Plus: No ads within the OGN with the exception of the inside back cover - an IDW 'House' Ad.

Back Cover - Well written promo for the story inside and is awell illustrated page.

This OGN is a very polished, professional publication!

I found it to hold my interest from Front Cover to the Back Cover!

This OGN was released on 2-24-10, so finding it at the April 2010 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con was pretty close to it's initial release date.

For more info on how to obtain the OGN, AND interact with 'Belladonna' herself, please check this Facebook Fan Page:

http://www.facebook.com/belladonna22410

My thanks to 'Belladonna' for bringing her OGN to my attention at the con, and to Ben Ross for submitting it for possible review! 

AND My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over the 3,125 total posts in number!

~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Note: Our online comic book store carries many different genres of comics and graphic novels, including CRIME Comics at:

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

Check Out More Of Our Own Endeavors:   Yeah, that's me in the photo shown to the left, taken at the 1973 San Diego Comic Con! I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 SDCC at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!   Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! You can view our table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link.  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 join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.         ------------------- 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. The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768. NOTE; All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

 

This print copy is officially available in May and can be purchased via the Facebook Fan Page that I will link to at the bottom of this review.

This 'Zero Issue' is the introduction to the five part mini-series that will follow this Summer.

If the name of the title sounds familar, it's because "The Enforcers: Zero Issue was originally released in limited edition in 2005. 5 years later, Three J Productions, LLC is proud to now release The Director's Cut, expanded and colorized".

So what's it about? Here's the Press Release Info:

"Senator Lawrence Fulton brings together the most unlikely candidates to make up his elite group of D.E.A. agents known as The Enforcers.  Their mission is to put an end to the east coast drug cartel known as The Alliance.”

So what's 'My Take' on this?

First:  The Front Cover - From the number of characters on the front cover, I could see it was going to be a 'team book', which generally when one of those are first introduced, a new reader may be a little hesitant to jump in on, because of lack of knowledge of the characters presented on the front cover...

So, if I was looking at this comic book on the shelf at my LCBS, would I pick it up and look inside?  After all, it's the logo / title / artwork / front cover scene that would entice me to do so... or not.

In this case the characters and the title showed me enough to want to open up to the inside page.

Which led to the explanation of the names credited on the bottom of the front cover, plus more.  Good presentation there on the inside front cover!

Then what would have been the 'splash page' turned out to be  the first of two pages of intro / character bios & sketches to The Enforcers, (see 2nd photo top left of this blog), who are the 'Good Guys',and then the 'Bad Guys' on the next page.

Great idea!  With TEN different characters presented with character sketches and brief bios - I as the reader had a 'scorecard' to help me through the story which was next!

The story started immediately with a full page art page, which served as the 'splash page', and then the action started when turning that page!

Action... plus character introductions... Plus good pacing!

Actually very good pacing, considering there are to be five more issues of this mini-series!

What would be considered 'house ads' were left for the ending pages of this issue... Three pages of those, then the Editor's Page with 'the history of Three J Productions LLC'.

The inside back cover could also be considered a semi-house ad, telling the reader that this comic was 'designed, colored, and lettered by Ed Traquino', with an email addy and web site.

The Back Cover was the Ka-Blam (the printer) ad, with the Ka-Blam Girl pictured, which was the only thing that seemed out of place in this entire issue.  Don't get me wrong... when I see this printer's page, I know that the printing job will be a good one, but the Ka-Blam Girl seemed a little out of place after seeing all of the earlier pages on the back cover itself. 

(Note: I do know that the page itself can be removed if the publisher pays more for the removal of the printer's house ad on the back cover, which most comics creators elect not to do, because of the additional cost.)

So, you ask me... What's My Take on this issue?

I'll tell you this much... I'm ready for the next issue to be published!

Why?  This was a Good Set Up of character sketches / bios to introduce the characters, plus sets up an actual storyline... EXACTLY what a 'Zero Issue' should do!

I'm suggesting that you get on board with this mini-series at the very begining with this Zero Issue.

This Zero Issue written by Carl Herring Jr. starts this series off right IMO. 

The artwork by Tod Smith fits perfectly with this genre!

I'm not for sure why the 'guest inker', Steve Montano, only inked pages 1 - 6, but I didn't see any real 'break' in style in the latter pages.

The colors, letters, and design by Ed Traquino flowed well with the storyline and art.

This was a Very Good Start for this series and I look forward to seeing the series' "1st Issue" this Summer!  As I stated earlier, producing at 'team book' is much harder to do well, than most readers would think!

Here is the link for seeing more on this series and YOUR chance to be interactive with the creators.  Plus the link as to where to buy this Zero Issue:

You don't have to be a Facebook member to see the Fan Page. But if YOU are a Facebook Member feel free to 'Like' / 'Fan' them at their Facebook Fan Page by clicking here!

My thanks to Carl Herring Jr. for submitting the Zero Issue of this comic book title for possible review!

(Oh...Carl also submitted an earlier title to me. To see my review on Crime Wave Anthology Volume 1, just click here!)

AND My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over the 3,125 total posts in number!

~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Note: Our online comic book store carries many different genres of comics and graphic novels, including CRIME and Team Titles at:

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

Check Out More Of Our Own Endeavors:   Yeah, that's me in the photo shown to the left, taken at the 1973 San Diego Comic Con! I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 SDCC at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!   Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! You can view our table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link.  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 join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.         ------------------- 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. The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768. NOTE; All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

 

WoW! It's even better than what I thought it would be holding it in hard copy format!

Part 1 of this review blog series has already been posted (click here for Part 1), using a .pdf copy emailed to me.

This perfect squarebound magazine is really beautiful and great to hold for a 'tactile' reader like myself!  Plus there should be a longer 'shelf-life' in this squarebound format for LCBS that would want to carry this magazine.

(Please Note: As of Comic Fan #6, (this issue), several of my review blog posts are being re-printed in the 'Spinner Rack' review section of this magazine.  Thus I am considered a 'contributor' to this publication.).

Okay... Time to calm down and continue with Part 2 of this reveiw of Comic Fan! #6.

I left off at the article: Blast From The Past! - An Interview with John Byrne, conducted and transcribed by Rick Limacher. This was truly from the past, as it was from 1976!

The next feature was 'The Spinner Rack' - a series of review columns by several persons, including myself for the first time here.

'Suspended Animation' Reviews by Mark Allen - 8 reviews.

'Barry's Comic Bin' - Reviews by Barry Southworth - 7 reviews.

'News From Home' - Matt Levin with 17 reviews and 5 'short takes'.

'Dennis Kinnigers's Komic Korner - by Dennis Kinninger - with 7 comics reviews and 3 manga reviews.

'Make It So Marketing' - by Michael D Hamersky - with 5 reviews.

'Funnybook City' - Reviews by Robert J Sodaro - 3 reviews.

'Midnight Fiction' - by Richard Krauss - with 20 reviews.

Whew!  What a selection of publications to choose from! I haven't seen this many reviews in one publication for quite a while! And I don't mean a tiny little paragraph for each review either!

'The Spinner Rack' feature ran from page 46 to page 69! Several titles there I've heard of before and / or read. Others were tottally 'foreign' to me!  I only mentioned the numbers of reviews to give YOU an idea on how prolific these reviewers are in reading AND reviewing!

The next feature was 'Comic Memories' - that ran from page 72 - 74, by Larry Tisch.  'Art that evokes memories of comics past'. This seemed more of a mental exercise / puzzle to me, as each one of the illustrations brought to mind memories of reading each of the comics illustrated by Larry.  Take a look to see what I mean by that! It was fun for me!

'Sez Me!' by Sam Gafford - Interesting article by Sam, who's "a 60's fandom guy trying to find my way in Comic Book Fandom of 2010!".

'Captain George Henderson' - by Richard Krauss. A Tribute article.  I didn't know of George's achievements or publications that he was involved in. With this well put together article, I do now...

'Golden Age Grotto' - by Lance 'Doc' Boucher.  I haven't read these Wonder Man stories that are mentioned in this feature, but I did know of the history.  Brief article, but to the point!

'My Top Five Favorite Alan Moore Comic Book Moments' - by Marc Haines was next.  Interesting choices found here.  I haven't read enough of Alan Moore's works to know all of these.  Of cousrse I've read 'Watchmen', 'V For Vendetta', and 'League of Extraordinary Gentlemen', but not these that were chosen.  Good article for those that enjoy Alan Moore's works, and wanting to know more of them.

'Original Comic Art Gallery' - courtesy of Mike Burkey a.k.a. 'Romitaman.com'.  Interesting choices of original art shown here.

The inside back cover was done by Doc Bucher & Jeff Austin. Interesting one page spread featuring a comics legend that I've met several times before his passing...

Back cover by Miguel Guerra - good illustration of Captain Marvel / Shazam!

I'll say it again... I knew this was a quality publication when I first read it as a .pdf format.  Yet to hold it in my hands made me appreciate this publication even more. It kind of reminded me of the feeling I got when reading the first series of 'Comic Book Marketplace' by Gary Carter...AND I loved those early issues!

There was a LOT of effort put into this issue.  It is a well put together publication, and I for one am pleased to recommend Comic Fan! #6 to Comic Fans out there!

The price on each format and how to obtain it can be found in these links:

Click here to view and order the Print Copy to be mailed to YOU!

Click here to view and order the PDF version to be e-mailed!

My thanks to to Publisher, Jim Main, for sending me both the .pdf format file as a preview copy for my earlier review. Plus sending me the hard copy just received last night, which is why I moved this review blog up in blogging about, as it was Part 2 in this mini-series.  Plus my thanks to Jim for including my review column starting with this issue!

~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Note: Besides blogging here, we also have comics, graphic novels, and fanzines similar to the ones mentioned above for sale at our own online store:

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

Check Out More Of Our Own Endeavors:   Yeah, that's me in the photo shown to the left, taken at the 1973 San Diego Comic Con! I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 SDCC at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL! Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! You can view our table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link.  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 join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.         ------------------- 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. The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768. NOTE; All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

 

One that caught my eyes was 'Distortions Unlimited #1' sent in by the writer / penciler / colorist - Daniel Crosier.

This three issue mini-series should be available on the shelves of YOUR LCBS, but I was not aware of it until this first issue was sent to me.

So what's it about?  Here's the Press Release:

Bluewater Productions presents a unique horror comic that revolves around existing full-scale monster and alien animatronics in the new series titled “Distortions Unlimited.”

The first issue of the series delves into the horror unleashed on the earth with the collapse of a mine. The plot was crafted with multiple, intertwining layers that combine fantasy and true-life events ripped from today’s headlines.  Local Denver celebrities, Uncle Nasty and Matt Need from Clear Channel's KBPI and Allana Rizzo from Rocky Mountain Fox Sports Net have lent their likeness to the project.

Crosier will bring a unique look to the books by illustrating with his watershed technique. All covers and interior pages of the series will be created with graphite on wood poplar panels. Crosier’s influence for the series is Dark Horse’s “B.P.R.D. 1946”. The books will have a high contrast, distressed, organic look.

The creative team will also include veteran inker Peter Palmiotti. Palmiotti has worked for a variety of comic publishers including Marvel Comics, DC Comics, and Image.
 

Here are my thoughts on this first issue of a the series:

First of all, the front cover 'grabbed' me, (pun intended). If I had found this on the shelves of the LCBS and I was just casually browsing what was 'New This Week', this would have gotten my attention.

Plus the fact that it was from Bluewater Productions' Comics line, of which I have enjoyed the vast majority of titles and their individual issues thus far.  That would have been an additional incentive to open up to at least the splash page.

However, I'm the kind of reader that likes to look at the credits.  So besides Daniel Crosier and Peter Palmiotti, I also see that Jaymes Reed is the letterer for this isue. So that is a plus also for me.

The 'Splash Page' really isn't a 'splash page' in this first issue.  There are several pages right off that use only horizontal panels to start telling the story.  Interesting concept, but does it grab my attention? The sequential art better be darn good with immediate story telling to keep my attention...

It does, and I read further.

The layout and story line continues, drawing me in to the story.  All too soon the issue is finished.  To be continued...Okay, I want more.

There is a one page pinup, tagged to be a 'Bluewater Bonus Pin-up Page by Daniel Crosier.  Okay, I'll go along with that.

Then there are two ad pages for 'Distortions Unlimited'.  Until now, I wasn't aware of the history of this.  Does it give away some of what is going to happen next issue?  Probably, but I don't know yet in what way...

"Denver, Colorado based artist Daniel Crosier has exploded onto the comic book scene in the last few years.  Illustrating and writing multiple comic book projects with a variety of well-established publishers, Crosier’s distinctive approach, incomparable perspective and vibrant personality has the industry taking note.

After a near death experience due to a lifetime bout with chronic asthma and allergies in his early 20's, Crosier launched into his art career with unyielding vigor and tenacity as only someone offered a second chance could. Crosier secured a degree in fine art from Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design in Denver, CO with an emphasis in drawing and sculpture.  This background in fine art has encouraged him develop a watershed wood burning technique for illustrating his latest comic book project,  “Bartholomew of the Scissors” from Bluewater Productions.   Crosier has illustrated and burned the entire four-part comic book series on 88 wood panels.

Crosier explains what encouraged him to start illustrating and burning on wood. "I have a background in fine art, and have always opted for alternative mediums. I really liked the idea of incorporating wood grain into my drawings. When I began getting published in the comic industry, it seemed like a natural transitions to do some covers and pin ups on wood. It stuck. People really seemed to like the organic feel of the work."

“Bartholomew of the Scissors” features gothic horror elements with innovative twists.  Similar to the new  “Vince Prince Presents”  and “Distortions Unlimited” series which Crosier will also be involved with as a writer and illustrator from Bluewater Productions, the primary focus is on innovative storytelling technique and exceptional art opposed to gratuitous gore."

You can also interact with the creators of this comic book series. If YOU are a Facebook Member feel free to 'Like' / 'Fan' them at their Facebook Fan Page by clicking here!

My thanks to Daniel Crosier 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 carries many different genres of comics and graphic novels, including HoRRoR and MoNSTer titles at:

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

Check Out More Of Our Own Endeavors:   Yeah, that's me in the photo shown to the left, taken at the 1973 San Diego Comic Con! I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 SDCC at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!   Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! You can view our table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link.  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 join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.         ------------------- 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. The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768. NOTE; All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.