The Standoff #1
Storm King Comics 2018
Written by David J. Schow
Illustrated by Andres Esparza
Coloured by Sergio Martinez
Lettered by Janice Chiang
TATTERSALL PRISON. MAX LOCK. THE BADDEST OF THE BAD......until something from the night sky crashes into the complex, trapping cons and guards on the inside, cops on the outside, and escapees in-between...All of them threatened by a hideous invader who needs to take over nice, warm human bodies. It's a hostage situation. It's a battle between species. It's...EARTH'S MOST SERIOUS STANDOFF!
First let me just say that Storm King Comics takes their work very seriously in that they strive to put out the best quality product humanly possible. Also the fact that they are able to weave these stories that feature such interesting science fiction premises with true real life horror is utterly amazing to me. I know that many of you see my reviews but have yet to experience these titles so I think this is a great moment or opportunity to find out why I love this so much. This is a new story it’s five issues and it is the perfect moment to really get that understanding why you need to be reading this.
I really am enjoying the way that this is structured as David manages to create that stellar opening and carry that same excitement all the way through to the last page. The pacing is amazing and the way characters, situations, problems and current lack of solutions takes the reader inside the story and makes them feel like they are a part of it.
That goes hand in hand with the characterisation here because while the Agent in charge is a woman who thinks she has to be a bitch to be effective at the Bureau may sound cliché but it works. The varying range of criminal types that are involved in this well they actually make up a large part of the population here and how they see and think of what’s happening I find utterly fascinating. Instead of trying to find a way out this Bonner decides to be a psycho and that is going to be fun to see play out with what else we are seeing here.
There is one character whom I like and is kind of narrating bits and pieces of the story and somehow I think he’s an important part of all this but just how I have no idea. He is this enigma and I am quite sure he’s quietly one of the most dangerous men alive but there is this way about him that as a reader I find extremely fascinating. I think of all the characters introduced he’s the one that he’s the one that makes you more a part of this in that you try to figure him out. You go into a place that isn’t offered, his reason for being locked up, and you explore a myriad of possibilities and then are dying to find out what is right.
The interiors here are simply stunning to behold. They are both bright and vibrant and dark and ominous seemingly at the same time. The linework has been manipulated through the varying weights to create subtle moments that are barely perceptible and then those bold lines that really hit you. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off this spectacular eye for storytelling. I like the amount of backgrounds we see being utilised as they do a lot to flesh out the prison and the surrounding areas. These are the little things to go a long way in helping to establish the scope of the story.
From concept through execution this is one of those moments that make the X-Files look like a kids program. If its not at your store then have them order it because trust me this is something that you should be reading.
Storm King Comics 2018
Written by David J. Schow
Illustrated by Andres Esparza
Coloured by Sergio Martinez
Lettered by Janice Chiang
TATTERSALL PRISON. MAX LOCK. THE BADDEST OF THE BAD......until something from the night sky crashes into the complex, trapping cons and guards on the inside, cops on the outside, and escapees in-between...All of them threatened by a hideous invader who needs to take over nice, warm human bodies. It's a hostage situation. It's a battle between species. It's...EARTH'S MOST SERIOUS STANDOFF!
First let me just say that Storm King Comics takes their work very seriously in that they strive to put out the best quality product humanly possible. Also the fact that they are able to weave these stories that feature such interesting science fiction premises with true real life horror is utterly amazing to me. I know that many of you see my reviews but have yet to experience these titles so I think this is a great moment or opportunity to find out why I love this so much. This is a new story it’s five issues and it is the perfect moment to really get that understanding why you need to be reading this.
I really am enjoying the way that this is structured as David manages to create that stellar opening and carry that same excitement all the way through to the last page. The pacing is amazing and the way characters, situations, problems and current lack of solutions takes the reader inside the story and makes them feel like they are a part of it.
That goes hand in hand with the characterisation here because while the Agent in charge is a woman who thinks she has to be a bitch to be effective at the Bureau may sound cliché but it works. The varying range of criminal types that are involved in this well they actually make up a large part of the population here and how they see and think of what’s happening I find utterly fascinating. Instead of trying to find a way out this Bonner decides to be a psycho and that is going to be fun to see play out with what else we are seeing here.
There is one character whom I like and is kind of narrating bits and pieces of the story and somehow I think he’s an important part of all this but just how I have no idea. He is this enigma and I am quite sure he’s quietly one of the most dangerous men alive but there is this way about him that as a reader I find extremely fascinating. I think of all the characters introduced he’s the one that he’s the one that makes you more a part of this in that you try to figure him out. You go into a place that isn’t offered, his reason for being locked up, and you explore a myriad of possibilities and then are dying to find out what is right.
The interiors here are simply stunning to behold. They are both bright and vibrant and dark and ominous seemingly at the same time. The linework has been manipulated through the varying weights to create subtle moments that are barely perceptible and then those bold lines that really hit you. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off this spectacular eye for storytelling. I like the amount of backgrounds we see being utilised as they do a lot to flesh out the prison and the surrounding areas. These are the little things to go a long way in helping to establish the scope of the story.
From concept through execution this is one of those moments that make the X-Files look like a kids program. If its not at your store then have them order it because trust me this is something that you should be reading.
RSS Feed
