Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Axel Pressbutton #2: Warpsmiths of Hod in "Cold War, Cold Warrior"


Download Axel Pressbutton #2






"We are the Warpsmiths of Hod... we are the power that cannot be imagined."


"Cold War, Cold Warrior" is my favorite comic book story of all time—it has been so since 1984. Don't ask me to elaborate too much as to why, but everything about this short science fiction story hit me just right when I read it and it's been tops ever since. In my opinion, this is the only story that rivals Saga of the Swamp Thing #32 (my second favorite comic book story) for sheer quality. Published by Eclipse Comics, this is a color reprint from British black-and-white Warrior magazines #9 & #10, which was written by Alan Moore and beautifully illustrated by Garry Leach.


Credits

Cover: Dave Gibbons
Script: Alan Moore
Pencils: Gary Leach
Inks: Gary Leach
Colors: Gary Leach
Letters: Gary Leach

Reprinted:
  • from Warrior (Quality Communications, 1982 series) #9
  • from Warrior (Quality Communications, 1982 series) #10













Surprise bonus download: Hellfire #1, which contains a six-page interview with Gary Leach and Alan Moore.

Download Hellfire #1

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Anything Goes! #2: "In Pictopia!"


Download Anything Goes! #2





"Once, I used to dream about moving to the color section uptown, just for a few dawns and sunsets, but I know it'll never happen. Only superheroes can afford to live in color."

If you haven't caught on to the sheer genius of Alan Moore's writing yet, "In Pictopia" may be the story that will cause you to experience that special epiphany as it is a brilliant piece of wordsmithing. "Pictopia" is nicely drawn by Don Simpson of Megaton Man and Border Worlds fame. Moore's commentary on the state of the comic book industry and the so-called "grittiness" or the "dark new direction" of comic books in the 1980s is both spot on and an enjoyable read. "Pictopia" is a must, MUST, MUST read!














Friday, June 11, 2010

Zero Patrol #3: "Shaman" Back-Up Story


Download Zero Patrol #3

Download Legionarios Del Espacio #3







"...the best part of the issue has got to be the five-page Shaman story by Neal Adams. Besides Adams' art, still among the finest in the field, this story bursts at the seams with more ideas and plot twists than most stories ten times its length."

Don Thompson
The Comic Buyer's Guide
December 21, 1984



Shaman was a back-up story appearing in Zero Patrol #3, published in April, 1988, and was written and drawn by Neal Adams. The story and art received high praise from the late, great Don Thompson in the Comics Buyer's Guide. While that was some time ago, I still recall that Thompson observed that Adams managed to cram in more story and plot development in these five pages than many well-known comic book writers could do over a number of full-length issues. I concur as the story and art are both first rate. Highly recommended.